BMW 323Ci CONVERTIBLE 2000 E46 Manual Online

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IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Cruise controlTo cancel the cruise control When the system is activated, press
button 1. The indicator lamp stays on.
You can use the cruise control again as
required.
In addition, cruise control is canceled
automatically:
>If the brakes are applied
>If the clutch pedal is depressed or
the automatic transmission
* selector
lever is moved from "D" to "N"
>If you exceed or fall below the pro-
grammed speed for an extended pe-
riod, for example by depressing the
accelerator.
To resume the stored settingPress button 4:
The vehicle accelerates to and main-
tains the last speed stored. When you
turn the ignition key to position 0, the
stored speed is deleted and the system
is deactivated.
To deactivate the system When the cruise control has been can-
celed, press button 1 again. The indica-
tor lamp goes out and the stored speed
is deleted.
Do not use cruise control on twist-
ing roads, when high traffic den-
sity prevents driving at a constant
speed, when the road surface is slick
(snow, rain, ice), or when the road sur-
face is loose (rocks, sand).<

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1 Odometer You can activate the displays shown in
the illustration with the ignition key in
position 0 by pressing the button in the
instrument cluster (arrow).2 Trip odometerTo reset the trip odometer to zero,
press the button (arrow) with the
ignition key in position 1 and up.462us005
Avoid engine speeds that fall within the
gauge's red warning zone.
To protect the engine, the fuel supply is
automatically interrupted in this zone;
you will notice a loss of power.462us017
Indicates current fuel consumption in
mpg (in liters per 100 km on Canadian
models). You can check your current
driving style to see whether it is condu-
cive to economy and minimum exhaust
emissions.
When the vehicle is stationary, the
needle goes to "Maximum" (zero on
Canadian models).462us018
Odometer Tachometer Energy Control

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IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Fuel gauge
Coolant temperature gauge
Service Interval Display
When you switch on the ignition, the
indicator lamp lights up briefly as an
operation check.
Once the indicator lamp stays on con-
tinuously, there are still approx. 2.1 gal-
lons (8 liters) of fuel left in the fuel tank.
For fuel tank capacity, refer to page 185.
If the tilt of the vehicle varies (extended
driving in mountainous areas, for exam-
ple), there may be slight fluctuations of
the needle.
Please refuel early, since driving
to the last drop of fuel can result in
damage to the engine and/or catalytic
converter.<462us020
BlueThe engine is still cold. Drive at moder-
ate engine and vehicle speeds.RedWhen you switch on the ignition, the
warning 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.
Shut off the engine immediately and
allow it to cool down.Between the blue and red zonesNormal operating range. It is not un-
usual for the needle to go as far as the
edge of the red zone in response to
high outside temperatures or severe
operating conditions.Checking coolant level, refer to page 13 5.460de082
Remaining distance for serviceThe displays shown in the illustration
appear for a few seconds when the
ignition key is in position 1 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 display and a "–" in front of
the number indicate that service inter-
val has already been exceeded by the
distance shown in the display. Please
contact your BMW center for an
appointment.46cus006

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Graphic display

The following alerts or status messages
are displayed with icons from ignition
key in position 2 and up until the defects
are corrected.
1 Check low beams and high beams,
as well as the parking lamps
2 Door open
3 Luggage compartment lid open
4 Check brake and tail lamps.
After a trip and when the driver's door
is opened, an acoustical signal is given
for "Lamps on" if the lamps have not
been switched off.462de272
If you wish to have a permanent time
display, you can make this adjustment
in the car radio
* display (refer to the
Radio Owner's Manual).
You can set the clock and the time
display in the car radio
* as follows:
Adjustments From ignition key position 1:
To set ahead: turn the button to the
right.
To set back: turn the button to the left.
The adjustment speed will increase the
longer you continue to hold the button.
To change the display mode: press the
button briefly. Every time you press the
button, the clock display alternates
between the 12-hour or 24-hour mode.
In ignition key position 0: the time is
displayed for a few seconds after you
press the left button (refer to "Odo-
meter" on page 82).46cus007
Check Control

Clock

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IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Onboard computer
*
Mode selectionFrom ignition key position 1 and up, you
can call up information from the on-
board computer shown in the display of
the instrument cluster using the button
in the turn signal lever. By pressing the
button briefly in the direction of the
steering column, you can call up a new
function for display.
The displays appear in the following
order:
Time, outside temperature, average fuel
consumption, cruising range, average
vehicle speed.
Starting with ignition key position 1, the
last active setting is displayed.46cde096
Outside temperature You can change the units of measure-
ment (6/7) for the outside tempera-
ture display by pressing the right-hand
reset button in the instrument cluster
when the temperature display is active. 46cus008
Ice warning If the outside temperature drops to
approx. 37.5 7 (+3 6), the onboard
computer automatically switches to the
outside temperature display. In addi-
tion, a signal sounds as a warning and
the display flashes for a brief period.
The warning is repeated whenever the
temperature climbs to at least 43 7
(+6 6) following the last warning and
then drops back to 37.5 7 (+3 6).
The ice warning does not alter the
fact that surface ice can form at
temperatures above +37.5 7 (+3 6),
on bridges or shaded road surfaces, for
instance.<

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Onboard computer
*
Average fuel consumption If you continue to press down on the
button on the turn signal indicator lever,
the average fuel consumption display
will reset itself and will begin calculat-
ing average fuel consumption from that
point onward.46cus009
Range The computer bases its calculations
for the cruising range on the rate of fuel
consumption in the period immediately
preceding your data request.46cus010
Average speed If you continue to press down on the
button on the turn signal indicator lever,
the average speed display will reset
itself and will begin calculating average
speed from that point onward.
Any time spent when the vehicle is
stationary and the engine is shut off is
ignored for the calculation.46cus011

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IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
The PDC assists you when you are park-
ing. A signal warns you of the real dis-
tance to an obstacle. To do this, four
ultrasonic sensors in the rear bumper
measure the distance to the nearest ob-
ject. The range for the sensors at the two
rear corners ends approx. 2 feet (60 cm)
from the bumper. The range for the
two center sensors is approx. 4.9 feet
(1.50 meters) wide.
The system starts to operate automati-
cally about one second after you select
"Reverse" with the ignition key in posi-
tion 2. PDC is deactivated when you shift
back out of reverse.
Acoustical signalsThe distance to the nearest object is in-
dicated by a tone sounding at various
intervals. As the distance between vehi-
cle and object decreases, the intervals
between the tones become shorter.
A continuous tone indicates the pres-
ence of an object less than approx.
1 foot (30 cm) away.
The warning signal is canceled after
approx. three seconds if the distance
to the obstacle remains constant during
this time (if you are moving parallel to
a wall, for instance).
System malfunctions are indicated by a
continuous high-pitched tone when the
system is activated the first time.
Please refer the problem to your BMW
center.The PDC does not remove the
driver's personal responsibility for
evaluating the distance between the
vehicle and any obstacles. Even when
sensors are involved, there is a blind
spot in which objects cannot be de-
tected. This applies especially in those
cases where the system approaches
the physical limits of ultrasonic mea-
surement, as occurs with tow bars and
trailer couplings, and in the vicinity of
thin and painted objects.
Certain sources of sound, such as a
loud radio, could drown out the PDC
signal tone.<
Keep the sensors clean and free of
ice or snow in order to ensure that
they continue to operate effectively.
Do not apply high pressure spray to the
sensors for a prolonged period of time.
Maintain a distance of more than
4 inches (10 cm).<
Park Distance Control (PDC)
*

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Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) The conceptDSC helps maintain vehicle stability,
even in critical driving situations.
The system optimizes vehicle stability
during acceleration and when starting
from a full stop, as well as optimizing
traction. In addition, the system recog-
nizes unstable vehicle conditions (un-
dersteering or oversteering, for exam-
ple) and helps hold the vehicle on a
sure course by intervening via the
engine and by braking intervention at
the individual wheels.
The system activates automatically
each time you start the engine.46cus012
Indicator lamp
The indicator lamp in the instru-
ment cluster goes out shortly
after you switch on the ignition.
Refer to pages 21 and 22.
Indicator lamp flashes:
The system is active and governs drive
force and braking force.
If the indicator lamp fails to go out after
the engine is started, or if it comes on
during normal driving and stays on:
There is a system malfunction or the
system was deactivated with the but-
ton. You can continue to drive the vehi-
cle normally, but without DSC. Please
consult your BMW center for repairs.
To deactivate the systemPress the button, the indicator lamp
comes on.
The illustration depicts the arrangement
of the buttons if the vehicle is fully
equipped. This may vary, depending on
the equipment actually installed.
When the DSC is deactivated, you are
operating the vehicle in the conven-
tional drive mode.
In the following exceptional circum-
stances, it may be effective to deacti-
vate the DSC for a short period:
>When rocking the vehicle or starting
off in deep snow or on loose surfaces
>or when driving with snow chains.
Refer also to page 118.To reactivate the systemPress the button again; the indicator
lamp goes out.
The laws of physics cannot be re-
pealed, even with DSC. Any con-
sequences arising from traction loss
due to excessive vehicle speed remain
the responsibility of the driver. For this
reason, do not take risks by using the
additional safety margin provided by
the system as an excuse.<
For additional details concerning DSC,
please refer to the chapter describing
"Advanced technology" on page 173.

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IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Tire Pressure Control (RDC)
*
The conceptRDC monitors the tire pressure at all
four wheels – even while you are driv-
ing. The system provides an alert when-
ever the inflation pressure drops signifi-
cantly below the specified pressure in
one or more tires.
In order for the system to "learn" cor-
rect tire inflation pressure, check the
pressure in all the tires, compare your
pressures with those in the tire inflation
tables (page 28), and make corrections
as necessary. Then activate the system.
This indicator lamp in the
instrument cluster informs you
whenever the tire pressure is
not normal.
Activate the system 1 Turn the ignition key to position 2
(do not start the engine)
2 Press the button long enough for
the indicator lamp in the instrument
cluster to light up yellow for a few
seconds
3 After you have driven a few minutes,
RDC imports the current tire inflation
pressures as the nominal values to be
monitored.
You will only have to repeat this proce-
dure following a correction of the tire
inflation pressure. Otherwise, the RDC
functions automatically when the igni-
tion key is in position 2, and thus oper-
ates whenever the vehicle is driven.46cus013
Loss of tire pressureIf the inflation pressure has dropped
significantly over a long period of time
(which is normal for any tire), the
indicator lamp will come on with a
yellow lamp.
This alerts you that you should have the
tires inflated to the specified pressures
as soon as possible.
If you are prompted to check the
tire pressure shortly after a cor-
rection has been made, this indicates
that the corrected values were not ac-
curate. Please check the inflation pres-
sure again and make corrections ac-
cording to the inflation pressure table.
Then activate the system once again.<

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Tire Pressure Control (RDC)
*
Flat tireIf there is a tire failure with loss of pres-
sure, the indicator lamp comes on with
a red lamp. In addition, an acoustic sig-
nal goes off.
If this occurs, reduce vehicle speed im-
mediately and stop the vehicle. Avoid
hard brake applications. Do not over-
steer. Replace the wheel and flat tire.
The space-saver spare tire is pro-
vided for temporary use only in the
case of a tire failure. It does not have
RDC electronics and is not monitored.<
RDC cannot inform you of sudden
and severe tire damage caused by
external influences.<
Have the tires changed by your
BMW center.
Your BMW center is familiar with, and
has the special tools necessary, for
working on the RDC.<
System interferenceThe RDC may encounter interference
from outside equipment or devices
which use the same radio frequency.
The indicator lamp will come on with a
yellow lamp during the malfunction.
The indicator lamp also comes on
>in the event of a system fault
>if a wheel is mounted without RDC
electronics
>or if additional wheels using RDC
electronics are transported.
Please contact your BMW center for
additional information.