key BMW 323i SEDAN 2000 E46 Owner's Guide

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IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
AirbagsIndicator lamp
The indicator lamp displays the
operational status of the airbag
system when the ignition key is
in position 1 and higher.
System operational:
>The indicator lamp comes on briefly
then goes out.
System malfunction:
>The indicator lamp fails to come on.
>The indicator lamp comes on briefly
before going out, and then lights up
again.
If there is a system malfunction, there is
a risk that the airbags will not be trig-
gered within their normal response
range, even if the level of impact would
normally have triggered them.
Have your BMW center inspect and
repair the system immediately.
The airbag indicator lamp also
comes on if the safety belt ten-
sioners have been triggered.<
For your own safety, please com-
ply with the following precautions
concerning airbags. If you do not, their
protective function may be impaired
and your personal safety endangered.
The following information pertains to all
occupants:
The airbags are supplemental restraint
devices designed to provide extra pro-
tection; they are not a substitute for
safety belts. Wear your safety belt at all
times. The airbags will not be triggered
in the event of a minor accident, a vehi-
cle roll-over, or collisions from the rear.
In these instances, the safety belt offers
the best protection.
Airbags are located under the cover
panels in the steering wheel, in the in-
strument panel, in the side trim panels
in the front and rear
*, in the roof panels,
and in the sides of the inside roof lining.
Select a seat position that is comfort-
able and allows the greatest possible
distance from each of the applicable air-
bags. Hold the steering wheel at the rim
(hands at the "9 o'clock and 3 o'clock"
positions) in order to avoid injuries to
your hands or arms if the airbag is trig-
gered.
Never allow any objects to obstruct the
area between the airbag and an occu-
pant.
Do not use the cover panel above the
front passenger airbag as a storage
area.
Never tape the airbag cover panels,
cover them over or alter them in any
other way.
Never install a rear-facing child restraint
device on the front passenger seat. Chil-
dren under 13 years of age and children
who are smaller than 5 feet (150 cm),
should only travel in the rear seat.
If your vehicle is equipped with side air-
bags in the rear, be sure that child seats
are installed correctly and with the
greatest possible distance from the side
trim panels. Do not allow children to
lean out of the child's seat in the direc-
tion of the side trim panels. Otherwise,
serious injuries could occur if the airbag
is triggered.
At all times, occupants should sit up-
right and be properly restrained (infants
and small children in appropriate child
restraint systems; larger children and
adults using the safety belts). Never let
an occupant's head rest near or on a
side airbag because the inflating airbag
could cause a serious or fatal injury.
Please note that the word "Airbag" im-
printed on the door trim panel indicates
the airbag's location.

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IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
0 Steering lock engaged The key can only be inserted or re-
moved in this position.
After removing the key, turn the steer-
ing wheel slightly to the left or right until
the lock engages.
If the key is not removed, an acoustic
signal is sounded after the driver's door
has been opened.
Vehicles with automatic transmis-
sion:
Do not move the selector lever from the
"Park" position until the engine is run-
ning (ignition key at position 2).
In order to turn the key back to position
0 or to remove it, move the selector
lever into position "Park" first (Inter-
lock).<460de022
1 Steering lock disengaged Turning the steering wheel slightly to
the right or left often makes it easier to
turn the key from 0 to 1.
Individual electrical devices are ready
for operation.2 Ignition onAll electrical equipment and accesso-
ries are available for use.3 Starting the engine
Vehicles with manual transmis-
sion: Depress the clutch when
starting the vehicle. A lockout prevents
the engine from starting if the clutch is
not depressed.c
Before starting>Engage the parking brake.
>Be sure that the shift lever is in "Neu-
tral" (or "Park" if the vehicle is equipped
with an automatic transmission).
>Manual transmission: Depress the
clutch pedal.
>Automatic transmission: Depress the
footbrake.
Do not run the engine in enclosed
areas. The exhaust gases contain
carbon monoxide, an odorless and col-
orless, but highly toxic gas. Breathing
the exhaust gases poses an extreme
health risk, and can lead to uncon-
sciousness and death.
Do not leave the car unattended with
the engine running. An unattended vehi-
cle with a running engine represents a
potential safety hazard.<
>Start the engine. Do not press the
accelerator pedal.
Do not actuate the starter for too
short a time, but not turn it for more
than approx. 20 seconds. Release the
ignition key immediately when the
engine starts.
Do not allow the engine to warm up by
leaving it running while the vehicle remains
stationary. Instead, begin driving immedi-
ately at a moderate engine speed.<
Steering/Ignition lock Starting the engine

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Starting the engine Switching off the engine If the engine does not start on the first
attempt (if it is very hot or cold, for in-
stance):
>Press the accelerator pedal halfway
down while engaging the starter.
Cold start at extremely low tempera-
tures, from approx. + 5 7 (Ð 15 6)
and at elevations above 3,300 feet
(1,000 meters):
>On the first start attempt, engage the
starter for a longer period (approx.
10 seconds)
>Press the accelerator pedal halfway
down while engaging the starter.Turn the ignition key to position 1 or 0.
Do not remove the ignition key
while the vehicle is still moving.
If you did so, the steering lock would
engage when the steering wheel is
turned.
When you leave the vehicle, always re-
move the ignition key and engage the
steering lock.
Vehicles with manual transmission:
Always engage the parking brake when
parking on slopes and inclined sur-
faces. Placing the lever in 1st gear or
reverse may not provide adequate
resistance to rolling.
Vehicles with automatic transmission:
Place the selector lever in "Park."<

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IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Parking brake To engageThe lock engages automatically when
you lift the lever. The indicator lamp in
the instrument cluster lights up in igni-
tion key position 2. Refer to page 21.To releasePull up slightly on the lever, press the
button and lower the lever.
The parking brake is designed primarily
to prevent the vehicle from rolling when
it is parked. It operates against the rear
wheels.460de024
If, in exceptional circumstances,
it should be necessary to engage
the parking brake while the vehicle is
in motion, do not pull the lever with
excessive pressure. Keep your thumb
pressed against the release button
while carefully pulling the lever up to
apply moderate pressure.
Excessive pressure can lead to over-
braking and loss of traction (fishtailing)
at the rear axle.
The brake lamps do not come on when
the parking brake is engaged.
Vehicles with manual transmission:
Always engage the parking brake when
parking on slopes and inclined sur-
faces. Placing the lever in 1st gear or
reverse may not provide adequate
resistance to rolling.
Vehicles with automatic transmission:
Place the selector lever in "Park."<
To avoid corrosion, apply the parking
brake lightly from time to time when
coasting to a standstill (at a traffic sig-
nal, for instance), provided that it is safe
to do so.

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Manual transmission The shift lever's neutral plane (dot in the
illustration) is located between 3rd and
4th gears.
When shifting from each gear into
"Neutral," the shift lever returns auto-
matically to this neutral position be-
cause of its spring loading.360de044
Reverse Select "Reverse" only when the vehicle
is at a complete stop. Press the shift
lever to the left to overcome the slight
resistance.
As you do this, the backup lamps will
turn on automatically when the ignition
key is in position 2.
Do not hold the vehicle in place on
slopes by slipping or "riding" the
clutch. Use the parking brake instead.
A slipping clutch increases clutch
wear.<

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IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Automatic transmission with Steptronic
*
In the following situations, the Step-
tronic "thinks" for you in the manual
mode:
>In order to prevent the engine from
overrevving, the transmission shifts
automatically to the next higher gear
just before the RPM cutoff point.
>If you do not do anything to inter-
vene, it will automatically downshift
at lower speeds.
>In kickdown, it will downshift into
the lowest gear possible, depending
on the engine speed.
>According to the situation, for in-
stance in wintry conditions, the
vehicle can be started in 2nd or
3rd gear.
Available displays
P R N D SD M1 M2 M3 M4 M5460de138
Electronic transmission control
module
If the indicator lamp comes on,
there is a malfunction in the
transmission system.
Bring the vehicle to a stop, select trans-
mission position "P," set the parking
brake and turn the engine off (ignition
key to position 0).
Wait a few seconds, then start the
engine.
If the indicator lamp goes out after a
few seconds, normal transmission per-
formance has been restored. You may
continue to drive as usual.
If the indicator lamp does not go out,
you can place the selector lever in all
positions. However, the vehicle will now
only operate in 3rd and 4th gear.
If this happens, avoid extreme engine
loads and consult the nearest BMW
center.
Do not work in the engine com-
partment when a drive gear (for-
ward or reverse) is engaged. If you do
this, the vehicle could move.<
For towing, tow-starting or jump-start-
ing the vehicle, refer to the information
beginning on page 157.

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IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Wiper/Washer system1 Intermittent wipe or rain
sensor
*
Intermittent wipe:
You can use rotary dial 6 to select from
four wipe intervals.
In addition, the wipe interval automati-
cally adapts to variations in road speed.
Rain sensor:
The rain sensor is positioned on the
windshield, directly ahead of the inte-
rior rearview mirror. When the rain sen-
sor is activated, the windshield wiper is
controlled automatically, depending on
the degree of wetness of the windshield
(in both snow and rain). You do not
have to be concerned with switching
the windshield wiper on or off or adjust-
ing the wipe interval between intermit-
tent and full wipe. Instead, you can
concentrate fully on the traffic condi-
tions. This is especially important under
adverse weather conditions.
To activate the rain sensor:
In ignition key positions 1 or 2, move
the lever to position 1. The wipers travel
once across the windshield, regardless
of the weather.You can leave the lever permanently in
position 1, and then activate the rain
sensor in ignition key positions 1 or 2.
To do this,
>turn rotary dial 6 briefly or
>use the automatic windshield
washer 5.
To modify the sensitivity of the rain
sensor:
Turn rotary dial 6.
Turn the rain sensor off when
passing through an automatic car
wash. Failure to do so could result in
damage caused by undesired wiper
activation.<
2 Normal wiper speedWhen the vehicle is stationary, the wip-
ers switch automatically to intermittent
wipe (not on vehicles with rain sensor).3 Fast wiper speedWhen the vehicle is stationary, the wip-
ers operate at normal speed (not on
vehicles with rain sensor).5 Automatic windshield washer The system sprays washer fluid against
the windshield and activates the wipers
for a brief period.
If you pull the lever only briefly, the sys-
tem sprays washer fluid onto the wind-
shield without activating the wipers.

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Wiper/Washer system Rear window defroster Headlamp washers
*
When the vehicle's lighting system is
switched on, the headlamps will also be
cleaned every fifth time the automatic
windshield washer is activated.
Do not use the washers if there
is any danger that the fluid will
freeze on the windshield. If you do so,
your vision could be obscured. Use an
antifreeze agent. Refer to page 124.
Do not use the washers when the reser-
voir is empty. If you do so, the washer
pump could be damaged. *
automatically when the ignition key is in
position 2.To activatePress the button: As long as the indica-
tor lamp remains on, the rear window
defroster continues at high-output
(rapid thaw).
After the indicator lamp goes out, the
defroster continues operating at re-
duced power for a limited period before
deactivating automatically. 460de026
To deactivatePress the button if the indicator lamp is
on.

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IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Cruise control
*
You can store and automatically main-
tain any desired vehicle speed above
approx. 20 mph (30 km/h). To activate the system In ignition key positions 1 or 2:
Press button 1. The indicator lamp in
the instrument cluster comes on. You
can now use the cruise control.462de214
To store and maintain speed or
to accelerate Press button 3 briefly:
The system registers and maintains the
current vehicle speed. The speed will
now be increased by approx. 0.6 mph
(approx. 1 km/h) every time you briefly
press the button.
Press and hold button 3:
The vehicle accelerates without pres-
sure on the accelerator pedal. When
you release the button, the system reg-
isters and maintains the current speed.
If, on a downhill gradient, the
engine braking effect is not suffi-
cient, the controlled speed may be
exceeded. Speed may drop on uphill
grades if the engine output is insuffi-
cient.<
To deceleratePress button 2 briefly:
When the cruise control is active, vehi-
cle speed is reduced by approx.
0.6 mph (approx. 1 km/h) every time
you briefly press the button.
Press and hold button 2:
With the cruise control active, the sys-
tem automatically reduces the throttle
opening to slow the vehicle. When you
release the button, the system registers
and maintains the current speed.

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Cruise control
*
To cancel the cruise control When the system is activated, press
and hold button 1. The indicator lamp
stays on. You can use the cruise control
again as desired.
In addition, cruise control is canceled
automatically:
>if the brakes are applied
>if the clutch is depressed or the auto-
matic transmission selector lever is
moved from "Drive" to "Neutral"
>if you exceed or fall below the pro-
grammed speed for an extended pe-
riod (by depressing the accelerator,
for example).
To resume the stored settingPress button 4:
The vehicle accelerates to and main-
tains the last speed stored. When you
turn the ignition key to position 0, the
stored speed is deleted from the sys-
tem's memory and the system is deacti-
vated.
To deactivate the system When the cruise control has been can-
celed, press button 1 again. The indica-
tor lamp goes off and the stored speed
is canceled.
Do not use cruise control on twist-
ing roads, when high traffic density
prevents driving at a constant speed,
when the road surface is slick (snow,
rain, ice), or when the road surface is
loose (rocks, sand).<