BMW 328Ci CONVERTIBLE 2000 E46 Owner's Guide

21n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Indicator and warning lampsYellow: stop immediately
Engine oil level

Comes on while driving:
Stop the vehicle immediately
and switch off the engine. The oil level
is at the absolute minimum.
For additional information, refer to
page 133.
Do not continue driving until you
have refilled the engine oil. If you
continue to drive, the engine could be
damaged because of inadequate
lubrication.<
Red and yellow: continue driving
cautiously
Cornering Brake Control
(CBC) l
If the brake warning lamp
comes on together with the yel-
low indicator lamps for ABS and
DSC:
The entire ABS, CBC and DSC

control system has failed. Con-
tinue driving cautiously and defensively.
Avoid hard brake applications. Please
have the system checked by your BMW
center as soon as possible.
For additional information, refer to
pages 88, 115.
CBC, ABS and DSC indicator
and warning lamps for Canadian
models.
Red: an important reminder
Parking brake
Comes on when the parking
brake is applied – an additional
acoustic signal sounds when starting
off.
For additional information, refer to
page 72.
Brake warning lamp for Cana-
dian models.
Please fasten safety belts l
An acoustic warning signal
sounds at the same time. Lights
up for a few seconds or until the safety
belt is fastened.
For additional information on safety
belts, refer to page 61.
Airbags l
Please have the system in-
spected by your authorized
BMW center.
For additional information, refer to
pages 63, 173.

22n
Indicator and warning lampsOrange: consult the nearest
BMW center
Automatic transmission
*
Because of a malfunction, the
automatic transmission shifts
only in the emergency program. Please
consult the nearest BMW center.
For additional information, refer to
page 76.
Yellow: check as soon as possible
Antilock Brake System (ABS) l
ABS has been deactivated in
response to system malfunction.
Conventional braking efficiency is avail-
able without limitations. Please have
the system inspected by your BMW
center.
For additional information, refer to
page 115.
ABS warning lamp for Canadian
models.
Engine oil level
Comes on after the engine has
been switched off: check the
engine oil level.
For additional information, refer to
page 133.
Brake pads l
Have the brake pads checked.
For additional information, refer
to page 117.
Tire Pressure Control (RDC)
* l
Check the tire pressure.
For additional information, refer
to pages 27 and 89.
Dynamic Stability Control
(DSC) l
DSC has been deactivated in
response to system malfunction or by
means of the button. In the event of a
malfunction, have the system checked
by your BMW center.
For additional information, refer to
page 88.
Add washer fluid
The washer fluid is too low. Top
off the fluid at the earliest op-
portunity.
For additional information, refer to
page 132.
Service Engine Soon l
If the indicator lamp comes on
either continuously or intermit-
tently, this indicates a fault in the emis-
sions-related electronic systems. Al-
though the vehicle remains operational,
you should have the systems checked
by your BMW center at the earliest pos-
sible opportunity.
For additional information, refer to
page 149.
"Service Engine Soon" warning
lamp for Canadian models.

23n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Indicator and warning lamps
Engine Power Control (EML)
* l
Malfunction in the EML. Please
have the system inspected by
your BMW center.
Add coolant
The coolant level is too low. Top
off the coolant at the earliest op-
portunity.
For additional information, refer to
page 135.
Green: for your information
Turn signal indicators
Flashes when the turn signal
indicators are operated. Rapid
flashing indicates a system malfunction.
For additional information, refer to
page 77.
Cruise control
Lights up when the cruise con-
trol is activated. Available for
operation via the multifunction steering
wheel.
For additional information, refer to
page 80.
Fog lamps
Lights up whenever you switch
on the fog lamps.
For additional information, refer to
page 92.
Blue: for your information
High beams
Lights up when the high beams
are on or the headlamp flasher
is actuated.
For additional information, refer to
pages 77, 92.

24n
Multifunction steering wheel (MFL)The buttons integrated in the multifunc-
tion steering wheel are provided so that
you can operate a number of accesso-
ries quickly and without being distracted
from traffic conditions. You can operate:
>selected radio functions
>the cruise control
>selected cellular phone functions.
In order to operate a system via
the MFL, the corresponding sys-
tems must be switched on.<
1 Radio/Cellular phone: select
2 Cellular phone: receive a call, start
dialing, terminate a call
3 Radio/Cellular phone: volume
4 Radio/Cellular phone: scan backward
or station buttons or scroll through
the phone listings
5 Radio/Cellular phone: scan forward
or station buttons or scroll through
the phone listings46cde085
6 Horn: the entire surface
7 Cruise control: activate stored
setting (resume)
8 Cruise control: store and accele-
rate (+); decelerate and store (–)
9 Cruise control: activate/interrupt/
cancel.

25n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Hazard warning flashers Warning triangle
*
First-aid kit
*
The button flashes intermittently when
the hazard flashers are on.
To help you locate the button in an
emergency, the button is also illumi-
nated whenever the vehicle's lamps
are on.
The turn signal indicator function
takes priority over the hazard
warning flasher function. This means
that with the ignition key in position 1,
you can still use the turn signal indica-
tor funtion, even if the hazard warning
flashers are being used at the same
time.< 460us002
For easy access, the hazard warning
triangle is stored in the onboard tool kit
in the luggage compartment lid.
To open it, loosen the wing nut screw.
Comply with legal requirements
for keeping a hazard warning
triangle in the vehicle.<46cde028
The first-aid kit is located under the
passenger seat.
To open: press the button (arrow) and
fold the lid downward.
To close: fold the lid up until it audibly
engages.
Some of the articles in the first-aid
kit may be used within a limited
time only. For this reason, check the
expiration dates of each of the items
regularly, and replace any with passed
dates. You can purchase replacements
in any drugstore or pharmacy. Comply
with legal requirements for keeping a
first-aid kit in the vehicle.< 46cde084

26n
Refueling Fuel filler door
Before filling the tank, shut off the
engine. If you do not, fuel cannot
flow into the tank and the "Service
Engine Soon" lamp may come on.<
Press on the rear edge of the fuel filler
door to open and close it.
To unlock the filler door if the central
locking system malfunctions, refer to
page 165.
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
explosion, or lead to fire in the event
of a collision.<
462de275
Simple and environmentally
friendly
Open the filler cap carefully to
prevent fuel from spraying out.
Fuel spray may cause injury.<
Place (or put) 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
refueling
>results in premature pump shutoff
>and will reduce the effect of the vapor
recovery system on the pump.
The fuel tank will be full whenever the
filler nozzle has been used properly and
shuts off the first time.
Tank capacity: refer to page 185.
460de005
Close the fuel cap carefully after
refueling until a "click" is heard.
While closing, be sure not to squeeze
the strap which is fastened to the cap.
A loose or missing cap will activate the
Service Engine Soon lamp.<

27n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Fuel specifications Tire inflation pressure 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
provide enhanced performance and
lower fuel consumption, while the use
of fuels with low octane ratings will have
the opposite effect.
Do not use leaded fuels. The use
of leaded fuels will cause perma-
nent damage to the system's oxygen
sensor and the catalytic converter.<
AKI = Anti Knock Index
You will find the inflation pressures on
the inside door pillar (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 vehicles with Tire Pressure Control
(RDC)
*:
After correcting the tire inflation pres-
sure, reactivate the system. Refer to
page 89.
462de197
Check tire inflation pressures reg-
ularly – at least every two weeks
and before beginning a longer trip.
Otherwise, incorrect tire pressure can
lead to driving instability or to tire dam-
age and accidents.
Check the tire pressure in the space-
saver tire as well.<

28n
Tire inflation pressureObserve tire approval
specificationsThe inflation pressures in the table ap-
ply to tires made by BMW-approved
manufacturers. Your BMW center is
familiar with these pressures. Higher
pressures may be specified for tires
made by other manufacturers. Ap-
proved tire sizes are listed on
page 128.
Your vehicle is equipped with tires that
meet US and European standards. We
recommend the exclusive use of
BMW-approved tires.BMW Tires
All pressure specifications in
the table are indicated in psi
(kilopascal) with cold tires
(cold = ambient temperature)
323CiAll summer tires as well as
extra-load tires30 (220) 33 (230) 36 (250) 44 (300)
Winter tires 33 (230) 36 (250) 39 (270) 46 (320)
Space-saver tire 61 (420)
For all-season tires, use the same tire inflation pressure as for summer tires.

29n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview

30n
Opening and closing:
Keys32
Electronic vehicle immobilizer33
Central locking system34
Opening and closing – from
outside34
Opening and closing – from
inside38
Luggage compartment lid39
Luggage compartment40
Alarm system42
Electric power windows44
Manual convertible top45
The fully automatic
convertible top49
Wind deflector51
Adjustments:
Seats53
Seat and mirror memory57
Steering wheel58
Mirrors58
Car Memory, Key Memory60
Passenger safety systems:
Safety belts61
ISOFIX Attachment of
the child seat62
Airbags63
Child restraints66
Installing a child restraint
system67
Rollover protection system68
Controls