light BMW 323Ci CONVERTIBLE 2000 E46 User Guide

45n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Manual convertible topThe fabric top offers perfect weather
protection, and can easily be opened
and closed by one person.
Here are a few tips to ensure that you
get the most enjoyment out of driving
your convertible. It is advisable to close
the convertible top when the vehicle is
parked. The closed convertible top not
only protects the passenger compart-
ment from unforeseeable damage from
the weather, it also provides a certain
degree of theft protection.
In addition, keep valuables only in the
locked luggage compartment, even
with the convertible top closed.
Never mount a roof-mounted luggage
rack on the convertible top.
To close the power side windows
while driving: be sure to close
either the rear windows first, or all win-
dows at the same time, otherwise, they
may not close all the way at higher
speeds.c
To open the convertible top
Operate the convertible top only
when the vehicle is stationary.
To prevent damage, the convertible top
compartment lid can not be opened if
the luggage compartment lid is open.c
1 Flip the locking handle out and turn
it until it hits the end stop
2 Raise the convertible top slightly
(reduces the tension)
46cde064
3 Press the button to unlock the top.
The lid locks for the convertible top
are unlocked and the side windows
lower slightly
If the convertible top compartment
lid has been raised, then the lid
locks for the convertible top will be
blocked. If the indicator lamp lights up
when you press the button, then you
cannot unlock. Flip the convertible top
compartment lid down; refer to page 41,
and close the luggage compartment
lid.c46cus003

46n
Manual convertible top
Starting from either ignition key
position 1 or if with a door open: if
the side windows are closed, lower
them slightly by pressing the unlocking
button.c
4 Position the rear convertible top bar
vertically and hold it firmly
You can support the rear convert-
ible top bar when you raise it
by pressing on the indicated area
(arrow).c46cde073
5 Open the convertible top compart-
ment lid all the way
6 Lay the rear convertible top bar in the
convertible top compartment
7 Lift the convertible top off in the front
and then lay it down in the back
Press the convertible top com-
pletely into the compartment. This
makes it easier to close the convertible
top compartment lid, especially at low
temperatures.c46cde068

47n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Manual convertible top8 Press the convertible top compart-
ment lid down from above (arrow).
The lid locks for the convertible top
compartment are equipped with sen-
sors that carry out the closing proce-
dure
9 Close the windows that were slightly
lowered, or position them at the de-
sired height.
In order to avoid any pinching,
move the convertible top com-
partment lid from above only.
To prevent damage, the convertible top
compartment lid can not be opened if
the luggage compartment lid is open.c46cde076
The central locking system unlocks
automatically when the convertible
top compartment lid is closed, i.e.,
the luggage compartment lid is no
longer locked and can be opened
again.
T
o avoid any damage from constant
damp, never recess the convertible
top while it is wet (refer to the chapter
"Care" beginning on page 14 4)
.c
To close the convertible top 1 Put the ignition key in position 1
2 Press the button to unlock the top.
The lid locks for the convertible top
are unlocked and the side windows
lower slightly
3 Open the convertible top compart-
ment lid
4 Lift out the convertible top by both
the lateral guide section and the front
convertible top frame, and swing it
toward the front until you feel some
resistance46cde074

48n
Manual convertible top
Starting from either ignition key
position 1 or with a door open:
If the side windows are closed, lower
them slightly by depressing the respec-
tive button. After closing the convertible
top, either close the side windows or
put them at the height desired.c
5 Do not position the rear convertible
top bar vertically until the convertible
top has been swung forward as far as
possible
6 Press the convertible top compart-
ment lid down from above. The lid
locks for the convertible top are
equipped with sensors that carry out
the closing procedure
In order to avoid any pinching,
move the convertible top com-
partment lid from above only.c
The central locking system auto-
matically unlocks when the con-
vertible top compartment lid is closed,
i. e., the luggage compartment lid is no
longer locked and can be opened
again.c
7 Using the locking handle, pull the
front convertible top frame onto the
windshield frame, and lock the con-
vertible top by turning the handle
until you hear it engage
8 Close the windows that were slightly
lowered, or position them at the de-
sired height.
The rear convertible top bar will be
automatically pressed onto the convert-
ible top compartment lid, and because
of the pressure, will be sealed off when
closed.Should the convertible top start to
flutter at higher speeds, increase
the airflow into the passenger area via
the ventilation controls to avoid creat-
ing a vacuum.c

49n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
The fully automatic convertible top
*
The fully automatic convertible top
combines assured protection from the
weather with a one-touch operation.
Here are a few tips to ensure that you
get the most enjoyment out of driving
your convertible.
It is advisable to close the convertible
top when the vehicle is parked. The
closed convertible top not only protects
the passenger compartment from un-
foreseeable damage from the weather,
it also provides a certain degree of theft
protection. In addition, keep valuables
only in the locked luggage compart-
ment, even with the convertible top
closed.
Never mount a roof-mounted luggage
rack on the convertible top.
To prevent damage, do not operate the
convertible top at temperatures below
14 7 (–10 6).
To conserve the battery, operate the
convertible top only with the engine
running if at all possible.
The convertible top operation is
completely automatic. In rare in-
stances, some manual support may be
necessary (see Note in next column
but one).
Operate the convertible top only when
the vehicle is stationary. Do not start to
drive while operating it, either, because
the procedure could be interrupted
when the top hits certain positions.
A partially open convertible top can
lead to damage or injury.
If you initiate convertible top operation
with the vehicle stationary and then
start driving, e.g. at a traffic light, you
can completely carry out the initiated
operation. To do this, press and hold
the corresponding button again.
Give the respectively applicable traffic
rules preference during convertible top
operation, as otherwise you will be in
violation of the law.
Remove any foreign objects from the
windshield frame before closing the
convertible top, otherwise, they could
hinder the opening and closing of the
convertible top.
Do not place any objects on the con-
vertible top, since they would fall off
when the convertible top is operated
and cause damage or injuries.
While driving, always close the rear
power windows first, or close all 4 win-
dows at the same time, otherwise the
windows may not shut tightly at higher
speeds.cDo not reach into the convertible
top mechanism during opening
and closing. Keep children away from
the moving parts of the convertible top
during operation.
The automatic process is immediately
interrupted if the button for actuating
the convertible top is released. The pro-
cess can be continued in the direction
desired by pressing the switch.c
If the convertible top has been
stored in the convertible top com-
partment for an extended period of
time, e.g. during the winter months be-
cause the hardtop
* has been used, it
may be necessary to manually support
the top when closing it automatically for
the first time:
Should the convertible top stop shortly
before it reaches the end of the closing
operation, press from outside against
the front of the convertible top frame
while pressing the switch to help the
top along until it begins moving again
on its own.c

50n
The fully automatic convertible top
*
Opening and closing1 Closing
2 Opening
Keep pressing the button for operating
the convertible top until the opening or
closing process has ended.
The side windows will lower slightly
during the opening process. If you
continue to press the button after the
convertible top has been closed and
locked, the side windows will close,
too.
The red indicator lamp lights up while
the convertible top is being operated.
After releasing the button, the lamp will
start blinking if the opening or closing
process has not been fully completed.46cus004
If the convertible top compartment
panel has been raised, then the con-
vertible top cannot be moved. In this
event, the yellow indicator lamp stays
on when the button is pressed and indi-
cates that it is not possible to operate
the convertible top.
Flip the convertible top compartment
panel down, refer to page 41.
If the opening or closing process
has been interrupted, then the
convertible top will remain stationary
in that position for 15 minutes.
After that, the convertible top can be
operated manually. This can also be
carried out with the ignition key in
position 0.
The luggage compartment cannot be
opened while operating the convertible
top.
The side windows are lowered slightly
when pressing the convertible top but-
ton and are raised back up after com-
pleting the opening process, if you have
continued holding the button down for
more than 2 seconds after the indicator
lamp has gone out.c
While the convertible top is
moving, the side windows lower
slightly. If the convertible top closing
or opening operation is interrupted, do
not close the side windows by using the
power window buttons.
Sometimes the luggage compartment
lid cannot be opened, either, if the
opening or closing process has been
interrupted.
To avoid any damage from constant
damp, never put the convertible top
away wet.
The rear window will move toward the
passenger area while the convertible
top is in operation, and it will also lightly
press the heads of the passengers sit-
ting in the rear toward the front. As a
rule, there is no danger in this. To avoid
any possible pinching, however, the
rear passengers should tilt their heads
slightly forward while the convertible
top is in motion.c

53n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
For your personal safety when adjusting
the seat position, please follow the in-
structions below carefully.
Never try to adjust your seat while
driving the vehicle. The seat could
respond with an unexpected movement,
and the ensuing loss of vehicle control
could lead to an accident.
Be sure that the safety belt remains
firmly against your body at all times. In
the event of a frontal impact, a loose lap
belt could slide over the hips, leading to
abdominal injury. In addition, the safety
belt's restraint effectiveness is reduced
if the belt is worn loosely.
Never ride with the backrest reclined to
an extreme angle (this particularly
applies to the front passenger). If you do
so, there is a risk that you will slide
under the safety belt in an accident,
thus reducing the protection provided
by the safety belt.<
Correct sitting postureTo reduce strain on the spinal column,
sit all the way back in the seat and rest
your back fully against the backrest.
In the ideal sitting posture, your head is
positioned along a straight line in rela-
tionship to your spinal column.
For long-distance driving, you may wish
to increase the backrest tilt-angle
slightly to reduce muscular tension.
You should be able to grasp the steer-
ing wheel at its highest point with your
arms slightly bent.
1 Backward/Forward adjustment
2 Cushion height
3 Backrest angle
Comply with the adjustment in-
structions on this page, otherwise,
personal safety is diminished.<
46cde012
Seat adjustment

57n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Seat and mirror memory
*
You can store and recall three different
driver's seat and outside mirror posi-
tions. The illustration shows the buttons
on the driver's seat, for making these
position adjustments.
The setting for the head restraint
is stored in memory, but the set-
ting for the lumbar support is not. 1 or 2
2 Set the desired positions for the seat,
head restraint and outside mirror
3 Press the
M
EMORY button: the indi-
cator lamp in the button lights up
4 Press memory button 1, 2 or 3, as
desired. Indicator lamp goes out.
46cde014
To select a stored setting Convenience function:
1 Open the driver's door after unlock-
ing or set the ignition key in posi-
tion 1
2 Briefly press memory button 1, 2 or 3,
as desired.
The adjustment cycle is canceled im-
mediately if you press a seat adjust-
ment switch or one of the memory
buttons.
Security function:
1 With the driver's door closed and the
ignition key either removed or in posi-
tion 0 or 2
2 Maintain pressure on the desired
memory button (1, 2 or 3) until the
adjustment process is completed.
If you press the
M
EMORY button acci-
dentally: press the button again; the
indicator lamp goes out.
Do not select a memory position
while the vehicle is moving. If you
do so, there is a risk of accident from
unexpected seat movement.<
Your BMW center can adjust your
vehicle's systems in such a man-
ner that your personalized settings are
automatically set for the seat, head
restraint and outside mirror positions
when you unlock the vehicle with your
personal remote control.<
If you make use of this method of
adjustment, be sure that the foot-
well behind the driver's seat is unob-
structed before unlocking the vehicle.
If you fail to do so, any persons or ob-
jects behind the seat could be injured
or damaged by a rearward movement
of the seat.<

59n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
MirrorsYou can also adjust the mirrors manu-
ally by pressing against the outer edges
of their lenses.
The mirror on the passenger's
side features a lens with a more
convex surface than the mirror installed
on the driver's side. When estimating
the distance between yourself and
other traffic, bear in mind that the ob-
jects reflected in the mirror are closer
than they appear. Estimating the dis-
tance between you and the traffic be-
hind you is therefore imprecise. ed with the ignition key in position 2.
Interior rearview mirror To reduce glare from behind when
driving at night, turn the knob.Sun visorsThese can be folded down toward the
windshield or swiveled out against the
side windows.46cus034
Inside rearview mirror with
automatic dimming feature
*
By responding to the effects of ambient
light and the glare from following traffic,
this mirror automatically dims through
an infinitely variable range.
The mirror switches to its clear, un-
dimmed mode whenever the trans-
mission is placed in reverse gear
(selector lever in "Reverse").
For proper functioning of the mirror, be
sure that the two photocells are unob-
structed and clean. One of the photo-
cells (arrow) is positioned in the mirror's
glass, while the other is slightly offset
on the opposite side of the mirror.
For an explanation of the electro-chro-
mic technology used in this mirror, refer
to page 175.46cde023

63n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Airbags 1 Front airbags for driver and passenger
2 Side airbags (front)Protective effectThe front airbags supplement the three-
point safety belts by providing addi-
tional protection for the front-seat oc-
cupants in the event of a severe frontal
collision in which the protection af-
forded by the belts alone may no longer
be sufficient. The side airbags help pro-
vide protection in the event of a colli-
sion from the side. Each of the side air-
bags is designed to help support the
upper body.46cus032
The illustration depicts schematically
the primary directions of vehicle impact
that initiate airbag deployment.46cde027
Indicator lamp
The indicator lamp displays the
operational status of the airbag
system when the ignition key is
in position 1 and up.
System operational:
>The indicator lamp comes on briefly
then goes out.
System malfunction:
>The indicator lamp fails to come on
>The indicator lamp comes on briefly
before going out and then lighting up
again.
A system malfunction could prevent the
system from responding to an impact
occurring within its normal response
range.
Please have your BMW center inspect
and repair the system as soon as
possible.