Page 4 of 155

 
Contents
 
© 2001 Bayerische Motoren Werke
Aktiengesellschaft
Munich, Germany
Reprinting, including excerpts, only with the 
written consent of BMW AG, Munich. 
Order No. 01 41 0 156 168
US English VIII/01
Printed in Germany
Printed on environmentally friendly paper 
(bleached without chlorine, suitable for recycling). 
Overview
Controls and features
 
Cockpit14
Instrument cluster15
Indicator and warning lamps17
Multifunction steering wheel 
(MFL)21
Hazard warning triangle22
Refueling22
Fuel specifications23
Tire inflation pressures24
 
Opening and closing:
 
Keys28
Central locking system28
Opening and closing Ð via the 
remote control29
Opening and closing Ð via the 
door lock31
Opening and closing Ð from the 
inside32
Luggage compartment lid33
Luggage compartment35
Alarm system36
Electric power windows37
Sliding/tilt sunroof39
 
Adjustments:
 
Correct sitting posture41
Seats41
Manual seat adjustment42
Power seat adjustment43
Lumbar support43
Head restraints44
Safety belts45
Seat and mirror memory46
Seat heating47
Steering wheel47
Mirrors48
 
Passenger safety systems:
 
Airbags49
Transporting children safely52
Vehicle Memory, Key 
Memory55
 
Driving:
 
Ignition lock56
Starting the engine56
Switching off the engine57
Parking brake58
Manual transmission58
Automatic transmission with 
Steptronic59
Indicator/Headlamp flasher61
Washer/Wiper system/Rain 
sensor62
Cruise control64
 
Everything under control:
 
Odometer66
Tachometer66
Energy control66
Fuel gauge67
Temperature gauge67
Service Interval Display67
Check Control68
Clock68
Computer69
 
Technology for safety and 
driving convenience:
 
Park Distance Control (PDC)71
Automatic Stability Control plus 
Traction (ASC+T)72
Dynamic Stability Control 
(DSC)73
 
Contents 
         
        
        
     
        
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14n
1 Parking lamps/Low beams82
2
 
>
 
Turn signals61
 
>
 
Standing lamps83
 
>
 
High beams83
 
>
 
Headlamp flasher61
 
>
 
Computer693 Washer/Wiper system/Rain 
sensor62
4 Hazard warning flashers
5 Central locking system286 Rear window defroster86, 90
7 Horn, the entire surface
8 Adjusting the steering wheel47
9 Fog lamps83
 
Cockpit 
         
        
        
     
        
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20n
 
Indicator and warning lamps
 
Add washer fluid
The washer fluid is too low. Top 
off the fluid at the earliest 
opportunity. For additional information: 
refer to page 114
SERVICE ENGINE SOON 
 
l 
 
If the indicator lamp comes on 
either continuously or intermit-
tently, this indicates a fault in the emis-
sions-related electronic systems. 
Although the vehicle remains opera-
tional, you should have the systems 
checked at your BMW center at the 
earliest possible opportunity. 
For additional information: refer to 
page 121.
SERVICE ENGINE SOON 
warning lamp for Canadian 
models.
Engine electronics 
 
l
 
 
There is a fault in the electronic 
engine-management system. 
You can continue to drive with reduced 
engine output or engine speed. Please 
have the system inspected by your 
BMW center.
Add coolant
The coolant level is too low. Add 
coolant at the earliest opportu-
nity. For additional information: refer to 
page 117
 
Green: for your information
 
Turn signal indicator
Flashes when the turn signals 
are on. 
Rapid flashing indicates a system 
malfunction.
For additional information: refer to 
page 61
Cruise control
Lights up when the cruise 
control is activated: available for 
operation via the multifunction steering 
wheel.
For additional information: refer to 
page 64
Fog lamps
Lights up whenever you switch 
on the fog lamps.
For additional information: refer to 
page 83
 
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 61, 83 
         
        
        
     
        
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61n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Automatic transmission with Steptronic
*
Indicator/Headlamp flasher 
Available displays 
P R N D SD M1 M2 M3 M4 M5
Electronic transmission control 
module
If the indicator lamp comes on, 
there is a malfunction in the 
transmission system.
Bring the vehicle to a stop. Move the 
transmission selector lever to "P." 
Engage the parking brake and turn the 
engine off (ignition key to position 0). 
Wait a few seconds, then start the 
engine.
If the indicator lamp goes out after a 
few seconds, normal transmission 
performance has been restored. You 
may continue to drive as usual. 
If the indicator lamp does not go out, 
you can place the selector lever in all 
positions. However, the vehicle will now 
only operate in 3rd and 4th gear. 
If this happens, avoid extreme engine 
loads and consult the nearest BMW 
center.
Never work in the engine 
compartment when a drive gear 
(forward or reverse) is engaged. If you 
do this, the vehicle could move.<
For towing or jump-starting, refer to the 
information beginning on page 134.
1 High beams (blue indicator lamp)
2 Headlamp flasher (blue indicator 
lamp)
3 Turn signal indicator (green indicator 
accompanied by periodic clicking 
sound from the relay)To signal brieflyPress the lever up to but not beyond 
the detent. It then returns to the center 
position when released.
If the flashing of the turn indica-
tors and the clicking from the relay 
are both faster than normal, one of the 
turn signal indicators has failed.< 
         
        
        
     
        
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63n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Washer/Wiper system0 Wipers retracted
1 Clean the windshieldCleaning windshield
Do not use the washers if there is 
any danger that the fluid will 
freeze on the windshield, as your vision 
could be obscured. Always use a wind-
shield washer antifreeze in cold 
weather. Refer to page 114.
Do not use the washers when the reser-
voir is empty as this could cause 
damage to the washer pump.<
The system sprays washer fluid against 
the windshield and activates the wipers 
for a brief period.
Cleaning headlamps
*
When the vehicle's lighting system is 
switched on, the headlamps will also be 
cleaned every fifth time the automatic 
windshield washer is activated.Windshield washer nozzlesThe windshield washer nozzles are 
heated automatically
* when the ignition 
key is in position 2. 
         
        
        
     
        
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68n
Check Control ClockWhen you turn the ignition key to posi-
tion 2, any of the following symbols may 
appear to call your attention to problem 
areas; the symbols remain in the 
display panel until the problem is 
corrected:
1 Check the low beam and high beam 
headlamps, as well as the parking 
lamps
2 Door open
3 Luggage compartment lid open
4 Check brake and tail lamps
When you open the driver's door after 
completing a journey, an acoustic 
warning signal will sound if you have 
forgotten to turn off the headlamps.
If you wish to have a permanent time 
display, you can make this adjustment 
in the radio display (refer to the Radio 
Owner's Manual).
You can adjust the clock and the time 
display in the car radio as follows.
AdjustmentsWith ignition key in position 1or 2 and 
time displayed in the instrument cluster.
To set ahead: turn the button to the 
right.
To set back: turn the button to the left.
The adjustment speed will increase the 
longer you continue to hold the button.
To change the display mode: press the 
button briefly.
Every time you press the button, the 
clock display alternates between the 
12-hour or 24-hour mode.
In ignition key position 0: the time is 
displayed for a few seconds after you 
press the left button, refer to Odometer 
on page 66. 
         
        
        
     
        
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82n
Parking lamps/Low beamsParking lamps 
The front, rear and side vehicle 
lighting is switched on. You can 
use the parking lamps for 
parking. For lighting on one side for 
parking as an additional feature, refer to 
page 83.
Low beams 
When the ignition is switched off 
while the low beams are on, the 
headlamps go out and only the 
parking lamps remain on.
FOLLOW ME HOME lamps
When you activate the headlamp 
flasher after parking the vehicle with the 
lights turned off, the low-beam head-
lamps will come on for a short time. You 
can also have this function deacti-
vated.<
LIGHTS ON warningWhenever you open the driver's door 
after having turned the ignition key to 
position 0, you will hear a buzzing 
sound for a few seconds to remind you 
if the lamps have not been switched off.Daytime driving lamps
*
If you desire, the light switch can be left 
in the second position: 
When the ignition is switched off, the 
external lighting is also switched off.
You can have the activation 
settings for the daytime driving 
lamps programmed on your vehicle.<
Automatic headlight control
* 
When the switch is set to this 
position the system automati-
cally activates and cancels the 
low beams in response to changes in 
ambient light ( in tunnels, at dusk, etc.) 
as well as rain and snow.
The vehicle's external lights 
remain on constantly when you 
switch on the front fog lamps after the 
headlights have come on automati-
cally.< 
Automatic headlight control 
cannot serve as a substitute for 
the driver's judgement in determining 
when the vehicle lights should be 
switched on. For example, the sensors 
are not able to detect fog.  To avoid 
safety risks, you should respond to 
these kinds of low-visibility situations 
by switching the headlights on manu-
ally.<
You can have the sensitivity of 
your vehicle's automatic head-
light control adjusted.<  
         
        
        
     
        
        Page 83 of 155
83n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Instrument lighting High beams/Standing lampsFog lampsTurn the rotary dial to adjust the illumi-
nation intensity.
1 High beams (blue indicator lamp)
2 Headlamp flasher (blue indicator 
lamp)
3 Parking lampsStanding lamps, left or rightAs an additional feature, you can illumi-
nate your vehicle on either side for 
parking:
With the ignition key in position 0, 
engage the lever in the appropriate 
turn-signal position.
Fog lamps
The green indicator lamp in the 
instrument cluster lights up to 
indicate that the front fog lamps 
are on.
If the automatic headlight control 
is on, the low beams will come on 
automatically whenever you activate 
the front fog lamps.<