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67n
RepairsIndexOverview Controls Car care Technology Data
Automatic transmission with Steptronic
*
D Drive (automatic shift program)This position is designed for driving un-
der all normal operating conditions. All
forward gears are available, the Adap-
tive Transmission Control (ATC) is fully
operational."Kickdown" (automatic downshift)In the "Kickdown" mode, you achieve
maximum performance.
To activate this mode, depress the ac-
celerator pedal beyond the full-throttle
position, at which a resistance point
must be overcome.
M/S Manual operation and
Sport programShifting from D into M/S activates the
Sport program and indicates SD in the
gear indicator. This position is recom-
mended in the event a performance-
oriented driving style is desired.
At the slightest touch, the automatic
transmission shifts out of the Sport pro-
gram into manual operation.
Whenever you start to move the selector
lever forward in the "+" direction, the
transmission upshifts; moving it back-
ward in the direction of "–", shifts it
downward. M1 to M5 appear in the gear
indicator.462de210
The ATC will carry out upshifting and/or
downshifting only at the appropriate
number of RPMs and speed, e. g.
downshifting will not occur if the engine
speed is too high. The desired, then the
actual gear, briefly show up in the in-
strument cluster.
To accelerate quickly in the man-
ual mode, e. g. to pass, downshift
to manual or kickdown.<
Shifting from M/S to the selector lever
positions P, R and N is possible only by
going through D.
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111n
RepairsIndexOverview Controls Car care Technology Data
Winter operation
Do not shift down on slick road
surfaces. Doing so could cause
the rear wheels to lose traction and
skid, that could result in the loss of
vehicle control.<
Depress the clutch during hard
braking on road surfaces that pro-
vide only poor or uneven traction.<
Skid control Depress the clutch and release the
accelerator pedal, or place the selector
lever of the automatic transmission into
the "Neutral" position. Countersteer
carefully and attempt to regain control
of the vehicle.
ParkingEngage 1st or reverse gear. If your car
is equipped with an automatic transmis-
sion, place the selector lever in "Park".
On vehicles with manual transmission,
also apply the parking brake when
parking on inclined surfaces. In order to
prevent the parking brake linings from
locking due to frost or corrosion, dry
them by gently applying the parking
brake as the vehicle is coming to a
stop. Make sure that following traffic is
not endangered.
The brake lamps do not light up
when the parking brake is ap-
plied.<
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RepairsIndexOverview Controls Car care Technology Data
Engine oilChecking 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.462de244
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.
But never let the oil drop below the
lower mark.
BMW engines are designed to op-
erate 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
Page 174 of 189
172n
Weights
BMW 323Ci BMW 328Ci
Curb weight (with one person, ready for operation, full tank of fuel, options not included)
with manual transmission
with automatic transmissionlbs (kg)
lbs (kg)3,153 (1,430)
3,213 (1,457)3,197 (1,450)
3,256 (1,477)
Approved gross vehicle weight
with manual transmission
with automatic transmissionlbs (kg)
lbs (kg)4,211 (1,910)
4,255 (1,930)4,270 (1,937)
4,314 (1,957)
Approved front axle weight lbs (kg) 1,962 (890) 1,973 (895)
Approved rear axle weight lbs (kg) 2,348 (1,065) 2,370 (1,075)
Approved roof load capacity lbs (kg) 165 (75) 165 (75)
Luggage compartment capacity cu ft (liters) 14.5 (410) 14.5 (410)
Never exceed either the approved axle weights or the gross vehicle weight.
Page 175 of 189
173n
RepairsIndexOverview Controls Car care Technology Data
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 122
Cooling system including heater circuit quarts (liters) approx. 8.9 (approx. 8.4) For details: Page 126
Engine oil and filter change quarts (liters) approx. 6.9 (approx. 6.5) BMW High Performance
Synthetic Oil
Specifications: Page 124
Manual transmission, automatic transmission
and differential– Lifetime fluid, no fluid change
required
Page 182 of 189

Everything from A to ZGGasoline 26
Gasoline gauge 75
Glove compartment 94
Glove compartment lamp
bulb replacement 146
Grills 88
Gross weight 172HHandbrake 64
Hands-free system 95
Hazard warning system 25
Hazard warning triangle 25
Head restraint 48
Headlamp covers,
care 130, 141
Headlamp flasher 85
Headlamp washer
system 122, 173
Headlamp washers 71
Heated mirrors 52
Heated seats 93
Heater and ventilation 88
Heavy loads 100
Height 171
HiFi System – harman
kardon 94
High beams 23, 69, 85
bulb replacement 141
Hood release 119
Horn 17
Hubcap 149
IIce warning 78
Icy roads 78
Identification, tires 115
Ignition key 32
Ignition lock 62
Indicator lamps 20
Inflation pressure 27, 113
Inflation pressure
monitoring 82, 164
Inside rearview mirror,
automatically set for low-
beam lights 53
INSPECTION 76
Installing child restraint
system 61
Instrument cluster 18
Instrument lighting 84
Instrument panel lighting 84
Interaxle tire rotation 114
Interface socket 96
Interface socket for On-
Board-Diagnostics 137
Interference
cellular phones 112
Interior lamp 36, 85
bulb replacement 145
remote control 36
Interior mirror 52
automatic dim 163
Interior motion sensor 42
Interlock 62
Intermittent wipe 69
JJack 148
Jump-starting 156KKey 32
Key Memory 54LLamp switch 84
Lamps on warning 84
Lashing eyes 100
Leather care 134
Length 171
License plate lamp
bulb replacement 145
Light-alloy wheels 117
Lighter 96
Load-securing devices 100
Low beam headlamps 84
Low beams
bulb replacement 141
Low-beam light inside
rearview mirror 53
Lug bolts 149
Luggage compartment 39
capacity 172
emergency release 39
floor mat 41
floor panel 41
remote control 37Luggage compartment
lamps
bulb replacement 146
Luggage compartment
lid 39
emergency release 39
Luggage compartment
lighting 39
Luggage rack 101
Lumbar support 49
MM+S tires 116
Maintenance 76, 129
Malfunction displays 77
Manual transmission 65
Manually controlled
recirculated-air 91
Memory 51
MFL (Multi-function steering
wheel) 24
Microfilter 93, 154
Microphone 95
Mirror memory 51
Mirrors 52
Mobile phones 112
Modifications,
technical 6, 136
Multi-function steering wheel
(MFL) 24