2001 BMW SPORT WAGON sensor

212nRain sensor*
Depending on the degree of wetness
on the windshield, the rain sensor
controls the operation of the windshield
wipers.
Infrared light is carried along the
surface of the windshield in an optical
conductor in such a manner that it is
reflected completely when the wind-
shield is dry. The quantity of reflected
light is measured.
If the window is covered with beads of
water, the amount of light that is
reflected is decreased since the infra-
red light at the surface of the wind-
shield can then escape. The quantity of
reflected light is thus a means of
gauging the degree of wetness on the
windshield.
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When the system is set to the "Intermit-
tent" wiper speed, the wipers react
immediately – if water is splashed onto
the windshield by vehicles traveling
ahead of you, for example. As a result,
the rain sensor provides a contribution
to driving safety and comfort.

Index
Data
Technology
Repairs
Car care
Controls
Overview
213nTire Pressure Control (RDC)*
The Tire Pressure Control system (RDC)
assumes the task of regular tire pres-
sure checks for you. The tire pressure is
monitored at all four wheels, even when
the vehicle is moving.
Behind the valve stem in every wheel,
there is an electronic chip which is
designed for severe-duty applications
and long service life. It contains a pres-
sure sensor, a transmitter and a battery.
The pressure is measured in extremely
short time intervals and then transmit-
ted by a radio signal. If an irregularity is
detected, the transmission rate is
increased.
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Near every wheel, there are antennas in
the body which receive the signals from
all four wheels. A central electronics
system evaluates the quadruple signals
and forwards any changes.
The RDC provides an important contri-
bution to driving safety.

214nIntegrated rear suspension Level control system*
The control arms on the patented inte-
grated aluminum rear axle assembly are
not mounted directly on the body. They
are mounted elastically on a chassis
sub-frame which is joined in turn with
elasticity to the vehicle body. The result-
ing double elastic suspension system
effectively absorbs the forces resulting
from bumps and road surface irregulari-
ties.
The compliance rates of the integrated
rear axle assembly's control arm mounts
have been precisely calibrated to help
provide supplementary adjustment in
the tracking angle of the rear wheels
(programmed self-steer effect). The ulti-
mate result is enhanced safety and con-
trol under all conditions.
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The illustration shows the rear axle of the
sedan. With the lightweight, compact
rear axle of the sport wagon, the shock
absorbers are positioned at an angle.
The level control system for the rear
axle maintains constant ground clear-
ance of your vehicle, even when carry-
ing a load.
To achieve this, the vehicle is equipped
with air struts at the rear axle instead of
conventional shock absorbers and steel
suspension springs. With the help of
two sensors, an electronic control unit
calculates the height of the body at all
times and, if it is required, it allows air
which is generated in a compressor to
flow into the air springs.
As a result of the pressure increase in
the air springs, the level control system
ensures not only constant ride height,
but also ride comfort which is indepen-
dent of the load the vehicle is carrying.
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Everything from A to Z

229n

IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview

Car jack190

t

Car keys36
Car Memory60
Car phones, refer to the
seperate Owner's Manual
Car radio reception149
Car telephone125
Car wash171
Care
vehicle exterior172
vehicle interior174
Cargo loading136
Caring for the vehicle
finish173
Catalytic converter142
Cellular phone149
Center (high-mount) brake
lamp, bulb
replacement187
Central locking
system38, 42
Changing a tire190

t

Changing a wheel190

t

Charge indicator lamp22
Charging the battery194

t

Check air pressure30
Check button86
Check Control86

t

Check engine oil
level165

t

Check tire pressures29

t

Child restraint systems62
Child seat62, 66Child seat security67
Child-safety locks67
Cigarette lighter126
Cleaning headlamps79
Cleaning windshield78, 79
Clock92
Clock, refer also to the
onboard monitor
Cockpit16
Code98
activating98
de-activating98
selecting98
Cold start69
Combination switch78
Comfort seat54
Compartments124
Computer89, 95
average fuel
consumption89
average speed89
cruising range89
outside temperature89
remote control99
Computer, refer also to the
onboard monitor Owner's
Manual
Configure settings60
Consumption display84
Consumption, fuel97
Contamination on
paintwork172Convenience operation
sliding/tilt sunroof38
windows38
Convenience starting
feature69
Coolant146, 167
antifreeze146
temperature gauge85
Copyright notice4
Courtesy lamp, bulb
replacement189

t

Cover, sun blinds120
Cruise control81
Cruising range89, 97
Cup holder125
Curb weight221

D
Dashboard16
Data link connector for
Onboard Diagnostics178
Date
calling up92
changing92
Date, refer also to the
onboard monitor Owner's
Manual
Daytime-driving lamp105
DBC (Dynamic Brake
Control)23, 100, 145Deactivating99
interior motion
sensor40, 48
tilt sensor alarm
system40, 48
Deep water141
Defrost
rear window80

t

Defrost position113, 117
Defrost
windows113, 117

t

Difficult steering148

t

Digital clock92
Digital sound
processing211
Dimensions219
Dipstick, engine oil165

t

Disc brakes144
Disconnect the
battery195

t

Displacement218
Display lighting105
Displays18, 20
Distance96
Distance warning100
Diversity Antenna
system209
Divided rear-seat
backrest128
Door keys36

Everything from A to Z

231n

IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview

Height219
Height adjustment
seats52
steering wheel56
Help with jump
starting200

t

HiFi system211
High beams24
bulb replacement183

t

High Performance Synthetic
Oils166
High-mount brake lamp187
Hood release159

t

Horn25
Hydraulic Brake Assistant,
refer to DBC23, 100, 145

I
Ice warning83
Identification number of the
vehicle169
Identification, tires153
Ignition key36
Ignition lock68
Imprint4
Independent
ventilation94, 120
Independent ventilation,
refer also to the onboard
monitor Owner's Manual
Indicator lamps22

t

Inflation
pressure29

t

, 30, 150
monitoring103, 213
INSPECTION85
Instrument cluster18, 20
Instrument lighting105
Instrument panel20
Instrument panel switch78
Instruments18
Integrated rear
suspension214
Intensive
cleaning78, 79, 164
Interaxle tire rotation152
Interference indicators86
Interference with
car phones149
Interior lamps106
bulb replacement188

t

remote control40
Interior mirror57
with automatic dimming
feature211
Interior motion sensor48
deactivation48
Interior rearview mirror
with automatic dimming
feature57
Interlock68
Intermittent mode78

J
Jack190

t

Jump starting200

t
KKey Memory60
Key, transmitter36
Keys36
Keys with remote control36
Kickdown73, 76LLashing eye136
Leather care175
Length219
Level control
system23, 214
inactive148t
License plate lamps, bulb
replacement188t
Light switch105
Light-alloy wheels156
Lighter126
Lights-on warning105
LIMIT95
Load-securing devices136
Locking and unlocking the
doors38
Louvers108, 114
Low beams105
bulb replacement183tLow-fuel warning lamp84
Lug bolts191
Lug wrench191t
Luggage compartment46
capacity221
hanger46
lamps106
Luggage compartment
lamps, bulb
replacement189t
Luggage compartment lid/
tailgate43
emergency actuation43
opening separately43
remote control41
secure separately43
unlock in case of electrical
fault43t
Luggage space46
Luggage straps46
Lumbar support54
MM+S tires154
Magic Eye194
Maintenance85t, 170t
Malfunction displays86t

Everything from A to ZManual operation
doors38t
fuel filler door198t
luggage compartment lid/
tailgate43, 199
sliding/tilt sunroof198t
tailgate199t
Manual transmission70
Manually controlled
recirculated-air117
Master key36
Mechanical seat53
Memo93
Memory58
MFL (Multifunction steering
wheel)25
Microfilter112, 119
MID (Multi-Information
Display)91
computer95
digital clock92
Mirror56
heating57
memory58
Mirrors with automatic
dimming feature211
Mobile communication
systems, refer to the
separate Owner's Manual
Mobile phones149
Modifications,
technical6, 177
Moonroof51Multifunction steering wheel
(MFL)25
Multi-Information Display
(MID)91
NNeck rest53
Nonsmoker equipment126
Nozzles114OOBD connector178
OBD interface socket178
Odometer83
Oil
additives165
consumption165
grades166
Oil change interval, refer to
the Service and Warranty
Information Booklet (US
models) or to the Warranty
and Service Guide Booklet
(Canadian models)
Oil dipstick165
Oil level, indicator lamp23
Oil pressure, indicator
lamp23
Oil specifications166t
OILSERVICE85
Old batteries195Onboard computer, refer
also to computer
Onboard monitor, refer also
to the separate Owner's
Manual
Onboard tool kit182t
Opening and closing
from the inside42
from the outside38
Operating range89
Outlets, ventilation108, 114
Outside temperature89
display83
PPaint
blemishes172
care172
minor repairs173
waxing173
Paintwork, refer to paint
Park Distance Control
(PDC)100
Parking184
Parking brake23, 70
Parking help100
Parking lamp, bulb
replacement184t
Parking lamps106
Parking, winter148PDC (Park Distance
Control)100
Playing cassettes, refer to
the Radio Owner's Manual
Playing CDs, refer to the
Radio Owner's Manual
Pocket light124
Pollen112
Pollen filter119
Power51
Power steering148
Power windows49
safety switch50
Power-slip control, refer to
ASC+T/DSC102
Pressure, tire30, 150
monitoring103, 213
Pressure, tires29t, 150t
RRadio149
refer also to the separate
Owner's Manual
Radio reception149, 209
Rain sensor78, 171, 212
RDC (Tire Pressure
Control)103, 213
Reading lamps107
Rear window blind120
Rear window
defroster80, 110, 118
Rear window wiper80

Everything from A to Zroll-up cover132
securing a load136
ski bag131
tail lamp assembly, bulb
replacement186t
tailgate, manual release
after electrical fault198t
Sports seat55
Sports steering wheel26
Start the engine69
Starting69
Starting assistance200t
Starting help200
Starting off147
Starting problems
69, 142t, 200t
Starting the engine68t
Steel wheel158
Steering148
Steering wheel
adjustment56
heating120
lock68
memory58
Steptronic75
Stopwatch93
Storage124
Summer tires153
Sun blind cover120
Sun visors57Sunroof50
with glass moonroof51
Switching off the engine69
Switch-on times
input94
Symbols4
TTachometer84
Tail lamp assembly, bulb
replacement186t
Tail lamps186
Tailgate199
convenience opening
mode40
manual release after
electrical fault199
refer also to luggage
compartment
release after an electrical
defect199t
Tank capacity223
Technical
modifications6, 177
Telephone hookup125
Temperature display, engine
coolant85
Temperature display,
outside temperature83
Temperature gauge85
Temperature
layering111, 119Tensioning straps46
Thigh support
adjustment55
Third brake lamp, bulb
replacement187t
Through-loading
system128
Tilt alarm40
Tilt alarm sensor48
deactivation48
Tilt function
passenger side exterior
mirror59
steering wheel56
Time
calling up92
changing92
of arrival, estimated97
Tire
change190
code153
damage150
inflation pressure30, 150
monitoring inflation
pressure103, 213
renewal151
rotation between
axles151
tread150
valve caps154
wear indicator150Tire Pressure Control
(RDC)103, 213
Tire, changing190t
Tools182t
Torque218
Tow fittings201t
Towing201t
Tow-starting201t
Track width219
Traction control system,
refer to ASC+T/DSC
Transmission70, 75
Transmitter key36
Transporting children
safely66
Tread depth indicators150
Tread depth, tires150
Tread wear indicator150
Trip odometer83
Trunk, refer to luggage
compartment
Turn signal indicator78
bulb replace-
ment184t, 186t
Turning circle219
UUniform Tire Quality Grading
(UTQR)152
Universal Transmitter121
Use antifreeze167t