2000 BMW 323i SEDAN light

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

17n

IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview

Cockpit

1 Headlamp switch82
2

>

Turn signal indicator68

>

Parking lamps83

>

High beams83

>

Headlamp flasher68

>

Onboard computer

*
76
3 Wiper/Washer system68
4 Shift lever/Selector lever

*
64
For vehicles equipped with manual
transmission:
Press the lever to the left to
overcome the slight resistance to
engage reverse gear
5 Central locking system34
6 Hazard warning flashers25
7 Rear window defroster70
8 Horn: The entire surface functions
as the horn
9 Adjusting steering wheel51
10 Front fog lamps

*
83

20n

Indicator and warning lamps

Technology that monitors itself

Many of the systems of your BMW
monitor themselves automatically, both
during engine starts and while you are
driving. Indicator and warning lamps
that are identified by "

l

" are tested for
proper functioning whenever the igni-
tion key is turned. They each light up
once for different periods of time.
If a fault should occur in one of these
systems, the corresponding lamp does
not go out after the engine is started, or
it lights up while the vehicle is moving.
You will see how to react to this below.

Red: Stop immediately

Battery charge

l


The battery is no longer being
charged. There is a malfunction
of the alternator ribbed V-belt or in the
charging circuit of the alternator. Please
contact the nearest BMW center.
If the ribbed V-belt is defective, do
not continue driving. If you do so,
the engine could be damaged due to
overheating. If the ribbed V-belt is de-
fective, increased steering effort is also
required.<
Engine oil pressure l
Stop the vehicle and switch off
the engine immediately. Check
the engine oil and top up as required. If
the oil level is correct, please contact
the nearest BMW center.
Do not continue driving. If you do
so, the engine could be damaged
because of inadequate lubrication.<
Tire Pressure Control (RDC)
* l
In addition, an acoustic signal is
sounded: A tire failure has oc-
curred. Reduce vehicle speed immedi-
ately and stop the vehicle. Avoid hard
brake applications. Do not oversteer.
For additional information: Refer to
page 80.
Brake hydraulic system l
If the lamp comes on when the
parking brake is not engaged:
Check the brake fluid level. Before driv-
ing further, be sure to read the notes on
pages 109 and 129.
Brake warning lamp for Cana-
dian models.

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.

23n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Indicator and warning lamps
Electronic Engine Power Control
(EML)
* l
Malfunction in engine timing.
Higher brake application pressure may
be necessary and brake pedal travel
may be significantly longer. Please have
the system inspected by your BMW
center.
Add coolant
The coolant level is too low. Top
up the coolant at the earliest
opportunity.
For additional information: Refer to
page 128.
Green: For your information
Turn signal indicator
Flashes when the turn signal in-
dicator is actuated. Includes the
trailer turn signals if you are towing a
trailer. Rapid flashing indicates a sys-
tem malfunction.
For additional information: Refer to
page 68.
Cruise control
*
Comes on when the cruise con-
trol is activated. Available for
operation via the multifunction steering
wheel.
For additional information: Refer to
page 71.
Front fog lamps
*
Lights up whenever you switch
on the front fog lamps.
For additional information: Refer to
page 83.
Blue: For your information
High beams
Lights up when the high beams
are on or the headlamp flasher
is actuated.
For additional information: Refer to
pages 68 and 83.

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

35n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Opening and closing Ð from outsideUsing the remote control The remote control makes opening and
locking the doors of your vehicle very
convenient. Furthermore, it provides
two additional functions that can only
be executed by means of the remote
control:
>Switch on the interior lamps
With this function, you can also
"search for" your car Ð when parked
in an underground garage, for in-
stance.
>Open the luggage compartment
The luggage compartment lid will
open slightly, regardless of whether
the lid was previously locked or un-
locked.
The anti-theft system is also deacti-
vated simultaneously when you unlock
the vehicle, the alarm system
* is dis-
armed, and the interior lamps are
turned on. When you lock the vehicle,
the systems are activated and armed,
and the lamps go off.
You can have a confirmation mes-
sage set to inform you that the car
has been properly locked.<
Master keysKeys with remote control are master
keys. Refer to page 32.
Children might be able to lock the
doors from the inside. For this rea-
son, always take the vehicle keys with
you so that the vehicle can be opened
again from the outside at any time.<460de494
Master keys that are used repeat-
edly are always ready for opera-
tion since the battery in the transmitter
is charged automatically in the steering
lock as you drive.
If it is no longer possible to unlock the
vehicle via the remote control, the bat-
tery is discharged. Use this key while
driving for an extended period in order
to charge the battery. Refer also to
page 32.
To prevent unauthorized use of the re-
mote control, surrender only the door
and ignition key or the spare key (refer
to page 32) when leaving the vehicle for
valet parking, for example.
In the event of a system malfunction,
please contact your BMW center.
You can also obtain replacement keys
there.<

37n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Opening and closing Ð from outsideTo open the luggage compartmentPress button 3.
The luggage compartment lid will open
slightly, regardless of whether the lid
was previously locked or unlocked.
Before and after a trip, be sure
that the luggage compartment lid
was not opened unintentionally.<463de026
Panic-Mode (trigger alarm)By pressing button 3 for two to five sec-
onds, the alarm
* can be sounded in the
event of danger, if it is armed.
Pressing button 1 will deactivate the
alarm.
The LED (light-emitting diode) lights up
briefly when the individual buttons are
pressed.
Non-BMW systemsThe proper functioning of the remote
control system may be affected by
other units or equipment operating in
the immediate vicinity of your car.
If this should this occur, you can still
open and close the vehicle using the
master key in both the door and lug-
gage compartment locks.
For US owners onlyThe transmitter and receiver units com-
ply with part 15 of the FCC (Federal
Communications Commission) regula-
tions. Operation is governed by the
following:
FCC ID: LX8EWS
LX8FZVS
LX8FZVE
Compliance statement:
This device complies with part 15 of the
FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the
following two conditions:
>This device may not cause harmful
interference, and
>this device must accept any interfer-
ence received, including interference
that may cause undesired operation.
Any unauthorized modifications or
changes to these devices could
void the user's authority to operate this
equipment.<