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.
28n
Keys Central locking systemThe key set1 Master key with remote control
This key determines the functions of
the Key Memory, refer to page 60.
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 with remote
control that is charged automatically in
the ignition lock as you drive. For this
reason, if you have a master key with
remote control that is otherwise not
used, use that key at least once every
year while driving for an extended
period to charge the battery. Also refer
to page 30.<
2 Spare master key for storage in a
safe place, such as in your wallet.
This key is not intended for contin-
uous use
3 Door and ignition key
The locks for the luggage compart-
ment lid and the glove compartment
cannot be operated with this key Ð
this is recommended for valet
parking, for instance
The conceptThe central locking system engages
and releases the locks on the
>doors
>luggage compartment lid
>fuel filler door and
>glove compartment.
The central locking system is ready for
operation whenever the driver's door is
closed.
The central locking system can be
operated
>from outside via the door lock and
using the remote control
>from inside via the central locking
system button.
If it is operated from inside, the fuel
filler door will not be locked, refer to
page 33.
Operating it from outside simulta-
neously activates the anti-theft system,
which prevents the doors from being
unlocked via the door lock buttons or
the door release handles. The alarm
system is also armed or disarmed.
Information for your safety: if locked from
inside, the central locking system
unlocks automatically in the event of an
accident. In addition, the hazard warning
flashers and interior lamps come on.
30n
Opening and closing Ð via the remote control The conceptThe remote control gives you an excep-
tionally convenient method for
unlocking and locking your vehicle.
Furthermore, it provides two additional
functions which you can only execute
via the remote control:
>Switch on the interior lamp, refer to
page 31.
With this function, you can also
"search for" your vehicle Ð when
parked in an underground garage, for
instance
>Open the luggage compartment lid,
refer to page 31.
The luggage compartment lid will
open slightly, regardless of whether it
was locked or unlocked.
The anti-theft system is also deacti-
vated/activated simultaneously with the
unlocking or locking of the vehicle, and
the alarm system
* is disarmed/armed,
and the interior lamps are switched on/
off.
You can have a signal set as an
acknowledgment message that
the vehicle is closed correctly.<
1 Unlock and alarm system
2 Lock and secure, interior lamp activa-
tion, deactivating tilt alarm sensor
and interior motion sensor
3 Open the luggage compartment,
panic mode (trigger alarm)
Master key 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 with remote control
that are used repeatedly are
always ready for operation, since the
battery in the key is charged automati-
cally in the ignition lock as you drive.
If it is no longer possible to unlock the
vehicle via the remote control, the
battery is discharged. Use this key
while driving for an extended period in
order to recharge the battery. Refer
also to page 28.
Guard the remote control against unau-
thorized use by only surrendering the
spare key or the door key (refer to
page 28).
In the event of a system malfunction,
please contact your BMW center. You
can also obtain replacement keys
there.<
39n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Electric power windowsTo open and close windowsFrom ignition key position 1:
To open:
>Press the switch until you feel resis-
tance: the window continues to move
as long as you continue to hold the
switch
>Press the switch briefly past the pres-
sure point: the window moves auto-
matically. Touching the switch again
stops the opening cycle.
To close: you can close the windows in
the same manner by pulling the switch.
After the ignition has been switched off:
You can still operate the electric power
windows for up to 15 minutes, provided
that no door has been opened.
When leaving the vehicle, always
remove 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 convenience closing via the door
lock, refer to page 29.
To operate all the side windowsFrom ignition key position 1:
To open:
>Press the switch until you feel resis-
tance:
All of the windows will continue to
lower as long as you continue to
press the switch
>Press the switch briefly past the pres-
sure point:
All windows will move automatically.
Pressing the switch again stops the
opening cycle.
To close: you can close the windows in
the same manner by pulling the switch.
41n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Convertible top1To
close
2 To open
To open and to closeFrom ignition key position 1, with the
vehicle stationary.
If at all possible, only operate the
convertible top if the engine is running.
This saves unnecessary battery wear.
1. Read and comply with the preceding
safety precautions
2. Before opening the convertible top,
make sure that the convertible top
compartment panel in the luggage
compartment is lowered, refer to
page 37
3. Make sure that the luggage compart-
ment lid is closed
4. Press and hold the corresponding
button for convertible top operation.
The red indicator lamp will light up
while the convertible top is in motion.
It goes out as soon as the opening or
closing operation has been
completed.
If the red indicator lamp flashes after
the button is released, then the
opening or closing operation is not
yet completed. The sequence can be
continued in the desired direction by
pressing this button.
If the yellow indicator lamp lights up
continuously with the button
pressed, then the convertible top
compartment panel is raised and the
convertible top cannot be moved,
refer to step 2.
The automatic sequence will be
interrupted immediately if release
the button that operates the top. The
sequence can be continued in the
desired direction by pressing this
button.<
During convertible top operation
the rear window moves toward the
passenger compartment. To prevent
injuries, make sure that the closing path
of the convertible top is unobstructed.<
When operating the convertible top, the
windows will lower slightly when you
press the button, and after the opening
or closing operation has finished, they
will go back up, if you keep holding the
button down for more than 2 seconds
after the indicator lamp has gone out.
The luggage compartment lid cannot be
opened while the convertible top is in
motion.
Do not close the side power
windows using the buttons if the
convertible top operation has been
interrupted.<
If the convertible top has been
stored in the convertible top
compartment for longer periods, e.g.
during the winter months while the
hardtop is being used, it may be neces-
sary to manually support the first auto-
matic closing operation: if the
convertible top should halt right before
the closing phase is completed, press
against the front part of the convertible
top frame from the outside to help the
closing process along. Keep pressing
the button while doing so until the top
starts up again on its own.<
42n
Convertible top
If the opening or closing operation
is interrupted, the convertible top
remains in the respective position for
15 minutes, and the sequence can be
continued in the desired direction with
the button. After that, the convertible
top can be moved again and, if it is an
emergency situation, you may have to
help the top along manually. This can
also be done in ignition key position 0.
In certain cases, the luggage compart-
ment lid cannot be opened if the
opening or closing operation has been
interrupted.<
Convenience operation from the
driver's door lockRefer to page 29.
Closing manually in the event of
an electrical malfunction1 Emergency operation
2 Allen wrench
3 Recess
Only actuate the convertible top
manually to close it, however
never to open it, as the convertible top
compartment lid cannot be locked and
would open during driving.<
Manual closing is best carried out
with two persons from outside
with the driver's door open and the
driver's seat folded forward. No one is
to be in the rear seat while you are
doing this.<
1. Remove the center piece between
the rear seats. Take the trim off of the
guide rod and flip it forward. Press
down hard on the emergency lock 1.
After a brief pause, the mechanisms
for the convertible top compartment
will be unlocked
If the mechanisms for the convert-
ible top compartment lid do not
unlock, then insert the Allen wrench 2
into the recess 3 and turn clockwise
until the mechanisms unlock.c
2. If the luggage compartment lid is
closed, open the convertible top
compartment lid up as far as the stop
will allow
48n
Safety belts Seat and mirror memory
Drive with your safety belt onEven though there is an airbag, wear a
safety belt every time you get in the
vehicle, because airbags enhance
safety by providing added protection.
Before putting your safety belts on
in the rear, take them out of the
holder.< To closeMake sure you hear the lock engage in
the belt buckle. To open1. Press the red button in the belt
buckle
2. Hold the belt
3. Guide the belt back into its reel.
Safety belt height adjustmentThe front safety belt automatically
adjusts your body size via the setting of
the head restraint height, refer to
page 46.
If the safety belt system has been
subjected to the stresses involved
in an accident or otherwise damaged:
Have the entire safety belt mechanism
replaced by your BMW center,
including the safety belt tensioner. In
addition, have your BMW center
inspect the safety belt anchors. If a
child-restraint system was in the
vehicle during an accident, consult the
manufacturer's instructions regarding
replacement.<
You can store and recall three different
driver's seat and outside mirror posi-
tions.
The setting for the lumbar support
is not stored in memory.
to the desired position.
3. Press the
M
EMORY button: the indi-
cator lamp in the button lights up
4. Press memory button 1, 2 or 3, as
desired. The indicator lamp goes out.