
 
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 

 
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. 

53n
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 locking or unlocking your 
vehicle, refer to page 29, 31
>Activates/deactivates the "Follow me 
home" function, refer to page 77
>Activates/deactivates daytime driving 
lamps, refer to page 77.Examples for Key Memory:
>Locks the vehicle when you start off, 
refer to page 32
>Automatically adjusts the driver's 
seat to the personal programmed 
settings when the vehicle is 
unlocked, refer to page 45
>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.< 

Everything from A to Z
141n
OverviewControlsMaintenancRepairsDataIndex
I 
Ice warning67 
Icy roads67 
Ignition keys28 
Ignition lock54 
Imprint4 
Indicator lamps17 
Inflation pressures, 
tires24, 25, 101 
Inside rearview mirror 
automatic-dimming 
feature48 
INSPECTION65 
Instrument cluster15 
Instrument lighting78 
Instruments15 
Interface socket 
for Onboard 
Diagnostics115 
Interior lamps30, 79 
remote control30 
Interior motion sensor36 
switching off37 
Interior rearview mirror47 
Interlock54 
J 
Jack123 
Jump-starting128 K 
Key Memory53 
Key with remote control 
unit28 
Keys28 L 
Lamps and bulbs, 
replacement118 
Lashing eyes93 
LATCH child-restraint 
mounting system51 
Length133 
License plate lamp 
bulb replacement122 
Litter bag holder88 
Load-securing devices93 
Lock buttons32 
Louvers80 
Low beams77 
bulb replacement119 
Lug wrench123 Luggage compartment35 
capacity134 
floor mat35 
floor panel35 
secure separately33 
Luggage compartment lid 
electrical malfunction33 
emergency release from 
luggage compartment's 
interior35 
manual operation33 
remote control30 
Luggage compartment 
lighting33 
Luggage rack94 
Lumbar support42 
M 
M+S tires105 
Maintenance65, 113 
Malfunction displays66 
Manual operation 
doors31 
fuel filler door22 
luggage compartment 
lid33 
sliding/tilt sunroof39 
Manual seat adjustment41 
Manual transmission56 Manually controlled 
recirculated-air85 
Master key28 
MFL (Multifunction steering 
wheel)21 
Microfilter82, 86 
Mirror heating47 
Mirror memory45 
Mirrors47 
Modifications, 
technical10, 114 
Motion sensor, refer to 
interior motion sensor 
Multifunction steering wheel 
(MFL)21 
O 
OBD interface socket115 
Odometer64 
Oil 
additives109 
capacity135 
consumption109 
quality110 
specifications110 
viscosity110  

Everything from A to Z
143n
OverviewControlsMaintenancRepairsDataIndex
Selector lever, automatic 
transmission57 
Service and Warranty 
Information Booklet (US 
models)113 
Service Interval 
Display65, 113 
Setting temperature81 
Shiftlock57 
Side airbags48 
Side Impact Head Protection 
System48 
Ski bag92 
Sliding/tilt sunroof38 
electrical malfunction39 
manual operation39 
Snow chains105 
Socket89 
Sound system86 
Space-saver spare 
tire25, 123 
Spare key28 
Spare tire123 
Speedometer15 
Sport steering wheel21 
Sports seat 
manual adjustment41 
power adjustment42 Standing lamps78 
Starting the engine54 
Steering wheel46 
Steering wheel lock54 
Stopping the vehicle55 
Storage compartments87 
Stowing cargo93 
Stroke132 
Sun blind cover86 
Switching off the engine55 
Switching off the interior 
motion sensor37 
Switching off the tilt alarm 
sensor37 
Symbols8 
Synthetic oils110 
T 
Tachometer64 
Tail lamps 
bulb replacement121 
Tank capacity135 
Technical data132 
Technical 
modifications10, 114 
Telephone preparation89 
Temperature display 
outside temperature67 Temperature gauge 
engine coolant65 
Temperature 
layering82, 85 
Thigh support 
adjustment41 
Third brake light122 
Through-loading system91 
Tilt alarm sensor30, 37 
remote control30 
switching off37 
Tire change123 
Tire condition101 
Tire damage101 
Tire inflation 
pressures24, 101 
monitoring73 
table25 
Tire Pressure Monitor 
(RDC)73, 103, 126 
Tire pressure warning73 
Tire Quality Grading103 
Tire replacement102 
Tire tread101 
Tires and wheels101 
Tool kit118 
Torque132 
Towing fittings129 Towing the vehicle129 
Track133 
Transmission56 
Transmitter keys28 
Transporting children 
safely51 
Tread depth, tires101 
Tread Wear Indicator101 
Trip odometer64 
Trunk lid, refer to luggage 
compartment lid33 
Trunk, refer to luggage 
compartment35 
Turn signal 
indicator20, 59, 120 
bulb replacement120 
Turning radius133 
U 
Uniform Tire Quality 
Grading103