
 
Contents
 
© 2001 Bayerische Motoren Werke
Aktiengesellschaft
Munich, Germany
Reprinting, including excerpts, only with the 
written consent of BMW AG, Munich. 
Order No. 01 41 0 156 156
US English 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
Tailgate33
Rear window34
Cargo area35
Alarm system35
Electric power windows37
Sliding/tilt sunroof38
 
Adjustments:
 
Correct sitting posture40
Seats40
Manual seat adjustment41
Power seat adjustment42
Lumbar support42
Head restraints43
Safety belts44
Seat and mirror memory45
Seat heating46
Steering wheel46
Mirrors47
 
Passenger safety systems:
 
Airbags48
Transporting children safely51Vehicle Memory, Key 
Memory54
 
Driving:
 
Ignition lock55
Starting the engine55
Switching off the engine56
Parking brake57
Manual transmission57
Automatic transmission with 
Steptronic58
Indicator/Headlamp flasher60
Washer/Wiper system/Rain 
sensor61
Cruise control63
 
Everything under control:
 
Odometer65
Tachometer65
Energy control65
Fuel gauge66
Coolant temperature gauge66
Service Interval Display66
Check Control67
Clock67
Computer68
 
Technology for safety and 
driving convenience:
 
Park Distance Control (PDC)70
Automatic Stability Control plus 
Traction (ASC+T)71
Dynamic Stability Control 
(DSC)73
 
Contents 

29n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Opening and closing Ð via the remote controlThe conceptThe remote control gives you an excep-
tionally convenient method for 
unlocking and locking your vehicle. 
Furthermore, it provides two additional 
functions which you can only execute 
via the remote control:
>To switch on interior lamps, refer to 
page 30.
With this function, you can also 
search for the vehicle, when parked 
in an underground garage, for 
instance
>Opening the rear window, refer to 
page 30.
The rear window will open slightly, 
regardless of whether it was previ-
ously locked or unlocked.
Whenever you unlock (lock) the vehicle, 
you simultaneously deactivate (activate) 
the anti-theft system, disarm (arm) the 
alarm system and switch the interior 
lamps on (off).
You can have a signal set to 
confirm that the vehicle's locks 
have engaged securely.<
Since children might be able to 
lock the doors from the inside, 
always take the vehicle keys with you 
so that the vehicle can be opened again 
from the outside at any time.<
If it is no longer possible to lock 
the vehicle via the remote control, 
the battery is discharged. Use this key 
while driving for an extended period in 
order to recharge the battery.
To prevent unauthorized use of the 
remote control, surrender only the door 
and ignition key or the spare key when 
leaving the vehicle for valet parking, for 
example, refer to page 28.
In the event of a system malfunction, 
please contact your BMW center. You 
can also obtain replacement keys 
there.<
1 Unlock and convenience opening 
mode
2 Lock and secure, switch on interior 
lamps, deactivate tilt alarm sensor 
and interior motion sensor
3 Open rear windowTo unlockPress the button once to unlock the 
driver's door.
Press the button a second time to 
unlock all vehicle locks. 

32n
Opening and closing Ð from the insideYou can use this button to operate the 
central locking system when the front 
doors are closed. With this button, only 
the doors, the tailgate and rear window 
are unlocked or locked. The anti-theft 
system is not activated.
If only the driver's door was 
unlocked from the outside and 
you press the button, then, with the 
driver's door still open, the passenger-
side door, the tailgate and the fuel filler 
door will unlock, too. 
If the driver's door is closed, it will be 
locked.<
The central locking system can be 
locked automatically as soon as 
you begin to drive if you desire. This 
can be adjusted to be key-specific.<
To unlock and open the doors>Either unlock the doors together with 
the button for the central locking 
system and then pull each of the 
release handles above the armrests 
or
>pull the release handle for each door 
twice: the first pull unlocks the door, 
and the second one opens it.
To lock the doors>Either use the central locking button 
to lock all doors at once 
or
>press the individual door lock buttons 
down. To prevent the driver from 
being inadvertently locked out of the 
vehicle, the driver's door lock button 
will not engage as long as the door is 
open.
Since children might be able to 
lock the doors from the inside, 
always take the vehicle's keys with you 
so that you can open the vehicle again 
from the outside at any time.< 

36n
Alarm system
*
Indicator lamp displays>The indicator lamp below the interior 
rearview mirror flashes continuously:
the system is armed
>The indicator lamp flashes while the 
system is armed: the door(s), the 
hood, the tailgate or rear window are 
not completely closed. Even if you do 
not close the alerted area(s), the 
remaining areas are secured, and the 
indicator lamp will flash continuously 
after 10 seconds. However, the inte-
rior motion sensor is not activated.
>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 
trailer or 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 the interior motion sensor 
are deactivated as long as the system is 
armed.
Interior motion sensorIn order for the interior motion sensor to 
function properly, the windows and 
sliding/tilt sunroof must be completely 
closed.
Nevertheless, you should switch off 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.
The system deactivates the tilt-
alarm sensor and the interior 
motion sensor if closing is interrupted in 
the first 10 seconds and then restarted 
when the convenience closing feature 
is used to close the sunroof and 
windows. The alarm must then be 
disarmed and reactivated before it will 
resume operation.< 

37n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Electric power windowsOpen and close windowsFrom ignition key in position 1.
>Press the switch until you feel resis-
tance: the windows retract as long as 
you maintain pressure on the switch
>Press the switch briefly past the pres-
sure point: the windows move auto-
matically. Pressing the switch again 
stops the opening cycle.
You can close the windows in the same 
manner by pulling the switch.
If your vehicle is equipped with optional 
electric power windows in the rear
* 
separate switches will be located below 
the windows.
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 front doors.
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 door 
lock, refer to page 31.
Safety feature The front windows are each equipped 
with contact strips located in the upper 
window frames. 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 resistance point and holding it.< 

38n
Electric power windows Sliding/tilt sunroof
* 
Safety switch With the safety switch, you can prevent 
the rear windows from being opened or 
closed via the switches in the rear 
passenger area (by children, for 
example).
Press the safety switch whenever 
children are riding in the rear of 
the vehicle. Careless use of the power 
windows can lead to injury.<
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 closingFrom ignition key in position 1.
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. 

44n
Safety beltsDrive with your safety belt onEven though there is an airbag, wear a 
safety belt every time you get in the 
vehicle, because airbags enhance 
safety by providing added protection.To closeMake sure you hear the lock engage in 
the belt buckle.To open1. Press the red button in the buckle
2. Hold the belt
3. Guide belt into its inertia reel.
The rear belt buckle with the word 
CENTER embossed on its surface 
is intended exclusively for the use of 
the center passenger.<
To adjust shoulder strap heightUse the height-adjustment feature to 
adjust the belt to the best position for 
your own body size:
>Slide the button up or down.
Please observe the instructions for 
adjusting your seat 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.< 

49n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Airbags
The airbags do not respond to 
minor collisions, rear impacts, or 
to some kinds of vehicle rollovers.<
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 
this information: 
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 them and 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.
(infants and small children in appro-
priate child-restraint systems; larger 
children and adults using the safety 
belts). Never let an occupant's head 
rest near or on a side airbag because 
the inflating airbag could cause a 
serious or fatal injury. Please note that 
the word Airbag imprinted on the door 
trim panel indicates the airbag's loca-
tion. 
Accident research shows that the 
safest place for children in an 
automobile 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 so 
equipped. 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 children in the rear seat will remain 
properly positioned at all times and not 
place their heads on or near the side 
airbag. 
Therefore, we recommend that the 
rear-seat side airbags, if installed in the 
vehicle, be deactivated if children will 
travel in the rear seat. 
The rear side airbags may already have 
been deactivated, either at the time of