2000 BMW 323Ci ESP

70n
Wiper/washer system1 Intermittent wipe or rain
sensor
*
Intermittent wipe:
You can use rotary dial 6 to select from
four wipe intervals. In addition, the wipe
interval automatically adapts to varia-
tions in road speed.
Rain sensor:
When the rain sensor is activated, the
windshield wiper is controlled automati-
cally, depending on the degree of wet-
ness of the windshield (in both snow
and rain). You do not have to be con-
cerned with switching the windshield
wiper on or off or adjusting the wipe
interval between intermittent and full
wipe. Instead, you can concentrate fully
on the traffic conditions. This is espe-
cially important under adverse weather
conditions.462de213
To activate the rain sensor:
In ignition key positions 1 or 2, move
the lever to position 1. The wipers travel
once across the windshield under all
circumstances.
You can leave the lever permanently in
position 1, and then activate the rain
sensor in ignition key positions 1 or 2.
To do this,
>turn rotary dial 6 briefly or
>use the automatic windshield
washer 5.
To modify the sensitivity of the rain
sensor:
Turn rotary dial 6.
Switch the rain sensor off when
the vehicle passes through the car
wash. Failure to do so could result in
damage caused by undesired wiper
activation.<
2 Normal wiper speedWhen the vehicle is stationary, the wip-
ers switch automatically to intermittent
wipe (not on vehicles with rain sensor).3 Fast wiper speedWhen the vehicle is stationary, the wip-
ers operate at normal speed (not on
vehicles with rain sensor).5 Automatic windshield washer The system sprays washer fluid against
the windshield and activates the wipers
for a brief period.
If you only pull the lever briefly, the sys-
tem sprays washer fluid onto the wind-
shield without activating the wipers.

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.

80n
The PDC assists you when you back
into a parking space. A signal warns
you of the distance to an obstacle. To
do this, four ultrasonic sensors in the
rear bumper measure the distance to
the nearest object. The monitoring
range of the two corner sensors ex-
tends to approx. 2 feet (60 cm) behind
the bumper. The two center sensors
cover a distance of approx. 4.9 feet
(1.50 meters).
The system starts to operate automati-
cally about one second after you se-
lect reverse with the ignition key in po-
sition 2. PDC is deactivated when you
shift back out of reverse.
Acoustical signalsThe distance to the nearest object is in-
dicated by a tone sounding at various
intervals. As the distance between vehi-
cle and object decreases, the intervals
between the tones become shorter. A
continuous warning tone sounds if the
distance to a recognized object is less
than 1 foot (30 cm).
The warning signal is canceled after
approx. three seconds if the distance to
the obstacle remains constant during
this time (if you are moving parallel to
a wall, for instance).
System malfunctions will be indicated
by a continuous high-pitched tone
when the system is activated the first
time. Please have your BMW center
resolve the problem.The PDC does not remove the
driver's personal responsibility for
evaluating the distance between the
vehicle and any obstacles. Even when
sensors are involved, there is a blind
spot in which objects cannot be de-
tected. This applies especially in those
cases where the system approaches
the physical limits of ultrasonic mea-
surement, as occurs with tow bars and
trailer couplings, and in the vicinity of
thin and painted objects.
Certain sources of sound, such as a
loud radio, could drown out the PDC
signal tone.<
Keep the sensors clean and free
of ice or snow in order to ensure
that they continue to operate effec-
tively.
Do not apply high-pressure spray to the
sensors for a prolonged period of time.
Maintain an adequate distance of more
than approx. 4 inches (10 cm).<
Park Distance Control (PDC)
*

81n
RepairsIndexOverview Controls Car care Technology Data
DSC Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) This system provides enhanced driving
stability, especially when you are just
starting off or accelerating, and provide
increased traction on curves.
In addition to optimizing road traction
and vehicle stability when the vehicle is
accelerating or starting, the system also
provides enhanced stability when cor-
nering within physically feasible limits.
The system starts up automatically
each time you start the engine.462us026
Indicator lamp
The indicator lamp in the instru-
ment cluster goes out shortly
after you switch on the ignition.
Refer to pages 21 and 22.
Indicator lamp flashes:
The system is actively regulating drive
torque in response to monitored vehicle
operating conditions.
If the indicator lamp fails to go out after
the engine is started, or comes on dur-
ing the course of normal vehicle opera-
tion:
If the system has not been deactivated,
there is a system malfunction. The vehi-
cle remains operational, but without
DSC.
Please consult your authorized BMW
center for repairs.
To deactivate the systemPress the button. The indicator lamp
will come on.
The illustration depicts the arrangement
of the buttons if the vehicle is fully
equipped. This may vary, depending on
the equipment actually installed.
When the DSC is deactivated, you are
operating with conventional torque
transfer.
In exceptional instances, it is effective
to deactivate the system:
>when rocking the vehicle or starting
off in deep snow or on loose surfaces
>or when driving with snow chains.
Refer also to page 110.To reactivate the systemPress the button again; the indicator
lamp goes out.
The laws of physics cannot be re-
pealed, even with DSC. Any con-
sequences arising from traction loss
due to excessive vehicle speed remain
the responsibility of the driver. We
therefore urge you to avoid using the
additional safety margin of the system
as an excuse for taking risks.<
For additional details concerning DSC,
please refer to the chapter "Advanced
technology" on page 161.

89n
RepairsIndexOverview Controls Car care Technology Data
Automatic climate control1 Air on the windshield and on the
side windows
2 Air flow toward upper body
The side rotary dials provide infi-
nitely-variable regulation of the air
supply, while the levers change the
air-flow direction. The center rotary
dial adjusts the temperature of the
air as it flows out, see page 92
3 Front footwell ventilation
There are corresponding air vents
in the rear footwell as well
4 Recirculated air mode/Automatic
recirculated-air control (AUC)
*
91, 92
5 Air supply91
6 Temperature90
7 Automatic air distribution90
8 Individual air distribution90
9 Air grill for interior temperature
sensor – please keep clear and
unobstructed
10 Display for temperature and air
supply90
11 Defrost the windows and remove
condensation91
12 Air conditioner91
13 Rear window defroster71, 92

91n
RepairsIndexOverview Controls Car care Technology Data
Automatic climate control Air supply

By pressing the left or right half
of the button, you can vary the
air supply. By doing this, you switch off
the automatic control of the air supply.
Nevertheless, the automatic air distribu-
tion remains unchanged.
When you set the lowest blower speed
by pressing the left half of the button,
all of the displays are canceled: The
blower, heating and air conditioner are
switched off, and the air supply is
stopped. You can reactivate the system
by pressing any button of the automatic
climate control.
To defrost windshield and side
windows
This program quickly removes
ice and condensation from the
windshield and the side windows.
Air conditioner
The air is cooled and dehumidi-
fied and – depending on the
temperature setting – rewarmed when
the air conditioner system is switched
on.
Depending on the weather, the wind-
shield may fog over briefly when the
engine is started.
Use the button to switch off the air con-
ditioner at outside temperatures below
approx. + 407 (+ 56). This will help to
prevent the windows from fogging up.
If the windows fog over after switching
the air conditioner off, switch it back on.
Condensation forms in the air con-
ditioner system during operation,
that then exits under the vehicle. Traces
of condensed water of this kind are thus
normal.<
Recirculated-air mode
You can respond to unpleasant
external odors by temporarily
blocking outside air. The system then
recirculates the air already within the
vehicle.
If the windows fog over in the re-
circulated air mode, switch this
mode off and increase the air supply as
required.<

92n
Automatic climate controlAutomatic recirculated-air control
(AUC)
*You can respond to unpleasant
external odors by temporarily
blocking outside air. The system then
recirculates the air already within the
vehicle. By repeated actuations of the
button, you can select one of three dif-
ferent operation modes.
>Indicator lamps off: Fresh air flows
into the vehicle
>Left-hand indicator lamp on – AUC
mode: The system detects pollutants
in the outside air and responds by
deactivating the outside air flow as
required. The system then recircu-
lates the air already within the vehi-
cle. Depending on air quality require-
ments, the system automatically
switches between outside air supply
and recirculation of the air already
within the vehicle.
>Right-hand indicator lamp on: The
flow of outside air into the vehicle is
permanently blocked. The system re-
circulates the air already within the
vehicle.
If the windows fog over in the re-
circulated air mode, switch this
mode off and increase the air supply as
required.<
Rear window defroster
When the rear window defroster
is activated, the indicator lamp
comes on. The rear window defroster
switches off automatically. Refer to
page 71.
Draft-free ventilation The air outlets for the upper body may
be adjusted to meet your personal re-
quirements:
Use the rotary dials (1) for an infinitely-
variable opening and closing of the
vents. You can use the levers (2) to
adjust the flow direction.
Set the outlets so that the air flows past
you and is not directed straight at you.
The rotary dial (3) allows you to mix the
air from the outlets for your upper body
by warming or cooling it as desired.460de040

98n
Through-loading facility The rear backrest is divided into two
sections, one-third and two-thirds of
the seat respectively. For carrying
longer objects, you can fold down either
section of the backrest separately.
To unlock, pull the lever corresponding
to the section (arrow).460de154
The rear backrest section will move for-
ward slightly when it is unlocked. Reach
into the gap and pull the backrest down.
When you close the backrest, be
sure that the retainer engages cor-
rectly. If it is not correctly engaged,
transported cargo could enter the pas-
senger compartment from the luggage
compartment during brake applications
or evasive maneuvers and endanger the
vehicle occupants.<462de240
The fittings at the corners of the lug-
gage compartment provide you with a
convenient means of attaching luggage
nets
* and flexible straps for securing
suitcases and luggage.
Refer also to "Cargo loading" on
page 100.