
 
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 

25n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Refueling Fuel specificationsAs long as the filler nozzle is used prop-
erly, the fuel tank is full whenever the 
nozzle shuts off the first time.
Refill early to avoid damaging the 
catalytic converter; never attempt 
to drive to the last drop of fuel in the 
tank.<
Tank capacity: approximately 18.5 gal. 
(70 liters), with a reserve capacity of
>BMW 525i, 530i: 2.0 gal. (8 liters)
>BMW 540i: 2.5 gal. (10 liters).
After refueling, close the filler cap 
carefully, continuing until you hear 
the detent engage. While closing, be 
sure not to squeeze the strap which is 
fastened to the cap. A loose or missing 
cap will activate the message "CHECK 
FILLER CAP" in the Check Control
* or 
the Check Filler Cap lamp
*.< 
The engine uses lead-free gasoline 
only.
Required fuel:
>Premium Unleaded Gasoline, 
min. 91 AKI
AKI = Anti Knock Index
Never use leaded fuel, as it would 
cause permanent and irreversible 
damage to the oxygen sensor and the 
catalytic converter.<  

34n
Opening and closing Ð via the remote controlThe conceptThe remote control makes opening and 
locking the doors of your vehicle very 
convenient. Furthermore, it provides 
three additional functions which you 
can only execute via the remote control:
>To switch on interior lamps, refer to 
page 35.
With this function, you can also 
"search for" your vehicle, when 
parked in an underground garage, for 
instance
>To open the luggage compartment 
lid/tailgate, refer to page 35.
The luggage compartment lid/tailgate 
will open slightly, regardless of 
whether it was previously locked or 
unlocked
>Panic mode
In case of danger, you can trigger the 
alarm.
Whenever you unlock (lock) the vehicle, 
you simultaneously deactivate (activate) 
the anti-theft system, disarm (arm) the 
alarm system and switch the interior 
lamps on (off).
You can have a signal set to 
confirm that the vehicle's locks 
have engaged securely.< 
1 Unlock, convenience opening and 
alarm system
2 Lock and secure, interior lamp activa-
tion, disarming tilt alarm sensor and 
interior motion sensor
3 Open the luggage compartment lid/
tailgate, panic mode390de793
Master keys with remote control
Since passengers or animals 
remaining in the vehicle might be 
able to lock the doors from the inside, 
take the vehicle's keys with you so that 
the vehicle can be opened again from 
the outside at any time.< 
Master keys that are used repeat-
edly are always ready for opera-
tion, since the battery in the key is 
charged automatically in the ignition 
lock as you drive.
If it is no longer possible to lock the 
vehicle via the remote control, the 
battery is discharged. Use this key 
while driving for an extended period in 
order to charge the battery. Refer also 
to page 32.
To prevent unauthorized use of the 
remote control, surrender only the door 
and ignition key 3 or the spare key 2 
(refer to page 32) when leaving the 
vehicle for valet parking, for example.
In the event of a system malfunction, 
please contact your BMW center. You 
can also obtain replacement keys 
there.<  

35n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Opening and closing Ð via the remote controlTo unlockPress button.
Press the button once to unlock the 
driver's door only; press a second time 
to unlock all remaining doors as well as 
the luggage compartment lid/tailgate 
and fuel filler door.Convenience opening modePress and hold button to open the elec-
tric power windows and sliding/tilt 
sunroof.
To lock and securePress button.
Vehicles without armored glass: 
do not lock the vehicle if anyone 
will be remaining inside, as it would 
then be impossible for the occupant(s) 
to disengage the locks from the 
inside.< To deactivate the tilt alarm sensor 
and interior motion sensorPress button a second time immedi-
ately after locking.
For additional information, refer to 
page 43.To switch on the interior lampsWith the vehicle locked, press button.
To open the luggage 
compartment lid/tailgatePress button.
The luggage compartment lid/tailgate 
will open slightly, regardless of whether 
it was previously locked or unlocked.
Before and after a trip, be sure 
that the luggage compartment lid/
tailgate has not been opened uninten-
tionally.< Panic modeProvided that the alarm system is 
armed, you can respond to imminent 
danger by holding down the button for 
between two and five seconds. 
To cancel alarm 
Press button. 

42n
Luggage compartment Alarm systemLuggage strapsUse the straps on the floor of the 
luggage compartment to secure smaller 
items of luggage.
Movement is reduced when objects are 
placed on the straps.
The fittings at the corners of the 
luggage compartment provide you 
with a convenient means of attaching 
luggage nets
* and flexible straps for 
securing suitcases and luggage.
Refer also to "Cargo loading" on 
page 126.
394de302
HangerOn the left-hand side of the luggage 
compartment is a hanger for fastening 
shopping bags, packages and similar 
items.394de144
The conceptThe vehicle alarm system responds
>when a door, the hood, the luggage 
compartment lid/tailgate or the rear 
window is opened
>to movement inside the vehicle (inte-
rior motion sensor)
>to variations in the vehicle's tilt angle 
such as those occurring during 
attempts to steal the wheels or tow 
the vehicle
>to interruption of battery voltage.
The system responds to unauthorized 
vehicle entry and attempted theft by 
simultaneously activating the following
>an acoustic alarm for 30 seconds
>the hazard warning flashers, for 
approx. five minutes
>the high beams flash on and off in the 
same rhythm as the hazard warning 
flashers. 

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. 

44n
Alarm system Electric power windowsInterior motion sensorIn order for the interior motion sensor to 
function properly, the windows and 
sliding/tilt sunroof must be completely 
closed.
Nevertheless, you should deactivate 
the interior motion sensor (refer to 
"Avoiding unintentional alarms") if you
>leave children or animals in the 
vehicle
>intend to leave the windows or 
sliding/tilt sunroof open.
To open and close windowsFrom ignition key position 1:
>Depress the rocker switch until you 
feel resistance:
The window continues moving for as 
long as you maintain pressure on the 
switch
>Press the rocker switch beyond the 
resistance point:
The window moves automatically. 
Press the switch a second time to 
stop the window.390de055
After the ignition has been switched off:
>You can still operate the windows as 
long as neither of the front doors has 
been opened. To open the window, 
press the switch beyond the resis-
tance point.
When leaving the vehicle, always 
extract the ignition key from the 
lock and remember to close the doors 
to prevent children from operating the 
power windows and injuring them-
selves, etc.< 
For the convenience mode via the door 
lock or the remote control, refer to 
pages 33 or 35.Safety featureA contact strip is integrated into the 
inner side of each of the upper window 
frame sections. If pressure is exerted 
against this contact strip while a 
window is being raised, the system will 
respond by stopping the window and 
then retracting it a small distance. 

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.