Page 81 BMW 323Ci COUPE 2000 E46 Owner's Manual

© 1999 BMW AG
Munich, Germany
Reprinting, including excerpts, only with the
written consent of BMW AG, Munich.
Part number 01 41 0 155 026
US VI/99
Printed in Germany
Printed on environmentally friendly paper
(bleached without chlorine, suitable for recycling).
4n

Notes on the Owner's Manual

We have made every effort to ensure
that you are able to find what you need
in this Owner's Manual as quickly as
possible. The fastest way to find certain
topics is by using the detailed index at
the end. If you wish to gain only an ini-
tial overview of your vehicle, you will
find this in the first chapter.
The detailed table of contents immedi-
ately following the index is intended to
arouse your curiosity about your BMW
and stimulate you to read about it.
Should you wish to sell your BMW at
some time in the future, please remem-
ber to hand over the Owner's Manual to
the new owner; it is part of the vehicle.
Should you have any further questions,
your BMW center will be glad to assist
at any time.

Symbols used

These sections contain vital infor-
mation – please read the accom-
panying text passages carefully, for
your safety, the safety of others and to
prevent damage to your BMW.

<


These passages contain informa-
tion on special and unique fea-
tures of your vehicle.

<


Special information on
recycling.

<
<

Indicates the end of a note.

*
Indicates special equipment, country-
specific equipment and optional extras.
Denotes vehicle parts for which
you should consult this Owner's
Manual.
Alerts you to functions that can
be adjusted for individual drivers
by your authorized BMW center
("Car Memory" or "Key Memory"). Refer
to page 54.

<



The individual vehicle

On buying your BMW, you have de-
cided in favor of a model with individu-
alized equipment and features. This
Owner's Manual describes all models
and equipment that BMW offers within
the same range.
We hope you will understand that
equipment and features are included
which you might not have chosen for
your vehicle. Any differences can easily
be identified, as all optional accessories
and special equipment are marked with
an asterisk

*
.
If your BMW features equipment which
is not described in this Owner's Manual
(e.g., car radio or telephone), (Supple-
mentary) Owner's Manuals are en-
closed. We ask you to read these man-
uals as well.

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

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.

<

20n

Indicator and warning lamps

Technology that monitors itself

Many of the systems of your BMW mon-
itor themselves automatically, both dur-
ing engine starts and while you are driv-
ing. 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 lights up while the vehicle is moving.
You will see how to react to this below.

Red: Stop immediately

Battery charge current



l


The battery is no longer being
charged. There is a malfunction
of the alternator ribbed V-belt or in the
charging circuit of the alternator. Please
contact 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 ribbed V-belt is defective, in-
creased steering effort is also re-
quired.

<

Engine oil pressure


l


Stop vehicle and switch off en-
gine immediately. Check level of
oil in engine, top up as required. If oil
level is correct: Please contact the
nearest BMW center.
Do not continue driving. The en-
gine could be damaged because
of inadequate lubrication.

<
Tire Pressure Control (RDC)
* l
In addition, there is an acousti-
cal warning signal: A tire failure
has occurred. Reduce vehicle speed
immediately and stop the vehicle. Avoid
hard brake applications. Do not over-
steer.
For additional information: Refer to
page 82.
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 109 and 127.
Brake-warning lamp for Cana-
dian models.

21n
RepairsIndexOverview Controls Car care Technology Data
Indicator and warning lampsYellow: Stop immediately
Engine oil level

Comes on while driving: Stop
vehicle and switch off engine
immediately. The oil level is at the abso-
lute minimum.
Do not continue driving. The en-
gine could be damaged because
of inadequate lubrication.<
Red and yellow: Continue driving
cautiously
Cornering Brake Control (CBC) l
Comes on together with the yel-
low indicator lamps for ABS and
DSC:
The entire ABS, CBC and DSC

system has been deactivated.
Continue driving cautiously and
defensively. Avoid hard brake
applications. Please have the system
checked by your authorized BMW cen-
ter as soon as possible.
For additional information: Refer to
page 81, 107.
Warning lamps CBC, ABS and
DSC for Canadian models.
Red: An important reminder
Parking brake
Comes on when the parking
brake is applied – an additional
acoustical signal sounds when starting
off.
For additional information: Refer to
page 64.
Parking brake lamp for Cana-
dian models.
Please fasten safety belts l
An acoustical warning signal
sounds simultaneously. Lights
up for a few seconds or until the safety
belt is fastened.
For additional information on safety
belts: Refer to page 55.
Airbags l
Please have the system in-
spected by your authorized
BMW center.
For additional information: Refer to
page 57, 161.

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.

23n
RepairsIndexOverview Controls Car care Technology Data
Indicator and warning lamps
Electronic Engine output-adjust-
ment (EML)
* l
Malfunction in engine timing.
Higher brake application pressure may
be necessary and brake pedal travel
may be significantly longer.
Please have the system inspected by
your authorized BMW center.
Add coolant
The coolant level is too low. Top
up the coolant at the earliest
opportunity.
For additional information: Refer to
page 126.
Green: For your information
Turn signal
Flashes when the turn signal is
switched on. Rapid flashing in-
dicates a system malfunction.
For additional information: Refer to
page 69.
Cruise control
*
Comes on when the cruise con-
trol is activated. Available for
operation via the multi-function steering
wheel.
For additional information: Refer to
page 72.
Fog lamps
*
Lights up whenever you switch
on the fog lamps.
For additional information: Refer to
page 85.
Blue: For your information
High beam
Lights up when the high beams
are on or the headlamp flasher
is actuated.
For additional information: Refer to
page 69, 85.

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

27n
RepairsIndexOverview Controls Car care Technology Data
Tire inflation pressure The inflation pressures are indicated on
a sticker attached to the B-pillar behind
the driver's door (visible with door
open).Check tire pressuresAll pressure specifications are stated in
psi (kilopascal) with cold tires (cold =
ambient temperature). Refer to the next
page as well.
For trailer towing, the inflation pressure
for heavier loads always applies.
For vehicles with RDC (Tire Pressure
Control)
*:
After a correction of the tire inflation
pressure, reactivate the system. Refer
to page 82.
462de197
Check tire inflation pressures reg-
ularly – at least every two weeks
and before beginning a longer trip. In-
correct tire pressure can otherwise lead
to tire damage and accidents.
Also check the inflation pressure of the
space-saver tire or spare tire
*. Inflate
the spare tire to the highest inflation
specified for your vehicle.<
Comply with tire approval
specificationsThe inflation pressures in the table apply
to tires from BMW-approved manufac-
turers. Your BMW center is familiar with
these pressures. Higher pressures may
be specified for tires from other manu-
facturers. You will find a list of approved
tires beginning on page 117.

32n
Keys1 Master key with transmitter for the
remote control determines the Key
Memory functions, see page 54.
Every key contains a long-life re-
chargeable battery which is auto-
matically recharged from the ignition
lock, while the car is being driven.
If you have spare master keys which are
not otherwise in regular service, it is ad-
visable to use them about once a year
for a journey of some distance, so that
their batteries are recharged. Also see
page 35.<
2 Spare key for storage in a safe place,
such as in your wallet. This key is not
intended for continuous use.463de023
3 Door and ignition key
The locks for the luggage compart-
ment lid and glove compartment can-
not be operated with this key – this
may be beneficial for valet parking,
for instance.
Replacement keysare available exclusively through your
authorized BMW center. Your BMW
center is obligated to ensure that a per-
son requesting a key is authorized to do
so, since the keys belong to a security
system (refer to "Electronic vehicle im-
mobilizer" on page 33).
Whenever you have been handed
a replacement key, insert it into
the ignition lock and turn it once to
position 2 (ignition switched on), then
back to the home position, so that the
electronic immobiliser "accepts" the
new key.<
See also "New transmitter", page 147.