2000 BMW 323i fuel

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IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Electronic vehicle immobilizer The key to securityYour BMW is equipped with a passive
anti-theft system. This electronic immo-
bilization system is designed to reduce
the susceptibility of the vehicle to theft
by making it impossible to start the
engine using any means other than the
special keys furnished with the vehicle.
Your BMW center can cancel the elec-
tronic system authorization for individual
keys (in the event of loss, for instance). A
deactivated key can no longer be used
to start the engine.463de042
How the electronics workAt the heart of this system is an elec-
tronic chip that is integrated into the
key. The lock mechanism itself is actu-
ally a dual-function device, simulta-
neously serving as a communications
interface designed to allow the security
system to maintain a continuous stream
of variable, vehicle-specific signals with
the electronic circuitry in the key. The
system will not release the ignition, fuel
injection and starter unless it recog-
nizes an "authorized" key.
Force applied to the key can dam-
age the integrated electronic cir-
cuitry. A damaged key can no longer be
used to start the engine.<

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Central locking system Opening and closing Ð from outside The conceptThe central locking system is ready for
operation whenever the driver's door is
closed. The system engages and re-
leases the locks on the
>doors,
>luggage compartment lid and
>fuel filler door.
The central locking system can be
operated
>from outside via the door lock and
using the remote control
>from inside by pressing a button.
Activating it from inside does not lock
the fuel filler door (see page 38). When
the system is actuated from the out-
side, the antitheft system is activated
simultaneously. Both the door locks
and the safety lock buttons remain
locked. The alarm system
* is also
armed or disarmed.
If locked from the inside, the central
locking system unlocks automatically in
the event of an accident. In addition,
the hazard warning flashers and interior
lamps come on.
Using the keyOne turn of the key in the driver's door
lock unlocks the driver's door only.
Turning the key a second time unlocks
the passenger-side door, the luggage
compartment lid and the fuel filler door.
You can have a confirmation mes-
sage set to inform you that the car
has been properly locked.<
You will find additional information on
the alarm system
* on page 42.
460de006
Convenience operating modeYou can also operate the power win-
dows and sliding/tilt sunroof
* via the
door lock.
>To open: With the door closed, turn
the key to the "Unlock" position and
hold it.
>To close: With the door closed, turn
the key to the "Lock" position and
hold it.
Watch during the closing process
to be sure that no one is injured.
Releasing the key stops the opera-
tion.<
Manual operation (in the event of electrical malfunction)
Turn the key to the extreme left or right
to unlock/lock the door.

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Opening and closing Ð from inside Use this button to operate the central
locking system when the front doors
are closed. The doors and luggage
compartment lid are unlocked or locked
only. The antitheft alarm system is not
activated.
If only the driver's door was un-
locked from the outside and you
press the button
>all other doors, the luggage compart-
ment lid and the fuel filler door will be
unlocked when the driver's door is
opened.
>the driver's door will be locked again
when it is closed.<
If you desire, the central locking
system will secure the locks as
soon as you start to drive. This can be
adjusted to be key-specific.<460us007
To unlock and open the doors>Either unlock the doors together with
the button for the central locking sys-
tem and then pull each of the release
handles above the armrests
or
>pull the release handle for each door
twice: The first pull unlocks the door,
and the second one opens it.
Doors locked from outside can be
opened from inside by first press-
ing the button and then pulling a re-
lease handle twice.<
To engage the locks>Use the central locking button to lock
all doors at once
or
>press the individual safety lock but-
tons down. The fuel filler door then
remains unlocked. As an added
design feature to prevent the driver
from being inadvertently locked out
of the vehicle, the driver's door safety
lock button will not engage as long as
the door is open.
Children might be able to lock the
doors from the inside. For this rea-
son, always take the vehicle's keys with
you so that the vehicle can be opened
again from the outside at any time.<

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IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
1 Odometer You can activate the displays shown in
the illustration with the ignition key in
position 0 by pressing the button in the
instrument cluster (arrow).2 Trip odometerTo reset the trip odometer to zero,
press the button (arrow) with the
ignition key in position 1 or 2.460us144
Avoid engine speeds in the red warning
zone of the gauge.
To protect the engine, the fuel supply is
automatically interrupted in this zone;
you will notice a loss of power.460us079
Indicates the current fuel consumption
in mpg (in l/100 km for Canadian mod-
els). You can check your current driving
style to see whether it is conducive to
economy and minimum exhaust emis-
sions.
The needle goes back to zero when the
car is not moving.460us080
Odometer Tachometer Energy Control

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Fuel gauge Temperature gauge Service Interval Display When you switch on the ignition, the in-
dicator lamp comes on briefly to con-
firm that the system is stationary.
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 175.
If the tilt of the vehicle varies (extended
driving in mountainous areas, for exam-
ple), there may be slight fluctuations of
the needle.
Fill the fuel tank well before it is
empty. Driving to the last drop of
fuel can result in damage to the engine
and/or the catalytic converter.<460us081
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.
Stop and switch the engine off immedi-
ately and allow it to cool down.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
operating conditions.
Checking coolant level: page 128.460de082
Remaining distance for serviceThe displays shown in the illustration
appear for a few seconds when the
ignition key is in positions 1 and 2 or
after the engine is started.
The next service due appears with the
message OILSERVICE or INSPECTION,
together with the remaining distance
before scheduled service.
The computer bases its calculations of
the remaining distance on the rate of
fuel consumption in the period immedi-
ately preceding your data request.
A flashing message and a "Ð" in front of
the number mean that the service inter-
val has already been exceeded by the
distance shown on the display. Please
contact your BMW center for an
appointment.460de112

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Onboard computer
*
Mode selectionIn ignition key positions 1 and 2, you
can call up information from the on-
board computer using the button in the
turn signal lever. By pressing the button
briefly in the direction of the steering
column, you can call up a new function
for display.
The displays appear in the following
order:
Time, outside temperature, average fuel
consumption, cruising range, average
vehicle speed.
The function that was last selected will
be displayed when the ignition is
switched on.460de084
Outside temperature You can change the units of measure-
ment for the outside temperature dis-
play (6/7) by pressing the right-hand
reset button in the instrument cluster
when the temperature display is active.460us146
Ice warning If the outside temperature drops to ap-
prox. +37.5 7 (+3 6), the onboard
computer switches automatically to the
outside temperature display. In addi-
tion, a signal sounds as a warning and
the display flashes for a brief period.
The warning is repeated whenever the
temperature climbs to at least +43 7
(+6 6) following the last warning and
then drops back to +37.5 7 (+3 6).
The ice warning does not alter the
fact that surface ice can form at
temperatures above +37.5 7 (+3 6),
on bridges or shaded road surfaces, for
instance.<

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IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Onboard computer
*
Average fuel consumption If you continue to hold the button on the
turn signal lever, the average fuel con-
sumption last displayed is recalculated
from that point.460us296
Range The computer bases its calculations of
the cruising range on the rate of fuel
consumption in the period immediately
preceding your data request.460us148
Average speed If you continue to hold the button on the
turn signal lever, the average fuel con-
sumption last displayed for that speed
is recalculated from that point in time.
Any time spent when the vehicle is
stationary and the engine is shut off is
ignored for the calculation.460us149

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Cargo loading Roof-mounted luggage rack
*
Always position and secure the
load correctly. If you do not, it can
endanger the passengers during brak-
ing or evasive maneuvers.
Do not exceed the permissible gross
vehicle weight and the permissible axle
loads (refer to page 174). If you do, the
operating safety of the vehicle is no
longer ensured and you are in violation
of the law.
Do not carry hard or heavy objects un-
secured in the passenger compartment.
If you do so, they may be projected
through the air during braking and eva-
sive maneuvers, thus endangering vehi-
cle occupants.<
AnchorsAccess to the anchors:
To open the cover (arrow), please use
the tool included with the luggage rack
system.
A special roof-rack system is available
for your BMW as an optional extra.
Please comply with the precautions in-
cluded with the installation instructions.
Because roof racks raise the center of
gravity of the car when loaded, they
exercise a major effect on its handling
and steering response.
You should therefore always remember
not to exceed the approved roof weight,
the approved gross vehicle weight or
the axle weights when loading the rack.
You will find the specifications under
"Technical Data" on page 174.462de271
Make sure that the load is not too heavy,
and attempt to distribute it evenly.
Always load the heaviest pieces first (on
the bottom). Be sure that adequate
clearance is maintained for raising the
sliding/tilt sunroof
*, and that objects do
not project into the opening path of the
luggage compartment lid.
Secure the roof luggage correctly and
securely to prevent it from shifting or
being lost during driving (danger to fol-
lowing traffic).
Drive smoothly and avoid sudden ac-
celeration or braking. Do not corner at
high speeds.
The roof load increases the aerody-
namic resistance. Increased fuel con-
sumption and additional stresses on the
vehicle's body result from this.