2000 BMW 323i SEDAN ABS

11n

Controls and features
Operation, care and maintenance

Lamps:

Parking lamps/Headlamps82
Dash lighting82
High beams/Parking lamps83
Fog lamps83
Interior lamps83
Reading lamps84

Controlling the climate
for pleasant driving:

Automatic climate control86
Seat heating91
Roller sun blind91

Interior conveniences:

HiFi system92
Glove compartment92
Storage compartments93
Cellular phones95
Ashtray, front95
Cigarette lighter96
Ashtray, rear96

Loading and transporting:

Through-loading system97
Ski bag98
Cargo loading99
Roof-mounted luggage rack100

Special operating instructions:

Break-in procedures104
Driving notes104
Catalytic converter105
Antilock Brake System
(ABS)106
Disc brakes108
Brake system109
Winter operation110
Power steering111
Cellular phones112
Radio reception112

Wheels and tires:

Tire inflation pressures113
Tire condition113
Tire replacement114
Tire rotation115
Wheel and tire
combinations116
Winter tires117
Snow chains117
Approved wheel and tire
specifications118

Under the hood:

Hood120
Engine compartment122
Washer fluids124
Washer nozzles124
Engine oil125
Coolant128
Brake fluid129
Vehicle Identification
Number130

Care and maintenance:

The BMW Maintenance
System131
Caring for your car132
Airbags137
Vehicle storage137

Laws and regulations:

Technical modifications to the
vehicle138
OBD interface socket139

19n

IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview

Instrument cluster

1 Fuel gauge with indicator lamp
for fuel reserve74
2 Turn signal indicator23
3 Speedometer
4 Indicator lamp for

>

Battery charge current20

>

High beams23

>

Engine oil pressure/Engine oil
level20, 22
5 Tachometer and Energy Control73
6 Engine coolant temperature gauge
with "Coolant temperature too high"
indicator74
7 Indicator and warning lamps
(clockwise) for

>

Parking brake/Brake hydraulic
system/Cornering Brake Control
(CBC)20

>

ABS22

>

Brake pads22

>

Tire Pressure Control
(RDC)

*
20, 22

>

Airbags21

>

Please fasten safety belts21

>

Cruise control

*
23
8 Clock reset

>

Clock75

>

Service Interval749 Program display for automatic
transmission

*
65, 67
Indicator lamp for automatic
transmission

*
22, 65
10 Indicator lamp for Dynamic Stability
Control (DSC)22
11 Indicator for

>

Odometer73

>

Trip odometer73

>

Clock75

>

Service Interval74
Display for onboard computer

*
,
operation via the turn signal lever:
Refer to page 76.

>

Clock

>

Outside temperature

>

Average fuel consumption

>

Range

>

Average speed
12 Indicator for Check Control75
13 Trip odometer, reset to zero7314 Indicator and warning lamps
(clockwise) for

>

Front fog lamps

*
23

>

Add washer fluid22

>

Coolant level23

>

Electronic Engine Power Control
(EML)

*
23

>

Engine22
You can display the outside tem-
perature and distance driven in
different units of measurement.

<

21n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Indicator and warning lampsYellow: Stop immediately
Engine oil level

Comes on while driving: Stop
the vehicle and switch off the
engine immediately. The oil level is at
the absolute minimum.
For additional information: Refer to
page 125.
Do not continue driving until you
have topped up the engine oil. If
you continue to drive, the engine could
be damaged because of inadequate
lubrication.<
Red and yellow: Continue driving
cautiously
Cornering Brake Control (CBC) l
If the brake warning lamp comes
on together with the yellow indi-
cator lamps for ABS and DSC:
The entire ABS, CBC and DSC
control system has failed. Con-
tinue driving cautiously and
defensively. Avoid hard brake
applications. Please have the system
checked by your BMW center as soon as
possible.
For additional information: Refer to
pages 79 and 107.
CBC, ABS and DSC indicator
and warning lamps for Canadian
models.
Red: An important reminder
Parking brake
Comes on when the parking
brake is applied Ð an additional
acoustic signal sounds when starting
off.
For additional information: Refer to
page 63.
Brake warning lamp for Cana-
dian models.
Please fasten safety belts l
An acoustic warning signal
sounds simultaneously. Lights
up for a few seconds or until the safety
belt is fastened.
For additional information on safety
belts: Refer to page 54.
Airbags l
Please have the system in-
spected by your BMW center.
For additional information: Refer to
pages 56 and 163.

22n
Indicator and warning lampsOrange: Consult the nearest BMW
center
Automatic transmission
*
Because of a malfunction, the
automatic transmission shifts
only in the emergency program. Please
consult the nearest BMW center.
For additional information: Refer to
page 65.
Yellow: Check as soon as
possible
Antilock Brake System (ABS) l
ABS has been deactivated in re-
sponse to system malfunction.
Conventional braking efficiency is avail-
able without limitations. Please have
the system inspected by your BMW
center.
For additional information: Refer to
page 107.
ABS warning lamp for Canadian
models.
Engine oil level
Comes on after the engine has
been turned off: Check the
engine oil level.
For additional information: Refer to
page 125.
Brake pads l
Have the brake pads checked.
For additional information: Refer
to page 109.
Tire Pressure Control (RDC)
* l
Check the tire pressure. Refer to
pages 27 and 80.
Dynamic Stability Control
(DSC) l
DSC has been switched off or
has been deactivated because of a mal-
function. In the event of a malfunction,
have the system checked by your BMW
center.
For additional information: Refer to
page 79.
Add washer fluid
The washer fluid is too low. Top
off the fluid at the earliest op-
portunity.
For additional information: Refer to
page 124.
Service engine soon l
There is a defect in the Engine
Management system. It is impor-
tant to note that an illuminated lamp is
intended to inform the driver of the need
for service, not of the need to stop the
vehicle.
This can also be an indication that the
filler cap was not properly tightened after
refueling. Please have the system in-
spected by your BMW center.
For additional information: Refer to
page 139.
Engine Management warning
lamp for Canadian models.

40n
Luggage compartment lidOpening from the insideIf the luggage compartment lid has not
been locked separately, you can open it
with this button in the footwell on the
driver's side when the vehicle is sta-
tionary.460de011
To closeThe handle recesses in the interior trim
panel of the luggage compartment lid
(arrows) make it easier to pull the lid
down.
To avoid injuries, be sure that the
travel path of the luggage com-
partment lid is clear when it is closed,
as with all closing procedures.<460de067
Operate the vehicle only when the
luggage compartment lid is com-
pletely closed. Otherwise, exhaust
fumes could penetrate the interior of
the vehicle. Should it be absolutely nec-
essary to operate the vehicle with the
luggage compartment lid open:
>Close all windows. Shut the sliding/
tilt sunroof
*.
>Increase the airflow of the automatic
climate control to a high level. Refer
to page 86.<

Overview
Controls and features
Operation, care
and maintenance
Owner service procedures
Technical data
Index Advanced technology
103n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Special operating instructions:
Break-in procedures104
Driving notes104
Catalytic converter105
Antilock Brake System
(ABS)106
Disc brakes108
Brake system109
Winter operation110
Power steering111
Cellular phones112
Radio reception112
Wheels and tires:
Tire inflation pressures113
Tire condition113
Tire replacement114
Tire rotation115
Wheel and tire
combinations116
Winter tires117
Snow chains117
Approved wheel and tire
specifications118Under the hood:
Hood120
Engine compartment122
Washer fluids124
Washer nozzles124
Engine oil125
Coolant128
Brake fluid129
Vehicle Identification
Number130
Care and maintenance:
The BMW Maintenance
System131
Caring for your car132
Airbags137
Vehicle storage137
Laws and regulations:
Technical modifications to the
vehicle138
OBD interface socket139
Car care

106n
Antilock Brake System (ABS)The concept ABS enhances active safety by helping
to prevent the wheels from locking un-
der braking. This is because locked
wheels are dangerous. When the front
wheels slide, the driver loses steering
control over the vehicle. Traction loss at
the rear wheels can cause the rear end
to break into an uncontrolled skid.
ABS is designed to meet two essential
requirements during every brake appli-
cation:
>To help provide vehicle stability
>To help maintain steering control and
maneuverability Ð on all types of road
surfaces (asphalt, concrete, mud, wet,
snow, ice).
The system can achieve the shortest
braking distances possible under most
conditions (on straight-aways and in
curves, on asphalt, ice, wet road sur-
faces, etc.).
Braking with ABSThe system becomes operative once
the vehicle exceeds a speed of approx.
6 mph (10 km/h). Below approx. 3 mph
(6 km/h), it is once again deactivated.
This means that the wheels can lock in
the final phase of a panic stop Ð a factor
of no significance in actual use.
If you are in a situation that requires full
braking, you will exploit the full benefits
of the ABS system if you apply maxi-
mum brake pressure ("panic stop").
Since the vehicle maintains steering re-
sponsiveness, you can avoid possible
obstacles with a minimum of steering
effort, despite the full brake application.
The ABS system closed-loop control
circuit cycles in fractions of a second.
A pulsation at the brake pedal indicates
to the driver that ABS is active, that is,
that the vehicle is within its maximum
braking range. In addition, a pulsation Ð
a result of the control function cycles Ð
indicates to the driver that vehicle
speed should be reduced to adapt to
road surface conditions when there is
reduced traction and grip between tires
and road surface (slippery road sur-
face).
On road surfaces that have a loose sur-
face layer on a firm base with good
traction (on gravel or snow, for exam-ple), or when snow chains are mounted,
braking distances may be longer than
with locked wheels. However, ABS
continues to provide enhanced vehicle
stability and steering response under
these conditions.
Information for your safetyNot even ABS can suspend the laws of
physics. ABS cannot prevent the con-
sequences of brake applications with
inadequate clearances for safety be-
tween vehicles, when exceeding the
speed limit in curves, or the risks in-
volved when aquaplaning occurs. Re-
sponsibility for these types of situations
remains in the hands (and at the feet) of
the driver. You should never allow the
added safety of ABS to lull you into a
false sense of security, or mislead you
into taking increased risks that could af-
fect your own safety and that of others.
Do not make any modifications to
the ABS system.
Service procedures on ABS are to be
performed by authorized technicians
only.<

107n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Antilock Brake System (ABS)Antilock Brake System (ABS)/
Cornering Brake Control (CBC) CBC is an advanced engineering devel-
opment of ABS. When braking during
cornering with high lateral accelera-
tion, or when braking during a lane
change, vehicle stability is improved
and the steering response is enhanced.
In the event of a fault
If the ABS in the instrument
cluster lights up, refer to
page 22. The brake system then
reverts to conventional operation as on
vehicles without ABS. However, have
the brake system checked by your
BMW center as soon as possible. To
prevent undetected defects and cumu-
lative faults from adversely affecting the
brake system, refer any problems to
your BMW center at the earliest oppor-
tunity.
ABS warning lamp for Canadian
models.
If the brake warning lamp
comes on together with the indi-
cator lamps for ABS and DSC
(refer to page 21), the entire
ABS, CBC and DSC control sys-
tem has failed. Continue driving
cautiously and defensively.
Avoid full brake applications.
This could cause the vehicle to lose
stability and you might no longer be
able to control it.
Have the system checked as soon as
possible by your BMW center.
CBC, ABS and DSC indicator
and warning lamps for Canadian
models.