2000 BMW 323Ci CONVERTIBLE Owner's Manual

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IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
The fully automatic convertible top
*
The fully automatic convertible top
combines assured protection from the
weather with a one-touch operation.
Here are a few tips to ensure that you
get the most enjoyment out of driving
your convertible.
It is advisable to close the convertible
top when the vehicle is parked. The
closed convertible top not only protects
the passenger compartment from un-
foreseeable damage from the weather,
it also provides a certain degree of theft
protection. In addition, keep valuables
only in the locked luggage compart-
ment, even with the convertible top
closed.
Never mount a roof-mounted luggage
rack on the convertible top.
To prevent damage, do not operate the
convertible top at temperatures below
14 7 (–10 6).
To conserve the battery, operate the
convertible top only with the engine
running if at all possible.
The convertible top operation is
completely automatic. In rare in-
stances, some manual support may be
necessary (see Note in next column
but one).
Operate the convertible top only when
the vehicle is stationary. Do not start to
drive while operating it, either, because
the procedure could be interrupted
when the top hits certain positions.
A partially open convertible top can
lead to damage or injury.
If you initiate convertible top operation
with the vehicle stationary and then
start driving, e.g. at a traffic light, you
can completely carry out the initiated
operation. To do this, press and hold
the corresponding button again.
Give the respectively applicable traffic
rules preference during convertible top
operation, as otherwise you will be in
violation of the law.
Remove any foreign objects from the
windshield frame before closing the
convertible top, otherwise, they could
hinder the opening and closing of the
convertible top.
Do not place any objects on the con-
vertible top, since they would fall off
when the convertible top is operated
and cause damage or injuries.
While driving, always close the rear
power windows first, or close all 4 win-
dows at the same time, otherwise the
windows may not shut tightly at higher
speeds.cDo not reach into the convertible
top mechanism during opening
and closing. Keep children away from
the moving parts of the convertible top
during operation.
The automatic process is immediately
interrupted if the button for actuating
the convertible top is released. The pro-
cess can be continued in the direction
desired by pressing the switch.c
If the convertible top has been
stored in the convertible top com-
partment for an extended period of
time, e.g. during the winter months be-
cause the hardtop
* has been used, it
may be necessary to manually support
the top when closing it automatically for
the first time:
Should the convertible top stop shortly
before it reaches the end of the closing
operation, press from outside against
the front of the convertible top frame
while pressing the switch to help the
top along until it begins moving again
on its own.c

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The fully automatic convertible top
*
Opening and closing1 Closing
2 Opening
Keep pressing the button for operating
the convertible top until the opening or
closing process has ended.
The side windows will lower slightly
during the opening process. If you
continue to press the button after the
convertible top has been closed and
locked, the side windows will close,
too.
The red indicator lamp lights up while
the convertible top is being operated.
After releasing the button, the lamp will
start blinking if the opening or closing
process has not been fully completed.46cus004
If the convertible top compartment
panel has been raised, then the con-
vertible top cannot be moved. In this
event, the yellow indicator lamp stays
on when the button is pressed and indi-
cates that it is not possible to operate
the convertible top.
Flip the convertible top compartment
panel down, refer to page 41.
If the opening or closing process
has been interrupted, then the
convertible top will remain stationary
in that position for 15 minutes.
After that, the convertible top can be
operated manually. This can also be
carried out with the ignition key in
position 0.
The luggage compartment cannot be
opened while operating the convertible
top.
The side windows are lowered slightly
when pressing the convertible top but-
ton and are raised back up after com-
pleting the opening process, if you have
continued holding the button down for
more than 2 seconds after the indicator
lamp has gone out.c
While the convertible top is
moving, the side windows lower
slightly. If the convertible top closing
or opening operation is interrupted, do
not close the side windows by using the
power window buttons.
Sometimes the luggage compartment
lid cannot be opened, either, if the
opening or closing process has been
interrupted.
To avoid any damage from constant
damp, never put the convertible top
away wet.
The rear window will move toward the
passenger area while the convertible
top is in operation, and it will also lightly
press the heads of the passengers sit-
ting in the rear toward the front. As a
rule, there is no danger in this. To avoid
any possible pinching, however, the
rear passengers should tilt their heads
slightly forward while the convertible
top is in motion.c

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IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
The fully automatic convertible top
*
Wind deflector
*
Convenience operation from the
driver's door lock>To open: with the door closed, turn
the key to the "Unlock" position and
hold it
>To close: with the door closed, turn
the key to the "Lock" position and
hold it.
Releasing the key stops the movement.
For safety reasons, to keep the closing
process in view, you cannot use the re-
mote control for convenience operation.
At higher speeds, the lower air
pressure in the passenger com-
partment may create a vacuum and
cause the convertible top to start flut-
tering. Increase the air supply via the
ventilation controls so that a vacuum
does not occur in the vehicle.c
The wind deflector cuts down air turbu-
lence within the passenger area, thus
affording a pleasant ride, even at higher
speeds. It is delivered in a protective
casing, and because of its minimal size,
can easily be stowed in the luggage
compartment.Installation1 Take the wind deflector out of its
protective casing

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Wind deflector
*
2 Flip out the side pieces on both sides
and lock them into place (arrow)46cde098
Position the wind deflector so that
the smaller portion points toward
the front.c
3 Guide the mounting pin for the side
part into the opening provided
4 Using the slide, pull the mounting pin
on the other side back, so that it can
be guided into the opening provided
5 Unlock the convertible top compart-
ment lid, refer to page 45 or 50, and
open the convertible top compart-
ment lid
6 Flip the rear half of the wind deflector
back so that the attachments are in
contact with the vehicle
7 Close the convertible top compart-
ment lid. The wind deflector has now
been attached and is theft-proof.
46cde099
To avoid any pinching, move the
convertible top compartment lid
from above only.
With wind deflector in place: never
push the front seat all the way back to
avoid damage to the wind deflector.c
RemovingRemove the wind deflector in the
opposite order of installation.

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IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
For your personal safety when adjusting
the seat position, please follow the in-
structions below carefully.
Never try to adjust your seat while
driving the vehicle. The seat could
respond with an unexpected movement,
and the ensuing loss of vehicle control
could lead to an accident.
Be sure that the safety belt remains
firmly against your body at all times. In
the event of a frontal impact, a loose lap
belt could slide over the hips, leading to
abdominal injury. In addition, the safety
belt's restraint effectiveness is reduced
if the belt is worn loosely.
Never ride with the backrest reclined to
an extreme angle (this particularly
applies to the front passenger). If you do
so, there is a risk that you will slide
under the safety belt in an accident,
thus reducing the protection provided
by the safety belt.<
Correct sitting postureTo reduce strain on the spinal column,
sit all the way back in the seat and rest
your back fully against the backrest.
In the ideal sitting posture, your head is
positioned along a straight line in rela-
tionship to your spinal column.
For long-distance driving, you may wish
to increase the backrest tilt-angle
slightly to reduce muscular tension.
You should be able to grasp the steer-
ing wheel at its highest point with your
arms slightly bent.
1 Backward/Forward adjustment
2 Cushion height
3 Backrest angle
Comply with the adjustment in-
structions on this page, otherwise,
personal safety is diminished.<
46cde012
Seat adjustment

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Head restraints Front head restraints1 Height
Head restraints reduce the risk
of spinal injury in the event of an
accident.
Adjust the head restraint so that its
center is approximately level with your
ears.
To avoid injury when moving the head
restraint, do not hold on between the
head restraint and the backrest's upper
edge.<46cde029
2 Tilt angle
Manually position the head restraint as
desired. 46cde087
Rear head restraints
Rear head restraints may only be
lowered if there are no passen-
gers in the back seat. Raise lowered
head restraints again before taking on
passengers in the back seat.<
To completely lower the rear head
restraints:
1 Press the button down (arrow) and
keep it pressed
2 Push down on the top of the head
restraint.
46cde100

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IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Head restraints BMW sports seat
*
Raising the head restraintsKeep pulling on the head restraints until
they click into place.
Do not remove the rear head re-
straints, as otherwise they will be
damaged.<
For additional information, please con-
tact your BMW center.
Do not use the rear head re-
straints as a shelf. Always keep
the travel path for the rollover protec-
tion system free and clear. Never attach
any type of protective coverings to the
head restraint (also refer to the labeling
on the head restraints).<
1 Tilt angle
2 Backward/Forward adjustment
3 Cushion height
4 Backrest angle
Comply with the adjustment in-
structions on page 53. Failure to
do so could result in diminished per-
sonal safety.<46cde013
5 Thigh support area:
Pull the lever and adjust the position
of the cushion for thigh support as
desired.46cde040

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Entering the rear Lumbar support
*
The seat-integrated safety belt system
ensures easier access to the back seat.
It is not necessary to adjust anything on
the safety belt system. It automatically
adjusts to different body sizes.
1 Pull up the lever (1) and tip the back-
rest forward
2 Press the button (2) in the driving
direction and keep it pressed until
the seat has moved into the desired
position.
The backrest can be locked while
tipped forward. This is practical,
for example, when entering the back
seat on a hill. To do this, press against
the backrest until it clicks into place. It
does not need to be released with the
lever (1) to tip it back into place again.<46cde049
If you tip the backrest back into place
and hold the button (2) pressed oppo-
site the driving direction, the seat
moves back into the previous position.
If the button (2) is released before-
hand, the seat stops in the re-
spective position. It does not need to
be released with the lever (1) to tip it
back into place again.<
Lock both back restraints while
driving, otherwise there is a dan-
ger of an unexpected movement caus-
ing an accident.<
You can adjust the backrest's contour
for additional support in the curvature
of your spine's lumbar region.
The upper hips and spinal column re-
ceive supplementary support to help
you maintain a relaxed, upright posture.
>Press front/rear of switch:
Increase/decrease curvature
>Press the upper/lower end of the
switch:
Increase the upper/lower curvature.46cde011