
 
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 

 
14n
1 Parking lamps/Low beams82
2
 
>
 
Turn signal indicators60
 
>
 
Standing lamps83
 
>
 
High beams83
 
>
 
Headlamp flasher60
 
>
 
Computer683 Washer/Wiper system/Rain 
sensor61
4 Hazard warning flashers
5 Central locking system286 Rear window defroster86, 90
7 Horn: the entire surface
8 Adjusting the steering wheel46
9 Fog lamps83
 
Cockpit 

 
20n
 
Indicator and warning lamps
 
Add washer fluid
The washer fluid level is too low. 
Top off the fluid at the earliest 
opportunity. For additional information 
refer to page 114
SERVICE ENGINE SOON 
 
l
 
If the indicator lamp comes on 
either continuously or intermit-
tently, this indicates a fault in the emis-
sions-related electronic systems. 
Although the vehicle remains opera-
tional, you should have the systems 
checked by your BMW center at the 
earliest possible opportunity. 
For additional information refer to 
page 12 1.
SERVICE ENGINE SOON 
warning lamp for Canadian 
models.
Engine electronics 
 
l
 
 
There is a fault in the electronic 
engine-management system. 
You can continue to drive with reduced 
engine output or engine speed. Please 
have the system inspected at your 
BMW center.
Add coolant
The coolant level is too low. Add 
coolant at the earliest opportu-
nity. For additional information refer to 
page 117
 
Green: for your information
 
Turn signal indicator
Flashes when the turn signals 
are on. 
Rapid flashing indicates a system 
malfunction.
For additional information refer to 
page 60
Cruise control
Lights up when the cruise 
control is activated: available for 
operation via the multifunction steering 
wheel.
For additional information refer to 
page 63
Fog lamps
Lights up whenever you switch 
on the fog lamps.
For additional information refer to 
page 83
 
Blue: for your information
 
High beams
Comes on when the high beams 
are on or the headlamp flasher 
is actuated.
For additional information refer to 
pages 60, 83 

60n
Automatic transmission with Steptronic
*
Indicator/Headlamp flasher 
Possible displays 
P R N D SD M1 M2 M3 M4 M5
Electronic transmission control 
module
If the indicator lamp comes on, 
there is a malfunction in the 
transmission system.
Bring the vehicle to a stop, select trans-
mission position "P", engage the 
parking brake  and switch the engine off 
(ignition key to position 0). 
Wait a few seconds, then start the 
engine.
If the indicator lamp goes out after a 
few seconds, normal transmission 
performance has been restored. Drive 
off normally.
If the indicator lamp does not go out, all 
selector lever positions can still be 
selected; however in the forward posi-
tions the vehicle has limited perfor-
mance as it drives only in 3
rd and 4
th 
gear.
If this happens, avoid extreme engine 
loads and consult the nearest BMW 
center.
Never work in the engine 
compartment when a drive gear 
(forward or reverse) is engaged. If you 
do this, the vehicle could move.<
For towing or jump-starting, refer to the 
information beginning on page 134.
1 High beams (blue indicator lamp)
2 Headlamp flasher (blue indicator 
lamp)
3 Turn signal indicator (green indicator 
lamps accompanied by a periodic 
clicking sound from the relay).To signal brieflyPress the lever up to but not beyond 
the detent. It then returns to the center 
position when released.
If the flashing of the turn signal 
indicators and the clicking from 
the relay are both faster than normal, 
one of the turn signal indicators has 
failed.< 

62n
Washer/Wiper system0 Wipers retracted
1 Clean the windshield
2 Rear window wiper intermittent mode
3 Clean the rear windowClean the windshield
Do not use the washers if there is 
any danger that the fluid will 
freeze on the windshield, as your vision 
could be obscured. Always use a wind-
shield washer antifreeze, refer to 
page 114.
Do not use the washers when the reser-
voir is empty. This could cause damage 
to the washer pump.<
The system sprays washer fluid against 
the windshield and activates the wipers 
for a brief period.Rear window wiperRear window wiper in intermittent 
mode. When reverse gear is engaged, 
continuous operation is switched on 
automatically.
You can also program the interval:
>Briefly move the wiper lever from 
position 0 to position 2
>The period that elapses until the 
wipers again start to move (from 
position 0 to 2) is the programmed 
interval for intermittent operation 
(max. 30 seconds).Clean the rear windowThe system sprays washer fluid onto 
the rear window.
To change the wiper blades refer to 
page 124.
Cleaning headlamps
*
When the vehicle's lighting system is 
switched on, the headlamps will also be 
cleaned every fifth time the automatic 
windshield washer is activated.Windshield washer nozzlesThe windshield washer nozzles are 
heated automatically
* when the ignition 
key is in position 2. 

67n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Check Control ClockThe following information and/or condi-
tions are indicated using symbols, 
starting with the ignition key in 
position 2, until the condition has been 
corrected.
1 Check the low beams and high 
beams, as well as the parking lamps
2 Door open
3 Tailgate open
4 Check brake and tail lamps
When you open the driver's door after 
parking, a signal sounds to remind you 
if the headlamps have not been 
switched off.
If you wish to have a permanent time 
display, you can make this setting in the 
radio display (refer to the Radio 
Owner's Manual).
You can set the clock and the time 
display in the car radio as follows.
SettingWith ignition key position 1 or 2 and 
time displayed in the instrument cluster.
To set ahead: turn the button to the 
right.
To set back: turn the button to the left.
The adjustment speed will increase the 
longer you continue to hold the button.
To change the display mode: press the 
button briefly.
Every time you press the button, the 
clock display alternates between the 
12-hour or 24-hour mode.
In ignition key position 0: the time is 
displayed for a few seconds after you 
press the left button, refer to 
Odometer on page 65. 

82n
Parking lamps/Low beamsParking lamps
The front, rear and side vehicle 
lighting is switched on. You can 
use the parking lamps for 
parking. For lighting on one side for 
parking as an additional feature, refer to 
page 83.
Low beams 
When the ignition is switched off 
while the low beams are on, the 
headlamps go out and only the 
parking lamps remain on.
Follow me home lamps
When you activate the headlamp 
flasher after parking the vehicle with the 
lamps turned off, the low-beam head-
lamps will come on for a short time.You 
can also have this function deacti-
vated.<
LIGHTS ON warningWhen you open the driver's door after 
having turned the ignition key to posi-
tion 0, you will hear an acoustic signal 
for a few seconds to remind you if the 
lamps have not been switched off.Daytime driving lamps
*
If you desire, the lamp switch can be 
left in the second position: 
When the ignition is switched off, the 
external lighting is also switched off.
You can have the activation 
settings for the daytime driving 
lamps programmed on your vehicle.<
Automatic headlight control
* 
When the switch is set to this 
position the system automati-
cally activates and cancels the 
low beams in response to changes in 
ambient light ( in tunnels, at dusk, etc.) 
as well as rain and snow.
The vehicle's external lights 
remain on constantly when you 
switch on the front fog lamps after the 
headlights have come on automati-
cally.< 
Automatic headlight control 
cannot serve as a substitute for 
the driver's judgement in determining 
when the vehicle lights should be 
switched on. For example, the sensors 
are not able to detect fog.  To avoid 
safety risks, you should respond to 
these kinds of low-visibility situations 
by switching the headlights on manu-
ally.< You can have the sensitivity of 
your vehicle's automatic head-
light control adjusted.<  

83n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Instrument lighting
High beams/Standing lamps
Fog lamps
Turn the rotary dial to adjust the illumi-
nation intensity.
1 High beams 
(blue indicator lamp)
2 Headlamp flasher 
(blue indicator lamp)
3 Standing lampsStanding lamps, left or rightAs an additional feature, you can illumi-
nate your vehicle on either side for 
parking:
With the ignition key in position 0, 
engage the lever in the appropriate 
turn-signal position.
Front fog lamps
The green indicator lamp in the 
instrument cluster lights up to 
indicate that the front fog lamps 
are on.
If the automatic headlight control 
is on, the low beams will come on 
automatically whenever you switch on 
the front fog lamps.<