
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

5n
OverviewControlsMaintenaceRepairsDataIndex
Controls and features
Operation, maintenance
Lamps:
Parking lamps/Low beams77
Instrument lighting78
High beams/Standing lamps78
Fog lamps78
Interior lamps79
Controlling the climate for
pleasant driving:
Air conditioning80
Automatic climate control83
Roller sun blind86
Interior conveniences:
Premium sound system86
Glove compartment87
Storage compartments87
Cellular phone89
Ashtray, front89
Ashtray, rear90
Clothes hooks90
Loading and transporting:
Through-loading system91
Ski bag92
Cargo loading93
Roof-mounted luggage rack94
Special operating instructions:
Break-in procedures98
Driving notes99
Antilock Brake System (ABS)99
Brake system100
Wheels and tires:
Tire inflation pressure101
Tire condition101
Tire replacement102
Wheel and tire
combinations104
Winter tires105
In the engine compartment:
Hood106
Engine compartment
essentials107
Washer fluids108
Engine oil109
Coolant111
Brake fluid112
Maintenance:
The BMW Maintenance
System113
Laws and regulations:
Technical modifications114
California Proposition
65 Warning114
OBD interface socket115

10n
For your own safety
Use unleaded gasoline only. Fuels
containing up to and including
10 % ethanol or other oxygenates with
up to 2.8 % oxygen by weight (i.e.
15 % MTBE or 3% methanol plus an
equivalent amount of co-solvent) will
not void the applicable warranties
respecting defects in materials or work-
manship. Field experience has indi-
cated significant differences in fuel
quality (volatility, composition, addi-
tives, for example) among gasolines
offered for sale in the United States and
Canada. The use of poor-quality fuels
may result in driveability, starting and
stalling problems especially under
certain environmental conditions, such
as high ambient temperature and high
altitude.
Should you encounter driveability prob-
lems which you suspect could be
related to the fuel you are using, we
recommend that you respond by
switching to a recognized high-quality
brand.
Failure to comply with these recom-
mendations may result in unscheduled
maintenance.
Obey all applicable safety rules when
you are handling gasoline.
<
Important safety information!
For your own safety, use genuine parts
and accessories approved by BMW.
When you purchase accessories tested
and approved by BMW and Original
BMW Parts, you simultaneously acquire
the assurance that they have been
thoroughly tested by BMW to ensure
optimum performance when installed
on your vehicle.
BMW warrants these parts to be free
from defects in material and workman-
ship.
BMW will not accept any liability for
damage resulting from installation of
parts and accessories not approved by
BMW.
BMW cannot test every product made
by other manufacturers to ascertain
whether it can be used on a BMW
safely and without risk to either the
vehicle, its operation, or its occupants.
Original BMW Parts, BMW Accessories
and other products approved by BMW,
together with professional advice on
using these items, are available from all
BMW centers.
Installation and operation of non-BMW
approved accessories such as alarms,
radios, amplifiers, radar detectors,
wheels, suspension components, brake
dust shields, telephones (including
operation of any portable cellular phone
from within the vehicle without using an
externally mounted antenna) or trans-
ceiver equipment (such as CB, walkie-
talkie, ham radio or similar) may cause
extensive damage to the vehicle,
compromise its safety, interfere with
the vehicle's electrical system or affect
the validity of the BMW Limited
Warranty. Contact your BMW center for
additional information.
Do not use key or remote to lock doors
or luggage compartment with anyone
inside the vehicle. For more details
refer to page 31.
<
Maintenance, replacement, or
repair of the emission control
devices and systems may be performed
by any automotive repair establishment
or individual using any certified auto-
motive part.
<
Symbol on vehicle parts
Indicates that you should consult
the relevant section of this
Owner's Manual for information on a
particular part or assembly.

14n
1 Parking lamps/Low beams77
2
>
Turn signals59
>
Standing lamps78
>
High beams78
>
Headlamp flasher59
>
Computer663 Washer/Wiper system/
Rain sensor60
4 Hazard warning flashers
5 Central locking system286 Rear window defroster81, 85
7 Horn: the entire surface
8 Adjusting the steering wheel46
9 Fog lamps78
Cockpit

16n
Instrument cluster
7 Indicator and warning
lamps17 to 20
8 Reset trip odometer to zero
9 Indicator for Check Control6610 Display for
>
Trip odometer/odometer64
>
Clock66
>
Service Interval65
>
Computer6611 Selector lever and program display
for automatic transmission18, 59
12 Control button for the clock66
13 Indicator and warning
lamps17 to 20

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 without limitations.
Please have the system inspected by
your BMW center. For additional infor-
mation: refer to page 99
ABS warning lamp for Canadian
models.
Engine oil level
Comes on while 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 109
Engine oil level
Comes on after the engine has
been shut off: add more engine
oil at the earliest opportunity (next time
you stop to refuel).
For additional information: refer to
page 109
Brake pads
l
Have the brake pads checked.
For additional information: refer
to page 100
Tire Pressure Monitor (RDC)/Flat
Tire Monitor
l
Check tire inflation pressures.
Refer to pages 24, 73, 76
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 consult the nearest BMW center
in case of a malfunction.
Additional information beginning on
page 70
Indicator lamp for Automatic
Stability Control plus Traction
(ASC+T)/Dynamic Stability
Control (DSC) and brake
warning lamp
l
The indicator lamps remain on:
The DSC
and ADB/DBC have been
switched off manually or there is a
system malfunction.
Please consult the nearest BMW
center.
For additional information: refer to
page 71
DSC and ADB indicator and
brake warning lamps for Cana-
dian models.
Dynamic Brake Control (DBC)
l
Malfunction in the DBC system.
Conventional braking efficiency
is available without limitations.
Have the system repaired by your BMW
center.
For additional information: refer to
page 72

22n
Hazard warning triangle
*
Refueling
The hazard warning triangle is stored in
a storage case on the left side of the
luggage compartment.
Always observe all legal regula-
tions requiring a warning triangle
to be carried in the vehicle.
<
Fuel filler door
Always switch off the engine
before refueling, as it is not
possible to add fuel with the engine
running, and attempts may also trigger
the SERVICE ENGINE SOON lamp.
<
Press on the rear edge of the fuel filler
door to open and close it.
If an electrical malfunction occurs, you
can unlock the fuel filler door manually:
1. Unlock the trim panel on the right
side of the luggage compartment
2. Pull the button with the fuel pump
symbol.
Always observe all safety precau-
tions posted at the service station
when handling fuel.
Never carry spare fuel containers in
your vehicle. Whether empty or full,
these containers can leak, cause an
explosion, or lead to fire in the event of
a collision.<

28n
Keys Central locking systemThe key set1 Master key with remote control unit,
for information on programming the
Key Memory, refer to page 53.
You can mark individual keys for
subsequent identification by applying
the colored decals that you received
when accepting delivery of your
vehicle
There is an extended-life battery
in every master key that is
charged automatically in the ignition
lock as you drive.
For this reason, if you have a master
key that is not being used otherwise,
use those keys approximately 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
instance
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.
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 acti-
vated or deactivated.
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.