2000 BMW 323i SEDAN checking oil

74n
Fuel gauge Temperature gauge Service Interval Display When you switch on the ignition, the in-
dicator lamp comes on briefly to con-
firm that the system is stationary.
Once the indicator lamp begins to light
up continuously, there are still approx.
2.1 gallons (8 liters) of fuel in the fuel
tank.
Tank capacity: page 175.
If the tilt of the vehicle varies (extended
driving in mountainous areas, for exam-
ple), there may be slight fluctuations of
the needle.
Fill the fuel tank well before it is
empty. Driving to the last drop of
fuel can result in damage to the engine
and/or the catalytic converter.<460us081
BlueThe engine is still cold. Drive at moder-
ate engine and vehicle speeds.RedWhen you switch on the ignition, the
indicator lamp comes on briefly to con-
firm that the system is operational.
If the lamp comes on while operating
the vehicle: The engine is overheated.
Stop and switch the engine off immedi-
ately and allow it to cool down.Between the blue and red zonesNormal operating range. It is not un-
usual for the needle to rise as far as the
edge of the red zone in response to
high outside temperatures or severe
operating conditions.
Checking coolant level: page 128.460de082
Remaining distance for serviceThe displays shown in the illustration
appear for a few seconds when the
ignition key is in positions 1 and 2 or
after the engine is started.
The next service due appears with the
message OILSERVICE or INSPECTION,
together with the remaining distance
before scheduled service.
The computer bases its calculations of
the remaining distance on the rate of
fuel consumption in the period immedi-
ately preceding your data request.
A flashing message and a "Ð" in front of
the number mean that the service inter-
val has already been exceeded by the
distance shown on the display. Please
contact your BMW center for an
appointment.460de112

125n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Engine oilChecking the oil level 1 Park the vehicle on a level surface.
2 Shut the engine off after it has
reached normal operating tempera-
ture.
3 After approx. 5 minutes, pull the dip-
stick out and wipe it off with a clean
lint-free cloth, paper towel, or similar
material.
4 Push the dipstick all the way into the
guide tube and pull it out again.
5 The oil level should be between the
two graduations on the dipstick.
As with fuel economy, oil consumption
is directly influenced by your driving
style and vehicle operating conditions.460de051
The space between the two marks on
the dipstick corresponds to approx.
1.1 US quarts (1 liter). Do not fill beyond
the upper mark on the dipstick. Excess
oil will damage the engine.460de189
To add oil Wait until the level has dropped to just
above the lower mark before adding oil.
However, never let the oil drop below
the lower mark.
BMW engines are designed to
operate without oil additives; the
use of additives could lead to damage
in some cases. This also applies for the
manual transmission, automatic trans-
mission, differential and the power
steering system.<462de245

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

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