
 
Contents
 
© 2001 Bayerische Motoren Werke
Aktiengesellschaft
Munich, Germany
Reprinting, including excerpts, only with the 
written consent of BMW AG, Munich. 
Order No. 01 40 0 156 144
deutsch 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
Opening and closing Ð via the 
door lock31
Opening and closing Ð from the 
inside32
Luggage compartment lid33
Luggage compartment35
Alarm system36
Electric power windows37
Sliding/tilt sunroof38
 
Adjustments:
 
Correct sitting posture40
Seats40
Manual seat adjustment41
Power seat adjustment42
Lumbar support42
Head restraints43
Entering the rear43
Safety belts44
Seat and mirror memory45
Seat heating46
Steering wheel46
Mirrors47
 
Passenger safety systems:
 
Airbags48
Transporting children safely51
Vehicle Memory, Key 
Memory53
 
Driving:
 
Ignition lock54
Starting the engine54
Switching off the engine55
Parking brake56
Manual transmission56
Automatic transmission with 
Steptronic57
Indicator/Headlamp flasher59
Washer/Wiper system/Rain 
sensor60
Cruise control62
 
Everything under control:
 
Odometer64
Tachometer64
Energy control64
Fuel gauge65
Temperature gauge65
Service Interval Display65
Check Control66
Computer66
 
Technology for safety and 
driving convenience:
 
Park Distance Control (PDC)69
Automatic Stability Control plus 
Traction (ASC+T)70
Dynamic Stability Control 
(DSC)71
Tire Pressure Monitor (RDC)73
Flat Tire Monitor75
 
Contents 

 
20n
 
Indicator and warning lamps
 
Add washer fluid
The washer fluid is too low. Top 
off the fluid at the earliest 
opportunity. For additional information: 
refer to page 108
SERVICE ENGINE SOON 
 
l 
 
If the indicator lamp comes on 
either continuously or intermit-
tently, this indicates a fault in the emis-
sions-related electronic systems. 
Although the vehicle remains opera-
tional, you should have the systems 
checked by your BMW center at the 
earliest possible opportunity. 
For additional information: refer to 
page 115
SERVICE ENGINE SOON 
warning lamp for Canadian 
models.
Engine electronics 
 
l
 
There is a fault in the electronic 
engine-management system. 
You can continue to drive with reduced 
engine output or engine speed. Please 
have the system inspected at your 
BMW center.
Add coolant
The coolant level is too low. 
Add coolant at the earliest 
opportunity. For additional information: 
refer to page 111
 
Green: for your information
 
Turn signal indicator
Flashes when the turn signal is 
operated. 
Rapid flashing indicates a system 
malfunction.
For additional information: refer to 
page 59
Cruise control
Lights up when the cruise 
control is activated. Available for 
operation via the multifunction steering 
wheel.
For additional information: refer to 
page 62
Front fog lamps
Lights up whenever you switch 
on the front fog lamps.
For additional information: refer to 
page 78
 
Blue: for your information
 
High beams
Comes on when the high beams 
are on or the headlamp flasher 
is actuated.
For additional information: refer to 
pages 59, 78 

 21n
 
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
 
Multifunction steering wheel (MFL)
 
* 
The buttons integrated in the multifunc-
tion steering wheel are provided so  that 
you can operate a number of accesso-
ries quickly and without being 
distracted from traffic conditions. You 
may operate:
 
>
 
Selected radio functions
 
>
 
the cruise control
 
>
 
selected cellular phone functions.
The controls are active only when 
the corresponding systems and 
accessories are switched on.
 
<
 
 
Press briefly:
Receive a phone call, initiate dialing, 
terminate a call.
 
Switch between phone and radio, 
cassette and CD.
Forward:
 
>
 
Radio
Press briefly: station scan in FM band
Extended pressure: search function
 
>
 
CD
Press briefly: jump to next track
Extended pressure: search function 
in track
 
>
 
Cassette
Press briefly: stop track scan or fast 
forward
Extended pressure: fast forward
 
>
 
Phone
Scan personal phone book.
Rewind: functions as forward.
 
Volume
Cruise control: to select a stored 
setting.
Cruise control: store and accelerate (+) 
or decelerate and store (Ð).
Cruise control: activate/interrupt/deac-
tivate. 

62n
Cruise control
* 
You can store and automatically main-
tain any desired vehicle speed above 
approx. 20 mph (30 km/h).
The cruise control is available whenever 
the engine is running and the system 
has been activated.
To activate the systemFrom ignition key position 2:
Press the button and the indicator lamp 
on the instrument cluster will come on, 
refer to page 20. You can now use the 
cruise control.
Do not use cruise control on 
twisting roads, when high traffic 
density prevents driving at a constant 
speed, or when the road surface is slick 
(snow, rain, ice) or loose (rocks or 
gravel, sand).
cluster goes out.
Cruise control is also deactivated when 
the ignition key is in position 0.
The speed stored in memory is deleted.
To store and maintain speed 
or to acceleratePress button (+) briefly:
The system registers and maintains the 
current vehicle speed. Every time you 
tap the button, the speed increases by 
approx. 0.6 mph (1 km/h).
Press and hold button (+):
The vehicle accelerates without pres-
sure on the accelerator pedal. When 
you release the button, the system 
stores and maintains the current speed.
If, on a downhill gradient, the 
engine braking effect is not suffi-
cient, the controlled speed can be 
exceeded. Speed can drop on uphill 
grades if the engine output is insuffi-
cient.< 

63n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Cruise control
* 
To deceleratePress button (Ð) briefly:
If you are already driving with active 
cruise control, the speed is decreased 
by approx. 0.6 mph (1 km/h) every time 
you tap the button.
Press and hold button (Ð):
With the cruise control active, the 
system automatically reduces the 
throttle opening to slow the vehicle. 
When you release the button, the 
system registers and maintains the 
current speed.
To interrupt the cruise controlWhen the system is activated, press the 
button. The indicator lamp stays on. 
You can use the cruise control again 
whenever you want by calling up the 
speed that was stored last.
In addition, cruise control is interrupted 
automatically:
>When the brakes are applied 
>When you apply pressure to the 
clutch pedal, or when you move the 
automatic transmission selector lever 
from D to N 
>If you exceed or fall below the 
programmed speed for an extended 
period (by depressing the acceler-
ator, for example).
To recall the stored settingPress button:
The vehicle accelerates to and main-
tains the last speed stored. 

Everything from A to ZA 
ABS (Antilock Brake 
System)19, 99 
Acceleration traction control, 
refer to DSC71 
Accessories10 
Activated-charcoal filter86 
Adaptive Transmission 
Control (ATC)58 
ADB (Automatic Differential 
Brake)71 
Adding 
brake fluid112 
coolant111 
engine oil109 
washer fluid108 
Adjusting 
head restraints43 
lumbar support42 
manual seat41 
power seat42 
steering wheel46 
thigh support41 
Air conditioning80 
temperature settings81 
Air distribution81, 84 Air nozzles80, 83 
Air outlets80, 83 
ventilation80 
Air supply81, 84 
Airbags18, 48 
sitting correctly40 
Alarm system36 
Antifreeze111 
radiator111 
Antilock Brake System 
(ABS)19, 99 
Anti-theft system36 
Aquaplaning99 
Armrest87 
ASC+T (Automatic Stability 
Control plus Traction)70 
Ashtray 
front89 
rear90 
ATC (Adaptive Transmission 
Control)58 
Attach vehicle vacuum 
cleaner89 
AUC (Automatic 
recirculated-air 
control)85 
Automatic climate 
control83 
temperature settings84 Automatic cruise control62 
Automatic Differential Brake 
(ADB)71 
Automatic headlight 
control77 
Automatic recirculated-air 
control (AUC)85 
Automatic Stability Control 
plus Traction (ASC+T)70 
Automatic transmission57 
Automatic transmission with 
Steptronic18, 57 
Automatic-dimming inside 
rearview mirror48 
Average consumption68 
Average speed68 
Axle loads134 
B 
Backrest 
adjusting41 
releasing43 
Backup lamps56 
bulb replacement121 
Battery127 
charge current indicator 
lamp17 
charging127 Beverage holder88 
Blower81, 84 
BMW High Performance 
Synthetic Oil110 
BMW Maintenance 
System113 
BMW sports seat 
manual adjustment41 
power adjustment42 
Bore132 
Bottle holder, refer to 
beverage holder88 
Brake fluid112 
Brake hydraulic system17 
Brake lamps 
bulb replacement121 
Brake system100 
brake fluid level100 
brake pads100 
brake pads, indicator19 
disc brakes100 
Brake system, brake 
malfunction100 
Break-in procedure98 
Bulbs and lamps, 
replacement118 
   
A-Z 

Everything from A to Z
139n
OverviewControlsMaintenancRepairsDataIndex
C 
California Proposition 
65 Warning114 
Canned beverage holder88 
Capacities135 
Car care, refer to the "Caring 
for your vehicle" manual 
Car keys28 
Car wash systems, refer to 
the "Caring for your 
vehicle" manual 
Care of upholstery materials, 
refer to the "Caring for your 
vehicle" manual 
Cargo loading93 
CBC (Cornering Brake 
Control)18, 71 
Cellular phone89 
refer also to the separate 
"Owner's Manual" 
Center (high-mount) brake 
lamp122 
Center 3-point belt in the 
rear91 
Center armrest87 
Central locking system28 
button32 Changing a wheel123 
Check Control66 
Check engine oil level109 
Checking tire inflation 
pressure24 
Child restraint 
installation52 
Child-restraint anchorage 
points51 
Clean the headlamps61 
Cleaning windshield61 
Clock66 
refer also to the "Radio 
Owner's Manual" or to the 
"Onboard Computer 
Owner's Manual" 
Clothes hooks90 
Cockpit14 
Coin box88 
Compartments87 
Compression132 
Computer refer also to the "Onboard 
Computer Owner's 
Manual" 
Configuring individual 
settings with Vehicle and 
Key Memory53 
Consumption68 
display65 
Convenience operation via 
the door lock 
sliding/tilt sunroof31 
windows31 
Coolant111 
Coolant temperature 
gauge65 
Cooling system, 
capacity135 
Copyright4 
Cornering Brake Control 
(CBC)18, 71 
Correct sitting posture40 
Cover, sun blinds86 
Cruise control62 
Cruising range68 
Cup holder, refer to 
beverage holder88 
Curb weight134 Current check indicator17 
D 
Dash lighting78 
Dashboard14 
Data 
dimensions133 
engine132 
technical132 
weights134 
Daytime driving lamp77 
DBC (Dynamic Brake 
Control)19, 72 
Deep water99 
Defrost setting82, 84 
Defrost windows82, 84 
Defrostable rear 
window81, 85 
Digital clock66 
Dimensions133 
Dipstick, engine oil109 
Displacement132 
Display lighting78 
Displays15 
Distance warning69