BMW 323i SEDAN 2000 E46 Owners Manual

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IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Seat heating
*
Roller sun blind
*
The seat cushion and backrest can
be heated with the ignition key in posi-
tion 2.
You can call up different heating modes
by repeatedly pressing the keys.
When the three indicator lamps are illu-
minated, the highest heating mode is
activated. One lamp indicates the low-
est heating mode. The temperature is
regulated with a thermostat in each
mode.
You can also switch the higher heating
modes off directly:
Press and hold the button slightly
longer.460us285
To actuate, press the button briefly with
the ignition key in position 2.
The illustration depicts the arrangement
of the buttons if the vehicle is fully
equipped. This may vary, depending on
the equipment actually installed.460us286

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HiFi system Ð harman kardonSpecial acoustical effects are activated
or deactivated every time you press the
button.
When the system is activated, the im-
pression of a significantly larger pas-
senger compartment is created at all
seating areas, together with an im-
provement of the stereo effect.
When reception is weak, the system
frequently switches between stereo and
mono operation. Switch the feature off
if this occurs.460us287
To openPull the handle. The lamp comes on.To closeFold the cover up.To lockLock with one of the master keys.
A master key can also be used for un-
locking.
If you turn over only your door and
ignition keys for valet parking
(refer to page 32), for example, access
to the glove compartment is not possi-
ble.<460de041
To prevent injury in the event of
a crash, close the glove compart-
ment immediately after use.<
Rechargeable flashlight
*
The flashlight is located on the left-
hand side of the glove compartment.
It features integral overload-protection
so it can be left in its holder continu-
ously.
Be sure that the flashlight is
switched off when it is inserted
into its holder. Failure to comply with
this precaution could lead to over-
charging and damage.<
HiFi system
* Glove compartment

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IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Storage compartments Open the storage compartment in the
front center armrest
*: Press the button
(arrow) and lift upward.
You will find additional storage areas in
the front doors and in the center con-
sole above the ashtray*. Storage nets
*
are located on the back of the front
seats.
460de043
Coin holder, cup holderA coin holder and two cup holders are
provided in the center console.460us251
Rear center armrest
*
Without through-loading system:
You will find a storage compartment
and a beverage holder (for two drink
containers) in the rear center armrest.
1 Storage compartment: Pull upward.
2 Beverage holder: Press to open.460de297

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Storage compartmentsRear center armrest
*
With through-loading system:
You will find a beverage holder (for two
drink containers) in the rear center arm-
rest.
>Beverage holder: Press to open
(arrow).460de298
Storage package
*
For your convenience, there are:
>two extending sockets on the center
console in the rear (arrows)
>an eyeglass compartment
* in the
front center console above the ash-
tray.
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IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Cellular phones
*
Ashtray, front
Handsfree systemOn vehicles that are wired for a tele-
phone
*, the cover for the handsfree
microphone is located in the headliner
near the interior lamp.
For additional information concerning
the cellular phone, please refer to the
separate Owner's Manual.
460de253
To openPress briefly in the direction indicated
by the arrow.
To extinguish a cigarette, tap off the
ash and gently press the tip into the
funnel.460us288
To emptyOpen the lid and press down (arrow):
You can now pull the ashtray upward
for removal.
On vehicles with the nonsmoker's
equipment package, the insert is re-
moved in the same way.460us289

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Cigarette lighter
*
Ashtray, rear
*
Press the lighter in. Remove the lighter
as soon as it retracts.
Hold or touch the hot cigarette
lighter by the knob only. Holding
or touching it in other areas could result
in burns.
The cigarette lighter remains opera-
tional when the ignition key has been
removed. For this reason, children
should never be left in the car unat-
tended. for flashlights, car vacuum cleaners,
etc., up to a rating of approx. 200 watts
at 12 volts. Avoid damaging the socket
due to inserting plugs of different
shapes or sizes.460us290
To openPush the cover open.To emptyPress on the edge of the raised cover in
the opening direction (arrow). You can
now pull the ashtray upward for re-
moval.460de104

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IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Through-loading system
*
The rear backrest is divided into two
sections (one-third and two-thirds of the
width of the seat). For carrying longer
objects, you can fold down either
section of the backrest separately.
To unlock, pull the lever corresponding
to the section (arrow).460de154
The rear backrest section will move
forward slightly when it is unlocked.
Reach into the gap and pull the back-
rest down.
When you close the backrest, be
sure that the retainer engages
correctly. If it is not correctly engaged,
transported cargo could enter the pas-
senger compartment from the luggage
compartment during brake applications
or evasive maneuvers and endanger the
vehicle occupants.<460de153
The fittings at the corners of the lug-
gage compartment provide you with a
convenient means of attaching luggage
nets
* and flexible straps for securing
suitcases and luggage.
Refer also to "Cargo loading" on
page 99.

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Ski bag
*
The ski bag allows the safe and clean
transport of four pairs of skis or two
snowboards.
The length of the ski bag and the addi-
tional space provided in the luggage
compartment make it possible to carry
skis with a length of up to 6.8 feet
(2.1 meters). The ski bag can only
accommodate two pairs of skis with a
length of 6.8 feet (2.1 meters) because
of the tapered shape of the bag.
Loading1 Pull the center armrest down. Loosen
the trim from the upper Velcro¨ fas-
tener and place it on the armrest.
2 Press button 1 downward and swing
the cover forward.
3 Extend the ski bag between the front
seats. The zipper provides conve-
nient access to stored items. It may
be opened to allow the ski bag to dry.
4 Press knob 2: The cover in the lug-
gage compartment is unlocked.
To store the ski bag, perform the above
steps in reverse sequence.394de119
Securing the load
Secure the skis or other objects in
the bag by tightening the strap
with the buckle.<
Please be sure that your skis are clean
before loading them into the bag. Avoid
damage from sharp edges during load-
ing.
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IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Cargo loadingStowing cargo If you are transporting a load in your
BMW
>Load heavy cargo as far forward as
possible Ð directly behind the back-
rests or the luggage compartment
partition Ð and as low as possible.
>Cover sharp edges and corners.
>Do not pile objects higher than the
top edge of the backrest.460de160
>If you are transporting very heavy
loads when the rear seat is not occu-
pied, secure the outer safety belts in
the opposite buckles (refer to the
illustration).460de185
Securing the load >For small, light items, use the rubber-
lined non-skid side of the floor mat or
secure with a luggage compartment
net
* or elastic straps (refer to
page 41).
>For large, heavy pieces, see your
BMW center for load-securing de-
vices*. Lashing eyes (arrow) are pro-
vided at the corners of the luggage
compartment for attaching these
load-securing devices.
>Comply with the information en-
closed with the load-securing de-
vices.
460de161

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Cargo loading Roof-mounted luggage rack
*
Always position and secure the
load correctly. If you do not, it can
endanger the passengers during brak-
ing or evasive maneuvers.
Do not exceed the permissible gross
vehicle weight and the permissible axle
loads (refer to page 174). If you do, the
operating safety of the vehicle is no
longer ensured and you are in violation
of the law.
Do not carry hard or heavy objects un-
secured in the passenger compartment.
If you do so, they may be projected
through the air during braking and eva-
sive maneuvers, thus endangering vehi-
cle occupants.<
AnchorsAccess to the anchors:
To open the cover (arrow), please use
the tool included with the luggage rack
system.
A special roof-rack system is available
for your BMW as an optional extra.
Please comply with the precautions in-
cluded with the installation instructions.
Because roof racks raise the center of
gravity of the car when loaded, they
exercise a major effect on its handling
and steering response.
You should therefore always remember
not to exceed the approved roof weight,
the approved gross vehicle weight or
the axle weights when loading the rack.
You will find the specifications under
"Technical Data" on page 174.462de271
Make sure that the load is not too heavy,
and attempt to distribute it evenly.
Always load the heaviest pieces first (on
the bottom). Be sure that adequate
clearance is maintained for raising the
sliding/tilt sunroof
*, and that objects do
not project into the opening path of the
luggage compartment lid.
Secure the roof luggage correctly and
securely to prevent it from shifting or
being lost during driving (danger to fol-
lowing traffic).
Drive smoothly and avoid sudden ac-
celeration or braking. Do not corner at
high speeds.
The roof load increases the aerody-
namic resistance. Increased fuel con-
sumption and additional stresses on the
vehicle's body result from this.