
 
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 

 
14n
1 Parking lamps/Low beams101
2
 
>
 
Turn signal76
 
>
 
Standing lamps102
 
>
 
High beams102
 
>
 
Headlamp flasher76
 
>
 
Computer863 Fog lamps102
4 Washer/Wiper system76
5 Central locking system32
6 Hazard warning flashers7 Rear window defroster104, 107
8 Horn, the entire surface
9 Adjusting the steering wheel56
 
Cockpit
390de788 

32n
Keys Central locking system1 Master key with remote control unit, 
for information on programming the 
key memory refer to page 64.
You can mark individual keys for 
subsequent identification by applying 
the colored decals that you received 
when accepting delivery of your 
vehicle
There is an extended-life battery 
in every master key that is 
charged automatically in the ignition 
lock as you drive. 
For this reason, if you have a master 
key that is not in regular use, you 
should use that key approx. once every 
year while driving for an extended 
period. This will charge the battery. 
Refer also to page 34.< 463de023
2 Spare key for storage in a safe place, 
such as in your wallet. This key is not 
intended for continuous use
3 Door and ignition key
The locks for the luggage compart-
ment lid/tailgate, rear backrest and 
glove compartment cannot be oper-
ated with this key. This is recom-
mended for valet parking, for 
instance
The conceptThe central locking system is ready for 
operation as soon as you close the front 
doors. The system engages and 
releases the locks on the 
>doors
>luggage compartment lid/tailgate 
and rear window
*
>fuel filler door. 
The central locking system can be 
operated 
>from outside via the driver's door lock 
as well as via the remote control
>from inside via the central locking 
system button. 
Activation from inside does not lock the 
fuel filler door (refer to page 37). Activa-
tion from outside simultaneously arms 
the anti-theft system. The alarm system 
is also activated or deactivated.
When you use the central locking 
system to lock the doors from inside 
the vehicle, it will automatically disen-
gage the locks if an accident occurs, 
except on doors that have been locked 
individually using the lock buttons, refer 
to page 37. The accident response 
routine also includes automatic activa-
tion of the hazard warning flashers and 
the interior lamps. 

33n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Opening and closing Ð via the door lockUsing the keyOne turn of the key in the driver's door 
lock unlocks the driver's door only. 
Turning the key a second time unlocks 
all of the remaining doors, the luggage 
compartment lid/tailgate and the fuel 
filler door.
You can have a signal set to 
confirm that the vehicle's locks 
have engaged securely.< 390de723
Convenience operationYou can also operate the windows and 
sliding/tilt sunroof via the door lock.
>To open: with the door closed, turn 
the key to the "Unlock" position and 
hold it
>To close: with the door closed, turn 
the key to the "Lock" position and 
hold it.
Watch the closing process care-
fully and be sure that no one is 
trapped by the closing motion. The 
closing process stops immediately 
when you release the key.< Manual operationin the event of an electrical malfunction
Turn the key to the extreme left or right 
to unlock/lock the driver's door. 

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. 

37n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Opening and closing Ð from the insideYou can operate the central locking 
system with this button when the 
driver's door is closed. With this button, 
only the doors, the luggage compart-
ment lid/tailgate and rear window are 
unlocked or locked. The anti-theft 
system is not activated. Also, the fuel 
filler door remains unlocked to allow 
refueling.
The central locking system can be 
locked automatically as soon as 
you begin to drive if you desire. You 
may also have this function 
programmed into individual keys.< 390de691
If only the driver's door was 
unlocked from the outside and 
you press the button
>all other doors, the luggage compart-
ment lid/tailgate, rear window and 
the fuel filler door will be unlocked if 
the driver's door is open
>the driver's door will be locked again 
when it is closed.< 
To unlock and open the doors>Either unlock the doors together with 
the button for the central locking 
system and then pull the door handle 
above the armrest or
>pull the release handle for each door 
twice: the first pull unlocks the door, 
and the second one opens it.
To engage the locks>Use the central locking button to lock 
all of the doors simultaneously, 
or
>press down the individual door lock 
buttons. As an added design feature 
to prevent the driver from being inad-
vertently locked out of the vehicle, 
the driver's door lock button will not 
engage as long as the door is open.
When the vehicle is moving, you 
should not lock the doors with 
their lock buttons since doors locked in 
this manner would not open automati-
cally in the event of an accident.
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.<  

40n
Luggage compartment lid/TailgateTo open from the insideYou can use this button to open the tail-
gate when the vehicle is stationary (not 
possible if the tailgate has been locked 
separately).
When the tailgate of the sport 
wagon is opened, the clearance 
from the ground to the upper edge is 
more than 6.6 ft (two meters). Please 
keep this in mind when opening the tail-
gate (in a garage, for example).<
For additional details concerning the 
luggage compartment, please refer to 
"Luggage compartment" beginning on 
page 123.390de692
Rear window Ð sport wagonSmall items can be loaded or unloaded 
quickly if the rear window is opened 
separately.
Press the button (arrow): the rear 
window opens slightly. It can now be 
tilted up.
Push the window down to close it.
When loading sharp or pointed 
objects in the area adjacent to the 
rear window always wrap their edges in 
soft material if there is any chance that 
these objects could shift and rub 
against the window while the vehicle is 
underway. Failure to observe this 
precaution can result in damage to the 
rear window defroster's resistor 
elements.< 392de727
Closing Ð sedanThe handle recess (arrow) next to the 
lock mechanism is designed to assist 
you in closing the luggage compart-
ment lid.394de128 

41n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Luggage compartment lid/TailgateClosing Ð sport wagonYou can pull the tailgate down by 
placing both hands in the handle 
recesses (arrows).
To close the tailgate, merely press it 
down gently. The closing process will 
then be carried out automatically.392de689
To avoid injuries, be sure that the 
travel path of the luggage 
compartment lid/tailgate is clear when 
it is closed, observing the same precau-
tions as with all closing procedures.
Operate the vehicle only when the 
luggage compartment lid/tailgate or 
rear window is completely closed. 
Otherwise, exhaust fumes could pene-
trate the interior of the vehicle. Should it 
be absolutely necessary to operate the 
vehicle with the luggage compartment 
lid/tailgate or rear window open:
>Close all windows. Shut the sliding/
tilt sunroof
>Increase the air supply for the air 
conditioner or automatic climate 
control to a high level. Refer to 
page 105 or 109.< 
Emergency release Ð sedan onlyThis lever releases the luggage 
compartment lid from the luggage 
compartment's interior.390de792