© 2001 Bayerische Motoren Werke
Aktiengesellschaft
Munich, Germany
Reprinting, including excerpts, only with the
written consent of BMW AG, Munich.
Order No. 01 41 0 156 337
US English VIII/2001
Printed in Germany
Printed on environmentally friendly paper
(bleached without chlorine, suitable for recycling).
4n
Using this Owner's Manual
This Owner's Manual has been
specially compiled to provide you with
a quick and convenient reference
source. The fastest way to find informa-
tion on particular topics is by turning to
the comprehensive index at the back of
the manual. If you are looking for a brief
summary of the essentials, you can turn
immediately to the first section.
We hope that the detailed table of
contents provided on the pages
following the content summary will
stimulate your interest and encourage
you to explore the remainder of the
manual.
Should the day come when you decide
to sell your BMW, please remember to
ensure that the new owner receives this
manual. The manual is legally consid-
ered to be part of the vehicle. Your BMW center will be happy to
assist you with any additional questions
that may arise.
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
environment.
<
<
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 car care.
Identifies systems or components,
which your BMW center can either
activate or adapt to suit individual
driver's requirements ("Vehicle
Memory", "Key Memory"). Refer to
page 49.
<
Notes
Symbols
Contents
Overview
Controls and features
Cockpit16
Instrument cluster18
Indicator and warning lamps20
Hazard warning flashers24
Warning triangle24
First-aid kit24
Refueling25
Fuel quality26
Tire inflation pressure26
Locks and security systems:
Keys30
Electronic vehicle
immobilizer31
Central locking system32
Opening and closing Ð from the
outside32
Using the key32
Using the remote control33
Opening and closing Ð from the
inside36
Luggage compartment lid37
Alarm system38
Electric power windows40
The automatic convertible
top41
Adjustments:
Seats45
Steering wheel47
Mirrors47
Vehicle Memory, Key
Memory49
Passenger safety systems:
Safety belts50
Airbags51
Transporting children safely53
Driving:
Ignition and steering lock55
Starting the engine56
Switching off the engine57
Parking brake57
Manual transmission58
Turn signal indicator/Headlamp
flasher58
Washer/Wiper system59
Rear window defroster60
Cruise control61
Everything under control:
Odometer62
Tachometer62
Fuel gauge62
Coolant temperature gauge63
Service Interval Display63
Clock64
Multi-Information Radio (MIR)64
Technology for safety and
driving convenience:
Dynamic Stability Control
(DSC)65
Dynamic Performance
Control66
Flat Tire Monitor67
Contents
20n
Indicator and warning lamps
Technology that monitors itself
Indicator and warning lamps identified
by "
l
" are tested for proper operation
whenever the ignition key is turned.
They each light up once for different
periods of time.
The indicator lamps signal defects in
monitored systems by either remaining
lit after the engine is started or by
coming on in the course of normal
vehicle operation. Refer to the following
section for detailed information on how
to respond to the various types of warn-
ings.
Red: stop immediately
Battery charge current
The battery is no longer being
charged. Indicates a defect in
the alternator drive belt or the charging
circuit. Please contact the nearest
BMW center.
Never attempt to continue driving
if the drive belt is defective: the
engine could overheat and sustain
serious damage. A broken or damaged
drive belt will also lead to a sudden
increase in steering effort.
<
Engine oil pressure
l
Stop vehicle immediately and
switch off engine. Check the
engine oil level and top up as required.
If the oil level is correct, please contact
the nearest BMW center.
Do not continue driving. The
engine could sustain damage
owing to inadequate lubrication.
<
Flat Tire Monitor
l
Flashing warning lamp in addi-
tion to an acoustic signal: a flat
tire has occurred. Carefully reduce
speed to less than 50 mph (80 km/h),
and avoid hard braking or steering
maneuvers.
For additional information, refer to
page 67.
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 92 and 114.
Brake warning lamp for Cana-
dian models.
28n
Locks and security systems:
Keys30
Electronic vehicle
immobilizer31
Central locking system32
Opening and closing Ð from the
outside32
Using the key32
Using the remote control33
Opening and closing Ð from the
inside36
Luggage compartment lid37
Alarm system38
Electric power windows40
The automatic convertible
top41
Adjustments:
Seats45
Steering wheel47
47
Vehicle Memory, Key
Memory49
Passenger safety systems:
Safety belts50
Airbags51
Transporting children safely53
Controls
30n
Keys1 The Key Memory functions are stored
in the remote-control key, refer to
page 49
You can mark individual keys for
subsequent identification by apply-
ingh the colored decals that you
received when accepting delivery of
your vehicle
There is an extended-life battery
in every master key that is
charged automatically in the steering
lock every time you drive.
For this reason, if you have a master
key that is not in regular use, use that
key approximately once every year
while driving for an extended period to
charge the battery. Also refer to
page 33.< 520de142
2 Spare key for storage in a safe place,
such as in your wallet. This master
key is not intended for continuous
use
3 Door and ignition key
The lock for the glove compartment
cannot be operated with this key.
This is recommended for valet
parking, etc.
There is a key case available for using
your master key on a regular basis.
Replacement keysReplacement keys are available exclu-
sively through your BMW center. Your
BMW center is obligated to ensure that
a person requesting a key is authorized
to do so, since the keys are an integral
element of the security system (refer to
"Electronic vehicle immobilizer" in the
following columns).
If possible, take all of the master
keys that belong to the vehicle
with you when you pick up your
replacement key.
Whenever you receive a new replace-
ment key, turn it once to position 2 in
the ignition lock (ignition switched on)
and then back, so that the electronic
vehicle immobilizer can initialize the
new key.<
31n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Electronic vehicle immobilizer The key to securityThe electronic vehicle immobilizer
reduces your BMW's susceptibility to
theft by rendering it impossible to start
the engine using any means other than
the car's own individual keys. The
system operates automatically, with no
action or intervention on your part. Your
BMW center can cancel the system
authorization for individual keys (for
instance, if a key is lost). A deactivated
key can no longer be used to start the
engine.520de146
Advanced electronics in actionAt the heart of this system is an elec-
tronic chip that is integrated into the
key. The lock mechanism itself is actu-
ally a dual-function device, simulta-
neously serving as a communications
interface designed to allow the security
system to maintain a continuous stream
of variable, vehicle-specific signals with
the electronic circuitry in the key. The
system will release the ignition, elec-
trical steering lock, fuel injection and
starter for use only if it detects an
"authorized" key.
Exposure to external force can
damage the key's integrated elec-
tronic circuitry and render it inoperative.
A damaged key can no longer be used
to start the engine or release the
steering lock.<
32n
Central locking system Opening and closing Ð from the outside The conceptThe central locking system is ready for
operation whenever the driver's door is
closed. The system engages and
releases the locks on the
>doors
>luggage compartment lid
>fuel filler door
>glove compartment
>cellular phone holder.
The central locking system can be
operated
>from the outside via the driver's door
lock or by using the remote control
>from the inside by pressing a button.
If you initiate central locking from
inside, neither the fuel filler door, the
glove compartment, nor the cellular
phone holder are locked (refer to
page 36).
If you do set it from outside, the anti-
theft alarm is automatically activated as
well. This prevents the door handles
from unlocking the doors. The alarm
system is also activated or deactivated.
The central locking system unlocks
automatically in the event of an acci-
dent. In addition, the hazard warning
flashers and interior lamps come on.
Using the keySwing the door lock mechanism's cover
upward. Return it to its original position
and allow the detent to engage when
you have finished locking or unlocking
the doors.
Turn the key in the driver's door once to
unlock the driver's door only; turning
the key a second time will unlock the
passenger door, the luggage compart-
ment lid, the fuel filler door, the glove
compartment, and the cellular phone
holder.
If necessary, you can open the fuel filler
door by pressing the button inside the
vehicle; refer to page 25.520de100
You can have various signals set
as an acknowledgment message
when locking.<
Convenience operationYou can also operate the windows via
the door lock.
>To open: with the door closed, turn
the key to the "Unlock" position and
hold it
>To close: with the door closed, turn
the key to the "Lock" position and
hold it.
As the windows are closing you
should always monitor their path
and progress to ensure that no injuries
occur. Release the key to stop the
windows.
to unlock/lock the driver's door.
Refer to page 143 for operating the
passenger door.
33n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Opening and closing Ð from the outsideUsing the remote control Remote control offers you optimal
convenience in using your vehicle's
locking system while also providing
three exclusive supplementary features:
>Interior lamp activation, refer to
page 34.
With this function, you can also
"search for" your vehicle Ð if, for
example, it is parked in an under-
ground garage.
>Opening the luggage compartment
lid, refer to page 35
>Panic mode, refer to page 35.
In case of danger, you can trigger an
alarm.
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 turned on/off.
Master keysKeys with remote control are master
keys. Refer to page 30.
You can have different confirma-
tion signals programmed into the
system to verify that the vehicle has
been locked correctly.<
Because passengers or animals
remaining in the vehicle could lock
the doors from the inside, you should
always remove the key and take it with
you to ensure that you remain able to
unlock the vehicle from the outside at
all times.<520de010
Master keys that are used repeat-
edly are always ready for opera-
tion since the battery in the key is
charged automatically in the steering
lock every time 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 charge the battery. Refer also
to page 30.
To prevent unauthorized use of the
remote control, surrender only the door
and ignition key 3 or the spare key 2
(refer to page 30) when leaving the
vehicle for valet parking, for example.
In the event of a system malfunction,
please contact your BMW center. You
can also obtain replacement keys
there.<