
 
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 

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 

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 

65n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Vehicle Memory, Key MemoryThe system then relies on a bilateral 
data exchange to identify the individual 
user and dial in the selected settings 
whenever the remote control unit is 
used to disengage the door locks.
In order for you to distinguish between 
different keys, colored decals are 
supplied together with the keys.What the system can doYour BMW center can provide you with 
details on the capabilities of the Vehicle 
Memory and Key Memory systems. A 
few examples follow below:
Examples for Vehicle Memory:
>Various signals as acknowledgment 
when locking or unlocking your 
vehicle
>Activates/deactivates the "Follow me 
home" function.Examples for Key Memory:
>Locks the vehicle when you start off
>Automatically adjusts the driverÕs 
seat, the exterior mirrors and the 
steering wheel position to your 
personal programmed settings when 
you unlock the vehicle
>The automatic climate control 
assumes your preset comfort settings 
when you unlock the vehicle.
You will see this symbol through-
out the Owner's Manual. It is to 
remind you at appropriate places of the 
settings that are available to you.<  

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