
 
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 

53n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Seat and mirror memory
* 
You can store and recall three different 
driver's seat and exterior mirror posi-
tions.
The head restraint setting is 
stored in memory, but the lumbar 
support is not.
restraint and exterior mirror positions
3. Press the 
M
EMORY button: the indi-
cator lamp in the button lights up
4. Press memory button 1, 2 or 3, as 
desired: indicator lamp goes out.
To select a stored setting
Do not select a memory position 
while the vehicle is moving. If you 
do so, there is a risk of accident from 
unexpected seat movement.<
Ignition key in position 1:
>Briefly press memory button 1, 2 or 3, 
as desired.
Movement stops immediately when 
one of the seat-adjustment or 
memory buttons is activated during 
the adjustment process.
With the driver's door closed and the 
ignition key either removed or in posi-
tion 0 or 2:
>Maintain pressure on the desired 
memory button (1, 2 or 3) until the 
adjustment process is completed.
If you press the 
M
EMORY button 
accidentally: press the button 
again; the indicator lamp goes out.<
You can have this feature 
programmed so that when you 
use the remote control from your 
personalized key to unlock your door, 
your seat, head restraint and exterior 
mirrors will all move into your own 
preferred positions.<
Before activating the programmed 
adjustment feature ensure that the 
footwell behind the driver's seat is 
empty and unobstructed. If you fail to 
do so, persons or objects could be 
injured or damaged if the seat should 
move backward.< 

54n
Seat and mirror memory
*
Seat heating
**Steering wheel 
Passenger-side exterior mirror tilt 
function(Automatic curb monitor
*)
1. Move the mirror selector switch 1 to 
the "driver's mirror" position
2. When the selector lever is placed in 
"Reverse," the passenger-side mirror 
tilts downward. This allows the driver 
to see the area directly adjacent to 
the vehicle during parking (curbs, 
etc.).
You can deactivate this automatic 
feature by setting the mirror selection 
switch to the "passenger side" position.
The seat cushion and backrest can be 
heated with the ignition key in 
position 2.
You can select different heating modes 
by repeatedly pressing the buttons.
You can also switch the higher heating 
modes off directly:
Press the button and hold it slightly 
longer.
Adjustment1. Push the locking lever downward
2. Adjust the steering column's rake 
and reach to suit your seat position
3. Pull the lever back in.
Never adjust the steering wheel 
while the vehicle is moving, other-
wise you run the risk of an accident due 
to unexpected movement.< 

55n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Mirrors To adjust exterior mirrors1 Switch for 4-way adjustment
2 Selection switch for changing 
between mirrors
To adjust manuallyThe mirrors can also be adjusted manu-
ally: 
Press the edge of the lens.
Storing mirror settings, refer to Seat 
and mirror memory on page 53.
The mirror on the passenger's side 
features a lens with a more convex 
surface than the mirror installed on the 
driver's side. When estimating the 
distance between yourself and other 
traffic, bear in mind that the objects 
reflected in the mirror are closer than 
they appear. This means that estimates 
of the distance to following traffic 
should not be regarded as precise. This 
precaution also applies to the non-
spherical outer section of the lens.
tion 2.
Interior rearview mirror To reduce glare from vehicles behind 
you when you are driving at night, tilt 
the mirror by turning the button.
Vehicles without alarm system: 
Tilt the small lever forward. 

63n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Vehicle Memory, Key Memory How the system functionsNo doubt you have reflected at one 
time or another on how great it would 
be if you could permanently configure 
your vehicle's various features and 
adjustments to mirror your own indi-
vidual preferences. In engineering your 
vehicle, BMW has incorporated a 
number of options for personal adjust-
ment that can be programmed into your 
vehicle at your BMW center.
The available configuration data fall into 
two categories, according to whether 
their primary orientation is the vehicle 
(Vehicle Memory) or the individual (Key 
Memory). Provided that each person 
has a separate remote-control key, you 
can have your BMW center enter 
adjustment data for as many as four 
different individuals into the system.
The system then relies on a bilateral 
data exchange to identify the individual 
user and dial in the selected settings 
whenever the remote control unit is 
used to disengage the door locks.
Color-coded decals have been 
provided to help you distinguish indi-
vidual keys with different settings.What the system can doYour BMW center can provide you with 
details on the capabilities of the Vehicle 
Memory and Key Memory systems. A 
few examples follow below:
Examples for Vehicle Memory:
>Various signals as acknowledgment 
when you lock or unlock your vehicle, 
refer to pages 29, 31
>Activates/deactivates the "Follow me 
home" lamp, refer to page 87
>Activates/deactivates daytime driving 
lamps, refer to page 87.Examples for Key Memory:
>Locks the vehicle when you start off, 
refer to page 32
>Automatically adjusts the power seat 
and exterior mirrors to your personal 
programmed settings when you 
unlock the vehicle, refer to page 53
>Unlocks driver's door first, then 
proceeds to disengage the vehicle's 
remaining locks, refer to page 29.
You will see this symbol through-
out the Owner's Manual. It is to 
remind you at appropriate places of the 
settings that are available to you.< 

99n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
BMW Universal Transmitter
*
Storage compartments
Clearing the channel keys
Read and comply with the safety 
precautions on page 97.< 
The memory of individual channel keys 
cannot be deleted. However, the three 
channel keys can be cleared together 
as follows: 
>Press and hold both outside keys of 
the BMW Universal Transmitter until 
the indicator lamp flashes, and then 
release them. 
All of the channel keys are cleared. 
User informationDo not use this BMW Universal Trans-
mitter with any garage door opener that 
lacks safety "stop" and "reverse" 
features as required by federal safety 
standards (this includes any garage 
door opener model manufactured 
before April 1, 1982).
This device complies with part 15 of the 
FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the 
following two conditions: as defined in 
the regulations, this device may not 
cause harmful interference, and must 
accept any interference received, 
including interference that may cause 
undesired operation.
Front center armrest To open: press the button (arrow) and 
lift upward.Additional compartments and 
nets
*
You will find additional storage 
compartments in the front doors and in 
the center console. Storage nets are on 
the front seat backrests. 

Everything from A to Z
153n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
G 
Garage-door opener97 
Gasoline gauge75 
Glove compartment97 
Gross vehicle weight146 H 
Handbrake66 
Hands-free system100 
microphone100 
Hardtop110 
Hazard warning triangle22 
Head restraints50 
Headlamp cover, care131 
Headlamp flasher88 
Headlamp washer 
system120 
capacity147 
Headlight control87 
Heated seats54 
Heavy cargo103 
Height145 
High beams20, 69, 88 
bulb replacement131 
High Performance Synthetic 
Oil122 
Holder for canned 
beverages100 
Hood118 
Horn14 
I 
Ice warning77 
Icy roads77 
Ignition keys28 
Ignition lock64 
Imprint4 
Indicator lamps17 
Inflation pressures, 
tires24, 113 
INSPECTION75 
Instrument cluster15 
Instrument lighting88 
Instrument panel15 
Interface socket for onboard 
diagnostics (OBD)127 
Interior lamps30, 89 
remote control30 
Interior motion sensor36 
operating via remote 
control30 
switching off37 
Interior rearview mirror55 
with automatic 
dimming56 
Interlock64 
J 
Jack135 
Jump-starting140 K 
Key Memory63 
Key set28 
Keys28 L 
Lamps and bulbs, 
replacement131 
Lashing eyes104 
LATCH child-restraint 
system59 
Length145 
License plate lamps, bulb 
replacement134 
LIGHTS ON warning87 
Load-securing devices104 
Lock buttons32 
Low beams87 
bulb replacement131 
Lug wrench135 
Luggage compartment35 
capacity146 
enlarging35 
floor panel35 
secure separately33 Luggage compartment lid 
electrical malfunction33 
manual operation33 
operate via remote 
control30 
Luggage compartment 
lighting33 
Luggage compartment's 
interior, emergency 
release34 
Luggage rack105 
Lumbar support50 
M 
M+S tires117 
Maintenance125 
Malfunction displays76 
Manual closing 
fully-automatic convertible 
top44 
Manual convertible top39 
close41 
open39 
Manual operation 
doors31 
fuel filler door22 
luggage compartment 
lid33  

Everything from A to ZManual transmission66 
Manually controlled recircu-
lated-air95 
Master keys28 
MFL (Multifunction steering 
wheel)22 
Microfilter92, 96 
Mirror defrosting55 
Mirror memory53 
Mirrors55 
Mobile phone, refer to 
cellular phone100 
Modifications, 
technical10, 126 
Motion sensor, refer to 
interior motion sensor36 
Mounting the roof rack110 
Multifunction steering wheel 
(MFL)22 O 
OBD interface socket127 
Odometer74 
Oil 
additives121 
capacity147 
consumption121 
quality122 
specifications122 
viscosity122 Oil change intervals, refer to 
the Service and Warranty 
Information Booklet (US 
models) or the Warranty 
and Service Guide Booklet 
(Canadian models) 
Oil dipstick121 
Oil filter change147 
OIL SERVICE75 
Onboard computer76 
refer also to the "Owner's 
Manual for Onboard 
Computer" 
Onboard tool kit130 
Opening and closing 
from the inside32 
via the door lock31 
via the remote control29 
Original hand-held 
transmitter97 
Outside temperature 
display77 
P 
Paint care, refer to the 
"Caring for your vehicle" 
manual 
Park assistant79 
Park Distance Control 
(PDC)79 Parking aid79 
Parking brake66 
Parking lamps 
bulb replacement131 
PDC (Park Distance 
Control)79 
Phone, refer to cellular 
phone100 
Pocket light96 
Power windows38 
Q 
Quality Grades, tires114 R 
Radiator147 
Rain sensor70 
RDC (Tire Pressure 
Monitor)83 
Reading lamps 
front89 
rear89 
Rear fog lamps 
bulb replacement133 
Rear lamps133 
Rear reading lamps89 
Rear window 
defroster91, 95 Rearview mirror55 
Recirculated-air mode91 
Refueling22 
Remote control29 
Remove window 
condensation92, 94 
Replace windshield wiper 
blades130 
Replacement keys28 
Replacing lamps and 
bulbs130 
Reporting safety defects11 
Reverse66 
Rollover protection 
system61 
Roof weight146 
Roof-mounted luggage 
rack105 
S 
Safe with safety belts48 
Safety belts48, 52 
seat-integrated51 
Safety defects, reporting11 
Safety tires115, 138 
Seat heating54 
Seat memory53 
Seat-integrated safety belt 
system (SGS)51