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
8n
Notes on the Owner's Manual
We have made every effort to ensure
that you are able to find what you need
in this Owner's Manual as quickly as
possible. The fastest way to find certain
topics is by using the detailed index at
the end. If you wish to gain only an
initial overview of your vehicle, you will
find this in the first chapter.
We hope that the detailed table of
contents provided on the preceding
pages will stimulate your interest and
encourage you to read the manual.
Should you wish to sell your BMW at
some time in the future, please
remember to hand over this Owner's
Manual to the new owner; it is part of
the vehicle.
Should you have any further questions,
your BMW center will be glad to assist
at any time.
Symbols used
Indicates precautions that must
be followed precisely in order to
avoid the possibility of personal injury
and serious damage to the vehicle.
<
Contains information that will
assist you in gaining the optimum
benefit from your vehicle and enable
you to care more effectively for your
vehicle.
<
Refers to measures that can be
taken to help protect the environ-
ment.
<
<
Marks the end of a specific item of
information.
*
Indicates special equipment, country-
specific equipment and optional extras.
t
Identifies index entries that refer
to owner service procedures or topics
on vehicle maintenance.
Identifies systems or components,
which can either be activated or
adapted to suit an individual driver's
requirements ("Vehicle Memory", "Key
Memory"). Refer to page 60.
Remember that activation and adjust-
ments on some of these systems can
only be performed at your BMW
center.
<
Notes
Symbols
Your individual vehicle
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.
29n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Opening and closing Ð via the door lockWith the keyTurning the key in the door lock once
unlocks the driver's door, the fuel filler
door and the glove compartment.
Turning the key a second time unlocks
the passenger's door and the luggage
compartment lid.
You can have a signal set as an
acknowledgment message that
the vehicle is closed correctly.<
Convenience operationWith the door closed you can also
operate the power windows and the
convertible top with the door lock.
To open: with the door closed after
turning the key for the second time,
hold the key in the "Unlock" position.
To close: with the door closed, turn the
key to the "Lock" position and hold it.
Watch during the closing process
to be sure that no one is injured.
Releasing the key stops the opera-
tion.
right to unlock/lock the driver's door.
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.<
31n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Opening and closing Ð via the remote controlTo releasePress button to unlock the driver's door
only.
Press the button twice in order to
unlock the entire vehicle.
If you want, you can have this
special feature set as key-depen-
dent.
again.To deactivate the tilt alarm
sensor
* and interior motion
sensor*
Press button a second time immedi-
ately after locking.
For additional information: refer to
page 38.
To open the luggage
compartment lidPress button.
The lid will open slightly, no matter
whether it was locked or unlocked.
Before and after a trip, be sure
that the luggage compartment lid
has not been opened unintentionally.< Panic mode (trigger alarm)By pressing button for more than
2 seconds, the alarm can be sounded
in the event of danger, if it is armed.
To switch off the alarm:
Press button.
32n
Opening and closing Ð via the remote controlExternal systemsLocal systems or devices in the area
may interference with remote control
function.
If this should occur, you can still open
and close the vehicle using the master
key in both the door and luggage
compartment locks.
For US owners onlyThe transmitter and receiver units
comply with part 15 of the FCC (Federal
Communication Commission) regula-
tions. Operation is governed by the
following:
FCC ID: LX8EWS
LX8FZVS
LX8FZVE
Compliance statement:
This device complies with part 15 of the
FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the
following two conditions:
>This device may not cause harmful
interference, and
>this device must accept any interfer-
ence received, including interference
that may cause undesired operation.
Any unauthorized modifications to
these devices could void the
user's authority to operate the equip-
ment.<