
 
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 

 
10n
 
For your own safety
 
Use unleaded gasoline only. Fuels  
containing up to and including 
10 % ethanol or other oxygenates with 
up to 2.8 % oxygen by weight (i.e. 
15 % MTBE or 3 % methanol plus an 
equivalent amount of co-solvent) will 
not void the applicable warranties 
respecting defects in materials or work-
manship. Field experience has indi-
cated significant differences in fuel 
quality (volatility, composition, addi-
tives, for example) among gasolines 
offered for sale in the United States and 
Canada. The use of poor-quality fuels 
may result in driveability, starting and 
stalling problems especially under 
certain environmental conditions, such 
as high ambient temperature and high 
altitude.
Should you encounter driveability prob-
lems which you suspect could be 
related to the fuel you are using, we 
recommend that you respond by 
switching to a recognized high-quality 
brand.
Failure to comply with these recom-
mendations may result in unscheduled 
maintenance.
Obey all applicable safety rules when 
you are handling gasoline.
 
<
 
Important safety information!
For your own safety, use genuine parts  
and accessories approved by BMW. 
When you purchase accessories tested  
and approved by BMW and Original 
BMW Parts, you simultaneously acquire 
the assurance that they have been 
thoroughly tested by BMW to ensure 
optimum performance when installed 
on your vehicle. 
BMW warrants these parts to be free  
from defects in material and workman-
ship. 
BMW will not accept any liability for  
damage resulting from installation of 
parts and accessories not approved by 
BMW. 
BMW cannot test every product made  
by other manufacturers to ascertain 
whether it can be used on a BMW 
safely and without risk to either the 
vehicle, its operation, or its occupants. 
Original BMW Parts, BMW Accessories  
and other products approved by BMW, 
together with professional advice on 
using these items, are available from all 
BMW centers. 
Installation and operation of non-BMW  
approved accessories such as alarms, 
 
radios, amplifiers, radar detectors,  
wheels, suspension components, brake 
dust shields, telephones (including 
operation of any portable cellular phone 
from within the vehicle without using an 
externally mounted antenna) or trans-
ceiver equipment (such as CB, walkie-
talkie, ham radio or similar) may cause 
extensive damage to the vehicle, 
compromise its safety, interfere with 
the vehicle's electrical system or affect 
the validity of the BMW Limited 
Warranty. Contact your BMW center for 
additional information.
Do not use key or remote control to 
lock doors or cargo area with anyone 
inside the vehicle. Refer to pages  29 
and  32 for more details.
 
<
 
Maintenance, replacement, or 
repair of the emission control 
devices and systems may be performed 
by any automotive repair establishment 
or individual using any certified auto-
motive part.
 
<
 
Symbol on vehicle parts 
 
Indicates that you should consult 
the relevant section of this 
Owner's Manual for information on a 
particular part or assembly. 

28n
Keys Central locking systemThe key set1 Master keys with remote control unit, 
determine the functions of the Key 
Memory, refer to page 54.
You can mark individual keys for 
subsequent identification by applying 
the colored decals that you received 
when accepting delivery of your 
vehicle.
Each master key is equipped with 
an extended-life battery. This 
battery is recharged in the ignition lock 
during normal operation. 
For this reason, if you have master keys 
that are not being used you should use 
those keys approx. once a year while 
driving for an extended period to 
charge the battery, refer also to 
page 29.<
2 Spare key for storage in a safe place, 
such as in your wallet. This key is not 
intended for constant use 
3 Door and ignition key
The lock for the glove compartment 
cannot be operated with this key Ð 
this is useful for valet parking, for 
instance.
The conceptThe central locking system is ready for 
operation whenever the driver's door is 
closed. The system engages and 
releases the locks on the
>doors
>tailgate and rear window
>fuel filler door. 
The central locking system can be 
operated
>from outside via the remote control 
as well as via the driver's door lock
>from inside by pressing a button.
Operating it from inside does not lock 
the fuel filler door, refer to page 32. 
When the system is operated from the 
outside, the anti-theft system is acti-
vated simultaneously. Both the door 
locks and release handles remain 
locked. The alarm system is also armed 
or disarmed.
If locked from the inside, the central 
locking systems unlocks automatically 
in the event of an accident, but only 
doors which were not locked separately 
with the door lock buttons, refer to 
page 32. In addition, the hazard 
warning flashers and interior lamps 
come on. 

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. 

30n
Opening and closing Ð via the remote controlConvenience opening modePress and hold button: the power 
windows and sliding/tilt sunroof are 
opened.To lock and securePress button.
Do not lock the vehicle if anyone 
will be remaining inside, as it 
would then be impossible for the occu-
pant(s) to disengage the locks from the 
inside.< To switch on the interior lampsAfter locking the vehicle, press button 
again.To switch off tilt alarm sensor
* 
and interior motion sensor
* 
Press button a second time immedi-
ately after locking. For additional infor-
mation refer to page 36.
To open the rear windowPress button.
The rear window opens slightly. It can 
now be tilted up.
Before and after a trip, be sure 
that the rear window has not been 
opened unintentionally.<
If you prefer, the tailgate will open 
instead of the rear window.
gered in the event of danger, if it is 
armed. 
Press the button to cancel the alarm.External systemsThe remote control system's operation 
may be affected by other units or 
equipment operating in the immediate 
vicinity of your vehicle.
If this should occur, you can still open 
and close the vehicle using the master 
key in the door lock.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 tailgate 
and the fuel filler door.
Do not lock the vehicle if anyone 
will be remaining inside, as it 
would then be impossible for the occu-
pant(s) to disengage the locks 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.
Watch the closing process care-
fully and be sure that no one is 
trapped by the closing motion. 
Releasing the key stops the opera-
tion.<
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. 

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.< 

35n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Cargo area Alarm system
*
Luggage strapsUse the retaining straps on the cargo 
area floor to secure smaller items of 
luggage.
Movement is reduced when objects are 
placed on the straps.
To secure your luggage, use the 
luggage nets
* or flexible straps that you 
can attach to the fittings at the inner 
corners of the cargo area.
Refer also to Cargo loading on page 99.
For additional details in the cargo area 
and for the cargo area cover, please 
refer to Cargo area beginning on 
page 97.
The conceptThe vehicle alarm system responds:
>When a door, the hood, the tailgate 
or the rear window is opened
>To movement inside the vehicle (inte-
rior motion sensor)
>To variations in the vehicle's tilt angle 
such as those occurring during 
attempts to steal the wheels or tow 
the vehicle
>To interruption of battery voltage.
The system responds to unauthorized 
vehicle entry and attempted theft by 
simultaneously activating the following:
>Sounding an acoustic alarm for 
30 seconds
>The hazard warning flashers are acti-
vated for approx. five minutes
>Flashing the high beams on and off 
in rhythm with the hazard warning 
flashers.
To arm and disarm the alarm 
systemWhen the vehicle is locked or unlocked 
via the driver's door lock or with the 
remote control, the alarm system is also 
simultaneously armed or disarmed.
You can have different acknowl-
edgment signals set to confirm 
arming and disarming.<
You can use the button on the remote 
control to open the rear window even 
when the alarm is armed, refer to 
page 30. The alarm will start monitoring 
the window again as soon as it is 
reclosed.