Page 4 of 159

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
Page 16 of 159
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
Page 18 of 159

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
Page 135 of 159

135n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Changing a wheel
Safety precautions for replacing
flat tires and all wheel changes:
Stop the vehicle as far as possible from
passing traffic. Park on a firm, flat,
surface. Switch on the hazard warning
flashers. Turn the steering wheel to the
straight-ahead position and engage the
steering lock. Shift into 1st or reverse
(selector lever in Park with automatic
transmission) and engage the parking
brake.
All passengers should be outside the
vehicle and well away from your imme-
diate working area (behind a guardrail,
for example).
If a warning triangle or portable hazard
warning lamp is available, set it up on
the roadside at an appropriate distance
from the rear of the vehicle. Comply
with all safety guidelines and regula-
tions.
Change the wheel only on a level, firm
surface which is not slippery. Avoid
jacking the vehicle on a soft or slippery
support surface (snow, ice, loose
gravel, etc.), as either the vehicle or the
jack could slip sideways.
Position the jack on a firm support
surface.
Do not place wooden blocks or similar
objects under the jack. They could
prevent the jack from extending to its
full height and reduce its support
capacity.
Do not lie under the vehicle or start the
engine when the vehicle is supported
by the jack Ð risk of fatal injury.<
Your BMW is equipped with a space-
saver spare tire designed for temporary
use in maintaining the vehicle's mobility
in an emergency.
To remove the space-saver spare
tire, lift the floor panel in the
luggage compartment completely out,
refer to page 35.<
What you will needIn order to avoid rattling noises later,
note the position of the tools when you
remove them and return them to their
original position when you are through
using them.
>Jack 1
Raise the floor panel in the luggage
compartment, refer to page 35 and
undo the jack (arrow).
When you have completed work, fold
the handle back and insert it in its
holder
>Chock 2
Located behind the jack on the wall
in the luggage compartment. Loosen
the wingnut to remove it
Page 150 of 159

Everything from A to ZA
ABS (Antilock Brake
System)19, 109
Access to the rear51
Accessories10
Activated-charcoal filter96
Adaptive Transmission
Control (ATC)68
ADB (Automatic Differential
Brake)81
Adding
brake fluid124
coolant123
engine oil121
washer fluids120
Adjusting
electric power seats49
head restraints50
lumbar support50
mirrors55
steering wheel54
Air conditioning90
temperature setting91
Air distribution91, 94
Air nozzles90
Air outlets
ventilation90, 93 Air supply91, 94
Airbags18, 56
sitting correctly48
Alarm system28, 36
Antifreeze and anti-
corrosion agents123
disposal123
Antilock Brake System
(ABS)19, 109
Anti-theft system28, 29, 32
Aquaplaning109
Armrest99
ASC+T (Automatic Stability
Control plus Traction)80
Ashtray
front100
rear101
ATC (Adaptive Transmission
Control)68
Attach vehicle vacuum
cleaner101
AUC (Automatic recircu-
lated-air control)95
Automatic climate
control93, 94
Automatic cruise control72 Automatic Differential Brake
(ADB)81
Automatic dimming feature,
mirrors56
Automatic headlight
control87
Automatic recirculated-air
control (AUC)95
Automatic Stability Control
plus Traction (ASC+T)80
Automatic transmission67
Automatic transmission with
Steptronic18, 67
Average fuel
consumption78
Average speed78
Axle loads146
B
Backup lamps66
bulb replacement133
Battery139
care139
charging139
disposal139
Battery charge current
indicator17 Belts, safety52
Beverage holder100
Blower91, 94
BMW High Performance
Synthetic Oil122
BMW Maintenance
System125
BMW sports seat,
adjustment49
BMW Universal
Transmitter97
Bore144
Bottle holder, refer to
beverage holder100
Brake fluid124
disposal124
warning lamp17, 124
Brake fluid level109
Brake hydraulic system,
warning lamp17
Brake lamps
bulb replacement133
Brake pads19
A-Z