2000 BMW 323Ci 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

Contents

Owner service procedures
Advanced technology
Technical data

Replacement procedures:

Onboard tool kit140
Windshield wiper blades140
Lamps and bulbs140
Remote control147
Changing tires148
Battery151
Fuses153
Microfilter154

In case of electrical
malfunction:

Fuel filler door155
Sliding/tilt sunroof155

Assistance, giving and
receiving:

Jump-starting156
Towing the vehicle157Adaptive Transmission Control
(ATC)160
Airbags161
Dynamic Stability Control
(DSC)161
Radio reception162
Safety belt tensioner162
Inside rearview mirror with
automatic dimmer163
Tire Pressure Control (RDC)164
Rain sensor165
Self-diagnostics166
Xenon lamp167Engine data170
Dimensions171
Weights172
Capacities173
Electrical system174
Ribbed V-belt174

27n
RepairsIndexOverview Controls Car care Technology Data
Tire inflation pressure The inflation pressures are indicated on
a sticker attached to the B-pillar behind
the driver's door (visible with door
open).Check tire pressuresAll pressure specifications are stated in
psi (kilopascal) with cold tires (cold =
ambient temperature). Refer to the next
page as well.
For trailer towing, the inflation pressure
for heavier loads always applies.
For vehicles with RDC (Tire Pressure
Control)
*:
After a correction of the tire inflation
pressure, reactivate the system. Refer
to page 82.
462de197
Check tire inflation pressures reg-
ularly – at least every two weeks
and before beginning a longer trip. In-
correct tire pressure can otherwise lead
to tire damage and accidents.
Also check the inflation pressure of the
space-saver tire or spare tire
*. Inflate
the spare tire to the highest inflation
specified for your vehicle.<
Comply with tire approval
specificationsThe inflation pressures in the table apply
to tires from BMW-approved manufac-
turers. Your BMW center is familiar with
these pressures. Higher pressures may
be specified for tires from other manu-
facturers. You will find a list of approved
tires beginning on page 117.

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.

82n
Tire Pressure Control (RDC)
*
The conceptThe RDC monitors the tire pressures at
all four wheels, even when the vehicle is
moving. The system provides an alert
whenever the inflation pressure drops
significantly below the specified pres-
sure in one or more tires.
In order for the RDC to "learn" the cor-
rect tire inflation pressure, first check
the tire inflation pressure in all tires.
Then compare these pressures with the
tire inflation pressure chart (page 28)
and adjust if necessary. Then activate
the system.
This indicator lamp in the instru-
ment cluster informs you when-
ever the tire pressure is not nor-
mal.
Activate the system1 Turn ignition key to position 2
2 Press the switch long enough for the
indicator lamp in the instrument clus-
ter to light up yellow for a few seconds
3 After a few minutes of driving, the
RDC sets the current inflation pres-
sure in the tires as the target value to
be monitored.
You will only have to repeat this proce-
dure if the tire inflation pressure must
be corrected. Otherwise, the RDC func-
tions automatically when the ignition
key is in position 2, and thus operates
whenever the vehicle is driven.462de228
Loss of tire pressureIf the inflation pressure has dropped too
much over a period of time (which is
normal for any tire), the indicator lamp
will come on with a yellow lamp.
This alerts you to have the tires inflated
to the specified pressures as soon as
possible.
If you are prompted to check the
tire pressure shortly after a cor-
rection has been made, this indicates
that the corrected values were not ac-
curate. Please check the inflation pres-
sure again and make corrections ac-
cording to the inflation pressure table.
Then activate the system once again.<

83n
RepairsIndexOverview Controls Car care Technology Data
Tire Pressure Control (RDC)
*
Flat tireIf there is a tire failure with loss of pres-
sure, the indicator lamp comes on with
a red lamp. In addition, there is an
acoustical warning signal.
If this occurs, reduce vehicle speed im-
mediately and stop the vehicle in a save
location. Avoid hard brake applications.
Do not oversteer. Replace the wheel
and flat tire.
The space-saver spare tire
* is
provided for temporary use only in
the case of a tire failure. It does not
have RDC electronics and is not moni-
tored. A full-size spare tire
* that has the
same dimensions as the tires already
mounted on the vehicle is equipped
with the necessary RDC electronics,
and will also be monitored once the
tires have been mounted and the sys-
tem activated.<
The RDC cannot alert you to
severe and sudden tire damage
caused by external factors.<
Have the tires changed by your
authorized BMW center.
Your authorized BMW center has been
trained to work with the RDC system
and is equipped with the necessary
special tools.<
System interferenceThe RDC can be subjected to interfer-
ence locally by outside equipment or
devices which use the same radio fre-
quency.
The indicator lamp will come on with
a yellow lamp during the malfunction.
The indicator lamp also comes on
>in the event of a system fault
>if a wheel is mounted without the
appropriate electronics
>if, in addition to the spare tire
*, addi-
tional wheels with RDC electronics
are on board.
Please contact your authorized BMW
center for additional information.

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

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