
 
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 

 
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 

 
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 

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 

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 

Everything from A to ZA 
ABS (Antilock Brake 
System)20, 131 
Accessories10 
Activated-charcoal 
filter112 
Active seat52 
Adaptive Transmission 
Control (ATC)70, 73 
Add 
antifreeze142t 
brake fluid143t 
engine coolant142t 
engine oil140t 
washer fluid139t 
Adjusting 
backrest50 
head restraints52 
mirrors57 
seats48 
steering wheel56 
temperature105, 109 
thigh support50 
Air conditioning104 
Air distribution105, 109 
Air outlets104, 107 
Air pressure26t, 133 
Air supply105, 109 
Air vent104, 107 Airbags20, 58 
Alarm system42 
Anchorages to secure the 
load126 
Antifreeze, disposal142t 
Antifreeze, radiator142 
Antilock Brake System 
(ABS)20, 131 
Anti-theft alarm system42 
Anti-theft protection34 
Approved axle weight171 
Approved gross vehicle 
weight171 
Aquaplaning131, 133 
ASC+T (Automatic Stability 
Control plus Traction)21 
ASC+T/DSC (Automatic 
Stability Control plus 
Traction/Dynamic Stability 
Control)97 
Ashtray, front117 
Ashtray, rear118 
ATC (Adaptive Transmission 
Control)70, 73 
Attach vacuum cleaner118 
AUC (Automatic 
recirculated-air 
control)110 Automatic climate 
control107 
removing condensation 
from windows109 
Automatic cruise control78 
Automatic curb monitor55 
Automatic rear window 
cleaning77 
Automatic recirculated-air 
control (AUC)110 
Automatic Stability Control 
plus Traction (ASC+T)21 
Automatic Stability Control 
plus Traction/Dynamic 
Stability Control (ASC+T/
DSC)97 
Automatic 
transmission20, 70 
Automatic transmission with 
Steptronic20, 73 
Average fuel 
consumption86 
Average speed86, 94 
Avoid false alarms43t 
Avoiding unintentional 
alarms44 
B 
Backrest, adjusting50 
Backup lamps 
bulb replacement154t 
Battery160 
care160t 
charging160t 
discharged162t 
disposal160t 
Belts53 
Beverage holder117 
Blower105, 109 
BMW active seat52 
BMW comfort seat51 
BMW Maintenance 
System144t 
BMW Universal 
Transmitter113 
Bottle holder, refer to 
beverage holder117 
Brake fluid143 
adding143 
Brake hydraulic system19 
Brake lamps, bulb 
replacement154t 
Brake malfunctions132 
       

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