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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 
     
        
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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 
     
        
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14n
1 Parking lamps/Low beams77
2
 
>
 
Turn signals59
 
>
 
Standing lamps78
 
>
 
High beams78
 
>
 
Headlamp flasher59
 
>
 
Computer663 Washer/Wiper system/
Rain sensor60
4 Hazard warning flashers
5 Central locking system286 Rear window defroster81, 85
7 Horn: the entire surface
8 Adjusting the steering wheel46
9 Fog lamps78
 
Cockpit 
     
        
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15n
 
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
 
1 Fuel gauge65
2 Indicator lamp for turn signals203 Speedometer
4 Indicator and warning 
lamps17 to 205 Tachometer and Energy control64
6 Engine coolant temperature 
gauge65
 
Instrument cluster  
     
        
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16n
 
Instrument cluster
 
7 Indicator and warning 
lamps17 to 20
8 Reset trip odometer to zero
9 Indicator for Check Control6610 Display for
 
>
 
Trip odometer/odometer64
 
>
 
Clock66
 
>
 
Service Interval65
 
>
 
Computer6611 Selector lever and program display 
for automatic transmission18, 59
12 Control button for the clock66
13 Indicator and warning 
lamps17 to 20 
     
        
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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 
     
        
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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 
     
        
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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