climate control BMW 323Ci CONVERTIBLE 2000 E46 Owner's Manual

11n

Controls and features
Operation, care and maintenance

Lamps:

Parking lamps/Low beams91
Instrument lighting91
High beams/Parking lamps92
Fog lamps92
Interior lamps92
Reading lamps93

Controlling the climate for
pleasant driving:

Automatic climate control94
Seat heating99

Cabin convenience:

Glove compartment99
BMW Universal
Transmitter *100
Storage compartments102
Cellular phone103
Ashtray front103
Cigarette lighter104
Ashtray rear104

Loading and transporting:

Ski bag105
Cargo loading106
Luggage rack for the
hardtop108

Special operating instructions:

Break-in procedures112
Driving notes113
Catalytic converter113
Antilock Brake System
(ABS)114
Disc brakes116
Brake system117
Winter operation118
Power steering120
Cellular phone120
Radio reception120
Hardtop121

Wheels and tires:

Tire inflation pressure123
Tire condition123
Tire replacement124
Tire rotation125
Wheel and tire
combinations126
Winter tires127
Snow chains127
Approved wheel and tire
specifications128

Under the hood:

Hood129
Engine compartment130
Washer fluids132
Washer nozzles132
Engine oil133
Coolant135
Brake fluid136
Vehicle Identification
Number137

Care and maintenance:

The BMW Maintenance
System138
Caring for your vehicle139
Cleaning and caring for your
convertible top144
Airbags146
Vehicle storage147

Laws and regulations:

Technical modifications to the
vehicle148
OBD interface socket149

Overview
Controls and features
Operation, care
and maintenance
Owner service procedures
Technical data
Index Advanced technology
31n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Driving:
Steering/Ignition lock70
Starting the engine70
Switching 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
convenience:
Park Distance Control (PDC)87
Dynamic Stability Control
(DSC)88
Tire Pressure Control (RDC)89Lamps:
Parking lamps/Low beams91
Instrument lighting91
High beams/Parking lamps92
Fog lamps92
Interior lamps92
Reading lamps93
Controlling the climate for
pleasant driving:
Automatic climate control94
Seat heating99
Cabin conveniences:
Glove compartment99
BMW Universal
Transmitter *100
Storage compartments102
Cellular phone103
Ashtray front103
Cigarette lighter104
Ashtray rear104
Loading and transporting:
Ski bag105
Cargo loading106
Luggage rack for the
hardtop108

40n
Luggage compartment lid Luggage compartment ClosingThe handle recesses in the interior trim
panel of the luggage compartment lid
(arrows) make it easier to pull down.
To avoid injuries, be sure that the
travel path of the luggage com-
partment lid is clear when it is closed,
as with all closing procedures.<46cde047
Do not drive with the luggage
compartment lid open, since ex-
haust fumes could penetrate the interior
of the vehicle. If you still drive with the
luggage compartment lid open (with the
convertible top closed):
>Close all the windows
>Increase the airflow of the automatic
climate control to a high level. Refer
to page 94.<
Hanging the luggage compartment
floor up by the hook1 Press the button (arrow)
2 Pull it up by the handle46cde031

94n
Automatic climate control

46cus021

95n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Automatic climate control 1 Air onto the windshield and the side
windows
2 Air flow toward the upper body
The side rotary dials provide infi-
nitely variable regulation of the air
supply, while the levers change the
air flow direction. The center rotary
dial controls the temperature of the
air as it flows out, refer to page 98
3 Front footwell ventilation
There are corresponding air vents in
the rear footwell as well
4 Recirculated air mode/Automatic
recirculated air control (AUC)97
5 Air supply97
6 Temperature96
7 Automatic air distribution96
8 Individual air distribution96
9 Air grill for interior temperature
sensor – please keep clear and
unobstructed
10 Display for temperature and air
supply96
11 Defrost the windshield and side
windows97
12 Air conditioner97
13 Rear window defroster79, 98

96n
Automatic climate controlTips for pleasant drivingUse the automatic system (switch on
AUTO button 7). Select an interior tem-
perature that is comfortable for you –
we recommend 72 7 (+22 6). When
the outside temperature is above 41 7
(+5 6), you can also use the air condi-
tioner 12. This will dry the air as well as
preventing condensation on the win-
dow surfaces – if there are passengers
with damp clothing, for example. Set
the outlets 2 so that the air flows past
you and is not directed straight at you.
Set the rotary dial between the air out-
lets 2 for the upper body to a medium
position, since air that is somewhat
cooler promotes driving without fatigue.
Detailed setting options are described
for you in the following section.
When you unlock the vehicle
using your personalized remote
control key, your vehicle is set up so
that it will retrieve and initiate your
customized setting for the automatic
climate control.<
Automatic air distribution
The AUTO program assumes
the adjustment of the air distri-
bution and the air supply for you and
adapts the temperature to external influ-
ences (summer, winter) to meet prefer-
ences you can specify. This program
maintains a comfortable in-car climate
regardless of the season. Select an inte-
rior temperature that is comfortable for
you – we recommend 72 7 (+22 6).
The temperature selected and AUTO
for the air flow appear in the display 10
(refer to the overview on page 94). Open
the air outlets for the upper body area.
Switch on the air conditioner in warm
weather. The maximum cooling capac-
ity is achieved when you set rotary dial 3
(refer to page 98) to cold.
Individual air distribution
You can cancel the AUTO pro-
gram by selecting specific dis-
tribution patterns to suit your
own individual requirements.
You can direct air to flow onto the win-
dows toward the upper body , and
into the footwell .
Temperature
The figures in the display pro-
vide a general indication of inte-
rior temperature. We recommend 72 7
(+22 6) as a comfortable setting,
whether the air conditioner is operating
or not. When you start the vehicle, the
system ensures that the selected tem-
perature is reached as quickly as possi-
ble. The system then maintains this
temperature, regardless of the season.
Set rotary dial 3 (refer to "Draft-free
ventilation" on page 98) to a medium
setting, since air that is somewhat
cooler promotes driving without fatigue.
You can use this setting for mixing air to
make minor comfort modifications.
You can set uncontrolled heater
output up to 90 7 (+32 6).
At 60 7 (+16 6), full cooling output
is available from an activated air
conditioner.<

97n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Automatic climate controlAir supply

By pressing the left or right half
of the button, you can vary the
air supply. By doing this, you switch off
the automatic control for the air supply.
Nevertheless, the automatic air distri-
bution remains unchanged.
When you set the lowest blower speed
by pressing the left half of the button,
all of the displays are canceled: the
blower, heater and air conditioner are
switched off, and the air supply stops.
You can reactivate the system by
pressing any button of the automatic
climate control.
Defrost the windshield and side
windows
This program quickly removes
ice and condensation from the
windshield and side windows.
Air conditioner
The air is cooled and dehumidi-
fied and – depending on the tem-
perature setting – rewarmed when the
air conditioner system is switched on.
Depending on the weather, the wind-
shield may fog over briefly when the
engine is started.
Use the button to switch the air condi-
tioner off when outside air temperatures
are below approx. 41 7 (+5 6). This
will help to prevent the windows from
fogging over.
If the windows fog over after switching
the air conditioner off, switch it back on.
Condensation forms in the air
conditioner system during opera-
tion, which then exits under the vehicle.
Traces of condensed water of this kind
are thus normal.<
Automatic recirculated air
control (AUC)
If there are unpleasant odors or
pollutants in the outside air, you
can temporarily block the air flow from
the outside. The system then recircu-
lates the air already within the vehicle.
By repeated actuation of the button,
you can select three different operating
modes.
>Indicator lamps off: fresh air flows
into the vehicle
>Left-hand indicator lamp on – AUC
mode: the system detects pollutants
in the outside air and responds by
deactivating the outside air flow as
required. The system then recircu-
lates the air already within the vehicle.
Depending on air quality require-
ments, the system automatically
switches between outside air supply
and recirculation of the air already
within the vehicle
>Right-hand indicator lamp on: the
flow of outside air is permanently
blocked. The system recirculates the
air already within the vehicle.
If the windows fog over in the
recirculated air mode, switch this
mode off and increase the air supply
as required.<

98n
Automatic climate controlRear window defroster
When the rear window defroster
is activated, the indicator lamp
comes on. The rear window defroster
switches off automatically. Refer to
page 79.
Draft-free ventilation You can adjust the blower controls for
the upper body area to select the opti-
mum airflow rates and directions for
your personal comfort:
Use rotary dials 1 to open and close the
air outlets through an infinitely-variable
range. You can adjust the direction of
the airflow with rotary dial 2.
Set the air outlets so that the air flows
past you and is not directed straight at
you.
Rotary dial 3 allows you to mix the the
air from the outlets for your upper body
by warming or cooling the air as de-
sired.460de040
Activated charcoal filterAn activated charcoal filter has been in-
stalled in your BMW to filter the outside
air and to catch any incoming dust and
pollen. It provides additional protection
by filtering gaseous pollutants from the
outside air. Your BMW center can re-
place the combined filter as a standard
part of your scheduled maintenance.
A substantial reduction in air flow indi-
cates that the filter needs to be replaced
early.

124n
To maintain good handling and vehicle
response, use only tires of a single
tread configuration from a single manu-
facturer. BMW tests and approves
wheel/tire combinations. Refer to
page 128.
DOT Quality GradesTreadwear
Traction AA A B C
Temperature A B C
In addition to the tire grades listed
above, all passenger car tires must
conform to Federal Safety Require-
ments as well.< TreadwearThe treadwear grade is a comparative
rating based on the wear rate of the tire
when tested under controlled condi-
tions on a specified government test
course.
For example, a tire graded 150 would
wear one and one-half (1-1/2) times as
well on the government course as a tire
graded 100. The relative performance
of tires depends upon the actual condi-
tions of their use, however, and may
depart significantly from the norm due
to variations in driving habits, service
practices and differences in road
characteristics and climate.TractionThe traction grades, from highest to
lowest, are AA, A, B, and C.
Those grades represent the tire's ability
to stop on wet pavement as measured
under controlled conditions on speci-
fied government test surfaces of as-
phalt and concrete. A tire marked C
may have poor traction performance.
The traction grade assigned to
this tire is based on straight-
ahead braking traction tests, and
does not include acceleration, corner-
ing, hydroplaning, or peak traction
characteristics.< TemperatureThe temperature grades are A (the high-
est), B, and C, representing the tire's re-
sistance to the generation of heat and
its ability to dissipate heat when tested
under controlled conditions on a speci-
fied indoor laboratory test wheel.
Sustained high temperature can cause
the tire material to degenerate and re-
duce tire life, and excessive tempera-
ture can lead to sudden tire failure. The
Grade C corresponds to a level of per-
formance which all passenger car tires
must meet under the Federal Motor
Vehicle Safety Standard No. 109.
Grades B and A represent higher levels
of performance on the laboratory test
wheel than the minimum required by law.
The temperature grade for this tire
is established for a tire that is prop-
erly inflated and not overloaded. Exces-
sive speed, underinflation, or excessive
loading, either separately or in combina-
tion, can cause heat buildup and possi-
ble tire failure.< Uniform Tire Quality Grading Quality grades can be found where
applicable on the tire sidewall between
tread shoulder and maximum section
width. For example:
Tread wear 200 Traction AA
Temperature A
Do not use retreaded tires ("caps").
Driving safety may be impaired by
their use. This due to the possible varia-
tions in casing structures and, in some
cases, to their extreme age, factors
which can lead to a decrease in their
durability.<
Tire replacement

178n
Self-diagnostics All of the important electrical and elec-
tronic systems in the vehicle are tested
regularly and automatically; the driver
does not have to perform any extra
operations or adjustments.
The indicator lamps come on briefly
when the ignition is switched on.
While you are driving, the functional
status of the actuator motors (for the
windshield wipers, power windows,
seats, etc.) is constantly analyzed by
current measurements in their relays. 46cde052
In the same manner, the electrical re-
sistance of the airbag ignition genera-
tors and all of the remaining airbag
components is measured at all times.
Any fault in this system would be de-
tected immediately by a current fluctua-
tion that would necessarily accompany
it. The fault would be indicated immedi-
ately by the airbag warning lamp.
Even after you shut off the engine, the
overall functional status of your vehicle
is being monitored. For example, all of
the flaps for the heating and ventilation
system travel to the nearest limit posi-
tion. This action ensures that in any
case, the defrosting function will remain
intact, even if a malfunction in the auto-
matic climate control should occur dur-
ing the night while the vehicle is parked.
A calibration cycle runs every tenth time
the engine is shut off. During this cycle,
the actuator motors of all the heating
and ventilation flaps travel to their limit
stops in both directions. The limit posi-
tions and the return travel paths are
checked in this manner in order to en-
sure that appropriate adjustments for
the operating elements can be made at
any time.The sounds the automatic climate con-
trol makes as it carries out its self-diag-
nostics are noticeable because of the
noise that the ventilation flaps make af-
ter the ignition has been switched off.
All of the other self-diagnostics func-
tions operate silently in the back-
ground.
Any possible defects detected during
these self-diagnostics can be read out
by your BMW center and quickly cor-
rected during the vehicle's next regu-
larly scheduled maintenance.