Starting the engine (BMW 3 Series E21)

Place the gear shift lever in neutral position.

On vehicles with automatic transmission, the engine can be started in the "P" (Park) or "O" or "N" (Neutral) positions of the selector lever.

Models "315", "316", "318"

The engine is equipped with a carburetor with an automatic starting device.

Cold engine start

Turn on the starting device by sharply pressing and releasing the accelerator pedal. Insert the key into the ignition switch and turn on the starter by turning the key to position "3" (see picture), without pressing the accelerator pedal. Do not turn on the starter for more than 10-15 s.

If the engine does not start on the first try, turn on the ignition and after about 20-30 seconds, turn on the starter again.



If the engine does not start after several attempts, despite the fact that the fuel-air mixture has ignited several times, sharply press and release the accelerator pedal again and try to start the engine again.

In all cases, do not press the accelerator pedal several times to avoid flooding the carburetor.

At low ambient temperatures, to facilitate engine starting, it is recommended to switch off all electrical consumers and press the clutch pedal before engaging the starter.

Immediately after starting the engine, the crankshaft rotates at a high speed: 2500-3000 rpm. After a few seconds, press the accelerator pedal again and the engine speed decreases to fast idle mode.

After warming up the engine (the coolant temperature gauge arrow is between the two colored zones of the scale) the normal idle mode is automatically set.

Starting a hot engine

Do not press the accelerator pedal before starting the engine.

Starting a very hot engine

Press the accelerator pedal all the way down and turn on the starter.

Models "320"

1st modification

The engine has the same carburetor with automatic starting device as the models "315", "316", "318".

2nd modification

The engine is equipped with a carburetor with an automatic starting device and a thermostatic auxiliary starting device.

Starting a cold or hot engine. Do not press the accelerator pedal until the starter engages.

Starting a very hot engine: Press the accelerator pedal all the way down and engage the starter.

Models "320i", "323i"

The engine is equipped with a carburetor with an automatic engine starting and warming up system.

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When starting the engine, do not press the accelerator pedal. After starting and warming up the engine, press the accelerator pedal no more than 1/2 of its stroke. After starting the engine, you can start driving at medium engine speed. After the engine switches to fast idle mode, the oil pressure and battery charge indicator lights should go out.