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BMW 323Ci (2000 year). Instruction - part 1

Owner’s Manual for the Vehicle.

With a quick reference guide

for your convenience.

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323Ci

328Ci

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. We therefore 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

contains important data and instructions intended to assist you in gaining maximum

use and satisfaction from the unique range of technical features on your BMW. The

manual also contains information on care and maintenance designed to enhance

operating safety and contribute to maintaining the value of your BMW throughout an

extended service life.

This Owner's Manual should be considered a permanent part of this vehicle. It should

stay with the vehicle when sold to provide the next owner with important operating,

safety and maintenance information.

This manual is supplemented by a Service and Warranty Information Booklet

(US models) or a Warranty and Service Guide Booklet (Canada models). We recom-

mend that you read these publications thoroughly.

Your BMW is covered by the following warranties:

- New Vehicle Limited Warranty

- Limited Warranty Rust Perforation

- Emissions System Defect Warranty

- Emissions Performance Warranty

- California Emissions Control System Limited Warranty

Detailed information about these warranties is listed in the Service and Warranty

Information Booklet (US models) and the Warranty and Service Guide Booklet

(Canada models).

We wish you an enjoyable driving experience.

BMW AG

Notes on the Owner's Manual

Symbols used

The individual vehicle

We have made every effort to ensure

These sections contain vital infor-

On buying your BMW, you have de-

that you are able to find what you need

mation - please read the accom-

cided in favor of a model with individu-

in this Owner's Manual as quickly as

panying text passages carefully, for

alized equipment and features. This

possible. The fastest way to find certain

your safety, the safety of others and to

Owner's Manual describes all models

topics is by using the detailed index at

prevent damage to your BMW.<

and equipment that BMW offers within

the end. If you wish to gain only an ini-

the same range.

tial overview of your vehicle, you will

These passages contain informa-

We hope you will understand that

find this in the first chapter.

tion on special and unique fea-

equipment and features are included

The detailed table of contents immedi-

tures of your vehicle.<

which you might not have chosen for

ately following the index is intended to

your vehicle. Any differences can easily

arouse your curiosity about your BMW

Special information on

be identified, as all optional accessories

and stimulate you to read about it.

recycling.<

and special equipment are marked with

Should you wish to sell your BMW at

an asterisk *.

< Indicates the end of a note.

some time in the future, please remem-

If your BMW features equipment which

ber to hand over the Owner's Manual to

is not described in this Owner's Manual

* Indicates special equipment, country-

the new owner; it is part of the vehicle.

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

specific equipment and optional extras.

Should you have any further questions,

mentary) Owner's Manuals are en-

your BMW center will be glad to assist

closed. We ask you to read these man-

Denotes vehicle parts for which

at any time.

uals as well.

you should consult this Owner's

Manual.

Alerts you to functions that can

be adjusted for individual drivers

by your authorized BMW center

Munich, Germany

("Car Memory" or "Key Memory"). Refer

Reprinting, including excerpts, only with the

written consent of BMW AG, Munich.

to page 54.<

Part number 01 41 0 155 026

US VI/99

Printed in Germany

Printed on environmentally friendly paper

(bleached without chlorine, suitable for recycling).

Status at time of printing

BMW pursues a policy of continuous,

ongoing development that is conceived

to ensure that our vehicles continue to

embody the highest quality and safety

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. Nor

can errors and omissions be entirely

ruled out. You are therefore asked to

appreciate that no legal claims can be

entertained on the basis of the data,

illustrations or descriptions in this

manual.

For your own safety

Important safety information!

Installation and operation of non-BMW

For your own safety, use genuine

approved accessories such as alarms,

Use unleaded gasoline only.

parts and accessories approved by

radios, amplifiers, radar detectors,

Fuels containing up to 10% etha-

BMW.

wheels, suspension components, brake

nol or other oxygenates with up to 2.8%

When you purchase accessories tested

dust shields, telephones (including op-

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

and approved by BMW and Original

eration of any portable cellular phone

3% methanol plus an equivalent

BMW Parts, you simultaneously acquire

from within the vehicle without using an

amount of co-solvent) will not void the

the assurance that they have been thor-

externally mounted antenna) or trans-

applicable warranties with respect to

oughly tested by BMW to ensure opti-

ceiver equipment (such as C.B., walkie-

defects in materials or workmanship.

mum performance when installed on

talkie, ham radio or similar) may cause

Field experience has indicated signifi-

your vehicle.

extensive damage to the vehicle, com-

cant differences in fuel quality (i.e. vola-

BMW warrants these parts to be free

promise its safety, interfere with the

tility, composition, additives, etc.)

from defects in material and workman-

vehicle's electrical system or affect the

among gasolines offered for sale in the

ship.

validity of the BMW Limited Warranty.

United States and Canada. The use of

BMW will not accept any liability for

See your authorized BMW center for

poor-quality fuels may result in drive-

damage resulting from installation of

additional information.

ability, starting and stalling problems

parts and accessories not approved by

Do not use key or remote to lock doors

especially under certain environmental

BMW.

or luggage compartment lid with any-

conditions, such as high ambient tem-

BMW cannot test every product from

one inside the car. See page 34 for

perature and high altitude.

other manufacturers to verify if it can be

more details.

Should you encounter driveability prob-

used on a BMW safely and without risk

"Maintenance, replacement, or repair of

lems that you suspect could be related

to either the vehicle, its operation, or its

the emission control devices and sys-

to the fuel you are using, we recom-

occupants.

tems may be performed by any automo-

mend that you respond by switching to

Original BMW Parts, BMW Accessories

tive repair establishment or individual

a recognized high-quality brand.

and other products approved by BMW,

using any certified automotive part".c

Failure to comply with these recom-

together with professional advice on

mendations may result in unscheduled

using these items, are available from all

maintenance.

BMW centers.

Follow the relevant safety rules when

you are handling 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 that 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.

Overview

Controls and features

Operation, care

and maintenance

Owner service procedures

Advanced technology

Technical data

Index

Contents

Cockpit

Locks and security systems:

Manual transmission

Instrument cluster

Keys 32

Automatic transmission with

Indicator and warning lamps

Electronic vehicle

Steptronic

Multi-function steering wheel

immobilizer

Turn signal/Headlamp flasher

Hazard warning system

Central locking system

Wiper/washer system/Rain

Warning triangle

Door locks - from outside

sensor

First-aid kit

Using the key

Rear window defroster

Refueling

Using the remote control

Cruise control

Fuel specifications

Door locks - from inside

Everything under control:

Tire inflation pressure

Luggage compartment lid

Odometer 74

Luggage compartment

Tachometer

Alarm system

Energy control

Electric power windows

Fuel gauge

Sliding/tilt sunroof

Temperature gauge

Adjustments:

Service Interval Display

Seats

Check Control

Seat and mirror memory

Clock

Steering wheel

Onboard computer 77

Mirrors

Technology for safety and

Car Memory, Key Memory 54

convenience:

Passenger safety systems:

Park Distance Control (PDC)

Safety belts

Dynamic Stability Control

Child restraint systems

(DSC)

Airbags

Tire Pressure Control (RDC)

Driving:

Steering/ignition lock

Starting the engine

Switching off the engine

Parking brake

11n

Lamps:

Special operating instructions:

Under the hood:

Parking lamps/Headlamps

Break-in procedures

104

Hood 119

Instrument panel rheostat

Driving notes

104

Engine compartment

120

High beams/Parking lamps

Catalytic converter

105

Washer fluids

122

Fog lamps 85

Antilock Brake System

Washer nozzles

122

Interior lamps

(ABS)

106

Engine oil

123

Reading lamps

Disc brakes

108

Coolant

126

Brake system

109

Brake fluid

127

Controlling the climate

Winter operation

110

Vehicle Identification

for pleasant driving:

Power steering

112

Number 128

Automatic climate control

Cellular phones

112

Heated seats

Care and maintenance:

Radio reception

112

Roller sun blind

The BMW Maintenance

Wheels and tires:

System 129

Cabin convenience:

Tire inflation pressures

113

Caring for your car

130

HiFi System

Tire condition

113

Airbags

135

Glove compartment

Tire replacement

114

Vehicle storage

136

Storage compartments

Tire rotation

114

Cellular phones

Laws and regulations:

Wheel and tire

Ashtray

Technical modifications

combinations

115

Cigarette lighter

to the vehicle

136

Winter tires

116

Clothes hooks

OBD connector 137

Snow chains 116

Loading and transporting:

Approved wheel and tire

Through-loading facility

specifications

117

Ski bag

Cargo loading

100

Roof-mounted luggage rack

101

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