key BMW 323i SEDAN 2000 E46 Owner's Manual

© 1999 BMW AG
Munich, Germany
Reprinting, including excerpts, only with the
written consent of BMW AG, Munich.
Order number 01 41 0 155 024
US English IX/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 initial
overview of your vehicle, you will find
this in the first chapter.
The detailed list of contents that directly
follows the summary of contents is
intended to stimulate your curiosity
regarding your BMW and to encourage
you to read the manual.
Should you wish to sell your BMW at
some time in the future, please remem-
ber to hand over this 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 Ð 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.

<


Indicates special information on
recycling.

<



<

Indicates the end of a note.

*
Indicates special equipment, country-
specific equipment and optional extras.
Indicates that you should consult
the relevant section of this Owner's
Manual for information on a specific part
or assembly.
Alerts you to functions that can
be adjusted by your BMW center
("Car Memory" or "Key Memory"). Refer
to page 53.

<



The individual vehicle

On purchasing your BMW, you have
decided in favor of a model with individ-
ualized equipment and features. This
Owner's Manual describes all models
and equipment that BMW offers within
the same group.
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, since all optional acces-
sories and special equipment are
marked with an asterisk

*
.
If your BMW features equipment which
is not described in this Owner's Manual
(car radio or telephone, for instance),
Supplementary Owner's Manuals are
enclosed. We ask you to read these
manuals as well.

Notes on the Owner's Manual
Symbols used
The individual vehicle

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 (volatility,
composition, additives, for example)
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.

<

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
operation 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 BMW center for additional
information.
Do not use a key or remote control to
lock the doors or luggage compartment
with anyone inside the car. See
page 34 for more details.
"Maintenance, replacement, or repair
of the emission control devices and
systems may be performed by any
automotive repair establishment or indi-
vidual using any certified automotive
part."

<

For your own safety

Contents

Overview
Controls and features
Cockpit16
Instrument cluster18
Indicator and warning lamps20
Multifunction steering wheel
(MFL)24
Hazard warning flashers25
Warning triangle25
First-aid kit25
Refueling26
Fuel specifications26
Tire inflation pressure27

Locks and security systems:

Keys32
Electronic vehicle
immobilizer33
Central locking system34
Opening and closing Ð from
outside34
Opening and closing Ð from
inside38
Luggage compartment lid39
Luggage compartment41
Alarm system42
Electric power windows44
Sliding/Tilt sunroof45

Adjustments:

Seats47
Seat and mirror memory50
Steering wheel51
Mirrors52
Car Memory, Key Memory53

Passenger safety systems:

Safety belts54
Child restraint systems55
Child-safety locks56
Airbags56
Child restraints59
Installing a child restraint
system60

Driving:

Steering/Ignition lock61
Starting the engine61
Switching off the engine62
Parking brake63
Manual transmission64
Automatic transmission with
Steptronic65
Turn signal indicator/Headlamp
flasher68
Wiper/Washer system/Rain
sensor68
Rear window defroster70
Cruise control71

Everything under control:

Odometer73
Tachometer73
Energy Control73
Fuel gauge74
Temperature gauge74
Service Interval Display74
Check Control75
Clock75
Onboard computer76

Technology for safety and
convenience:

Park Distance Control (PDC)78
Dynamic Stability Control
(DSC)79
Tire Pressure Control (RDC)80

Contents

20n

Indicator and warning lamps

Technology that monitors itself

Many of the systems of your BMW
monitor themselves automatically, both
during engine starts and while you are
driving. 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

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. If you do so,
the engine could be damaged due to
overheating. If the ribbed V-belt is de-
fective, increased steering effort is also
required.<
Engine oil pressure l
Stop the vehicle and switch off
the engine immediately. Check
the engine oil and top up as required. If
the oil level is correct, please contact
the nearest BMW center.
Do not continue driving. If you do
so, the engine could be damaged
because of inadequate lubrication.<
Tire Pressure Control (RDC)
* l
In addition, an acoustic signal is
sounded: A tire failure has oc-
curred. Reduce vehicle speed immedi-
ately and stop the vehicle. Avoid hard
brake applications. Do not oversteer.
For additional information: Refer to
page 80.
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 129.
Brake warning lamp for Cana-
dian models.

24n
Multifunction steering wheel (MFL)
*
The controls integrated in the multi-
function steering wheel are provided
so that you can operate a number of
accessories quickly and without being
distracted from traffic conditions. You
may operate:
>selected radio functions
>the cruise control
>selected cellular phone functions.
In order to operate a system via
the MFL, the corresponding sys-
tem controls must be switched on.<
1 Cellular phone: Receive a call, initiate
dialing and terminate a call
2 Radio/Cellular phone: Select
3 Radio/Cellular phone: Scan back-
ward or scan station keys or scroll in
the phone listings
4 Radio/Cellular phone: Volume
5 Radio/Cellular phone: Scan forward
or scan station keys or scroll in the
phone listings460de065
6 Horn: The entire surface functions as
the horn
7 Cruise control: Resume stored setting
8 Cruise control: Store and accelerate
(+); decelerate and store (Ð)
9 Cruise control: Activate/Interrupt/
Cancel.

30n
Controls Locks and security systems:
Keys32
Electronic vehicle
immobilizer33
Central locking system34
Opening and closing Ð from
outside34
Opening and closing Ð from
inside38
Luggage compartment lid39
Luggage compartment41
Alarm system42
Electric power windows44
Sliding/Tilt sunroof45
Adjustments:
Seats47
Seat and mirror memory50
Steering wheel51
Mirrors52
Car Memory, Key Memory53
Passenger safety systems:
Safety belts54
Child restraint systems55
Child-safety locks56
Airbags56
Child restraints59
Installing a child restraint
system60

32n
Keys1 The master keys with remote control
determine the functions of the Key
Memory. Refer to page 53.
There is an extended-life battery
in every master key which is
charged automatically in the steering
lock as you drive.
For this reason, if you have a master
key that is otherwise not used, use that
key approximately once every year
while driving for an extended period.
This will charge the battery. Refer also
to 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 the glove compartment
cannot be operated with this key Ð
this is recommended for valet park-
ing, for instance.
Replacement keysReplacement keys are available exclu-
sively through your BMW center. Since
the keys belong to a security system
(refer to "Electronic vehicle immobilizer"
on page 33), your BMW center is obli-
gated to be sure that a person request-
ing a key is authorized to do so.
If possible, take all of the master
keys that belong to the vehicle
with you when you pick up your re-
placement key.
When you receive a new replacement
key, turn that key to position 2 in the
ignition lock once (ignition switched on)
and then back. This allows the elec-
tronic vehicle immobilizer to "learn" the
new key.<

33n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
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
engine using any means other than the
special keys furnished with the vehicle.
Your BMW center can cancel the elec-
tronic system authorization for individual
keys (in the event of loss, for instance). A
deactivated key can no longer be used
to start the engine.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 Opening and closing Ð 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 and
>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 out-
side, the antitheft system is activated
simultaneously. Both the door locks
and the safety lock buttons remain
locked. The alarm system
* is also
armed or disarmed.
If locked from the inside, the central
locking system unlocks automatically in
the event of an accident. In addition,
the hazard warning flashers and interior
lamps come on.
Using the keyOne turn of the key in the driver's door
lock unlocks the driver's door only.
Turning the key a second time unlocks
the passenger-side 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 power 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 be sure that no one is injured.
Releasing the key stops the opera-
tion.<
Manual operation (in the event of electrical malfunction)
Turn the key to the extreme left or right
to unlock/lock the door.

35n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Opening and closing Ð from outsideUsing the remote control The remote control makes opening and
locking the doors of your vehicle very
convenient. Furthermore, it provides
two additional functions that can only
be executed by means of the remote
control:
>Switch on the interior lamps
With this function, you can also
"search for" your car Ð when parked
in an underground garage, for in-
stance.
>Open the luggage compartment
The luggage compartment lid will
open slightly, regardless of whether
the lid was previously locked or un-
locked.
The anti-theft system is also deacti-
vated simultaneously when you unlock
the vehicle, the alarm system
* is dis-
armed, and the interior lamps are
turned on. When you lock the vehicle,
the systems are activated and armed,
and the lamps go off.
You can have a confirmation mes-
sage set to inform you that the car
has been properly locked.<
Master keysKeys with remote control are master
keys. Refer to page 32.
Children might be able to lock the
doors from the inside. For this rea-
son, always take the vehicle keys with
you so that the vehicle can be opened
again from the outside at any time.<460de494
Master keys that are used repeat-
edly are always ready for opera-
tion since the battery in the transmitter
is charged automatically in the steering
lock as you drive.
If it is no longer possible to unlock the
vehicle via the remote control, the bat-
tery is discharged. Use this key while
driving for an extended period in order
to charge the battery. Refer also to
page 32.
To prevent unauthorized use of the re-
mote control, surrender only the door
and ignition key or the spare key (refer
to page 32) when leaving the vehicle for
valet parking, for example.
In the event of a system malfunction,
please contact your BMW center.
You can also obtain replacement keys
there.<