
 
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 

 
Contents
 
Owner service procedures
Technical data
Index
 
Replacement procedures:
 
Onboard tool kit118
Windshield wiper blades118
Lamps and bulbs118
Changing a wheel123
Battery127
Fuses127
 
Assistance, giving and 
receiving:
 
Jump-starting128
Towing the vehicle129Engine data132
Dimensions133
Weights134
Capacities135Everything from A to Z138 

 
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 

 
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. 

36n
Alarm system
*
The conceptThe vehicle alarm system responds:
>When a door, the hood or the 
luggage compartment lid is opened
>To movement inside the vehicle (inte-
rior motion sensor)
>To variations in the vehicle's tilt angle 
such as those occurring during 
attempts to steal the wheels or tow 
the vehicle
>To interruption of battery voltage.
The system responds to unauthorized 
vehicle entry and attempted theft by 
simultaneously activating the following:
>The acoustic alarm sounds for 
30 seconds
>The hazard warning flashers are acti-
vated for approx. five minutes
>The high beams flash on and off in 
rhythm with the hazard warning 
flashers.
To arm and disarm the 
alarm systemWhen the vehicle is locked or unlocked 
via the driver's door lock or with the 
remote control, the alarm system is also 
simultaneously armed or disarmed.
You can have different acknowl-
edgment signals set to confirm 
arming and disarming.<
You can open the luggage compart-
ment lid even when the system is 
armed by pressing the button on the 
remote control, refer to page 30. When 
it is closed, the lid is once again 
secured.
Indicator lamp displays>The indicator lamp below the interior 
rearview mirror flashes continuously:
the system is armed
>The indicator lamp flashes while the 
system is armed: the door(s), the 
hood or luggage compartment lid are 
not completely closed. Even if you do 
not close the alerted area(s), the 
remaining areas are secured, and the 
indicator lamp will flash continuously 
after 10 seconds. However, the inte-
rior motion sensor is not activated