
 
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 

Everything from A to Z
177n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Brake system132 
brake fluid level132 
brake pads20, 132 
disc brakes132 
malfunctions132 
Break-in procedures130 
Bulbs and lamps151t C 
California Proposition 
65 Warning145 
Capacities173 
Car care, refer to the "Caring 
for your vehicle" manual 
Car wash systems, refer to 
the "Caring for your 
vehicle" manual 
Care of paintwork, refer to 
the "Caring for your 
vehicle" manual 
Care of upholstery materials, 
refer to the "Caring for your 
vehicle" manual 
Cargo area 
lamps103 
opening from the 
inside40 
Cargo loading126 
Cellular phone117 Center (high-mount) brake 
lamp155 
Central locking 
system32, 37 
Changing a wheel/
tire157t 
Charge indicator lamp19 
CHECK button83 
Check Control83t 
Check engine oil 
level140t 
Child seat safety62 
Child seats61 
Child-restraint systems61 
Child-safety locks64 
Cigarette lighter118 
Clean rear window77 
Cleaning windshield77 
Climate control, refer to 
Automatic climate 
control107 
Clock88 
for additional information 
refer to the "Owner's 
Manual for Onboard 
Computer" 
Cockpit14 
Code, refer to immoblizer 
function94 
Cold start67 
Combination switch76 Comfort seat51 
Compartments116 
Computer86 
for additional information 
refer to the "Owner's 
Manual for Onboard 
Computer" 
remote control95 
Computer in the MID91 
Configuring personal 
adjustments, Vehicle and 
Key Memory64 
Consumption display81 
Consumption, fuel86, 93 
Convenience operation of 
windows and sliding/tilt 
sunroof33 
Convenience starting 
feature67 
Coolant142 
Coolant temperature 
gauge82 
Copyright4 
Cover, sun blinds112 
Cruising range86, 93 
Cup holder117 
Cup holder, refer to 
beverage holder117 
Curb monitor55 
D 
Data link connector for 
Onboard Diagnostics146 
Date 
calling up88 
changing88 
Daytime driving lamps101 
DBC (Dynamic Brake 
Control)20 
Deactivating95 
alarm system tilt 
sensor43 
interior motion sensor43 
Deep water131 
Defrost windows106, 109 
Defroster mode106, 109 
Digital clock in the MID88 
Dimensions169 
Dipstick, engine oil140t 
Displacement168 
Display lighting102 
Displays16, 17 
Disposal 
antifreeze with corrosion 
inhibitor142t 
used batteries160t 
used oils141t  

Everything from A to Zfor seat, mirror and 
steering wheel54 
related to individuals ("Key 
Memory")64 
related to the vehicle 
("Vehicle Memory")64 
Microfilter106, 112 
MID (Multi-Information 
Display)87 
Mirrors57 
adjusting57 
defrosting57 
memory setting54 
Modifications, 
technical10, 145 
Monitoring inflation 
pressure, tires99 
Moonroof47 
Multifunction buttons, 
steering wheel22 
Multi-Information Display 
(MID)87 N 
Non-smoker's 
equipment118 O 
OBD interface socket146 
Odometer16, 80 
Oil additives140 Oil change interval, refer to 
the Service and Warranty 
Information Booklet (US 
models) or to the Warranty 
and Service Guide Booklet 
(Canadian models) 
Oil consumption140 
Oil dipstick140t 
Oil level, indicator lamp20 
Oil pressure, indicator 
lamp19 
Oil specifications141t 
Oil viscosity141 
Oils, disposal141t 
OILSERVICE82 
Old batteries160 
Onboard computer, refer to 
the "Owner's Manual for 
Onboard Computer" 
Onboard Diagnostic (OBD) 
system146 
Onboard tool kit150t 
Opening and closing 
from the inside37 
from the outside33 
using the key33 
using the remote 
control33 
Opening the rear 
window40 Operating range86 
Outlets, 
ventilation104, 107 
Outside temperature 
display80, 86 
P 
Park Distance Control 
(PDC)96 
Parked-car ventilation 
system112 
for additional information 
refer to the "Owner's 
Manual for Onboard 
Computer" 
Parking aid96 
Parking brake20, 68 
Parking lamps101 
bulb replacement152t 
Partition net123 
Passenger-side mirror tilt 
function55 
PDC (Park Distance 
Control)96 
Pocket light116 Pollen filter106, 112 
Power windows45 
safety switch45 
Power-slip control, refer to 
ASC+T/DSC97 
Q 
Quality Grades, tires134 R 
Rain sensor76 
RDC (Tire Pressure 
Monitor)99 
Reading lamps103 
Rear ashtray118 
Rear window40 
defroster105, 110 
sun blinds112 
wiper77 
Rear window cleaning77 
Rear-seat backrest 
folding119 
remove119 
Rearview mirror57 
Recirculated-air mode105 
Reclining seat48 
Refueling24 
Releasing hood137  

Everything from A to ZSummer tires135 
Sun blind cover112 
Sunroof46 
Switching off the engine68 
Switch-on times for parked-
car ventilation90 
Symbols8 T 
Tachometer81 
Tail lamps154 
bulb replacement154t 
Tailgate 
manual operation39 
manual release39 
opening from the 
inside40 
opening from the 
outside39 
Technical 
modifications10, 145 
Telephone hookup117 
Temperature display80, 86 
Temperature gauge82 
Temperature 
layering106, 111 
Third brake lamp155 Through-loading 
system119 
Tilt alarm sensor42, 43 
avoiding unintentional 
alarms44 
deactivate35 
Tilt function, passenger-side 
mirror55 
Time 
calling up88 
changing88 
of arrival, estimated93 
Timer88 
for additional information 
refer to the "Owner's 
Manual for Onboard 
Computer" 
Tire 
change157t 
damage133t 
inflation pressure26, 133 
pressure 
monitoring99, 133 
renewal134 
tread133 
Tire inflation pressure26 
Tire Pressure Monitor 
(RDC)99 
Tire Quality Grading135 
Tools150t Torque168 
Tow fittings163t 
Towing the vehicle163t 
Track169 
Traction control system, 
refer to ASC+T/DSC 
Transmission69, 70, 73 
Transmitter key32 
Transporting children 
safely61 
Tread depth, tires133 
Trip odometer80 
Trunk lid 
refer to luggage 
compartment lid38 
Trunk, refer to luggage 
compartment42 
Turn signal 
bulb replacement152t 
Turn signal indicator76 
Turning circle169 
U 
Uniform Tire Quality Grading 
(UTQR)135 
Universal Transmitter113 
Use antifreeze, 
radiator142t 
Used batteries, 
disposal160t Used oils, disposal141t 
V 
Vacuum cleaner, attach118 
Valve caps159 
Vehicle Memory64 
Ventilation104, 106, 111 
draft-free106, 111 
in the rear106 
Ventilation while 
parked112 
for more information on 
ventilation with vehicle 
stationary, refer to the 
"Owner's Manual for 
Onboard Computer" 
Viscosity ratings, oils141 W
 
Warm feet Ð cool 
head106, 111 
Warning and indicator 
lamps19 
Warning lamps19t 
Warning messages83t 
Warning triangle23