2000 BMW 323i light

146n
Lamps and bulbsThe illustration shows the right-hand
luggage compartment opening.
Bulbs in the fender:
All of the bulbs are integrated in a cen-
tral bulb holder.
1 Release the bulb holder (arrow, par-
tial view) and remove.
2 Unplug the power supply receptacle.
Set the bulb holder aside (on the
luggage compartment floor, for ex-
ample).
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 two
clips.460de131
2 Fold the trim panel down (arrow 1).
Disengage 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 two clips.462us033

147n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Lamps and bulbsCenter (high-mount) brake lamp LED light bar on the rear window.
Please contact a BMW center in the
event of a malfunction.462de268
License plate lamps 5 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
The illustration provides an example of
the interior lamps when equipped with
reading lamps
*.
Interior lamps (2 x 5 watt bulbs)
1 Using a screwdriver, press the lamp
out toward the front.
2 Remove the lens and pull the bulb
out of the contact studs.
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

148n
Lamps and bulbsRear
The illustration provides an example of
the interior lamps when equipped with
reading lamps
*.
Interior lamps (5 watt bulb)
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.
Interior lamps (6 watt bulb) with reading
lamp
* (6 watt bulb)
1 Press the lamp out using a screw-
driver.
2 Turn the bulb holder to the left and
remove.
3 Remove and replace the bulb.
460de179
Lighted vanity mirror
*
10 watt bulb
1 Remove the bulb housing Ð use a
screwdriver if necessary.
2 Replace the bulb.460de181
Footwell lamps
*
5 watt bulb
1 Press the lamp out using a screw-
driver.
2 Replace the bulb.Glove compartment lamp 5 watt bulb
1 Press the lamp out using a screw-
driver.
2 Replace the bulb.Luggage compartment lamps One lamp each in the bulb holder of the
tail lamp assembly: 10 watt bulb.
1 Apply a screwdriver to the recess and
remove the lens.
2 Replace the bulb.

151n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Changing a wheel9 Position the new wheel or the
space-saver spare tire
* on the hub
and screw at least two lug bolts fin-
ger-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 in a diagonal
pattern.
462de267
13 Wheels 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 Check and correct the tire's inflation
pressure at the earliest possibility.
For vehicles with RDC (Tire Pres-
sure Control)
*:
Reactivate the system after mount-
ing either the spare tire or after in-
flating tire(s) to proper pressure.
Refer to page 80.
Use only the full wheel cover in-
stalled by the factory. Other wheel
covers may not fit securely. The full
wheel cover may not be installed on the
space-saver spare tire
* since this could
damage the cover.<
460de125
The vehicle jack is designed for
changing wheels only. Do not at-
tempt to raise another vehicle model
with it or to raise any load of any kind.
To do so could cause accidents 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, be sure that
you do not damage the retaining 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.

152n
Changing a wheel 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 at one time.
Mount a wheel and tire with the same
size and specifications as the others at
the earliest possible opportunity. Main-
tain correct tire pressures. Refer to
page 28.<
Battery locationThe battery is located at the right-rear
of the luggage compartment. Raise the
luggage compartment floor panel (refer
to page 41). Use a screwdriver or a coin
to loosen the two fasteners in the illus-
tration 1/4-turn. Loosen the third fas-
tener in the upper-center side trim
panel. Remove the fasteners. In order
to remove the storage tray, slide the
side trim panel slightly upward.460de176
Charge conditionThe "Magic Eye
*" is a hydrometer that
allows you to read the charge condition
of the battery:
>Green: adequate charge.
>Black: not adequately charged. The
battery must be recharged. Please
contact your BMW center for addi-
tional 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

153n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
BatteryBattery careThe battery is absolutely maintenance-
free, that is, the original electrolyte will
normally last for the service life of the
battery under moderate climatic condi-
tions.
For all questions that regard the
battery, please consult your BMW
center. Since the battery is mainte-
nance-free, the following is for your
information only. 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
allow particles containing bat-
tery acid or lead to come into
contact 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.
Do not allow children access to
batteries and battery acid.
Never allow sparks or open
flame in the vicinity of the bat-
tery. Avoid sparks from electri-
cal cables or electrical equipment. Turn
the key to position 0 in the steering lock
when disconnecting or connecting the
battery. Do not short-circuit the battery
terminals. This creates a risk of injury
from high-energy sparks.
A highly-explosive gas is gener-
ated when the battery is charged.
If battery acid is splashed into
your eyes, rinse them thor-
oughly with clear water for at
least 15 minutes. Consult a physician
immediately. If your skin or clothing are
splashed by acid, rinse immediately
with ample clear water. If electrolyte is
accidentally swallowed, consult a phy-
sician 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.
Removal and installation
Do not disconnect the battery
when the engine is running. If you
do so, the ensuing voltage surge will
damage the vehicle's onboard electron-
ics.
Do not make any modifications in the
wires to the positive terminal. If you do
so, the protective function of the safety
battery terminal is no longer ensured.
Repair and disposal must be performed
by trained technicians only.<
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.<

165n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Interior rearview mirror with automatic dimming feature
*
The interior rearview mirror with auto-
matic dimming feature reduces blinding
from following traffic by adapting the
intensity of the reflected images to cor-
respond 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 lamp sen-
sor is mounted on the front of the mirror
housing. This sensor, which 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 dim-
ming of the mirror through an infinitely-
variable range (electrochromic technol-
ogy).
As a result, it is no longer necessary to
dim the mirror manually, and the driver
can concentrate completely on traffic
conditions.

166n
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 re-
flected completely when the windshield
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 of wetness on the
windshield.390de133
When the system is set to the "Intermit-
tent" wiper speed, the wipers react im-
mediately Ð if water is splashed onto
the windshield by vehicles traveling
ahead of you, for example. As a result,
the rain sensor provides a contribution
to driving safety and comfort.