2000 BMW 323Ci COUPE winter tires

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

28n
Tire inflation pressureBMW Tires
Inflation pressures in psi (kilopascal)
323CiSummer tires 29 (200) 33 (230) 33 (230) 41 (280)
Winter tires 32 (220) 36 (250) 36 (250) 44 (300)
328CiSummer tires 29 (200) 33 (230) 33 (230) 41 (280)
Winter tires 32 (220) 36 (250) 36 (250) 44 (300)
All Space-saver spare tire 61 (420) 61 (420) 61 (420) 61 (420)
For all-season tires, use the same tire inflation pressure as for summer tires.

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

110n
Winter operationThe onset of winter is often accompa-
nied by rapid changes in weather. Adap-
tations in driving style should be accom-
panied by preparations on the vehicle
itself to ensure that your progress
through the winter remains safe and
trouble-free.CoolantBe sure that the coolant mixture is kept
at the year-round ratio of 50:50 of water
and antifreeze/corrosion protection.
This mixture provides protection against
freezing down to approx. – 347
(– 376). Replace the coolant every four
years.LocksBMW door lock deicer can be used to
free them if frozen. This deicer also
contains lubricant.
After using deicer, treatment with BMW
lock barrel grease is recommended.Rubber seals and components To prevent the weather-stripping from
freezing, apply a spray-on rubber treat-
ment or silicone spray to the door, hood
and luggage compartment lid seals.
A full range of car-care products is
available from your BMW center.<
Snow chains BMW snow chains
* can be mounted on
both summer and winter tires. Mount
them in pairs on the rear wheels only
and comply with the manufacturer's
safety precautions. Do not exceed a
maximum speed of 30 mph (50 km/h).
In this situation (snow chains mounted),
deactivate the DSC. Refer to page 81.
Starting offWe recommend that you use the man-
ual control switch to deactivate DSC
when starting off in deep snow or when
rocking the car to free it (refer to
page 81).Driving on low-traction road
surfacesUse smooth, gentle pressure to control
the accelerator pedal. Avoid excessive
engine speeds and shift to the next
higher gear at an early point. Adapt
your speed and driving style when ap-
proaching grades or slopes. Maintain
an adequate distance between yourself
and the car ahead.
BrakesWinter road conditions substantially
reduce the traction available between
the tires and the road surface.
Remember that braking distances will
be significantly longer as a result.
ABS is intended to prevent the wheels
from locking during brake applications,
thus helping to maintain vehicle stability
and steering response.
If the ABS does not respond in a critical
braking situation and the wheels lock:
Reduce the pressure on the brake
pedal until the wheels just start to roll
again while still maintaining enough
force to continue braking. Then in-
crease the pressure, reduce the pres-
sure when the wheels lock, reapply
pressure etc.
This staggered braking procedure will
reduce stopping distances while help-
ing you maintain steering control.
You can then attempt to steer around
hazards after you have reduced pres-
sure on the brake pedal.

115n
RepairsIndexOverview Controls Car care Technology Data
Wheel and tire combinations The right choice Use only BMW-approved tires, refer to
page 117.
Due to the high speeds this vehicle can
achieve, the use of specific tire brands,
specifications and dimensions is man-
datory.
Consult any BMW center for details.
Comply with local/national regulations.
The correct wheel/tire combinaton
affects different sytems, such as
ABS, ATC, DSC. The function of these
systems can be impaired if the correct
combinaton is not used.
Therefore, only use tires of the same
brand and tread pattern. Replace a flat
tire with an approved wheel/tire combi-
nation as soon as possible.<
Codes on the tires and wheels The tire codes will aid you in selecting
the correct tire.
Codes on radial tires:
The speed rating indicates the ap-
proved maximum speed for the tire.
Summer tires:
S = up to 112 mph (180 km/h)
T = up to 118 mph (190 km/h)
H = up to 130 mph (210 km/h)
V = up to 150 mph (240 km/h)
W = up to 167 mph (270 km/h)
Y = above 167 mph (270 km/h)
ZR = above 150 mph (240 km/h) Example:
Nominal width
in mm
Aspect ratio in %
Radial tire code
Rim diameter in inches
Load rating
(not on ZR tires)
Speed rating
(before R on ZR tires)
225/50 R
1692W
Winter tires:
Q M+S = up to 100 mph (160 km/h)
T M+S = up to 118 mph (190 km/h)
H M+S = up to 130 mph (210 km/h)
Codes stamped on light-alloy wheels:
Protect valve inserts against dirt using
screw-on valve stem caps. Dirt in the
valves frequently leads to slow leaks. Example:
Rim width
in inches
Code letter for
flange type
Symbol for full-drop
center rim
Rim diameter in inches
Hump on the 2 rim shoulders
7 x 16 H 2
J

116n
Winter tiresChoosing the right tireBMW recommends winter tires (M+S
radial tires) for driving in adverse winter
road conditions. Although all-season
M+S tires provide better winter traction
than standard summer tires with H, V,
W, Y and ZR speed ratings, they gener-
ally fail to provide the same levels of
performance as standard snow tires in
winter driving.
For of safe tracking and steering re-
sponse, install winter tires made by the
same manufacturer having the same
tread configuration on all four wheels.
Mount only winter tires approved by
BMW. Any BMW center will be glad to
provide you with information on the
best winter tires for your particular driv-
ing conditions.Never exceed the maximum speed
for that the tires are rated.
Unprofessional attempts by laymen to
service tires can lead to damage and
accidents.
Have this work performed by skilled
professionals only. Your BMW center
will be glad to assist you with both their
expertise and the proper equipment for
your vehicle.<
Tire condition, tire pressureWinter tires display a perceptible loss in
their ability to cope with winter driving
conditions once the tread wears to be-
low 0.16 in (4 mm), and should thus be
replaced.
Comply with the specified tire inflation
pressures – and be sure to have the
wheel and tire assemblies balanced
every time you change the tires.
StorageStore tires in a cool, dry place, away
from light whenever possible. Protect
the tires against contact with oil, grease
and fuel.Snow chains
*
Use narrow-link BMW snow chains on
summer or winter tires only in pairs and
only on the rear wheels. Comply with all
manufacturer's safety precautions when
mounting the chains.

117n
RepairsIndexOverview Controls Car care Technology Data
Approved wheel and tire specifications Tire specifications Steel rim (wheel rim) Light-alloy wheel
BMW 323Ci
All-Season
195/65 R 15 91 H – 6.5Jx15
Summer tires
195/65 R 15 91 H – 6.5Jx15
205/60 R 15 91 H – 6.5Jx15
7Jx15
205/55 R 16 91 H
225/50 R 16 92 W
225/50 ZR 16– 7Jx16
225/45 R 17 91 W – 8Jx17
Front: 225/45 ZR 17 – 7.5Jx17
Rear: 245/40 ZR 17 – 8.5Jx17
Winter tires
195/65 R 15 91 Q M+S 6.5Jx15 6.5Jx15
205/60 R 15 91 Q M+S 6.5Jx15 6.5Jx15
7Jx15
205/55 R 16 91 Q M + S
225/50 R 16 92 Q M + S7Jx16 7Jx16
225/45 R 17 91 Q M + S – 8Jx17
Space-saver spare tire
T 125/90 R 15 96 M 3.5Bx15 –
T 125/90 R 16 98 M 3.5Bx16 –
Pay attention to the specifications for tires and wheels in the vehicle's
manuals. If you install tire sizes not approved by the manufacturer,
you are required to enter this in the vehicle documents.
Snow chains
*
Snow chains cannot be mounted on the
following tires:
225/50 R 16 92 W
225/50 ZR 16
225/45 R 17 91 W
225/50 R 16 92 Q/T/H
225/45 R 17 91 Q/T/HMixed tiresFor details concerning tire manufactur-
ers for mixed tires, refer to the original-
equipment specifications.

118n
Approved wheel and tire specifications Tire specifications Steel rim (wheel rim) Light-alloy wheel
BMW 328Ci
All-Season
205/55 R 16 91 H – 7Jx16
Summer tires
205/55 R 16 91 H
225/50 R 16 92 H
225/50 ZR 16– 7Jx16
225/45 R 17 91 H – 8Jx17
Front: 225/45 ZR 17 – 7.5Jx17
Rear: 245/40 ZR 17 – 8.5Jx17
Winter tires
205/55 R 16 91 Q M + S
225/50 R 16 92 Q M + S7Jx16 7Jx16
225/45 R 17 91 Q M + S – 8Jx17
Space-saver spare tire
T 125/90 R 16 98 M 3.5Bx16 –
Pay attention to the specifications for tires and wheels in the vehicle's
manuals. If you install tire sizes not approved by the manufacturer, you
are required to enter this in the vehicle documents.
Snow chains
*
Snow chains cannot be mounted on the
following tires:
225/50 R 16 92 W
225/50 ZR 16
225/45 R 17 91 W
225/50 R 16 92 Q/T/H
225/45 R 17 91 Q/T/HMixed tiresFor details concerning tire manufactur-
ers for mixed tires, refer to the original-
equipment specifications.