2008 BMW 323I SEDAN Sensor

Technology for driving comfort and safety
86 until "PDC" is selected and press the con-
troller.
6.Select "PDC display on" and press the con-
troller.
The PDC screen is activated.
The display is shown on the Control Display as
soon as PDC is activated.
System limitations
Even with PDC, final responsibility for
estimating the distance between the
vehicle and any obstructions always remains
with the driver. Even when sensors are pro-
vided, there is a blind spot in which objects can
no longer be detected. The system is also sub-
ject to the physical limits that apply to all forms
of ultrasonic measurement, such as those
encountered with trailer towbars and hitches,
thin or wedge-shaped objects, etc. Low objects
that have already been displayed, e. g. curbs,
can disappear again from the detection area of
the sensors before or after a continuous tone
sounds. Higher, protruding objects, e.g. ledges,
cannot be detected. Therefore, always drive
cautiously, otherwise there is a risk of personal
injury or property damage.
Loud sound sources outside or inside the car
can drown out the PDC signal.<
Driving stability control
systems
Your BMW has a number of systems that help
to maintain the vehicle's stability even in
adverse driving conditions.
ABS Antilock Brake System
ABS prevents locking of the wheels during
braking. Safe steering response is maintained
even during full braking. Active safety is thus
increased.
The ABS is operational every time you start the
engine. Braking safely, refer to page122.
Electronic brake-force distribution
The system controls the brake pressure in the
rear wheels to ensure stable braking behavior.
DBC Dynamic Brake Control
When you apply the brakes rapidly, this system
automatically produces the maximum braking
force boost and thus helps to achieve the short-
est possible braking distance during full brak-
ing. This system exploits all of the benefits pro-
vided by ABS.
Do not reduce the pressure on the brake for the
duration of the full braking application.
DSC Dynamic Stability Control
DSC prevents the driving wheels from losing
traction when you pull away from rest or accel-
erate. The system also recognizes unstable
driving conditions, for example if the rear of the
car is about to swerve or if momentum is acting
at an angle past the front wheels. In these
cases, DSC helps the vehicle maintain a safe
course within physical limits by reducing engine
output and through braking actions at the indi-
vidual wheels.
The laws of physics cannot be repealed,
even with DSC. An appropriate driving
style always remains the responsibility of the
driver. Therefore, do not reduce the additional
safety margin again by taking risks, as this could
result in an accident.<

Climate
100
Climate
1Airflow directed toward the windshield and
side windows
2Air to the upper body area
Draft-free ventilation103
3Air to the footwell
4Air distribution, manual
5Temperature adjustment, left-hand side of
passenger compartment
6Maximum cooling
7AUTO program
8Air flow rate, manual
9AUC Automatic recirculated-air control/
Recirculated-air mode10Temperature adjustment, right-hand side
of passenger compartment
11Residual heat
12Defrosting windows and removing conden-
sation
13Switching cooling function on/off manually
14Rear window defroster
15Air grill for interior temperature sensor –
please keep clear and unobstructed
The current setting for the air distribution is dis-
played on the Control Display, refer to
page101.

Climate
102
Maximum cooling
At outside temperatures above
327/06 and when the engine is
running, you obtain a maximum
cooling effect as soon as possible.
The automatic climate control goes into recir-
culated-air mode at the lowest temperature. Air
flows at maximum rate from the vents for the
upper body area. You should therefore open
them for maximum cooling.
AUTO program
The AUTO program adjusts the air
distribution to the windshield and
side windows, towards the upper
body area and into the footwell for you. The air
flow rate and your temperature specifications
will be adapted to outside influences as a result
of seasonal changes, e.g. sunlight or window
condensation.
The cooling is switched on automatically with
the AUTO program.
Intensity of the AUTO program
Press the AUTO button repeatedly to set the
intensity of the AUTO program. The current
setting is briefly displayed on the Control Dis-
play every time the button is pressed.
You can also set the intensity of the AUTO pro-
gram via iDrive.
1.Press the button.
This opens the start menu.
2.Move the controller to the left to call up "Cli-
mate".
3.Select "Automatic programs" and press the
controller.4.Select the desired intensity and press the
controller.
The selected intensity level of the auto-
matic program is switched on.
Adjusting air flow rate manually
Press the left side of the button to
reduce airflow. Press the right side
of the button to increase it.
You can reactivate the automatic mode for the
air flow rate with the AUTO button.
The air flow rate may be reduced or the blower
may be switched off entirely to save on battery
power. The display remains the same.
Switching the system on/off
With the blower at its lowest setting, press the
left side of the button to switch off the auto-
matic climate control. All displays are cleared
except for the rear window defroster if it is
switched on.
Press any button except REST or rear window
defroster to reactivate the automatic climate
control.
AUC Automatic recirculated-air
control/Recirculated-air mode
Switch on the desired operating
mode by pressing this button
repeatedly:
>LED off: outside air flows in continuously.
>Left-hand LED on, AUC mode: a sensor
detects pollutants in the outside air. If nec-
essary, the system blocks the supply of out-
side air and recirculates the inside air. As
soon as the concentration of pollutants in
the outside air has decreased sufficiently,
the system automatically switches back to
outside air supply.
>Right-hand LED on, recirculated-air mode:
the supply of outside air is permanently
shut off. The system then recirculates the
air currently within the vehicle.
If condensation starts to form on the
inside window surfaces during operation
in the recirculated-air mode, you should switch

Mobility
223Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Possible displays
1Oil level OK
2Oil level is being checked.
This can take about 3 minutes if the car is at
a standstill on a level surface, or about
5 minutes while the car is on the move.
3Oil level down to minimum:
Add engine oil as soon as possible, but no
more than 1 US quart/1 liter, refer also to
Adding engine oil on page224.
4Oil level is too high.
Too much oil will harm the engine.
Have the vehicle checked without
delay.<
5The oil level sensor is defective.
Do not add engine oil. You can continue
your journey. Note the newly calculated dis-
tance remaining to the next oil service, refer
to page76. Have the system checked as
soon as possible.
Display via iDrive
iDrive, for operating principle refer to page16.
1.Press the button.
This opens the start menu.
2.Press the controller to open the menu.3.Select "Info sources" and press the control-
ler.
4.Select "Service Info" and press the control-
ler.
5.If necessary, move the highlight marker to
the uppermost field. Turn the controller
until "Service requirements" is selected and
press the controller.
6.If necessary, move the highlight marker to
the second field from the top. Turn the con-
troller until "Engine oil level" is selected and
press the controller. The oil level is dis-
played.
Possible messages
>"Engine oil level O.K."
>"No measurement available: Updating
engine oil level measurement..."
The engine oil level is measured. This can
take about 3 minutes if the car is at a stand-
still on a level surface and the engine is run-
ning, and about 5 minutes while the car is on
the move.
>"Oil level at the minimum! Refill with 1 quart
of engine oil."
Add engine oil as soon as possible, but no

Maintenance
226
Maintenance
BMW Maintenance System
The BMW Maintenance System supports the
preservation of the traffic and operating safety
of your BMW. The objective is to optimize
efforts with respect to minimal vehicle mainte-
nance costs.
If and when you come to sell your BMW, a com-
prehensive record of servicing will prove a sig-
nificant benefit.
CBS Condition Based Service
Sensors and special algorithms take the differ-
ent driving conditions of your BMW into
account. Condition Based Service uses this to
determine the current and future service
requirements. By letting you define a service
and maintenance regimen that reflects your
own individual requirements, the system builds
the basis for trouble-free driving.
On the Control Display, you can have the
remaining times or distances for selected main-
tenance tasks and any legally prescribed dates
displayed, refer to page76:
>Engine oil
>Brake pads: separately for front and rear
>Brake fluid
>Vehicle check
>Legally mandated inspections depending
on local regulations
Service data in the remote control
Your vehicle continuously stores service-
requirement information in the remote control
while you are driving. Your BMW Service Advi-
sor can read out this data from the remote con-
trol unit, and propose an optimized mainte-
nance approach. Whenever you take your car in
for servicing you should therefore hand your
BMW Service Advisor the remote control unit
that you last used.
Make sure that the date is always set cor-
rectly, refer to page80; otherwise the
effectiveness of Condition Based Service CBS
is not assured.<
Service and Warranty Information
Booklet for US models and Warranty
and Service Guide Booklet for
Canadian models
Please consult your Service and Warranty Infor-
mation Booklet for US models and Warranty
and Service Guide Booklet for Canadian models
for additional information on service require-
ments.
BMW recommends that you have service
and repair operations performed at your
BMW center.
Take the time to ensure that these service pro-
cedures are confirmed by entries in your vehi-
cle's Service and Warranty Information Booklet
for US models and Warranty and Service Guide
Booklet for Canadian models. These entries
verify that your vehicle has received the speci-
fied regular maintenance.<

Everything from A - Z
252
Everything from A - Z
Index
"..." Identifies Control Display
texts used to select
individual functions and
refers you to the page where
these texts can be found.
A
ABS Antilock Brake
System86
ACC, refer to Active cruise
control64
Accident, refer to Sending an
Emergency Request235
Activated-charcoal filter for
automatic climate
control104
"Activation time"104
Active cruise control64
– indicator lamps67
– malfunction68
– selecting distance66
– sensor68
Active steering93
– warning lamp93
Adaptive Head Light98
"Add digits" for mobile
phone190
Additives
– coolant224
"Address book" in
navigation138
Address for navigation
– deleting140
– entering130,138
– selecting139
– storing138
– storing current position139
"Add to destination
list"133,135
Adjusting temperature inside
the car, refer to Automatic
climate control101Adjusting the thigh support44
Adjusting the tone during
audio operation, refer to
Tone control157
Airbags94
– indicator/warning lamp95
– sitting safely43
Air conditioning mode
– automatic climate
control101
– ventilation103
Air distribution
– automatic102
– individual101
Air flow rate102
Airing, refer to Ventilation103
Air pressure, refer to Tire
inflation pressure208
Air recirculation, refer to
Recirculated-air mode102
"Air recirculation on / off"51
Air supply
– automatic climate
control101
– ventilation103
Air vents100
AKI, refer to Fuel
specifications207
Alarm system35
– avoiding unintentional
alarms36
– interior motion sensor36
– switching off an alarm36
– tilt alarm sensor36
"All channels" for satellite
radio167
All-season tires, refer to
Winter tires220
"All stations", displaying with
the radio160
All-wheel drive, refer to
xDrive87
"AM", waveband156,160Ambient air, refer to
Recirculated-air mode102
Antenna for mobile phone182
Antifreeze
– coolant224
– washer fluid62
Anti-theft alarm system, refer
to Alarm system35
Anti-theft system29
Approved axle loads, refer to
Weights245
Approved gross vehicle
weight, refer to Weights245
Armrest, refer to Center
armrest110
Arrival time, refer to
Computer73
Arrival time, refer to Starting
destination guidance143
Arrow display for
navigation144
"Arrow display" in
navigation144
Ashtray
– front111
– rear112
Assistance systems, refer to
Driving stability control
systems86
Assistance window20
– refer to iDrive20
AUC Automatic recirculated-
air control102
"Audio"159,163
Audio156
– controls156
– switching on/off156
– tone control157
– volume157
"Audio", refer to Tone
control157
Audio device, external110

Everything from A - Z
260 Instrument panel, refer to
Cockpit10
Integrated key28
Integrated universal remote
control106
Interesting destination for
navigation136
"Interim time"84
Interior lamps99
– remote control30
Interior motion sensor36
Interior rearview mirror50
– automatic dimming
feature50
– compass108
Interlock, refer to Disengaging
the remote control58
Intermittent mode of the
wipers61
J
Jacking points233
Joystick, refer to iDrive16
Jumpering, refer to Jump
starting236
Jump starting236
K
Key, refer to Integrated key/
remote control28
Keyless go, refer to
Convenient access36
Keyless opening and closing,
refer to Convenient
access36
Key Memory, refer to Personal
Profile28
Kick-down59
– automatic transmission with
Steptronic59
Knock control207
L
Lamps
– automatic headlamp
control96
– parking lamps/low beams96
Lamps and bulbs, replacing
bulbs229
"Language / Units"76
"Language / Units" in
navigation129,146
"Language" on the Control
Display84
"Languages" in
navigation129,146
Lap-and-shoulder belt, refer
to Safety belts48
Lashing eyes, refer to
Securing cargo124
Last destinations, refer to
Destination list137
"Last seat pos."48
LATCH child-restraint fixing
system53
LED hand lamp110
LED Light-emitting
diodes229
Length, refer to
Dimensions243
License plate lamp, replacing
bulb233
Light-emitting diodes
LED229
Lighter111
– connecting electrical
appliances112
"Lighting"61
Lighting
– instruments99
– lamps and bulbs229
– vehicle, refer to Lamps96
Light-metal alloy wheels, care,
refer to Caring for your
vehicle brochure
Light switch96
"Limit"83
Limit, refer to Speed limit83
Load securing equipment,
refer to Securing cargo124Lock buttons, doors, refer to
Locking32
Locking
– adjusting confirmation
signal31
– from inside32
– from outside30
– without remote control, refer
to Convenient access36
Locking and unlocking doors
– confirmation signals31
– from inside32
– from outside29
Low-beam headlamps96
– automatic
96
Low beams
– replacing bulbs229
Lower back support, refer to
Lumbar support45
Luggage compartment lid33
– convenient access37
– emergency operation, refer
to Opening manually33
– emergency release34
– locking or unlocking
separately34
– opening from inside33
– opening from outside33
– opening manually33
– remote control30
Luggage rack, refer to Roof-
mounted luggage rack124
Lumbar support45
M
M+S tires, refer to Winter
tires220
Maintenance, refer to Service
Booklet
Maintenance system226
Malfunction
– automatic transmission with
Steptronic60
– luggage compartment lid/
tailgate33
– tires90
Malfunction warnings, refer to
Check Control81

Reference 263
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Passenger-side mirror tilt
function49
"Pathway lighting"97
Pathway lighting97
"PDC"85
PDC Park Distance Control85
Personal Profile28
"Perspective"145
Phone book187
Phone numbers
– deleting from phone
book191
– dialing189
– most recent numbers190
– selecting in phone book190
– Top 8190
Pinch protection system
– glass roof, electric40
– panorama glass roof41
– windows39
Placing a call, refer to
telephone owner's manual
"Play" for satellite radio167
Pollen
– refer to Microfilter/activated-
charcoal filter for automatic
climate control104
Position
– displaying151
– saving, refer to Storing
current position139
Power failure234
Power windows38
– safety switch39
Power windows, refer to
Windows38
"Presets", displaying with the
radio160
"Presets" for satellite
radio167
Pressure, tires208
Pressure monitoring, tires89
– Flat Tire Monitor89
Pressure monitoring of tires,
refer to Tire Pressure
Monitor TPM90
"Profile"203
Programmable buttons on the
steering wheel11Programmable memory
keys21
Protection function, refer to
Pinch protection system
– glass roof, electric40
– panorama glass roof41
– windows39
Providing medical assistance,
refer to First add pouch236
Puncture
– Flat Tire Monitor89
R
Radio
– autostore161
– controls156
– High Definition Radio163
– listening to stations160
– regional programs163
– sampling stations161
– satellite radio166
– selecting a
waveband156,160
– selecting the frequency
manually161
– station search161
– stations with best
reception161
– storing stations162
– switching on/off156
– tone control157
– volume157
Radio position, refer to Radio
readiness56
Radio readiness56
– switched off56
– switched on56
Radio-remote key, refer to
Remote control with
integrated key28
Rain sensor61
"Random", refer to Random
play172
"Random all" for audio
mode173
"Random directory" for audio
mode173
Random play172"RDS" Radio Data
System163
Reading lamps99
Rear lamps, refer to Tail
lamps231
– replacing bulb232
Rear seat backrest,
folding114
Rear seats
– adjusting head restraints46
– folding114
– folding down
backrests113,114
– folding head restraint down
and up46
Rear turn signals
– replacing bulb232
Rear ventilation104
Rearview mirror, refer to
Mirrors49
Rear window
– cleaning62
– opening35
Rear window blind, refer to
Roller sun blinds109
Rear window defroster103
Rear window safety switch39
Rear window wiper62
– changing rear wiper
blade229
"Received calls"190
Receiving level of mobile
phone, refer to Status
information20
Recirculated-air mode102
Recirculation of air, refer to
Recirculated-air mode102
Reclining seat, refer to
Backrest44
Recording times, refer to
Stopwatch83
"Redial" for mobile phone190
Refueling206
Releasing
– hood221
Remaining distance, refer to
Cruising range73