
 
Contents
 
© 2001 Bayerische Motoren Werke
Aktiengesellschaft
Munich, Germany
Reprinting, including excerpts, only with the 
written consent of BMW AG, Munich. 
Order No. 01 41 0 156 190
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
Ð via the door lock31
Ð from the inside32
Luggage compartment lid33
Luggage compartment35
Alarm system36
Electric power windows38
Manual convertible top39
Fully-automatic convertible 
top42
Wind deflector46
 
Adjustments:
 
Correct sitting posture48
Seats48
Adjusting electric power 
seats49
Lumbar support50
Head restraints50
Entering the rear51
Safety belts52
Seat and mirror memory53
Seat heating54
Steering wheel54
Mirrors55
 
Passenger safety systems:
 
Airbags56
Transporting children safely59Rollover protection system61
Vehicle Memory, Key 
Memory63
 
Driving:
 
Ignition lock64
Starting the engine64
Switching off the engine65
Parking brake66
Manual transmission66
Automatic transmission with 
Steptronic67
Indicator/Headlamp flasher69
Washer/Wiper system/
Rain sensor70
Cruise control72
 
Everything under control:
 
Odometer74
Tachometer74
Energy control74
Fuel gauge75
Temperature gauge75
Service Interval Display75
Check Control76
Computer76
 
Technology for safety and 
driving convenience:
 
Park Distance Control (PDC)79
Automatic Stability Control plus 
Traction (ASC+T)80
 
Contents 

 
18n
 
Indicator and warning lamps
 
Red and yellow: continue driving 
cautiously
 
The brake warning lamp comes 
on together with the yellow indi-
cator lamps for ABS and 
ASC+T/DSC:
The entire ABS, CBC, ASC+T/
DSC and ADB control system 
has failed. Continue driving 
cautiously and defensively. 
Avoid full brake applications. Please 
have the system checked by your BMW 
center as soon as possible.
For additional information refer to 
pages 80, 81
CBC, ABS, ASC+T/DSC and 
ADB/DBC indicator and warning 
lamps for Canadian models.
 
Red: an important reminder
 
Parking brake warning lamp
Comes on when the parking 
brake is engaged Ð an additional 
acoustic signal sounds when you start 
off. 
For additional information refer to 
page 66
Parking brake warning lamp for 
Canadian models.
Lock backrest/Fasten safety 
belts 
 
l 
 
An acoustic warning also 
sounds in some versions. Flashes if the 
backrest is not locked. Lights up either 
for several seconds or until the belt is 
engaged, depending upon version.
For additional information on safety 
belts refer to page 52
Airbags 
 
l
 
Please have the system 
inspected at your BMW center.
For additional information refer to 
page 56
 
Orange: consult the nearest 
BMW center
 
Automatic transmission
The automatic transmission has 
responded to a malfunction by 
reverting to operation in its emergency 
default program. Please consult the 
nearest BMW center.
For additional information refer to 
page 67 

48n
Correct sitting posture SeatsFor relaxed and fatigue-free driving you 
should select a sitting position that 
reflects your personal requirements. 
Correct posture combines with safety 
belts and airbags to enhance occupant 
safety in the event of an accident. To 
ensure that the vehicle's safety systems 
provide you with optimal protection, we 
request that you direct your careful 
attention to the following section.
For supplementary information on 
transporting children refer to page 59. Sitting correctly with airbags
Always maintain an adequate 
distance between yourself and the 
airbags. Always hold the steering wheel 
by the rim to keep any chance of injury 
to hands or arms to an absolute 
minimum should the airbag be 
deployed. Never allow any objects, 
individuals or animals to obstruct the 
areas between passengers and airbags.
Never use the front airbag's cover as a 
storage tray or support for objects of 
any kind. Never allow front passengers 
to rest their feet or legs on the airbag 
cover.<
For airbag locations and additional 
information on airbags refer to page 56.
Safe with safety belts
Never allow more than one person 
to wear a single safety belt. Never 
allow infants or small children to ride in 
a passenger's lap. Avoid twisting the 
belt while routing it firmly across the 
hips and shoulder, wear it as snugly 
against your body as possible. Do not 
allow the belt to rest against hard or 
fragile objects. Do not route the belt 
across your neck, or run it across sharp 
edges. Be sure that the belt does not 
become caught or jammed. Avoid 
wearing bulky clothing and pull on the 
lap belt periodically to retension it over 
your shoulders. In the event of a frontal 
impact, a loose lap belt could slide over 
your hips, leading to abdominal injury. 
In addition, the safety belt's restraint 
effectiveness is reduced if it is worn 
loosely. Expectant mothers should 
always wear their safety belts, taking 
care to position the lap belt against the 
lower hips, where it will not exert pres-
sure against the abdominal area.<
For information on using the safety 
belts refer to page 52.
When adjusting your seat, always 
observe the following precautions
Never try to adjust your seat while 
operating the vehicle. The seat 
could respond with unexpected move-
ment, and the ensuing loss of vehicle 
control could lead to an accident. Never 
ride with the backrest reclined to an 
extreme horizontal angle (important for 
front passengers to remember). Keep 
the backrest relatively upright to mini-
mize the risk of sliding under the safety 
belt and sustaining injury in an acci-
dent.<
Seat adjustment>Power seat, refer to page 49
>Head restraint, refer to page 50
>Entering the rear, refer to page 51 

52n
Entering the rear Safety belts
You can lock a backrest that has 
been tilted forward. This makes 
sense when, for instance, someone is 
climbing into the rear on an incline. To 
do this, press against the backrest until 
you hear it click into place. To move it 
back into place, you do not need to first 
unlock it by moving the lever 1.<
Lock both backrests while driving, 
otherwise there is a danger of an 
unexpected movement causing an 
accident.<
The indicator lamp in the instrument 
cluster will flash to alert you that the 
backrest is not locked in place, refer to 
page 18.
Always wear your safety beltAlways fasten your safety belt before 
starting off. As supplemental restraint 
devices, the airbags are designed to 
enhance the effectiveness of the safety 
belts, and not to replace them.To closeMake sure you hear the lock engage in 
the belt buckle.To open1. Press the red button in the belt 
buckle
2. Hold the belt
3. Guide the belt back into its reel.
The safety belt system will automati-
cally adapt to your body contours.
Always detach the rear safety 
belts from their retainers before 
wearing.<
To avoid undesired movement at 
high speeds, always store the rear 
safety belts in their retainers when they 
are not in use.<
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. In addi-
tion, have your BMW center inspect the 
safety belt anchors. Failure to observe 
this precaution can prevent the safety 
belts from providing the intended level 
of protection.< 

56n
Mirrors AirbagsInterior rearview mirror with
automatic dimming featureThis mirror automatically dims through 
an infinitely-variable range. It returns to 
its clear, undimmed mode whenever 
you engage reverse.
To ensure that the mirror continues to 
operate efficiently, ensure that the 
photocells remain clear and unob-
structed. One photocell is integrated in 
the mirror's lens (arrow), while the other 
is located at an offset position on the 
rear of the mirror. Refrain from attaching 
stickers to the windshield in the area 
immediately in front of the mirror.
1 Front airbags on the driver and 
passenger sides
2 Side airbags on the driver and 
passenger sides (front and rear
*)
Protective effectThe front airbags supplement the safety 
belts by providing additional protection, 
in the event of a severe frontal collision 
in which the protection afforded by the 
belts alone may no longer be sufficient. 
The head protection system and side 
airbags help provide protection in the 
event of a collision from the side. Each 
of the side airbags is designed to help 
support the seat occupant's upper 
body.
For information on the correct sitting 
posture refer to page 48.
Indicator lamp
The indicator lamp displays the 
operational status of the airbag 
system from ignition key posi-
tion 1.
System operational:
>The indicator lamp comes on briefly 
when you turn the ignition key to 
position 1 or higher.
System malfunction:
>The indicator lamp fails to go out 
after the engine has been started, or 
comes on again during normal 
driving.
Please respond to any malfunctions in 
the system by immediately having it 
inspected at your BMW center; other-
wise the airbag could fail to respond to 
an accident in which both the angle and 
the severity of the impact would 
normally trigger airbag deployment.
The side airbags in the rear 
passenger area
* of your vehicle 
may already have been deactivated 
either at the time of manufacture or by a 
BMW center. You may have them acti-
vated if you desire to do so. Please 
contact your BMW center for additional 
information.< 

57n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Airbags
The airbags do not deploy in 
response to minor collisions, rear 
impacts and certain kinds of vehicle 
rollover.<
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 
these directions: 
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, as 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 location. 
Accident research shows that the 
safest place for children in an auto-
mobile 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-seat side airbags may already 
have been deactivated, either at the 
time of manufacture or by a BMW  

58n
Airbagscenter. Labels in the door opening 
should indicate the status of your rear- 
seat side airbags. If you are uncertain of 
their status, or wish to have the airbags 
activated or deactivated, please 
contact your BMW center.<
Even when all these guidelines are 
followed, there is still a small residual 
risk of injuries to the face, hands and 
arms occurring from airbag deployment 
in isolated instances. The ignition and 
inflation noise may provoke a mild 
temporary hearing loss in extremely 
sensitive individuals.This is the right way for a child to sit in a 
child restraint when rear-side airbags 
(arrow) are provided.
This is the right way for a larger child to 
sit wearing the seat belt when rear-side 
airbags (arrow) are provided. 

60n
Transporting children safelyIf the selected seating position is 
equipped with a head restraint, lift the 
head restraint and pass the tether strap 
between the head restraint and the 
backrest.
Adjust the tether strap according to the 
child restraint manufacturer's 
instructions.
Before installing any child-restraint 
device or child seat, please read 
the following: 
Never install a rear-facing child-restraint 
system in the front passenger seat of 
this vehicle. 
Your vehicle is equipped with an airbag 
supplemental restraint system for the 
front passenger. Because the backrest 
on any rear-facing child-restraint system 
(of the kind designed for infants under 1 
year and 20 lbs/9 kg) would be within 
the airbag's deployment range, you 
should never mount such a device in the 
front passenger seat, as the impact of 
the airbag against the child restraint's 
backrest could lead to serious or fatal 
injuries. 
If it is necessary for a child (not an infant) 
to ride in the front seat, certain precau-
tions should be taken. First, move the 
passenger seat as a far away from the 
instrument panel as possible. This 
important precaution is intended to 
maximize the distance between the 
airbag and the child. Older children 
should be tightly secured with the safety 
belt. Younger children should be 
secured in an appropriate forward-
facing child-restraint system that has 
first been properly installed with a safety 
belt. Never install a rear-facing child-
restraint system in the front passenger 
seat. 
We strongly urge you to carefully read 
and observe the instructions for installa-
tion and use provided by the child 
restraint's manufacturer whenever you 
use such a device. 
Always ensure that all occupants (of all 
ages) remain properly and securely 
restrained at all times.<
All rear seating positions in your vehicle 
meet the recommendations of 
SAE J1819, an industry recommended 
standard for securing child-restraint 
systems in motor vehicles.
Child-safety locksAll of the rear belt retractors and the 
front passenger's safety belt can be 
locked for mounting and securing child-
restraint systems.
A label with the appropriate instructions 
is located in the immediate vicinity of 
the buckle of each safety belt.