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
5n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Controls and features
Operation, maintenance
Lamps:
Parking lamps/Low beams80
Instrument lighting81
High beams/Standing lamps81
Fog lamps82
Interior lamps82
Reading lamps82
Controlling the climate for
pleasant driving:
Air conditioner83
Automatic climate control86
Roller sun blind89
Interior conveniences:
Sound system90
Glove compartment90
Storage compartments91
Cellular phone92
Ashtray, front92
Ashtray, rear93
Clothes hooks93
Loading and transporting:
Through-loading system94
Ski bag95
Cargo loading96
Roof-mounted luggage rack97
Special operating instructions:
Break-in procedure100
Driving notes101
Antilock Brake System101
Brake system102
Wheels and tires:
Tire inflation pressure103
Tire condition103
Tire replacement104
Wheel and tire
combinations105
Special characteristics of winter
tires106
Snow chains106
In the engine compartment:
Hood107
Engine compartment
essentials108
Washer fluids109
Engine oil110
Coolant112
Brake fluid113
Maintenance:
The BMW Maintenance
System114
Laws and regulations:
Technical modifications115
California Proposition
65 Warning115
OBD interface socket116
24n
Fuel specifications Tire inflation pressuresRefuel with lead-freeThe engine uses lead-free gasoline
only.
Required fuel:
>Premium Unleaded Gasoline,
min. 91 AKI
AKI = Anti Knock Index
Never use leaded fuel, as it would
cause permanent and irreversible
damage to the oxygen sensor and the
catalytic converter.<
The specified inflation pressures are
provided on a sticker attached to the
B-pillar and visible with the driver's
door open.Check tire pressuresOn the next page you will find all the tire
pressure and ambient air temperature
specifications stated in the units usually
used in your country (psi; kilopascal).
After correcting the tire inflation pres-
sure, reinitialize the Flat Tire Monitor so
that it can monitor the tire inflation
pressure, refer to page 77.
Check the tire pressures on a
regular basis Ð at least twice a
month Ð and before every extended
journey. Incorrect tire pressure can
otherwise lead to driving instability, tire
damage and accidents.<
Comply with tire approval
specifications The inflation pressures apply to BMW
approved tire sizes and tire manufac-
turers. Your BMW center is familiar with
these pressures. Higher pressures may
be specified for tires made by other
manufacturers.
Your vehicle is equipped with tires that
not only meet US standards, but also
European standards. We recommend
the exclusive use of BMW approved
tires.
25n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Tire inflation pressures Tires
All pressure specifications in
the table are indicated in psi
(kilopascal) with cold tires
(cold = ambient temperature)
225/45 ZR 18 2.3 (230/33) - 2.8 (280/41) -
255/44 ZR 18 - 2.4 (240/35) - 3.3 (330/48)
225/45 ZR 18
225/40 ZR 192.3 (230/33) - 2.8 (280/41) -
255/35 ZR 19 - 2.4 (240/35) - 3.3 (330/48)
225/45 R 17 91 Q/T/H M+S 2.3 (230/33) 2.6 (260/38) 2.5 (250/36) 3.2 (320/46)
78n
Flat Tire MonitorInitializing the systemInitializing is necessary to familiarize the
system with the correct tire inflation
pressure.
Repeat this process after any changes
in tire inflation pressure, tire replace-
ment or rotation.
1. Check the tire inflation pressure in all
the tires, comparing them with the
inflation pressure table (page 25),
and adjusting their pressure if neces-
sary
2. Turn the ignition key to position 2
3. Press button as long as you need to
until the indicator lamp in the instru-
ment cluster lights up. After a little
while, the indicator lamp will go out
by itself
4. After a few minutes, the Flat Tire
Monitor will accept the current infla-
tion pressure as the value to be
measured against, and from that
point on, can detect and report a flat
tire.
Activating/deactivating the
systemThe system is automatically activated in
ignition key position 2 and conse-
quently is on whenever the vehicle is
operated.
To deactivate the system, tap the
button, the indicator lamp will light up
yellow.
To activate the system, tap the button
again; the indicator lamp goes out.
Deactivate the system when snow
chains are mounted, since false warn-
ings and undetected losses in pressure
are possible under these kinds of
conditions.
79n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Flat Tire Monitor
M Engine dynamics control
In the event of a flat tire
The indicator lamp in the instru-
ment cluster will light up red in
the event of a flat tire with
ensuing loss in pressure. In addition, an
acoustic signal is sounded. To come to
an immediate stop, reduce speed, while
avoiding any sudden, jerky braking or
steering maneuvers.
Fix the flat tire using the M Mobility
system, refer to page 126.
Reset the indicator lamp: the red indi-
cator lamp has to be switched off
manually after putting on a new wheel.
At this point, hold the Flat Tire Monitor
button down until the indicator lamp
goes out. Reinitialize the system after-
ward.
The Flat Tire Monitor cannot alert
you to severe and sudden tire
damage caused by external factors.
Another factor which the Flat Tire
Monitor does not recognize is the
balanced and very gradual pressure
loss that takes place in all tires over an
extended period of time.<
Check the tire inflation pressure
on a regular basis and correct if
necessary, refer to page 24.
Under certain circumstances, there
may be false warnings or a delayed
detection of losses in pressure when
driving on snow-covered or slippery
road surfaces.
Performance-oriented driving (slip at
the drive wheels, high levels of lateral
acceleration) can also delay the
appearance of status reports in the Flat
Tire Monitor's display.<
System malfunctionAs long as there is still a malfunction,
the indicator lamp in the instrument
cluster will stay lit up yellow.
Please contact your BMW center for
additional information.
The system (sport-mode identification)
will cause the engine to respond spon-
taneously to the motion of the acceler-
ator pedal. Activating/deactivating
sport-mode identificationActivating: with the key in ignition key
position 2, press the sport button. The
indicator lamp will light up.
The vehicle may gain speed
without any additional pressure on
the accelerator pedal when the system
is activated.<
Deactivating: press the sport button
again; the indicator lamp will go out.
The sporty-comfortable mode is deacti-
vated every time the engine is started.
103n
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 pressures are a
frequent cause of tire problems
and tire damage. Tire pressure also has
a major effect on your BMW's handling
response. Check tire inflation pressures
on a regular basis (refer to page 25), at
least every two weeks and before
beginning a longer trip. Failure to
observe these precautions can result in
incorrect tire pressures, which cause
instable handling response as well as
tire damage, and can ultimately lead to
an accident.<
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 pattern 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 leads to over-
heating and causes damage 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
immediately 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
128n
Repairing a flat tire2. Flip open the cover and pull on the
enclosed protective gloves. Take out
hose 2 with the manometer and
screw it to the terminal for the
sealant container as shown in the
illustration
3. Make sure that the system has been
switched off (Position 0).
Take out plug 6 and insert it into the
cigarette lighter socket in the
passenger compartment (refer to
page 93)
4. Make sure that the screw on the rear
of manometer 3 is tightened down.
Turn on the M Mobility system (Posi-
tion I, refer to illustration) and allow
minutes to elapse, to let the sealant
flow in. It does not matter afterward,
what the tire's inflation pressure is
5. Turn the sealant off.
Disconnect the connector hose from
the sealant container and the wheel
valve. Stow the M Mobility system in
the luggage compartment
Distributing the sealantRight afterward, drive at least 1.2 miles
(2 km), so that the liquid sealant distrib-
utes evenly throughout the inside of the
tire.
Do not exceed a maximum speed
of 40 mph (60 km/h). If possible,
keep the vehicle speed above 10 mph
(20 km/h). Stop in a suitable spot.<