
 
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 

 
5n
 
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
 
Controls and features
Operation, maintenance
 
Hill Descent Control (HDC)77
Tire Pressure Monitor (RDC)78
Flat Tire Monitor80
 
Lamps:
 
Parking lamps/Low beams82
Instrument lighting83
High beams/Standing lamps83
Fog lamps83
Interior lamps84
 
Controlling the climate for 
pleasant driving:
 
Air conditioning85
Automatic climate control88
Roller sun blind91
 
Interior conveniences:
 
Premium sound system91
Glove compartment92
Storage compartments92
Cellular phone94
Ashtray, front95
Ashtray, rear95
 
Loading and transporting:
 
Through-loading system96
Ski bag97
Cargo loading99
Roof-mounted luggage rack100
 
Special operating instructions:
 
Break-in procedures104
Driving notes105
Antilock Brake System 
(ABS)105
Brake system106
 
Wheels and tires:
 
Tire inflation pressures107
Tire condition107
Tire replacement108
Wheel and tire 
combinations110
Winter tires111
 
In the engine compartment:
 
Hood112
Engine compartment 
essentials113
Washer fluids114
Engine oil115
Coolant117
Brake fluid118
 
Maintenance:
 
The BMW Maintenance 
System119
 
Laws and regulations:
 
Technical modifications120
California Proposition 
65 Warning120
OBD interface socket121 

 
10n
 
For your own safety
 
Use unleaded gasoline only. Fuels  
containing up to and including 
10 % ethanol or other oxygenates with 
up to 2.8 % oxygen by weight (i.e. 
15 % MTBE or 3 % methanol plus an 
equivalent amount of co-solvent) will 
not void the applicable warranties 
covering defects in materials or work-
manship. Field experience has indi-
cated significant differences in fuel 
quality (volatility, composition, addi-
tives, for example) among gasolines 
offered for sale in the United States and 
Canada. The use of poor-quality fuels 
may result in driveability, starting and 
stalling problems, especially under 
certain environmental conditions, such 
as high ambient temperature and high 
altitude.
Should you encounter driveability prob-
lems which you suspect could be 
related to the fuel you are using, we 
recommend that you respond by 
switching to a recognized high-quality 
brand.
Failure to comply with these recom-
mendations may result in unscheduled 
maintenance.
Obey all applicable safety rules when 
handling gasoline.
 
<
 
Important safety information!
For your own safety, use genuine parts  
and accessories approved by BMW. 
When you purchase accessories tested  
and approved by BMW and Original 
BMW Parts, you simultaneously acquire 
the assurance that they have been thor-
oughly tested by BMW to ensure 
optimum performance when installed 
on your vehicle. 
BMW warrants these parts to be free  
from defects in material and workman-
ship. 
BMW will not accept any liability for  
damage resulting from installation of 
parts and accessories not approved by 
BMW. 
BMW cannot test every product on the  
market to determine whether it can be 
used on a BMW safely and without risk 
to either the vehicle, its operation, or its 
occupants. 
Original BMW Parts, BMW Accessories  
and other products approved by BMW, 
together with professional advice on 
using these items, are available from all 
BMW centers.
 
Installation and operation of non-BMW  
approved accessories such as alarms, 
radios, amplifiers, radar detectors, 
wheels, suspension components, brake 
dust shields, telephones (including oper-
ation of any portable cellular phone from 
within the vehicle without using an exter-
nally mounted antenna) or transceiver 
equipment (such as CB, walkie-talkie, 
ham radio or similar) may cause exten-
sive damage to the vehicle, compromise 
its safety, interfere with the vehicle's 
electrical system or affect the validity of 
the BMW Limited Warranty. See your 
BMW center for additional information. 
Do not use key or remote control to lock  
doors or luggage compartment with 
anyone inside the vehicle. Refer to 
page 34 for more details.
 
<
 
Maintenance, replacement, or 
repair of the emission control 
devices and systems may be performed 
by any automotive repair establishment 
or individual using any certified auto-
motive part.
 
<
 
Symbol on vehicle parts 
 
Indicates that you should consult 
the relevant section of this 
Owner's Manual for information on a 
particular part or assembly.  

 
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 

 
16n
 
Instrument cluster
 
7 Indicator and warning 
lamps17 to 20
8 Reset trip odometer to zero66
9 Check Control display6810 Display for
 
>
 
Trip odometer/odometer66
 
>
 
Clock68
 
>
 
Service Interval67
 
>
 
Computer6911 Selector lever and program display 
for automatic transmission18, 61
12 Control button for the clock68
13 Indicator and warning 
lamps17 to 20 

 
19n
 
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
 
Indicator and warning lamps
 
Yellow: check as soon as possible
 
Antilock Brake System (ABS) 
 
l
 
ABS has been deactivated in 
response to system malfunction. 
Conventional braking performance 
remains available with no loss of effi-
ciency. Please have the system 
inspected at your BMW center.
For additional information: refer to 
page 105
ABS warning lamp for Canadian 
models.
Engine oil level
Comes on while driving: the 
engine oil level has fallen to the 
absolute minimum; refill as soon as 
possible. Do not drive more than 
approx. 30 miles (50 km) until you do.
For additional information: refer to 
page 115
Engine oil level
Comes on after the engine has 
been shut off: add engine oil at 
your earliest opportunity (next time you 
stop to refuel). For additional informa-
tion: refer to page 115
Brake pads 
 
l
 
Have the brake pads checked.
For additional information: refer 
to page 106
 
Tire Pressure Monitor (RDC)/
Flat Tire Monitor 
 
l
 
Check tire inflation pressures, 
refer to pages 24, 78, 80
Automatic Stability Control plus 
Traction (ASC+T)/Dynamic 
Stability Control (DSC)
 
  
l
 
Indicator lamp flashes:
The system is actively regulating drive 
torque and braking force.
The indicator lamp stays lit:
ASC+T has been switched off with the 
button or it is defective, or the DSC has 
been switched off, ADB is operational.
Please consult the nearest BMW center 
in case of a malfunction.
For additional information: beginning on 
page 72
BMW 325xi, 330xi:
DSC has been switched off manually or 
there is a system malfunction. 
ADB-X is operational in its standby 
mode. If the warning lamp fails to go 
out when you press the DSC button 
again, this indicates a system malfunc-
tion affecting both DSC and ADB-X.
Please consult the nearest BMW 
center.
For additional information: refer to 
page 75
 
Indicator lamp for Automatic 
Stability Control plus Traction 
(ASC+T)/Dynamic Stability 
Control (DSC) and brake warning 
lamp 
 
l
 
The indicator lamps remain on:
The DSC
 
  
and ADB/DBC have been 
switched off with the button or are defec-
tive.
Please consult the nearest BMW center.
For additional information: refer to 
page 73
BMW 325xi, 330xi:
DSC and ADB-X system malfunction. 
There is no provision for deactivating 
ADB-X.
Please consult the nearest BMW center.
For additional information: refer to 
page 75
DSC and ADB indicator and 
warning lamps for Canadian 
models.
Dynamic Brake Control (DBC) 
 
l
 
Malfunction in DBC system. 
Conventional braking efficiency 
is available and unrestricted.
Have the system repaired at your BMW 
center as soon as possible. For addi-
tional information: refer to page 74 

 
22n
 
Hazard warning triangle
 
*  
Refueling 
 
The hazard warning triangle is stored in 
a storage case on the left side of the 
luggage compartment.
Always observe all legal regula-
tions requiring a warning triangle 
to be carried in the vehicle.
 
<
 
Fuel filler door
Always switch off the engine 
before refueling, as it is not 
possible to add fuel with the engine 
running, and attempts may also trigger 
the SERVICE ENGINE SOON lamp.<
Press on the rear edge of the fuel filler 
door to open and close it.
If an electrical malfunction occurs, you 
can unlock the fuel filler door manually:
1. Unlock the trim panel on the right 
side of the luggage compartment 
2. Pull the button with the fuel pump 
symbol. 
Always observe all safety precau-
tions posted at the service station 
when handling fuel. 
Never carry spare fuel containers in 
your vehicle. Whether empty or full, 
these containers can leak, cause an 
explosion, or lead to fire in the event of 
a collision.< 

28n
Keys Central locking systemThe key set1 Master key with remote control unit, 
for information on programming the 
Key Memory refer to page 55.
You can mark individual keys for 
subsequent identification by applying 
the colored decals that you received 
when accepting delivery of your 
vehicle
There is an extended-life battery 
in every master key that is 
charged automatically in the ignition 
lock as you drive.
For this reason, if you have a master 
key that is not being used otherwise, 
use those keys approximately once a 
year while driving for an extended 
period to charge the battery, refer also 
to page 29.<
2 Spare key for storage in a safe place, 
such as in your wallet. This key is not 
intended for constant use 
3 Door and ignition key
The locks for the luggage compart-
ment lid and the glove compartment 
cannot be operated with this key Ð 
this is useful for valet parking, for 
instance
The conceptThe central locking system is ready for 
operation whenever the driver's door is 
closed. The system engages and 
releases the locks on the
>doors
>luggage compartment lid
>fuel filler door. 
The central locking system can be 
operated
>from outside via the remote control 
as well as via the driver's door lock
>from inside by pressing a button.
Activating it from inside does not lock 
the fuel filler door, refer to page 32. 
When the system is actuated from the 
outside, the anti-theft system is acti-
vated simultaneously. Both the door 
locks and release handles remain 
locked. The alarm system is also acti-
vated or deactivated.
If locked from the inside, the central 
locking system unlocks automatically in 
the event of an accident, except on 
doors that have been locked individu-
ally using the lock buttons, refer to 
page 31. In addition, the hazard 
warning flashers and interior lamps 
come on.