© 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.<