Fuel BMW 323Ci COUPE 2000 E46 Owner's Manual

6n

For your own safety

Use unleaded gasoline only.
Fuels containing up to 10% etha-
nol or other oxygenates with up to 2.8%
oxygen by weight (i.e. 15% MTBE or
3% methanol plus an equivalent
amount of co-solvent) will not void the
applicable warranties with respect to
defects in materials or workmanship.
Field experience has indicated signifi-
cant differences in fuel quality (i.e. vola-
tility, composition, additives, etc.)
among gasolines offered for sale in the
United States and Canada. The use of
poor-quality fuels may result in drive-
ability, starting and stalling problems
especially under certain environmental
conditions, such as high ambient tem-
perature and high altitude.
Should you encounter driveability prob-
lems that you suspect could be related
to the fuel you are using, we recom-
mend that you respond by switching to
a recognized high-quality brand.
Failure to comply with these recom-
mendations may result in unscheduled
maintenance.
Follow the relevant safety rules when
you are handling gasoline.

c

Important safety information!
For your own safety, use genuine
parts and accessories approved by
BMW.
When you purchase accessories tested
and approved by BMW and Original
BMW Parts, you simultaneously acquire
the assurance that they have been thor-
oughly tested by BMW to ensure opti-
mum performance when installed on
your vehicle.
BMW warrants these parts to be free
from defects in material and workman-
ship.
BMW will not accept any liability for
damage resulting from installation of
parts and accessories not approved by
BMW.
BMW cannot test every product from
other manufacturers to verify if it can be
used on a BMW safely and without risk
to either the vehicle, its operation, or its
occupants.
Original BMW Parts, BMW Accessories
and other products approved by BMW,
together with professional advice on
using these items, are available from all
BMW centers.

Installation and operation of non-BMW
approved accessories such as alarms,
radios, amplifiers, radar detectors,
wheels, suspension components, brake
dust shields, telephones (including op-
eration of any portable cellular phone
from within the vehicle without using an
externally mounted antenna) or trans-
ceiver equipment (such as C.B., walkie-
talkie, ham radio or similar) may cause
extensive damage to the vehicle, com-
promise its safety, interfere with the
vehicle's electrical system or affect the
validity of the BMW Limited Warranty.
See your authorized BMW center for
additional information.
Do not use key or remote to lock doors
or luggage compartment lid with any-
one inside the car. See page 34 for
more details.
"Maintenance, replacement, or repair of
the emission control devices and sys-
tems may be performed by any automo-
tive repair establishment or individual
using any certified automotive part".

c

Contents

Overview
Controls and features

Cockpit 16
Instrument cluster 18
Indicator and warning lamps 20
Multi-function steering wheel 24
Hazard warning system 25
Warning triangle 25
First-aid kit 25
Refueling 26
Fuel specifications 26
Tire inflation pressure 27

Locks and security systems:

Keys32
Electronic vehicle immobilizer 33
Central locking system 34
Door locks – from outside 34
Using the key 34
Using the remote control 35
Door locks – from inside 38
Luggage compartment lid 39
Luggage compartment 41
Alarm system 42
Electric power windows 44
Sliding/tilt sunroof 45

Adjustments:

Seats47
Seat and mirror memory 50
Steering wheel 51
Mirrors 52
Car Memory, Key Memory 54

Passenger safety systems:

Safety belts55
Child restraint systems 56
Airbags 57

Driving:

Steering/ignition lock 62
Starting the engine 62
Switching off the engine 63
Parking brake 64 Manual transmission
65
Automatic transmission with Steptronic 66
Turn signal/Headlamp flasher 69
Wiper/washer system/Rain sensor 69
Rear window defroster 71
Cruise control 72

Everything under control:

Odometer74
Tachometer 74
Energy control 74
Fuel gauge 75
Temperature gauge 75
Service Interval Display 76
Check Control 77
Clock 77
Onboard computer 77

Technology for safety and
convenience:

Park Distance Control (PDC) 80
Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) 81
Tire Pressure Control (RDC) 82

Contents

Owner service procedures
Advanced technology
Technical data

Replacement procedures:

Onboard tool kit140
Windshield wiper blades140
Lamps and bulbs140
Remote control147
Changing tires148
Battery151
Fuses153
Microfilter154

In case of electrical
malfunction:

Fuel filler door155
Sliding/tilt sunroof155

Assistance, giving and
receiving:

Jump-starting156
Towing the vehicle157Adaptive Transmission Control
(ATC)160
Airbags161
Dynamic Stability Control
(DSC)161
Radio reception162
Safety belt tensioner162
Inside rearview mirror with
automatic dimmer163
Tire Pressure Control (RDC)164
Rain sensor165
Self-diagnostics166
Xenon lamp167Engine data170
Dimensions171
Weights172
Capacities173
Electrical system174
Ribbed V-belt174

Overview
Controls and features
Operation, care
and maintenance
Owner service procedures
Technical data
Index Advanced technology

15n

RepairsIndexOverview Controls Car care Technology Data

Cockpit16
Instrument cluster18
Indicator and warning lamps20
Multi-function steering wheel24
Hazard warning flashers25
Warning triangle25
First-aid kit25
Refueling26
Fuel specifications26
Tire inflation pressure27

19n

RepairsIndexOverview Controls Car care Technology Data

Instrument cluster

1 Fuel gauge with indicator lamp for
fuel reserve75
2 Turn signal indicator23
3 Speedometer
4 Indicator lamp for

>

Battery charge current20

>

High beam23

>

Engine oil pressure/
Engine oil level20, 22
5 Tachometer and
Energy control74
6 Engine coolant thermometer with
"Coolant temperature too
high" indicator75
7 Indicator and warning lamps
(clockwise) for

>

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

>

ABS22

>

Brake pads22

>

Tire Pressure Control
(RDC)

*
20, 22

>

Airbags21

>

Please fasten safety belts21

>

Cruise control

*
23
8 Clock reset

>

Clock77

>

Service Interval 769 Program display for automatic
transmission

*
68
Indicator lamp for automatic
transmission

*
22, 68
10 Indicator lamp for Dynamic Stability
Control (DSC)22
11 Indicator for

>

Odometer74

>

Trip odometer74

>

Clock77

>

Service Interval76
Indicator for onboard computer,
for operation via the turn signal lever,
refer to page 77:

>

Clock

>

Outside temperature

>

Average fuel consumption

>

Range

>

Average speed
12 Indicator for Check Control77
13 Trip odometer, reset to zero7414 Indicator and warning lamps
(clockwise) for

>

Fog lamps

*
23

>

Add washer fluid22

>

Coolant level23

>

Electronic Engine Power
Control (EML)

*
23

>

Engine Management system22
You can display the outside tem-
perature and distance driven in
different units of measurement.

<

22n
Indicator and warning lampsOrange: For the nearest BMW
center
Automatic transmission
*
Because of a malfunction, the
automatic transmission shifts
only in the emergency program. Please
consult the nearest authorized BMW
center.
For additional information: Refer to
page 68.
Yellow: Check as soon as possible
Antilock Brake System (ABS) l
ABS has been deactivated in re-
sponse to system malfunction.
Conventional braking efficiency is avail-
able without limitations. Please have
the system inspected by your autho-
rized BMW center.
For additional information: Refer to
page 107.
ABS warning lamp for Canadian
models.
Engine oil level
Comes on after the engine has
been turned off: Check the en-
gine oil level.
For additional information: Refer to
page 123.
Brake pads l
Have the brake pads checked.
For additional information:
Refer to page 10 9.
Tire Pressure Control (RDC)
* l
Check the tire pressure. Refer to
page 27, 82.
Dynamic Stability Control
(DSC) l
The DSC has been switched off
or has been deactivated because of a
malfunction. In the event of a malfunc-
tion, have the system checked by your
authorized BMW center.
For additional information: Refer to
page 81.
Add washer fluid
The washer fluid is too low. Top
off the fluid at the earliest op-
portunity.
For additional information: Refer to
page 122.
Service engine soon l
There is a defect in the Engine
Management system. It is im-
portant to note that an illuminated lamp
is intended to inform the driver of the
need for service, not of the need to
stop the vehicle!
It can also be an indication that the filler
cap was not properly tightened after
refueling. Please have the system in-
spected by your authorized BMW
center.
For additional information: Refer to
page 137.
Engine Management warning
lamp for Canadian models.

26n
Refueling Fuel specificationsFuel filler doorPress on the rear edge of the fuel filler
door to open and close it.
To unlock the fuel filler door if the cen-
tral locking system malfunctions, refer
to page 155.
When handling fuels, comply with
all of the applicable safety precau-
tions and regulations pertaining to
fuels. Never carry spare fuel containers
in your vehicle. Whether empty or full,
these containers can leak, cause an ex-
plosion, or lead to fire in the event of a
collision.<462de275
Simple and environmentally
friendly
Carefully open the fuel filler cap,
as otherwise fuel could spray out.
Fuel spray may cause injury.<
Keep the filler cap in the bracket
attached to the fuel filler door.
When refueling, insert the filler nozzle
completely into the filler pipe. Pulling
the nozzle out of the pipe during refuel-
ing
>results in premature pump shutoff
>and will reduce the effect of the vapor
recovery system on the pump.
Close the fuel filler cap carefully
after refueling. A loose or missing
cap will activate the Check Engine
lamp.<
460de005
Use unleaded gasoline only.
Recommended fuel: premium with a
minimum octane rating of 91 AKI.
BMW engines are equipped with knock
sensors and will adapt automatically to
different octane ratings, provided that
the minimum octane requirement
(87 AKI) is met.
Fuels with higher octane ratings will pro-
vide enhanced performance and lower
fuel consumption, while the use of fuels
with lower octane ratings will have the
opposite effect.
Do not use leaded fuels. The use of
leaded fuels will cause permanent
damage to the system's oxygen sensor
and the catalytic convertor.<
AKI = Anti Knock Index

Overview
Controls and features
Operation, care
and maintenance
Owner service procedures
Technical data
Index Advanced technology
31n
RepairsIndexOverview Controls Car care Technology Data
Manual transmission65
Automatic transmission with
Steptronic66
Turn signal/Headlamp flasher69
Wiper/washer system/Rain
sensor69
Rear window defroster71
Cruise control72
Everything under control:
Odometer74
Tachometer74
Energy control74
Fuel gauge75
Temperature gauge75
Service Interval Display76
Check Control77
Clock77
Onboard computer77
Technology for safety and
convenience:
Park Distance Control (PDC)80
Dynamic Stability Control
(DSC)81
Tire Pressure Control (RDC)82Lamps:
Parking lamps/Headlamps84
Instrument panel rheostat84
High beams/Parking lamps85
Fog lamps85
Interior lamps85
Reading lamps86
Controlling the climate
for pleasant driving:
Automatic climate control88
Heated seats93
Roller sun blind93
Cabin convenience:
HiFi System94
Glove compartment94
Storage compartments95
Cellular phones95
Ashtray96
Cigarette lighter96
Clothes hooks97
Loading and transporting:
Through-loading facility98
Ski bag99
Cargo loading100
Roof-mounted luggage rack101

33n
RepairsIndexOverview Controls Car care Technology Data
Electronic vehicle immobilizer The key to securityYour BMW is equipped with a passive
anti-theft system. This electronic immo-
bilization system is designed to reduce
the susceptibility of the vehicle to theft
by making it impossible to start the en-
gine using any means other than the
special keys furnished with the vehicle.
Your BMW center can cancel the elec-
tronic system authorization for individ-
ual keys (in the event of loss, for in-
stance). A deactivated key can no
longer be used to start the engine.
BMW
LOCK
463de042
How the electronics workAt the heart of this system is an elec-
tronic chip that is integrated into the
key. The lock mechanism itself is actu-
ally a dual-function device, simulta-
neously serving as a communications
interface designed to allow the security
system to maintain a continuous stream
of variable, vehicle-specific signals with
the electronic circuitry in the key. The
system will not release the ignition, fuel
injection and starter unless it recog-
nizes an "authorized" key.
Force applied to the key can dam-
age the integrated electronic cir-
cuitry. A damaged key can no longer be
used to start the engine.<

34n
Central locking system Door locks – from outside The conceptThe central locking system is ready for
operation whenever the driver's door is
closed. The system engages and re-
leases the locks on the
>doors
>luggage compartment lid
>fuel filler door.
The central locking system can be
operated
>from outside via the door lock and
using the remote control
>from inside by pressing a button.
Activating it from inside does not lock
the fuel filler door (see page 38).
When the system is actuated from the
outside, the anti-theft system is acti-
vated simultaneously. Both the door
locks and release handles remain
locked. The alarm system
* is also
armed or disarmed.
In the event of an accident, the central
locking system unlocks automatically.
In addition, the hazard warning flashers
and interior lamps come on.
Using the keyOne turn of the key in the door lock
opens only the driver's door, a second
turn of the key opens the passenger
door, the luggage compartment lid and
the fuel filler door.
You can have a confirmation mes-
sage set to inform you that the car
has been properly locked.<
You will find additional information on
the alarm system on page 42.460de006
Convenience operating modeYou can also operate the electric win-
dows and sliding/tilt sunroof via the
door lock.
>To open: With the door closed, turn
the key to the "Unlock" position and
hold it.
>To close: With the door closed, turn
the key to the "Lock" position and
hold it.
Watch during the closing process
to make sure that nobody is in-
jured accidentally. Letting go of the key
stops the operation. Turn the key all the way to the extreme
left or right to unlock/lock the door.