Page 4 of 186

 
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 
     
        
        Page 6 of 186
 
Contents
 
Operation, maintenance
Owner service procedures
Technical data
 
Under the hood:
 
Hood137
Engine compartment 
essentials138
Washer fluids139
Engine oil140
Coolant142
Brake fluid143
 
Maintenance:
 
The BMW Maintenance 
System144
 
Laws and regulations:
 
Technical modifications145
California Proposition 
65 Warning145
OBD interface socket146
 
Replacement procedures:
 
Onboard tool kit150
Windshield wiper blades150
Lamps and bulbs151
Changing a wheel156
Battery160
Fuses160
 
Assistance, giving and 
receiving:
 
Jump-starting162
Towing the vehicle163Engine specifications168
Dimensions169
Weights171
Capacities173 
     
        
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15n
 
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
 
1 Fuel gauge81
2 Indicator lamp for turn signals21
3 Speedometer
4 Indicator lamp for high beams215 Tachometer and Energy Control81
6 Coolant temperature gauge82
7 Indicator and warning 
lamps19 to 218 Selector lever and program display 
for automatic transmission
 
* 
70, 73
9 Service Interval Display82
 
Instrument cluster
390us740 
     
        
        Page 17 of 186
 
17n
 
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
 
Instrument cluster
 
* 
1 Fuel gauge81
2 Indicator lamp for turn signals21
3 Speedometer4 Indicator lamp for high beams21
5 Tachometer and Energy Control81
6 Coolant temperature gauge827 Indicator and warning 
lamps19 to 21
8 CHECK button83
9 Selector lever and program display 
for automatic transmission
 
* 
70, 73
390us741 
     
        
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82n
Coolant temperature gauge Service Interval DisplayBlueThe engine is still cold. Drive at 
moderate engine and vehicle speeds.RedWhen you switch on the ignition, the 
warning lamp
* comes on briefly to 
confirm that the system is operational.
If the warning lamp lights up during 
normal vehicle operation, or the 
message "COOLANT TEMPERATURE" 
appears in the Check Control
*, the 
engine is overheated. Shut off the 
engine immediately and allow it to cool 
down.
390de007
Between the blue and red zonesNormal operating range. The needle 
may rise as far as the edge of the red 
sector in normal operation.
Checking coolant level: refer to 
page 142.
The range of available displays varies 
according to your individual vehicle's 
equipment.
Green lampsThe number of illuminated lamps 
decreases as the time for your next 
maintenance visit approaches.Yellow lampThis field appears together with 
OILSERVICE or INSPECTION.
Maintenance is due. Please contact 
your BMW center for an appointment.Red lampThe maintenance deadline has been 
passed.390us702 
     
        
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84n
Check Control>"RELEASE PARKINGBRAKE"
>"COOLANT TEMPERATURE"
The coolant is overheated. Stop the 
vehicle immediately and switch off 
the engine. Refer to pages 82 
and 142
>"STOP! ENGINE OILPRESS"
The oil pressure is too low. Stop the 
vehicle immediately and switch off 
the engine. Refer to pages 19, 140
>"CHECK BRAKE FLUID"
Indicates that brake fluid is down to 
roughly minimum level. Have the 
reservoir topped up at the earliest 
opportunity, refer to page 143. Have 
the source of the brake fluid loss 
repaired at your BMW center
>"TIRE DEFECT"
*
Reduce vehicle speed immediately 
and stop the vehicle. Avoid hard 
brake applications. Do not oversteer. 
Refer to page 100
>"SELFLEVEL SUSP.INACT"
Please consult the nearest BMW 
center. Refer to page 99
>"SPEED LIMIT"
*
Display if the programmed speed 
limit has been exceeded, refer to 
page 91Priority 2
These displays appear for 20 seconds 
when the ignition key is turned to posi-
tion 2. The warning symbols remain 
after the message disappears. You can 
display the messages again by pressing 
the CHECK button 3:
>"TRUNKLID OPEN"
Message appears only when the 
vehicle is initially set in motion
>"DOOR OPEN"
This message appears after a defined 
road speed has been exceeded
>"FASTEN SEAT BELTS"
*
In addition to this message, a 
warning lamp with the safety belt icon 
appears and an acoustic signal 
sounds
>"WASHER FLUID LOW"
Too low; top up fluid at the next 
opportunity. Refer to page 139
>"CHECK ENGINE OIL LEV"
The engine oil level is at the absolute 
minimum. You should respond by 
topping up the oil as soon as 
possible, refer to page 140. Do not 
continue for more than approximately 
30 miles (50 km) before adding oil>"CHECK FILLER CAP"
Inspect the cap to make sure that it is 
closed properly, refer to page 24. If 
the cap is not closed securely it will 
trigger the "Service Engine Soon" 
lamp
>"OUTSIDE TEMP. +20  7 (Ð5 6)"
This display is only an example. The 
current temperature is displayed at 
outside temperatures of +37.5 7
(+3 6) and below. Refer also to 
page 80
>"SET TIRE PRESSURE"
*
The RDC has imported the current 
inflation pressure in the tires as the 
target values which the system will 
monitor.
Refer to page 99
>"CHECK TIRE PRESSURE"
*
Check and correct the tire inflation 
pressure to specifications at the 
earliest opportunity (next stop for 
fuel).
Refer to page 99
>"TIRECONTROL INACTIVE"
*
A temporary interference of the RDC 
or a system fault. Refer to page 100
>"CHECK BRAKE LIGHTS"
A lamp has failed or the electrical 
circuit has a fault. Refer to pages 154 
and 160 or consult a BMW center 
     
        
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85n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Check Control>"CHECK LOWBEAM LIGHTS"
"CHECK SIDE LIGHTS"
"CHECK REAR LIGHTS"
"CHECK FRONT FOGLAMPS"
"CHECK LICPLATE LIGHT"
"CHECK HIGHBEAM LIGHT"
"CHECK BACK UP LIGHTS"
Defective bulb or circuit. Refer to 
pages 151 and following, page 160 
or consult your BMW center.
>"TRANS. FAILSAFE PROG"
Please consult the nearest BMW 
center. Refer to pages 72 and 75
>"CHECK BRAKE LININGS"
Have the brake pads inspected by 
your BMW center. Refer to page 132
>"CHECK COOLANT LEVEL"
Coolant too low, top up at the next 
opportunity. Refer to page 142
>"ENGINE FAILSAFE PROG"
*
Indicates a malfunction in the elec-
tronic engine-management system, 
which then reverts to an emergency 
default program allowing continued 
operation at reduced power and 
lower engine speeds.
Please have the system inspected at 
your BMW center.
Displays after completion of tripAll of the malfunctions registered during 
the trip appear consecutively when the 
ignition key is turned to position 0.
The following displays will appear when 
appropriate:
>"LIGHTS ON"
>"KEY IN IGNITION LOCK"
>"CHECK ENGINE OIL LEV"
Add engine oil at the next opportunity 
(next stop for fuel). Refer to 
page 140.
This display appears when you open 
the driver's door after parking the 
vehicle. A supplementary gong is also 
heard.
Status reports remain available for a 
period of approx. three minutes after 
the display goes out and the key is 
removed from the ignition. Press the 
CHECK button 3. If there were multiple 
reports, press the CHECK button 
repeatedly to view them all in 
sequence.
To check the Check ControlPress the CHECK button 3 with the 
ignition key in position 2: 
CHECK CONTROL OK appears in the 
display.
No malfunctions are present in the 
monitored systems.ComputerYou can find a description of the 
computer on pages 86 and 91 as well 
as in the "Owner's Manual for Onboard 
Computer."
You can select the language in 
which the Check Control displays 
and the status reports from the 
computer will appear.<  
     
        
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138n
1 Reservoir for brake fluid (under the 
housing of the microfilter)143
2 Auxiliary terminal for 
jump-starting1623 Engine oil dipstick140
4 Engine oil filler neck140
5 Coolant expansion tank1426 Reservoir for intensive-cleaning 
system
*
139
7 Reservoir for windshield and 
headlamp washer system
*
139
Engine compartment essentials
390de791