2000 BMW 323Ci brake pads

19n

RepairsIndexOverview Controls Car care Technology Data

Instrument cluster

1 Fuel gauge with indicator lamp for
fuel reserve75
2 Turn signal indicator23
3 Speedometer
4 Indicator lamp for

>

Battery charge current20

>

High beam23

>

Engine oil pressure/
Engine oil level20, 22
5 Tachometer and
Energy control74
6 Engine coolant thermometer with
"Coolant temperature too
high" indicator75
7 Indicator and warning lamps
(clockwise) for

>

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

>

ABS22

>

Brake pads22

>

Tire Pressure Control
(RDC)

*
20, 22

>

Airbags21

>

Please fasten safety belts21

>

Cruise control

*
23
8 Clock reset

>

Clock77

>

Service Interval 769 Program display for automatic
transmission

*
68
Indicator lamp for automatic
transmission

*
22, 68
10 Indicator lamp for Dynamic Stability
Control (DSC)22
11 Indicator for

>

Odometer74

>

Trip odometer74

>

Clock77

>

Service Interval76
Indicator for onboard computer,
for operation via the turn signal lever,
refer to page 77:

>

Clock

>

Outside temperature

>

Average fuel consumption

>

Range

>

Average speed
12 Indicator for Check Control77
13 Trip odometer, reset to zero7414 Indicator and warning lamps
(clockwise) for

>

Fog lamps

*
23

>

Add washer fluid22

>

Coolant level23

>

Electronic Engine Power
Control (EML)

*
23

>

Engine Management system22
You can display the outside tem-
perature and distance driven in
different units of measurement.

<

22n
Indicator and warning lampsOrange: For the nearest BMW
center
Automatic transmission
*
Because of a malfunction, the
automatic transmission shifts
only in the emergency program. Please
consult the nearest authorized BMW
center.
For additional information: Refer to
page 68.
Yellow: Check as soon as possible
Antilock Brake System (ABS) l
ABS has been deactivated in re-
sponse to system malfunction.
Conventional braking efficiency is avail-
able without limitations. Please have
the system inspected by your autho-
rized BMW center.
For additional information: Refer to
page 107.
ABS warning lamp for Canadian
models.
Engine oil level
Comes on after the engine has
been turned off: Check the en-
gine oil level.
For additional information: Refer to
page 123.
Brake pads l
Have the brake pads checked.
For additional information:
Refer to page 10 9.
Tire Pressure Control (RDC)
* l
Check the tire pressure. Refer to
page 27, 82.
Dynamic Stability Control
(DSC) l
The DSC has been switched off
or has been deactivated because of a
malfunction. In the event of a malfunc-
tion, have the system checked by your
authorized BMW center.
For additional information: Refer to
page 81.
Add washer fluid
The washer fluid is too low. Top
off the fluid at the earliest op-
portunity.
For additional information: Refer to
page 122.
Service engine soon l
There is a defect in the Engine
Management system. It is im-
portant to note that an illuminated lamp
is intended to inform the driver of the
need for service, not of the need to
stop the vehicle!
It can also be an indication that the filler
cap was not properly tightened after
refueling. Please have the system in-
spected by your authorized BMW
center.
For additional information: Refer to
page 137.
Engine Management warning
lamp for Canadian models.

104n
To ensure that your vehicle provides
maximum economy throughout a long
service life, we request that you ob-
serve the following:
Engine and differentialUp to 1,200 miles (2,000 km):
Drive at varying engine speeds and
road speeds, but do not exceed the fol-
lowing engine or road speeds at this
time: 4,500/min or 100 mph (160 km/h).
Refrain from using full throttle and avoid
pressing the accelerator beyond the
kickdown point.
After 1,200 miles (2,000 km), you can
gradually increase the engine speed or
road speed.
You should also observe these break-in
procedures if the engine or differential
is replaced later in the course of the
vehicle service life.
TiresDue to technical factors associated with
their manufacture, tires do not achieve
their full traction potential until an initial
break-in period has elapsed. For this
reason, drive cautiously during the first
200 miles (300 km).Brake systemBrake pads and disks do not attain their
optimal wear patterns until after approx.
300 miles (500 km).
To break-in the separate parking brake
drums, apply the parking brake lightly
when coasting to a standstill (at a traffic
signal, for instance), provided that traf-
fic conditions allow you to do so.
To avoid corrosion, repeat this proce-
dure from time to time.
The brake lamps do not come on
when the parking brake is set.
Vacuum for the brake system servo unit
on your BMW is available only when the
engine is running. When you move the
car with the engine off – when towing,
for example – substantially higher levels
of pedal force will be required to brake
the vehicle.<
Brakes:
Do not drive with your foot resting
on the brake pedal. Even light but con-
sistent pedal pressure can lead to high
temperatures, brake wear, and possibly
to brake failure.
Aquaplaning:
A wedge of water can form between the
tires and the road surface when you op-
erate the vehicle on wet or slushy roads.
This phenomenon is referred to as
aquaplaning or hydroplaning. It is char-
acterized by a partial or complete loss
of contact between the tires and the
road surface. The ultimate results are
loss of steering and braking control.
Driving through water:
Do not drive through water more than
1 ft (30 cm) deep. Drive only at walking
speed, otherwise damage to the engine,
the electrical system and the transmis-
sion can occur.
Rear parcel tray:
Never use the rear parcel tray to store
heavy or bulky objects. They could pose
a danger to the occupants when the car
is braked heavily.
Break-in procedures Driving notes

108n
Disc brakesDisc brakes furnish optimum decelera-
tion and braking control and greater
fade resistance under heavy use.
When the vehicle is driven only occa-
sionally, during extended periods when
the vehicle is not used at all, and in op-
erating conditions where brakes appli-
cations are less frequent, there is an in-
creased tendency for corrosion of the
rotors and accumulation of contamina-
tion on the brake pads. This occurs be-
cause the minimal pressure that must
be exerted by the pads to clean the
rotors by brake applications is not
reached.
If the brake rotors are corroded, they
will tend to respond to braking with a
pulsating effect that even extended
brake applications will fail to cure.
For your own safety: Only use
brake linings that BMW has re-
leased for your particular vehicle model.
BMW cannot vouch for driving safety or
the suitability of brake linings other than
those they have released.<
Driving notesWhile driving in wet conditions and in
heavy rain, it is effective to apply light
pressure to the brake pedal every few
miles (kilometers). Watch traffic condi-
tions to ensure that this maneuver does
not endanger other road users. The
heat that is generated by the brake ap-
plications helps to dry the brake pads
and rotors.
Maximum braking force is obtained
while the wheels continue to rotate,
peaking when the wheels remain on the
verge of locking without actually doing
so. ABS maintains this state automati-
cally. If the ABS fails, you should revert
to the staggered braking technique
described on page 110.
Long or steep mountain descents do
not necessarily lead to reduced braking
efficiency if you drive downhill with the
transmission in a gear that allows mini-
mal brake applications (or, with an auto-
matic transmission, in an appropriate
lower range).
You can further increase the engine's
braking effect by selecting a lower gear,
downshifting as far as first gear or plac-
ing the selector lever in position (1).Should engine braking prove inade-
quate, you should still avoid extended,
continuous braking. Instead of main-
taining low to moderate pressure over
an extended period of time, you should
decelerate the vehicle by applying more
substantial force on the pedal (watch
for following traffic!) and then pausing
before repeating the application. This
staggered braking technique allows the
brakes to cool in the intervals between
active braking phases, preventing over-
heating and ensuring that full braking
capacity remains available at all times.
Do not coast with the clutch de-
pressed or with the transmission
or selector lever in neutral. Do not drive
with the engine shut off. The engine
provides no braking effect when the
clutch pedal is depressed or the trans-
mission is in neutral, and there is no
power-assist for brakes and steering
when the engine is not running.
Never allow floor mats, carpets or any
other objects to protrude into the area
around the accelerator, clutch and
brake pedals and obstruct their move-
ment.<

109n
RepairsIndexOverview Controls Car care Technology Data
Brake systemBrake fluid level
If the brake-warning lamp
comes on with the parking brake
released:
The brake fluid level is too low in the
reservoir (refer to page 127).
If the brake fluid level is too low and
brake pedal travel has become notice-
ably longer, there may be a defect in
one of the brake system's hydraulic
circuits.
Brake-warning lamp for Cana-
dian model.
Proceed to the nearest authorized
BMW center. Higher brake appli-
cation pressure may be necessary un-
der these conditions, and brake pedal
travel may be significantly longer.
Please remember to adapt your driving
style accordingly.<
Brake pads
If the warning lamp for the brake
pads lights up:
The brake pads have reached
their minimum pad thickness. Proceed
to the nearest authorized BMW center
as soon as possible to have the pads
replaced.
For your own safety: Only use
brake linings that BMW has re-
leased for your particular vehicle model.
BMW cannot vouch for driving safety or
the suitability of brake linings other than
those they have released.<

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