
 
Contents
 
© 2001 Bayerische Motoren Werke 
Aktiengesellschaft
Munich, Germany
Reprinting, including excerpts, only with the 
written consent of BMW AG, Munich. 
Order No. 01 41 0 156 213
US English VIII/2001
Printed in Germany
Printed on environmentally friendly paper 
(bleached without chlorine, suitable for recycling). 
Overview
Controls and features
 
Cockpit14
Instrument cluster15
Indicator and warning lamps19
Steering wheel with multifunction 
buttons22
Warning triangle23
First-aid kit23
Refueling24
Fuel specifications25
Tire inflation pressure26
 
Locks and security systems:
 
Keys32
Central locking system32
Opening and closing Ð via the 
door lock33
Opening and closing Ð via the 
remote control34
Opening and closing Ð from the 
inside37
Luggage compartment lid/
Tailgate38
Rear window40
Luggage compartment42
Alarm system42
Electric power windows44
Sliding/tilt sunroof46
 
Adjustments:
 
Correct sitting posture48
Seats48
Manually-adjusted seat49
Electric power seats50
Head restraints52
BMW actice seat52
Safety belts53
Seat, mirror and steering wheel 
memory54
Seat heating55
Adjusting steering wheel56
Heated steering wheel56
Mirrors57
 
Passenger safety systems:
 
Airbags58
Transporting children safely61
Vehicle Memory, Key 
Memory64
 
Driving:
 
Steering/Ignition lock66
Starting the engine66
Switching off the engine68
Parking brake68
Manual transmission69
Automatic transmission70
Automatic transmission with
Steptronic73
Indicator/Headlamp flasher76
Washer/Wiper system/Rain 
sensor76
Cruise control78
 
Everything under control:
 
Odometer, outside temperature 
display80
Tachometer81
Energy control81
Fuel gauge81
Coolant temperature gauge82
Service Interval Display82
Check Control83
Computer86
Multi-Information Display 
(MID)87
Digital clock in the MID89
Computer in the MID91
 
Contents 

 
20n
 
Indicator and warning lamps
 
Red: as important reminder
 
Parking brake
 
* 
Comes on when you engage the 
parking brake. 
For additional information: refer to 
page 68
Parking brake warning lamp
 
*  
for 
Canadian models.
Please fasten safety belts 
 
l 
 
Accompanied by warning tone 
and message
 
* 
 in the Check 
Control panel. Remains on until the 
safety belts are fastened. 
For additional information on safety 
belts: refer to page 53.
Airbags 
 
l 
 
Please have the system 
inspected by your BMW center. 
For additional information: refer to 
page 58
 
Yellow: please have checked at 
your earliest opportunity
 
Antilock Brake System (ABS) 
 
l
 
ABS has been deactivated in 
response to system malfunction. 
Conventional braking efficiency is avail-
able without limitations. Please have 
the system inspected by your BMW 
center. 
For additional information: refer to 
page 131
Antilock Brake System (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 140
Engine oil level
 
* 
Comes on after the engine has 
been shut off: add engine oil at 
your earliest opportunity (when you 
stop to refuel).
For additional information: refer to 
page 140
 
Automatic transmission
 
* 
Because of a malfunction, the 
automatic transmission shifts 
only in the emergency program. Please 
consult the nearest BMW center. 
For additional information: refer to 
pages 72 and 75
Brake pads
 
* 
 
 
l 
 
Have the brake pads checked.
For additional information: refer 
to page 132
 
Dynamic Brake Control (DBC)
 
*
 
 l
 
  
Malfunction in DBC system. 
Conventional braking efficiency 
is available without limitations.
Have the system repaired by your BMW 
center at the earliest possible opportu-
nity. 
For additional information: refer to 
page 98
Dynamic Brake Control (DBC) 
warning lamp for Canadian 
models.
Tire Pressure Monitor (RDC)
 
* 
 
 
l
 
Check the tire inflation pressure. 
Refer to pages 26, 98 

53n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Safety beltsDrive with your safety belt onAlways fasten your safety belt before 
starting off. As supplemental restraint 
devices, the airbags are designed to 
enhance the effectiveness of the safety 
belts, and not to replace them.To closeMake sure you hear the catch engage in 
the belt buckle.To open1. Press the red button in belt buckle
2. Hold the end of the belt
3. Guide belt back into the inertia reel.
The shoulder belt anchor automatically 
adjusts to continue providing an 
optimum fit when you move the seat 
forward or back.390de653
The rear belt buckle with the word 
"CENTER" is intended exclusively 
for the passenger sitting in the middle.
Sedan with through-loading system
*: 
please comply with the instructions for 
the center safety belt on page 119.
sport wagon: if it is not possible to 
extract the center belt, this indicates 
that the detent for the larger backrest is 
not securely engaged, refer to 
page 123.<
If the safety belt system has been 
subjected to the stresses involved 
in an accident or otherwise damaged: 
to ensure that the safety belts continue 
to provide effective protection, always 
have the entire safety belt mechanism 
replaced and the belt anchorages 
inspected at your BMW center.
If a child-restraint system was in the 
vehicle during an accident, consult the 
manufacturer's instructions regarding 
replacement.c 

58n
Mirrors AirbagsInterior and exterior mirrors with 
automatic dimming feature
*
These mirrors automatically respond to 
glare from following vehicles by 
dimming through an infinitely-variable 
range. The mirrors automatically revert 
to their clear, undimmed setting when-
ever you select reverse.
The dimming function is regulated by 
two photocells; one is integrated in the 
mirror's lens (arrow), while the other is 
located at an offset position on the rear 
of the mirror.
To ensure that the mirror continues to 
operate efficiently, ensure that the 
photocells remain clear and unob-
structed. Refrain from attaching 
stickers to the windshield in the area 
immediately in front of the mirror.390de031
1 Front airbags on the driver and 
passenger sides
2 Head protection airbags on driver 
and passenger side (front and rear
*)
3 Side airbags on driver and passenger 
side (front and rear
*) 
Protective effectThe front airbags protect the driver and 
passenger in the event of a head-on 
collision where the protection provided 
by the safety belt alone would not be 
adequate. The head protection airbags 
and side airbags help provide protec-
tion in the event of a collision from the 
side. Each of the side airbags is 
designed to help support the upper 
body.380de643
The side airbags in the rear 
passenger area
* of your vehicle 
may already have been deactivated, 
either at the time of manufacture or by a 
BMW center. You may have them acti-
vated if you desire to do so. Please 
contact your BMW center for additional 
information.c
For information on the correct sitting 
position, refer to page 48.
The airbags will not be triggered in 
the event of a minor accident, a 
vehicle rollover or a collision from the 
rear.<  

59n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Airbags
Never apply stickers or adhesive-
backed objects of any kind to the 
airbag covers. Never attempt to reup-
holster the covers or modify them in any 
way. If the airbags deploy in response 
to an accident, if you note any signs of 
system malfunction, or if you wish to 
have any parts of the airbag passenger-
restraint system deactivated, always 
contact your BMW center, to whom we 
strongly urge you to entrust all testing, 
repair and dismantling operations. 
Never attempt to modify or tamper with 
either the system's electrical wiring or 
any of its individual components. 
System components include the uphol-
stered surfaces on the steering wheel, 
instrument panel, the trim panels on the 
front and rear doors (with rear airbags) 
and the roof braces as well as the sides 
of the headliner above the doors. 
Never attempt to remove or dismantle 
the steering wheel. 
To ensure compliance with official 
safety regulations, always entrust 
disposal of airbag generators to your 
BMW center. Attempts to carry out 
service procedures undertaken by 
anyone other than specially-trained 
professionals can result in system 
failure or undesired airbag deployment, 
both of which can lead to personal 
injury. If the airbags deploy in response 
to an accident, always remember to 
avoid all contact with system compo-
nents, as they are hot and can cause 
burns in the period immediately 
following deployment.<
All vehicle occupants should 
always sit upright and be properly 
restrained (infants and small children in 
appropriate child-restraint systems; 
larger children and adults using the 
safety belts). Never let an occupant's 
head rest near or on a side airbag: the 
inflating airbag could cause a serious or 
fatal injury. Please note that the word 
"Airbag" imprinted on the door trim 
panel indicates the airbag's location.
Accident research shows that the 
safest place for children in an automo-
bile is in the rear seat. However, a child 
sitting in the rear seat and not properly 
restrained may place his or her head on 
or near the side airbag, if installed. For 
example, a child Ð even though belted Ð 
may fall asleep with his or her head 
against the side airbag. It may be diffi-
cult for a driver to ensure that children 
in the rear seat will remain properly 
positioned at all times and do not place 
their heads on or near the side airbag. 
Therefore, we recommend that the 
rear-seat side airbags, if provided, be 
deactivated if you plan to transport chil-
dren in the rear seat.
The rear-seat side airbags may already 
have been deactivated, either at the 
time of manufacture or by a BMW 
center. Labels in the rear door opening 
should indicate the status of your rear-
seat side airbags. If you are uncertain of 
their status, or wish to have the airbags 
activated or deactivated, please 
contact your BMW center.< 
Even when all these guidelines are 
followed, there is still a small residual 
risk of injuries to the face, hands and 
arms occurring in isolated instances. 
The ignition and inflation noise may 
provoke a mild temporary hearing loss 
in extremely sensitive individuals.
Airbag warning information is also 
provided on the sun visors.