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BMW 318i (1998 year). Instruction - part 1

Owner’s Manual for the vehicle.

With a quick reference guide

for your convenience.

318i

318is

323i

Sedan

323is

Coupe

328i

Convertible

328is

Congratulations, and thank you for choosing a BMW.

Thorough familiarity with your vehicle will provide you with enhanced control and

security when you drive it. Therefore, we have this request:

Please take the time to read this Owner’s Manual and familiarize yourself with the

information that we have compiled for you before starting off in your new car. It con-

tains important data and instructions intended to assist you in extracting maximum use

and satisfaction from your BMW’s unique range of technical features. The manual also

contains information on care and maintenance designed to enhance operating safety

and contribute to maintaining your BMW’s value throughout an extended service life.

This Owner’s Manual should be regarded as a permanent part of the vehicle. When the

vehicle is sold, the manual should remain in the car to furnish the next owner with a

source of important information on operation, safety and maintenance procedures.

This manual is supplemented by a Service and Warranty Information booklet

(US models only). We recommend that you read this publication carefully.

Your BMW is covered by the following warranties:

- New Vehicle Limited Warranty

- Limited Rust Perforation Warranty

- Federal Emissions System Defect Warranty

- Federal Emissions Performance Warranty

- California Emission Control System Limited Warranty

Detailed information on these warranties is contained in the Service and Warranty

Information booklet.

We wish you many miles of driving pleasure and satisfaction.

BMW AG

Notes on the Owner's Manual

Symbols used

The individual vehicle

We have made every effort to ensure

In buying your BMW, you have de-

that you are able to find what you need

indicates notes you should defi-

cided in favor of a model with individu-

in this Owner's Manual as quickly as

nitely read - for the sake of your own

alized equipment and fittings. This

possible. The fastest way to find certain

safety and the safety of others, and to

Owner's Manual describes all models

topics is by using the detailed index at

avoid damages to your BMW.c

and equipment that BMW offers within

the end. If you require an initial over-

the same vehicle range.

view of your vehicle, this can be found

indicates notes that alert you to

We hope you will understand that this

in the first chapter. The detailed table of

specific features of your vehicle.c

manual describes equipment and fea-

contents immediately following the

tures which you might not have chosen

index is intended to arouse your curios-

for your vehicle. You can easily recog-

special information on recycling.c

ity about your BMW and stimulate you

nize any differences, as all optional

to read about it.

c indicates the end of a block of infor-

accessories are marked with an

mation.

If at some time you wish to sell your

asterisk *.

BMW, remember to leave the Owner's

* indicates special equipment, country-

If your BMW features equipment which

Manual with the vehicle; consider it part

specific equipment and optional extras.

is not described in this Owner's Manual

of the vehicle.

indicates that you should study

(e.g., car radio or telephone), (Supple-

Should you have any further questions,

the relevant section of this Owner's

mentary) Owner's Manuals are

your BMW Retailer will be glad to assist

Manual in connection with a particular

enclosed. We ask you to read these

at any time.

part or assembly.

manuals, too.

Munich, Germany

Reprinting, including excerpts, only with

the written consent of BMW AG,

Munich.

Order-No. 01 41 9 790 377

US VIII/97

Printed in Germany

Printed on environment-friendly paper

(recyclable and chlorine-free).

Status when going to press

BMW pursues a policy of continuous,

ongoing development that is conceived

to ensure that our vehicles continue to

embody the highest quality standards

combined with advanced, state-of-the-

art technology. For this reason, it is

possible that the features described in

this Owner’s Manual could differ from

those on your vehicle. We are unable to

completely eliminate the possibility that

errors might have occurred. We there-

fore ask you to accept that no claims of

a legal nature involving the specifica-

tions, illustrations and descriptions can

be considered.

For your own safety

Installation and operation of non-BMW

approved accessories such as alarms,

Important safety information!

radios, amplifiers, radar detectors,

Use unleaded gasoline only.

For your own safety, use genuine

wheels, suspension components,

Fuels containing up to 10% ethanol or

parts and accessories approved by

brake dust shields, telephones

other oxygenates with up to 2.8% ox-

BMW.

(including operation of any portable

ygen by weight (i.e. 15% MTBE or

When you purchase accessories

cellular phone from within the vehicle

3% methanol plus an equivalent

tested and approved by BMW and

without using an externally mounted

amount of co-solvent) will not void the

Original BMW Parts, you simulta-

antenna) or transceiver equipment

applicable warranties with respect to

neously acquire the assurance that

(e.g., C.B., walkie-talkie, ham radio or

defects in materials or workmanship.

they have been thoroughly tested by

similar) may cause extensive damage

Field experience has indicated signifi-

BMW to ensure optimum performance

to the vehicle, compromise its safety,

cant differences in fuel quality (i.e.,

when installed on your vehicle.

interfere with the vehicle’s electrical

volatility, composition, additives, etc.)

BMW warrants these parts to be free

system or affect the validity of the

among gasolines offered for sale in the

United States and Canada. The use of

from defects in material and work-

BMW Limited Warranty.

manship.

See your authorized BMW Retailer for

poor-quality fuels may result in driving,

additional information.

starting and stalling problems espe-

BMW will not accept any liability for

cially under certain environmental

damage resulting from installation of

Do not use key or remote control to

conditions, such as high ambient tem-

parts and accessories not approved

lock doors or luggage compartment

perature and high altitude.

by BMW.

with anyone inside the car.

Should you encounter problems while

BMW cannot test every product from

"Maintenance, replacement or repair

driving that you suspect could be

other manufacturers to verify if it can

of the emission control devices and

related to the fuel you are using,

be used on a BMW safely and without

systems may be performed by any

we recommend that you respond

risk to either the vehicle, its operation,

automotive repair establishment or

by switching to a recognized high-

or its occupants.

individual using any certified automo-

quality brand.

tive part."c

Original BMW Parts, BMW Accesso-

Failure to comply with these recom-

ries and other products approved by

mendations may result in unscheduled

BMW, together with professional

maintenance. Follow the relevant

advice on using these items, are avail-

safety rules when you are handling

able from all BMW Retailers.

gasoline.c

The following only applies to vehicles owned and operated in the US.

REPORTING SAFETY DEFECTS

If you believe that your vehicle has a defect which could cause a crash or could cause injury or death, you should

immediately inform the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in addition to notifying BMW of

North America, Inc., P.O. Box 1227, Westwood, New Jersey 07675-1227, Telephone (201) 307-4000.

If NHTSA receives similar complaints, it may open an investigation, and if it finds that a safety defect exists in a

group of vehicles, it may order a recall and remedy campaign. However, NHTSA cannot become involved in indi-

vidual problems between you, your dealer, or BMW of North America, Inc.

To contact NHTSA, you may either call the Auto Safety Hotline toll-free at 1-800-424-9393 (or 202-366-0123 in

Washington, D.C. area) or write to: NHTSA, U.S. Department of Transportation, Washington, DC 20590. You can

also obtain other information about motor vehicle safety from the Hotline.

At a glance

Controls and features

Care and maintenance

Owner service procedure

Advanced technology

Technical data

Index

Contents

Cockpit

Locks and security systems:

Driving:

Instrument cluster

Keys

Steering/ignition lock

Indicator and warning

Electronic immobilizing device

Starting the engine

lamps

Doors

Switching off the engine

Hazard warning system

Trunk lid

Parking brake

Hazard warning triangle

Luggage compartment

Manual transmission

First-aid kit

Power windows

Automatic transmission

Refueling

Sliding/tilt sunroof

Turn signals/high beam

Fuel specification

Convertible top operation

Wiper/washer system

CARB OBD II interface

Cruise control

Adjustments:

Tire inflation pressures

Seats

Everything under control:

Steering wheel

Odometer

Mirrors

Tachometer

Energy control

Passenger safety systems:

Fuel gauge

Safety belts

Coolant temperature gauge

Child restraint system

Service Interval Display

Installing child seats

Multi-Information Display (MID)

Airbags

Outside temperature display

Child-safety locks

and digital clock

Rollover protection system -

Check Control

convertible

Check Control with outside

temperature display and

digital clock

Onboard computer

Technology for driving comfort

and safety:

Automatic stability control

plus traction (ASC+T)

Contents

Lamps:

Special operating instructions:

Under the hood:

Parking lamps/low beams

Break-in procedures

100

Hood

118

Instrument panel lighting

Driving notes

100

Engine compartment

120

Foglamps

Catalytic converter

102

Washer fluids

124

Interior lamps

Antilock Brake System

Engine oil

124

Reading lamps

(ABS)

103

Coolant

127

Disc brakes

104

Brake fluid

128

An inviting climate:

Brake system

105

Power steering fluid

128

Heated seats

Winter driving

105

Vehicle Identification Number

129

Independent ventilation

Roof-mounted luggage rack

107

system

Care and maintenance:

Radio reception

108

Automatic climate control

The BMW Maintenance

Mobile phones

108

System

130

Cabin convenience:

Hardtop - Convertible

109

Caring for your car

131

BMW Hi-Fi System

Technical modifications

Cleaning and care

Glove compartment

to the vehicle

110

of the convertible top

136

Ashtray

Wheels and tires:

Vehicle storage

137

Coin box, cup holder

Tire inflation pressures

111

Cigarette lighter

Tire tread

111

Center arm rest, rear

Tire replacement

112

Through-loading system

Interaxle tire changes

112

Ski bag

The right choice

113

Cargo loading

Winter tires

114

Approved wheels and tires

115

Contents

Replacement procedures:

Airbags

156

Engine specifications 160

Onboard tool kit

140

Automatic Stability Control

Dimensions 161

Windshield wiper blades

140

plus Traction (ASC+T)

156

Weights 163

Lamps and bulbs

141

Radio reception

157

Capacities 166

Master key with

Safety belt tensioner

157

Electrical system 167

battery lamp

145

Drive belts 167

Changing tires

146

Battery

149

Fuses

151

In case of electrical

malfunction:

Fuel filler door

152

Sliding/tilt sunroof

152

Assistance, giving and receiving:

Jump-starting

153

Towing the vehicle

154

Towing

154

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