
Contents
© 2001 Bayerische Motoren Werke
Aktiengesellschaft
Munich, Germany
Reprinting, including excerpts, only with the
written consent of BMW AG, Munich.
Order No. 01 40 0 156 144
deutsch 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 sunroof38
Adjustments:
Correct sitting posture40
Seats40
Manual seat adjustment41
Power seat adjustment42
Lumbar support42
Head restraints43
Entering the rear43
Safety belts44
Seat and mirror memory45
Seat heating46
Steering wheel46
Mirrors47
Passenger safety systems:
Airbags48
Transporting children safely51
Vehicle Memory, Key
Memory53
Driving:
Ignition lock54
Starting the engine54
Switching off the engine55
Parking brake56
Manual transmission56
Automatic transmission with
Steptronic57
Indicator/Headlamp flasher59
Washer/Wiper system/Rain
sensor60
Cruise control62
Everything under control:
Odometer64
Tachometer64
Energy control64
Fuel gauge65
Temperature gauge65
Service Interval Display65
Check Control66
Computer66
Technology for safety and
driving convenience:
Park Distance Control (PDC)69
Automatic Stability Control plus
Traction (ASC+T)70
Dynamic Stability Control
(DSC)71
Tire Pressure Monitor (RDC)73
Flat Tire Monitor75
Contents

5n
OverviewControlsMaintenaceRepairsDataIndex
Controls and features
Operation, maintenance
Lamps:
Parking lamps/Low beams77
Instrument lighting78
High beams/Standing lamps78
Fog lamps78
Interior lamps79
Controlling the climate for
pleasant driving:
Air conditioning80
Automatic climate control83
Roller sun blind86
Interior conveniences:
Premium sound system86
Glove compartment87
Storage compartments87
Cellular phone89
Ashtray, front89
Ashtray, rear90
Clothes hooks90
Loading and transporting:
Through-loading system91
Ski bag92
Cargo loading93
Roof-mounted luggage rack94
Special operating instructions:
Break-in procedures98
Driving notes99
Antilock Brake System (ABS)99
Brake system100
Wheels and tires:
Tire inflation pressure101
Tire condition101
Tire replacement102
Wheel and tire
combinations104
Winter tires105
In the engine compartment:
Hood106
Engine compartment
essentials107
Washer fluids108
Engine oil109
Coolant111
Brake fluid112
Maintenance:
The BMW Maintenance
System113
Laws and regulations:
Technical modifications114
California Proposition
65 Warning114
OBD interface socket115

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
respecting 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
you are 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
thoroughly 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 made
by other manufacturers to ascertain
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 to lock doors
or luggage compartment with anyone
inside the vehicle. For more details
refer to page 31.
<
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.

17n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Indicator and warning lamps
Technology that monitors itself
Indicator and warning lamps that are
identified by
l
are tested for proper
functioning whenever the ignition key is
turned. They each light up once for
different periods of time.
If a fault should occur in one of these
systems, the corresponding lamp does
not go out after the engine is started, or
it lights up while the vehicle is moving.
You will see how to react to this below.
Red: stop immediately
Battery charge current
l
The battery is no longer being
charged. Indicates a defective
alternator drive belt or a problem with
the alternator's charge circuit. Please
contact the nearest BMW center.
If the drive belt is defective, stop
and switch off the engine immedi-
ately to prevent overheating and
serious engine damage. If the drive belt
is defective, increased steering effort is
also required.
<
Engine oil pressure
l
Stop the vehicle immediately
and switch off engine. Check
the engine oil level and top off as
required. If the oil level is correct,
please contact the nearest BMW
center.
Do not continue driving, as the
engine could sustain serious
damage from inadequate lubrication.
<
Brake warning lamp
l
If the lamp comes on when the
parking brake is not engaged:
check the brake fluid level. Before
driving further, be sure to comply with
the instructions on pages 100 and 112
Brake warning lamp for Cana-
dian models.
Tire Pressure Monitor (RDC)/
Flat Tire Monitor
l
In addition, an acoustic signal is
sounded: a tire failure has occurred.
Reduce vehicle speed immediately to
stop the vehicle. Avoid hard brake
applications. As you steer the vehicle,
use caution and avoid overcorrecting.
For additional information: refer to
pages 73, 75

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 hard brake applications. Please
have the system checked by your BMW
center as soon as possible.
For additional information: refer to
pages 70, 71
CBC, ABS and ASC+T/DSC and
ADB/DBC indicator and warning
lamps for Canadian models.
Red: an important reminder
Brake warning lamp
Comes on when the parking
brake is applied Ð an additional
acoustic signal sounds when starting
off.
For additional information: refer to
page 56
Parking brake warning lamp for
Canadian models.
Fasten safety belts
l
An acoustic warning also
sounds in some versions. Lights
up either for several seconds or until
the belt is engaged, depending upon
version.
For additional information on safety
belts: refer to page 44
Airbags
l
Please have the system
inspected by your BMW center.
For additional information: refer to
page 48
Orange: consult the nearest
BMW center
Automatic transmission
The 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 57

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 without limitations.
Please have the system inspected by
your BMW center. For additional infor-
mation: refer to page 99
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 109
Engine oil level
Comes on after the engine has
been shut off: add more engine
oil at the earliest opportunity (next time
you stop to refuel).
For additional information: refer to
page 109
Brake pads
l
Have the brake pads checked.
For additional information: refer
to page 100
Tire Pressure Monitor (RDC)/Flat
Tire Monitor
l
Check tire inflation pressures.
Refer to pages 24, 73, 76
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.
Additional information beginning on
page 70
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 manually or there is a
system malfunction.
Please consult the nearest BMW
center.
For additional information: refer to
page 71
DSC and ADB indicator and
brake warning lamps for Cana-
dian models.
Dynamic Brake Control (DBC)
l
Malfunction in the DBC system.
Conventional braking efficiency
is available without limitations.
Have the system repaired by your BMW
center.
For additional information: refer to
page 72

54n
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 the lock engages.
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
>Gearshift lever in neutral, or, with an
automatic transmission, selector
lever 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.

55n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Starting the engine Switching off the engine
Do not actuate the starter for too
short a time, but do not actuate it
for more than approx. 20 seconds.
Release the ignition key immediately
when the engine starts.
Do not allow the engine to warm up by
leaving it running while the vehicle
remains stationary. Instead, drive off
immediately at a moderate engine
speed.<
If the engine does not start on the first
attempt (if it is very hot or cold, for
instance):
>Press the accelerator pedal halfway
down while engaging the starter.
Cold starts at extremely low tempera-
tures of roughly +5 7 (Ð15 6) or below
and at altitudes of over 3,300 ft
(1,000 m):
>On the first start attempt, engage the
starter for a longer period (approx.
10 seconds)
>Press the accelerator pedal halfway
down while engaging the starter.
Engine idle speed is controlled by the
engine computer system. Increased
speeds at start-up are normal and
should decrease as the engine warms
up. If engine speed does not decrease,
service is required.
To prevent the battery from discharging,
always deactivate electrical devices
that are not in use. Switch the ignition
off when the vehicle is not being driven.
Extended starting attempts, char-
acterized by excessively frequent
or long periods with the starter
engaged, can lead to catalyst
damage.<
Turn the ignition key to position 1 or 0.
You should never remove the igni-
tion key when the vehicle is in
motion, as the steering lock could
engage.
When you leave the vehicle, always
remove the ignition key and engage the
steering lock.
Vehicles with manual transmission:
Always engage the parking brake when
parking on hills and slopes, as first gear
or reverse may not provide adequate
resistance to rolling.
Vehicles with automatic transmission:
Place the selector lever in "Park."<