2000 BMW 323i SEDAN automatic transmission

Contents

Overview
Controls and features
Cockpit16
Instrument cluster18
Indicator and warning lamps20
Multifunction steering wheel
(MFL)24
Hazard warning flashers25
Warning triangle25
First-aid kit25
Refueling26
Fuel specifications26
Tire inflation pressure27

Locks and security systems:

Keys32
Electronic vehicle
immobilizer33
Central locking system34
Opening and closing Ð from
outside34
Opening and closing Ð from
inside38
Luggage compartment lid39
Luggage compartment41
Alarm system42
Electric power windows44
Sliding/Tilt sunroof45

Adjustments:

Seats47
Seat and mirror memory50
Steering wheel51
Mirrors52
Car Memory, Key Memory53

Passenger safety systems:

Safety belts54
Child restraint systems55
Child-safety locks56
Airbags56
Child restraints59
Installing a child restraint
system60

Driving:

Steering/Ignition lock61
Starting the engine61
Switching off the engine62
Parking brake63
Manual transmission64
Automatic transmission with
Steptronic65
Turn signal indicator/Headlamp
flasher68
Wiper/Washer system/Rain
sensor68
Rear window defroster70
Cruise control71

Everything under control:

Odometer73
Tachometer73
Energy Control73
Fuel gauge74
Temperature gauge74
Service Interval Display74
Check Control75
Clock75
Onboard computer76

Technology for safety and
convenience:

Park Distance Control (PDC)78
Dynamic Stability Control
(DSC)79
Tire Pressure Control (RDC)80

Contents

Contents

Owner service procedures
Advanced technology
Technical data

Replacement procedures:

Onboard tool kit142
Windshield wiper blades142
Lamps and bulbs142
Changing a wheel149
Battery152
Fuses154
Microfilter155

In case of electrical
malfunction:

Fuel filler door156
Sliding/Tilt sunroof156

Assistance, giving and
receiving:

Jump-starting157
Towing the vehicle158Adaptive Transmission Control
(ATC)162
Airbags163
Dynamic Stability Control
(DSC)163
Radio reception164
Safety belt tensioner164
Interior rearview mirror with
automatic dimming
feature165
Rain sensor166
Tire Pressure Control (RDC)167
Self-diagnostics168
Xenon lamps169Engine data172
Dimensions173
Weights174
Capacities175
Electrical system176
Ribbed V-belt176

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.

<

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.

Overview
Controls and features
Operation, care
and maintenance
Owner service procedures
Technical data
Index Advanced technology
31n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Driving:
Steering/Ignition lock61
Starting the engine61
Switching off the engine62
Parking brake63
Manual transmission64
Automatic transmission with
Steptronic65
Turn signal indicator/Headlamp
flasher68
Wiper/Washer system/Rain
sensor68
Rear window defroster70
Cruise control71
Everything under control:
Odometer73
Tachometer73
Energy Control73
Fuel gauge74
Temperature gauge74
Service Interval Display74
Check Control75
Clock75
Onboard computer76
Technology for safety and
convenience:
Park Distance Control (PDC)78
Dynamic Stability Control
(DSC)79
Tire Pressure Control (RDC)80Lamps:
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

61n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
0 Steering lock engaged The key can only be inserted or re-
moved in this position.
After removing the key, turn the steer-
ing wheel slightly to the left or right until
the lock engages.
If the key is not removed, an acoustic
signal is sounded after the driver's door
has been opened.
Vehicles with automatic transmis-
sion:
Do not move the selector lever from the
"Park" position until the engine is run-
ning (ignition key at position 2).
In order to turn the key back to position
0 or to remove it, move the selector
lever into position "Park" first (Inter-
lock).<460de022
1 Steering lock disengaged Turning the steering wheel slightly to
the right or left often makes it easier to
turn the key from 0 to 1.
Individual electrical devices are ready
for operation.2 Ignition onAll electrical equipment and accesso-
ries are available for use.3 Starting the engine
Vehicles with manual transmis-
sion: Depress the clutch when
starting the vehicle. A lockout prevents
the engine from starting if the clutch is
not depressed.c
Before starting>Engage the parking brake.
>Be sure that the shift lever is in "Neu-
tral" (or "Park" if the vehicle is equipped
with an automatic transmission).
>Manual transmission: Depress the
clutch pedal.
>Automatic transmission: Depress the
footbrake.
Do not run the engine in enclosed
areas. The exhaust gases contain
carbon monoxide, an odorless and col-
orless, but highly toxic gas. Breathing
the exhaust gases poses an extreme
health risk, and can lead to uncon-
sciousness and death.
Do not leave the car unattended with
the engine running. An unattended vehi-
cle with a running engine represents a
potential safety hazard.<
>Start the engine. Do not press the
accelerator pedal.
Do not actuate the starter for too
short a time, but not turn it for more
than approx. 20 seconds. Release the
ignition key immediately when the
engine starts.
Do not allow the engine to warm up by
leaving it running while the vehicle remains
stationary. Instead, begin driving immedi-
ately at a moderate engine speed.<
Steering/Ignition lock Starting the engine

62n
Starting the engine Switching off the engine If the engine does not start on the first
attempt (if it is very hot or cold, for in-
stance):
>Press the accelerator pedal halfway
down while engaging the starter.
Cold start at extremely low tempera-
tures, from approx. + 5 7 (Ð 15 6)
and at elevations above 3,300 feet
(1,000 meters):
>On the first start attempt, engage the
starter for a longer period (approx.
10 seconds)
>Press the accelerator pedal halfway
down while engaging the starter.Turn the ignition key to position 1 or 0.
Do not remove the ignition key
while the vehicle is still moving.
If you did so, the steering lock would
engage when the steering wheel is
turned.
When you leave the vehicle, always re-
move the ignition key and engage the
steering lock.
Vehicles with manual transmission:
Always engage the parking brake when
parking on slopes and inclined sur-
faces. Placing the lever in 1st gear or
reverse may not provide adequate
resistance to rolling.
Vehicles with automatic transmission:
Place the selector lever in "Park."<

63n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Parking brake To engageThe lock engages automatically when
you lift the lever. The indicator lamp in
the instrument cluster lights up in igni-
tion key position 2. Refer to page 21.To releasePull up slightly on the lever, press the
button and lower the lever.
The parking brake is designed primarily
to prevent the vehicle from rolling when
it is parked. It operates against the rear
wheels.460de024
If, in exceptional circumstances,
it should be necessary to engage
the parking brake while the vehicle is
in motion, do not pull the lever with
excessive pressure. Keep your thumb
pressed against the release button
while carefully pulling the lever up to
apply moderate pressure.
Excessive pressure can lead to over-
braking and loss of traction (fishtailing)
at the rear axle.
The brake lamps do not come on when
the parking brake is engaged.
Vehicles with manual transmission:
Always engage the parking brake when
parking on slopes and inclined sur-
faces. Placing the lever in 1st gear or
reverse may not provide adequate
resistance to rolling.
Vehicles with automatic transmission:
Place the selector lever in "Park."<
To avoid corrosion, apply the parking
brake lightly from time to time when
coasting to a standstill (at a traffic sig-
nal, for instance), provided that it is safe
to do so.