
 
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 

 
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 

40n
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 51. 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 48.
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 
pelvis and shoulder, wear it as snugly 
against your body as possible. Do not 
allow the belt to rest against hard or 
fragile objects in your pockets. 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 the 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 44.
When adjusting your seat, always 
observe the following precautions
Never try to adjust your seat while 
operating the vehicle. The seat 
could respond with an unexpected 
movement, and the ensuing loss of 
vehicle control could lead to an acci-
dent. Never ride with the backrest 
reclined to an extreme horizontal angle 
(important for front passengers to 
remember). Keep the backrest relatively 
upright to minimize the risk of sliding 
under the safety belt and sustaining 
injury in an accident.<
Seat adjustment>Manual seat adjustment, refer to 
page 41
>Power seat adjustment, refer to 
page 42
>Head restraint, refer to page 43
>Entering the rear, refer to page 43 

44n
Safety beltsAlways wear your safety beltAlways fasten your safety belt before 
starting off. As supplemental restraint 
devices, the airbags are designed to 
enhance the effectiveness of the safety 
belts, and not to replace them.To closeMake sure you hear the catch engage in 
the belt buckle.To open1. Press red button in the belt buckle
2. Hold the end of the belt
3. Guide belt back into the inertia reel.
The rear belt buckle with the word 
CENTER is intended exclusively for 
the passenger sitting in the middle.<
Adjusting safety belt heightUse the height adjustment mechanism 
to adapt the shoulder strap to the ideal 
level for your own body:
>Slide button up or down.
Please refer to the seat adjustment 
instructions on page 40.
If the safety belt system has been 
subjected to the stresses involved 
in an accident or otherwise damaged: 
have the entire safety belt mechanism 
replaced by your BMW center, including 
the safety belt tensioner. In addition, 
have your BMW center inspect the safety 
belt anchors. If a child-restraint system 
was in the vehicle during an accident, 
consult the manufacturer's instructions 
regarding replacement.< 

48n
Mirrors AirbagsInterior rearview mirror with 
automatic dimming feature
*
This mirror automatically responds to 
ambient light and headlamp glare from 
following vehicles by dimming through 
an infinitely-variable range and auto-
matically reverts to its clear, undimmed 
setting whenever you select reverse.
To ensure that the mirror continues to 
operate efficiently, ensure that the 
photocells remain clear and unob-
structed. One photocell is integrated in 
the mirror's lens (arrow), while the other 
is located at an offset position on the 
rear of the mirror. Refrain from 
attaching stickers to the windshield in 
the area immediately in front of the 
mirror.
1 Front airbags on the driver and 
passenger sides2 Side Impact Head Protection System on 
the driver and passenger sides (front)3 Side airbags on the driver and 
passenger sides (front and rear
*)
Protective effectThe front airbags supplement the three-
point safety belts by providing addi-
tional protection, in the event of a 
severe frontal collision in which the 
protection afforded by the belts alone 
may no longer be sufficient. The Head 
Protection System and side airbags 
help provide protection in the event of a 
collision from the side. Each of the side 
airbags is designed to help support the 
upper body. For information on the 
correct sitting posture, refer to page 40.
Indicator lamp
The indicator lamp indicates the 
operational status of the airbag 
system when the ignition key 
position 1 or 2.
System operational:
>The indicator lamp comes on briefly 
when you turn the ignition key to 
position 1 or 2.
System malfunction:
>The indicator lamp fails to go out 
after the engine has been started, or 
comes on again during normal 
driving.
Please respond to any malfunctions in 
the system by immediately having it 
inspected at your BMW center; other-
wise the airbag could fail to respond to 
an accident in which both the angle and 
the severity of the impact would 
normally trigger airbag deployment.
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.< 

49n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Airbags
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 rollover, 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 instrument 
panel, 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 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.
restrained (infants and small children in 
appropriate child-restraint systems; 
larger children and adults using the 
safety belts). Never let an occupant's 
head rest near or on a side airbag: in 
the event of deployment the airbag 
could cause a serious or fatal injury. 
Please note that the word Airbag 
embossed on the door trim panel indi-
cates the airbag's location. 
Accident research shows that the 
safest place for children in an automo-
bile 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 one is installed. 
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 that chil-
dren in the rear seat will remain prop-
erly positioned at all times and do not 
place their heads on or near the side 
airbag. 
Therefore, we recommend that the 
rear-seat side airbags, if installed, be 
deactivated if children will be riding in 
the rear seat. 
The rear-seat side airbags may already 
have been deactivated, either at the  

50n
Airbagstime of manufacture or by a BMW 
center. Labels in the door opening 
should indicate the status of your rear- 
seat side airbags. If you are uncertain of 
their status, or wish to have the airbags 
activated or deactivated, please 
contact your BMW center.<
Even when all these guidelines are 
observed, there is still a small residual 
risk of injuries to the face, hands and 
arms occurring from airbag deployment 
in isolated instances. The ignition and 
inflation noise may induce a mild 
temporary hearing loss in sensitive indi-
viduals.This is the right way for a child to sit in a 
child restraint when rear side airbags 
(arrow) are provided.
This is the right way for a larger child to 
sit wearing the safety belt when rear 
side airbags (arrow) are provided.