2000 BMW 323Ci CONVERTIBLE check engine

Contents

Overview
Controls and features

Cockpit16
Instrument cluster18
Indicator and warning lamps20
Multifunction steering wheel
(MFL)24
Hazard warning flashers25
Warning triangle25
First-aid kit25
Refueling26
Fuel specifications27
Tire inflation pressure27

Opening and closing:

Keys32
Electronic vehicle
immobilizer33
Central locking system34
Opening and closing – from
outside34
Opening and closing – from
inside38
Luggage compartment lid39
Luggage compartment40
Alarm system42
Electric power windows44
Manual convertible top45
The fully automatic convertible
top49
Wind deflector51

Adjustments:

Seats53
Seat and mirror memory57
Steering wheel58
Mirrors58
Car Memory, Key Memory60

Passenger safety systems:

Safety belts61
ISOFIX Attachment of the
child seat62
Airbags63
Child restraints66
Installing a child restraint
system67
Rollover protection system68

Driving:

Steering/Ignition lock70
Starting the engine70
Switch off the engine71
Parking brake72
Manual transmission73
Automatic transmission with
Steptronic74
Turn signal indicator/
Headlamp flasher77
Washer/Wiper system/
Rain sensor77
Rear window defroster79
Cruise control80

Everything under control:

Odometer82
Tachometer82
Energy Control82
Fuel gauge83
Coolant temperature gauge83
Service Interval Display83
Check Control84
Clock84
Onboard computer85

Technology for safety and
driving convenience:

Park Distance Control (PDC)87
Dynamic Stability Control
(DSC)88
Tire Pressure Control (RDC)89

Contents

19n

IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview

Instrument cluster

1 Fuel gauge with indicator lamp
for fuel reserve83
2 Turn signal indicator lamp23
3 Speedometer
4 Indicator lamp for

>

Battery charge current20

>

High beams23

>

Engine oil pressure/Engine oil
level20, 22
5 Tachometer and Energy Control82
6 Engine coolant temperature gauge
with "Coolant temperature too high"
indicator83
7 Indicator and warning lamps
(clockwise) for

>

Parking brake/Brake hydraulic
system/Cornering Brake Control
(CBC)20

>

Antilock Brake System (ABS)22

>

Brake pads22

>

Tire Pressure Control
(RDC)

*
20, 22

>

Rollover protection system68

>

Airbags21

>

Please fasten safety belts21

>

Cruise control23
8 Reset button for

>

Clock849 Program display for automatic
transmission

*
76
Indicator lamp for automatic
transmission

*
22, 76
10 Indicator lamp for Dynamic Stability
Control (DSC)22
11 Display for

>

Odometer82

>

Trip odometer82

>

Clock84

>

Service Interval83
Display for onboard computer

*
,
operation via the turn signal lever,
refer to page 85:

>

Clock

>

Outside temperature

>

Average fuel consumption

>

Cruising range

>

Average speed
12 Display for Check Control84
13 Trip odometer, reset to zero8214 Indicator and warning lamps
(clockwise) for

>

Fog lamps23

>

Add washer fluid22

>

Coolant level23

>

Electronic Engine Power
Control (EML)

*
23

>

Engine22
You can display the outside tem-
perature and distance driven in
different units of measurement.

<

20n

Indicator and warning lamps

Technology that monitors itself

Many of the systems of your BMW
monitor themselves automatically, both
during engine starts and while you are
driving. Indicator and warning lamps
that are identified by "

l

" are tested for
proper functioning whenever the igni-
tion key is turned. They each light up
once for different periods of time.
If a fault should occur in one of these
systems, the corresponding lamp does
not go out after the engine is started, or
it will light up while the vehicle is mov-
ing. You will see how to react to this
below.

Red: stop immediately

Battery charge

l
The battery is no longer being
charged. There is a malfunction
of the alternator V-belt or in the charg-
ing circuit of the alternator. Please con-
tact the nearest BMW center.
If the ribbed V-belt is defective, do
not continue driving. The engine
could be damaged due to overheating.
If the V-belt is defective, increased
steering effort is also required.<
Engine oil pressure
l
Stop the vehicle immediately
and switch off the engine. Check
the engine oil level and refill as required.
If the oil level is correct, please contact
the nearest BMW center.
Do not continue driving. If you do
so, the engine could be damaged
because of inadequate lubrication.<
Tire Pressure Control (RDC)
* l
In addition, an acoustic will go
off: a tire failure has occurred.
Reduce vehicle speed immediately to
stop the vehicle. Avoid hard brake ap-
plications. Do not oversteer.
For additional information, refer to
page 89.
Brake hydraulic system l
If the lamp comes on when the
parking brake is not engaged,
check the brake fluid level. Before driv-
ing further, be sure to read the notes on
pages 117 and 136.
Brake warning lamp for Cana-
dian models.

21n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Indicator and warning lampsYellow: stop immediately
Engine oil level

Comes on while driving:
Stop the vehicle immediately
and switch off the engine. The oil level
is at the absolute minimum.
For additional information, refer to
page 133.
Do not continue driving until you
have refilled the engine oil. If you
continue to drive, the engine could be
damaged because of inadequate
lubrication.<
Red and yellow: continue driving
cautiously
Cornering Brake Control
(CBC) l
If the brake warning lamp
comes on together with the yel-
low indicator lamps for ABS and
DSC:
The entire ABS, CBC and DSC

control system has failed. Con-
tinue driving cautiously and defensively.
Avoid hard brake applications. Please
have the system checked by your BMW
center as soon as possible.
For additional information, refer to
pages 88, 115.
CBC, ABS and DSC indicator
and warning lamps for Canadian
models.
Red: an important reminder
Parking brake
Comes on when the parking
brake is applied – an additional
acoustic signal sounds when starting
off.
For additional information, refer to
page 72.
Brake warning lamp for Cana-
dian models.
Please fasten safety belts l
An acoustic warning signal
sounds at the same time. Lights
up for a few seconds or until the safety
belt is fastened.
For additional information on safety
belts, refer to page 61.
Airbags l
Please have the system in-
spected by your authorized
BMW center.
For additional information, refer to
pages 63, 173.

22n
Indicator and warning lampsOrange: consult the nearest
BMW center
Automatic transmission
*
Because of a malfunction, the
automatic transmission shifts
only in the emergency program. Please
consult the nearest BMW center.
For additional information, refer to
page 76.
Yellow: check as soon as possible
Antilock Brake System (ABS) l
ABS has been deactivated in
response to system malfunction.
Conventional braking efficiency is avail-
able without limitations. Please have
the system inspected by your BMW
center.
For additional information, refer to
page 115.
ABS warning lamp for Canadian
models.
Engine oil level
Comes on after the engine has
been switched off: check the
engine oil level.
For additional information, refer to
page 133.
Brake pads l
Have the brake pads checked.
For additional information, refer
to page 117.
Tire Pressure Control (RDC)
* l
Check the tire pressure.
For additional information, refer
to pages 27 and 89.
Dynamic Stability Control
(DSC) l
DSC has been deactivated in
response to system malfunction or by
means of the button. In the event of a
malfunction, have the system checked
by your BMW center.
For additional information, refer to
page 88.
Add washer fluid
The washer fluid is too low. Top
off the fluid at the earliest op-
portunity.
For additional information, refer to
page 132.
Service Engine Soon l
If the indicator lamp comes on
either continuously or intermit-
tently, this indicates a fault in the emis-
sions-related electronic systems. Al-
though the vehicle remains operational,
you should have the systems checked
by your BMW center at the earliest pos-
sible opportunity.
For additional information, refer to
page 149.
"Service Engine Soon" warning
lamp for Canadian models.

27n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Fuel specifications Tire inflation pressure Use unleaded gasoline only.
Recommended fuel: premium with a
minimum octane rating of 91 AKI.
BMW engines are equipped with knock
sensors and will adapt automatically
to different octane ratings, provided
that the minimum octane requirement
(87 AKI) is met.
Fuels with higher octane ratings will
provide enhanced performance and
lower fuel consumption, while the use
of fuels with low octane ratings will have
the opposite effect.
Do not use leaded fuels. The use
of leaded fuels will cause perma-
nent damage to the system's oxygen
sensor and the catalytic converter.<
AKI = Anti Knock Index
You will find the inflation pressures on
the inside door pillar (visible with door
open).Check tire pressuresAll pressure specifications are stated
in psi (kilopascal) with cold tires (cold =
ambient temperature). Refer to the next
page as well.
For vehicles with Tire Pressure Control
(RDC)
*:
After correcting the tire inflation pres-
sure, reactivate the system. Refer to
page 89.
462de197
Check tire inflation pressures reg-
ularly – at least every two weeks
and before beginning a longer trip.
Otherwise, incorrect tire pressure can
lead to driving instability or to tire dam-
age and accidents.
Check the tire pressure in the space-
saver tire as well.<

Overview
Controls and features
Operation, care
and maintenance
Owner service procedures
Technical data
Index Advanced technology
31n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Driving:
Steering/Ignition lock70
Starting the engine70
Switching off the engine71
Parking brake72
Manual transmission73
Automatic transmission with
Steptronic74
Turn signal indicator/Headlamp
flasher77
Washer/Wiper system/
Rain sensor77
Rear window defroster79
Cruise control80
Everything under control:
Odometer82
Tachometer82
Energy Control82
Fuel gauge83
Coolant temperature gauge83
Service Interval Display83
Check Control84
Clock84
Onboard computer85
Technology for safety and
convenience:
Park Distance Control (PDC)87
Dynamic Stability Control
(DSC)88
Tire Pressure Control (RDC)89Lamps:
Parking lamps/Low beams91
Instrument lighting91
High beams/Parking lamps92
Fog lamps92
Interior lamps92
Reading lamps93
Controlling the climate for
pleasant driving:
Automatic climate control94
Seat heating99
Cabin conveniences:
Glove compartment99
BMW Universal
Transmitter *100
Storage compartments102
Cellular phone103
Ashtray front103
Cigarette lighter104
Ashtray rear104
Loading and transporting:
Ski bag105
Cargo loading106
Luggage rack for the
hardtop108

82n
1 Odometer You can activate the displays shown in
the illustration with the ignition key in
position 0 by pressing the button in the
instrument cluster (arrow).2 Trip odometerTo reset the trip odometer to zero,
press the button (arrow) with the
ignition key in position 1 and up.462us005
Avoid engine speeds that fall within the
gauge's red warning zone.
To protect the engine, the fuel supply is
automatically interrupted in this zone;
you will notice a loss of power.462us017
Indicates current fuel consumption in
mpg (in liters per 100 km on Canadian
models). You can check your current
driving style to see whether it is condu-
cive to economy and minimum exhaust
emissions.
When the vehicle is stationary, the
needle goes to "Maximum" (zero on
Canadian models).462us018
Odometer Tachometer Energy Control