automatic transmission BMW 328Ci COUPE 2000 E46 User Guide

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RepairsIndexOverview Controls Car care Technology Data
Automatic transmission with Steptronic
*
D Drive (automatic shift program)This position is designed for driving un-
der all normal operating conditions. All
forward gears are available, the Adap-
tive Transmission Control (ATC) is fully
operational."Kickdown" (automatic downshift)In the "Kickdown" mode, you achieve
maximum performance.
To activate this mode, depress the ac-
celerator pedal beyond the full-throttle
position, at which a resistance point
must be overcome.
M/S Manual operation and
Sport programShifting from D into M/S activates the
Sport program and indicates SD in the
gear indicator. This position is recom-
mended in the event a performance-
oriented driving style is desired.
At the slightest touch, the automatic
transmission shifts out of the Sport pro-
gram into manual operation.
Whenever you start to move the selector
lever forward in the "+" direction, the
transmission upshifts; moving it back-
ward in the direction of "–", shifts it
downward. M1 to M5 appear in the gear
indicator.462de210
The ATC will carry out upshifting and/or
downshifting only at the appropriate
number of RPMs and speed, e. g.
downshifting will not occur if the engine
speed is too high. The desired, then the
actual gear, briefly show up in the in-
strument cluster.
To accelerate quickly in the man-
ual mode, e. g. to pass, downshift
to manual or kickdown.<
Shifting from M/S to the selector lever
positions P, R and N is possible only by
going through D.

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Automatic transmission with Steptronic
*
The Steptronic will "think" for you in the
following situations:
>In order to keep the engine from
overrevving, it will automatically shift
into the next higher gear shortly be-
fore the governed speed.
>If you do not do anything to interfere,
it will automatically downshift at
lower speeds.
>In kickdown, it will downshift into the
lowest gear possible, depending on
the engine speed.
Available displays
P R N D SD M1 M2 M3 M4 M5462us019
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 perfor-
mance has been restored. Drive off
normally.
If the indicator lamp does not go out, all
selector lever positions can still be se-
lected; however in the forward positions
the vehicle has limited performance as
it drives only in 3
rd and 4
th gear.
If this happens, avoid extreme engine
loads and consult the nearest authorized
BMW center.
Do not carry out any work on the
car in the engine compartment
without first making sure that the selector
lever is in position P or N, and that
the parking brake has been set.<
For towing, tow-starting or jump-start-
ing the vehicle, refer to the information
beginning on page 156.

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RepairsIndexOverview Controls Car care Technology Data
Cruise control 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 the cruise speed is either exceeded
or not met for an extended length of
time, e. g., when you step on the
accelerator pedal.
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 out and the stored speed
is deleted.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).<

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RepairsIndexOverview Controls Car care Technology Data
Winter operation
Do not shift down on slick road
surfaces. Doing so could cause
the rear wheels to lose traction and
skid, that could result in the loss of
vehicle control.<
Depress the clutch during hard
braking on road surfaces that pro-
vide only poor or uneven traction.<
Skid control Depress the clutch and release the
accelerator pedal, or place the selector
lever of the automatic transmission into
the "Neutral" position. Countersteer
carefully and attempt to regain control
of the vehicle.
ParkingEngage 1st or reverse gear. If your car
is equipped with an automatic transmis-
sion, place the selector lever in "Park".
On vehicles with manual transmission,
also apply the parking brake when
parking on inclined surfaces. In order to
prevent the parking brake linings from
locking due to frost or corrosion, dry
them by gently applying the parking
brake as the vehicle is coming to a
stop. Make sure that following traffic is
not endangered.
The brake lamps do not light up
when the parking brake is ap-
plied.<

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RepairsIndexOverview Controls Car care Technology Data
Engine oilChecking oil level 1 Park the vehicle on a level surface
2 Shut the engine off after it has
reached normal operating tempera-
ture
3 After approx. 5 minutes, pull the dip-
stick out and wipe it off with a clean
lint-free cloth, paper towel, or similar
material
4 Push the dipstick all the way into the
guide tube and pull it out again
5 The oil level should be between the
two graduations on the dipstick.
As with fuel economy, oil consumption
is directly influenced by your driving
style and vehicle operating conditions.462de244
The space between the two marks on
the dipstick corresponds to approx.
1.1 US quarts (1 liter). Do not fill beyond
the upper mark on the dipstick. Excess
oil will damage the engine.460de189
To add oil Wait until the level has dropped to just
above the lower mark before adding oil.
But never let the oil drop below the
lower mark.
BMW engines are designed to op-
erate without oil additives; the use
of additives could lead to damage in
some cases. This also applies for the
manual transmission, automatic trans-
mission, differential and the power
steering system.<462de245

Overview
Controls and features
Operation, care
and maintenance
Owner service procedures
Technical data
Index Advanced technology
159n
RepairsIndexOverview Controls Car care Technology Data
Adaptive Transmission Control
(ATC)160
Airbags161
Dynamic Stability Control
(DSC)161
Radio reception162
Safety belt tensioner162
Rearview mirror with automatic
dimmer163
Tire Pressure Control (RDC)164
Rain sensor165
Self-diagnostics166
Xenon lamp167

160n
On vehicles with automatic transmis-
sion, the ATC (Adaptive Transmission
Control) uses a number of factors to
calculate the maximally efficient gear. In
this process, it considers your individ-
ual driving style as well as current driv-
ing conditions.
ATC recognizes your personal driving
style from the positions and movements
of the accelerator pedal, deceleration
when braking and lateral acceleration
through curves. Based on different shift
characteristics – from comfort-oriented
to performance-oriented – ATC will se-
lect the appropriate gear.
462uso11
In order to include driving conditions in
its calculations, ATC registers curves
and both uphill and downhill gradients.
For example, if you maintain speed
through a curve, it does not upshift. On
uphill gradients, it shifts up only when
the engine speed increases in order to
make more efficient use of power re-
serves. On downhill gradients, ATC
shifts down when the speed of the vehi-
cle increases and the driver must apply
the brakes.
ATC
*

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Weights
BMW 323Ci BMW 328Ci
Curb weight (with one person, ready for operation, full tank of fuel, options not included)
with manual transmission
with automatic transmissionlbs (kg)
lbs (kg)3,153 (1,430)
3,213 (1,457)3,197 (1,450)
3,256 (1,477)
Approved gross vehicle weight
with manual transmission
with automatic transmissionlbs (kg)
lbs (kg)4,211 (1,910)
4,255 (1,930)4,270 (1,937)
4,314 (1,957)
Approved front axle weight lbs (kg) 1,962 (890) 1,973 (895)
Approved rear axle weight lbs (kg) 2,348 (1,065) 2,370 (1,075)
Approved roof load capacity lbs (kg) 165 (75) 165 (75)
Luggage compartment capacity cu ft (liters) 14.5 (410) 14.5 (410)
Never exceed either the approved axle weights or the gross vehicle weight.

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RepairsIndexOverview Controls Car care Technology Data
Capacities
Notes
Fuel tank
reserve gal. (liters)
gal. (liters)approx. 16.6 (approx. 63)
approx. 2.1 (approx. 8)Fuel specification: Page 26
Windshield washer system/
Headlamp washer system
*
quarts (liters) approx. 5.6 (approx. 5.3) For details: Page 122
Cooling system including heater circuit quarts (liters) approx. 8.9 (approx. 8.4) For details: Page 126
Engine oil and filter change quarts (liters) approx. 6.9 (approx. 6.5) BMW High Performance
Synthetic Oil
Specifications: Page 124
Manual transmission, automatic transmission
and differential– Lifetime fluid, no fluid change
required

Everything from A to ZAABS (Antilock Brake
System) 22, 106
Accessories 6
Activated charcoal
filter 93, 154
Adaptive Transmission
Control (ATC) 66, 160
Adding engine oil 123
Adding washer fluid 173
Adjust the backrest 47
Adjust the temperature 90
Adjust the thigh support
area 49
Adjusting steering wheel 51
Air distribution 90
Air outlets 88
Air pressure 113
Air supply 91
Airbags 21, 57, 135, 161
Alarm system 42
Antenna 112
Antenna, Diversity 162
Antifreeze 126
Antifreeze, radiator 110
Antilock Brake System
(ABS) 22, 106
Anti-theft alarm system 42
Aquaplaning 104, 113
Armrest 95
Ashtray 96
Assisted rear entry 49AUC (Automatic
recirculated-air
control) 91
Automatic car washes 130
Automatic climate
control 88
remove window
condensation 91
Automatic recirculated-air
control (AUC) 91
Automatic speed control 72
Automatic transmission with
Steptronic 22, 66
Average consumption 78
Average speed 79
Avoiding unwanted
alarm 43
Axle loads 172
BBackrest
release 49
Backup lamps 65
bulb replacement 143
Battery 151, 174
capacity 174
charge 153
discharged 156
removal and
installation 152
Battery charge current 20
Belts 55Blower 91
BMW High Performance
Synthetic Oil 124
BMW Sports Seat 49
Bore 170
Brake fluid 127
Brake hydraulic system 20
Brake lamps
bulb replacement 143
Brake pads 22
Brake-in procedure 104
Brakes 108
Brakes, brake faults 109
Breaking in the vehicle 104
Bulb replacement 140
CCar Memory 54
Car phone, please refer to
the manufacturer's
operating instructions
Car radio 112
reception 112, 162
refer also to the car radio
operating instructions
Car vacuum cleaner,
connecting 96
Car wash 130
Care
exterior 131
interior 132
Care of upholstery 133Care of wool velour 133
Cargo loading 100
Caring for the vehicle
finish 131
Cassette operation, refer to
the radio operating
instructions
Catalytic converter 105
CBC (Cornering Brake
Control) 21, 107
CD mode, refer to the radio
operating instructions
Cellular phones 95, 112
Center (high-mount) brake
lamp 145
Center armrest 95
Central locking system 34
key 38
Changing tires 148
Check air pressure 27
Check Control 77
Child restraint
systems 56, 60
Child seat 56, 60
Cigarette lighter 96
Clock 77
refer also to the onboard
computer operating
instructions
Clothes hooks 97
Cockpit 16