2000 BMW 323Ci COUPE catalytic converter

11n

Controls and features
Operation, care and maintenance

Lamps:

Parking lamps/Headlamps84
Instrument panel rheostat84
High beams/Parking lamps85
Fog lamps85
Interior lamps85
Reading lamps86

Controlling the climate
for pleasant driving:

Automatic climate control88
Heated seats93
Roller sun blind93

Cabin convenience:

HiFi System94
Glove compartment94
Storage compartments95
Cellular phones95
Ashtray96
Cigarette lighter96
Clothes hooks97

Loading and transporting:

Through-loading facility98
Ski bag99
Cargo loading100
Roof-mounted luggage rack101

Special operating instructions:

Break-in procedures104
Driving notes104
Catalytic converter105
Antilock Brake System
(ABS)106
Disc brakes108
Brake system109
Winter operation110
Power steering112
Cellular phones112
Radio reception112

Wheels and tires:

Tire inflation pressures113
Tire condition113
Tire replacement114
Tire rotation114
Wheel and tire
combinations115
Winter tires116
Snow chains116
Approved wheel and tire
specifications117

Under the hood:

Hood119
Engine compartment120
Washer fluids122
Washer nozzles122
Engine oil123
Coolant126
Brake fluid127
Vehicle Identification
Number128

Care and maintenance:

The BMW Maintenance
System129
Caring for your car130
Airbags135
Vehicle storage136

Laws and regulations:

Technical modifications
to the vehicle136
OBD connector137

75n
RepairsIndexOverview Controls Car care Technology Data
Fuel gauge Temperature gauge When you switch on the ignition, the
indicator lamp comes on briefly to con-
firm that the system is operational.
Once the indicator lamp begins to light
up continuously, there are still approx.
2.1 gallons (8 liters) of fuel in the fuel
tank.
Tank capacity: page 173.
If the tilt of the vehicle varies, e.g.,
when you are driving in mountainous
areas, this may cause the needle to
fluctuate slightly.
Please refuel early, as driving to
the last drop of fuel can result in
damage to the engine and/or catalytic
converter.<462us020
BlueThe engine is still cold. Drive at moder-
ate engine and vehicle speeds.RedWhen you switch on the ignition, the
indicator lamp comes on briefly to con-
firm that the system is operational.
If the lamp comes on while operating
the vehicle, the engine is overheated.
Switch the engine off immediately and
allow it to cool down.460de082
Between the blue and red zonesNormal operating range. It is not un-
usual for the needle to rise as far as the
edge of the red zone in response to high
outside temperatures or severe operat-
ing conditions.
Checking coolant level: page 126.

Overview
Controls and features
Operation, care
and maintenance
Owner service procedures
Technical data
Index Advanced technology
103n
RepairsIndexOverview Controls Car care Technology Data
Special operating instructions:
Break-in procedures104
Driving notes104
Catalytic converter105
Antilock Brake System
(ABS)106
Disc brakes108
Brake system109
Winter operation110
Power steering112
Cellular phones112
Radio reception112
Wheels and tires:
Tire inflation pressures113
Tire condition113
Tire replacement114
Tire rotation114
Wheel and tire
combinations115
Winter tires116
Snow chains116
Approved wheel and tire
specifications117Under the hood:
Hood119
Engine compartment120
Washer fluids122
Washer nozzles122
Engine oil123
Coolant126
Brake fluid127
Vehicle Identification
Number128
Care and maintenance:
The BMW Maintenance
System129
Caring for your car130
Airbags135
Vehicle storage136
Laws and regulations:
Technical modifications to the
vehicle136
OBD connector137

105n
RepairsIndexOverview Controls Car care Technology Data
Clothes hooks:
When suspending clothing from the
hooks, ensure that they will not obstruct
the driver's vision. In order to avoid per-
sonal injuries during braking maneu-
vers, do not hang heavy objects on the
hooks. exhaust emissions, and is designed for
use with unleaded fuel only.
Even minute quantities of lead would be
enough to permanently damage both
the catalytic converter and the system
oxygen sensor.
To ensure efficient, trouble-free engine
operation and avoid potential damage:
>Be sure to comply with the scheduled
maintenance requirements
>Do not drive until the fuel tank is
empty
>Tow-start only when the engine is
cold, otherwise unburned, residual
fuel in the catalytic converter could
ignite and cause damage. It is better
to start the vehicle with an outside
starting aid
>Avoid other situations in which the
fuel is not burned, or burns incom-
pletely, such as engaging the starter
frequently or for extended periods, or
repeated start attempts in which the
engine does not start (stopping and
restarting an engine that is running
properly does not present a problem).
Never let the engine run with any of
the spark plug cables disconnected.Be sure to comply with the in-
structions above to prevent un-
burned fuel from reaching the catalytic
converter. Otherwise, the catalytic con-
verter could respond by overheating,
leading to serious damage.
Extreme temperatures occur at the cat-
alytic converter. Heat shields are in-
stalled adjacent to some sections of the
exhaust system. Never remove these
shields; do not apply undercoating to
their surfaces. When driving, standing
at idle, and parking the vehicle, take
care to avoid contact between the ex-
haust system and flammable materials
(grass, hay, leaves, etc.). Such contact
could lead to a fire, resulting in serious
injury and property damage.

Everything from A to ZAABS (Antilock Brake
System) 22, 106
Accessories 6
Activated charcoal
filter 93, 154
Adaptive Transmission
Control (ATC) 66, 160
Adding engine oil 123
Adding washer fluid 173
Adjust the backrest 47
Adjust the temperature 90
Adjust the thigh support
area 49
Adjusting steering wheel 51
Air distribution 90
Air outlets 88
Air pressure 113
Air supply 91
Airbags 21, 57, 135, 161
Alarm system 42
Antenna 112
Antenna, Diversity 162
Antifreeze 126
Antifreeze, radiator 110
Antilock Brake System
(ABS) 22, 106
Anti-theft alarm system 42
Aquaplaning 104, 113
Armrest 95
Ashtray 96
Assisted rear entry 49AUC (Automatic
recirculated-air
control) 91
Automatic car washes 130
Automatic climate
control 88
remove window
condensation 91
Automatic recirculated-air
control (AUC) 91
Automatic speed control 72
Automatic transmission with
Steptronic 22, 66
Average consumption 78
Average speed 79
Avoiding unwanted
alarm 43
Axle loads 172
BBackrest
release 49
Backup lamps 65
bulb replacement 143
Battery 151, 174
capacity 174
charge 153
discharged 156
removal and
installation 152
Battery charge current 20
Belts 55Blower 91
BMW High Performance
Synthetic Oil 124
BMW Sports Seat 49
Bore 170
Brake fluid 127
Brake hydraulic system 20
Brake lamps
bulb replacement 143
Brake pads 22
Brake-in procedure 104
Brakes 108
Brakes, brake faults 109
Breaking in the vehicle 104
Bulb replacement 140
CCar Memory 54
Car phone, please refer to
the manufacturer's
operating instructions
Car radio 112
reception 112, 162
refer also to the car radio
operating instructions
Car vacuum cleaner,
connecting 96
Car wash 130
Care
exterior 131
interior 132
Care of upholstery 133Care of wool velour 133
Cargo loading 100
Caring for the vehicle
finish 131
Cassette operation, refer to
the radio operating
instructions
Catalytic converter 105
CBC (Cornering Brake
Control) 21, 107
CD mode, refer to the radio
operating instructions
Cellular phones 95, 112
Center (high-mount) brake
lamp 145
Center armrest 95
Central locking system 34
key 38
Changing tires 148
Check air pressure 27
Check Control 77
Child restraint
systems 56, 60
Child seat 56, 60
Cigarette lighter 96
Clock 77
refer also to the onboard
computer operating
instructions
Clothes hooks 97
Cockpit 16