
 
Contents
 
Operation, maintenance
 
Special operating instructions:
 
Break-in procedures122
Driving notes123
Antilock Brake System 
(ABS)123
Brake system124
Hardtop*125
 
Wheels and tires:
 
Tire inflation pressure127
Tire condition127
Tire replacement128
Wheel and tire 
combinations130
Winter tires130
 
In the engine compartment:
 
Hood132
Engine compartment 
essentials134
Washer fluid136
Engine oil136
Coolant138
Brake fluid139
 
Maintenance:
 
The BMW Maintenance 
System140
 
Laws and regulations:
 
California Proposition 65 
warning141
OBD interface socket141
 
Owner service procedures
 
Replacement procedures:
 
Onboard tool kit146
Windshield wiper blades146
Lamps and bulbs147
Changing a wheel151
Run Flat tires*155
Battery156
Fuses156
 
Giving and receiving 
assistance:
 
Jump-starting157
Towing the vehicle158
 
Technical data
 
Engine data162
Dimensions163
Weights164
Capacities165
 
handbook.book  Page 10  Wednesday, July 31, 2002  9:29 AM 

 
18
 
Indicator and warning lamps
 
Technology that monitors itself
 
Indicator and warning lamps that are 
identified by 
 
●
 
 are tested for proper 
functioning whenever the ignition key is 
turned. They each light up once for dif-
ferent 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. 
You will see how to react in the follow-
ing section.
 
Red: stop immediately
 
Battery charge current
 
●
 
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.
If the drive belt is defective, stop 
and switch off the engine immedi-
ately to prevent overheating and seri-
ous engine damage. If the drive belt is 
defective, increased steering effort is 
also required.
 
<
 
Engine oil pressure
 
●
 
Stop the vehicle immediately 
and switch off the engine. 
Check the engine oil level; top off as 
required. If the oil level is correct: 
please contact the nearest BMW cen-
ter.
Do not continue driving, as the 
engine could sustain serious dam-
age from inadequate lubrication.
 
<
 
Tire Pressure Monitor (TPM)/Flat 
Tire Monitor
 
●
 
In addition, an acoustic signal is 
sounded: a tire failure has occurred. 
Reduce vehicle speed immediately and 
stop the vehicle. Avoid hard brake 
applications. As you steer the vehicle, 
use caution to avoid overcorrecting.
For additional information: refer to 
pages 92, 93
Brake warning lamp
 
●
 
If the lamp comes on when the 
parking brake is not engaged: 
check the brake fluid level. Before driv-
ing further, be sure to comply with the 
instructions on pages 124 and 139.
Parking brake warning lamp for 
Canadian models.
 
Red: an important reminder
 
Brake warning lamp
Comes on when the parking 
brake is engaged – an additional 
acoustic signal sounds when you start 
off.
For additional information: refer to 
page 72
Parking brake warning lamp for 
Canadian models.
Lock backrest/Fasten safety 
belts 
 
●
 
Comes on together with an 
acoustic signal until the safety belts are 
fastened. Flashes if the backrest is not 
locked. 
For additional information on safety 
belts: refer to page 56
Airbags
 
●
 
Please have the system 
inspected at your BMW center.
For additional information: refer to 
page 61
 
handbook.book  Page 18  Wednesday, July 31, 2002  9:29 AM 

 
19
 
Red and yellow: continue driving 
cautiously
 
The brake warning lamp comes 
on together with the yellow indi-
cator lamps for ABS
 
●
 
 and 
ASC+T/DSC:
The entire ABS, CBC, 
ASC+T/DSC and ADB control 
system has failed. Continue 
driving cautiously and defen-
sively. Avoid full brake applications. 
Please have the system checked by 
your BMW center as soon as possible.
Additional information beginning on 
page 88
CBC, ABS, ASC+T/DSC and 
ADB/DBC indicator and warning 
lamps for Canadian models.
 
Orange: consult the nearest BMW 
center
 
Automatic transmission
The automatic transmission has 
responded to a malfunction by 
reverting to operation in its emergency 
default program. Please consult the 
nearest BMW center.
For additional information: refer to 
page 74
 
Yellow: check as soon as possible 
 
Engine oil level
If the lamp comes on during 
normal vehicle operation: the 
engine oil level has fallen to the abso-
lute minimum; refill as soon as possible. 
Do not drive more than approx. 
30 miles/50 km before refilling.
For additional information: refer to 
page 136
Engine oil level
Comes on after the engine has 
been switched off: add engine 
oil at the earliest opportunity, such as 
the next time you stop to refuel.
For additional information: refer to 
page 136
 
Brake pads
 
●
 
Have the brake pads checked.
For additional information: refer 
to page 124
Tire Pressure Monitor (TPM)/Flat 
Tire Monitor
 
●
 
Check tire inflation pressures. 
Refer to pages 25, 92, 93
Automatic Stability Control plus 
Traction (ASC+T)/Dynamic Sta-
bility Control (DSC)
 
●
 
Indicator lamp flashes:
The system is actively regulating drive 
torque and braking force.
The indicator lamp stays lit:
The ASC+T has been switched off via 
the button, ADB is operational; or DSC 
has been switched off using the button, 
DTC is operational.
Please contact a BMW center in case of 
a malfunction.
Additional information beginning on 
page 88
 
Indicator and warning lamps
 
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
 
handbook.book  Page 19  Wednesday, July 31, 2002  9:29 AM 

Everything from A to ZA
ABS Antilock Brake 
System 123
indicator lamp 19
Accessories 5
Activated-charcoal filter 108
ADB Automatic Differential 
Braking 88
Adding brake fluid 134, 139
Air conditioning 
100, 102, 106
Air distribution 102
automatic 106
individual 106
Air nozzles 100, 104
Air outlets 100, 104
Air pressure 127
check 25
Air supply 102, 106
Air supply/Blower
recirculated-air mode 107
Airbags 61
warning lamp 18
Alarm system 38
avoiding false alarm 39
indicator lamp 39
interior protection 38
tilt alarm sensor 38
Antifreeze 138
Antilock Brake System 
(ABS) 123
indicator lamp 19Anti-theft system 30, 38
Armrest 112
ASC+T Automatic Stability 
Control plus Traction 88
indicator lamp 19
Ashtray
front 113
rear 114
AUC Automatic recircu-
lated-air control 107
Automatic car wash, refer to 
the Caring for your vehicle 
brochure
Automatic climate 
control 104
Automatic cruise control 79
Automatic curb monitor 58
Automatic Differential Brak-
ing (ADB) 88
Automatic dimming, interior 
rearview mirror 60
Automatic headlamp 
control 96
Automatic recirculated-air 
control (AUC) 107
Automatic Stability Control 
plus Traction (ASC+T) 88
indicator lamp 19
Automatic transmission with 
Steptronic 74
indicator lamps 19Auxiliary terminal for jump-
starting 134, 157
Average fuel 
consumption 86
Average speed 86
Avoiding unintentional 
alarms 39
Axle loads 164
B
Backrest
unlock 55
Backup lamps 73
replacing bulb 149
Battery 156
charge 156
charge current 18
charge indicator lamp 18
Belts 56
Beverage holder 113
Blower 100, 102, 106
BMW High Performance 
Synthetic Oils 137
BMW Maintenance 
System 140
BMW Universal 
Transmitter 110
Bore 162
Bottle holder, see Beverage 
holder 113
Brake
warning lamp 18Brake fluid level 124
warning lamp 18, 139
Brake hydraulics
warning lamp 18
Brake lamps
replacing bulb 149
Brake pads 124
indicator lamp 19
Brakes
driving notes 123
malfunctions 124
parking brake 72
Break-in procedures 122
Bulb, replacing 147
C
California Proposition
65 warning 141
Can holder, see Beverage 
holder 113
Capacities 165
Car care, refer to Caring for 
your vehicle brochure
Car radio
refer to the Owner's Man-
ual for Radio
Car telephone
refer to the separate 
Owner's Manual
Car vacuum cleaner, con-
necting 114
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Everything from A to ZElectrical accessories, fail-
ure 156
Electrical malfunction
convertible top 48
doors 33
fuel filler door 24
Emergency operation
closing the convertible 
top 48
doors 33
fuel filler door 24
Emergency release
luggage compartment 
lid 36
Emissions, minimum, refer 
to Energy control 81
Energy control 81
Engine
displacement 162
power output 162
starting 70
switching off 72
torque 162
Engine compartment 134
Engine coolant 165
adding 138
temperature gauge 82
Engine data 162
Engine electronics
warning lamp 19Engine oil
adding 134, 136
capacity 165
consumption 136
quality 137
viscosity 137
Engine oil level
check 134
indicator lamp 19
warning lamp 18
Engine oil pressure
warning lamp 18
Engine oil types 137
Engine speed 162
Entering the rear
rear entry aid 55
Environmentally-friendly 
driving, refer to Energy 
control 81
Exterior mirrors 59
Eyelet, towing 158
F
False alarm, avoiding 39
Fault displays 83
First-aid kit 23
Flashlight 109
Flat tire 127, 151
Flat Tire Monitor 93
indicator lamp 18, 19
Fog lamps 98
Follow me home lamps 96Footbrake 124
see Driving notes 123
Front fog lamps 98
indicator lamp 20
Front seat adjustment 52
Frost protection
radiator 138
Fuel 25
Fuel consumption 86
display 82
Fuel economy, refer to 
Energy control 81
Fuel filler door 24
release following an elec-
trical malfunction 24
Fuel gauge 82
Fuel specifications 25
Fuel tank
capacity 165
display 82
gauge 82
Fuel-injection system 162
Fully automatic convertible 
top 46
activation 46
opening, closing 47
Fuses 156
replacing 156
G
Garage-door opener 110Gasoline 25
gauge 82
Glove compartment 109
Grills 100, 104
Gross vehicle weight 164
H
Hands-free system 113
Hardtop 125
Hazard warning flashers 14
Hazard warning triangle 23
Head restraints 54
Headlamp flasher 97
Headlamp washer 
reservoir 134
Headlamp washer system 
136, 165
Headlamps 96
automatic control 96
Heated mirrors 59
Heated seats 58
Heavy loads 116
High beams 77, 97
indicator lamp 21
replacing bulb 147
Holder for beverages 113
Hood release 132
Horn 14
Hydraulic Brake assistant, 
see DBC
Hydroplaning 123, 127
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Everything from A to Z
171
I
Ice warning 85
Ignition key 30
positions 70
Ignition lock 70
Imprint 4
Indicator lamps 18
Individual settings
Vehicle Memory, Key 
Memory 69
Inflation pressure 25, 127
monitoring 92
INSPECTION 83
Instrument cluster 16
Instrument lighting 97
Instrument panel 14, 16
Interface socket for onboard 
diagnostics (OBD) 141
Interior lamps 32, 98
remote control 32
Interior motion sensor 38
remote control 32
switching off 32, 39
Interior rearview mirror 60
automatic dimming 
feature 60
Interior temperature, adjust-
ment 106
Interlock 70
Intermittent mode 78J
Jack 151
Jump-starting 157
K
Key Memory 69
Keys 30
L
Labels, tires 130
Lamps
daytime driving lamps 96
fog lamps 98
interior lamps 98
panel lighting 97
parking lamps 96
reading lamps 98
replacing 147
standing lamps 97
Lashing fittings 117
LATCH child-restraint 
mounting system 66
Length 163
License plate lamp
replacing bulb 151
Light switch 96
Lighter 113
Lighting, see Lamps
LIGHTS ON warning 96
Load-securing devices 116
Lock, steering wheel 70Low beams 96
replacing bulb 147
Lug wrench 151
Luggage compartment 35
capacity 164
enlarge volume 37
floor panel 37
folding down convertible 
top compartment panel 37
opening from the inside 35
Luggage compartment lid 35
emergency release 36
manual operation 35
remote control 32
securing separately 35
Luggage compartment light-
ing 35
Luggage rack 118
Lumbar support 53
M
M+S tires 130
Maintenance 83, 140
Malfunction displays 83
Manual convertible top 41
closing 44
opening 42
operation 41
Manual operation of con-
vertible top during electri-
cal fault 48
Manual transmission 73Master keys 30
MC operation, refer to the 
Owner's Manual for Radio
MD operation, refer to the 
Owner's Manual for Radio
Memory 57, 69
Vehicle Memory, Key 
Memory 69
Microfilter 103, 108
Microphone 113
Mirror
exterior 59
interior 60
Mirror defrosting 59
Mirror memory 57
Mirrors 59
Modifications, technical 5
Multifunction switch 77
N
Navigation System, refer to 
the separate Owner's 
Manual
Neckrest 54
O
OBD interface socket 141
Odometer 81
Oil
capacity 165
quality 137
viscosity 137
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
handbook.book  Page 171  Wednesday, July 31, 2002  9:29 AM 

Everything from A to ZOil additives 137
Oil change intervals, refer to 
the Service and Warranty 
Information Booklet for US 
models/Warranty and Ser-
vice Guide Booklet for 
Canadian models
Oil consumption 136
Oil dipstick 136
Oil filter change 165
Oil level
checking 136
indicator lamp 19
warning lamp 18
Oil pressure
warning lamp 18
OIL SERVICE 83
Oil types 137
Onboard computer, refer to 
the Owner's Manual for 
Onboard Computer
Onboard tool kit 146
Opening and closing
from the inside 34
via the door lock 33
via the remote control 31
Operating elements 14
Outlets, ventilation 104
Outside temperature dis-
play 85P
Panic mode, trigger alarm 
32
Park Distance Control 
(PDC) 87
Parking aid 87
Parking brake 72
Parking lamps 96
replacing bulb 148
PDC Park Distance 
Control 87
Pocket flashlight 109
Pollen 103, 108
Power output 162
Power seat 53
Pressure, tires 25, 92, 127
monitoring 92
R
Radiator 165
Radio, refer to the Owner's 
Manual for Radio
Rain sensor 78
Range 86
Reading lamps
front 98
rear 98
Rear lamps 149
Rear window defroster 
102, 107
Rearview mirror 59Recirculated-air mode 
102, 107
Refueling 24
Remote control 31
Remote control keys 30
Replacement key 30, 31
Reporting safety defects 6
Reserve indicator lamp 82
Restraint system 63
Reverse 73
Rims 130
Rollover protection 
system 67
indicator lamp 19
lowering 67
Roof load capacity 164
Roof-mounted luggage rack 
118, 125
Run Flat tires 129, 155
S
Safe seating position 52
Safety belts 56
seat-integrated safety belt 
system (SGS) 55
Seat
rear entry aid 55
Seat adjustment 52
lumbar support 53
thigh support 53
Seat heating 58
Seat memory 57Securing cargo 116
Securing child-restraint sys-
tem 65
Securing devices 117
Selector lever, automatic 
transmission 74
Service and Warranty Infor-
mation Booklet 140
Service Engine Soon
warning lamp 19
Service interval display 
83, 140
Setting
clock 84
Shiftlock 74
Side airbags 61
Side turn signal indicators
replacing bulb 149
Size 163
Ski bag 115
Snow chains 131
Socket 114
Spare key 30
Spare tire 151
Speedometer 16
Standing lamps 97
Starting problems 70
Starting the engine 70
Steering wheel lock 70
Steering wheel with multi-
function buttons 22
Steering wheel, adjusting 59
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Everything from A to Z
173
Steptronic 74
Storage compartments 112
Stroke 162
Summer tires 130
Switching off the engine 72
Symbols 4
Synthetic oils 137
T
Tachometer 16, 81
Tail lamp assembly
replacing bulb 149
Tail lamps 149
replacing bulb 149
Tank capacity 165
Technical data 162
Technical modifications 5
Telephone hookup 113
Telephone, refer to the sep-
arate Owner's Manual
Temperature adjustment 
102, 106
Temperature display
engine coolant 82
interior temperature 106
outside temperature 85
Temperature layering 
103, 107
Thigh support area, adjust-
ing 53
Third brake lamp 150Tilt alarm sensor
remote control 32
switching off 32, 39
Time 84
Tire damage 127
Tire inflation pressure 
25, 127
pressure specifications 25
Tire Pressure Monitor 
(TPM) 92
indicator lamp 19
warning lamp 18
Tire replacement 128
Tire tread 127
Tires
labels 130
Tools 146
Torque 162
Towing eyelet 158
Towing the vehicle 158
TPM Tire Pressure 
Monitor 92
indicator lamp 19
Track 163
Transmission 73
Transporting children 
safely 63
Tread depth, tires 127
Tread wear indicator 127
Trip odometer 81
Trunk, see Luggage com-
partment 35, 164Trunk lid, see Luggage com-
partment lid 35
Turn signal indicator 77
indicator lamp 20
replacing bulb 148
Turning circle 163
U
Uniform Tire Quality 
Grading 129
Universal Transmitter 110
Used batteries 156
V
Vacuum cleaner, connect-
ing 114
Vehicle
break-in procedures 122
starting 70
switching off 72
Vehicle battery 156
Vehicle Memory 69
Vehicle weight 164
Ventilation 100, 104
draft-free 103, 107
W
Warning lamp "Fasten safety 
belts" 18
Warning lamps 18
Warning messages 83Warranty and Service 
Guide 140
Warranty, refer also to sepa-
rate booklet 6
Washer fluid
adding 136, 165
indicator lamp 19
Washer reservoir
filling 165
Washer/wiper system 78
Water on roadways
deep water 123
Wear indicator for tires 127
Weights 164
Wheel slip control, see 
DSC 90
Wheel, changing 151
Wheelbase 163
Wheels and tires 130
Width 163
Wind deflector 50
Window condensation
removing 103, 106
Windows
convenience operation 33
defrosting 103, 106
Windshield washer reservoir
filling 136, 165
Windshield wipers 78
Winter tires 130
Wiper blades, replacing 146
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
handbook.book  Page 173  Wednesday, July 31, 2002  9:29 AM