
 
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 

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.< 

Everything from A to Z
155n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Seats48 
adjustment48 
adjustment 
precautions48 
Securing cargo103 
Securing child-restraint 
system59 
Selector lever, automatic 
transmission67 
Service and Warranty Infor-
mation Booklet (US 
models)125 
Service Interval 
Display75, 125 
Setting the temperature91 
Shiftlock67 
Side airbags56 
Sitting correctly with 
airbags48 
Ski bag102 
Socket for electrical 
appliances101 
Spare key28 
Spare tire135 
Speedometer15 
Sports seat, adjustment49 
Standing lamps88 
Starting the engine64 Steering wheel lock64 
Stopping the vehicle65 
Storage compartments99 
Stowing cargo103 
Stroke144 
Switching off the engine65 
Symbols8 
Synthetic oils122 
T 
Tail lamps 
bulb replacement133 
Tank capacity147 
Technical data144 
Technical 
modifications10, 126 
Telephone preparation100 
Temperature display 
outside temperature77 
Temperature gauge 
engine coolant75 
Temperature 
layering92, 95 
Temperature setting91, 94 
Third brake light134 Tilt alarm sensor37 
operating via remote 
control30 
switching off37 
Tire change135 
Tire condition113 
Tire inflation 
pressures24, 113 
checking24 
indicator83 
monitoring83 
Tire inflation pressures 
table25 
Tire Pressure Monitor 
(RDC)83, 115, 138 
Tire pressures24 
refer also to tire inflation 
pressures 
Tire replacement114 
Tire tread113 
Tires108 
Tools130 
Torque144 
Tow fittings141 
Towing the vehicle141 
Track145 
Transmission66 Transmitter keys28 
Transporting children 
safely59 
Tread depth, tires113 
Tread wear113 
Trip odometer74 
Trunk lid, refer to luggage 
compartment lid33 
Trunk, refer to luggage 
compartment35 
Turn signal 
indicators20, 69 
Turn signals 
bulb replacement132 
Turning radius145 
U 
Uniform Tire Quality 
Grading115 
Universal Transmitter97 
Use antifreeze, radiator123 V 
Vehicle keys28 
Vehicle Memory63 
Vehicle weight146 
Vehicle, starting64 
Ventilation90, 93 
draft-free92, 95