2000 BMW 323Ci CONVERTIBLE ECU

Congratulations, and thank you for choosing a BMW.
Thorough familiarity with your vehicle will provide you with enhanced control and
security when you drive it. We therefore have this request:
Please take the time to read this Owner's Manual and familiarize yourself with the
information that we have compiled for you before starting off in your new vehicle.
It contains important data and instructions intended to assist you in gaining maxi-
mum use and satisfaction from the unique range of technical features on your BMW.
The manual also contains information on care and maintenance designed to en-
hance operating safety and contribute to maintaining the value of your BMW
throughout an extended service life.
This Owner's Manual should be considered a permanent part of this vehicle. It
should stay with the vehicle when sold to provide the next owner with important
operating, safety and maintenance information.
This manual is supplemented by a Service and Warranty Information Booklet
(US models) or a Warranty and Service Guide Booklet (Canadian models).
We recommend that you read this publication thoroughly.
Your BMW is covered by the following warranties:
– New Vehicle Limited Warranty
– Limited Warranty Rust Perforation
– Federal Emissions System Defect Warranty
– Federal Emissions Performance Warranty
– California Emission Control System Limited Warranty
Detailed information about these warranties is listed in the Service and Warranty
Information Booklet (US models) or in the Warranty and Service Guide Booklet
(Canadian models).
We wish you an enjoyable driving experience.
BMW AG

Preface

32n
Keys1 The master keys with remote control
determine the functions for the Key
Memory, refer to page 60
There is an extended-life battery
in every master key that is
charged automatically in the steering
lock as you drive.
If you have a master key that is not
being used, use that key at least once a
year by driving with it for an extended
period to recharge the battery. Refer
also to page 35.<
2 Keep your spare key in a safe place,
such as in your wallet. This key is not
intended for continuous use 46cde059
3 Door and ignition key
The locks for the luggage compart-
ment lid and the glove compartment
cannot be operated with this key –
this is recommended for valet park-
ing, for instance.
Replacement keysReplacement keys are available exclu-
sively through your BMW center. Since
the keys are part of a security system,
vehicle ownership must be checked
before a replacement key can be issued
(refer to "Electronic Vehicle Immobi-
lizer" on page 33).
If possible, take all of the master
keys that belong to the vehicle
with you when you pick up your re-
placement key. After getting a replace-
ment key, turn it to position 2 in the
ignition lock once (ignition switched on)
and then back. This allows the passive
anti-theft system to "learn" the new
key.<

33n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Electronic vehicle immobilizer The key to securityYour BMW is equipped with a passive
anti-theft system. This electronic immo-
bilization system reduces the likelihood
of your vehicle being stolen by making
it impossible to start the engine using
any keys other than the ones furnished
with the vehicle. Your BMW center can
cancel the electronic system authoriza-
tion for individual keys (in the event of
loss, for instance). A deactivated key
can no longer be used to start the en-
gine.46cde060
How the electronics workAt the heart of this system is an elec-
tronic chip that is integrated into the
key. The lock mechanism itself is actu-
ally a dual-function device. While the
engine is running, the circuitry in the
ignition key and the vehicle's electronic
system constantly exchange variable,
vehicle-specific signals. The system will
not release the ignition, fuel injection
and starter unless it recognizes an
"authorized" key.
Force applied to the key can dam-
age the integrated electronic cir-
cuitry. A damaged key can no longer be
used to start the engine.<

35n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Opening and closing – from outsideUsing the remote control The remote control gives you an excep-
tionally convenient method for unlock-
ing and locking your vehicle. Further-
more, it provides two additional func-
tions that only the remote control can
execute:
>Switching on the interior lamps
Using this function, you can also
"search" for your vehicle e. g. when-
ever it is parked in an underground
garage
>Opening the luggage compartment
lid
It will open slightly, regardless of
whether it was previously locked
or unlocked.
When you unlock the vehicle, the anti-
theft system is deactivated, the alarm
system
* is disarmed, and the interior
lamps are turned on. When you lock the
vehicle, the systems are activated and
armed, and the lamps go off.
You can have a signal set as an
acknowledgement message that
the vehicle is closed correctly.<
Master keysKeys with remote control are master
keys. Refer to page 32.
Children might be able to lock the
doors from the inside. For this rea-
son, always take the vehicle keys with
you so that the vehicle can be opened
again from the outside at any time.<46cde020
Master keys that are used repeat-
edly are always ready for opera-
tion since the battery in the key is
charged automatically in the steering
lock as you drive.
If it is no longer possible to lock the
vehicle via the remote control, the
battery is drained. Use this key while
driving for an extended period in order
to recharge the battery. Refer also to
page 32.
To prevent unauthorized use of the
remote control, surrender only the door
and ignition key or the spare key (refer
to page 32) when leaving the vehicle for
valet parking, for example.
In the event of a system malfunction,
please contact your BMW center.
You can also obtain replacement keys
there.<

36n
Opening and closing – from outsideTo unlock the vehiclePress button 1 to unlock the driver's
door only.
Press the button twice in order to
unlock the entire vehicle.46cde056
If the vehicle is in a tight parking space,
lowering the driver's side window helps
you when entering the vehicle. After the
door is closed, the driver's-side window
closes automatically.Convenience opening modePress and hold button 1. The power
windows are opened.
To lock and securePress button 2.

39n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Luggage compartment lid The lock Only the master keys (refer to page 32)
fit in the lock of the luggage compart-
ment lid.To secure separatelyLock the glove compartment with a
master key.
This locks the luggage compartment lid
and disconnects it from the central
locking system. If you then surrender
only the door and ignition key (refer to
page 32), access to the vehicle through
the luggage compartment is not possi-
ble, which is an advantage when using
for valet parking, for instance.46cde001
To open from insideIf the luggage compartment lid has
not been locked separately, you can
open it with this button in the footwell
on the driver's side when the vehicle
is stationary.460de011
To open from outsidePress the button in the handle recess
(arrow): the luggage compartment lid
opens slightly.
The luggage compartment is lit when
the luggage compartment lid is opened. Manual operation(in the event of electrical malfunction)
Turn the master key to the left to the
stop – the luggage compartment lid will
open slightly.
The luggage compartment is locked
again as soon as you close the lid.46cde003

41n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Luggage compartment3 Lift the floor panel up with the device
designed to hold it and hook it onto
the rubber seal of the water gutter
(arrow).
When lowering, carefully press the
device used for hanging the floor
panel back into its holder.<46cde032
Increasing the space in the
luggage compartmentYou can increase the space in the lug-
gage compartment with the convertible
top closed. To do this, flip the handle
(arrow) outward, and press it down-
ward. Now the convertible top com-
partment panel has been raised up.
Reverse the process to get ready to
open the convertible top.
When opening the convertible top,
make sure that the luggage com-
partment is properly set up for this;
refer to page 45 or 49, otherwise, you
could incur damage.<46cde009
Lashing eyes are located on the inside
corners of the luggage compartment for
attaching luggage nets
* or elastic straps
so that you can secure your luggage.
Refer also to "Cargo loading" on
page 106.

42n
Alarm system
*
The conceptThe vehicle alarm system responds:
>When a door, the hood or the lug-
gage compartment lid is opened
>Movements inside the vehicle
>To a change in the vehicle's tilt –
if someone attempts to steal the
wheels or tow the vehicle without
authorization, for example
>If there is an interruption of battery
voltage.
The system responds to unauthorized
vehicle entry and attempted theft by
simultaneously activating the following:
>Sounding an acoustical alarm for
30 seconds
>Activating the hazard warning
flashers for approx. five minutes
>Flashing the high beams on and off in
tandem with the hazard warning
flashers.
To activate and deactivate the
alarm systemWhen the vehicle is locked or unlocked
by using a key or the remote control,
the alarm system is also armed or dis-
armed at the same time.
The interior protection and tilt sensor
alarm systems are activated approx.
30 seconds after you have shut the last
door.
If the alarm system has been armed
correctly, the hazard warning flashers
flash once.
You can have one signal set as
acknowledgment when arming
and disarming.<
You can also open the luggage com-
partment lid when the system is armed
by pressing button 3 of the remote con-
trol (refer to page 37). When it is closed,
the lid is once again secured.
Indicator lamp displaysThe indicator lamp is located under the
inside rearview mirror.
>When the indicator lamp flashes con-
tinuously, the system is armed>The indicator lamp flashes when it
is armed. Doors, the hood or luggage
compartment lid are not closed
properly. Even if you do not close the
alerted area, the remaining areas are
deadlocked, and the indicator lamp
flashes continuously after 10 seconds.
However, the interior protection
system is not activated>If the indicator lamp goes out when
the system is disarmed, no manipula-
tion or attempted intrusions have
been detected in the period since the
system was armed46cus033