Page 4 of 215

 © 2000 BMW AG 
Munich, Germany
Reprinting, including excerpts, only with the 
written consent of BMW AG, Munich. 
Order no. 01 41 0 155 480
US English VIII/00
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 
initial 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 
remember to hand over this Owner's 
Manual to the new owner; it is part of 
the vehicle. 
If you have any questions, your BMW  
center will be glad to advise you. 
 
Symbols used
 
Indicates instructions or precau-
tions that must be followed 
precisely in order to avoid the possi-
bility of personal injury and serious 
damage to the vehicle.
 
<
 
 
Contains information that will 
assist you in gaining the optimum 
benefit from your vehicle and enables 
you to care more effectively for your 
vehicle.
 
<
 
 
Refers to measures that can 
be taken to help protect the 
environment.
 
<
 
 
 
<
 
  Marks the end of a specific item of 
information.
 
* 
  Indicates special equipment, coun-
try-specific equipment and optional 
extras.
Identifies systems or components, 
which your BMW center can either 
activate or adapt to suit an individual 
driver's requirements ("Car Memory", 
"Key Memory"). Refer to page  59.
 
<
 
 
 
The individual vehicle
 
On purchasing your BMW, you have  
decided in favor of a model with individ-
ualized 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 
which you might not have chosen for 
your vehicle. Any possible differences 
can easily be identified, since all 
optional accessories 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. 
         
        
        
     
        
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Overview
Controls and features
Operation, care
and maintenance
Owner service procedures
Technical data
Index Advanced technology
 
9n
 
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview 
         
        
        
     
        
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13n
 
Index
 
Everything from A to Z204
Owner service procedures210 
         
        
        
     
        
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Overview
Controls and features
Operation, care
and maintenance
Owner service procedures
Technical data
Index Advanced technology
 
15n
 
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
 
Cockpit16
Instrument cluster18
Indicator and warning lamps20
Multifunction steering wheel 
(MFL)24
Hazard warning flashers25
Warning triangle25
First-aid kit25
Refueling26
Fuel specifications27
Tire inflation pressure27  
Overview 
         
        
        
     
        
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17n
 
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
 
Cockpit
 
1 Side lamps/Low beams93
2
 
d
 
Turn signal indicator76
 
>
 
Parking lamps94
 
>
 
High beams94
 
>
 
Headlamp flasher76
 
>
 
Computer83
3 Washer/Wiper system76
4 Shift lever/Selector lever72 
For vehicles equipped with manual 
transmission: 
To shift into reverse, push the gear 
shift lever to the left, overcoming 
the slight resistance 
5 Hazard warning flashers25
6 Central locking system34
7 Rear window defroster78
8 Horn: the entire surface functions as 
the horn
9 Adjusting steering wheel57
10 Fog lamps94 
         
        
        
     
        
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19n
 
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
 
Instrument cluster
 
1 Fuel gauge with indicator lamp 
for fuel reserve82
2 Turn signal indicator23
3 Speedometer
4 Indicator lamp for: 
 
>
 
Battery charge current20
 
>
 
High beams23
 
>
 
Engine oil pressure/Engine oil 
level20, 22
5 Tachometer and 
Energy control81
6 Engine coolant temperature gauge 
with "Coolant temperature too high" 
indicator82
7 Indicator and warning lamps (clock-
wise) for:
 
>
 
Parking brake/Brake hydraulic 
system/Cornering Brake Control 
(CBC)/DBC20
 
>
 
Antilock Brake System (ABS)22 
 
>
 
Brake pads22
 
>
 
Tire Pressure Control 
(RDC)
 
* 
20, 22
 
>
 
Rollover protection system67
 
>
 
Airbags21
 
>
 
Adjust and lock backrest/Please 
fasten safety belts21
 
>
 
Cruise control23
8 Set button for the clock849 Program display for automatic 
transmission
 
* 
75
Indicator lamp for automatic 
transmission
 
* 
21, 75
10 Indicator lamp for Automatic 
Stability Control plus Traction 
(ASC+T)/Dynamic Stability Control 
(DSC)
 
*  
and ADB22
11 Indicator for:
 
>
 
Odometer81
 
>
 
Trip odometer81
 
>
 
Clock84
 
>
 
Service Interval82
Indicator for computer, 
operation using the turn signal lever, 
refer to page 83: 
 
>
 
Clock
 
>
 
Outside temperature
 
>
 
Average fuel consumption
 
>
 
Range 
 
>
 
Average speed
12 Indicator for Check Control83
13 Trip odometer, reset to zero8114 Indicator and warning lamps (clock-
wise) for: 
 
>
 
Front fog lamps23
 
>
 
Add washer fluid22
 
>
 
Coolant level23
 
>
 
Electronic Throttle Control 
(EML)
 
* 
23
 
>
 
Service engine soon22
You can display the outside 
temperature and distance driven 
in different units of measurement.
 
< 
         
        
        
     
        
        Page 21 of 215

21n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Indicator and warning lampsRed and yellow: continue driving 
cautiously 
The brake warning lamp and the 
yellow indicator lamps for ABS 
and ASC+T/DSC both light up: 
The entire ABS, CBC, ASC+T/
DSC
 and
 ADB/DBC system has 
failed. Continue driving 
cautiously and defensively. 
Avoid hard brake applications. 
Please have the system checked by 
your BMW center as soon as possible.
For additional information, refer to 
pages 88, 123.
CBC, ABS, ASC+T/DSC
 indi-
cator and warning lamps for 
Canadian models.
Red: an important reminder
Parking brake
Comes on when the parking 
brake is applied Ð an acoustic 
signal also sounds when starting off. 
For additional information, refer to 
page 71. Parking brake warning lamp for 
Canadian models.
Adjust and lock backrest/Please 
fasten safety belts l 
A warning signal will sound at 
the same time. Flashes, if the backrest 
is not locked. Lights up until the safety 
belt is fastened. 
For additional information on safety 
belts, refer to page 60.
Airbags l
 
Please have the system 
inspected by your BMW center.
For additional information, refer to 
pages 61, 189.
Orange: consult the nearest BMW 
center
Automatic transmission 
Because of a malfunction, the 
automatic transmission shifts 
only in the emergency program. Please 
consult the nearest BMW center.
For additional information, refer to 
page 75. 
         
        
        
     
        
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23n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Indicator and warning lamps
Engine electronics
* l 
There is a fault in the engine's 
electronic control system. The 
electronics will allow you to continue 
driving with reduced engine output or 
reduced engine speed. Please have the 
system inspected by your BMW center.
Add coolant
The coolant level is too low. Top 
up the coolant at the earliest 
opportunity. 
For additional information, refer to 
page 147.
Green: for your information
Turn signal indicator 
Flashes when the turn signal is 
on. 
Rapid flashing indicates a system 
malfunction. 
For additional information, refer to 
page 76.
Cruise control
 
Lights up when the cruise 
control is activated: available for 
operation via the multifunction steering 
wheel.
For additional information, refer to 
page 79.
Front fog lamps 
Lights up whenever you switch 
on the front fog lamps.
For additional information, refer to 
page 94.
Blue: for your information
High beams 
Comes on when the high beams 
are on or the headlamp flasher 
is actuated.
For additional information, refer to 
pages 76, 94.