2000 BMW 323i SEDAN ESP

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For your own safety

Use unleaded gasoline only.
Fuels containing up to 10% etha-
nol or other oxygenates with up to 2.8%
oxygen by weight (i.e. 15% MTBE or
3% methanol plus an equivalent
amount of co-solvent) will not void the
applicable warranties with respect to
defects in materials or workmanship.
Field experience has indicated signifi-
cant differences in fuel quality (volatility,
composition, additives, for example)
among gasolines offered for sale in the
United States and Canada. The use of
poor-quality fuels may result in drive-
ability, starting and stalling problems,
especially under certain environmental
conditions, such as high ambient tem-
perature and high altitude.
Should you encounter driveability prob-
lems that you suspect could be related
to the fuel you are using, we recom-
mend that you respond by switching
to a recognized high-quality brand.
Failure to comply with these recom-
mendations may result in unscheduled
maintenance.
Follow the relevant safety rules when
you are handling gasoline.

<

Important safety information!
For your own safety, use genuine
parts and accessories approved by
BMW.
When you purchase accessories tested
and approved by BMW and Original
BMW Parts, you simultaneously acquire
the assurance that they have been thor-
oughly tested by BMW to ensure opti-
mum performance when installed on
your vehicle.
BMW warrants these parts to be free
from defects in material and workman-
ship.
BMW will not accept any liability for
damage resulting from installation of
parts and accessories not approved by
BMW.
BMW cannot test every product from
other manufacturers to verify if it can be
used on a BMW safely and without risk
to either the vehicle, its operation, or its
occupants.
Original BMW Parts, BMW Accessories
and other products approved by BMW,
together with professional advice on
using these items, are available from all
BMW centers.

Installation and operation of non-BMW
approved accessories such as alarms,
radios, amplifiers, radar detectors,
wheels, suspension components, brake
dust shields, telephones (including
operation of any portable cellular phone
from within the vehicle without using an
externally mounted antenna) or trans-
ceiver equipment (such as C.B., walkie-
talkie, ham radio or similar) may cause
extensive damage to the vehicle, com-
promise its safety, interfere with the
vehicle's electrical system or affect the
validity of the BMW Limited Warranty.
See your BMW center for additional
information.
Do not use a key or remote control to
lock the doors or luggage compartment
with anyone inside the car. See
page 34 for more details.
"Maintenance, replacement, or repair
of the emission control devices and
systems may be performed by any
automotive repair establishment or indi-
vidual using any certified automotive
part."

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For your own safety

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Indicator and warning lamps

Technology that monitors itself

Many of the systems of your BMW
monitor themselves automatically, both
during engine starts and while you are
driving. Indicator and warning lamps
that are identified by "

l

" are tested for
proper functioning whenever the igni-
tion key is turned. They each light up
once for different periods of time.
If a fault should occur in one of these
systems, the corresponding lamp does
not go out after the engine is started, or
it lights up while the vehicle is moving.
You will see how to react to this below.

Red: Stop immediately

Battery charge

l


The battery is no longer being
charged. There is a malfunction
of the alternator ribbed V-belt or in the
charging circuit of the alternator. Please
contact the nearest BMW center.
If the ribbed V-belt is defective, do
not continue driving. If you do so,
the engine could be damaged due to
overheating. If the ribbed V-belt is de-
fective, increased steering effort is also
required.<
Engine oil pressure l
Stop the vehicle and switch off
the engine immediately. Check
the engine oil and top up as required. If
the oil level is correct, please contact
the nearest BMW center.
Do not continue driving. If you do
so, the engine could be damaged
because of inadequate lubrication.<
Tire Pressure Control (RDC)
* l
In addition, an acoustic signal is
sounded: A tire failure has oc-
curred. Reduce vehicle speed immedi-
ately and stop the vehicle. Avoid hard
brake applications. Do not oversteer.
For additional information: Refer to
page 80.
Brake hydraulic system l
If the lamp comes on when the
parking brake is not engaged:
Check the brake fluid level. Before driv-
ing further, be sure to read the notes on
pages 109 and 129.
Brake warning lamp for Cana-
dian models.

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Multifunction steering wheel (MFL)
*
The controls integrated in the multi-
function steering wheel are provided
so that you can operate a number of
accessories quickly and without being
distracted from traffic conditions. You
may operate:
>selected radio functions
>the cruise control
>selected cellular phone functions.
In order to operate a system via
the MFL, the corresponding sys-
tem controls must be switched on.<
1 Cellular phone: Receive a call, initiate
dialing and terminate a call
2 Radio/Cellular phone: Select
3 Radio/Cellular phone: Scan back-
ward or scan station keys or scroll in
the phone listings
4 Radio/Cellular phone: Volume
5 Radio/Cellular phone: Scan forward
or scan station keys or scroll in the
phone listings460de065
6 Horn: The entire surface functions as
the horn
7 Cruise control: Resume stored setting
8 Cruise control: Store and accelerate
(+); decelerate and store (Ð)
9 Cruise control: Activate/Interrupt/
Cancel.

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Alarm system
*
The conceptThe vehicle's alarm system responds:
>When a door, the hood or the lug-
gage compartment lid is opened
>To movement inside the vehicle
(interior motion sensor)
>To a change of the vehicle's tilt Ð if
someone attempts to steal the wheels
or tow the vehicle without authoriza-
tion, for example
>If there is an interruption of battery
voltage.
The alarm system signals unauthorized
access to the vehicle or an attempted
theft in different ways:
>Sounding an acoustical alarm for
30 seconds
>The hazard warning flashers are acti-
vated for approx. five minutes.
To activate and deactivate the
alarm systemWhen the vehicle is locked or unlocked
by using a key or with the remote con-
trol, the alarm system is also simulta-
neously armed or disarmed.
The interior motion sensor is activated
approx. 30 seconds after you have fin-
ished locking the car.
If the alarm system has been armed
correctly, the hazard warning flashers
flash once. An acoustic warning signal
sounds at the same time.
You can have different acknow-
ledgment messages set to confirm
arming and disarming.<
You can also open the luggage com-
partment lid when the system is armed
by pressing button 3 of the remote con-
trol (refer to page 37). When it is closed,
the lid is once again secured.
Indicator lamp displaysThe indicator lamp is located under the
interior rearview mirror.
>When the indicator lamp flashes con-
tinuously: The system is armed.
>If the indicator lamp flashes during
arming of the system: The door(s),
the hood or luggage compartment lid
are not completely closed. Even if
you do not close the alerted area, the
system begins to monitor the remain-
ing areas, and the indicator lamp
flashes continuously after 10 sec-
onds. However, the interior motion
sensor is not activated.
>If the indicator lamp goes out when
the system is disarmed: No manipu-
lation or attempted intrusions have
been detected in the period since the
system was armed.460de105

44n
Electric power windowsOpen and close the windowsIn ignition key position 1 or 2:
>Depress the switch until you feel
resistance:
The window will continue to open as
long as you hold the switch.
>Press the switch briefly past the pres-
sure point:
The window will automatically open
completely. Pressing the switch
again briefly stops the opening cycle.
You can close windows in the same
manner by pulling the switch.460de013
Separate switches are located under
windows in the rear passenger area.
After the ignition has been switched off:
You can still operate the power win-
dows for up to 15 minutes, as long as
neither of the front doors has been
opened.
Remove the key from the ignition
key and close the doors when you
leave the vehicle, so that children can-
not operate the power windows and
possibly injure themselves.<
For the convenience operating mode
with the door lock or remote control,
refer to page 34 or 35.
Safety feature A contact strip is located on the inside
upper frame of each of the windows. If
pressure is exerted against this contact
strip while a window is being raised, the
system will respond by stopping the
window and then retracting it a small
distance.
Despite this safety feature, be ex-
tremely careful to ensure that the
closing path of the window is not ob-
structed. Otherwise, an object might
not touch the contact strip in some situ-
ations (very thin objects, for instance).
You can disable this safety feature by
pressing the switch beyond the resis-
tance point and holding it.<

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Sliding/Tilt sunroof
*
>With the sunroof open, press the
switch briefly toward "Lift:" The sun-
roof automatically extends to its fully
raised position.
Pressing the switch again briefly stops
the motion immediately.
Safety featureIf the sliding/tilt sunroof encounters
resistance at a point roughly past the
middle of its travel when it is closing,
the closing cycle is interrupted and the
sunroof will open again slightly.
Despite this safety feature, always
be careful to ensure that the clos-
ing path of the roof is not obstructed.
Otherwise, an object might not touch
the contact strip in some situations
(very thin objects, for instance).
You can disable this safety feature by
pressing the switch beyond the resis-
tance point and holding it.<
Power loss or malfunctionIn the event of an electrical system mal-
function, the sliding/tilt sunroof can be
manually operated. Refer to page 156.

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IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
For your personal safety when adjusting
the seat position, please follow the in-
structions below carefully:
Never try to adjust your seat while
operating the vehicle. The seat
could respond with an unexpected
movement, and the ensuing loss of ve-
hicle control could lead to an accident.
Be sure that the safety belt remains
firmly against your body at all times. In
the event of a frontal impact, a loose lap
belt could slide over the hips, leading to
abdominal injury. In addition, the safety
belt's restraint effectiveness is reduced
if the belt is worn loosely.
Never ride with the backrest reclined to
an extreme angle (especially important
for the front passenger to remember).
If you do so, there is a risk that you will
slide under the safety belt in an acci-
dent, thus reducing the protection pro-
vided by the safety belt.<
1 Longitudinal adjustment
Pull the lever and slide the seat to the
desired position.
After releasing the lever, apply pres-
sure to the cushion to ensure that the
latch engages securely.
2 Cushion height
Pull the lever and apply weight to or
remove weight from the seat as re-
quired.460de109
3 Backrest angle
Pull the lever and apply weight to or
remove weight from the backrest as
required.460de068
Seat adjustment Mechanical seat

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IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Mirrors Car Memory, Key Memory Interior rearview mirror with
automatic dimming feature
*
By responding to the effects of ambient
light and the glare from following traffic,
this mirror automatically dims through
an infinitely-variable range.
The mirror switches to its clear, un-
dimmed mode whenever the transmis-
sion is placed in reverse gear (selector
lever in "Reverse").
To ensure that the mirror continues to
operate properly, keep the two photo-
cells clean and unobstructed. One pho-
tocell (arrow) is in the mirror glass, while
the other is offset somewhat on the
other side of the mirror.
For an explanation of the electrochro-
mic technology used in this mirror, refer
to page 165.460de020
How the system functionsYou have probably frequently wished
that you could configure individual
functions of your vehicle to reflect your
own personal requirements. In engi-
neering your vehicle, BMW has in-
cluded several user-defined functions
in the vehicle's design. Your BMW cen-
ter can make these settings for you in
accordance with your wishes.
There are settings related to the vehicle
("Car Memory") and settings related to
individuals ("Key Memory"). You can
have up to four different basic settings
adjusted for four different persons. The
only requirement is that each person
uses his or her own remote control key.
When your vehicle is unlocked with the
remote control, the vehicle recognizes 463de029
the individual user by means of a data
exchange with the key, and makes ad-
justments accordingly.
In order for you to distinguish between
different keys, colored decals are sup-
plied together with the keys.What the system can doYour BMW center can provide you with
details on the capabilities of the Car
Memory and Key Memory systems.
You will see this symbol through-
out the Owner's Manual. It is to re-
mind you at appropriate places of the
settings that are available to you.<
An example of Key Memory is the auto-
matic adjustment of the driver's power
seat
* with settings stored in the mem-
ory for the individual driver when the
vehicle is unlocked.