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 15 of 186
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 16 of 186
16n
Instrument cluster
10 Display for the computer
(operation via the turn signal lever,
refer to page86):
>
Outside temperature
>
Average fuel consumption
>
Cruising range
>
Average speed11 Indicator lamp for Automatic
Stability Control plus Traction
(ASC+T)/Dynamic Stability Control
(DSC)
*
21
12 Indicator lamp for self-leveling
suspension
*
2013 Odometer and trip odometer80
14 Indicator for Check Control83
15 Reset trip odometer to zero80
16 Indicator and warning
lamps19 to 21
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
Page 18 of 186
18n
Instrument cluster
*
10 Outside temperature display80
11 Indicator lamp for Automatic
Stability Control plus Traction
ASC+T/Dynamic Stability Control
(DSC)
*
2112 Trip odometer80
13 Check Control display83
14 Odometer8015 Service Interval Display82
16 Reset button for trip odometer80
17 Indicator and warning
lamps19 to 21
390us741
Page 19 of 186

19n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Indicator and warning lamps
Technology that monitors itself
The system runs a check on the
warning and indicator lamps marked by
"
l
" each time you switch on the igni-
tion. 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.
The following section describes how
you should respond.
Red: stop immediately
Battery charge current
l
The battery is no longer being
charged. This indicates a defect
in the alternator drive belt or in the
charging circuit of the alternator. Please
contact the nearest BMW center.
Stop and switch off the engine
immediately to prevent over-
heating and serious engine damage. If
the drive belt is defective, increased
steering effort is also required.
<
Engine oil pressure
l
May be accompanied by the
message "STOP!ENGINE
OILPRESS" in the Check Control
display panel
*
: stop the vehicle imme-
diately and switch off the engine. Check
the engine oil level; top up 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.
<
Tire Pressure Monitor (RDC)
*
l
Accompanied by an acoustic
warning signal: a tire failure has
occurred. Reduce vehicle speed imme-
diately and stop the vehicle. Avoid hard
brake applications. Do not oversteer.
For additional information: refer to
page 98
Parking brake
*
/
brake system hydraulic circuits
l
Comes on when you engage the
parking brake.
For additional information: refer to
page 68
Comes on although the parking brake
is released: have the brake fluid level
checked. Before continuing your
journey, be sure to read the notes on
pages 132 and 143
Also comes on with the message
"CHECK BRAKE LININGS" in the
Check Control.
Parking brake warning lamp
*
/
brake system hydraulic circuits
for Canadian models.
Page 43 of 186

43n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Alarm systemTo arm and disarm the alarm
systemWhen the vehicle is locked or unlocked
with the key or the remote control, the
alarm system is also simultaneously
armed or disarmed.
You can have different acknowl-
edgment signals set to confirm
arming and disarming.<
You can also open the luggage
compartment lid/tailgate when the
system is armed by pressing the button
on the remote control (refer to page 35).
When you close the luggage compart-
ment lid/tailgate, the luggage compart-
ment is secured again.
Indicator lamp displays>The indicator lamp below the interior
rearview mirror flashes continuously:
the system is armed
>The indicator lamp flashes during
arming: door(s), the hood or luggage
compartment lid/tailgate are not
completely closed. Even if you do not
secure the indicated area, the system
begins to monitor the remaining
areas, and the indicator lamp flashes
continuously after 10 seconds.
However, the interior motion sensor
is not activated
>If the indicator lamp goes out when
the system is disarmed: no manipula-
tion or attempted intrusions have
been detected in the period since the
system was armed390de020
>If the indicator lamp flashes for
10 seconds when the system is
disarmed: an attempted entry has
been detected in the period since the
system was armed.
Following triggering of an alarm, the
indicator lamp will flash continuously.Avoiding unintentional alarmsThe tilt alarm sensor and interior motion
sensor may be switched off at the same
time. To prevent a false alarm from
being triggered (in garages with
elevator ramps, for instance), or when
the vehicle is transported by trailer or
train:
Lock the vehicle (arm the alarm system)
twice in succession: press button 2 on
the remote control transmitter twice
(refer to page 35), or turn the key in the
door lock to the right (lock) twice in
succession (refer to page 33).
The indicator lamp lights up briefly and
then flashes continuously. The tilt alarm
sensor and the interior motion sensor
are deactivated as long as the system is
armed.
Page 70 of 186

70n
Automatic transmission
*
The automatic transmission of your
BMW is equipped with Adaptive Trans-
mission Control (ATC), a system which
reacts with precision to your individual
driving style and vehicle operating
conditions. ATC operates by automati-
cally selecting from among a range of
available control programs.390us625
Selector lever positions
P R N D 4 3 2
The transmission range display varies
according to the equipment of your
vehicle (refer to the illustrations).
Starting the engineThe selector lever must be in "Park" or
"Neutral" before it is possible to start
the engine.390us045
Range selectionA detent prevents inadvertent shifts into
some selector lever positions. To disen-
gage the detent, press the button on
the front of the shift knob (arrow).
While the vehicle is stationary and
before shifting out of "Park" or
"Neutral," depress the footbrake in
order to disengage the selector lever's
lock mechanism (Shiftlock).
Hold the footbrake down until starting
off. Otherwise the vehicle will "creep"
when a drive position is engaged.< 390us734