2000 BMW 323i SEDAN tires

132n
Washing your car You can have your BMW washed in
an automatic car wash, even when it
is new. Car wash systems that do not
employ brushes are preferable.
Wipe away tough dirt and loosen and
remove dead insects before washing
the car.
In order to avoid spots, do not wash the
vehicle when the hood is warm, or dur-
ing or immediately after exposure to
strong sunlight.
When using an automatic car wash, be
sure that:
>The car wash system is suited for the
dimensions of your vehicle.
>No damage will occur on vehicles
with attached body accessories (such
as spoilers or antennas). Consult the
car wash operator if necessary.
>The wheels and tires of your vehicle
cannot be damaged by the convey-
ance devices of the car wash system.
>The vehicle is cleaned with minimum
brush pressure, and that ample water
is available for washing and rinsing.Vehicles with rain sensor
*:
Clean the windshield regularly. Wax
from automatic car washes or insects
can cause malfunctions in the function
of the rain sensor
*.
Turn the rain sensor
* off (refer to
page 69) when passing through an
automatic car wash. Failure to do so
could result in damage caused by unin-
tended wiper activation.<
Parts of the car that are inaccessible to
the automatic washer Ð such as door
sills, door and hood edges, etc. Ð
should be cleaned by hand.
In the winter months, it is especially
important to be sure that the car is
washed on a regular basis. Large quan-
tities of dirt and road salt are difficult to
remove, and they also cause damage
to the vehicle.
If spray wands or high-pressure
washers are used, be sure to
maintain an adequate distance between
the spray source and the vehicle's sur-
face. Inadequate distance and exces-
sive pressure can damage or weaken
the finish, making it more susceptible to
subsequent attack. In addition, mois-
ture could penetrate to vehicle compo-
nents, leading to long-term damage.<
When cleaning the headlamps,
please observe the following:
>Do not clean by wiping with a dry
cloth (this causes scratches). Never
use abrasives or strong solvents.
>Remove dirt and contamination (such
as insects) by soaking with BMW Car
Shampoo and then rinsing with plenty
of water.
>Always use a deicer spray to remove
accumulated ice and snow Ð never
use a scraper.<
After washing the car, apply the
brakes briefly to dry them. Braking
efficiency might otherwise be reduced
by the moisture and the brake rotors
could also be corroded.<
Caring for your car

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

167n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Tire Pressure Control (RDC)
*
This system regularly checks tire pres-
sure and monitors all four tires even
while driving, so you don't have to.
Behind the valve stem in every wheel,
there is an electronic chip that is de-
signed for severe-duty applications and
long service life. It contains a pressure
sensor, a transmitter and a battery. The
pressure is measured in extremely short
time intervals and then transmitted by a
radio signal. If an irregularity is detected,
the transmission rate is increased. 460de169
Near every wheel is an antenna in the
body that receives the signal from the
wheel. A central electronics system
evaluates the quadruple signals and for-
wards any changes.
The RDC provides an important contri-
bution to driving safety.

Everything from A to ZGlove compartment lamp
bulb replacement148
Gross vehicle weight174HHandbrake63
Handsfree system95
Hazard warning flashers25
Hazard warning triangle25
Head restraint48
Headlamp covers,
care132, 143
Headlamp flasher83
Headlamp washer
system124, 175
Headlamp washers70
Heated seats91
Heavy loads99
Height173
HiFi system Ð harman
kardon92
High beams23, 68, 83
bulb replacement143
Hood release120
Horn17
Hubcap150IIce warning76
Icy roads76
Identification, tires116Ignition key32
Ignition lock61
Indicator lamps20
Inflated pressure27, 113
Inflation pressure
monitoring80, 167
INSPECTION74
Installing a child restraint
system60
Instrument cluster18
Instrument lighting82
Instrument panel18
Interaxle tire rotation115
Interface socket96
for Onboard
Diagnostics139
Interference
cellular phones112
Interior lamps36, 83
bulb replacement147
remote control36
Interior motion sensor42
Interior rearview mirror52
automatic dimming
feature53, 165
Interlock61
Intermittent wipe68
JJack149
Jump-starting157
KKey Memory53
Keys32
with remote control32LLAMPS ON warning82
Lashing eyes99
Leather care136
Length173
License plate lamp
bulb replacement147
Light switch82
Light-alloy wheels118
Lighter96
Load-securing devices99
Louvers86
Low beam headlamps82
Low beams
bulb replacement143
Lug bolts150
Lug wrench149
Luggage compartment41
capacity174
floor mat41
floor panel41
remote control37
Luggage compartment
lamps
bulb replacement148Luggage compartment
lid39
emergency release39
securing separately39
Luggage compartment
lighting39
Luggage rack100
Lumbar support49
MM+S tires117
Maintenance74, 131
Malfunction displays75
Manual transmission64
Manually controlled
recirculated-air89
Memory50
MFL (Multifunction steering
wheel)24
Microfilter90, 155
Mirror memory50
Mirrors52
Mobile phones112
Modifications,
technical6, 138
Multifunction steering wheel
(MFL)24NNeckrest48

Everything from A to Z
183n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
OOBD interface socket139
Obstruction protection44
Odometer73
Oil
capacity175
consumption125
dipstick125
quality126
specifications126
viscosity126
Oil additives125
Oil change intervals, see the
Service and Warranty
Information Booklet
Oil filter change175
Oil level
check125
indicator lamp20
Oil pressure, indicator
lamp20
OILSERVICE74
Onboard computer76
Onboard tool kit142
Outside temperature
display76PPaint blemishes133
Paint, care133
Paintwork, minor
repairs134Paintwork, waxing134
Park Distance Control
(PDC)78
Parking brake63
Parking help78
Parking lamps83
Parking, winter111
PDC (Park Distance
Control)78
Performance172
Pocket flashlight92
Pollen90
Power seat49
Power steering111
Power windows44
safety switch45
Pressure monitoring,
tires80, 167
Pressure, tires27, 113
RRadiator175
Radio
refer to the separate
Owner's Manual
Radio Data System
(RDS)164
Radio reception112, 164
Rain sensor69, 166
RDC (Tire Pressure
Control)80, 167
RDS (Radio Data
System)164Reading lamps84
Rear backrest, folding97
Rear lamps145
Rear window
defroster70, 90
Rearview mirror52
Reclining seat47
Refueling26
Remote control35
Removing condensation,
windows89
Replacement key32
Reporting safety defects7
Restraint system59
Reverse17, 64
Roller blind, sun
protection91
Roller sun blind91
Roof load capacity174
Roof-mounted luggage
rack100
Rubber parts110
SSafety belt tensioner164
Safety belts54
height adjustment54
Safety feature44
Safety lock buttons38
Seat
mechanical47
power49
Seat adjustment47Seat heating91
Seat memory50
Securing cargo99
Securing loads99
Selector lever, automatic
transmission65
Self-defrosting mirrors52
Self-diagnostics168
Service and Warranty
Information Booklet131
Service Interval
Display74, 131
Shiftlock65
Side airbags56
Side impact Head Protection
System56
Side lamps82
bulb replacement144
Ski bag98
Skid control111
Sliding/Tilt sunroof45
closing following an
electrical malfunction156
convenience operation34
Slippery roads110
Snow chains110, 118
Space-saver spare tire149
Spare key32
Spare tire149
Spare wheel149
Spark plugs176
Speaker95
Speed control71

Everything from A to ZSpeed display18
Speedometer18
Sports Seat49
Starting61
Starting assistance157
Starting problems105, 157
Starting the engine61
Steel wheels118
Steering111
Steering wheel lock61
Steptronic65
Stopping the vehicle62
Storage compartments93
Storing the vehicle137
Stroke172
Summer tires116
Sun visors52
Switching off the engine62
Symbols4, 153
Synthetic oils126TTachometer73
Tail lamp assembly
bulb replacement145
Tail lamps145
Tank capacity175
Technical data172
Technical
modifications6, 138Telephone
refer to the separate
Owner's Manual
Telephone hookup95
Temperature adjustment88
Temperature display
outside temperature76
Temperature gauge
engine coolant74
Temperature layering90
Third brake lamp147
Through-loading system97
Tilt alarm36, 43
remote control36
Tire codes116
Tire damage113
Tire inflation
pressure27, 113
Tire pressure
checking27
Tire Pressure Control
(RDC)80, 167
Tire pressure
monitoring80, 167
Tire replacement114, 115
Tire specifications118
Tire tread113
Tools142
Torque172
Tow fittings158
Tow starting158Towing158
Track173
Traction Control System
refer to DSC79
Transmission64
Tread depth, tires113
Trip odometer73
Trunk39
Trunk lid, refer to luggage
compartment lid39
Turn signal
indicator23, 68, 144
bulb replacement144
Turning radius173
Two-way radios112
UUsed batteries154VVacuum cleaner,
connecting96
Vanity mirror52
bulb replacement148
Vehicle battery152, 176
Vehicle care
exterior133
interior134
Vehicle identification130
Vehicle Identification
Number (VIN)130Vehicle immobilizer33
Vehicle painting133
Vehicle storage137
Vehicle weight174
Ventilation86
draft-free90
Vinyl care135
WWarning lamp "Please fasten
safety belts"21
Warning lamps20
Warning messages75
Warranty and Service Guide
Booklet131
Washer reservoir, filling124
Washing your car132
Water on roadways
deep water104
Waxing, paintwork134
Weights174
Wheel rims116
Wheelbase173
Wheels and tires116, 118
Width173
Windows, convenience
operation34
Windshield washer nozzle
adjustment124
Windshield washer reservoir,
filling124, 175

Everything from A to Z
185n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Windshield wiper68
Windshield wiper blade
replacement142
Winter operation110
Winter tires116, 117
Wiper blade
replacement142
Wiper system68
Work in the engine
compartment120XXenon lamps143, 169

Owner service proceduresAActivated-charcoal filter,
changing155
Adding brake fluid129
Adding engine coolant128
Adding engine oil125BBackup lamps
bulb replacement145
Battery
add distilled water153
charging154
Brake lamps
bulb replacement145
Brakes, brake faults109CChanging a tire149
Changing a wheel149
Check Control75
Checking air pressure27
Checking engine oil
level125
Checking oil level125DDefrosting the windows89
Difficult steering111
Doors, emergency
operation34
EElectrical accessories,
failure154
Electrical malfunction
fuel filler door156
sliding/tilt sunroof156
Emergency operation
doors34
fuel filler door156
sliding/tilt sunroof156
Engine oil
add125
quality126
specifications126
viscosity126FFailure messages75
Fault displays75
First aid25
First-aid kit25
Fittings, towing and
tow-starting158
Flat tire149
Footwell lamps
bulb replacement148
Front fog lamps
bulb replacement145
Fuses, replacing154GGlove compartment lamp
bulb replacement148
HHazard warning flashers25
Hazard warning triangle25
Headlamp cover, care143
High beams
bulb replacement143IIndicator lamps20
Inflated pressure27, 113
Interior lamps
bulb replacement147
Interior motion sensor,
switching off43JJack149LLicense plate lamp
bulb replacement147
Low beams
bulb replacement143
Lug wrench149
Luggage compartment
lamps
bulb replacement148
Luggage compartment lid,
emergency release39
MMaintenance131
Malfunction displays75
Microfilter, changing155OOil
quality126
specifications126
viscosity126
Onboard tool kit142PPressure, tires27RRear lamps145
Releasing the fuel filler door
following an electrical
malfunction156
Releasing the hood120
Removing condensation
from the windows89
Replacement key32
Replacing bulbs142
Replacing lamp bulbs142
Replacing windshield wiper
blades142
Replacing wiper blades142
Return used batteries154
Owner service procedures