2000 BMW 323i SEDAN window

135n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Caring for your carPlastic components, vinyl upholstery,
headliners, lamp lenses, the clear cover
of the instrument panel and compo-
nents with a sprayed dull black surface
can be cleaned with water (add plastic
shampoo as required). Do not allow
moisture to soak through the seats or
headliner. Never use solvents such as
lacquer thinner, heavy-duty grease re-
mover, fuels, or similar substances.
Rubber components should be cleaned
with water only; a rubber treatment or
silicone spray may also be applied.
Clean the wiper blades with soapy
water. The wiper blades should be re-
placed twice a year Ð before and after
the cold season. This is especially im-
portant for vehicles with a rain sensor
*.
Use only wiper blades approved
by BMW.<
Do not remove safety belts to clean
them. Clean them with mild soapy
water only. Do not use chemicals or dry
cleaners to clean safety belts, since this
could damage the belt fabric.
After cleaning, never allow the inertia
reel to retract the belts until they are
completely dry. Dirty safety belts pre-
vent the inertia reel mechanism from
retracting the strap properly, and thus
constitute a safety hazard.
Heavily soiled floor carpets and mats
*
can be cleaned with an interior cleaner.
The floor mats can be removed from
the vehicle for cleaning.
Use only a damp cloth to clean trim
panels made of real wood
* and other
parts constructed of real wood
*. Follow
up by drying with a soft cloth.
Use cleaning and car-care
products that you can obtain at
your BMW center.<
Care of upholstery materials Depressions in the upholstery that re-
sult from everyday use can be brushed
smooth by brushing against the nap
with a lightly dampened brush.
The tendency of the pile to lie in a par-
ticular direction on velour upholstery is
not a quality defect. Just as with home
textiles or clothing, this cannot be
avoided.
Lint on upholstery materials, rubbed-in
fabric or suede residues can be re-
moved with a lint brush or Velcro¨
brush. A cleaning glove is available for
especially "stubborn" lint. Stains and
fairly large areas of dirt should be
cleaned off without delay, using luke-
warm water and an interior cleaner,
stain remover or appropriate cleaning
fluid. Brush the fabric afterwards to re-
store its appearance.
If the vehicle will be stored for an ex-
tended period or if it is exposed to in-
tense sunlight, cover all the seats or the
windows to prevent fading.
Use cleaning and car-care
products that you can obtain at
your BMW center.<

136n
Caring for your carThe buildup of an electrostatic charge
on the seat covers, particularly if atmo-
spheric humidity is low, can give the
occupants an unpleasant electric shock
if they touch metal body parts after leav-
ing the vehicle. Although this not dan-
gerous in any way, it can be avoided by
touching a bare or polished metal part
of the car while getting out.Leather care The leather upholstery
* used by BMW
is a natural product of the highest qual-
ity, processed using state-of-the-art
methods to ensure that it will maintain
its high quality for years to come, pro-
vided that it is properly cared for.
Because this product is manufactured
using natural materials, you must make
allowance for its special characteristics
and for the peculiarities of its use and
care.
Regular periodic cleaning and care are
essential, as dust and road dirt act as
abrasives in the pores and creases of
the material. This leads to wear spots
and premature brittleness on the sur-
face of the leather. We therefore sug-
gest that you clean the leather with a
vacuum cleaner or cloth at frequent
intervals.For cleaning, use BMW leather cleaning
foam.
Since dirt and grease gradually attack
the protective layer of the leather, the
cleaned surfaces should be treated
with BMW leather care agent. This also
acts as an antistatic agent.
For protection against dampness or
moisture, treat the leather with a BMW
impregnating agent.
We recommend that you perform this
procedure twice a year on leather ex-
posed to normal use.
Spills should be wiped up immediately.
Remove grease and oil stains without
rubbing, but rather by dabbing with
spot remover.
If the upholstery will be exposed to in-
tense sunlight, or if the vehicle is to be
stored for an extended period, cover all
leather surfaces to prevent fading (or
better yet, cover the windows).
Use cleaning and car-care
products that you can obtain at
your BMW center.<
Cleaning agents can contain sub-
stances that are dangerous or that
pose health risks. For this reason, al-
ways comply with the warnings and
danger notices on the packaging.
Open the doors or windows on your ve-
hicle when cleaning the interior. Never
clean your vehicle with solvents or other
materials not specifically intended for
this purpose.<

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

157n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Do not use spray starter fluids.
If the battery is discharged, the engine
can be started with the use of two
jumper cables and the battery of an-
other vehicle. Use only jumper cables
with fully insulated grips on the terminal
clamps.
Do not touch the parts conducting
electrical current while the engine
is running. Failure to comply with this
creates a risk of fatal injury.<
Carefully comply with the following in-
structions to avoid personal injury or
damage to one or both vehicles:
1 Be sure that the battery on the sup-
port vehicle is also rated at 12 volts,
and that the capacities of the two
batteries (Ah) are roughly comparable
(printed on casing).
2 Leave the discharged battery con-
nected to the vehicle's electrical sys-
tem.
3 Make sure that there is no contact
between the bodywork of the two ve-
hicles Ð this creates a risk of short cir-
cuits.
4 Start by connecting the jumper cable
from the positive terminal of the sup-
port vehicle to the positive terminal
connector located in your BMW's en-
gine compartment. The cover of the
positive terminal connector is marked
with a "+" sign. Refer to the illustra-
tion. Remove by pulling the tab
(arrow 1).
5 Then connect the negative terminals.
Attach the cable to either the support
vehicle's negative battery terminal (Ð),
or to a suitable ground on its engine
or bodywork. Then connect the other
end of the cable to a ground on the
engine or on the bodywork of the
vehicle that is to be started. There is
a special nut provided for this on the
BMW (arrow 2).
Follow the same sequence for
connecting the jumper cables
when helping other vehicles. If you do
not, there is the risk of injury if sparks
are generated at the battery.<460de123
6 Start the engine of the support vehi-
cle and let it run.
7 Start the engine on the vehicle need-
ing the jump-start, and allow it to run
as usual. If the first start attempt is
not successful, wait a few minutes
before another attempt in order to
allow the discharged battery to re-
charge.
8 Before disconnecting the jumper ca-
bles from your BMW, turn on the rear
window defroster and set the blower
to the highest speed; allow the en-
gine to run approx. 10 seconds. This
will prevent a voltage surge from the
voltage regulator to the electrical ac-
cessories.
9 Then disconnect the jumper cables in
reverse sequence.
Depending on the cause of the fault,
recharge the battery.
Jump-starting

164n
Radio reception Safety belt tensionerAM radio provides reception across a
considerable distance because the
broadcast signals not only travel along
the ground as surface waves, but they
are also reflected from the ionosphere
as atmospheric waves.
Frequency-modulation (FM) provides
substantially better sound quality than
AM. However, because FM transmis-
sions rely on line-of-sight broadcast
waves, their effective reception range is
limited. 360de084
The limitations inherent to radio recep-
tion in a moving vehicle have been min-
imized by a number of innovative sys-
tem designs:
The "Radio Data System" (RDS) makes
sure that, for broadcast stations send-
ing on several frequencies, the radio
automatically tunes to the frequency
with the best reception quality.
The Diversity Antenna system employs
several FM antennas integrated within
the rear window to provide three sepa-
rate sources for receiving broadcast
waves. An integral processor automati-
cally selects the antenna with the best
FM reception quality at any given time.
The selection of the antenna takes
place within milliseconds, and is there-
fore not noticed by the radio listener.The safety belt tensioner responds to
severe collisions by tightening the belts
to ensure that occupants remain firmly
positioned in their seats. A gas-pressure
system retracts the buckle assembly
to tension the shoulder and lap belts
within fractions of a second. This re-
duces the tendency to slide under the
lap belt.
390de330

168n
Self-diagnostics All of the important electrical and elec-
tronic systems in the vehicle are tested
regularly and automatically Ð the driver
does not have to perform any extra
operations or adjustments.
The indicator lamps also come on
briefly after the ignition has been turned
on.
While you are driving, the functional
status of the actuator motors (for the
windshield wipers, power windows,
seats, sunroof, etc.) is constantly ana-
lyzed by current measurements in their
relays.460de177
In the same manner, the electrical re-
sistance of the airbag ignition genera-
tors and all of the remaining airbag
components is measured at all times.
Any fault in this system would be de-
tected immediately by a current fluctua-
tion that would necessarily accompany
it. The fault would be indicated immedi-
ately by the airbag warning lamp.
Even after you shut off the engine, the
overall functional status of your vehicle
is monitored. For example, all of the
flaps of the heating and ventilation sys-
tem travel to the nearest limit position.
This action ensures that the system will
be able to provide defrosting, regard-
less of other circumstances (if a mal-
function in the heating or ventilation
system should occur during the night
while the vehicle is parked, for in-
stance).
A calibration cycle runs every tenth time
the engine is shut off. During this cycle,
the actuator motors of all the heating
and ventilation flaps travel to their limit
stops in both directions. The limit posi-
tions and the return travel paths are
checked in this manner in order to en-
sure that appropriate adjustments for
the operating elements can be made at
any time.You will hear the sounds of the air flaps
as the heater/ventilation system carries
out its self-diagnostic functions after the
ignition is shut off. All of the other self-
diagnostics functions operate silently in
the background.
Any faults detected during these self-
diagnostics can be read out by your
BMW center during the next regularly-
scheduled maintenance and corrected
with a minimum of time.

Everything from A to ZAABS (Antilock Brake
System)22, 106
Accessories6
Activated-charcoal
filter90, 155
Adaptive Transmission
Control (ATC)65, 162
Adding engine oil125
Adding washer
fluid124, 175
Adjusting the backrest47
Adjusting the steering
wheel51
Adjusting the thigh support
area49
Air distribution88
Air nozzles86
Air outlets86
ventilation86
Air pressure113
Air supply89
Airbags21, 56, 137, 163
Alarm system42
Antenna112
Antenna, Diversity164
Antifreeze128
radiator110
Antilock Brake System
(ABS)22, 106
Anti-theft alarm system42
Aquaplaning104, 113
Armrest93Ashtray95
front95
rear96
ATC (Adaptive Transmission
Control)65, 162
AUC (Automatic
recirculated-air
control)89
Automatic car washes132
Automatic climate
control86
removing condensation
from the windows89
Automatic cruise control71
Automatic dimming, interior
rearview mirror53
Automatic recirculated-air
control (AUC)89
Automatic transmission with
Steptronic22, 65
Automatic windshield
washer69
Average consumption77
Average speed77
Axle loads174
BBackup lamps64
bulb replacement145
Battery152, 176
capacity176
charge154discharged157
removal and
installation153
Battery charge current20
Battery Safety Terminal
(BST)153
Belts54
Blower89
BMW High Performance
Synthetic Oils126
BMW Sports Seat49
Bore172
Brake fluid129
Brake hydraulic system20
Brake lamps
bulb replacement145
Brake pads22
Brakes108
malfunctions109
Break-in procedure104
Breaking in the vehicle104
BST (Battery Safety
Terminal)153
Bulb replacement142
CCapacities175
Car Memory53
Car radio112
refer also to the separate
Owner's ManualCar radio
reception112, 164
Car vacuum cleaner,
connecting96
Car wash132
Care
exterior133
interior134
Care of upholstery135
Care of wool velour135
Cargo loading99
Caring for the vehicle
finish133
Catalytic converter105
CBC (Cornering Brake
Control)21, 107
Cellular phone95, 112
refer also to the separate
Owner's Manual
Center (high-mount) brake
lamp147
Center armrest93
Central locking system34
button38
Changing a tire149
Changing a wheel149
Charge indicator lamp20
Check Control75
Child restraint
systems55, 59
Child seat59
Child-safety locks56
Cigarette lighter96
Everything from A-Z

Everything from A to Z
181n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Clock75
refer also to the Radio
or Onboard Computer
Owner's Manual
Cockpit16
Coin holder, cup holder93
Combination switch68
Compression172
Computer76
Configure settings53
Consumption77
Consumption display74
Coolant110, 128, 175
antifreeze110
Coolant temperature
gauge74
Cooling system175
Cornering Brake Control
(CBC)21, 107
Cruise control71
Cruising range77
Curb weight174DDash lighting82
Dashboard16
Data
dimensions173
engine172
weights174
Daytime-driving lamp
switch82
Defrost position89Defroster, rear window90
Defrosting the windows89
Digital clock75
Dimensions173
Dipstick125
Disc brakes108
Displacement172
Display lighting82
Displays18
Distance warning78
Diversity Antenna164
Divided rear backrest97
Door key32
Door locks, care110
Doors
child-safety locks56
emergency operation34
unlocking and locking34
Draft-free ventilation90
Driving hints104
Driving in winter110
Driving lamps82
Dynamic Stability Control
(DSC)22, 79, 163
EElectric power windows44
Electrical accessories,
failure154
Electrical system176
Electronic vehicle
immobilizer33
Elements of operation16Emergency operation,
doors34
Energy Control73
Engine
starting61
Engine compartment122
Engine coolant128, 175
Engine data172
Engine oil
capacity175
consumption125
pressure20
quality126
specifications126
viscosity126
Engine oil level21, 22
check125
Engine speed172
Exterior mirrors52
FFailure messages75
Fault
ABS107
Fault displays75
Filler cap cover26
Filling capacities175
Filling the washer
reservoir175
First aid25
First-aid kit25
Fittings, towing and
tow-starting158Flashlight92
Flat tire113, 149
Fog lamps83
Folding rear backrest97
Footbrake108
Footwell lamps83
bulb replacement148
Front fog lamps83
bulb replacement145
Front seat-adjustment47
Frost protection,
radiator128
Fuel26
fuel injection172
Fuel consumption77
Fuel consumption
display74
Fuel filler door
releasing following an
electrical malfunction156
Fuel gauge74
Fuel quality26
Fuel reserve indicator
lamp74
Fuel tank capacity175
Fuel tank gauge74
Functional status168
Fuses154
GGasoline26
Gasoline gauge74
Glove compartment92