
 
© 1999 BMW AG
Munich, Germany
Reprinting, including excerpts, only with the 
written consent of BMW AG, Munich. 
Part number 01 41 0 155 026
US VI/99
Printed in Germany
Printed on environmentally friendly paper 
(bleached without chlorine, suitable for recycling). 
4n
 
Notes on the Owner's Manual
 
We have made every effort to ensure 
that you are able to find what you need 
in this Owner's Manual as quickly as 
possible. The fastest way to find certain 
topics is by using the detailed index at 
the end. If you wish to gain only an ini-
tial overview of your vehicle, you will 
find this in the first chapter. 
The detailed table of contents immedi-
ately following the index is intended to 
arouse your curiosity about your BMW 
and stimulate you to read about it.
Should you wish to sell your BMW at 
some time in the future, please remem-
ber to hand over the Owner's Manual to 
the new owner; it is part of the vehicle.
Should you have any further questions, 
your BMW center will be glad to assist 
at any time.
 
Symbols used
 
These sections contain vital infor-
mation – please read the accom-
panying text passages carefully, for 
your safety, the safety of others and to 
prevent damage to your BMW.
 
<
 
 
These passages contain informa-
tion on special and unique fea-
tures of your vehicle.
 
<
 
 
Special information on 
recycling.
 
< 
<
 
  Indicates the end of a note.
 
* 
  Indicates special equipment, country-
specific equipment and optional extras.
Denotes vehicle parts for which 
you should consult this Owner's 
Manual.
Alerts you to functions that can 
be adjusted for individual drivers 
by your authorized BMW center 
("Car Memory" or "Key Memory"). Refer 
to page 54.
 
<
 
 
 
The individual vehicle
 
On buying your BMW, you have de-
cided in favor of a model with individu-
alized equipment and features. This 
Owner's Manual describes all models 
and equipment that BMW offers within 
the same range.
We hope you will understand that 
equipment and features are included 
which you might not have chosen for 
your vehicle. Any differences can easily 
be identified, as all optional accessories 
and special equipment are marked with 
an asterisk 
 
* 
.
If your BMW features equipment which 
is not described in this Owner's Manual 
(e.g., car radio or telephone), (Supple-
mentary) Owner's Manuals are en-
closed. We ask you to read these man-
uals as well. 

 
6n
 
For your own safety
 
Use unleaded gasoline only. 
Fuels containing up to 10% etha-
nol or other oxygenates with up to 2.8% 
oxygen by weight (i.e. 15% MTBE or 
3% methanol plus an equivalent 
amount of co-solvent) will not void the 
applicable warranties with respect to 
defects in materials or workmanship. 
Field experience has indicated signifi-
cant differences in fuel quality (i.e. vola-
tility, composition, additives, etc.) 
among gasolines offered for sale in the 
United States and Canada. The use of 
poor-quality fuels may result in drive-
ability, starting and stalling problems 
especially under certain environmental 
conditions, such as high ambient tem-
perature and high altitude.
Should you encounter driveability prob-
lems that you suspect could be related 
to the fuel you are using, we recom-
mend that you respond by switching to 
a recognized high-quality brand.
Failure to comply with these recom-
mendations may result in unscheduled 
maintenance.
Follow the relevant safety rules when 
you are handling gasoline.
 
c
 
Important safety information!
For your own safety, use genuine 
parts and accessories approved by 
BMW.
When you purchase accessories tested 
and approved by BMW and Original 
BMW Parts, you simultaneously acquire 
the assurance that they have been thor-
oughly tested by BMW to ensure opti-
mum performance when installed on 
your vehicle.
BMW warrants these parts to be free 
from defects in material and workman-
ship.
BMW will not accept any liability for 
damage resulting from installation of 
parts and accessories not approved by 
BMW.
BMW cannot test every product from 
other manufacturers to verify if it can be 
used on a BMW safely and without risk 
to either the vehicle, its operation, or its 
occupants.
Original BMW Parts, BMW Accessories 
and other products approved by BMW, 
together with professional advice on 
using these items, are available from all 
BMW centers.
 
Installation and operation of non-BMW 
approved accessories such as alarms, 
radios, amplifiers, radar detectors, 
wheels, suspension components, brake 
dust shields, telephones (including op-
eration of any portable cellular phone 
from within the vehicle without using an 
externally mounted antenna) or trans-
ceiver equipment (such as C.B., walkie-
talkie, ham radio or similar) may cause 
extensive damage to the vehicle, com-
promise its safety, interfere with the 
vehicle's electrical system or affect the 
validity of the BMW Limited Warranty. 
See your authorized BMW center for 
additional information.
Do not use key or remote to lock doors 
or luggage compartment lid with any-
one inside the car. See page 34 for 
more details.
"Maintenance, replacement, or repair of 
the emission control devices and sys-
tems may be performed by any automo-
tive repair establishment or individual 
using any certified automotive part".
 
c 

 
11n
 
Controls and features
Operation, care and maintenance
 
Lamps:
 
Parking lamps/Headlamps84
Instrument panel rheostat84
High beams/Parking lamps85
Fog lamps85
Interior lamps85
Reading lamps86
 
Controlling the climate 
for pleasant driving:
 
Automatic climate control88
Heated seats93
Roller sun blind93
 
Cabin convenience:
 
HiFi System94
Glove compartment94
Storage compartments95
Cellular phones95
Ashtray96
Cigarette lighter96
Clothes hooks97
 
Loading and transporting:
 
Through-loading facility98
Ski bag99
Cargo loading100
Roof-mounted luggage rack101
 
Special operating instructions:
 
Break-in procedures104
Driving notes104
Catalytic converter105
Antilock Brake System 
(ABS)106
Disc brakes108
Brake system109
Winter operation110
Power steering112
Cellular phones112
Radio reception112
 
Wheels and tires:
 
Tire inflation pressures113
Tire condition113
Tire replacement114
Tire rotation114
Wheel and tire 
combinations115
Winter tires116
Snow chains116
Approved wheel and tire 
specifications117
 
Under the hood:
 
Hood119
Engine compartment120
Washer fluids122
Washer nozzles122
Engine oil123
Coolant126
Brake fluid127
Vehicle Identification
Number128
 
Care and maintenance:
 
The BMW Maintenance 
System129
Caring for your car130
Airbags135
Vehicle storage136
 
Laws and regulations:
 
Technical modifications 
to the vehicle136
OBD connector137 

 
Contents
 
Owner service procedures
Advanced technology
Technical data
 
Replacement procedures:
 
Onboard tool kit140
Windshield wiper blades140
Lamps and bulbs140
Remote control147
Changing tires148
Battery151
Fuses153
Microfilter154
 
In case of electrical
malfunction:
 
Fuel filler door155
Sliding/tilt sunroof155
 
Assistance, giving and 
receiving:
 
Jump-starting156
Towing the vehicle157Adaptive Transmission Control 
(ATC)160
Airbags161
Dynamic Stability Control 
(DSC)161
Radio reception162
Safety belt tensioner162
Inside rearview mirror with 
automatic dimmer163
Tire Pressure Control (RDC)164
Rain sensor165
Self-diagnostics166
Xenon lamp167Engine data170
Dimensions171
Weights172
Capacities173
Electrical system174
Ribbed V-belt174 

24n
Multi-function steering wheel (MFL)
 
The controls integrated in the multi-
function steering wheel are provided so 
that you can operate a number of ac-
cessories quickly and without being 
distracted from traffic conditions. You 
may operate:
>selected radio functions
>the cruise control and
>selected cellular phone functions.
In order to operate a system via 
the MFL, the corresponding sys-
tem controls must be switched on.< 
The illustration shows the maximum 
possible number of controls, corre-
sponding to a full range of optional 
equipment. Refer to the individual 
accessory manuals for more detailed 
descriptions.
1 Switch between the radio and the 
cellular phone 
2 Cellular phone: Receive a call, start 
dialing, terminate a call
3 Radio/Cellular phone volume
4 Radio/Cellular phone: Search in re-
verse or station keys (or browse in list 
of names)
5 Radio/Cellular phone: Search for-
wards or station keys (or browse in 
list of names)463de057
6 Horn: The entire surface
7 Cruise control: Resume stored 
setting
8 Cruise control: Store and accelerate 
(+); decelerate and store (–)
9 Cruise control: Activate/Interrupt/
Cancel. 

80n
The PDC assists you when you back 
into a parking space. A signal warns 
you of the distance to an obstacle. To 
do this, four ultrasonic sensors in the 
rear bumper measure the distance to 
the nearest object. The monitoring 
range of the two corner sensors ex-
tends to approx. 2 feet (60 cm) behind 
the bumper. The two center sensors 
cover a distance of approx. 4.9 feet 
(1.50 meters).
The system starts to operate automati-
cally about one second after you se-
lect reverse with the ignition key in po-
sition 2. PDC is deactivated when you 
shift back out of reverse.
Acoustical signalsThe distance to the nearest object is in-
dicated by a tone sounding at various 
intervals. As the distance between vehi-
cle and object decreases, the intervals 
between the tones become shorter. A 
continuous warning tone sounds if the 
distance to a recognized object is less 
than 1 foot (30 cm).
The warning signal is canceled after 
approx. three seconds if the distance to 
the obstacle remains constant during 
this time (if you are moving parallel to 
a wall, for instance).
System malfunctions will be indicated 
by a continuous high-pitched tone 
when the system is activated the first 
time. Please have your BMW center 
resolve the problem.The PDC does not remove the 
driver's personal responsibility for 
evaluating the distance between the 
vehicle and any obstacles. Even when 
sensors are involved, there is a blind 
spot in which objects cannot be de-
tected. This applies especially in those 
cases where the system approaches 
the physical limits of ultrasonic mea-
surement, as occurs with tow bars and 
trailer couplings, and in the vicinity of 
thin and painted objects.  
Certain sources of sound, such as a 
loud radio, could drown out the PDC 
signal tone.<
Keep the sensors clean and free 
of ice or snow in order to ensure 
that they continue to operate effec-
tively.
Do not apply high-pressure spray to the 
sensors for a prolonged period of time. 
Maintain an adequate distance of more 
than approx. 4 inches (10 cm).<
Park Distance Control (PDC)
* 

83n
RepairsIndexOverview Controls Car care Technology Data
Tire Pressure Control (RDC)
*
Flat tireIf there is a tire failure with loss of pres-
sure, the indicator lamp comes on with 
a red lamp. In addition, there is an 
acoustical warning signal.
If this occurs, reduce vehicle speed im-
mediately and stop the vehicle in a save 
location. Avoid hard brake applications. 
Do not oversteer. Replace the wheel 
and flat tire.
The space-saver spare tire
* is 
provided for temporary use only in 
the case of a tire failure. It does not 
have RDC electronics and is not moni-
tored. A full-size spare tire
* that has the 
same dimensions as the tires already 
mounted on the vehicle is equipped 
with the necessary RDC electronics, 
and will also be monitored once the 
tires have been mounted and the sys-
tem activated.<
The RDC cannot alert you to 
severe and sudden tire damage 
caused by external factors.<
Have the tires changed by your 
authorized BMW center.
Your authorized BMW center has been 
trained to work with the RDC system 
and is equipped with the necessary 
special tools.<
System interferenceThe RDC can be subjected to interfer-
ence locally by outside equipment or 
devices which use the same radio fre-
quency.
The indicator lamp will come on with 
a yellow lamp during the malfunction. 
The indicator lamp also comes on 
>in the event of a system fault 
>if a wheel is mounted without the 
appropriate electronics 
>if, in addition to the spare tire
*, addi-
tional wheels with RDC electronics 
are on board.
Please contact your authorized BMW 
center for additional information. 

94n
HiFi System – harman kardonEvery time you press the button, the 
feature is switched on or off.
When the system is switched on, the 
sensation of a significantly larger pas-
senger area is created (spatial en-
hancement), with an improvement of 
the stereo effect throughout the seating 
area.
When reception is weak, the radio fre-
quently switches between stereo and 
mono operation. Switch this feature off 
if this occurs.462us029
To openPull the handle and the lamp comes on.To closeFold up cover.To lockUse one of the master keys. A master 
key is also required for unlocking.
For example, if you turn over only 
your door and ignition keys for va-
let parking (refer to page 32), access to 
the glove compartment is not possi-
ble.<462de235
To prevent injury in the event of a 
crash, close the glove compart-
ment immediately after use.<
Rechargeable flashlight
*
Located on the left-hand side of the 
glove compartment.
Features integral overload-protection, 
so it can be left in its holder continu-
ously.
Be sure that the flashlight is 
switched off when it is inserted 
into its holder. Failure to comply with 
this precaution could lead to overcharg-
ing and damage.<
HiFi System
* 
Glove compartment