2000 BMW 323i Steering

Overview
Controls and features
Operation, care
and maintenance
Owner service procedures
Technical data
Index Advanced technology
31n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Driving:
Steering/Ignition lock61
Starting the engine61
Switching off the engine62
Parking brake63
Manual transmission64
Automatic transmission with
Steptronic65
Turn signal indicator/Headlamp
flasher68
Wiper/Washer system/Rain
sensor68
Rear window defroster70
Cruise control71
Everything under control:
Odometer73
Tachometer73
Energy Control73
Fuel gauge74
Temperature gauge74
Service Interval Display74
Check Control75
Clock75
Onboard computer76
Technology for safety and
convenience:
Park Distance Control (PDC)78
Dynamic Stability Control
(DSC)79
Tire Pressure Control (RDC)80Lamps:
Parking lamps/Headlamps82
Dash lighting82
High beams/Parking lamps83
Fog lamps83
Interior lamps83
Reading lamps84
Controlling the climate for
pleasant driving:
Automatic climate control86
Seat heating91
Roller sun blind91
Interior conveniences:
HiFi system92
Glove compartment92
Storage compartments93
Cellular phones95
Ashtray, front95
Cigarette lighter96
Ashtray, rear96
Loading and transporting:
Through-loading system97
Ski bag98
Cargo loading99
Roof-mounted luggage rack100

32n
Keys1 The master keys with remote control
determine the functions of the Key
Memory. Refer to page 53.
There is an extended-life battery
in every master key which is
charged automatically in the steering
lock as you drive.
For this reason, if you have a master
key that is otherwise not used, use that
key approximately once every year
while driving for an extended period.
This will charge the battery. Refer also
to page 35.<
2 Spare key for storage in a safe place,
such as in your wallet. This key is not
intended for continuous use. 463de023
3 Door and ignition key
The locks for the luggage compart-
ment lid and the glove compartment
cannot be operated with this key Ð
this is recommended for valet park-
ing, for instance.
Replacement keysReplacement keys are available exclu-
sively through your BMW center. Since
the keys belong to a security system
(refer to "Electronic vehicle immobilizer"
on page 33), your BMW center is obli-
gated to be sure that a person request-
ing a key is authorized to do so.
If possible, take all of the master
keys that belong to the vehicle
with you when you pick up your re-
placement key.
When you receive a new replacement
key, turn that key to position 2 in the
ignition lock once (ignition switched on)
and then back. This allows the elec-
tronic vehicle immobilizer to "learn" the
new key.<

35n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Opening and closing Ð from outsideUsing the remote control The remote control makes opening and
locking the doors of your vehicle very
convenient. Furthermore, it provides
two additional functions that can only
be executed by means of the remote
control:
>Switch on the interior lamps
With this function, you can also
"search for" your car Ð when parked
in an underground garage, for in-
stance.
>Open the luggage compartment
The luggage compartment lid will
open slightly, regardless of whether
the lid was previously locked or un-
locked.
The anti-theft system is also deacti-
vated simultaneously when you unlock
the vehicle, the alarm system
* is dis-
armed, and the interior lamps are
turned on. When you lock the vehicle,
the systems are activated and armed,
and the lamps go off.
You can have a confirmation mes-
sage set to inform you that the car
has been properly locked.<
Master keysKeys with remote control are master
keys. Refer to page 32.
Children might be able to lock the
doors from the inside. For this rea-
son, always take the vehicle keys with
you so that the vehicle can be opened
again from the outside at any time.<460de494
Master keys that are used repeat-
edly are always ready for opera-
tion since the battery in the transmitter
is charged automatically in the steering
lock as you drive.
If it is no longer possible to unlock the
vehicle via the remote control, the bat-
tery is discharged. Use this key while
driving for an extended period in order
to charge the battery. Refer also to
page 32.
To prevent unauthorized use of the re-
mote control, surrender only the door
and ignition key or the spare key (refer
to page 32) when leaving the vehicle for
valet parking, for example.
In the event of a system malfunction,
please contact your BMW center.
You can also obtain replacement keys
there.<

48n
Mechanical seat Head restraints Correct sitting postureTo reduce strain on the spinal column,
sit all the way back in the seat and rest
your back fully against the backrest.
In the ideal sitting posture, your head is
positioned along a straight line in rela-
tionship to your spinal column.
For long-distance driving, you may wish
to increase the backrest angle slightly
to reduce muscular tension. You should
be able to grasp the steering wheel at
its highest point with your arms slightly
bent.
After a seat adjustment, adjust the
height of the safety belt also. Refer to
page 54.
Adjustments Height: Adjust by pulling up or pushing
down.
In order to move to the lowest
positions, press button 1.<
To adjust the angle of the front head
restraints:
Rotate them in the desired direction.
Head restraints reduce the risk of
injury to the cervical vertebra in
the event of an accident.
Adjust the head restraint so that its
center is approximately at the height of
your ears.<460de283
Removal>Pull the head restraint upward to the
stop.
>Press the button (arrow) and remove
the head restraint.Installation>Press the button (arrow) and insert
the head restraint into the guides.
>Adjust the head restraint.460de137

51n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Seat and mirror memory
*
Adjusting steering wheel
Your BMW center can adjust your
vehicle's systems in such a man-
ner that your personalized settings are
automatically set for the seat and out-
side mirror positions when you unlock
the vehicle with your personal remote
control.<
If you make use of this method of
adjustment, be sure that the foot-
well behind the driver's seat is unob-
structed before unlocking the vehicle.
If you fail to do so, persons or objects
could be injured or damaged if the seat
should move backward.<
Passenger side exterior mirror tilt
function(automatic curb monitor)
1 Move the mirror selector switch 1 to
the "driver's mirror" position.
2 When the selector lever is placed in
"Reverse," the passenger-side mirror
tilts downward. This allows the driver
to see the area directly adjacent to
the vehicle during parking (curbs,
etc.).
You can deactivate this automatic fea-
ture: Set the mirror selection switch to
the "passenger side" position.463de043
1 Push the locking lever downward.
2 Adjust the steering wheel (fore/aft
and up/down) to the desired position.
3 Pull the lever back in to clamp the
steering wheel in the new position.
Do not adjust the steering wheel
while the vehicle is moving. If you
do so, there is a risk of accident from
unexpected movement.<460de073

57n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
AirbagsIndicator lamp
The indicator lamp displays the
operational status of the airbag
system when the ignition key is
in position 1 and higher.
System operational:
>The indicator lamp comes on briefly
then goes out.
System malfunction:
>The indicator lamp fails to come on.
>The indicator lamp comes on briefly
before going out, and then lights up
again.
If there is a system malfunction, there is
a risk that the airbags will not be trig-
gered within their normal response
range, even if the level of impact would
normally have triggered them.
Have your BMW center inspect and
repair the system immediately.
The airbag indicator lamp also
comes on if the safety belt ten-
sioners have been triggered.<
For your own safety, please com-
ply with the following precautions
concerning airbags. If you do not, their
protective function may be impaired
and your personal safety endangered.
The following information pertains to all
occupants:
The airbags are supplemental restraint
devices designed to provide extra pro-
tection; they are not a substitute for
safety belts. Wear your safety belt at all
times. The airbags will not be triggered
in the event of a minor accident, a vehi-
cle roll-over, or collisions from the rear.
In these instances, the safety belt offers
the best protection.
Airbags are located under the cover
panels in the steering wheel, in the in-
strument panel, in the side trim panels
in the front and rear
*, in the roof panels,
and in the sides of the inside roof lining.
Select a seat position that is comfort-
able and allows the greatest possible
distance from each of the applicable air-
bags. Hold the steering wheel at the rim
(hands at the "9 o'clock and 3 o'clock"
positions) in order to avoid injuries to
your hands or arms if the airbag is trig-
gered.
Never allow any objects to obstruct the
area between the airbag and an occu-
pant.
Do not use the cover panel above the
front passenger airbag as a storage
area.
Never tape the airbag cover panels,
cover them over or alter them in any
other way.
Never install a rear-facing child restraint
device on the front passenger seat. Chil-
dren under 13 years of age and children
who are smaller than 5 feet (150 cm),
should only travel in the rear seat.
If your vehicle is equipped with side air-
bags in the rear, be sure that child seats
are installed correctly and with the
greatest possible distance from the side
trim panels. Do not allow children to
lean out of the child's seat in the direc-
tion of the side trim panels. Otherwise,
serious injuries could occur if the airbag
is triggered.
At all times, occupants should sit up-
right and be properly restrained (infants
and small children in appropriate child
restraint systems; larger children and
adults using the safety belts). Never let
an occupant's head rest near or on a
side airbag because the inflating airbag
could cause a serious or fatal injury.
Please note that the word "Airbag" im-
printed on the door trim panel indicates
the airbag's location.

61n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
0 Steering lock engaged The key can only be inserted or re-
moved in this position.
After removing the key, turn the steer-
ing wheel slightly to the left or right until
the lock engages.
If the key is not removed, an acoustic
signal is sounded after the driver's door
has been opened.
Vehicles with automatic transmis-
sion:
Do not move the selector lever from the
"Park" position until the engine is run-
ning (ignition key at position 2).
In order to turn the key back to position
0 or to remove it, move the selector
lever into position "Park" first (Inter-
lock).<460de022
1 Steering lock disengaged Turning the steering wheel slightly to
the right or left often makes it easier to
turn the key from 0 to 1.
Individual electrical devices are ready
for operation.2 Ignition onAll electrical equipment and accesso-
ries are available for use.3 Starting the engine
Vehicles with manual transmis-
sion: Depress the clutch when
starting the vehicle. A lockout prevents
the engine from starting if the clutch is
not depressed.c
Before starting>Engage the parking brake.
>Be sure that the shift lever is in "Neu-
tral" (or "Park" if the vehicle is equipped
with an automatic transmission).
>Manual transmission: Depress the
clutch pedal.
>Automatic transmission: Depress the
footbrake.
Do not run the engine in enclosed
areas. The exhaust gases contain
carbon monoxide, an odorless and col-
orless, but highly toxic gas. Breathing
the exhaust gases poses an extreme
health risk, and can lead to uncon-
sciousness and death.
Do not leave the car unattended with
the engine running. An unattended vehi-
cle with a running engine represents a
potential safety hazard.<
>Start the engine. Do not press the
accelerator pedal.
Do not actuate the starter for too
short a time, but not turn it for more
than approx. 20 seconds. Release the
ignition key immediately when the
engine starts.
Do not allow the engine to warm up by
leaving it running while the vehicle remains
stationary. Instead, begin driving immedi-
ately at a moderate engine speed.<
Steering/Ignition lock Starting the engine

62n
Starting the engine Switching off the engine If the engine does not start on the first
attempt (if it is very hot or cold, for in-
stance):
>Press the accelerator pedal halfway
down while engaging the starter.
Cold start at extremely low tempera-
tures, from approx. + 5 7 (Ð 15 6)
and at elevations above 3,300 feet
(1,000 meters):
>On the first start attempt, engage the
starter for a longer period (approx.
10 seconds)
>Press the accelerator pedal halfway
down while engaging the starter.Turn the ignition key to position 1 or 0.
Do not remove the ignition key
while the vehicle is still moving.
If you did so, the steering lock would
engage when the steering wheel is
turned.
When you leave the vehicle, always re-
move the ignition key and engage the
steering lock.
Vehicles with manual transmission:
Always engage the parking brake when
parking on slopes and inclined sur-
faces. Placing the lever in 1st gear or
reverse may not provide adequate
resistance to rolling.
Vehicles with automatic transmission:
Place the selector lever in "Park."<