BMW 323Ci (2000 year). Instruction - part 12
152nBattery
A highly-explosive gas is gener-
Removal and installation
ated when the battery is
charged.
Do not disconnect the battery
cables when the engine is run-
If you happen to get acid in your
ning, otherwise the ensuing voltage
eyes, rinse thoroughly for 15 min-
surge will damage the vehicle's on-
utes with clear water. Consult a
board electronics.
physician immediately. Rinse your skin
Do not alter the positive terminal wiring
or clothing with plenty of water if you get
in any way, otherwise the safety battery
acid spray on them. If electrolyte is acci-
terminal's safety function will no longer
dentally ingested, consult a physician
be guaranteed. Repair and disposal are
immediately.
to be performed exclusively by trained
In order to protect the battery
Charge condition
technicians.<
case from ultraviolet radiation,
do not place it in direct sunlight.
With the help of the "Magic Eye", a
When removing the battery, disconnect
A discharged battery can freeze. Store
hydrometer, you can read the battery's
the cable on the negative terminal first,
the battery in areas where temperature
charge state:
then the cable on the positive terminal.
remains above freezing.
> Green: Adequate charge.
Loosen the center adjusting screw on
> Black: Not adequately charged. The
the battery retaining strap (use the
Battery care
battery must be recharged. Please
screwdriver included with the onboard
The battery is completely maintenance-
contact your authorized BMW center
tool kit) and disconnect the strap.
free, as per DIN 43 539/2; that is, the
for additional information.
When installing a battery, connect the
amount of acid put in the battery origi-
> Yellow: Replace the battery.
positive terminal first, then connect the
nally will normally last for the service life
negative terminal.
of the battery.
The service life specified for the
battery can be achieved only if it is
When installing a battery, be sure
always kept adequately charged. If the
that it is mounted properly and
vehicle is primarily used for stop-and-
that the retaining bracket is installed
go traffic, be sure to check the charge
with the center adjustment screw. If this
state often.<
is not done, the battery will not be ade-
quately secured in case of an acci-
dent.<
Battery
Fuses
153n
Charging the battery
Storage periods during which the
battery is disconnected are not
Charge the battery in the vehicle only
taken into consideration by the Service
when the engine is not running.
Interval Display for changing the brake
fluid.
Before doing any work on the
Therefore, make sure that the brake
electrical system, be sure to
fluid is changed every two years at the
unclamp the cable from the battery's
latest, regardless of the display. Com-
negative terminal, or it could cause
ply with the information provided on
short-circuiting, a fire or personal
page 127.<
injury.<
If the vehicle is to be parked longer than
4 weeks, disconnect the battery from
If an electrical accessory should fail,
the vehicle's electrical system by dis-
switch it off and check the fuse.
connecting the negative terminal cable.
In glove compartment
If you intend to store your car for longer
than six weeks: Remove the battery,
1 Open the glove compartment and
charge it and store it in a cool (but frost-
turn the two white quick-release
free) room. Recharge the battery every
fasteners outward. Spare fuses and
6 months at the latest, at the very least
plastic tweezers are located on the
before each installation, or else it will be
fuse holder
unusable. Every time the battery is dis-
2 Use the plastic tweezers to remove
charged, especially over extended peri-
the fuse for the accessory or equip-
ods, its service life is reduced.
ment that has stopped working
3 If the fuse is burned through (the
Return used batteries to a recy-
metal strip is melted and separated),
cling point or your authorized
replace it with a new fuse of the same
BMW center. Maintain the battery in an
ampere rating (color code).
upright position for transport and stor-
age. Secure the battery against tilting in
transit.<
154nFuses
Microfilter
The fuses, their respective ampere rat-
ings and the equipment in their circuits
are all indicated below the fuse holder.
To close the fuse holder, snap it into
position at the top and turn the two fas-
teners inward.
Do not attempt to repair a burned
fuse or replace it with a fuse hav-
ing a different color or amperage rating.
To do this could cause a fire in the vehi-
cle resulting from a circuit overload.<
1 Open the hood
4 Remove the filter by pulling toward
If a fuse blows repeatedly, refer the
2 Release the three fasteners (arrow)
the front and install a new one
problem to your authorized BMW center
with a 1/4-turn
5 Position the filter cover and secure it
for repair.
3 Remove the filter cover
with the three fasteners.
Fuel filler door
Sliding/tilt sunroof*
155n
Manual release
Manual operation
Pull the knob with the fuel pump symbol
1 Remove the interior lamp (refer to
(arrow) on the right trim panel of the
page 145), reach into the opening
luggage compartment.
and push out the panel
2 Turn the sunroof's steel crank with
the Allen key from the onboard tool
kit (refer to page 140) in the desired
direction.
156n
Jump-starting
Never use spray starter fluids.
6
If the battery on the support vehicle is
weak, start the engine and let it run
If the battery is discharged the engine
7
Start the engine on the vehicle need-
can be started with the use of two
ing the jump-start, and allow it to run
jumper cables and the battery of an-
as usual. If the first start attempt is
other vehicle. Always use jumper ca-
not successful, wait a few minutes
bles with fully insulated handles on the
before another attempt in order to
terminal clamps.
allow the discharged battery to re-
charge
Contact with parts conducting
8
Before disconnecting the jumper ca-
electrical current on a running
bles from your BMW, turn on the rear
engine can be harmful or fatal.<
window defroster and set the blower
Carefully comply with the following in-
The cover of the positive terminal
to the highest speed; allow the en-
connector is marked with a "+" sign.
gine to run approx. 10 seconds. This
structions to avoid personal injury and
damage to one or both vehicles:
Refer to the illustration. Remove by
will prevent a voltage surge from the
pulling the tab (arrow 1)
voltage regulator to the electrical
1
Ensure that the battery on the sup-
5
Then connect the negative terminals.
accessories
port vehicle is also rated at 12 volts,
Attach the cable to either the support
9
Then disconnect the jumper cables in
and that the capacities of the two
vehicle's negative battery terminal (-),
reverse sequence.
batteries (Ah) are roughly comparable
or to a suitable ground on its engine
Depending on the cause of the fault,
(printed on casing)
or bodywork. Then connect the other
recharge the battery.
2
Leave your battery connected to the
end of the cable to a ground on the
car electrical system
engine or on the bodywork of the ve-
3
Make sure that there is no contact
hicle that is to be started. This a spe-
between the bodywork of the two
cial nut that is provided on the BMW
vehicles - short circuit risk!
(arrow 2)
4
Start by connecting the jumper cable
from the positive terminal of the sup-
Observe the same sequence for
port vehicle to the positive terminal
connecting the jumper cables
connector located in your BMW's
when helping other vehicles, otherwise
engine compartment.
there is the risk of injury if sparks gener-
ate at the battery.<
Towing the vehicle
157n
Tow fitting
Rear
Towing with a commercial
The screw-in tow fitting is stored in the
Press out the cover panel with a screw-
tow truck
driver above on the recess.
onboard tool kit; be sure that it remains
> Do not tow with sling-type
in the vehicle at all times. This fitting is
equipment.
Tightly screw in the tow fittings all
designed for installation in the tow
> Use wheel lift or flat bed equipment.
the way, otherwise the threads
sockets located at the front and rear of
> Please comply with applicable towing
could be damaged.
the vehicle, and is intended for towing
laws.
Do not tow the vehicle by the chassis,
on proper road surfaces only. This fit-
as otherwise it could be damaged and
ting should not be used to pull a vehicle
Never allow passengers to ride in
also lead to an accident.<
out of deep snow, mud, sand, etc.
a towed vehicle for any reason.
Allways observe all applicable towing
Never attach tie-down hooks, chains,
laws and regulations.
straps, or tow hooks to tie rods, control
arms, or any other part of the vehicle
Access to tow sockets
suspension, as severe damage to these
Front
components will occur.c
Press out the cover panel with a screw-
driver above on the recess.
158n
159n
Adaptive Transmission Control
Overview
(ATC)
160
Airbags
161
Dynamic Stability Control
(DSC)
161
Radio reception
162
Controls and features
Safety belt tensioner
162
Rearview mirror with automatic
dimmer 163
Tire Pressure Control (RDC)
164
Operation, care
Rain sensor
165
Self-diagnostics
166
and maintenance
Xenon lamp 167
Owner service procedures
Advanced technology
Technical data
Index
160n
ATC*
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.
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.
Airbags
DSC
161n
The airbags located under the marked
Highly sensitive sensors monitor the
covers inflate and unfold in a matter of a
number of revolutions of the wheels,
few milliseconds. In this process they
steering angle, lateral acceleration,
tear through the rated breaking points
brake pressure and the movement of
of the upholstered covers or press them
the vehicle around its vertical axis.
out.
If differences in the wheel speeds oc-
Because the inflation process must be
cur, the system counteracts the danger
virtually instantaneous, it is necessarily
of wheelspin by reducing engine torque.
accompanied by a certain amount of
If necessary, the system also responds
ignition and inflation noise. The gas
with additional application of the brakes
required to inflate the airbags is not
at the rear wheels.
dangerous, and the associated smoke
If the system detects an instability in the
Deceleration sensors continuously
then dissipates.
vehicle's condition, the braking action
monitor the physical forces acting upon
The entire process is completed within
can also be directed to the front wheels
the vehicle. If, as the result of a frontal
fractions of a second.
by the DSC in order to help stabilize the
collision, a deceleration is reached at
vehicle.
which the protection of the safety belts
You may need some time to become
alone is no longer adequate, the gas
accustomed to this system's interven-
generators of the driver and passenger-
tion. However, it provides optimum pro-
front airbags are ignited. However, the
pulsive force and driving stability.
passenger-side airbag is only triggered
if an additional sensor has recognized
The braking intervention may be ac-
that the passenger seat is occupied.
companied by a certain degree of
noise.
In the event of a side collision, the Head
Protection and side airbags in the front
or rear* are triggered if necessary.
162nRadio reception
Safety belt tensioner
The limitations inherent to radio recep-
tion in a moving vehicle have been min-
imized by a number of innovative sys-
tem designs:
The "Radio Data System" (RDS) makes
sure that, for broadcast stations trans-
mitting on several frequencies, the ra-
dio automatically tunes to the frequency
with the best reception quality.
The Diversity Antenna system employs
several FM antennas integrated within
the rear window to provide three sepa-
The radio waves — medium-wave, long-
The safety belt tensioner responds to
rate sources for receiving broadcast
wave and short-wave — offer a wide
collisions by tightening the belts to en-
waves. An integral processor automati-
range of reception, because the broad-
sure that occupants remain firmly posi-
cally selects the antenna with the best
cast signals travel not only along the
tioned in their seats. A gas-pressure
FM reception quality at any given time.
ground as surface waves, but also as
system retracts the buckle assembly
The selection of the antenna takes
atmospheric waves bounced back to
to tension the shoulder and lap belts
place within milliseconds, and is there-
earth from the ionosphere.
within fractions of a second. This re-
fore not noticed by the radio listener.
Frequency-modulation (FM) provides
duces the tendency to slide under the
substantially better sound quality than
lap belt.
AM. However, because FM transmis-
sions rely on line-of-sight broadcast
waves, their effective reception range is
limited.
Inside rearview mirror with automatic dimmer*
163n
The semisolid reacts chemically to this
electrical current, thus providing infi-
nitely-variable dimming of the mirror
(electrochromic technology).
As a result, it is no longer necessary to
dim the mirror manually, and the driver
can maintain full concentration on traf-
fic.
The interior rearview mirror with auto-
matic dimming feature reduces glare
from following traffic by adapting the in-
tensity of the reflected images to corre-
spond to levels of light registered by the
unit's sensors. The mirror reverts to its
undimmed setting as soon as the light
source disappears. One light sensor is
mounted on the front of the mirror
housing. This sensor, that is directed
forward, measures light intensity in the
area ahead of the vehicle. The second
sensor is integrated within the mirror's
glass. The electronic control system
compares the light intensity from front
and rear. The difference provides the
basic parameter used to modulate an
electrical current and induce chemical
changes in a semisolid layer incorpo-
rated in the lens.
164nTire Pressure Control (RDC)*
Near every wheel there is an antenna in
the body that receives the signals from
all four wheels. A central electronics
system evaluates the quadruple signals
and forwards any changes. The RDC
plays an important part in driving safety.
This system regularly checks tire pres-
sures and monitors all four tires even
while driving, so you don't have to.
Behind the valve stem in every wheel,
there is an extended-life electronic chip
that has a pressure sensor, a transmit-
ter and a battery. The pressure is mea-
sured in extremely short time intervals
and then transmitted by a radio signal.
If an irregularity is detected, the trans-
mission rate is increased.
Rain sensor*
165n
When the "Intermittent" wiper speed
position is selected, the wiper reacts
immediately if water is splashed onto
the windshield from vehicles traveling
ahead, for example. As a result, the rain
sensor provides a contribution to driv-
ing safety and comfort.
Depending on the degree of wetness
on the windshield, the rain sensor con-
trols the operation of the windshield
wipers.
Infrared light is carried along the sur-
face of the windshield in an optical con-
ductor in such a manner that it is
reflected completely when the wind-
shield is dry. The quantity of reflected
light is measured.
If there is moisture on the glass, the
amount of light reflected is reduced
since the infrared light at the surface of
the windshield can escape. The quan-
tity of reflected light is thus a means of
gauging the degree wetness on the
windshield.