BMW 323ci Convertible (2000 year). Instruction - part 5
56nEntering the rear
Lumbar support*
If you tip the backrest back into place
and hold the button (2) pressed oppo-
site the driving direction, the seat
moves back into the previous position.
If the button (2) is released before-
hand, the seat stops in the re-
spective position. It does not need to
be released with the lever (1) to tip it
back into place again.<
Lock both back restraints while
driving, otherwise there is a dan-
The seat-integrated safety belt system
You can adjust the backrest's contour
ger of an unexpected movement caus-
ensures easier access to the back seat.
for additional support in the curvature
ing an accident.<
It is not necessary to adjust anything on
of your spine's lumbar region.
the safety belt system. It automatically
The upper hips and spinal column re-
adjusts to different body sizes.
ceive supplementary support to help
1 Pull up the lever (1) and tip the back-
you maintain a relaxed, upright posture.
rest forward
> Press front/rear of switch:
2 Press the button (2) in the driving
Increase/decrease curvature
direction and keep it pressed until
> Press the upper/lower end of the
the seat has moved into the desired
switch:
position.
Increase the upper/lower curvature.
The backrest can be locked while
tipped forward. This is practical,
for example, when entering the back
seat on a hill. To do this, press against
the backrest until it clicks into place. It
does not need to be released with the
lever (1) to tip it back into place again.<
Seat and mirror memory*
57n
To select a stored setting
Your BMW center can adjust your
vehicle's systems in such a man-
Convenience function:
ner that your personalized settings are
1 Open the driver's door after unlock-
automatically set for the seat, head
ing or set the ignition key in posi-
restraint and outside mirror positions
tion 1
when you unlock the vehicle with your
2 Briefly press memory button 1, 2 or 3,
personal remote control.<
as desired.
The adjustment cycle is canceled im-
If you make use of this method of
mediately if you press a seat adjust-
adjustment, be sure that the foot-
ment switch or one of the memory
well behind the driver's seat is unob-
buttons.
structed before unlocking the vehicle.
Security function:
If you fail to do so, any persons or ob-
You can store and recall three different
1 With the driver's door closed and the
jects behind the seat could be injured
driver's seat and outside mirror posi-
ignition key either removed or in posi-
or damaged by a rearward movement
tions. The illustration shows the buttons
tion 0 or 2
of the seat.<
on the driver's seat, for making these
position adjustments.
2 Maintain pressure on the desired
memory button (1, 2 or 3) until the
The setting for the head restraint
adjustment process is completed.
is stored in memory, but the set-
If you press the MEMORY button acci-
ting for the lumbar support is not.<
dentally: press the button again; the
indicator lamp goes out.
To store
1 Turn the key to ignition key position
Do not select a memory position
1 or 2
while the vehicle is moving. If you
2 Set the desired positions for the seat,
do so, there is a risk of accident from
head restraint and outside mirror
unexpected seat movement.<
3 Press the MEMORY button: the indi-
cator lamp in the button lights up
4 Press memory button 1, 2 or 3, as
desired. Indicator lamp goes out.
58nSeat and mirror memory* Adjusting steering wheel Mirrors
Passenger side exterior mirror
1 Push the locking lever downward
Exterior mirrors
tilt function
2 Adjust the steering wheel for your
1 Switch for 4-way adjustment
(automatic curb monitor)*
seating position
2 Selector switch for changing
3 Pull the lever back in to clamp the
1 Move the mirror selector switch 1 to
between mirrors
steering wheel in the new position.
the "driver's mirror" position
2 When the selector lever is placed in
Do not adjust the steering wheel
"Reverse", the passenger-side mirror
while the vehicle is moving. If you
tilts downward. This allows the driver
do so, there is a risk of accident from
to see the area directly adjacent to
unexpected movement.<
the vehicle during parking (curbs,
etc.).
You can deactivate this automatic fea-
ture by setting the mirror selector switch
to the "passenger side" position.
Mirrors
59n
You can also adjust the mirrors manu-
ally by pressing against the outer edges
of their lenses.
The mirror on the passenger's
side features a lens with a more
convex surface than the mirror installed
on the driver's side. When estimating
the distance between yourself and
other traffic, bear in mind that the ob-
jects reflected in the mirror are closer
than they appear. Estimating the dis-
tance between you and the traffic be-
Interior rearview mirror
Inside rearview mirror with
hind you is therefore imprecise.<
To reduce glare from behind when
automatic dimming feature*
driving at night, turn the knob.
By responding to the effects of ambient
Electric defrosting
light and the glare from following traffic,
Both mirrors are automatically defrost-
Sun visors
this mirror automatically dims through
ed with the ignition key in position 2.
an infinitely variable range.
These can be folded down toward the
windshield or swiveled out against the
The mirror switches to its clear, un-
side windows.
dimmed mode whenever the trans-
mission is placed in reverse gear
(selector lever in "Reverse").
For proper functioning of the mirror, be
sure that the two photocells are unob-
structed and clean. One of the photo-
cells (arrow) is positioned in the mirror's
glass, while the other is slightly offset
on the opposite side of the mirror.
For an explanation of the electro-chro-
mic technology used in this mirror, refer
to page 175.
60nCar Memory, Key Memory
When your vehicle is unlocked with the
remote control, the vehicle recognizes
the individual user by means of a data
exchange with the key, and makes ad-
justments accordingly.
In order for you to distinguish between
different keys, colored decals are sup-
plied together with the keys.
What the system can do
Your BMW center can provide you with
details on the capabilities of the Car
How the system functions
Memory and Key Memory systems.
You have probably frequently wished
that you could configure individual
You will see this symbol through-
functions of your vehicles to reflect
out the Owner's Manual. It is to
your own personal requirements. In
remind you at appropriate places of the
engineering your vehicle, BMW has in-
settings that are available to you.<
cluded several user-defined functions
in the vehicle's design. Your BMW cen-
An example of Key Memory is the auto-
ter can make these settings for you in
matic adjustment of the power driver's
accordance with your wishes.
seat with stored settings for the indi-
vidual person when the vehicle is un-
There are settings related to the vehicle
("Car Memory") and settings related to
locked.
individuals ("Key Memory"). You can
have up to four different basic settings
adjusted for four different persons. The
only requirement is that each person
uses his or her own remote control key.
Safety belts
61n
For your safety, comply with the
To prevent undesired belt movements
following instructions for wearing
at high speeds, leave the safety belts
safety belts. If you do not, the safety
for the back seat in their holders when
belts may not be able to provide their
they are not required.<
maximum protection. The following in-
formation also applies to your passen-
For child restraint system installation,
gers: never allow more than one person
refer to page 66.
to wear a single safety belt. Never allow
For care instructions, refer to "Car care"
infants or small children to ride in a pas-
on page 142.
senger's lap.
Avoid twisting the belt while routing it
If the safety belt system has been
firmly across your hips and shoulder.
subjected to the stresses involved
Do not allow the belt to rest against
Fasten your safety belt at the beginning
in an accident or otherwise damaged:
hard or fragile objects in your pockets.
of every trip.
Have the entire safety belt mechanism
Do not route the belt across your neck,
replaced by your BMW center, including
To fasten: make sure you hear the lock
or run it across sharp edges and ensure
the safety belt tensioner. In addition,
engage in the belt buckle.
that the belt does not become caught
have your BMW center inspect the
To release: press the red button in the
or jammed.
safety belt anchors. If a child restraint
buckle. Hold the belt and guide it back
Be sure that the safety belt fits snugly
system was in the vehicle during an
into its reel.
against your body at all times, and
accident, consult the manufacturer's
avoid wearing clothing that prevents
instructions regarding replacement.c
Before using the rear safety belts,
the belt from fitting properly. Pull on the
take them out of their holder.<
belt periodically to readjust the tension
Child restraint systems*
over your shoulder. In the event of a
frontal impact, a loose lap belt could
Never install a rear-facing child re-
slide over your hips, leading to abdomi-
straint system in the front passen-
nal injury. In addition, the safety belt's
ger seat. If you do so, the child could
restraint effectiveness is reduced if the
be injured in an accident when the
belt is worn loosely. Expectant mothers
airbag is triggered. Do not modify the
should always wear their safety belts,
child restraint system in any way. If you
taking care to position the lap belt
do so, it will not provide your child with
against the lower hips, where it will not
maximum protection.<
exert pressure against the abdominal
area.
62nISOFIX Attachment of the child seat*
To prevent undesired belt move-
ments at high speeds, leave the
safety belts for the back seat in their
holders when they are not required.<
The mounts for the ISOFIX child re-
straint system are not visible from the
outside, but are marked by 2 colored
spots.
The illustration shows the left rear seat
by way of example.
Please observe manufacturer service-
and safety precautions when attaching
the ISOFIX child restraint system.
Carefully press the brackets through
the separating lines in the upholstery at
the marked points.
Airbags
63n
Indicator lamp
The indicator lamp displays the
operational status of the airbag
system when the ignition key is
in position 1 and up.
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
1 Front airbags for driver and passenger
The illustration depicts schematically
before going out and then lighting up
2 Side airbags (front)
the primary directions of vehicle impact
again.
that initiate airbag deployment.
A system malfunction could prevent the
Protective effect
system from responding to an impact
The front airbags supplement the three-
occurring within its normal response
point safety belts by providing addi-
range.
tional protection for the front-seat oc-
Please have your BMW center inspect
cupants in the event of a severe frontal
and repair the system as soon as
collision in which the protection af-
possible.
forded by the belts alone may no longer
be sufficient. The side airbags help pro-
vide protection in the event of a colli-
sion from the side. Each of the side air-
bags is designed to help support the
upper body.
64nAirbags
Sitting correctly with airbags
area between the airbag and an occu-
At all times, occupants should sit
pant.
upright and be properly restrained
For your safety, comply with the
Do not use the cover panel above the
(infants and small children in appropri-
following instructions for the air-
passenger-side airbag as a storage
ate child restraint systems; larger chil-
bags. If you do not, the airbags may not
area.
dren and adults using the safety belts).
be able to provide their maximum pro-
Do not apply adhesive materials to the
Never let an occupant's head rest near
tection. All passengers in the vehicle
cover panels of the airbags, cover them
or on a side airbag because the inflating
should be aware of and comply with
or modify them in any other way.
airbag could cause a serious or fatal in-
this information:
Do not install a rear-facing child re-
jury. Please note that the word "Airbag"
The airbags are supplemental restraint
straint system in the front passenger
imprinted on the door trim panel indi-
devices designed to provide extra pro-
seat of this car.
cates the airbag's location.
tection; they are not a substitute for
Children under 13 years of age and
Accident research shows that the saf-
safety belts. Wear your safety belt at all
children less than 5 feet (150 cm) tall
est place for children in an automobile
times. The airbags will not be triggered
should ride only in the rear seat.
is in the rear seat. However, a child sit-
in the event of a minor accident, a vehi-
Infants or small children should never
ting in the rear seat and not properly re-
cle roll-over, or collisions from the rear.
be held on the lap of a passenger.
strained may place his or her head on
In these instances, the safety belt pro-
If your car is equipped with side airbags
or near the airbag, if so equipped. For
vides optimal protection.
in the rear passenger area, be sure that
example, a child — even though belted
Airbags are located under cover panels
child restraints are mounted correctly
— may fall asleep with his or her head
in the steering wheel, in the dashboard
and provided with the greatest-possible
against the side airbag. It may be diffi-
and in the side trim panels in the front.
distance between the airbags in the
cult for a driver to ensure that children
Adjust your seat to a position that pro-
side trim panels. Do not allow children
in the rear seat will remain properly po-
vides maximum distance between you
to lean out of the child's seat in the di-
sitioned at all times and not place their
and the steering wheel, the instrument
rection of the side trim panels. If they
heads on or near the side airbag.
panel and the door while still allowing
do so, serious injuries can occur if the
Therefore, we recommend that the rear
comfortable and safe access to all
airbag is triggered.<
seat side airbags, if so equipped, be
vehicle controls.
deactivated if children will travel in the
To avoid sustaining hand and arm inju-
rear seat.
ries, always grasp the steering wheel
The rear seat side airbags may already
on the rim with the hands at the 9 and
have been deactivated, either at the
3 o'clock positions. Do not place your
time of manufacture or by a BMW
hands on the center pad.
center. Labels in the rear door opening
Never allow any objects to obstruct the
Airbags
65n
should indicate the status of your rear
seat side airbags. If you are uncertain of
their status, or wish to have the airbags
activated or deactivated, please con-
tact your BMW center.<
Even when all these guidelines are ob-
served, there is still a small residual risk
of injuries to the face, hands and arms
occurring from airbag deployment in
isolated instances. The ignition and
inflation noise may provoke a mild
temporary hearing loss in extremely
This is the right way a child should sit in
This is the right way a larger child
sensitive individuals.
a child restraint when rear side airbags
should sit wearing the safety belt when
Airbag warning information is also
(arrow) are provided.
rear side airbags (arrow) are provided.
provided on the sun visors.
For additional information concerning
the airbag system, refer to pages 146
and 173.
66nChild restraints*
If the respective seating position is fit-
maximize the distance between the
ted with a headrest lift the headrest and
airbag and the child. Older children
pass the tether strap between the
should be tightly secured with a safety
headrest and the seat back.
belt. Younger children should be se-
cured in an appropriate forward-facing
Adjust the tether strap according to the
child restraint system that has first been
child restraint manufacturer's instruc-
properly secured with a safety belt.
tions.
Never install a rear-facing child restraint
system in the front passenger seat.
Before installing any child restraint
device or child seat, please read
We strongly urge you to carefully read
the following:
and comply with the instructions for in-
Never install a rear-facing child restraint
stallation and use provided by the child
Commercially-available child restraint
system in the front passenger seat of
restraint's manufacturer whenever you
systems are designed to be secured
this vehicle.
use such a device.
with a lap belt or with the lap belt por-
Your vehicle is equipped with an airbag
Be sure that all occupants (of all ages)
tion of a combination lap/shoulder belt.
supplemental restraint system for the
remain properly and securely restrained
Improperly or inadequately installed
front passenger. Because the backrest
at all times.<
restraint systems can increase the risk
on any rear-facing child restraint sys-
of injury to children. Always read and
tem (of the kind designed for infants
All rear seating positions in your vehicle
follow the instructions that come with
under 1 year and 20 Ibs./9 kg) would be
meet the recommendations of SAE
the system.
within the airbag's deployment range,
J1819, an industry-recommended prac-
you should never mount such a device
If you use a child restraint system with
tice for securing child restraint systems
in the front passenger seat, since the
a tether strap, two additional tether an-
in motor vehicles.
impact of the airbag against the child
chorage points (refer to the arrows in
restraint's backrest could lead to seri-
the illustration) have been provided.
ous or fatal injuries.
Depending on the location selected for
If it is necessary for a child (not an in-
seating in the rear passenger area, at-
fant) to ride in the front seat, certain
tach the tether strap to the correspond-
precautions should be taken. First,
ing anchorage point to secure the child
move the passenger seat as far away
restraint system.
from the dashboard as possible. This
important precaution is intended to
Installing a child restraint system
67n
Lock the safety belt
To release the belt
Extract the entire length of the belt from
Release the buckle, remove the child-
the inertia reel mechanism. Allow the
restraint device and allow the belt
reel to retract the belt somewhat and
retractor to reel the belt completely in.
engage the buckle, then tighten the belt
against the child restraint system. The
retraction mechanism is now locked.
The belt cannot be extracted farther.
Always comply with the installation
instructions provided by the manufac-
turer of the child restraint system.
All of the rear belt retractors and the
front passenger's safety belt can be
locked for mounting and securing child
restraint systems.
Information regarding this is located
near the buckle latch of each safety
belt.
68nRollover protection system
The rollover protection system is auto-
matically activated in the event of an
accident or other critical driving situa-
tion (extreme tilting along either the
longitudinal oder lateral axis, loss of
ground contact). The protective bar
located in the rear head restraints
thrusts outward within fractions of a
second.
In addition to the rollover bar that is
integrated into the windshield frame,
the rollover protection system provides
all vehicle occupants with necessary
If this safety feature is no longer
2
Pull the lever (arrow) forward and
headroom.
needed after it has been automatically
keep it in this position
deployed, then the rollover protection
Always keep the travel path for
system can be lowered again. No spe-
the rollover protection system free
cial tools of any kind are needed to do
and clear. Never attach any type of pro-
this.
tective coverings to the head restraints.
1 Use a screwdriver from the onboard
In less serious accidents, your safety
tool kit to remove the cover panel;
belt will protect you, and depending on
position it under the notch (arrow)
the severity of the accident, the safety
belt tensioner and the multi-stage air-
bag restraint system will as well.c
Rollover protection system
69n
Repeat the process with the second
protective bar. If you are not familiar
with any of the procedures, consult
your BMW center.
Have your BMW center check the roll-
over protection system if it ever triggers
for no apparent reason.
Never move the convertible top
after the rollover protection sys-
tem has been triggered.
Do not use the rear head restraints as a
3
Push down on the protective bar (1)
shelf.
from above until you hear it click into
Do not make any alterations to any of
place
the rollover protection system's individ-
4
Put the cover panel back in place,
ual components or its wiring.
and press down on it hard
Only your BMW center is authorized to
5
Push the back side of the head
carry out any work on the rollover pro-
restraint (2) into position.
tection system.
Work that is not done properly could
lead to failure during an emergency or
inadvertent triggering.
To ensure that the system check can be
carried out properly, and to ensure
long-term operation, do not deviate
from the prescribed maintenance inter-
vals. Maximum interval between roll-
over protection system maintenance is
2 years, and it must be carried out by
your BMW center.c