
 
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 

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. 

54n
Seat, mirror and steering wheel memoryYou can store and call up three different 
seat, exterior mirror and steering wheel 
positions. The illustration shows the 
buttons on the driver's door for making 
these position adjustments.
The adjustment of the lumbar support is 
not stored in the memory.390de032
To store1 Turn the ignition key to position 1 or 2
2 Adjust to the desired positions for the 
seat, exterior mirror and steering 
wheel
3 Press the 
M
EMORY button: the indi-
cator lamp in the button comes on
4 Press memory button 1, 2 or 3, as 
desired: the indicator lamp goes out.
To select a stored settingConvenience function:
1 Open the driver's door after 
unlocking the vehicle or turn the igni-
tion key to position 1
2 Briefly press memory button 1, 2 or 3, 
as desired.
Movement stops immediately when 
one of the seat-adjustment or 
memory buttons is activated during 
the adjustment process. 
Security function:
1 With the driver's door closed and the 
ignition key either removed or in posi-
tion 0 or 2
2 Maintain pressure on the desired 
memory button (1, 2 or 3) until the 
adjustment process is completed.
If you press the 
M
EMORY button 
accidentally: press the button a second 
time; the indicator lamp goes out.
Do not select a new stored 
memory setting while the vehicle 
is moving. There is a risk of accident 
from unexpected movement of the seat 
or steering wheel.<  

55n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Seat, mirror and steering wheel memory Seat heating
*
Your BMW center can adjust your 
vehicle's systems in such a 
manner that your personalized settings 
are automatically called up for the seat, 
mirror and steering wheel positions 
when you unlock the vehicle with your 
personal remote control key.<
Before using the key memory 
feature to unlock the vehicle 
always ensure that no objects are 
stored in the footwell behind the 
driver's seat. If you fail to do so, 
persons or objects could be injured or 
damaged if the seat should move back-
ward.<
Passenger-side exterior mirror tilt 
function(automatic curb monitor)
1 Move the mirror selector switch 
(arrow) to the "driver's mirror" posi-
tion
2 When the selector lever is placed in 
"Reverse," the passenger-side mirror 
tilts downward to help the driver 
monitor the area directly adjacent to 
the vehicle during parking (curbs, 
etc.). 
You can deactivate this automatic 
feature by setting the mirror selection 
switch to the "passenger-side" posi-
tion.390de720
The seat cushion and backrest can be 
heated with the ignition key in 
position 2.
You can select from different heating 
modes by repeatedly pressing the keys.
You can also switch the higher heating 
modes off directly:
Press the key and hold it slightly longer.390us729 

56n
Adjusting steering wheel Heated steering wheel
*
The steering wheel can be moved in 
any of four directions. Adjust by moving 
the control lever in the desired direc-
tion.
Do not adjust the steering wheel 
while the vehicle is moving. There 
is a risk of accident from unexpected 
movement.< 
To store the steering wheel setting, 
refer to "Seat, mirror and steering 
wheel memory" on page 54.390de711
Automatic steering wheel 
adjustmentIn order to make it easier to get into and 
out of the vehicle, the steering wheel 
automatically moves into the top posi-
tion and returns to the driving (memory) 
position.
This automatic feature is controlled by 
the position of the ignition key and by 
the driver's door.
The heated steering wheel feature is 
available for operation when the ignition 
key is in position 2. 
Press the button to switch on and off.
The lamp within the button lights up 
when the steering wheel heater is in 
operation.
If you have a multifunction steering 
wheel without steering wheel heating, 
the button for the recirculated-air mode 
is in this location (refer to page 22).
390de708 

57n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
MirrorsExterior mirrors1 Mirror switch for 4-way adjustment
2 Left/right selection switchTo adjust manuallyThe mirrors can also be adjusted by 
hand: 
Press the edge of the lens.
To store mirror settings, refer to "Seat, 
mirror and steering wheel memory" on 
page 54.390us733
Curved-lens mirror
The passenger-side mirror 
features a convex lens. When esti-
mating the distance between yourself 
and other traffic, bear in mind that the 
objects reflected in the mirror are closer 
than they appear.< 
Self-defrosting mirrorsBoth mirrors are defrosted automati-
cally when the ignition key is in 
position 2.
Interior rearview mirrorTo reduce glare from vehicles behind 
you after dark, tilt the mirror by moving 
the small lever.390de713 

58n
Mirrors AirbagsInterior and exterior mirrors with 
automatic dimming feature
*
These mirrors automatically respond to 
glare from following vehicles by 
dimming through an infinitely-variable 
range. The mirrors automatically revert 
to their clear, undimmed setting when-
ever you select reverse.
The dimming function is regulated by 
two photocells; one is integrated in the 
mirror's lens (arrow), while the other is 
located at an offset position on the rear 
of the mirror.
To ensure that the mirror continues to 
operate efficiently, ensure that the 
photocells remain clear and unob-
structed. Refrain from attaching 
stickers to the windshield in the area 
immediately in front of the mirror.390de031
1 Front airbags on the driver and 
passenger sides
2 Head protection airbags on driver 
and passenger side (front and rear
*)
3 Side airbags on driver and passenger 
side (front and rear
*) 
Protective effectThe front airbags protect the driver and 
passenger in the event of a head-on 
collision where the protection provided 
by the safety belt alone would not be 
adequate. The head protection airbags 
and side airbags help provide protec-
tion in the event of a collision from the 
side. Each of the side airbags is 
designed to help support the upper 
body.380de643
The side airbags in the rear 
passenger area
* of your vehicle 
may already have been deactivated, 
either at the time of manufacture or by a 
BMW center. You may have them acti-
vated if you desire to do so. Please 
contact your BMW center for additional 
information.c
For information on the correct sitting 
position, refer to page 48.
The airbags will not be triggered in 
the event of a minor accident, a 
vehicle rollover or a collision from the 
rear.<  

64n
Transporting children safely
Vehicle Memory, Key Memory
LATCH child-restraint anchorage 
points
* Ð sport wagon
Guide the child-restraint's brackets into 
the mounts in the rear seat (arrows), 
then slide the seat all the way back.
The illustration shows the left rear seat 
as an example.
Always follow all manufacturer's 
instructions and observe all safety 
precautions when installing the LATCH 
child-restraint system.<390de784
Child-safety locksInsert the key to the slot of a rear door 
lock and turn it outward:
The door can now be opened from the 
outside only.390de698
How the system functionsNo doubt you have reflected at one 
time or another on how great it would 
be if you could permanently configure 
your vehicle's various features and 
adjustments to mirror your own indi-
vidual preferences. In engineering your 
vehicle, BMW has incorporated a 
number of options for personal adjust-
ment that can be programmed into your 
vehicle at your BMW center.
The available configuration data fall into 
two categories, according to whether 
their primary orientation is the vehicle 
("Vehicle Memory") or the individual 
("Key Memory"). Provided that each 
person has a separate remote-control 
key, you can have your BMW center 
enter two personal adjustments for two 
different individuals into the system.463de029