Contents
© 2001 BMW M GmbH
Munich, Germany
Reprinting, including excerpts, only with the
written consent of BMW M GmbH, Munich.
Order No. 01 41 0 156 237
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 pressures24
Opening and closing:
Keys28
Central locking system28
Opening and closing Ð via the
door lock29
Opening and closing Ð via the
remote control30
Opening and closing Ð from the
inside33
Luggage compartment lid34
Luggage compartment36
Alarm system37
Electric power windows39
Sliding/tilt sunroof40
Adjustments:
Correct sitting position42
Seats43
Head restraints44
Entering the rear45
Safety belts45
Seat and mirror memory46
Seat heating47
Steering wheel47
Mirrors48
Passenger safety systems:
Airbags49
Transporting children safely52
Vehicle Memory, Key
Memory55
Driving:
Ignition lock56
Starting the engine56
Switching off the engine57
Parking brake58
Manual transmission58
Sequential M gearbox SMG II59
Indicator/Headlamp flasher65
Washer/Wiper system/Rain
sensor66
Cruise control68
Everything under control:
Odometer70
Tachometer70
Temperature gauge70
Fuel gauge71
Temperature gauge71
Service Interval Display71
Check Control72
Computer72
Technology for driving comfort
and safety:
Park Distance Control (PDC)75
Dynamic Stability Control
(DSC)76
Flat Tire Monitor77
M Engine dynamics control79
Contents
18n
Indicator and warning lamps
Red: an important reminder
Parking brake
Comes on when the parking
brake is engaged Ð an additional
acoustic signal sounds when starting
off.
For additional information, refer to
page 58
Parking brake warning lamp for
Canadian models.
Please fasten safety belts
l
A warning signal will sound at
the same time. Lights up for a
few seconds or until the safety belt is
fastened.
For additional information on safety
belts, refer to page 45
Airbags
l
Please have the system
inspected by your BMW center.
For additional information, refer to
page 49
Red and yellow: continue driving
cautiously
If the brake warning lamp
comes on together with the
yellow indicator lamps for ABS
and DSC:
The entire ABS, CBC and DSC
control system
has failed.
Continue driving cautiously and
defensively. Avoid hard brake
applications. Please have the system
checked by your BMW center as soon
as possible.
For additional information, refer to
pages 76, 101.
ABS, CBC and DSC indicator
and warning lamps for Canadian
models.
Orange: consult the nearest
BMW center
Sequential M gearbox
*
SMG II
If the indicator lamp fails to go
out after the engine is started:
this indicates a malfunction in the
system. Please consult the nearest
BMW center.
Indicator lamp flashes: a system over-
load has occurred.
For additional information, refer to
page 64
45n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Entering the rear Safety belts Unlocking backrestPull up on the lever and push the back-
rest toward the front.
The outer levers hold the safety belt to
enable it to be reached more easily.
Lock both backrests while driving,
otherwise there is a danger of an
unexpected movement causing an
accident.<
Drive with your safety belt onAlways fasten your safety belt before
starting off. As supplemental restraint
devices, the airbags are designed to
enhance the effectiveness of the safety
belts, and not to replace them.To fastenMake sure you hear the catch engage in
the belt buckle. To release1. Press red button in the belt buckle
2. Hold the belt
3. Guide belt back into the inertia reel.
In the rear, the belt buckle with
the word "CENTER" is provided
exclusively for the passenger sitting in
the middle.<
Safety belt height adjustmentUse the height adjustment mechanism
to adapt the safety belt to the ideal
position for your own body:
1. Press the button
2. Slide the entire assembly up or
down.
Also observe the instructions on
adjusting the seats on page 42.
49n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Mirrors Airbags Interior rearview mirror with
automatic dimming featureThis mirror automatically dims through
an infinitely variable range and switches
automatically to its clear, undimmed
mode whenever you engage reverse
gear.
There are two photocells for automatic
dimming. One photocell (arrow) is posi-
tioned in the mirror's frame, while the
other is slightly offset on the opposite
side of the mirror.
For the mirror to function perfectly,
keep the photocells clean and the area
between the inside rearview mirror and
the windshield free of any obstruction,
like stickers, etc.
1 Front airbags on the driver and
passenger sides
2 Side Impact Head Protection System
on the driver and passenger sides
(front)
3 Side airbags on the driver and
passenger sides (front and rear
*)
Protective effectThe front airbags protect the driver and
passenger in the event of a frontal
impact where the protection provided
by the safety belt alone would not be
adequate. The Side impact Head
Protection System and the side airbags
help provide protection in the event of a
collision from the side. Each of the side
airbags is designed to help support the
seat occupant's upper body.
50n
Airbags
The side airbags in the rear
passenger area
* of your vehicle
may already have been deactivated
either at the time of manufacture or by a
BMW center. You may have them acti-
vated if you desire to do so. Please
contact your BMW center for additional
information.<
For information on the correct sitting
position, refer to page 42.
The airbags will not be triggered in
the event of a minor accident, a
vehicle rollover, or collisions from the
rear.<
Do not apply adhesive materials to
the cover panels of the airbags,
cover them or modify them in any other
way. Do not attempt to remove the
airbag restraint system from the
vehicle. In the event of a malfunction,
deactivation, or triggered actuation (as
a response to an accident) of the airbag
restraint system, consult your BMW
center for checking, repairs or removal.
Modifications may not be made on
either the wiring or the individual
components in the airbag system.
These include the padded steering
wheel hub, the instrument panel, the
side trim panels of the front or rear
doors and the roof pillars or the sides of
the headliner. Do not attempt to remove
or dismantle the steering wheel. To
ensure compliance with official safety
regulations, entrust disposal of airbag
generators to a BMW center. Unprofes-
sional attempts to service the system
could lead to failure in an emergency or
undesired airbag activation, either of
which could result in personal injury. Do
not touch the individual components
directly after the system has been trig-
gered, as otherwise there is a danger of
burns.<
At all times, occupants should sit
upright and be properly restrained
(infants and small children in appro-
priate child-restraint systems; larger
children and adults using the safety
belts). Never let an occupant's head
rest near or on a side airbag because
the inflating airbag could cause a
serious or fatal injury. Please note that
the word "Airbag" imprinted on the door
trim panel indicates the airbag's loca-
tion.
Accident research shows that the
safest place for children in an automo-
bile is in the rear seat. However, a child
sitting in the rear seat and not properly
restrained may place his or her head on
or near the side airbag, if so equipped.
For example, a child Ð even though
belted Ð may fall asleep with his or her
head against the side airbag. It may be
difficult for a driver to ensure that chil-
dren in the rear seat will remain prop-
erly positioned at all times and not
place their heads on or near the side
airbag. Therefore, we recommend that
the rear seat side airbags, if provided,
be deactivated if you plan to transport
children in the rear seat.