2000 BMW 323Ci light

144n
Lamps and bulbsThe illustration shows the right-hand
luggage compartment opening.
Bulbs in the fender:
All of the bulbs are integrated in a
central bulb holder.
1 Release the bulb holder (arrow, par-
tial view) and remove
2 Pull the power supply receptacle off
and set the bulb holder aside (on the
luggage compartment floor, for in-
stance)
3 Applying light pressure, turn the bulb
to the left. Remove and exchange the
bulb
4 Plug in the power supply receptacle
5 Position the bulb holder for reinstalla-
tion. Apply gentle pressure on the
button (arrow, partial view) until you
hear it engage.460de057
Bulbs in the luggage compartment lid:
1 Using a screwdriver, loosen the clip462de263
2 Rotate the trim downward (arrow 1).
Release the bulb holder (arrow 2) and
remove it
3 Applying light pressure, turn the bulb
to the left. Remove and exchange the
bulb
4 Press the bulb holder into position
until you hear it engage
5 Reinstall the trim with the clip.462us033

145n
RepairsIndexOverview Controls Car care Technology Data
Lamps and bulbsCenter (high-mount) brake lamp

LED light bar on the rear window.
Please contact a BMW center in the
case of a malfunction.462de268
License plate lamps5 watt bulb
1 Place a screwdriver in the slot and
press toward the left (arrow) to re-
lease the lens
2 Replace the bulb.460de047
Interior lamps Front
Interior lamps (6 watt bulb) with reading
lamps (2 x 6 watt bulbs)
1 Using a screwdriver, press the lamp
out toward the front
2 Turn the bulb holder to the left and
remove
3 Remove and replace the bulb.460de182

146n
Lamps and bulbsRear
Interior lamp (6 watt bulb) with reading
lamp (6 watt bulb)
1 Pry the lamp out using a screwdriver
2 Turn the bulb holder to the left and
remove
3 Remove and replace the bulb.460de179
Lighted make-up mirror10 watt bulb
1 Remove the bulb housing – use a
screwdriver if necessary
2 Replace the bulb.460de181
Footwell lamps 5 watt bulb
1 Pry the lamp out using a screwdriver
2 Replace the bulb.Glove compartment lamp 5 watt bulb
1 Pry the lamp out using a screwdriver
2 Replace the bulb.Luggage compartment lamps One lamp each in the bulb holder of the
tail lamps: 10 watt bulb.
1 Apply a screwdriver to the recess and
remove the lens
2 Replace the bulb.

150n
Changing tires9 Position the new wheel or the
space-saver spare tire
* on the hub
and screw at least two lug bolts
finger-tight into opposite bolt holes
10 Screw in the remaining lug bolts.
Tighten all the bolts securely
11 Lower the jack and remove it from
beneath the car
12 Tighten the lug bolts, alternating
between bolts positioned opposite
one another
462de266
13 If your wheels are equipped with full
wheel covers
*: Position the wheel
cover with the valve opening over
the valve (arrow) and press it onto
the wheel with both hands
14 Inflate tire to the proper pressure as
soon as possible.
For vehicles with RDC Tire Pressure
Control
*:
Reactivate the system after mount-
ing either the spare tire or after in-
flating tire to proper pressure.
(Refer to page 82).
Only use original BMW full wheel
covers, otherwise, the trim piece
may not fit securely. The full wheel
cover may not be installed on the
space-saver spare tire
*, since this
could damage the cover.<
462de279
The vehicle jack is designed for
changing tires only. Never use it to
raise another vehicle model or any load
of any kind, as this could lead to acci-
dents and personal injury.
Have the lug bolts checked for proper
tightness with a calibrated torque
wrench at the earliest possibility [torque
specification: 72 lb.ft. (100 Nm)].<
When storing the wheel, take care to
ensure that you do not damage the re-
taining pin in the spare tire recess.
If light-alloy wheels other than Original
BMW light-alloy wheels have been
mounted, it may be necessary to use
different lug bolts for those wheels.
Replace the defective tire as quickly as
possible and have the new wheel bal-
anced.
For black-painted aluminum wheels
*,
use only those balancing weights ap-
proved by BMW for use with light alloy
wheels. Never attempt to balance these
wheels using standard balance weights.

151n
RepairsIndexOverview Controls Car care Technology Data
Changing tires Battery Driving with the space-saver
spare tire
*
Drive cautiously and do not exceed a
speed of 45 mph (80 km/h).
Be aware that vehicle handling will be
altered. Slower brake response time,
longer braking distances and changed
steering characteristics may be antici-
pated when approaching limit condi-
tions.
The changes in handling characteristics
will be even more pronounced in con-
junction with winter tires.
Only one space-saver spare tire
may be mounted. Mount a wheel
and tire with the same size and specifi-
cations as the others at the earliest
possible opportunity. Maintain correct
tire pressures. Refer to page 28.<
Battery location The battery is located at the right-rear
of the luggage compartment. Raise the
luggage compartment floor panel (refer
to page 41), and give a screwdriver or a
coin a 1/4-turn counterclockwise to
release the two fasteners plus an addi-
tional fastener in the upper-center side
trim panel. In order to remove the stor-
age tray, slide the side trim panel
slightly upward.460de176
SymbolsYou will find the following symbols on
your car battery. To avoid injury, please
comply with the corresponding precau-
tions whenever you work with or near
the battery.
Before handling the battery,
please read the following infor-
mation.
Wear eye protection. Do not al-
low particles containing battery
acid or lead to come into con-
tact with your eyes, your skin, or your
clothing.
Battery acid is extremely corro-
sive. Wear eye protection and
protective gloves. Do not tip the
battery. Battery acid can leak from the
ventilation openings.
Ensure that children keep well
away from batteries and battery
acid.
Fire, sparks, an open flame and/
or smoking are not allowed in
the vicinity of the battery. Avoid
sparks from electrical cables or electri-
cal equipment. Turn the key to position
0 in the steering lock when the battery
is disconnected or connected. Never
short-circuit the battery terminal, other-
wise you could be injured by electrical
sparks.

152n
Battery
A highly-explosive gas is gener-
ated when the battery is
charged.
If you happen to get acid in your
eyes, rinse thoroughly for 15 min-
utes with clear water. Consult a
physician immediately. Rinse your skin
or clothing with plenty of water if you get
acid spray on them. If electrolyte is acci-
dentally ingested, consult a physician
immediately.
In order to protect the battery
case from ultraviolet radiation,
do not place it in direct sunlight.
A discharged battery can freeze. Store
the battery in areas where temperature
remains above freezing.
Battery careThe battery is completely maintenance-
free, as per DIN 43 539/2; that is, the
amount of acid put in the battery origi-
nally will normally last for the service life
of the battery.
Charge conditionWith the help of the "Magic Eye", a
hydrometer, you can read the battery's
charge state:
>Green: Adequate charge.
>Black: Not adequately charged. The
battery must be recharged. Please
contact your authorized BMW center
for additional information.
>Yellow: Replace the battery.
The service life specified for the
battery can be achieved only if it is
always kept adequately charged. If the
vehicle is primarily used for stop-and-
go traffic, be sure to check the charge
state often.<460de252
Removal and installation
Do not disconnect the battery
cables when the engine is run-
ning, otherwise the ensuing voltage
surge will damage the vehicle's on-
board electronics.
Do not alter the positive terminal wiring
in any way, otherwise the safety battery
terminal's safety function will no longer
be guaranteed. Repair and disposal are
to be performed exclusively by trained
technicians.<
When removing the battery, disconnect
the cable on the negative terminal first,
then the cable on the positive terminal.
Loosen the center adjusting screw on
the battery retaining strap (use the
screwdriver included with the onboard
tool kit) and disconnect the strap.
When installing a battery, connect the
positive terminal first, then connect the
negative terminal.
When installing a battery, be sure
that it is mounted properly and
that the retaining bracket is installed
with the center adjustment screw. If this
is not done, the battery will not be ade-
quately secured in case of an acci-
dent.<

163n
RepairsIndexOverview Controls Car care Technology Data
Inside rearview mirror with automatic dimmer
*
The interior rearview mirror with auto-
matic dimming feature reduces glare
from following traffic by adapting the in-
tensity of the reflected images to corre-
spond to levels of light registered by the
unit's sensors. The mirror reverts to its
undimmed setting as soon as the light
source disappears. One light sensor is
mounted on the front of the mirror
housing. This sensor, that is directed
forward, measures light intensity in the
area ahead of the vehicle. The second
sensor is integrated within the mirror's
glass. The electronic control system
compares the light intensity from front
and rear. The difference provides the
basic parameter used to modulate an
electrical current and induce chemical
changes in a semisolid layer incorpo-
rated in the lens.390de113
The semisolid reacts chemically to this
electrical current, thus providing infi-
nitely-variable dimming of the mirror
(electrochromic technology).
As a result, it is no longer necessary to
dim the mirror manually, and the driver
can maintain full concentration on traf-
fic.

165n
RepairsIndexOverview Controls Car care Technology Data
Rain sensor
*
Depending on the degree of wetness
on the windshield, the rain sensor con-
trols the operation of the windshield
wipers.
Infrared light is carried along the sur-
face of the windshield in an optical con-
ductor in such a manner that it is
reflected completely when the wind-
shield is dry. The quantity of reflected
light is measured.
If there is moisture on the glass, the
amount of light reflected is reduced
since the infrared light at the surface of
the windshield can escape. The quan-
tity of reflected light is thus a means of
gauging the degree wetness on the
windshield.390de133
When the "Intermittent" wiper speed
position is selected, the wiper reacts
immediately if water is splashed onto
the windshield from vehicles traveling
ahead, for example. As a result, the rain
sensor provides a contribution to driv-
ing safety and comfort.