
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

69n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Multi-Information Display (MID)Central DisplayThe MID serves as the central display
and control for the following onboard
systems:
>Digital clock (e. g. time displayed in
digital numerals, date)
>Audio systems (radio, cassette, CD)
>Computer ( e.g. fuel consumption,
cruising range)
>Cellular phone ( e.g. dialing).
You will find explanations and notes for
operating the digital clock and the
computer on the following pages.
Please refer to the Owner's Manual for
operating the audio systems, the
cellular phone and the onboard
computer.
The system rejects all implausible
data entries.
All stored data will be lost if the power
supply is interrupted. Time of day,
switch-on times for parked-car ventila-
tion, distance and cruise control speed
limit may have to be reset once the
power supply has been re-estab-
lished.<
1 Function button for audio systems
2 Function button for the cellular
phone
*
3 Indicator lamp for parked-car ventila-
tion system
>remains on if switch-on time is
active
>flashes while operating
4 Function button for the digital clock
and computer
5 Indicator display for the various
onboard systems390us705
6 Display for the entry and query
buttons. Depending on the operating
mode, the functions and alternatives
which can be selected at the buttons
are displayed here
7 Entry and check buttons for
operating the various onboard
systems

70n
Digital clock
Only make entries when the
vehicle is standing still Ð to avoid
endangering yourself or other road
users.<
Displaying time or datePress the left of the button.
Display shows:
You can have the time of day displayed
in 12 or 24 hours.
To change the display:
Press the left of the button.
If the 12-hour time display is in use, AM
or PM appears after the time.
Changing the time displayPress the left of the button.
Press the right of the button:
The dots flash in the display.
To alter the setting:
Press on left or right, or hold the button
down.
To store the entry:
Press the right of the button.
Changing the datePress the left of the button.
Press.
Press the right of the button:
The dots and the DATE display will
flash.
To alter the setting:
Press on left or right, or hold the button
down.
To store the entry:
Press the right of the button.
The clock takes leap years into account
and therefore does not have to be reset
manually.

71n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Digital clockReminder signalYou can program an hourly reminder
signal (Memo), that will, for example,
remind you of news broadcasts.
Press the left of the button.
Press:
MEMO OFF appears in the display for
entry and query buttons, and the tone
symbol will appear in the upper right of
the display.
A signal is then heard 15 seconds
before each hour.
StopwatchPress the left of the button.
Press.
Display shows:
To start the stopwatch:
Press the right of the button.
To take an intermediate time reading:
Press.
Press:
The stopwatch display can be seen
counting up; the stopwatch continues
to run.
To halt the stopwatch:
Press the right of the button.
The stopwatch is halted when the
ignition key is turned back to 0,
but starts to run again when the ignition
key is turned to 1.<

72n
Digital clockSetting activation times for
parked-car ventilation systemYou can enter two different activation
times.
After 30 minutes, the ventilation will
switch off automatically.
Please observe the instructions
for operating the parked-car venti-
lation system on page 92.<
Press the left of the button.
Press at left or right.
Display shows:
Press the right of the button:
Display flashes, e. g. TIMER 1.
To enter the time:
Press on left or right, or hold down.
To confirm the entry:
Press the right of the button.
The activated time is marked with an
asterisk.
The switch-on times remain memorized
until new entries are made.
You can change switch-on times that
have already been memorized by
setting a new time using the procedure
described above.
When the switch-on time is active, the
LED comes on in the MID. During actual
operation of the ventilation, the LED
flashes. The LED goes out when the
system is switched off.
To activate/deactivate the time:
Press twice.Turning the parked-car ventilation
system on and off directly
The parked-car ventilation system
is available exclusively in ignition
key position 1.<
Press the left of the button.
Press
or
press.

118n
Coolant Brake fluidChecking coolant level and
adding coolantCorrect coolant level when the engine
is cold (approx. 68 7/20 6):
In the translucent container's visible
range, as far as the graduation marked
KALT/COLD.
1. Turn the cap counterclockwise
slightly in order to allow accumulated
pressure to escape
2. If the coolant is low, slowly add
coolant until the correct level is
reached Ð do not overfill.
Comply with the applicable envi-
ronmental laws regulating the
disposal of extended-duty antifreeze
with corrosion inhibitor.<39mde111
Brake fluid level
The warning lamp for the brake
system hydraulic circuits comes
on and/or the message "CHECK
BRAKE FLUID" appears in the
Check Control panel:
Brake fluid level too low.
To add brake fluidThe brake fluid reservoir is located
under the microfilter housing on the
driver's side of the vehicle. For adding
brake fluid or for determining and
correcting the cause of brake fluid loss,
consult your BMW center. Your BMW
center is familiar with the specifications
for factory-approved brake fluids
(DOT 4).
Brake fluid loss may result in extended
brake pedal travel. If this occurs, refer
to the information on page 108.
Brake fluid is hygroscopic, that is,
it absorbs moisture from the air
over time.
In order to ensure the safety and reli-
ability of the brake system, have the
brake fluid changed every two years at
a BMW center. Refer also to the Service
and Warranty Information Booklet (US
models) or the Warranty and Service
Guide Booklet (Canadian models).
Brake fluid is toxic and damages the
vehicle's paint. You should always store
it in its original container and in a loca-
tion which is out of reach of children.
Do not spill the fluid and do not fill the
brake fluid reservoir beyond the MAX
mark. The brake fluid could ignite upon
contact with hot engine parts and
cause serious burns.<
Comply with the applicable envi-
ronmental laws regulating
the disposal of brake fluid.<

Everything from A to Z
147n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Check Control66
Check engine oil
level115t
Child seat safety53
Child seats52
Cigarette lighter98
Clock70
refer also to the "Onboard
Computer Owner's
Manual"
Cockpit14
Code76
activating76
deactivating76
refer also to the "Onboard
Computer Owner's
Manual"
selecting76
Comfort seat42
Compartments96
Computer73
refer also to the "Onboard
Computer Owner's
Manual"
remote control77
Configuring individual
adjustments55
Consumption75 Convenience operation of
windows and sliding/tilt
sunroof27
Coolant118
disposal118
Coolant temperature
gauge65
Cooling, maximum90
Copyright notice4
Cover, sun blinds92
Cruising range75
Cup holder97
Cup holder, refer to
beverage holder97
Curb weight142
D
Date
calling up70
changing70
refer also to the "Onboard
Computer Owner's
Manual"
Daytime driving lamps84
DBC (Dynamic Brake
Control)17, 80
Deactivating
alarm system tilt
sensor36t
the interior motion
sensor36t Deep water107
Defrosting position89
Defrosting the
windows89t
Digital clock70
refer also to the "Onboard
Computer Owner's
Manual"
Dimensions141
Disconnect the
battery133t
Displacement140
Display lighting85
Displays, instrument
panel15
Disposal
brake fluid118
coolant118
engine oil116
Distance from
destination74
Divided rear backrest99
Door key26
Doors
manual operation27
remote control28
unlocking and locking27
DOT Quality Grades110
Driving notes107 DSC (Dynamic Stability
Control)17, 80
Dynamic Brake Control
(DBC)17, 80
Dynamic Driving Control81
Dynamic Stability Control
(DSC)17, 80
E
Electric power windows36
Electrical heating, exterior
mirror48
Electrical malfunction
doors27t
fuel filler door20t
luggage compartment
lid32t
sliding/tilt sunroof39t
Elements of operation14
Emergency release of
luggage compartment lid
from luggage
compartment's interior34
Engine compartment114
Engine coolant118
Engine coolant temperature
gauge65
Engine data140