Page 3 of 223

Congratulations, and thank you for choosing a BMW.
Thorough familiarity with your vehicle will provide you with enhanced co\
ntrol and
security when you drive it. We therefore have this request:
Please take the time to read this Owner's Manual and familiarize yoursel\
f with the
information that we have compiled for you before starting off in your ne\
w vehicle. It
contains important data and instructions intended to assist you in gaini\
ng maximum
use and satisfaction from the unique range of technical features on your\
BMW. The
manual also contains information on care and maintenance designed to enh\
ance
operating safety and contribute to maintaining the value of your BMW thr\
oughout an
extended service life.
This Owner's Manual should be considered a permanent part of this vehicl\
e. It
should stay with the vehicle when sold to provide the next owner with im\
portant
operating, safety and maintenance information.
This manual is supplemented by a Service and Warranty Information Bookle\
t
(US models) or a Warranty and Service Guide Booklet (Canadian models)\
.
We recommend that you read this publication thoroughly.
Your BMW is covered by the following warranties:
– New Vehicle Limited Warranty
– Limited Warranty Rust Perforation
– Federal Emissions System Defect Warranty
– Federal Emissions Performance Warranty
– California Emission Control System Limited Warranty
Detailed information about these warranties is listed in the Service and\
Warranty
Information Booklet (US models) or in the Warranty and Service Guide B\
ooklet
(Canadian models).
We wish you an enjoyable driving experience.
BMW AG
Foreword
Page 4 of 223

© 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
Page 9 of 223
Index
Data
Technology
Repairs
Car care
Controls
Overview
Overview
Controls and features Operation, care
and maintenance
Owner service procedures
Technical dataIndex
Advanced technology
9
n
Page 10 of 223

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
Page 12 of 223

Contents
Operation, care and maintenanceOwner service proceduresAdvanced technology
Under the hood:
Hood 151
Engine compartment 152
Washer fluid 156
Washer nozzles 156
Engine oil 157
Coolant 160
Brake fluid 161
Vehicle Identification Number 161
Care and maintenance:
The BMW Maintenance
System 162
Caring for your vehicle 163
Airbags 168
Vehicle storage 168
Laws and regulations:
Technical modifications 169
California Proposition 65 Warning 169
OBD interface socket 170
Replacement procedures:
Onboard tool kit174
Windshield wiper blades 174
Lamps and bulbs 175
Changing a wheel 180
Battery 185
Fuses 187
In case of electrical
malfunction:
Fuel filler door 188
Sliding/Tilt sunroof 188
Liftgate 188
Tailgate 189
Assistance, giving and
receiving:
Jump-starting 190
Towing the vehicle 191 Airbags
196
Adaptive Transmission Control (ATC) 196
Four-wheel drive 197
Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) 197
Radio reception 198
Safety belt tensioner 198
DSP sound system 199
Rearview mirrors with automatic dimmer 199
Rain sensor 200
Front axle 200
Integrated rear suspension 201
Level control system 201
Xenon lamps 202
Page 15 of 223
Index
Data
Technology
Repairs
Car care
Controls
Overview
Overview
Controls and features Operation, care
and maintenance
Owner service procedures
Technical dataIndex
Advanced technology
15
n
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
Overview
Page 19 of 223

Index
Data
Technology
Repairs
Car care
Controls
Overview
19n
Instrument cluster
There are two versions, depending on
the equipment on your vehicle.
1 Fuel gauge with indicator lamp for fuel reserve 77
2 Indicator lamp for turn signals 25
3 Speedometer
4 Indicator lamp for high beams 25
5 Tachometer and Energy Control 77
6 Coolant temperature gauge with "Coolant temperature too high"
indicator 78
7 Indicator and warning lamps (clockwise) for:
>
Parking brake/Brake hydraulic
system, Dynamic Brake Control
(DBC) 22, 24
>
Antilock Brake System (ABS) 23
>
Brake pads24
>
Airbags23
>
Automatic transmission
*
24
>
Please fasten safety belts 23
>
Cruise control25
8 Selector lever and program display for automatic transmission
*
68
9 Service Interval Display 7810 Computer display –
operation via the turn signal lever,
refer to page 82:
>
Outside temperature
>
Average fuel consumption
>
Cruising range
>
Average speed
11 Indicator lamp for Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) 24
12 Indicator lamp for level control system
*
24
13 Odometer and trip odometer 76
14 Indicator for Check Control 79
15 Reset button for trip odometer 76
16 Indicator and warning lamps (clockwise) for:
>
Fog lamps 25
>
Battery charge current 22
>
Engine oil level/Engine oil
pressure22, 24
>
Engine Power Control 24
>
Service Engine Soon24
Page 21 of 223

Index
Data
Technology
Repairs
Car care
Controls
Overview
21n
Instrument cluster
*
There are two versions, depending on
the equipment on your vehicle. 1 Fuel gauge with indicator lamp for fuel reserve 77
2 Indicator lamp for turn signals 25
3 Speedometer
4 Indicator lamp for high beams 25
5 Tachometer and Energy Control 77
6 Engine coolant temperature gauge 78
7 Indicator and warning lamps (clockwise) for:
>
Parking brake 23
>
Brake hydraulic system/Dynamic
Brake Control (DBC) 22, 24
>
Antilock Brake System (ABS) 23
>
Airbags23
>
Please fasten safety belts 23
>
Cruise control25
8 CHECK button 79
9 Selector lever and program display for automatic transmission
*
68 10 Outside temperature display
76
11 Indicator lamp for Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) 24
12 Trip odometer 76
13 Indicator for Check Control
*
79
14 Odometer 76
15 Service Interval Display 78
16 Reset button for trip odometer 76
17 Indicator and warning lamps (clockwise) for:
>
Fog lamps 25
>
Battery charge current 22
>
Engine oil pressure22
>
Service Engine Soon 24