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Congratulations, and thank you for choosing a BMW.
Thorough familiarity with your vehicle will provide you with enhanced security and 
control when you drive it. Therefore we have one request:
Please take the time to read this Owner's Manual and familiarize yourself with the 
information that we have compiled for you before starting off in your new BMW. The 
manual contains important data and instructions intended to assist you in obtaining 
maximum satisfaction from your BMW's unique array of advanced technical 
features. It also contains information on vehicle maintenance designed to enhance 
operating safety while simultaneously helping you to maintain your BMW's value 
throughout an extended service life.
For more detailed information refer to the supplemental manuals.
This Owner's Manual should be considered a permanent part of this vehicle. It 
should stay with the vehicle when sold to provide the next owner with important 
operating, safety and maintenance information.
This manual is supplemented by a Service and Warranty Information Booklet 
(US models) or a Warranty and Service Guide Booklet (Canadian models). 
We recommend that you read this publication thoroughly.
Your BMW is covered by the following warranties:
Ð New Vehicle Limited Warranty
Ð Limited Rust Perforation Warranty
Ð Federal Emissions System Defect Warranty
Ð Federal Emissions Performance Warranty
Ð California Emission Control System Limited Warranty
Detailed information about these warranties is listed in the Service and Warranty 
Information Booklet (US models) or in the Warranty and Service Guide Booklet 
(Canadian models).
We wish you an enjoyable driving experience.
BMW AG
 
Foreword 
     
        
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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 
     
        
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Contents
 
Operation, maintenance
Owner service procedures
Technical data
 
Under the hood:
 
Hood137
Engine compartment 
essentials138
Washer fluids139
Engine oil140
Coolant142
Brake fluid143
 
Maintenance:
 
The BMW Maintenance 
System144
 
Laws and regulations:
 
Technical modifications145
California Proposition 
65 Warning145
OBD interface socket146
 
Replacement procedures:
 
Onboard tool kit150
Windshield wiper blades150
Lamps and bulbs151
Changing a wheel156
Battery160
Fuses160
 
Assistance, giving and 
receiving:
 
Jump-starting162
Towing the vehicle163Engine specifications168
Dimensions169
Weights171
Capacities173 
     
        
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 8n 
Notes on the Owner's Manual We have made every effort to ensure 
that you are able to find what you need 
in this Owner's Manual as quickly as 
possible. The fastest way to find certain 
topics is by using the detailed index at 
the end. If you are looking for a brief 
initial summary of the essentials, please 
turn to the first chapter.
We hope that the detailed table of 
contents on the preceding pages will 
stimulate your interest and encourage 
you to explore the remainder of the 
manual.
Should you wish to sell your BMW at 
some time in the future, please 
remember to hand over the Owner's 
Manual to the new owner; it is part of 
the vehicle.
If you have any questions, your BMW 
center will be glad to advise you. 
Symbols used
 
Indicates precautions that must 
be followed precisely in order to 
avoid the possibility of personal injury 
and serious damage to the vehicle.
 
<
 
 
Contains information that will 
assist you in gaining the optimum 
benefit from your vehicle and enable 
you to care more effectively for your 
vehicle.
 
<
 
 
Refers to measures that can be 
taken to help protect the environ-
ment.
 
<
 
 
 
<
 
  Marks the end of a specific item of 
information.
 
* 
Indicates special equipment, country-
specific equipment and optional extras.
 
t
 
Identifies index entries that refer 
to owner service procedures or topics 
on vehicle maintenance. 
Identifies systems or components, 
which can either be activated or 
adapted to suit an individual driver's 
requirements ("Vehicle Memory", "Key 
Memory"). Refer to page 64.
Remember that activation and adjust-
ments on some of these systems can 
only be performed at your BMW 
center.
 
<
 
 
 
Notes
Symbols 
     
        
        Page 13 of 186
 
13n
 
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
 
Overview
Controls and features
Operation, maintenance
Owner service procedures
Index Technical data
 
Overview 
     
        
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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 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 
     
        
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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