
 
© 1999 BMW AG
Munich, Germany
Reprinting, including excerpts, 
only with the written consent of 
BMW AG, Munich. 
Order no. 01 41 0 155 303
US English X/1999
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 desire an initial overview 
of your vehicle, this can be found in the 
first chapter. The detailed list of con-
tents that directly follows the summary 
of contents is intended to stimulate 
your curiosity regarding your BMW and 
to encourage you to read the manual. 
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. 
If you have any questions, an autho-
rized BMW center will be glad to advise 
you. 
 
Symbols used 
 
These sections contain vital infor-
mation Ð please read the accom-
panying text passages carefully, both 
for your own safety and to prevent 
damage to your BMW.
 
<
 
 
These passages contain informa-
tion on special and unique fea-
tures of your vehicle.
 
<
 
 
Indicates special information on 
recycling.
 
<
 
 
 
<
 
Indicates the end of a note. 
 
* 
Indicates special equipment, country-
specific equipment and optional extras. 
Alerts you to functions which can 
be adjusted by your authorized 
BMW center ("Car Memory" or "Key 
Memory"). Refer to page 55.
 
<
 
 
 
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 group. 
We hope you will understand that 
equipment and features are included 
that you might not have chosen for your 
vehicle. Any differences can easily be 
identified, since 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 
(car radio or telephone, for instance), 
Supplementary Owner's Manuals are 
enclosed. We ask you to read these 
manuals as well. 
 
Notes
Symbols
The individual vehicle 

 
Contents
 
Overview
Controls and features
 
Cockpit16
Instrument cluster18
Indicator and warning lamps22
Multifunction steering wheel26
Sports steering wheel27
Hazard warning flashers28
Warning triangle28
First-aid kit28
Refueling29
Fuel specifications30
Tire inflation pressure30
 
Locks and security systems: 
 
Keys34
Electronic vehicle 
immobilizer35
Central locking system36
Opening and closing 
Ð from the outside36
Using the key36
Using the remote control37
Opening and closing 
Ð from the inside40
Liftgate41
Tailgate41
Alarm system43
Electric power windows45
Sliding/Tilt sunroof with glass 
moonroof46
 
Adjustments: 
 
Seats48
Steering wheel51
Mirrors52
Seat, mirror and steering wheel 
memory54
Car Memory, Key Memory55
 
Passenger safety systems: 
 
Safety belts56
Airbags57
Child restraints60
Child seat security61
Child-safety locks62
 
Driving: 
 
Steering/Ignition lock63
Starting the engine64
Switching off the engine65
Parking brake65
Automatic transmission with 
Steptronic66
Turn signal indicator/Headlamp 
flasher69
Washer/Wiper system/Rain 
sensor69
Rear window defroster71
Cruise control72
 
Everything under control: 
 
Odometer, outside temperature 
display74
Tachometer75
Energy control75
Fuel gauge75
Coolant temperature gauge76
Service Interval Display76
Check Control77
Onboard computer80
 
Technology for safety and 
driving convenience: 
 
Park Distance Control (PDC)82
Dynamic Stability Control 
(DSC)83
Hill Descent Control (HDC)84
 
Contents 

 
22n
 
Indicator and warning lamps 
 
Technology that monitors itself 
 
Many of the systems of your BMW 
monitor themselves automatically, both 
during engine starts and while you are 
driving. Indicator and warning lamps 
that are identified by "
 
l
 
" are tested for 
proper functioning whenever the igni-
tion key is turned. They each light up 
once for different periods of time. 
If a fault should occur in one of these 
systems, the corresponding lamp does 
not go out after the engine is started or 
it lights up while the vehicle is moving. 
You will see how to react to this below. 
 
Red: stop immediately 
 
Battery charge current 
 
l 
 
The battery is no longer being 
charged. There is a malfunction 
of the alternator V-belt or in the charg-
ing circuit of the alternator. Please 
contact the nearest BMW center.
If the V-belt is defective, do not 
continue driving. The engine could 
be damaged due to overheating. If the 
V-belt is defective, increased steering 
effort is also required.
 
<
 
 
Engine oil pressure 
 
l 
 
Stop the vehicle immediately 
and switch off the engine. 
Check the engine oil level; top up as re-
quired. If the oil level is correct: please 
contact the nearest BMW center.
Do not continue driving. The en-
gine could be damaged because 
of inadequate lubrication.
 
< 
Parking brake
*/ 
Brake hydraulic system l
Comes on when you engage the 
parking brake. 
For additional information: refer to 
page 65. 
Comes on although the parking brake 
is released: have the brake fluid level 
checked. Before continuing your jour-
ney, be sure to read the notes on 
pages 123 and 141.
Also comes on in the Check Control 
with the message "CHECK BRAKE 
LININGS."
Parking brake warning lamp
*/
Brake hydraulic system for 
Canadian models.  

26n
Multifunction steering wheel The controls integrated in the multi-
function steering wheel (MFL) are pro-
vided so that you can operate a number 
of accessories quickly and without 
being distracted from traffic conditions. 
You may operate: 
>selected radio functions, 
>recirculated air control of the air 
condition system 
or 
>the steering wheel heating, 
>the cruise control and 
>selected cellular phone functions. 
In order to operate a system
via the MFL, the corresponding 
system controls must be activated.< 
The illustration shows the maximum 
possible number of controls, corre-
sponding to a full range of optional 
equipment. Refer to the individual ac-
cessory manuals for more detailed de-
scriptions. 
1 Telephone: receive a call, initiate 
dialing, terminate a call. 
2 Radio/Telephone: select. 
3 Radio/Telephone: scan backward or 
scan station keys or scroll in the 
phone listings. 
4 Radio/Telephone: volume.
5 Radio/Telephone: scan forward or 
scan station keys or scroll in the 
phone listings. 380de702
6 Horn: the entire surface. 
7 Cruise control: activate stored 
setting (resume). 
8 Cruise control: store and accel- 
erate (+); decelerate and store (Ð). 
9 Cruise control: activate/interrupt/
deactivate. 
10 Recirculated air mode and AUC or 
steering wheel heating: activate and 
deactivate.  

IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
27n
Sports steering wheel
* 
The controls integrated in the sports 
steering wheel (not released at this 
time) are provided so that you can 
operate a number of accessories 
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 sport steering wheel, the cor-
responding system controls must be 
activated.< 
Refer to the individual accessory manu-
als for more detailed descriptions. 
1 Radio/Telephone: select. 
2 Telephone: receive a call, initiate 
dialing, terminate a call. 
3 Radio/Telephone: volume. 
4 Radio/Telephone: scan backward or 
scan station keys or scroll in the 
phone listings. 
5 Radio/Telephone: scan forward or 
scan station keys or scroll in the 
phone listings. 463de057
6 Horn: the entire surface. 
7 Cruise control: activate stored setting 
(resume). 
8 Cruise control: store and accel- 
erate (+); decelerate and store (Ð). 
9 Cruise control: activate/interrupt/
deactivate.  

32n
Locks and security systems: 
Keys34
Electronic vehicle 
immobilizer35
Central locking system36
Opening and closing 
Ð from the outside36
Using the key36
Using the remote control37
Opening and closing 
Ð from the inside40
Liftgate41
Tailgate41
Alarm system43
Electric power windows45
Sliding/Tilt sunroof with glass 
moonroof46
Adjustments: 
Seats48
Steering wheel51
Mirrors52
Seat, mirror and steering wheel 
memory54
Car Memory, Key Memory55
Passenger safety systems: 
Safety belts56
Airbags57
Child restraints60
Child seat security61
Child-safety locks62Driving: 
Steering/Ignition lock63
Starting the engine64
Switching off the engine65
Parking brake65
Automatic transmission with
Steptronic66
Turn signal indicator/Headlamp 
flasher69
Washer/Wiper system/Rain 
sensor69
Rear window defroster71
Cruise control72
Everything under control: 
Odometer, outside temperature 
display74
Tachometer75
Energy control75
Fuel gauge75
Coolant temperature gauge76
Service Interval Display76
Check Control77
Onboard computer80
Technology for safety and 
driving convenience: 
Park Distance Control (PDC)82
Dynamic Stability Control 
(DSC)83
Hill Descent Control (HDC)84
Controls 

34n
Keys 1 The master keys with remote control 
determine the functions of the Key 
Memory. Refer to page 55. 
There is an extended-life battery 
in every master key which is 
charged automatically in the steering 
lock as you drive. 
For this reason, if you have a master 
key that is otherwise not used, use that 
key approximately once every year 
while driving for an extended period. 
This will charge the battery. Refer also 
to page 37.< 
2 Spare key for storage in a safe place, 
such as in your wallet. This key is not 
intended for continuous use. 463de023
3 Door and ignition key 
The lock for the glove compartment 
cannot be operated with this key. 
This is recommended for valet park-
ing, for instance. 
Replacement keys Replacement keys are available exclu-
sively through your authorized BMW 
center. Since the keys belong to a se-
curity system, your BMW center is obli-
gated to ensure that a person request-
ing a key is authorized to do so (refer to 
"Electronic vehicle immobilizer" on the 
following page). 
If possible, take all of the master 
keys that belong to the vehicle 
with you when you pick up your 
replacement key. 
Whenever you receive a new replace-
ment key, turn that key to position 2 in 
the ignition lock once (ignition switched 
on) and then back. This allows the elec-
tronic vehicle immobilizer to "learn" the 
new key.<  

IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
35n
Electronic vehicle immobilizer The key to security Your BMW is equipped with a passive 
anti-theft system. This electronic immo-
bilization system is designed to reduce 
the susceptibility of the vehicle to theft 
by making it impossible to start the 
engine using any means other than the 
special keys furnished with the vehicle. 
Your BMW center can cancel the elec-
tronic system authorization for individ-
ual keys (in the event of loss, for in-
stance). A deactivated key can no 
longer be used to start the engine. 463de042
How the electronics work At the heart of this system is an 
electronic chip that is integrated into 
the key. The lock mechanism itself is 
actually a dual-function device, simulta-
neously serving as a communications 
interface designed to allow the security 
system to maintain a continuous stream 
of variable, vehicle-specific signals with 
the electronic circuitry in the key. The 
system will not release the ignition, fuel 
injection and starter unless it recog-
nizes an "authorized" key. 
Force applied to the key can 
damage the integrated electronic 
circuitry. A damaged key can no longer 
be used to start the engine.<