© 2000 BMW AG
Munich, Germany
Reprinting, including excerpts, only with the
written consent of BMW AG, Munich.
Order no. 01 41 0 155 558
US English IX/2000
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
contents 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
remember to hand over the Owner's
Manual to the new owner; it is part of
the vehicle.
If you have any questions, a
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 possibility
of personal injury and serious damage
to the vehicle.
<
Contains information that will
assist you in gaining the optimum
benefit from your vehicle and enable
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, country-
specific equipment and optional extras.
t
Identifies index entries that refer to
owner service procedures or topics on
car care.
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 56.
<
The individual vehicle
On buying 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
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
Cockpit 16
Instrument cluster 18
Indicator and warning lamps 22
Multifunction steering wheel 26
Sports steering wheel 27
Hazard warning flashers 28
Warning triangle 28
First-aid kit 28
Refueling 29
Fuel specifications 30
Tire inflation pressure 30
Locks and security systems:
Keys34
Electronic vehicle immobilizer 35
Central locking system 36
Opening and closing – from the outside 36
Using the key 36
Using the remote control 37
Opening and closing – from the inside 40
Liftgate 41
Tailgate 41
Alarm system 43
Electric power windows 45
Sliding/Tilt sunroof with glass moonroof 46
Adjustments:
Seats48
Steering wheel 52
Mirrors 53
Seat, mirror and steering wheel memory 55
Car Memory, Key Memory 56
Passenger safety systems:
Safety belts57
Airbags 58
Transporting children safely 61
Driving:
Steering/Ignition lock64
Starting the engine 64
Switching off the engine 65
Parking brake 66
Manual transmission 67
Automatic transmission with Steptronic 68
Turn signal indicator/Headlamp flasher 70
Washer/Wiper system 71
Rear window defroster 73
Cruise control 74
Everything under control:
Odometer, outside temperature
display 76
Tachometer 77
Energy control 77
Fuel gauge 77
Coolant temperature gauge 78
Service Interval Display 78
Check Control 79
Computer 82
Multi-Information display (MID) 84
Digital clock in the MID 85
Computer in the MID 88
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
charging 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
required. If the oil level is correct:
please contact the nearest BMW
center.
Do not continue driving. The
engine could be damaged
because of inadequate lubrication. <
Parking brake*/
Brake hydraulic system l
Comes on when you engage the
parking brake. For additional informa-
tion: refer to page 66.
Comes on although the parking brake
is released: have the brake fluid level
checked. Before continuing your
journey, be sure to read the notes on
pages 141 and 161.
Also comes on in the Check Control
with the message "CHECK BRAKE
LININGS." Parking brake warning lamp
*/
Brake hydraulic system warning
lamp for Canadian models.
32n
Locks and security systems:
Keys 34
Electronic vehicle immobilizer 35
Central locking system 36
Opening and closing – from the outside 36
Using the key 36
Using the remote control 37
Opening and closing – from the inside 40
Liftgate 41
Tailgate 41
Alarm system 43
Electric power windows 45
Sliding/Tilt sunroof with glass moonroof 46
Adjustments:
Seats 48
Steering wheel 52
Mirrors 53
Seat, mirror and steering wheel memory 55
Car Memory, Key Memory 56
Passenger safety systems:
Safety belts 57
Airbags 58
Transporting children safely 61Driving:
Steering/Ignition lock
64
Starting the engine 64
Switching off the engine 65
Parking brake 66
Manual transmission 67
Automatic transmission with Steptronic 68
Turn signal indicator/Headlamp flasher 70
Washer/Wiper system/Rain sensor 71
Rear window defroster 73
Cruise control 74
Everything under control:
Odometer, outside temperature display 76
Tachometer 77
Energy control 77
Fuel gauge 77
Coolant temperature gauge 78
Service Interval Display 78
Check Control 79
Computer 82
Multi-Information Display
(MID) 84
Digital clock in the MID 85
Computer in the MID 88
Controls
34nKeys
1 The master keys with remote control
determine the functions of the Key
Memory. Refer to page 56.
There is an extended-life battery
in every master key which is
charged automatically in the ignition
lock as you drive.
For this reason, if you have a master
key that is otherwise not used, use that
key approx. 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 keyThe lock for the glove compartment
cannot be operated with this key.
This is recommended for valet
parking, for instance. Replacement keys
Replacement keys are available exclu-
sively through your BMW center. Since
the keys belong to a security system,
your BMW center is obligated to ensure
that a person requesting a key is autho-
rized 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. <
Index
Data
Technology
Repairs
Car care
Controls
Overview
35nElectronic 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 indi-
vidual keys (in the event of loss, for
instance). 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. <
36nCentral locking system Opening and closing – from the outside
The concept
The central locking system is ready for
operation as soon as you close the front
doors. The system engages and
releases the locks on the
>doors
> liftgate/tailgate
> fuel filler door.
The central locking system can be
operated
> from outside via the driver's door lock
as well as via the remote control.
> from inside via the button for the
central locking system.
If the system is locked from inside, the
fuel filler door remains unlocked. Refer
to page 40.
When the system is actuated from
outside of the vehicle, the anti-theft
protection is actuated simultaneously.
The alarm system is also activated or
deactivated.
In the event of an accident, the central
locking system unlocks automatically
(only those doors which were not
locked separately with the safety lock
buttons). Refer to page 40. In addition,
the hazard warning flashers and interior
lamps come on.
Using the key
One turn of the key in the driver's door
lock unlocks the driver's door only.
Turning the key a second time unlocks
all of the remaining doors, the liftgate/
tailgate and the fuel filler door.
You can have an acknowledgment
signal set to confirm that the
vehicle is correctly closed. <
530us010
Convenience operation
You can also operate the windows and
sliding/tilt sunroof via the door lock.
> To open: with the door closed, turn
the key to the "Unlock" position and
hold it.
> To close: with the door closed, turn
the key to the "Lock" position and
hold it.
Watch during the closing process
to be sure that no one is inadvert-
ently injured. Releasing the key stops
the operation. <
Manual operation
(in the event of an electrical malfunction)
Turn the key to the extreme left or right
to unlock/lock the door.
Index
Data
Technology
Repairs
Car care
Controls
Overview
37nOpening and closing – from the outside
Using the remote control
The remote control offers you optimal
convenience in using your vehicle's
locking system while also providing
three exclusive supplementary features:
>Switch on the interior lamps, refer to
page 38.
With this function, you can also
"search for" your vehicle — when
parked in an underground garage, for
instance.
> Open the liftgate, refer to page 39.
The liftgate will open slightly, regard-
less of whether it was previously
locked or unlocked.
> Panic mode
In case of danger, you can trigger an
alarm.
When the vehicle is unlocked, the anti-
theft protection is deactivated and the
alarm system is disarmed; when the
vehicle is locked, the systems are acti-
vated or armed.
The interior lamps are switched on
when the vehicle is unlocked.
You can have an acknowledgment
signal set to confirm that the
vehicle is correctly closed. <
Master keys
Keys with remote control are master
keys. Refer to page 34.
Children might be able to lock the
doors from the inside. For this
reason, always take the vehicle's keys
with you so that the vehicle can be
opened again from the outside at any
time. <
530us011
Master keys that are used repeat-
edly are always ready for opera-
tion since the battery in the key is
charged automatically in the ignition
lock as you drive.
If it is no longer possible to lock the
vehicle via the remote control, the
battery is discharged. Use this key
while driving for an extended period in
order to charge the battery. Refer also
to page 34.
To prevent unauthorized use of the
remote control, surrender only the door
and ignition key 3 or the spare key 2
(refer to page 34) when leaving the
vehicle for valet parking, for example.
In the event of a system malfunction,
please contact your BMW center. You
can also obtain replacement keys
there. <