
 
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 

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. 

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.< 

33n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Tailgate To open from the outside
To avoid damage, check to ensure 
that you have adequate clearance 
before opening the tailgate.<
Press the button in the handle recess 
(arrow): the tailgate opens slightly.
The cargo area is illuminated when the 
tailgate is open. 
Manual operation>Fold rear center armrest or rear back-
rest forward
>Remove cover 1 (this operation is 
easy to carry out with the aid of the 
ignition key)
>Press the lever (arrow) to the right.
The tailgate is locked again as soon as 
you close the lid.
To open from the inside
*
If the tailgate 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. 

34n
Rear windowTo closeThe handle recesses in the interior trim 
panel of the tailgate (arrows) make it 
easier to pull the lid down.
Both before starting off and after 
completing every journey, check 
the rear window or the tailgate to 
ensure that it has not been opened 
inadvertently.<
To avoid injuries, be sure that the 
travel path of the tailgate is clear 
when it is closed, as with all closing 
procedures.<
Always drive with both the tailgate 
and the rear window securely 
closed, as exhaust gases might other-
wise be drawn into the interior of the 
vehicle. Should it be absolutely neces-
sary to operate the vehicle with the tail-
gate or rear window 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 85 or 88.<
To open from outsideSmall items can be loaded or unloaded 
quickly if the rear window is opened 
separately.
Press the button (arrow): the rear 
window opens slightly. It can now be 
tilted up.
Opening with the remote control, refer 
to page 30.
Push the window down to close it.
If pointed or sharp-edged objects 
could strike the rear window while 
driving, be sure to provide protection 
around all edges. If you do not do this, 
the heating conductors of the rear 
window could be damaged.< 

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.