Page 4 of 147

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
Page 6 of 147
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
Page 14 of 147
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
Page 60 of 147

60n
Washer/Wiper system 0 Wipers retracted
1 Intermittent mode or rain sensor
2 Normal wiper speed
3 Fast wiper speed
4 Brief wipe
5 Rotary dial for control of the wipe
interval or the sensitivity of the rain
sensorIntermittent mode(not on vehicles with rain sensor)
You can select any of four sweep inter-
vals with rotary dial 5.
In addition, the wipe interval varies
automatically depending on road
speed.
Rain sensor
*
The rain sensor is positioned on the
windshield, directly ahead of the inte-
rior rearview mirror.
To activate the rain sensor:
>With the ignition key in position 1
or 2, move the lever to position 1.
The wipers will make at least one
sweep across the windshield.
You can leave the lever in position 1 at
all times. With the ignition key in posi-
tion 1 or 2, all you then need to do to
activate the rain sensor is
>briefly turn the rotary dial 5, or
>clean the windshield 1, refer to
page 61.To adjust the sensitivity of the rain
sensor:
Turn rotary dial 5.
To switch off the rain sensor:
Return lever to position 0.
Turn the rain sensor off in auto-
matic car washes. Failure to do so
could result in damage caused by
undesired wiper activation.<
Normal wiper speedWhen the vehicle is stationary, the
wipers switch automatically to intermit-
tent wipe (not on vehicles with rain
sensor).Fast wiper speedWhen the vehicle is stationary, the
wipers revert to operate at normal
speed (not on vehicles with rain
sensor).
Page 61 of 147
61n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Washer/Wiper system0 Wipers retracted
1 Cleaning windshieldCleaning windshield
Do not use the washers if there is
any danger that the fluid will
freeze on the windshield, as your vision
could be obscured. Always use a wind-
shield washer antifreeze in cold
weather. Refer to page 108.
Do not use the washers when the reser-
voir is empty, as this could cause
damage to the washer pump.<
The system sprays washer fluid against
the windshield and activates the wipers
for a brief period.
Cleaning headlamps
*
When the vehicle's lighting system is
switched on, the headlamps will also be
cleaned every fifth time the automatic
windshield washer is activated.Windshield washer nozzlesThe windshield washer nozzles are
heated automatically
* when the ignition
key is in position 2.
Page 118 of 147

118n
The onboard tool kit is located in the
luggage compartment lid.
Loosen the wingnut to open.
1. Fold the wiper arm completely out
from the windshield
2. Position the wiper blade at an angle
and pull the release spring (arrow)
3. Fold the wiper blade down and
unhook it toward the windshield
4. Pull the wiper blade past the wiper
arm toward the top
5. Insert a new wiper blade and apply
pressure until you hear it engage.
Use only wiper blades approved
by BMW.<
The lamps and bulbs make essential
contributions to the safety of your
vehicle. Therefore, comply fully with the
following instructions during bulb
replacement. If you are not familiar with
any of the procedures, consult your
BMW center.
Do not touch the glass portion of
a new bulb with your bare hands
since even small amounts of impurities
burn in to the surface and reduce the
service life of the bulb. Use a clean
cloth, paper napkin, or a similar mate-
rial, or hold the bulb by its metallic
base.<
A replacement bulb set is available from
your BMW center.
Before working on the electrical
system, switch off the electrical
accessory you are working on or
disconnect the cable from the negative
terminal of the battery. Failure to
observe this precaution could result in
short circuits.
To prevent injuries and damage,
comply with any instructions provided
by the bulb manufacturer.<
Onboard tool kit Windshield wiper blades Lamps and bulbs
Page 142 of 147

Everything from A to ZOil change intervals, see the
Service and Warranty
Information Booklet/
Warranty and Service
Guide Booklet
Oil dipstick109
Oil filter change135
OIL SERVICE65
Onboard computer66
refer to the "Onboard
Computer Owner's
Manual"
Onboard tool kit118
Opening and closing
from the inside32
via the door lock31
via the remote control29
Outlets, ventilation83
Outside temperature
display67
P
Paint care, refer to the
"Caring for your vehicle"
manual
Park assistant69
Park Distance Control
(PDC)69
Parking aid69
Parking brake56
Parking lamps77
bulb replacement119
PDC (Park Distance
Control)69
Performance132
Pocket light87
Power seat adjustment42
Power windows38
Premium sound system86
Protective function38 Q
Quality Grades102
R
Rain sensor60
RDC (Tire Pressure
Monitor)73
Reading lamps
front79
rear79
Rear center 3-point belt91
Rear fog lamps
bulb replacement121
Rear lamps121
Rear reading lamps79
Rear window
defroster81, 85
Rear-seat backrest,
removable91
Rearview mirror47
Recirculated-air mode81
Reclining seat40
Refueling22
Release backrest43
Releasing the fuel filler door
after an electrical
malfunction22
Remote control29
Removable rear-seat
backrest91 Remove window
condensation82, 84
Replace windshield wiper
blades118
Replacement keys28
Replacing lamps and
bulbs118
Reporting safety defects11
Reverse56
Roller sun blind86
Roof load capacity134
Roof-mounted luggage
rack94
S
Safety belts
correct use40
height adjustment44
Safety defects, reporting11
Safety tires103, 126
Seat adjustment40
Seat heating46
Seat memory45
Seats40
Securing cargo93
Securing child-restraint
system52
Page 144 of 147
Everything from A to ZV
Vehicle Memory53
Vehicle weight134
Vehicle, starting54
Ventilation80, 83
draft-free82, 85 W
Warning lamp "Fasten safety
belts"18
Warning lamps17
Warning messages66
Warning triangle22
Warranty and Service Guide
Booklet (Canadian
models)113
Washer fluids108
adding108
Washer nozzles,
adjusting108
Washer reservoir, filling108
Washing your vehicle, refer
to the "Caring for your
vehicle" manual
Water on roadways99 Weights134
Wheel and tire
combinations104
Wheelbase133
Wheels and tires101
Width133
Windows38
Windshield washer reservoir
capacity135
filling108
Windshield washer,
filling108
Windshield wiper60
blade replacement118
Winter tires105
Wiper system60
Work in the engine
compartment106
X
Xenon lamps119