
 
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 

 
5n
 
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
 
Controls and features
Operation, maintenance
 
Dynamic Stability Control 
(DSC)81
Tire Pressure Monitor (RDC)83
Flat Tire Monitor85
 
Lamps:
 
Parking lamps/Low beams87
Instrument lighting88
High beams/Standing lamps88
Fog lamps88
Interior lamps89
 
Controlling the climate for 
pleasant driving:
 
Air conditioning90
Automatic climate control93
 
Interior conveniences:
 
Glove compartment96
BMW Universal Transmitter97
Storage compartments99
Cellular phone100
Ashtray, front100
Ashtray, rear101
 
Loading and transporting:
 
Ski bag102
Cargo loading103
Roof-mounted luggage rack for 
the hardtop105
 
Special operating instructions:
 
Break-in procedures108
Driving notes109
Antilock Brake System 
(ABS)109
Brake system109
Hardtop110
 
Wheels and tires:
 
Tire inflation pressure113
Tire condition113
Tire replacement114
Wheel and tire 
combinations116
Winter tires116
 
In the engine compartment:
 
Hood118
Engine compartment 
essentials119
Washer fluids120
Engine oil121
Coolant123
Brake fluid124
 
Maintenance:
 
The BMW Maintenance 
System125
 
Laws and regulations:
 
Technical modifications126
California Proposition 
65 Warning126
OBD interface socket127 

 
17n
 
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
 
Indicator and warning lamps 
 
Technology that monitors itself 
 
The system runs an operational check 
on the indicator and warning lamps 
identified with the 
 
l
 
 symbol each time 
you switch on the ignition. They each 
light up once for different periods of 
time.
If a fault should occur in one of these 
systems, the corresponding lamp does 
not go out after the engine is started, or 
it lights up while the vehicle is moving. 
You will see how to react in the 
following section.
 
Red: stop immediately
 
Battery charge current
 
 
 
l
 
The battery is no longer being 
charged. Indicates a defective 
alternator drive belt or a problem with 
the alternator's charge circuit. Please 
contact the nearest BMW center.
If the drive belt is defective, stop 
and switch off the engine immedi-
ately to prevent overheating and 
serious engine damage. If the drive belt 
is defective, increased steering effort is 
also required.
 
<
 
Engine oil pressure
 
  
l
 
Stop the vehicle immediately 
and switch off the engine. 
Check the engine oil level; top off as 
required. If the oil level is correct: 
please contact the nearest BMW 
center.
Do not continue driving, as the 
engine could sustain serious 
damage from inadequate lubrication.
 
<
 
Brake warning lamp 
 
l 
 
If the lamp comes on when the 
parking brake is not engaged: 
check the brake fluid level. Before 
driving further, be sure to comply with 
the instructions on pages 109 and 124
Brake warning lamp for Cana-
dian models.
Tire Pressure Monitor (RDC)/
Flat Tire Monitor 
 
l
 
In addition, an acoustic signal is 
sounded: a tire failure has occurred. 
Reduce vehicle speed immediately and 
stop the vehicle. Avoid hard brake 
applications. As you steer the vehicle, 
use caution to avoid overcorrecting.
For additional information refer to 
pages 83, 85 

 
19n
 
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
 
Indicator and warning lamps
 
Yellow: check as soon as possible
 
Antilock Brake System (ABS)
 
 l
 
ABS has been deactivated in 
response to system malfunction. 
Conventional braking performance 
remains available with no loss of effi-
ciency. Please have the system 
inspected at your BMW center.
For additional information refer to 
page 109
ABS warning lamp for Canadian 
models.
Engine oil level
Comes on during driving: the 
engine oil level has fallen to the 
absolute minimum; refill as soon as 
possible. Do not drive more than 
approx. 30 miles (50 km) until you do.
For additional information refer to 
page 121
Engine oil level
Comes on after the engine has 
been switched off: add engine 
oil at the earliest opportunity (next time 
you stop to refuel).
For additional information refer to 
page 121
 
Brake pads 
 
l
 
Have the brake pads checked.
For additional information refer 
to page 109
Tire Pressure Monitor (RDC)/
Flat Tire Monitor 
 
l
 
Check tire inflation pressures, 
refer to pages 24, 83, 85
Automatic Stability Control plus 
Traction (ASC+T)/Dynamic 
Stability Control (DSC)
 
  
l
 
Indicator lamp flashes:
The system is actively regulating drive 
torque and braking force.
The indicator lamp stays lit:
ASC+T has been switched off with the 
button or it is defective, or the DSC has 
been switched off, ADB is operational.
Please contact a BMW center in case of 
a malfunction.
Additional information beginning on 
page 80
 
Automatic Stability Control plus 
Traction (ASC+T)/Dynamic 
Stability Control (DSC) indicator 
lamp and brake warning lamp 
 
l
 
The indicator lamps remain on: 
the DSC
 
  
and ADB/DBC have 
been switched off with the button or are 
defective.
Please consult the nearest BMW 
center.
For additional information refer to 
page 81
DSC and ADB indicator and 
warning lamps for Canadian 
models.
Dynamic Brake Control (DBC) 
 
l
 
Malfunction in DBC system. 
Conventional braking efficiency 
is available and unrestricted.
Have the system repaired by your BMW 
center. 
For additional information refer to 
page 82 

24n
Tire inflation pressures The specified inflation pressures are 
provided on a sticker attached to the 
B-pillar and visible with the driver's 
door open.Checking tire pressuresAll pressures are specified in the stan-
dard units of pressure for your country, 
psi or kilopascal, and apply to cold tires 
(tires at ambient temperature, refer to 
tire pressure table on the following 
page).
Vehicles with Tire Pressure Monitor 
(RDC)/Flat Tire Monitor: after correcting 
the inflation pressures, reactivate the 
system, refer to pages 83, 85.
Another instruction plate regarding 
inflation pressures on the door pillar 
indicates which system is equipped on 
your vehicle.
Check the tire pressures on a 
regular basis Ð at least twice a 
month Ð and before every extended 
journey. Otherwise, incorrect tire pres-
sure can lead to poor handling, to tire 
damage and accidents.
Remember to check the inflation pres-
sure in the space-saver or standard 
spare tire.
 
Inflate the spare tire to the highest infla-
tion pressure of any tire on your 
vehicle.<
Comply with tire approval 
specificationsThe inflation pressures in the table 
apply to BMW approved tire sizes and 
tire manufacturers. Your BMW center is 
familiar with these pressures. Higher 
pressures may be specified for tires 
made by other manufacturers.
Your vehicle is equipped with tires that 
not only meet US standards, but also 
European standards. We recommend 
the exclusive use of BMW approved 
tires. 

25n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Tire inflation pressuresBMW Tires
All pressure specifications in the table are 
indicated in psi (kilopascal) with cold tires 
(cold = ambient temperature)
325Ci205/55 R 16 91 H M+S
205/55 R 16 91 H
225/50 R 16 92 W
225/45 R 17 91 W29 (200) 33 (230) 36 (250) 44 (300)
225/45 ZR 17
245/40 ZR 1729 (200)
ÐÐ
33 (230)36 (250)
ÐÐ
44 (300)
205/50 R 17 93 V M+S extra load
205/50 R 17 93 W extra load
205/55 R 16 91 Q M+S
225/50 R 16 92 Q M+S
205/50 R 17 93 Q M+S extra load
225/45 R 17 91 Q M+S32 (220) 36 (250) 39 (270) 46 (320)
330Ci225/45 R 17 91 W 29 (200) 33 (230) 36 (250) 44 (300)
225/45 ZR 17
245/40 ZR 1729 (200)
ÐÐ
33 (230)36 (250)
ÐÐ
44 (300)
205/50 R 17 93 V M+S extra load
205/50 R 17 93 W extra load
205/50 R 17 93 Q M+S extra load
225/45 R 17 91 Q M+S32 (220) 36 (250) 39 (270) 46 (320)
All Space-saver spare tire 61 (420) 

83n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Tire Pressure Monitor (RDC)
*
The conceptRDC monitors the tire pressures at all 
four wheels, even when the vehicle is 
moving. The system provides an alert 
whenever the inflation pressure drops 
significantly below the specified pres-
sure in one or more tires.
In order for the system to learn the 
correct tire inflation pressure, check the 
inflation pressure in all tires according 
to the inflation pressure table on 
page 25 and make corrections as 
necessary. Then activate the system. 
This indicator lamp in the instru-
ment cluster will inform you if 
the tire pressure is not correct.
To activate the system1 Turn ignition key to position 2 (do not 
start the engine)
2 Press the button long enough for the 
yellow indicator lamp in the instru-
ment cluster to light up for a few 
seconds.
3 After a few minutes driving time, RDC 
adopts the current inflation pressures 
in the tires as the reference values to 
be monitored.
You will only have to repeat this proce-
dure following a correction of the tire 
inflation pressure. Otherwise, RDC 
functions automatically when the igni-
tion key is in position 2, and thus oper-
ates whenever the vehicle is driven.
In the event of loss in inflation 
pressureIf the inflation pressure has dropped 
significantly over a long period of time 
(which is normal for any tire), the yellow 
indicator lamp will come on.
This alerts you to have the tires inflated 
to the specified pressures as soon as 
possible.
If you are prompted to check the 
tire pressure shortly after a 
correction has been made, this indi-
cates that the corrected values were 
not accurate. Please check the inflation 
pressure again and make corrections 
according to the inflation pressure 
table. Then activate the system once 
again.< 

84n
Tire Pressure Monitor (RDC)
*
In the event of a flat tireIf there is a tire failure with loss of pres-
sure, the red warning lamp will come 
on. In addition, an acoustic signal is 
sounded.
If this occurs, reduce vehicle speed 
immediately and stop the vehicle in a 
safe location. Avoid hard brake applica-
tions. Do not oversteer. Replace the 
wheel and flat tire.
The space-saver spare tire is 
provided for temporary use only in 
the case of a flat tire. It does not have 
RDC electronics and is not monitored. 
The spare tire
 that has the same dimen-
sions as the tires already mounted on 
the vehicle is equipped with the neces-
sary RDC electronics and will be also 
monitored once the tires have been 
mounted and the system activated.<
The RDC cannot alert you to 
severe and sudden tire damage 
caused by external factors.<
Have the tires changed by your 
BMW center.
Your BMW center has the information 
needed for working with RDC and is 
equipped with the necessary special 
tools.<
System interferenceLocal devices using the same radio 
frequency can interfere with the RDC.
The yellow indicator lamp will come on 
during the malfunction. 
The indicator lamp also comes on
>in the event of a system fault 
>if a wheel is mounted without the 
appropriate RDC electronics 
>if, in addition to the spare tire, addi-
tional wheels with RDC electronics 
are being carried on board.
Please contact your BMW center for 
additional information.