
Contents
© 2001 BMW M GmbH
Munich, Germany
Reprinting, including excerpts, only with the
written consent of BMW AG, Munich.
Order no. 01 41 0 156 225
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 lamps16
Steering wheel with multifunction
buttons19
Warning triangle20
First-aid kit20
Refueling20
Fuel specifications22
Tire inflation pressure22
Opening and closing:
Keys26
Central locking system26
Opening and closing Ð via the
door lock27
Opening and closing Ð via the
remote control28
Opening and closing Ð
from the inside31
Luggage compartment lid32
Luggage compartment34
Alarm system35
Electric power windows36
Sliding/tilt sunroof38
Adjustments:
Correct sitting posture40
Seats40
BMW M sport seat41
BMW comfort seat42
Head restraints43
BMW active seat43
Safety belts44
Seat, mirror and
steering wheel memory45
Seat heating46
Steering wheel47
Mirrors48
Passenger safety systems:
Airbags49
Transporting children safely52
Vehicle Memory, Key
Memory55
Driving:
Steering/Ignition lock56
Starting the engine56
Switching off the engine57
Parking brake58
Manual transmission58
Turn signal/Headlamp flasher59
Washer/Wiper system/Rain
sensor60
Cruise control61
Everything under control:
Odometer, outside temperature
display63
Tachometer64
Engine oil temperature64
Fuel gauge64
Temperature gauge65
Service Interval Display65
Check Control66
Multi-Information Display
(MID)69
Digital clock70
Computer73
Contents

5n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Controls and features
Operation, maintenance
Technology for safety and
driving convenience:
Park Distance Control (PDC)78
Dynamic Stability Control
(DSC)80
M Dynamic Driving Control81
Flat Tire Monitor82
Lamps:
Parking lamps/Low beams84
Instrument lighting85
High beams/Standing lamps85
Fog lamps85
Interior lamps86
Reading lamps86
Controlling the climate for
pleasant driving:
Automatic climate control87
Roller sun blind92
Parked-car ventilation92
Interior conveniences:
BMW Universal Transmitter93
Glove compartment96
Storage facilities96
Cellular phone97
Beverage holder97
Ashtray, front97
Cigarette lighter98
Ashtray, rear98
Loading and transporting
cargo:
Through-loading system99
Ski bag100
Cargo loading102
Roof-mounted luggage rack103
Special operating instructions:
Break-in procedure106
Driving notes107
Antilock brake system (ABS)107
Brake system108
Winter operation108
Wheels and tires:
Tire inflation pressure109
Tire condition109
Tire replacement110
Wheel and tire
combinations111
Special characteristics of winter
tires112
Snow chains112

Contents Operation, maintenance
Owner service procedures
Technical data
In the engine compartment:
Hood113
Engine compartment
essentials114
Washer fluids115
Engine oil115
Coolant117
Brake fluid118 Maintenance: The BMW Maintenance
System119 Laws and regulations: Technical modifications120
California Proposition
65 Warning120
OBD interface socket121
Replacement procedures:
Onboard tool kit124
Windshield wiper blades124
Lamps and bulbs124
Repairing a flat tire128
Battery131
Fuses132
Assistance, giving and
receiving:
Jump-starting133
Towing the vehicle135Engine data140
Dimensions141
Weights142
Capacities143

10n
For your own safety
Use unleaded gasoline only. Fuels
containing up to and including
10 % ethanol or other oxygenates with
up to 2.8 % oxygen by weight (that is,
15 % MTBE or 3 % methanol plus an
equivalent amount of co-solvent) will
not void the applicable warranties
covering defects in materials or work-
manship. Field experience has indi-
cated significant differences in fuel
quality (volatility, composition, addi-
tives, others) among gasolines offered
for sale in the United States and
Canada. The use of poor-quality fuels
may result in driveability, starting and
stalling problems, especially under
certain environmental conditions, such
as high ambient temperature and high
altitude.
Should you encounter driveability prob-
lems which you suspect could be
related to the fuel you are using, we
recommend that you respond by
switching to a recognized high-quality
brand.
Failure to comply with these recom-
mendations may result in unscheduled
maintenance.
Always observe all applicable safety
rules when you are handling gasoline.
<
Important safety information!
For your own safety, use genuine parts
and accessories approved by BMW.
When you purchase accessories tested
and approved by BMW and Original
BMW Parts, you simultaneously acquire
the assurance that they have been
thoroughly tested by BMW to ensure
optimum performance when installed
on your vehicle.
BMW warrants these parts to be free
from defects in material and workman-
ship.
BMW will not accept any liability for
damages resulting from installation of
parts and accessories not approved by
BMW.
BMW cannot test every product made
by other manufacturers to confirm that
it can be used on a BMW safely and
without risk to either the vehicle, its
operation, or its occupants.
Original BMW Parts, BMW Accessories
and other products approved by BMW,
together with professional advice on
using these items, are available from all
BMW centers.
Installation and operation of non-BMW
approved accessories such as alarms,
radios, amplifiers, radar detectors,
wheels, suspension components, brake
dust shields, telephones (including
operation of any portable cellular phone
from within the vehicle without using an
externally mounted antenna) or trans-
ceiver equipment (such as CB, walkie-
talkie, ham radio or similar) may cause
extensive damage to the vehicle,
compromise its safety, interfere with
the vehicle's electrical system or affect
the validity of the BMW Limited
Warranty. See your BMW center for
additional information.
<
Maintenance, replacement, or
repair of the emission control
devices and systems may be performed
by any automotive repair establishment
or individual using any certified auto-
motive part.
<
Symbol on vehicle parts
Indicates that you should consult
the relevant section of this
Owner's Manual for information on a
particular part or assembly.
For your own safety

16n
Indicator and warning lamps
Technology that monitors itself
The system runs a check on the
warning and indicator lamps marked by
"
l
" each time you switch on the igni-
tion. 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.
The following section describes how
you should respond.
Red: stop immediately
Alternator charge current
l
The battery is no longer being
charged. Indicates a defective
alternator drive belt or a problem with
the alternator's charge circuit. Please
contact the nearest BMW center.
You should never attempt to
continue driving with a defective
drive belt, as the engine could overheat
and sustain serious damage. A defec-
tive drive belt will also make the vehicle
harder to steer.
<
Engine oil pressure
l
May be accompanied by the
warning "STOP!ENGINE
OILPRESS" in the Check Control
display panel: stop vehicle and switch
off engine immediately. Check level of
oil in engine, top up as required. If oil
level is correct: please contact the
nearest BMW center.
Stop at once. Attempts to
continue driving can lead to
serious engine damage stemming from
a lack of adequate lubrication.
<
Brake system hydraulic
circuits
l
Have the brake fluid level
checked. Before driving further, be sure
to read the notes on pages 108
and 118
The indicator lamp comes on together
with the "CHECK BRAKE LININGS"
message in the Check Control.
Brake system hydraulic circuits
warning lamp for Canadian
models.

17n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Indicator and warning lamps
Red: an important reminder
Parking brake
l
Comes on when you engage the
parking brake.
For additional information: refer to
page 58
Parking brake warning lamp for
Canadian models.
Please fasten safety belts
l
An acoustic signal sounds and a
message appears in the Check
Control for 4 to 8 seconds. The acous-
tical signal remains on until the belt is
fastened.
For additional information on safety
belts: refer to page 44
Airbags
l
Please have system inspected
at your BMW center.
For additional information: refer to
page 49
Yellow: please have checked at
your earliest opportunity
Antilock Brake System
(ABS)
l
ABS has been deactivated in
response to a system malfunction.
Conventional braking efficiency is avail-
able and unrestricted. Please have the
system inspected at your BMW center.
For additional information: refer to
page 107
ABS warning lamp for Canadian
models.
Dynamic Stability Control
(DSC)
l
DSC has been switched off or
has been deactivated because of a
malfunction. In the event of a malfunc-
tion, have the system checked at your
BMW center.
For additional information: refer to
page 80
Dynamic Brake Control
(DBC)
l
Malfunction in DBC system.
Conventional braking performance
remains available with no loss of effi-
ciency.
Have the system repaired by your BMW
center at the earliest possible opportu-
nity.
For additional information: refer to
page 80
Dynamic Brake Control (DBC)
warning lamp for Canadian
models.
Service Engine Soon
l
If the indicator lights up either
continuously or intermittently,
this indicates a fault in the emissions-
related electronic systems. Although
the vehicle remains operational, you
should have the systems checked at
your BMW center at the earliest
possible opportunity.
For additional information: refer to OBD
interface socket, page 121
Service Engine Soon warning
lamp for Canadian models.

56n
0 Steering locked
1 Steering unlocked
2 Ignition switched on
3 Starting engine
Steering locked The key can be inserted or removed in
this position only.
An acoustic warning is sounded when
you fail to remove the ignition key after
opening the driver's door.
After removing the key, turn the
steering wheel slightly to the left or right
until the lock engages. 390de010
Steering unlocked Turning the steering wheel slightly to
the right or left often makes it easier to
turn the key from 0 to 1.
Individual electrical accessories are
ready for operation.Starting engine Depress the clutch when starting the
engine. A lockout prevents the engine
from starting with the clutch engaged.
Before starting>Engage the parking brake
>Move the shift lever to the neutral
position
>Step on the clutch pedal.
Do not allow the engine to run in
enclosed spaces. The exhaust
gases contain carbon monoxide, an
odorless and colorless, but highly toxic
gas. Breathing the exhaust gases poses
an extreme health risk, and can lead to
unconsciousness and death.
Do not leave the vehicle unattended
with the engine running. An unattended
vehicle with a running engine repre-
sents a potential safety hazard.<
Steering/Ignition lock Starting the engine

57n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Starting the engine Switching off the engine Starting engineDo not press the accelerator pedal
while starting the engine.
While it is important not to release
the key prematurely, you should
also avoid allowing the starter to
operate continuously for more than
20 seconds at a time. Release the igni-
tion key immediately when the engine
starts.<
Do not warm up the engine by allowing
it to run with the vehicle parked.
Instead, you should drive away immedi-
ately while taking care to avoid high
engine speeds until the engine warms
to its normal operating temperature.
If the engine does not start on the first
attempt (the engine is very hot or cold,
for instance):
>Press the accelerator pedal halfway
down while engaging the starter.
Cold starts at extremely low tempera-
tures of roughly +57 (Ð156) or below
and at altitudes of over 3,300 ft
(1,000 m):
>Allow the starter to turn somewhat
longer (approximately 10 seconds)
during your initial starting attempt.
The engine's idle speed is automatically
regulated by the computerized engine-
management system. A brief period at
high idle is normal just after starting; the
idle speed should gradually return to
normal as the engine warms. Should
the engine fail to revert to its normal
idle speed after warming, a problem
may exist: please refer the problem to
your BMW center.
To prevent the battery from discharging,
always switch off any electrical devices
not in use, as well as the ignition when
the vehicle is not being driven.
Extended starting attempts, char-
acterized by excessively frequent
or long periods with the starter
engaged, can lead to catalyst
damage.<
When driving, standing at idle,
and parking the vehicle, take care
to avoid contact between the exhaust
system and flammable materials (grass,
hay, leaves, etc.). Such contact could
lead to a fire, resulting in serious
personal injury and property damage.<
Turn the ignition key to position 1 or 0.
Do not remove the ignition key
while the vehicle is still moving. If
you do so, the steering will lock, making
it impossible to steer the vehicle.
When you leave the vehicle, always
remove the ignition key and engage the
steering lock.
Always engage the parking brake
when parking on hills and inclined
surfaces, as even first gear or reverse
may not provide adequate resistance to
rolling.<