
 
Contents
 
© 2001 Bayerische Motoren Werke
Aktiengesellschaft
Munich, Germany
Reprinting, including excerpts, only with the 
written consent of BMW AG, Munich. 
Order No. 01 41 0 156 168
US English 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 sunroof39
 
Adjustments:
 
Correct sitting posture41
Seats41
Manual seat adjustment42
Power seat adjustment43
Lumbar support43
Head restraints44
Safety belts45
Seat and mirror memory46
Seat heating47
Steering wheel47
Mirrors48
 
Passenger safety systems:
 
Airbags49
Transporting children safely52
Vehicle Memory, Key 
Memory55
 
Driving:
 
Ignition lock56
Starting the engine56
Switching off the engine57
Parking brake58
Manual transmission58
Automatic transmission with 
Steptronic59
Indicator/Headlamp flasher61
Washer/Wiper system/Rain 
sensor62
Cruise control64
 
Everything under control:
 
Odometer66
Tachometer66
Energy control66
Fuel gauge67
Temperature gauge67
Service Interval Display67
Check Control68
Clock68
Computer69
 
Technology for safety and 
driving convenience:
 
Park Distance Control (PDC)71
Automatic Stability Control plus 
Traction (ASC+T)72
Dynamic Stability Control 
(DSC)73
 
Contents 

 
5n
 
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
 
Controls and features
Operation, maintenance
 
Hill Descent Control (HDC)77
Tire Pressure Monitor (RDC)78
Flat Tire Monitor80
 
Lamps:
 
Parking lamps/Low beams82
Instrument lighting83
High beams/Standing lamps83
Fog lamps83
Interior lamps84
 
Controlling the climate for 
pleasant driving:
 
Air conditioning85
Automatic climate control88
Roller sun blind91
 
Interior conveniences:
 
Premium sound system91
Glove compartment92
Storage compartments92
Cellular phone94
Ashtray, front95
Ashtray, rear95
 
Loading and transporting:
 
Through-loading system96
Ski bag97
Cargo loading99
Roof-mounted luggage rack100
 
Special operating instructions:
 
Break-in procedures104
Driving notes105
Antilock Brake System 
(ABS)105
Brake system106
 
Wheels and tires:
 
Tire inflation pressures107
Tire condition107
Tire replacement108
Wheel and tire 
combinations110
Winter tires111
 
In the engine compartment:
 
Hood112
Engine compartment 
essentials113
Washer fluids114
Engine oil115
Coolant117
Brake fluid118
 
Maintenance:
 
The BMW Maintenance 
System119
 
Laws and regulations:
 
Technical modifications120
California Proposition 
65 Warning120
OBD interface socket121 

 
17n
 
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
 
Indicator and warning lamps 
 
Technology that monitors itself 
 
The system runs an operational check 
on the indicator and warning lamps 
identified with the 
 
l
 
 symbol each time 
you switch on the ignition. They each 
light up once for different periods of 
time.
If a fault should occur in one of these 
systems, the corresponding lamp does 
not go out after the engine is started, or 
it lights up while the vehicle is moving. 
You will see how to react to this below.
 
Red: stop immediately
 
Battery charge current
 
 
 
l
 
The battery is no longer being 
charged. Indicates a defective 
alternator drive belt or a problem with 
the alternator's charge circuit. Please 
contact the nearest BMW center.
If the drive belt is defective, stop 
and switch off the engine immedi-
ately to prevent overheating and 
serious engine damage. If the drive belt 
is defective, increased steering effort is 
also required.
 
<
 
Engine oil pressure
 
  
l
 
Stop the vehicle immediately 
and switch off the engine. 
Check the engine oil level; top off as 
required. If the oil level is correct: 
please contact the nearest BMW 
center.
Do not continue driving, as the 
engine could sustain serious 
damage from inadequate lubrication.
 
<
 Brake warning lamp  
l 
 If the lamp comes on when the 
parking brake is not engaged: 
check the brake fluid level. Before 
driving further, be sure to comply with 
the instructions on pages 106 and 118
Brake warning lamp for Cana-
dian models.
Tire Pressure Monitor (RDC)/
Flat Tire Monitor  
l
 In addition, an acoustic signal is 
sounded: a tire failure has occurred. 
Reduce vehicle speed immediately and 
stop the vehicle. Avoid hard brake 
applications. As you steer the vehicle, 
use caution and avoid overcorrecting.
For additional information: refer to 
pages 78 and 80 

 
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 with no loss of effi-
ciency. Please have the system 
inspected at your BMW center.
For additional information: refer to 
page 105
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 115
Engine oil level
Comes on after the engine has 
been shut off: add engine oil at 
your earliest opportunity (next time you 
stop to refuel). For additional informa-
tion: refer to page 115
Brake pads 
 
l
 
Have the brake pads checked.
For additional information: refer 
to page 106
 
Tire Pressure Monitor (RDC)/
Flat Tire Monitor 
 
l
 
Check tire inflation pressures, 
refer to pages 24, 78, 80
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.
For additional information: beginning on 
page 72
BMW 325xi, 330xi:
DSC has been switched off manually or 
there is a system malfunction. 
ADB-X is operational in its standby 
mode. If the warning lamp fails to go 
out when you press the DSC button 
again, this indicates a system malfunc-
tion affecting both DSC and ADB-X.
Please consult the nearest BMW 
center.
For additional information: refer to 
page 75
 
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 with the button or are defec-
tive.
Please consult the nearest BMW center.
For additional information: refer to 
page 73
BMW 325xi, 330xi:
DSC and ADB-X system malfunction. 
There is no provision for deactivating 
ADB-X.
Please consult the nearest BMW center.
For additional information: refer to 
page 75
DSC and ADB indicator and 
warning lamps for Canadian 
models.
Dynamic Brake Control (DBC) 
 
l
 
Malfunction in DBC system. 
Conventional braking efficiency 
is available and unrestricted.
Have the system repaired at your BMW 
center as soon as possible. For addi-
tional information: refer to page 74 

24n
Tire inflation pressures The specified inflation pressures are 
provided on a sticker attached to the 
B-pillar and visible with the driver's 
door open.Checking tire pressuresAll tire pressure and ambient air 
temperature specifications are stated in 
the units usually used in your country 
(psi; kilopascal) (refer also the following 
tire inflation pressures table).
Vehicles with Tire Pressure Monitor 
(RDC)/Flat Tire Monitor:
After correcting the inflation pressures, 
reactivate the system, refer to 
pages 78, 80.
Another instruction plate regarding 
inflation pressures on the door pillar 
indicates which system is equipped on 
your vehicle.
Check tire pressures on a regular 
basis Ð at least twice a month Ð 
and before every extended journey. 
Otherwise, incorrect tire pressure can 
lead to poor handling, to tire damage 
and accidents.
Remember to check the inflation pres-
sure in the space-saver or standard 
spare tire.
 
Inflate the spare tire to the highest infla-
tion pressure of any tire on your 
vehicle.<
Comply with tire approval 
specificationsThe inflation pressures in the table 
apply to BMW approved tire sizes and 
tire manufacturers. Your BMW center is 
familiar with these pressures. Higher 
pressures may be specified for tires 
made by other manufacturers.
Your vehicle is equipped with tires that 
not only meet US standards, but also 
European standards. We recommend 
the exclusive use of BMW approved 
tires. 

25n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Tire inflation pressuresBMW Tires
All pressure specifications in the table are indicated in ps i (kilo-
pascal) with cold tires (cold = ambient temperature)
320i205/55 R 16 91 H M+S, 205/55 R 16 91 H,
225/50 R 16 92 W, 225/45 R 17 91 W29 (200) 33 (230) 33 (230) 41 (280)
225/45 ZR 17
245/40 ZR 1729 (200)
ÐÐ
33 (230)33 (230)
ÐÐ
41 (280)
205/50 R 17 93 V M+S extra load, 205/50 R 17 93 W extra load,
195/65 R 15 91 Q M+S, 205/60 R 15 91 Q M+S
205/55 R 16 91 Q M+S, 225/50 R 16 92 Q M+S,
205/50 R 17 93 Q M+S extra load, 225/45 R 17 91 Q M+S32 (220) 36 (250) 36 (250) 44 (300)
325i
325xi205/55 R 16 91 H M+S, 205/55 R 16 91 H,
225/50 R 16 92 W (not 325xi), 225/45 R 17 91 W30 (210) 35 (240) 35 (240) 42 (290)
225/45 ZR 17
245/40 ZR 1730 (210)
ÐÐ
35 (240)35 (240)
ÐÐ
42 (290)
205/50 R 17 93 V M+S extra load, 205/50 R 17 93 W extra load,
205/55 R 16 91 Q M+S, 225/50 R 16 92 Q M+S (not 325xi),
205/50 R 17 93 Q M+S extra load, 225/45 R 17 91 Q M+S33 (230) 38 (260) 38 (260) 45 (310)
330i
330xi225/45 R 17 91 W 30 (210) 35 (240) 35 (240) 42 (290)
225/45 ZR 17
245/40 ZR 1730 (210)
ÐÐ
35 (240)35 (240)
ÐÐ
42 (290)
205/50 R 17 93 V M+S extra load, 205/50 R 17 93 W extra load,
205/50 R 17 93 Q M+S extra load, 225/45 R 17 91 Q M+S33 (230) 38 (260) 38 (260) 45 (310)
All Space-saver spare tire 61 (420) 

78n
Tire Pressure Monitor (RDC)
*
The conceptRDC monitors the tire pressures at all 
four wheels while the vehicle is moving. 
The system provides an alert whenever 
the inflation pressure drops significantly 
below the specified pressure in one or 
more tires.
In order for the system to "learn" the 
correct tire inflation pressure, check the 
inflation pressure in all tires according 
to the inflation pressures table on 
page 25 and make corrections as 
necessary. Then activate the system. 
This indicator lamp in the instru-
ment cluster will inform you if 
the tire pressure is not correct.
To activate the system1 Turn ignition key to position 2 (do not 
start the engine)
2 Press the button long enough for the 
yellow indicator lamp in the instru-
ment cluster to light up for a few 
seconds
3 After a few minutes driving time, RDC 
sets the current inflation pressures in 
the tires as the target values to be 
monitored.
You will only have to repeat this proce-
dure following a correction of the tire 
inflation pressure. Otherwise, RDC 
functions automatically when the igni-
tion key is in position 2, and thus oper-
ates whenever the vehicle is driven.
In the event of loss in inflation 
pressureIf the inflation pressure has dropped 
significantly over a long period of time 
(which is normal for any tire), the yellow 
indicator lamp will come on.
This alerts you to have the tires inflated 
to the specified pressures as soon as 
possible.
If you are prompted to check the 
tire pressure shortly after a 
correction has been made, this indi-
cates that the corrected values were 
not accurate. Please check the inflation 
pressure again and make corrections 
according to the inflation pressure 
table. Then activate the system once 
again.< 

79n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Tire Pressure Monitor (RDC)
*
In the event of a flat tireIf there is a tire failure with loss of pres-
sure, a red light will appear in the indi-
cator lamp. In addition, an acoustic 
signal is sounded.
If this occurs, reduce vehicle speed 
immediately and stop the vehicle in a 
safe location. Avoid hard brake applica-
tions. Do not oversteer. Replace the 
wheel and flat tire.
The space-saver spare tire is 
provided for temporary use only in 
the case of a tire failure. It does not 
have RDC electronics and is not moni-
tored. The spare tire
 that has the same 
dimensions as the tires already 
mounted on the vehicle is equipped 
with the necessary RDC electronics 
and will be also monitored once the 
tires have been mounted and the 
system activated.<
RDC cannot alert you to severe 
and sudden tire damage caused 
by external factors.<
Have the tires changed by your 
BMW center.
Your BMW center has the information 
needed for working with RDC and is 
equipped with the necessary special 
tools.<
System interferenceLocal devices using the same radio 
frequency can interfere with RDC.
The yellow indicator lamp will come on 
during the malfunction. 
The indicator lamp also comes on
>in the event of a system fault 
>if a wheel is mounted without the 
appropriate electronics 
>if, in addition to the spare tire, addi-
tional wheels with RDC electronics 
are on board.
Please contact your BMW center for 
additional information.