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
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.
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
105n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Air conditioningTemperature
The numbers in the display
panel are reference figures for
general orientation. We
recommend a setting of 70 7
(22 6) for a congenial in-car climate.
When you start the vehicle, this system
adjusts the air to the selected tempera-
ture as quickly as possible, and then
maintains that temperature constantly.
Air distribution
You can direct the emerging
air toward the windows ,
toward your upper body or
into the footwell . All inter-
mediate settings are also available. In
the setting, there is a low flow of air
onto the windows to keep them free of
condensation.
Air supply
You can control the emerging
air's flow rate through an infi-
nitely-variable range. The
heating and ventilation
become more and more effective as the
air supply settings are increased. In the
"0" setting, the blower and climate
control are switched off and the outside
air supply is blocked.
Rear window defroster
The indicator lamp comes
on to indicate that the rear
window defroster is in operation. The
rear window defroster switches off
automatically.
Cooling
The air conditioning cools
and dehumidifies the
incoming air before reheating it to the
selected temperature. Depending on
the weather, the windshield may fog
over briefly when the engine is started.
You can reduce condensation forming
on the windows by switching on the air
conditioning.
Condensation forms in the air
conditioning system during opera-
tion, which then exits under the vehicle.
Traces of condensed water of this kind
are thus normal.<
Recirculated-air mode
You can respond to
unpleasant odors in the
surrounding environment by using this
mode to temporarily suspend the flow
of outside air into the vehicle's interior.
The system then recirculates the air
currently within the vehicle.
If your vehicle is equipped with a multi-
function steering wheel
featuring a
recirculated-air button then you can
also select the recirculated-air mode
from this location (refer to page 22).
If the windows should fog over in
the recirculated-air mode, switch
the recirculated-air mode off and
increase the air supply as required.<
108n
Automatic climate control
*
10 Temperature control Ð
right-hand side109
11 To defrost windshield and
windows10912 Air conditioning110
13 Automatic recirculated-air control
(AUC)110
14 Rear window defroster11015 Air supply109
16 Maximum cooling110
Residual heating mode111
17 Air grill for interior temperature
sensor Ð please keep clear and
unobstructed
390us743
109n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Automatic climate control
*
Tips for pleasant drivingUse the automatic system, that is,
press AUTO button 6. Select an interior
temperature that you find comfortable.
Detailed setting options are described
for you in the following section.
You can make the settings of your
vehicle in such a manner that,
when you unlock the vehicle with the
remote control of your personal key,
your own personalized setting for the
automatic climate control is initiated.< Automatic air distribution
The AUTO program
assumes the adjustment of
the air distribution and the air supply for
you and also adapts the temperature to
external influences (summer, winter) to
meet preferences you can specify.
Individual air distribution
You can cancel the AUTO
program by selecting
specific distribution patterns
to suit your own individual
requirements. While the
AUTO program is then deactivated, the
automatic airflow control remains in
operation. The system directs air to the
windows , the upper body and
into the footwells . You can reacti-
vate the automatic air distribution mode
by selecting the AUTO button.
Temperature
You can make individual
temperature settings on the
driver's side or the front
passenger side. Your selection appears
in display panel 7. The numbers that
appear in the panel are reference
figures for interior temperature. We
recommend a setting of 72 7 (22 6)
for a congenial interior climate, even
when the air conditioner is in operation.
When you start the vehicle, the system
ensures that the selected temperature
is achieved as quickly as possible. It
then maintains this temperature,
regardless of the season.
Air supply
AUTO appears in display
panel 9, while the AUTO
program automatically controls the flow
of incoming air, refer to overview on
page 107. You can use "+" and "Ð" to
vary the airflow. When your setting is
displayed by bars, the automatic airflow
is switched off. Automatic air distribu-
tion maintains its setting. You can reac-
tivate the automatic airflow by pressing
the AUTO button.
When you press "Ð " during operation at
minimum blower speed all displays are
canceled: the blower, heating and air
conditioner are switched off. The
outside air supply is deactivated. By
pressing any button of the automatic
climate control (except the MAX
button 16), you can switch the system
back on.
To defrost windshield and
windows
This program quickly
removes ice and conden-
sation from the windshield and the side
windows.
111n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Automatic climate control
*
Residual heating mode
The heat which is stored in
the engine is utilized for
heating the interior when the engine
has been switched off (while waiting at
a railroad crossing, for instance).
In ignition key position 1, you can alter
the settings of the automatic climate
control. In ignition key position 0, the
system automatically directs heated air
to the windshield, side windows and
footwells.
This function is available for oper-
ation when the outside tempera-
ture is below approximately 59 7
(15 6), with the engine warm from
recent operation and an adequate
charge in the battery. The LED on the
button will light up when all conditions
have been met.<
Draft-free ventilationYou can adjust the air outlets for the
upper body area completely for your
personal comfort:
1 Rotary dials for infinitely-variable
opening and closing of the vent
outlets
2 Selector levers for airflow direction
3 Rotary dial allows you to control the
temperature of the airflow as desired:
>Turn toward blue Ð colder
>Turn toward red Ð warmer.390de685
Rear passenger area ventilation1 Rotary dial for infinitely-variable
opening and closing of the vent
outlets
2 Selector levers for airflow direction
3 The rotary dial operates in the same
way as the front dial to adjust the
temperature of the emerging air.390de686