2000 BMW 323i SEDAN cooling

88n
Automatic climate controlTips for pleasant drivingUse the automatic system (switch on
AUTO Ð button 7). Select an interior
temperature that is comfortable for you
Ð we recommend 70 7 (22 6). When
the outside temperature is above 42 7
(5 6), you can also use the air condi-
tioner (12). This will dry the air as well
as preventing condensation on the win-
dow surfaces Ð if there are passengers
with damp clothing, for example. Set
the air outlets (2) so that the air flows
past you and is not directed straight at
you. Set the rotary dial between the air
outlets (2) for the upper body to a me-
dium position, since air that is some-
what cooler promotes driving without
fatigue.
Detailed setting options are described
for you in the following section.
Your vehicle is set in such a man-
ner that, when you unlock the car
with your personalized remote control,
your own personalized setting of the
automatic climate control is initiated.<
Automatic air distribution
The AUTO program assumes
the adjustment of the air distri-
bution and the air supply for you and in
addition adapts the temperature to ex-
ternal influences (summer, winter) to
meet preferences you can specify. This
program maintains a comfortable in-car
climate regardless of the season. Select
an interior temperature that is comfort-
able for you Ð we recommend 70 7
(22 6). The temperature selected and
AUTO for the air supply appear in
display (10), refer to the overview on
page 86. Open the air outlets for the
upper body area. Switch on the air con-
ditioner in warm weather. The maxi-
mum cooling capacity is achieved when
you set rotary dial (3) to cold. Refer to
page 90.
Individual air distribution
You can cancel the AUTO pro-
gram by selecting specific dis-
tribution patterns to suit your
own individual requirements.
You can direct air to flow onto the win-
dows , toward the upper body ,
and into the footwell .
Temperature
The figures in the display pro-
vide a general indication of inte-
rior temperature. We recommend 70 7
(22 6) as a comfortable setting,
whether the air conditioner is operating
or not. When you start the vehicle, the
system ensures that the selected tem-
perature is reached as quickly as possi-
ble. It then maintains this temperature,
regardless of the season.
Set rotary dial (3; refer to "Draft-free
ventilation" on page 90) to a medium
setting, since air that is somewhat
cooler promotes driving without fatigue.
You can use this setting for mixing air to
make minor comfort modifications.
The full, uncontrolled heater out-
put is available starting at an inte-
rior temperature setting of 90 7
(32 6). At a setting of 60 7 (16 6),
the full cooling output is available when
the air conditioner is activated.<

90n
Automatic climate controlRear window defroster
When the rear window defroster
is activated, the indicator lamp
comes on. The rear window defroster
switches off automatically. Refer to
page 70.
Draft-free ventilation Set the ventilation outlets for your upper
body area so that it is comfortable for
you:
Use rotary dials (1) to open and close
the air outlets through an infinitely-vari-
able range. You can adjust the direction
of the airflow with the levers (2).
Set the outlets so that the air flows past
you and is not directed straight at you.
The rotary dial (3) allows you to mix the
air from the outlets for your upper body
by warming or cooling the air as de-
sired.460de040
Microfilter, activated-charcoal
filterA microfilter removes dust and pollen
from the incoming outside air. The acti-
vated-charcoal filter provides additional
protection by filtering gaseous pollut-
ants from the outside air. Your BMW
center replaces the combined filter as a
standard part of your scheduled main-
tenance. A substantial reduction in air
supply indicates that the filter must be
replaced before normal maintenance.
For additional details on the filter
change, refer to page 155.

108n
Disc brakesDisc brakes furnish optimum decelera-
tion and braking control and greater
fade resistance under heavy use.
When the vehicle is driven only occa-
sionally, during extended periods when
the vehicle is not used at all, and in oper-
ating conditions where brake applica-
tions are less frequent, there is an
increased tendency for corrosion of the
rotors and accumulation of contamina-
tion on the brake pads. This occurs
because the minimal pressure that must
be exerted by the pads to clean the
rotors by brake applications is not
reached.
If the brake rotors are corroded, they
will tend to respond to braking with a
pulsating effect that even extended
brake applications will fail to cure.
For your own safety: Use only
brake pads that BMW has ap-
proved for your particular vehicle
model. BMW cannot evaluate non-
approved brake pads to determine if
they are suited for use, and therefore
cannot ensure the operating safety of
the vehicle if they are installed.<
Driving notesWhen driving in wet conditions and in
heavy rain, it is effective to apply light
pressure to the brakes every few miles
or kilometers. Be aware of traffic condi-
tions to ensure that this maneuver does
not endanger other road users. The
heat that is generated by the brake ap-
plications helps to dry the brake pads
and rotors.
Maximum braking force is obtained
while the wheels are not locked, but
rather when they are still barely turning
immediately prior to locking. ABS main-
tains this state automatically. If the ABS
fails, you should revert to the staggered
braking technique described above on
page 110.
Long or steep mountain descents do
not necessarily lead to reduced braking
efficiency if you drive downhill with the
transmission in a gear that allows mini-
mal brake applications (or, with an au-
tomatic transmission, in an appropriate
lower range).
You can further increase the engine's
braking effect by selecting a lower gear,
downshifting as far as first gear or plac-
ing the selector lever in position 1.Should engine braking prove inade-
quate, you should still avoid extended,
continuous braking. Instead of main-
taining low to moderate pressure over
an extended period of time, you should
decelerate by applying more substantial
pressure to the brake pedal (watch for
following traffic), releasing the pedal,
and then repeating the application
(staggered braking). The cooling phases
between active braking intervals pre-
vent the brakes from overheating, thus
ensuring that full braking capacity re-
mains available at all times.
Do not coast with the clutch de-
pressed or with the shift lever or
selector lever in neutral. Do not drive
with the engine shut off. The engine
provides no braking effect when the
clutch is depressed or the transmission
is in neutral, and there is no power-
assist for braking or steering when the
engine is not running.
Do not allow floor mats, carpets or any
other objects to protrude into the area
around the brake pedal, the clutch or
the accelerator which could obstruct
their freedom of movement.<

128n
Coolant
Do not add coolant to the cooling
system when the engine is hot. If
you attempt to do so, escaping coolant
can cause burns.
To avoid the possibility of damage later
on, never use anything other than fac-
tory-approved, nitrite and amino-free
extended-duty antifreeze with corrosion
inhibitor. Your BMW center is familiar
with the official specifications.
Antifreeze and anticorrosion agents are
hazardous to health. You should always
store them in their original container
and in a location that is inaccessible to
children. Extended-duty antifreeze with
corrosion inhibitor contains ethylene
glycol, a flammable substance. For this
reason, do not spill antifreeze with cor-
rosion inhibitor on hot engine parts. It
could ignite and cause serious burns.<
Comply with the applicable envi-
ronmental laws regulating the dis-
posal of extended-duty antifreeze with
corrosion inhibitor.<
Checking coolant levelCorrect coolant level when the engine
is cold (approx. 68 7 or 20 6):
Unscrew the cap from the expansion
tank.
The coolant level is correct when the
end of the red float is aligned with the
upper edge of the filler opening (refer
to the arrow in the illustration), or max.
0.8 in (2 cm) higher, that is up to the
second mark on the float (see also the
schematic diagram next to the filler
opening).460de053
Add coolant Wait until the engine cools before re-
moving the cap from the expansion
tank. The needle of the coolant gauge
in the instrument cluster must be lo-
cated in the blue zone. If it is not, there
is a danger of scalding.
1 Turn the cap slightly counterclock-
wise in order to allow accumulated
pressure to escape. Then open.
2 If the coolant is low, slowly add
coolant until the correct level is
reached Ð do not overfill.
The coolant is a mixture of water and
extended-duty antifreeze with corrosion
inhibitor. Always maintain the pre-
scribed all-season 50:50 mixture ratio
for year-round protection against inter-
nal corrosion. No other additives are
required.
Replace the coolant every four years.

175n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Capacities
Notes
Fuel tank
reserve gal. (liters)
gal. (liters)approx. 16.6 (approx. 63)
approx. 2.1 (approx. 8)Fuel specification: Page 26
Windshield washer system/
Headlamp washer system
*
quarts (liters) approx. 5.6 (approx. 5.3) For details: Page 124
Cooling system including heater circuit quarts (liters) approx. 8.9 (approx. 8.4) For details: Page 128
Engine oil and filter change quarts (liters) approx. 6.9 (approx. 6.5) BMW High Performance
Synthetic Oil
For details: Page 126
Manual transmission, automatic transmission
and differentialÐ Lifetime fluid, no fluid change
required.

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