
 
Contents
 
Notes
 
About this Owner's Manual4
Symbols used4
Your individual vehicle4
Status at time of printing5
For your own safety5
Symbol on vehicle parts6
Service and warranty6
Reporting safety defects6
 
Overview
 
Cockpit14
Instrument cluster16
Indicator and warning lamps18
Steering wheel with multifunction 
buttons*22
Hazard warning triangle*23
First-aid kit*23
Refueling24
Fuel specifications25
Tire inflation pressure25
 
Controls and features
 
Opening and closing:
 
Keys30
Central locking system30
Opening and closing – via the 
remote control31
Opening and closing – via the 
door lock33
Opening and closing – from the 
inside34
Luggage compartment lid35
Luggage compartment37
Alarm system*38
Electric power windows40
Manual convertible top41
Fully-automatic convertible 
top*46
Wind deflector*50
 
To adjust:
 
Safe seating position52
Seats52
Adjusting electric power 
seats53
Lumbar support*53
Head restraints54
Entering the rear55
Safety belts56
Seat and mirror memory*57
Seat heating*58
Steering wheel59
Mirrors59
 
handbook.book  Page 8  Wednesday, July 31, 2002  9:29 AM 

 
Contents
 
9
 
Passenger safety systems:
 
Airbags61
Transporting children safely63
Rollover protection system67
Vehicle Memory, Key 
Memory69
 
Driving:
 
Ignition lock70
Starting the engine70
Switching off the engine72
Parking brake72
Manual transmission73
Automatic transmission with 
Steptronic*74
Turn signal indicator/Headlamp 
flasher77
Washer/wiper system/Rain 
sensor*78
Cruise control*79
 
Everything under control:
 
Odometer81
Tachometer81
Energy control81
Fuel gauge82
Engine coolant temperature 
gauge82
Service interval display83
Check Control83
Clock84
Computer85
 
Technology for safety and 
driving convenience:
 
Park Distance Control (PDC)*87
Automatic Stability Control plus 
Traction (ASC+T)*88
Dynamic Stability Control 
(DSC)*90
Tire Pressure Monitor (TPM)*92
Flat Tire Monitor*93
 
Lamps:
 
Parking lamps/Low beams96
Instrument lighting97
High beams/Standing lamps97
Fog lamps*98
Interior lamps98
 
Controlling the climate for 
pleasant driving:
 
Air conditioning100
Automatic climate control*104
 
Interior conveniences:
 
Glove compartment109
BMW Universal Transmitter*110
Storage compartments112
Cellular phone*113
Ashtray, front*113
Ashtray, rear*114
 
Loading and transporting:
 
Ski bag*115
Cargo loading116
Roof-mounted luggage rack for 
the hardtop*118
 
Controls and features
 
handbook.book  Page 9  Wednesday, July 31, 2002  9:29 AM 

 
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 

25
Close the fuel filler cap carefully 
after refueling until a click is 
heard. While closing, be sure not to 
squeeze the strap which is fastened to 
the cap. A loose or missing cap will 
activate the CHECK FILLER CAP 
lamp.<
Fuel tank capacity>Approx. 16.6 gal./63 liters, of which
>approx. 2.1 gal./8 liters are reserve 
capacity.
Do not drive to the last drop of 
fuel. This can prevent the engine 
from operating properly and result in 
damage.<
Fuel specificationsThe 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.<
Tire inflation pressureThe specified inflation pressures are 
provided on a sticker attached to the 
B-pillar and are visible with the driver's 
door open.Checking tire pressuresAll pressures are specified in the stan-
dard units of pressure, psi and kilopas-
cal, and apply to cold tires, that is tires 
at ambient temperature. Refer to tire 
pressure table at the end of this chap-
ter.
Vehicles with Tire Pressure Monitor 
(TPM)/Flat Tire Monitor:
After correcting the inflation pressures, 
reinitialize the system, refer to 
pages 92, 93.
Refueling
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
handbook.book  Page 25  Wednesday, July 31, 2002  9:29 AM 

26
Another instruction plate regarding 
inflation pressures on the door pillar 
indicates which system your vehicle is 
equipped with.
Check the tire pressures on a reg-
ular basis – at least twice a month 
– and before every extended journey. 
Otherwise, incorrect tire pressure can 
lead to poor handling, to tire damage 
and accidents.
Remember to check the inflation pres-
sure in the space-saver or standard 
spare tire.
Inflate the spare tire to the highest infla-
tion pressure specified for your vehi-
cle.
apply to BMW approved tire sizes and 
tire manufacturers. Your BMW center 
can provide you with more information 
about these. Higher pressures may be 
required for tires made by other manu-
facturers.
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.Tire inflation pressure
handbook.book  Page 26  Wednesday, July 31, 2002  9:29 AM 

27
BMW Tires
All pressure specifications in the table are indicated 
in psi/kilopascal with cold tires –
cold = ambient temperature
325Ci 205/55 R 16 91 H M+S
205/55 R 16 91 H
225/50 R 16 92 W
225/45 R 17 91 W29/200 33/230 36/250 44/300
225/45 ZR 17
245/40 ZR 1729/200
––
33/23036/250
––
44/300
205/50 R 17 93 V M+S extra load
205/50 R 17 93 W extra load
205/55 R 16 91 Q M+S
225/50 R 16 92 Q M+S
205/50 R 17 93 Q M+S extra load
225/45 R 17 91 Q M+S32/220 36/250 39/270 46/320
330Ci 225/45 R 17 91 W 29/200 33/230 36/250 44/300
225/45 ZR 17
245/40 ZR 17
225/40 R 18
255/35 R 1829/200
–
32/220
-–
33/230
-
36/25036/250
–
39/270
-–
44/300
-
46/320
205/50 R 17 93 V M+S extra load
205/50 R 17 93 W extra load
205/50 R 17 93 Q M+S extra load
225/45 R 17 91 Q M+S32/220 36/250 39/270 46/320
All Space-saver spare tire 61/420Tire inflation pressure
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
handbook.book  Page 27  Wednesday, July 31, 2002  9:29 AM