
 
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 

 
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 

28n
Keys Central locking systemThe key set1 Master keys with remote control 
determine the functions of the Key 
Memory, refer to page 63. 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 a master key 
that is not in regular use you should use 
that 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 locks for the luggage compart-
ment lid and the glove compartment 
cannot be operated with this key Ð 
this is useful for valet parking, for 
example.
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
>luggage compartment lid
>fuel filler door
>glove compartment.
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.
Activating it from inside does not lock 
the fuel filler door, refer to page 32. 
When the system is actuated 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 system unlocks automatically in 
the event of an accident, except on 
doors that have been locked individu-
ally using the lock buttons, refer to 
page 32. In addition, the hazard 
warning flashers and interior lamps 
come on. 

29n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Opening and closing Ð via the remote controlThe conceptThe remote control gives you an excep-
tionally convenient method for 
unlocking and locking your vehicle. 
Furthermore, it provides two additional 
functions which you can only use via 
the remote control:
>To switch on the interior lamps, refer 
to page 30.
With this function, you can also 
search for the vehicle, when it is 
parked in an underground garage, for 
instance
>To open the luggage compartment 
lid, refer to page 30.
The luggage compartment lid will 
open slightly, regardless of whether it 
was previously locked or unlocked.
Whenever you unlock (lock) the vehicle, 
you simultaneously deactivate (activate) 
the anti-theft system, disarm (arm) the 
alarm system and switch the interior 
lamps on (off).
You can have a signal set to 
confirm that the vehicle's locks 
have engaged securely.<
Since children might be able to 
lock the doors from the inside, you 
should always take the vehicle keys 
with you so that the vehicle can be 
opened again from the outside at any 
time.<
If it is no longer possible to lock 
the vehicle via the remote control, 
the battery is discharged. Use this key 
while driving for an extended period in 
order to recharge the battery.
To prevent unauthorized use of the 
remote control, surrender only the door 
and ignition key or the spare key when 
leaving the vehicle for valet parking, for 
example, refer to page 28.
In the event of a system malfunction, 
please contact your BMW center. You 
can also obtain replacement keys 
there.<
1 Unlock
2 Lock and secure, switch on interior 
lamps, deactivate tilt alarm sensor 
and interior motion sensor
3 Open the luggage compartment lidTo unlockPress the button once to unlock the 
driver's door. 
Press a second time to disengage all 
vehicle locks. 

33n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Luggage compartment lid The lockOnly the master keys fit in the lock of 
the luggage compartment lid, refer to 
page 28.To secure separatelyLock the glove compartment using the 
master key.
This locks the luggage compartment lid 
and disconnects it from the central 
locking system. This feature can be 
used to prevent unauthorized access to 
the luggage compartment when you 
hand over the door and ignition key for 
valet parking, for instance, refer to 
page 28.
To open from the outsidePress the button in the handle recess 
(arrow): the luggage compartment lid 
opens slightly.
The luggage compartment is lit when 
the luggage compartment lid is opened. Manual operation(in the event of electrical malfunction) 
Turn the master key all the way to the 
left Ð the luggage compartment lid will 
open slightly. 
The luggage compartment is locked 
again as soon as you close the lid.
To open from the inside
*
If the luggage compartment lid 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. 

38n
Electric power windowsTo open and close windowFrom ignition key position 1:
>Press the switch up to the pressure 
point: the window retracts as long as 
you maintain pressure on the switch
>Press the switch briefly past the pres-
sure point (only on driver's door): the 
window moves automatically. 
Pressing the switch again stops the 
opening cycle.
You can close the window in the same 
manner by pulling the switch.
To operate all the side windows>Press the switch up to the pressure 
point: the windows retract as long as 
you maintain pressure on the switch
>Press the switch briefly past the pres-
sure point: the windows move auto-
matically. Pressing the switch again 
stops the opening cycle.
You can close all windows in the same 
manner by pulling the switch.
After the ignition has been switched off:
You can still use the electric power 
windows for up to 15 minutes, as long 
as no one opens any of the front doors.
When leaving the vehicle, always 
remove the ignition key from the 
lock and remember to close the doors 
to prevent children from operating the 
power windows and injuring them-
selves, etc.< 
For convenience closing via the door 
lock refer to page 31. 

41n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Manual convertible topAs soon as the top convertible 
compartment lid closes the central 
locking system will release the lock to 
allow renewed access to the luggage 
compartment.
To avoid fabric damage stemming 
from extended exposure to mois-
ture, you should never retract the 
convertible top when it is wet, refer also 
to the "Caring for your vehicle" 
manual.<
To close the convertible top1. Turn the ignition key to position 1
2. Press the button to unlock it. The 
convertible top will be unlocked and 
the side windows will lower slightly
3. Open the convertible top compart-
ment lid all the way
4. Lift the convertible top out by the 
lateral guide section 1 and the front 
convertible top frame 2, swinging it 
forward until you encounter percep-
tible resistance
To avoid damaging the side trim, 
always fold the convertible top 
forward before folding the rear frame 
brace up into its vertical position.<
5. Either close the slightly lowered side 
windows or put them at the desired 
height
6. Press down slightly on the convert-
ible top compartment lid from above 
(arrow). The closing process will then 
be carried out automatically, refer to 
page 40
Operate the convertible top 
compartment lid from above only 
in order to avoid any pinching.<
As soon as the top convertible 
compartment lid closes the central 
locking system will release the lock to 
allow renewed access to the luggage 
compartment.<
7. Holding on to the locking handle, pull 
the front part of the convertible top 
frame up onto the windshield frame, 
and lock the convertible top by 
turning the handle until you hear the 
convertible top engage and lock.
The system automatically presses the 
top's rear frame against the convertible 
top compartment lid, pretensioning it to 
ensure that it seals tightly. 

43n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Fully-automatic convertible top
*
When closing the electric power 
windows while underway, always 
remember to either start by closing the 
rear windows or to close all of them at 
once. Failure to adhere to this 
sequence can prevent the windows 
from sealing tightly at high speeds.< 
At higher speeds, the ensuing 
vacuum in the passenger 
compartment can cause the convertible 
top to begin fluttering. Increase the air 
supply via the ventilation controls so 
that a vacuum does not occur in the 
vehicle.<
1 Close
2 OpenTo open and closeFrom ignition key position 1 and with 
the vehicle stationary.
To avoid placing unnecessary loads on 
the battery, you should avoid operating 
the top when the engine is switched off.
1. Read and comply with the preceding 
safety precautions
2. Before opening the convertible top, 
ensure that the convertible top 
compartment panel is back down 
into its original position, refer to 
page 35
3. Ensure that the luggage compart-
ment lid is closed
4. Maintain pressure on the corre-
sponding button for the convertible 
top operation. The red indicator lamp 
flashes whenever the convertible top 
mechanism is in operation. It goes 
out when the opening or closing 
process has been completed.
If it continues flashing after the 
control button is released, the 
process has not completed opening 
or closing. The operation can be 
resumed in the desired direction by 
pressing the button again.
If the yellow indicator lamp lights up 
continuously with the button 
pressed, the convertible top 
compartment panel has been raised 
and the top cannot be moved, refer 
to step 2.
The convertible top stops moving 
immediately when the button is 
released. You can resume operation in 
the desired direction by pressing the 
button again.<