
 
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 

45n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Seat and mirror memory
* 
You can store and recall three different 
driver's seat and exterior mirror posi-
tions.
Memory will not retain the adjust-
ment made to the lumbar 
support.
to the desired position
3. Press the 
M
EMORY button: the indi-
cator lamp in the button lights up
4. Press memory button 1, 2 or 3, as 
desired. Indicator lamp goes out.
To select a stored setting
Do not select a memory position 
while the vehicle is moving. If you 
do so, there is a risk of accident from 
unexpected seat movement.<
Ignition key in position 1:
>Briefly press memory button 1, 2 or 3, 
as desired.
Movement stops immediately when 
one of the seat adjustment or 
memory buttons is activated during 
the adjustment process.
The driver's door is closed and the igni-
tion key is either removed or in posi-
tion 0 or 2:
>Press and hold the desired memory 
button (1, 2 or 3) until the adjustment 
process is completed.
If you press the 
M
EMORY button 
accidentally: press the button 
again; the indicator lamp goes out.<
Your BMW center can adjust your 
vehicle's systems in such a 
manner that your personalized settings 
are automatically set for the seat and 
exterior mirror positions when you 
unlock the vehicle with your personal 
remote control.<
Before activating the programmed 
adjustment feature ensure that the 
footwell behind the driver's seat is 
empty and unobstructed. If you fail to 
do so, any persons or objects behind 
the seat could be injured or damaged 
by a rearward movement of the seat.< 

46n
Seat and mirror memory
*
Seat heating
*
Steering wheel 
Passenger-side exterior mirror tilt 
function(Automatic curb monitor
*)
1. Move the mirror selector switch 1 to 
the "driver's mirror" position
2. When the selector lever is placed in 
"Reverse," the passenger-side mirror 
tilts downward. This allows the driver 
to see the area directly adjacent to 
the vehicle during parking (curbs, 
etc.).
You can deactivate this automatic 
feature by setting the mirror selector 
switch to the "passenger side" position.
The seat cushion and backrest can 
be heated with the ignition key in posi-
tion 2.
You can select different heating modes 
by repeatedly pressing the buttons.
You can also switch the higher heating 
modes off directly:
Press the button and hold it slightly 
longer.
To adjust1. Push the locking lever downward
2. Adjust the steering column's rake 
and reach to suit your seat position
3. Pull the lever back in to clamp the 
steering wheel in the new position.
Do not adjust the steering wheel 
while the vehicle is moving, other-
wise you run the risk of an accident due 
to unexpected movement.< 

47n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Mirrors To adjust exterior mirrors1 Switch for 4-way adjustment
2 Selection switch for changing 
between mirrors
To adjust manuallyThe mirrors can also be adjusted by 
hand: 
Press the edge of the lens.
Storing mirror settings, refer to Seat 
and mirror memory on page 45.
The mirror on the passenger's side 
features a lens with a more convex 
surface than the mirror installed on the 
driver's side. When estimating the 
distance between yourself and other 
traffic, bear in mind that the objects 
reflected in the mirror are closer than 
they appear. This means that estimates 
of the distance to following traffic 
should not be regarded as precise. This 
precaution also applies to the non-
spherical outer section of the lens.
Both mirrors are automatically heated 
when you turn the ignition key to posi-
tion 2.
Interior rearview mirror To reduce glare from vehicles behind 
you when you are driving at night, tilt 
the lens by turning the button.
Vehicles without alarm system: 
Tilt the small lever forward. 

53n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Vehicle Memory, Key Memory How the system functionsNo doubt you have reflected at one 
time or another on how great it would 
be if you could permanently configure 
your vehicle's various features and 
adjustments to mirror your own indi-
vidual preferences. In engineering your 
vehicle, BMW has incorporated a 
number of options for personal adjust-
ment that can be programmed into your 
vehicle at your BMW center.
The available configuration data fall into 
two categories, according to whether 
their primary orientation is the vehicle 
(Vehicle Memory) or the individual (Key 
Memory). Provided that each person 
has a separate remote-control key, you 
can have your BMW center enter 
adjustment data for as many as four 
different individuals into the system.
The system then relies on a bilateral 
data exchange to identify the individual 
user and dial in the selected settings 
whenever the remote control unit is 
used to disengage the door locks.
Color-coded decals have been 
provided to help you distinguish indi-
vidual keys with different settings.What the system can doYour BMW center can provide you with 
details on the capabilities of the Vehicle 
Memory and Key Memory systems. A 
few examples follow below:
Examples for Vehicle Memory:
>Various signals as acknowledgment 
when locking or unlocking your 
vehicle, refer to page 29, 31
>Activates/deactivates the "Follow me 
home" function, refer to page 77
>Activates/deactivates daytime driving 
lamps, refer to page 77.Examples for Key Memory:
>Locks the vehicle when you start off, 
refer to page 32
>Automatically adjusts the driver's 
seat to the personal programmed 
settings when the vehicle is 
unlocked, refer to page 45
>Unlocks driver's door first, then 
proceeds to disengage the vehicle's 
remaining locks, refer to page 29.
You will see this symbol through-
out the Owner's Manual. It is to 
remind you at appropriate places of the 
settings that are available to you.< 

Everything from A to Z
141n
OverviewControlsMaintenancRepairsDataIndex
I 
Ice warning67 
Icy roads67 
Ignition keys28 
Ignition lock54 
Imprint4 
Indicator lamps17 
Inflation pressures, 
tires24, 25, 101 
Inside rearview mirror 
automatic-dimming 
feature48 
INSPECTION65 
Instrument cluster15 
Instrument lighting78 
Instruments15 
Interface socket 
for Onboard 
Diagnostics115 
Interior lamps30, 79 
remote control30 
Interior motion sensor36 
switching off37 
Interior rearview mirror47 
Interlock54 
J 
Jack123 
Jump-starting128 K 
Key Memory53 
Key with remote control 
unit28 
Keys28 L 
Lamps and bulbs, 
replacement118 
Lashing eyes93 
LATCH child-restraint 
mounting system51 
Length133 
License plate lamp 
bulb replacement122 
Litter bag holder88 
Load-securing devices93 
Lock buttons32 
Louvers80 
Low beams77 
bulb replacement119 
Lug wrench123 Luggage compartment35 
capacity134 
floor mat35 
floor panel35 
secure separately33 
Luggage compartment lid 
electrical malfunction33 
emergency release from 
luggage compartment's 
interior35 
manual operation33 
remote control30 
Luggage compartment 
lighting33 
Luggage rack94 
Lumbar support42 
M 
M+S tires105 
Maintenance65, 113 
Malfunction displays66 
Manual operation 
doors31 
fuel filler door22 
luggage compartment 
lid33 
sliding/tilt sunroof39 
Manual seat adjustment41 
Manual transmission56 Manually controlled 
recirculated-air85 
Master key28 
MFL (Multifunction steering 
wheel)21 
Microfilter82, 86 
Mirror heating47 
Mirror memory45 
Mirrors47 
Modifications, 
technical10, 114 
Motion sensor, refer to 
interior motion sensor 
Multifunction steering wheel 
(MFL)21 
O 
OBD interface socket115 
Odometer64 
Oil 
additives109 
capacity135 
consumption109 
quality110 
specifications110 
viscosity110  

Everything from A to ZOil change intervals, see the 
Service and Warranty 
Information Booklet/
Warranty and Service 
Guide Booklet 
Oil dipstick109 
Oil filter change135 
OIL SERVICE65 
Onboard computer66 
refer to the "Onboard 
Computer Owner's 
Manual" 
Onboard tool kit118 
Opening and closing 
from the inside32 
via the door lock31 
via the remote control29 
Outlets, ventilation83 
Outside temperature 
display67 
P 
Paint care, refer to the 
"Caring for your vehicle" 
manual 
Park assistant69 
Park Distance Control 
(PDC)69 
Parking aid69 
Parking brake56 
Parking lamps77 
bulb replacement119 
PDC (Park Distance 
Control)69 
Performance132 
Pocket light87 
Power seat adjustment42 
Power windows38 
Premium sound system86 
Protective function38 Q 
Quality Grades102 
R 
Rain sensor60 
RDC (Tire Pressure 
Monitor)73 
Reading lamps 
front79 
rear79 
Rear center 3-point belt91 
Rear fog lamps 
bulb replacement121 
Rear lamps121 
Rear reading lamps79 
Rear window 
defroster81, 85 
Rear-seat backrest, 
removable91 
Rearview mirror47 
Recirculated-air mode81 
Reclining seat40 
Refueling22 
Release backrest43 
Releasing the fuel filler door 
after an electrical 
malfunction22 
Remote control29 
Removable rear-seat 
backrest91 Remove window 
condensation82, 84 
Replace windshield wiper 
blades118 
Replacement keys28 
Replacing lamps and 
bulbs118 
Reporting safety defects11 
Reverse56 
Roller sun blind86 
Roof load capacity134 
Roof-mounted luggage 
rack94 
S 
Safety belts 
correct use40 
height adjustment44 
Safety defects, reporting11 
Safety tires103, 126 
Seat adjustment40 
Seat heating46 
Seat memory45 
Seats40 
Securing cargo93 
Securing child-restraint 
system52