
 
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 

 
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 

30n
Opening and closing Ð via the remote controlConvenience opening modePress and hold button to open the elec-
tric power windows and sliding/tilt 
sunroof.To lock and securePress button.
Never use the remote control to 
lock the doors when leaving 
passengers in the vehicle, as they 
would then be unable to open the door 
from the inside.
and interior motion sensor
* 
Press button a second time immedi-
ately after locking.
For additional information, refer to 
page 37.
To open the luggage 
compartment lidPress button.
The luggage compartment lid will open 
slightly, regardless of whether it was 
previously locked or unlocked.
Before and after a trip, be sure 
that the luggage compartment lid 
has not been opened unintentionally.
danger by holding down the button for 
between two and five seconds. 
Press the button to cancel the alarm.External systemsExternal systems or devices may cause 
local interference in the functions of the 
remote control.
Should this occur, you can still open 
and close the vehicle using the master 
key in either the door or luggage 
compartment locks.
For US owners onlyThe transmitter and receiver units 
comply with part 15 of the FCC (Federal 
Communication Commission) regula-
tions. Operation is governed by the 
following:
FCC ID: LX8EWS
LX8FZVS
LX8FZVE
Compliance statement: 
This device complies with part 15 of the 
FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the 
following two conditions:
>This device may not cause harmful 
interference, and
>this device must accept any interfer-
ence received, including interference 
that may cause undesired operation.
Any unauthorized modifications to 
these devices could void the 
user's authority to operate the equip-
ment.<  

31n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Opening and closing Ð via the door lockOne turn of the key in the driver's door 
lock unlocks the driver's door only. 
Turning the key a second time unlocks 
all of the remaining doors, the luggage 
compartment lid and the fuel filler door.
Never lock the doors when leaving 
passengers in the vehicle, as they 
would then be unable to open the door 
from the inside.<
You can have a signal set to 
confirm that the vehicle's locks 
have engaged securely.<
Convenience operationYou can also operate the power 
windows and the sliding/tilt sunroof via 
the door lock.
>To open: with the door closed, hold 
the key in the "Unlock" position
>To close: with the door closed, hold 
the key in the "Lock" position.
Whenever closing the windows or 
sliding/tilt sunroof you should 
always monitor their path and progress 
to ensure that no injuries occur. 
Release the key to stop the windows 
(sliding/tilt sunroof).<
Manual operation (in the event of electrical malfunction)
Turn the key all the way to the left or 
right to unlock/lock the driver's door. 

34n
Luggage compartment lidTo open from the inside
*
If the luggage compartment lid has not 
been locked separately, you can open it 
with this button in the footwell on the 
driver's side when the vehicle is 
stationary.
To closeThe handle recesses in the interior trim 
panel of the luggage compartment lid 
(arrows) make it easier to pull the lid 
down.
To avoid injuries, be sure that the 
travel path of the luggage 
compartment lid is clear when it is 
closed, following the same precautions 
as with all closing procedures.<
Operate the vehicle only when the 
luggage compartment lid is 
closed. Otherwise, exhaust fumes 
could penetrate the interior of the 
vehicle. Should it be absolutely neces-
sary to operate the vehicle with the 
luggage compartment lid open:
>Close all windows. Shut the sliding/
tilt sunroof
>Sharply increase the air supply for the 
air conditioning or automatic climate 
control, refer to page 80 or 83.< 

37n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Alarm system
*
Electric power windows
>The indicator lamp goes out when the 
system is disarmed: no manipulation 
or attempted intrusions have been 
detected in the period since the 
system was armed
>The indicator lamp flashes for 
10 seconds when the system is 
disarmed: an attempted entry has 
been detected in the period since the 
system was armed.
Following triggering of an alarm, the 
indicator lamp will flash continuously.Avoiding unintentional alarmsThe tilt alarm sensor and interior motion 
sensor may be switched off at the same 
time. You can do this to prevent a false 
alarm from being triggered in garages 
with elevator ramps, for instance, or 
when the vehicle is transported by train:
Lock the vehicle twice (= arm the 
system). Press the button on the 
remote control twice in succession or 
lock the vehicle twice with the key.
The indicator lamp lights up briefly and 
then flashes continuously. The tilt alarm 
sensor and interior motion sensor are 
deactivated for as long as the system 
remains armed.
Interior motion sensorIn order for the interior motion sensor to 
function properly, the windows and the 
sliding/tilt sunroof must be completely 
closed.
Nevertheless, you should deactivate 
the interior motion sensor (refer to 
previous column) if 
>children or animals are left in the 
vehicle
>the windows or the sliding/tilt sunroof 
are being left open.
To open and close windowsIgnition key in position 1 and 2.
>Press the switch up to the resistance 
point: the window retracts (the tilt-out 
window moves outward); it remains in 
motion for as long as you maintain 
pressure on the switch
>Press the switch briefly past the pres-
sure point: the window moves auto-
matically. Pressing the switch again 
stops the opening cycle.
You can close the windows in the same 
manner by pulling the switch. The tilt-
out windows do not reclose automati-
cally.
After the ignition has been switched off:
You can still use the electric power 
windows for up to 15 minutes, as long 
as no one opens any of the doors. 

38n
Electric power windows Sliding/tilt sunroof
* 
When leaving the vehicle, always 
remove the ignition key from the 
lock and remember to close the doors 
to prevent children from operating the 
power windows and injuring them-
selves, etc.<
For the convenience mode via the 
remote control or the door lock, refer to 
page 30 or 31.
Safety feature A contact strip is located on the inside 
upper frame of each of the front 
windows. If pressure is exerted against 
this contact strip while a window is 
being raised, the system will respond 
by stopping the window and then 
retracting it a small distance.
Despite this safety feature, be 
extremely careful to ensure that 
the closing path of the window is not 
obstructed. Some types of objects 
might fail to trigger the contact strip in 
some situations (very thin objects, for 
instance). 
You can override this safety feature by 
pressing the switch beyond the resis-
tance point and holding it.<
To prevent injuries, exercise care 
when closing the sliding/tilt 
sunroof and keep it in your field of 
vision until it is shut.
When leaving the vehicle, always 
remove the ignition key from the lock 
and remember to close the doors to 
prevent children from operating the 
sliding/tilt sunroof and injuring them-
selves, etc.<
Raising Ð Opening Ð ClosingIgnition key in position 1 and 2.
After the ignition has been switched off, 
you can still operate the sliding/tilt 
sunroof for up to 15 minutes as long as 
neither of the doors has been opened. 
Raising/Opening/Closing: press the 
switch or slide it in the desired direction 
until you feel resistance.
If you briefly press the switch in the 
"raise" direction while the sunroof is 
open, the sunroof will rise to its upper-
most position. 

80n
Air conditioning
* 
1 Air onto the windshield and onto the 
side windows 
2 Air for the upper body area82
3 Air for the footwell 4 Air supply81
5 Temperature81
6 Air distribution817 Rear window defroster81
8 Air conditioning81
9 Recirculated-air mode81