Contents
© 2001 Bayerische Motoren Werke
Aktiengesellschaft
Munich, Germany
Reprinting, including excerpts, only with the
written consent of BMW AG, Munich.
Order No. 01 41 0 156 190
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
Ð via the door lock31
Ð from the inside32
Luggage compartment lid33
Luggage compartment35
Alarm system36
Electric power windows38
Manual convertible top39
Fully-automatic convertible
top42
Wind deflector46
Adjustments:
Correct sitting posture48
Seats48
Adjusting electric power
seats49
Lumbar support50
Head restraints50
Entering the rear51
Safety belts52
Seat and mirror memory53
Seat heating54
Steering wheel54
Mirrors55
Passenger safety systems:
Airbags56
Transporting children safely59Rollover protection system61
Vehicle Memory, Key
Memory63
Driving:
Ignition lock64
Starting the engine64
Switching off the engine65
Parking brake66
Manual transmission66
Automatic transmission with
Steptronic67
Indicator/Headlamp flasher69
Washer/Wiper system/
Rain sensor70
Cruise control72
Everything under control:
Odometer74
Tachometer74
Energy control74
Fuel gauge75
Temperature gauge75
Service Interval Display75
Check Control76
Computer76
Technology for safety and
driving convenience:
Park Distance Control (PDC)79
Automatic Stability Control plus
Traction (ASC+T)80
Contents
5n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Controls and features
Operation, maintenance
Dynamic Stability Control
(DSC)81
Tire Pressure Monitor (RDC)83
Flat Tire Monitor85
Lamps:
Parking lamps/Low beams87
Instrument lighting88
High beams/Standing lamps88
Fog lamps88
Interior lamps89
Controlling the climate for
pleasant driving:
Air conditioning90
Automatic climate control93
Interior conveniences:
Glove compartment96
BMW Universal Transmitter97
Storage compartments99
Cellular phone100
Ashtray, front100
Ashtray, rear101
Loading and transporting:
Ski bag102
Cargo loading103
Roof-mounted luggage rack for
the hardtop105
Special operating instructions:
Break-in procedures108
Driving notes109
Antilock Brake System
(ABS)109
Brake system109
Hardtop110
Wheels and tires:
Tire inflation pressure113
Tire condition113
Tire replacement114
Wheel and tire
combinations116
Winter tires116
In the engine compartment:
Hood118
Engine compartment
essentials119
Washer fluids120
Engine oil121
Coolant123
Brake fluid124
Maintenance:
The BMW Maintenance
System125
Laws and regulations:
Technical modifications126
California Proposition
65 Warning126
OBD interface socket127
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
operation of any portable cellular phone
from within the vehicle without using an
externally mounted antenna) or trans-
ceiver equipment (such as CB, walkie-
talkie, ham radio or similar) may cause
extensive damage to the vehicle,
compromise its safety, interfere with
the vehicle's electrical system or affect
the validity of the BMW Limited
Warranty. Contact 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
pages 29 and 31 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 beams87
2
>
Turn signal indicators69
>
Standing lamps88
>
High beams88
>
Headlamp flasher69
>
Computer763 Wiper/Washer system/Rain
sensor70
4 Hazard warning flashers
5 Central locking system286 Rear window defroster91, 95
7 Horn: the entire surface
8 Adjusting the steering wheel54
9 Fog lamps88
Cockpit
16n
Instrument cluster
7 Indicator and warning
lamps17 to 20
8 Reset trip odometer to zero74
9 Indicator for Check Control7610 Display for
>
Trip odometer/Odometer74
>
Clock76
>
Service Interval75
>
Computer7611 Selector lever and program display
for automatic transmission18, 69
12 Control button for the clock76
13 Indicator and warning
lamps17 to 20
18n
Indicator and warning lamps
Red and yellow: continue driving
cautiously
The brake warning lamp comes
on together with the yellow indi-
cator lamps for ABS and
ASC+T/DSC:
The entire ABS, CBC, ASC+T/
DSC and ADB control system
has failed. Continue driving
cautiously and defensively.
Avoid full brake applications. Please
have the system checked by your BMW
center as soon as possible.
For additional information refer to
pages 80, 81
CBC, ABS, ASC+T/DSC and
ADB/DBC indicator and warning
lamps for Canadian models.
Red: an important reminder
Parking brake warning lamp
Comes on when the parking
brake is engaged Ð an additional
acoustic signal sounds when you start
off.
For additional information refer to
page 66
Parking brake warning lamp for
Canadian models.
Lock backrest/Fasten safety
belts
l
An acoustic warning also
sounds in some versions. Flashes if the
backrest is not locked. Lights up either
for several seconds or until the belt is
engaged, depending upon version.
For additional information on safety
belts refer to page 52
Airbags
l
Please have the system
inspected at your BMW center.
For additional information refer to
page 56
Orange: consult the nearest
BMW center
Automatic transmission
The automatic transmission has
responded to a malfunction by
reverting to operation in its emergency
default program. Please consult the
nearest BMW center.
For additional information refer to
page 67
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 109
ABS warning lamp for Canadian
models.
Engine oil level
Comes on during 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 121
Engine oil level
Comes on after the engine has
been switched off: add engine
oil at the earliest opportunity (next time
you stop to refuel).
For additional information refer to
page 121
Brake pads
l
Have the brake pads checked.
For additional information refer
to page 109
Tire Pressure Monitor (RDC)/
Flat Tire Monitor
l
Check tire inflation pressures,
refer to pages 24, 83, 85
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 contact a BMW center in case of
a malfunction.
Additional information beginning on
page 80
Automatic Stability Control plus
Traction (ASC+T)/Dynamic
Stability Control (DSC) indicator
lamp and brake warning lamp
l
The indicator lamps remain on:
the DSC
and ADB/DBC have
been switched off with the button or are
defective.
Please consult the nearest BMW
center.
For additional information refer to
page 81
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 by your BMW
center.
For additional information refer to
page 82
22n
Hazard warning triangle
*
Refueling
The hazard warning triangle is stored in
the luggage compartment lid inside the
container for the onboard tools.
To open the container, loosen the wing
nut.
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.
<