belt BMW 323Ci CONVERTIBLE 2000 E46 Owner's Manual

Contents

Overview
Controls and features

Cockpit16
Instrument cluster18
Indicator and warning lamps20
Multifunction steering wheel
(MFL)24
Hazard warning flashers25
Warning triangle25
First-aid kit25
Refueling26
Fuel specifications27
Tire inflation pressure27

Opening and closing:

Keys32
Electronic vehicle
immobilizer33
Central locking system34
Opening and closing – from
outside34
Opening and closing – from
inside38
Luggage compartment lid39
Luggage compartment40
Alarm system42
Electric power windows44
Manual convertible top45
The fully automatic convertible
top49
Wind deflector51

Adjustments:

Seats53
Seat and mirror memory57
Steering wheel58
Mirrors58
Car Memory, Key Memory60

Passenger safety systems:

Safety belts61
ISOFIX Attachment of the
child seat62
Airbags63
Child restraints66
Installing a child restraint
system67
Rollover protection system68

Driving:

Steering/Ignition lock70
Starting the engine70
Switch off the engine71
Parking brake72
Manual transmission73
Automatic transmission with
Steptronic74
Turn signal indicator/
Headlamp flasher77
Washer/Wiper system/
Rain sensor77
Rear window defroster79
Cruise control80

Everything under control:

Odometer82
Tachometer82
Energy Control82
Fuel gauge83
Coolant temperature gauge83
Service Interval Display83
Check Control84
Clock84
Onboard computer85

Technology for safety and
driving convenience:

Park Distance Control (PDC)87
Dynamic Stability Control
(DSC)88
Tire Pressure Control (RDC)89

Contents

Contents

Owner service procedures
Advanced technology
Technical data

Replacement procedures:

Onboard tool kit152
Windshield wiper blades152
Lamps and bulbs152
Changing a wheel159
Battery162
Fuses165

In case of electrical
malfunction:

Fuel filler door165
Fully automatic convertible
top166

Assistance, giving and
receiving:

Jump-starting168
Towing the vehicle169Adaptive Transmission Control
(ATC)172
Airbags173
Dynamic Stability Control
(DSC)173
Radio reception174
Safety belt tensioner174
Interior rearview mirror with
automatic dimmer175
Rain sensor176
Tire Pressure Control (RDC)177
Self-diagnostics178
Rollover protection system179
Xenon lamp179Engine data182
Dimensions183
Weights184
Capacities185
Electrical system186
Drive belts 186

19n

IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview

Instrument cluster

1 Fuel gauge with indicator lamp
for fuel reserve83
2 Turn signal indicator lamp23
3 Speedometer
4 Indicator lamp for

>

Battery charge current20

>

High beams23

>

Engine oil pressure/Engine oil
level20, 22
5 Tachometer and Energy Control82
6 Engine coolant temperature gauge
with "Coolant temperature too high"
indicator83
7 Indicator and warning lamps
(clockwise) for

>

Parking brake/Brake hydraulic
system/Cornering Brake Control
(CBC)20

>

Antilock Brake System (ABS)22

>

Brake pads22

>

Tire Pressure Control
(RDC)

*
20, 22

>

Rollover protection system68

>

Airbags21

>

Please fasten safety belts21

>

Cruise control23
8 Reset button for

>

Clock849 Program display for automatic
transmission

*
76
Indicator lamp for automatic
transmission

*
22, 76
10 Indicator lamp for Dynamic Stability
Control (DSC)22
11 Display for

>

Odometer82

>

Trip odometer82

>

Clock84

>

Service Interval83
Display for onboard computer

*
,
operation via the turn signal lever,
refer to page 85:

>

Clock

>

Outside temperature

>

Average fuel consumption

>

Cruising range

>

Average speed
12 Display for Check Control84
13 Trip odometer, reset to zero8214 Indicator and warning lamps
(clockwise) for

>

Fog lamps23

>

Add washer fluid22

>

Coolant level23

>

Electronic Engine Power
Control (EML)

*
23

>

Engine22
You can display the outside tem-
perature and distance driven in
different units of measurement.

<

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 will light up while the vehicle is mov-
ing. 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 V-belt or in the charg-
ing circuit of the alternator. Please con-
tact the nearest BMW center.
If the ribbed V-belt is defective, do
not continue driving. The engine
could be damaged due to overheating.
If the V-belt is defective, increased
steering effort is also required.<
Engine oil pressure
l
Stop the vehicle immediately
and switch off the engine. Check
the engine oil level and refill 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 will go
off: a tire failure has occurred.
Reduce vehicle speed immediately to
stop the vehicle. Avoid hard brake ap-
plications. Do not oversteer.
For additional information, refer to
page 89.
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 117 and 136.
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 immediately
and switch off the engine. The oil level
is at the absolute minimum.
For additional information, refer to
page 133.
Do not continue driving until you
have refilled 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 yel-
low indicator 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 88, 115.
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 – an additional
acoustic signal sounds when starting
off.
For additional information, refer to
page 72.
Brake warning lamp for Cana-
dian models.
Please fasten safety belts l
An acoustic warning signal
sounds at the same time. Lights
up for a few seconds or until the safety
belt is fastened.
For additional information on safety
belts, refer to page 61.
Airbags l
Please have the system in-
spected by your authorized
BMW center.
For additional information, refer to
pages 63, 173.

30n
Opening and closing:
Keys32
Electronic vehicle immobilizer33
Central locking system34
Opening and closing – from
outside34
Opening and closing – from
inside38
Luggage compartment lid39
Luggage compartment40
Alarm system42
Electric power windows44
Manual convertible top45
The fully automatic
convertible top49
Wind deflector51
Adjustments:
Seats53
Seat and mirror memory57
Steering wheel58
Mirrors58
Car Memory, Key Memory60
Passenger safety systems:
Safety belts61
ISOFIX Attachment of
the child seat62
Airbags63
Child restraints66
Installing a child restraint
system67
Rollover protection system68
Controls

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

56n
Entering the rear Lumbar support
*
The seat-integrated safety belt system
ensures easier access to the back seat.
It is not necessary to adjust anything on
the safety belt system. It automatically
adjusts to different body sizes.
1 Pull up the lever (1) and tip the back-
rest forward
2 Press the button (2) in the driving
direction and keep it pressed until
the seat has moved into the desired
position.
The backrest can be locked while
tipped forward. This is practical,
for example, when entering the back
seat on a hill. To do this, press against
the backrest until it clicks into place. It
does not need to be released with the
lever (1) to tip it back into place again.<46cde049
If you tip the backrest back into place
and hold the button (2) pressed oppo-
site the driving direction, the seat
moves back into the previous position.
If the button (2) is released before-
hand, the seat stops in the re-
spective position. It does not need to
be released with the lever (1) to tip it
back into place again.<
Lock both back restraints while
driving, otherwise there is a dan-
ger of an unexpected movement caus-
ing an accident.<
You can adjust the backrest's contour
for additional support in the curvature
of your spine's lumbar region.
The upper hips and spinal column re-
ceive supplementary support to help
you maintain a relaxed, upright posture.
>Press front/rear of switch:
Increase/decrease curvature
>Press the upper/lower end of the
switch:
Increase the upper/lower curvature.46cde011

61n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Fasten your safety belt at the beginning
of every trip.
To fasten: make sure you hear the lock
engage in the belt buckle.
To release: press the red button in the
buckle. Hold the belt and guide it back
into its reel.
Before using the rear safety belts,
take them out of their holder.<46cde050
For your safety, comply with the
following instructions for wearing
safety belts. If you do not, the safety
belts may not be able to provide their
maximum protection. The following in-
formation also applies to your passen-
gers: never allow more than one person
to wear a single safety belt. Never allow
infants or small children to ride in a pas-
senger's lap.
Avoid twisting the belt while routing it
firmly across your hips and shoulder.
Do not allow the belt to rest against
hard or fragile objects in your pockets.
Do not route the belt across your neck,
or run it across sharp edges and ensure
that the belt does not become caught
or jammed.
Be sure that the safety belt fits snugly
against your body at all times, and
avoid wearing clothing that prevents
the belt from fitting properly. Pull on the
belt periodically to readjust the tension
over your shoulder. In the event of a
frontal impact, a loose lap belt could
slide over your hips, leading to abdomi-
nal injury. In addition, the safety belt's
restraint effectiveness is reduced if the
belt is worn loosely. Expectant mothers
should always wear their safety belts,
taking care to position the lap belt
against the lower hips, where it will not
exert pressure against the abdominal
area.
To prevent undesired belt movements
at high speeds, leave the safety belts
for the back seat in their holders when
they are not required.<
For child restraint system installation,
refer to page 66.
For care instructions, refer to "Car care"
on page 142.
If the safety belt system has been
subjected to the stresses involved
in an accident or otherwise damaged:
Have the entire safety belt mechanism
replaced by your BMW center, including
the safety belt tensioner. In addition,
have your BMW center inspect the
safety belt anchors. If a child restraint
system was in the vehicle during an
accident, consult the manufacturer's
instructions regarding replacement.cChild restraint systems
*
Never install a rear-facing child re-
straint system in the front passen-
ger seat. If you do so, the child could
be injured in an accident when the
airbag is triggered. Do not modify the
child restraint system in any way. If you
do so, it will not provide your child with
maximum protection.<
Safety belts

62n
ISOFIX Attachment of the child seat
*
The mounts for the ISOFIX child re-
straint system are not visible from the
outside, but are marked by 2 colored
spots.
The illustration shows the left rear seat
by way of example.
Please observe manufacturer service-
and safety precautions when attaching
the ISOFIX child restraint system.
Carefully press the brackets through
the separating lines in the upholstery at
the marked points.46cus028
To prevent undesired belt move-
ments at high speeds, leave the
safety belts for the back seat in their
holders when they are not required.<