Contents
© 2001 BMW M GmbH
Munich, Germany
Reprinting, including excerpts, only with the
written consent of BMW M GmbH, Munich.
Order No. 01 41 0 156 249
US English VIII/01
Printed in Germany
Printed on environmentally friendly paper
(bleached without chlorine, suitable for recycling).
Overview
Controls and features
Cockpit14
Instrument cluster15
Indicator and warning lamps17
Steering wheel with multifunction
buttons21
Warning triangle22
First-aid kit22
Refueling22
Fuel specifications24
Tire inflation pressure24
Opening and closing:
Keys28
Central locking system28
Opening and closing Ð via the
door lock29
lOpening and closing Ð via the
remote control30
Opening and closing Ð from the
inside33
Luggage compartment lid34
Luggage compartment36
Alarm system37
Electric power windows39
Convertible top40
Adjustments:
Correct sitting position44
Seats44
Head restraints46
Entering the rear47
Safety belts48
Seat and mirror memory48
Seat heating49
Steering wheel50
Mirrors50
Passenger safety systems:
Airbags52
Transporting children safely54
Rollover protection system58
Vehicle Memory, Key
Memory60
Driving:
Steering/Ignition lock61
Starting the engine61
Switching off the engine62
Parking brake63
Manual transmission63
Sequential M gearbox SMG II64
Indicator/Headlamp flasher70
Washer/Wiper system/Rain
sensor71
Cruise control73
Everything under control:
Odometer75
Tachometer75
Engine oil temperature gauge75
Fuel gauge76
Temperature gauge76
Service Interval Display76
Check Control77
Clock77
Computer78
Technology for driving comfort
and safety:
Park Distance Control (PDC)80
Dynamic Stability Control
(DSC)81
Flat Tire Monitor82
M Engine dynamics control84
Contents
17n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Indicator and warning lamps
Technology that monitors itself
Indicator and warning lamps that are
identified by "
l
," are tested for proper
functioning whenever the ignition key is
turned. 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.
You will see how to react to this below.
Red: stop immediately
Battery charge current
l
The battery is no longer being
charged. There is a malfunction
of the alternator drive belt or in the
charging circuit of the alternator. Please
contact the nearest BMW center.
If the drive belt is defective, do not
continue driving. The engine could
be damaged due to overheating. If the
drive belt is defective, increased
steering effort is also required.
<
Engine oil pressure
l
Stop vehicle immediately and
switch off engine. Check the
engine oil level and top up as required.
Please contact the nearest BMW
center.
Do not continue driving, other-
wise, the engine could be
damaged because of inadequate lubri-
cation.
<
Flat Tire Monitor
l
In addition, an acoustic signal is
sounded: a tire failure has
occurred. To come to an immediate
stop, reduce speed, while avoiding any
sudden, jerky braking or steering
maneuvers.
For additional information: refer to
page 82
Brake warning lamp
l
If the lamp comes on when the
parking brake is not engaged:
check the brake fluid level. Before
driving further, be sure to read the
notes on pages 105 and 119.
Brake warning lamp for Cana-
dian models.
49n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Seat and mirror memory Seat heating
*
To recall a stored settingDriver's door open after unlocking or
ignition key in position 1:
>Briefly press memory button 1, 2 or 3,
as desired.
Movement stops immediately when
one of the seat-adjustment or
memory buttons is operated during
the adjustment process.
With the driver's door closed and the
ignition key either removed or in posi-
tion 0 or 2.
>Press and hold 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
again; the indicator lamp goes out.<
Do not recall a memory position
while the vehicle is moving. If you
do so, there is a risk of accident from
unexpected seat movement.<
Your BMW center can adjust your
vehicle's systems in such a
manner that your personalized settings
are automatically set for the seat and
outside mirror positions when you
unlock the vehicle with your personal
remote control.<
If you make use of this method of
adjustment, be sure that the foot-
well behind the driver's seat is unob-
structed before unlocking the vehicle. If
you fail to do so, any persons or objects
behind the seat could be injured or
damaged by a rearward movement of
the seat.<
The seat cushion and backrest can
be heated with the ignition key in posi-
tion 2.
You can call up different heating levels
by repeatedly pressing the buttons.
You can also switch the higher heating
modes off directly:
Press the button and hold it slightly
longer.
89n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Air conditionerAir supply (blower)
You can select blower speeds
from 1 to 4. The heating and
ventilation become more and
more effective as the air
supply settings are increased. In posi-
tion 0, the blower and the heater are
switched off. By using position 0, you
can totally block the air supply by
pressing the button for the recirculated-
air mode.
Temperature
In order to increase the
temperature of the passenger
compartment, turn it to the
right (red). Temperature regu-
lation will keep the interior temperature
you have selected constant.
Air distribution
You can direct air to flow onto
the windows , toward the
upper body and into the
footwell . All intermediate
settings are possible. In the setting,
there is a low flow of air onto the
windows to keep them free of conden-
sation.
Rear window defroster
With the convertible top closed
or with the hardtop
* mounted,
press the button. The indicator lamp
remains on. The rear window defroster
switches off automatically.
The rear defroster automatically
assumes operation within 5
minutes after the engine is started at
outside temperatures below 40 7
(4 6).<
Air conditioner
The air is cooled and dehumidi-
fied and Ð depending on the
temperature setting Ð rewarmed when
the air conditioner system is switched
on.
Depending on the weather, the wind-
shield may fog over briefly when the
engine is started.
Condensation forms in the air
conditioner 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
external odors by temporarily
excluding the supply of outside air. The
system then recirculates the air
currently within the vehicle.
If the windows fog over in the
recirculated-air mode, switch the
recirculated-air mode off and increase
the air supply as required.
<< < <
92n
Automatic climate control
*
Tips for pleasant drivingUse the automatic system (switch on
AUTO button 7). Select the desired
interior temperature.
Detailed setting options are described
for you in the following sections.
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.
the adjustment of the air distri-
bution and the air supply for you and Ð
in addition to that Ð adapts the temper-
ature to external influences (summer,
winter) to meet preferences you can
specify.
Individual air distribution
You also have the option of indi-
vidually configuring the air
distribution pattern to suit your
own personal preferences.
While the AUTO program is then deacti-
vated, the automatic airflow control
remains in operation. The system
directs air to the windows , the upper
body and into the footwells . You
can reactivate the automatic air supply
by pressing the AUTO button.
Temperature
The displayed temperatures are
reference values for the interior
temperature. We recommend 727
(+226) as a comfortable setting, even
if the air conditioner is on. When you
start the vehicle, the system ensures
that the selected temperature is
reached as quickly as possible. It then
maintains this temperature, regardless
of the season.
Air supply (blower)
By pressing the left or right side
of the button, you can vary the
air supply. This deactivates the auto-
matic air supply Ð the AUTO display
disappears from the panel. Neverthe-
less, the automatic air distribution
remains unchanged. You can reactivate
the automatic air supply by pressing the
AUTO button.
When you set the lowest blower speed
by pressing the left half of the button,
all of the displays are canceled: the
blower, heating and air conditioner are
switched off, and the air supply is
stopped. You can reactivate the system
by pressing any button for the auto-
matic climate control.
To defrost windows and remove
condensation
This program quickly removes
ice and condensation from the
windshield and side windows.
109n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Information for your safetyThe factory-approved radial tires are
matched to the vehicle and have been
selected to provide optimum safety and
driving comfort on your vehicle.
It is not merely the tire's service life, but
also driving comfort and Ð above all else
Ð driving safety that depend on the
condition of the tires and the mainte-
nance of the specified tire pressure.
Incorrect inflation pressure is a frequent
cause of tire damage. It also signifi-
cantly influences the roadholding ability
of your BMW.
Check tire inflation pressures on a
regular basis (refer to page 24), at
least every two weeks and before every
long trip. If this is not done, incorrect
tire pressures can cause driving insta-
bility and tire damage, ultimately
resulting in accidents.<
Tire tread Ð tire damageInspect your tires frequently for tread
wear, signs of damage and for foreign
objects lodged in the tread. Check the
tread depth.
Tread depth should not be allowed to go
below 0.12 in (3 mm), even though the
legally specified minimum tread depth is
only 0.063 in (1.6 mm). Tread wear indi-
cators (arrow) are embedded in the base
of the tire's tread. Their locations are
indicated by the legend "TWI" Ð Tread
Wear Indicator Ð at various points on the
tire's shoulder. When the tread reaches a
depth of 0.063 in (1.6 mm), these indica-
tors appear to signal that the tires have
worn to the minimum legal level. Below
0.12 in (3 mm) tread depth, there is an
increased risk of aquaplaning, even at
relatively moderate speeds and with only
small amounts of water on the road.
Do not drive on a deflated (flat) tire.
A flat tire greatly impairs steering
and braking response, and can lead to
complete loss of control over the
vehicle.
Avoid overloading the vehicle so that the
permitted load on the tires is not
exceeded. Overloading can lead to
overheating and increases the rate at
which damage develops inside the tires.
You could have a blowout as a result.
Unusual vibrations encountered during
normal vehicle operation can indicate
tire failure or some other vehicle defect.
The type of problem can be caused by
contact with curbs, etc. This is also true
for irregularities in the vehicle's handling
characteristics, such as a pronounced
tendency to pull to the left or right.
Should this occur, respond by immedi-
ately reducing your speed. Proceed
carefully to the nearest BMW center or
professional tire center, or have the
vehicle towed in to have it and its wheels
and tires inspected.
Tire damage (up to and including blow-
outs) can endanger the lives of both the
vehicle occupants and other road
users.<
Tire inflation pressure Tire condition
Everything from A to ZM
M Engine dynamics
control84
M Mobility system132
M+S-tires112
Maintenance76, 120
Malfunction displays77
Manual operation
convertible top42t
doors29t
fuel filler door22
luggage compartment
lid34t
Manual transmission63
Master key28
MFL (Multifunction steering
wheel21
MFL (Multifunction steering
wheel)21
Microfilter90, 94
Mirror50
inside rearview51
outside50
Mirror memory48 Mirrors
adjusting50
automatic curb
monitor51
heating50
Mobility system132
Modifications,
technical10, 121
Mounting the roof rack106
Multifunction steering wheel
(MFL)21
O
OBD interface socket122
Odometer75
Oil
additives117
capacity147
consumption116
oil dipstick116
quality117
types117
viscosity117
Oil change intervals, refer to
the Service and Warranty
Information Booklet (US
models) or the Warranty
and Service Guide Booklet
(Canadian models) Oil dipstick116
Oil filter change147
Oil level
checking116t
indicator lamp19
Oil pressure, indicator
lamp17
OILSERVICE76
Onboard Computer
also refer to the "Owner's
Manual for Onboard
Computer"
Onboard tool kit126t
Opening and closing
from inside33
via the door lock29
via the remote control30
Operating vehicle at low
ambient
temperatures117
Outlets, ventilation88, 91
Output, engine144
Outside temperature
display78 P
Paintwork, care, refer to the
"Caring for your vehicle"
manual
Park Distance Control
(PDC)80
Parking brake63
Parking help80
Parking lamps85
bulb replacement127t
PDC (Park Distance
Control)80
Pollen filter90, 94
Power windows39
Prevent accidental alarm38
R
Radiator147
Rain sensor71
Reading lamps87
Rear entry aid47
Rear head restraints46
Rear window
defroster89, 93
Rearview mirror50
Recirculated-air
mode89, 93
Reclining seat44
Everything from A to Z
155n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Refueling22
Releasing
fuel filler door following an
electrical
malfunction22t
Remote control30
Removing condensation
from the windows92
Replace windshield wiper
blades126t
Replacement key28
Replacing bulbs126t
Reporting safety defects11
Restraint system54
Rims111
Rollover protection
system58
indicator lamp20
lowering58t
Roof load capacity146
Roof-mounted luggage
rack101 S
Safety belts47, 48
Safety buttons33
Seat adjustment
lumbar support45
thigh support45
Seat heating49
Seat memory48
Seat-integrated safety belts
(SGS)47
Seats
adjusting44, 45
Secure glove compartment
and luggage compartment
separately34
Securing cargo100
Securing cargo in luggage
compartment101
Sequential M gearbox
SMG II64
Service and Warranty
Information Booklet120
Service Interval
Display76, 120
Set clock77
Set interior temperature92
SGS (Seat-integrated safety
belts)47 Side airbags52
Side impact Head Protection
System52
Side turn signals
bulb replacement128t
Ski bag98
Snow chains112
Spare key28
Speedometer15
Sport-mode
identification84
Standing lamps86
Starting problems62t
Steering lock61
Steering wheel with
multifunction buttons21
Steering wheel,
adjusting50
Stopping the vehicle62
Storage areas96
Storage compartments96
Stowing cargo100
Stroke144
Summer tires111
Switching off the engine62
Symbols, used8 T
Tachometer75
Tail lamps129
bulb replacement129t
Tank capacity147
Technical data144
Technical
modifications10, 121
Telephone hookup96
Temperature display
ice warning78
interior temperature92
outside temperature78
Temperature gauge
engine coolant76
Temperature
layering90, 94
Temperature, adjusting89
Thigh support, adjusting45
Third brake lamp131
Tilt alarm sensor38
deactivate31
remote control31
Tire inflation
pressures24, 25, 109
Tire wear indicator109