
 
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 

 
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 

 
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 

 
21n
 OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex 
Multifunction steering wheel (MFL)
 
* 
The buttons integrated in the multifunc-
tion steering wheel (MFL) are provided 
so that you can operate a number of 
accessories quickly and without being 
distracted from traffic conditions. You 
may operate:
 
>
 
Selected radio functions
 
>
 
The cruise control
 
>
 
Selected cellular phone functions.
The controls are active only when 
the corresponding systems and 
accessories are switched on.
 
< 
 
Press briefly:
Receive a phone call, initiate dialing, 
terminate a call.
 
Switch between phone and radio, 
cassette and CD.
Forward:
 
>
 
Radio
Press briefly: station scan in FM band
Extended pressure: search function
 
>
 
CD
Press briefly: jump to next track
Extended pressure: search function 
in track
 
>
 
Cassette
Press briefly: stop track scan or fast 
forward
Extended pressure: fast forward
 
>
 
Phone
Scan personal phone book.
Rewind: functions as fast forward.
 
Volume.
Cruise control: to select a stored 
setting.
Cruise control: store and accelerate (+) 
or decelerate and store (Ð).
Cruise control: activate/interrupt/deac-
tivate. 

41n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Correct sitting posture SeatsFor relaxed and fatigue-free driving you 
should select a sitting position that 
reflects your personal requirements. 
Correct posture combines with safety 
belts and airbags to enhance occupant 
safety in the event of an accident. To 
ensure that the vehicle's safety systems 
provide you with optimal protection, we 
request that you direct your careful 
attention to the following section.
For supplementary information on 
transporting children, refer to page 52. Sitting correctly with airbags
Always maintain an adequate 
distance between yourself and the 
airbags. Always hold the steering wheel 
by the rim to keep any chance of injury 
to hands or arms to an absolute 
minimum should the airbag be 
deployed. Never allow any objects, 
individuals or animals to obstruct the 
areas between passengers and airbags.
Never use the front airbag's cover as a 
storage tray or support for objects of 
any kind. Never allow front passengers 
to rest their feet or legs on the airbag 
cover.<
For airbag locations and additional 
information on airbags refer to page 49.
Safe with safety belts
Never allow more than one person 
to wear a single safety belt. Never 
allow infants or small children to ride in 
a passenger's lap. Avoid twisting the 
belt while routing it firmly across the 
hips and shoulder, wear it as snugly 
against your body as possible. Do not 
allow the belt to rest against hard or 
fragile objects. Do not route the belt 
across your neck, or run it across sharp 
edges. Be sure that the belt does not 
become caught or jammed. Avoid 
wearing bulky clothing and pull on the 
lap belt periodically to retension it over 
your shoulders. In the event of a frontal 
impact, a loose lap belt could slide over 
your hips, leading to abdominal 
injury. In addition, the safety belt's 
restraint effectiveness is reduced if it is 
worn loosely. Expectant mothers 
should always wear their safety belts, 
taking care to position the lap belt 
against the lower hips, where it will not 
exert pressure against the abdominal 
area.<
For information on using the safety 
belts refer to page 45.
When adjusting your seat, always 
observe the following precautions
Never try to adjust your seat while 
operating the vehicle. The seat 
could respond with unexpected move-
ment, and the ensuing loss of vehicle 
control could lead to an accident. Never 
ride with the backrest reclined to an 
extreme horizontal angle (important for 
front passengers to remember). Keep 
the backrest relatively upright to mini-
mize the risk of sliding under the safety 
belt and sustaining injury in an acci-
dent.<
Seat adjustment>Manual seat adjustment, refer to 
page 42
>Power seat adjustment, refer to 
page 43
>Head restraint, refer to page 44 

47n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Seat and mirror memory
*
Seat heating
*
Steering wheel 
Passenger-side exterior mirror tilt 
function(automatic curb monitor
*)
1. Move the mirror selector switch 1 to 
the "driver's mirror" position
2. When the selector lever is placed in 
"Reverse," the passenger-side mirror 
tilts downward to help the driver 
monitor the area directly adjacent to 
the vehicle during parking (curbs, 
etc.). 
You can deactivate this automatic 
feature by setting the mirror selector 
switch to the "passenger-side" posi-
tion.
The seat cushion and backrest can 
be heated with the ignition key in posi-
tion 2.
You can select different heating modes 
by repeatedly pressing the buttons.
You can also switch the higher heating 
modes off directly:
Press the button and hold it slightly 
longer.
Adjustments1. Push the locking lever downward
2. Adjust the steering column's rake 
and reach to suit your seat position
3. Pull the lever back in to clamp the 
steering wheel in the new position.
Do not adjust the steering wheel 
while the vehicle is moving, other-
wise you run the risk of an accident due 
to unexpected movement.< 

50n
Airbags
The side airbags in the rear 
passenger area
* of your vehicle 
may already have been deactivated, 
either at the time of manufacture or by a 
BMW center. You may have them acti-
vated if you desire to do so. Please 
contact your BMW center for additional 
information.<
The airbags do not deploy in 
response to minor collisions, rear 
impacts and certain kinds of vehicle 
rollover.<
For your safety, comply with the 
following instructions for the 
airbags. If you do not, the airbags may 
not be able to provide their maximum 
protection. All passengers in the vehicle 
should be aware of and comply with 
these directions: 
The airbags are supplemental restraint 
devices designed to provide extra 
protection; they are not a substitute for 
safety belts. Wear your safety belt at all 
times. The airbags will not be triggered 
in the event of a minor accident, a 
vehicle roll-over, or collisions from the 
rear. In these instances, the safety belt 
provides optimal protection. 
Airbags are located under cover panels 
in the steering wheel, in the dashboard, 
in the side trim panels in the front and 
rear
*, in the roof panels, and in the 
sides of the inside roof lining. 
Adjust your seat to a position that 
provides maximum distance between 
you and the steering wheel, the instru-
ment panel and the door while still 
allowing comfortable and safe access 
to all vehicle controls. 
To avoid sustaining hand and arm inju-
ries, always grasp the steering wheel 
on the rim with the hands at the 9 and 
3 o'clock positions. Do not place your 
hands on the center pad. 
Never allow any objects to obstruct the 
area between the airbag and an occu-
pant. 
Do not use the cover panel above the 
passenger-side airbag as a storage 
area. 
Do not apply adhesive materials to the 
cover panels of the airbags, cover them 
or modify them in any other way. 
Do not install a rear-facing child-
restraint system in the front passenger 
seat of this vehicle. 
Children under 13 years of age and less 
than 5 ft (150 cm) tall should ride only in 
the rear seat. 
Infants or small children should never 
be held on the lap of a passenger. 
If your vehicle is equipped with side airbags in the rear passenger area
*, be 
sure that child restraints are mounted 
correctly with the greatest-possible 
distance between them and the airbags 
in the side trim panels. Do not allow 
children to lean out of the child's seat in 
the direction of the side trim panels. If 
they do so, serious injuries can occur if 
the airbag is triggered.<
At all times, occupants should sit 
upright and be properly restrained 
(infants and small children in appro-
priate child-restraint systems; larger 
children and adults using the safety 
belts). Never let an occupant's head 
rest near or on a side airbag because 
the inflating airbag could cause a 
serious or fatal injury. Please note that 
the word Airbag imprinted on the door 
trim panel indicates the airbag's loca-
tion. 
Accident research shows that the 
safest place for children in an 
automobile is in the rear seat. However, 
a child sitting in the rear seat and not 
properly restrained may place his or her 
head on or near the airbag, if so 
equipped. For example, a child Ñ even 
though belted Ñ may fall asleep with his 
or her head against the side airbag. It 
may be difficult for a driver to ensure  

56n
Ignition lock  Starting the engine 0 Steering locked 
1 Steering unlocked
2 Ignition switched on
3 Starting engine
Vehicles with automatic transmis-
sion:
Do not move the selector lever from 
position "P" until the engine is running 
(ignition key position 2).
Your vehicle is equipped with an inter-
lock. Therefore, the ignition key cannot 
be turned to position 0 and removed 
until the selector lever is in 
position "P."<
Vehicles with manual transmis-
sion:
Step on the clutch when starting the 
vehicle. A lockout prevents the engine 
from starting if the clutch is not 
depressed.<
Steering lockedThe key can only be inserted and 
removed in this position.
After removing the key, turn the 
steering wheel slightly to the left or right 
until you hear the lock engage.
The sound system remains operational 
for approx. 20 minutes after you switch 
off the ignition (ignition key in position 0 
or key extracted). Simply switch it back 
on.Steering unlocked You will find that it is often easier to turn 
the ignition key from position 0 to posi-
tion 1 when you move the steering 
wheel slightly to help disengage the 
lock.
Individual electrical accessories are 
ready for operation.
Before starting>Engage the parking brake
>Ensure that the shift lever is in 
neutral, or, with an automatic trans-
mission, that the selector lever is in 
position "P"
>Depress the clutch pedal.
Do not allow the engine to run in 
enclosed spaces. The exhaust 
gases contain carbon monoxide, an 
odorless and colorless, but highly toxic 
gas. 
Breathing the exhaust gases poses an 
extreme health risk, and can lead to 
unconsciousness and death.
Do not leave the vehicle unattended 
with the engine running. An unat-
tended vehicle with a running engine 
represents a potential safety hazard.<
 When driving, standing at idle, 
and parking the vehicle, take care 
to avoid contact between the exhaust 
system and flammable materials (grass, 
hay, leaves, etc.).  Such contact could 
lead to a fire, resulting in serious 
personal injury and property damage.<
>Start the engine. Do not press the 
accelerator pedal.