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 14 of 186
 
14n
1 Parking lamps/Low beams101
2
 
>
 
Turn signal76
 
>
 
Standing lamps102
 
>
 
High beams102
 
>
 
Headlamp flasher76
 
>
 
Computer863 Fog lamps102
4 Washer/Wiper system76
5 Central locking system32
6 Hazard warning flashers7 Rear window defroster104, 107
8 Horn, the entire surface
9 Adjusting the steering wheel56
 
Cockpit
390de788 
     
        
        Page 21 of 186

 
21n
 
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
 
Indicator and warning lamps
 
Self-leveling suspension
 
*  
l
 
The level control system is inac-
tive. Please consult the nearest 
BMW center. 
For additional information: refer to 
page 99
Automatic Stability Control plus 
Traction (ASC+T)/Dynamic 
Stability Control (DSC)
 
*  
l
 
 
ASC+T/DSC has been deactivated, 
either manually at the button or auto-
matically in response to a system 
malfunction. In the event of a malfunc-
tion, have the system checked by your 
BMW center. 
For additional information: refer to 
page 97
Engine-management system
 
* 
There is a fault in the electronic 
engine-management system. 
You can continue to drive with reduced 
engine output and engine speed. 
Please have the system inspected by 
your BMW center.
 
Service Engine Soon 
 
l
 
If the indicator lamp comes on 
either continuously or intermit-
tently, this indicates a fault in the emis-
sions-related electronic systems. 
Although the vehicle remains opera-
tional, you should have the systems 
checked by your BMW center at the 
earliest possible opportunity.
For additional information: refer to 
page 146
Service Engine Soon warning 
lamp for Canadian models.
Check Filler Cap
 
* 
 
 
l 
 
If the indicator lamp comes on 
although the fuel cap is secured 
correctly: this indicates a malfunction in 
the fuel system. Have the system 
inspected at your BMW center at the 
earliest opportunity.
Additional information: refer to page 25
 
Green: for your information
 
Turn signal 
Flashes when the turn signal is 
on. Rapid flashing indicates a 
system malfunction.
For additional information: refer to 
page 76
Cruise control 
Lights up when the system is 
switched on: available for oper-
ation via the multifunction steering 
wheel. 
For additional information: refer to 
page 78
Front fog lamps
Lights up whenever you switch 
on the front fog lamps. 
For additional information: refer to 
page 102
 
Blue: for your information
 
High beams
Lights up when the high beams 
are on or the headlamp flasher 
is actuated. 
For additional information: refer to 
pages 76 and 102 
     
        
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76n
Indicator/Headlamp flasher
Washer/Wiper system
1 High beams (blue indicator lamp)
2 Headlamp flasher 
(blue indicator lamp)
3 Turn signal indicator 
(green indicator lamp accompanied 
by periodic clicking sound from the 
relay)To signal brieflyPress the lever up to but not beyond 
the detent. It then returns to the center 
position when released.
If the indicator lamp and the 
clicking from the relay are both 
faster than normal, one of the turn 
signal indicators has failed.<390de722
0 Wipers retracted
1 Intermittent mode or rain sensor
*
2 Normal wipe
3 Fast wipe
4 Brief wipe
5 Clean the windshield
6 Intensive cleaning
*
7 Rotary dial for controlling sweep 
intervals in the intermittent mode and 
for setting the rain sensor's sensitivity 
level
*
394de730
Intermittent mode or rain sensor
*
Intermittent mode:
You can set the wipe interval to four 
stages with rotary dial 7. 
In addition, the wipe interval is varied 
automatically depending on road 
speed. 
Rain sensor:
The rain sensor is positioned on the 
windshield, directly ahead of the inte-
rior rearview mirror.
To activate the rain sensor:
Move the lever to position 1 with the 
ignition key in position 1 or higher. The 
wipers travel once across the wind-
shield, regardless of the weather 
conditions.
You can leave the lever permanently in 
position 1. Whenever the ignition key is 
in position 1 or 2, all you then need to 
do to activate the rain sensor is briefly 
turn the rotary dial 7.
To adjust the sensitivity of the rain 
sensor:
Turn rotary dial 7.
Deactivating the rain sensor:
Move lever to position 0. 
     
        
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101n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Parking lamps (side marker 
lamps)
With the switch in this position, 
the front, rear and side vehicle 
lighting is switched on.
For lighting on one side for parking as 
an additional feature, refer to page 102.
Low beams
When the ignition is switched off 
while the low beams are on, the 
headlamps go out and only the 
parking lamps (side marker lamps) 
remain on.
390de732
"Follow me home":
When you activate the headlamp 
flasher after parking the vehicle and 
switching off the lights, the low beams 
will come on for a brief period. You may 
also have this function deactivated if 
you wish.< 
"LIGHTS ON" warningWhen the driver's door is opened with 
the ignition key at position 0 a chime 
will sound for several seconds to 
remind you that you have forgotten to 
switch off the lights
.
Vehicles with alphanumeric Check 
Control
*:
The reminder is provided by the Check 
Control, refer to page 85.
Daytime driving lamps
*
The headlamps are automatically 
switched on for daytime driving at 
ignition key position 2.
Automatic headlamp control
*
When the switch is set to this 
position the system automati-
cally activates and cancels the 
low beams in response to changes in 
ambient light ( in tunnels, at dusk, etc.) 
as well as rain and snow.
The vehicle's external lights 
remain on constantly when you 
switch on the front fog lamps after the 
headlamps have come on automati-
cally.<
Automatic headlamp control 
cannot serve as a substitute for 
the driver's judgement in determining 
when the vehicle lights should be 
switched on. For example, the sensors 
are not able to detect fog. To avoid 
safety risks, you should respond to 
these kinds of low-visibility situations 
by switching the headlamps on manu-
ally.<
You can have the sensitivity of 
your vehicle's automatic head-
lamp control adjusted.<
Parking lamps/Low beams 
     
        
        Page 102 of 186
102n
Instrument lighting
High beams/Standing lamps
Fog lamps
Turn the rotary dial to adjust the illumi-
nation intensity.390de733
1 High beams 
(blue indicator lamp)
2 Headlamp flasher 
(blue indicator lamp)
3 Standing lampsStanding lamps, left or rightAs an additional feature, you can 
illuminate your vehicle on either side 
for parking, if you wish to do so:
With the ignition key in position 0, push 
the lever in the appropriate direction. 
The lever engages in the turn signal 
position.390de722
Front fog lamps
The green indicator lamp in the 
instrument cluster lights up to 
indicate that the front fog lamps 
are on.
If the high beams are switched on, the 
fog lamps go out.
If the automatic headlight control 
is on, the low beams will come on 
automatically whenever you activate 
the fog lamps.<
390us735 
     
        
        Page 138 of 186
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
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        Page 139 of 186
139n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Washer fluidsHeadlamp
* and windshield 
washer system
Capacity in US quarts (liters).
Windshield washer:
approx. 3.7 (3.5) Ð sedan
approx. 6.3 (6.0) Ð sport wagon
Incl. headlamp washing system:
approx. 6.3 (6.0)
Fill with water and Ñ if required Ñ with a 
washer antifreeze (according to manu-
facturer's recommendations).
We recommend that you mix the 
washer ßuid before adding it to 
the reservoir.< 390de762
Intensive-cleaning washer 
reservoir
*
Capacity approx. 1.1 US quarts 
(1.0 liter).
Fill with intensive-cleaning washer fluid. 
It resists freezing to approx. Ð177 
(Ð276) and is available from your BMW 
center.
Antifreeze agents or intensive-
cleaning washer fluids for the 
washer systems are highly flammable. 
For this reason, keep them away from 
sources of flame and store only in orig-
inal containers. Store it so that it is 
inaccessible to children. Comply with 
the instructions on the containers.< 390de763