
 
Congratulations, and thank you for choosing a BMW.
Thorough familiarity with your vehicle will provide you with enhanced control and 
security when you drive it. Therefore, we have one request:
Please take the time to read this Owner's Manual and familiarize yourself with the 
information that we have compiled for you before starting off in your new BMW. The 
manual contains important data and instructions intended to assist you in obtaining 
maximum satisfaction from your BMW's unique array of advanced technical fea-
tures. It also contains information on vehicle maintenance designed to enhance 
operating safety while simultaneously helping you to maintain your BMW's value 
throughout an extended service life. For additional information refer to the supple-
mental manuals.
This Owner's Manual should be considered a permanent part of this vehicle. It 
should stay with the vehicle when sold to provide the next owner with important 
operating, safety and maintenance information.
We wish you an enjoyable driving experience.
BMW AG
 
handbook.book  Page 3  Tuesday, July 30, 2002  12:16 PM 

 
6
 
Notes
 
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 a CB, walkie-
talkie, ham radio or similar, may cause 
extensive damage to the vehicle, com-
promise its safety, interfere with the 
vehicle's electrical system or affect the 
validity of the BMW Limited Warranty. 
Contact your BMW center for additional 
information.
Do not use key or remote control to 
lock doors or luggage compartment 
with anyone inside the vehicle. Refer to 
the Owner's Manual for more details.
 
<
 
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.
 
Service and warranty
 
This manual is supplemented by a Ser-
vice and Warranty Information Booklet 
for US models or a Warranty and Ser-
vice Guide Booklet for Canadian mod-
els.
We recommend that you read this pub-
lication thoroughly.
Your BMW is covered by the following 
warranties:
 
>
 
New Vehicle Limited Warranty
 
>
 
Rust Perforation Limited Warranty
 
>
 
Federal Emissions System Defect 
Warranty
 
>
 
Federal Emissions Performance War-
ranty
 
>
 
California Emission Control System 
Limited Warranty.
Detailed information about these war-
ranties is listed in the Service and War-
ranty Information Booklet for US mod-
els or in the Warranty and Service 
Guide Booklet for Canadian models.
 
Reporting safety defects
 
The following only applies to vehicles 
owned and operated in the US.
If you believe that your vehicle has a 
defect which could cause a crash or 
could cause injury or death, you should 
immediately inform the National High-
way Traffic Safety Administration 
NHTSA in addition to notifying BMW of 
North America, LLC, P.O. Box 1227, 
Westwood, New Jersey 07675-1227, 
Telephone toll-free 1-800-831-1117.
If NHTSA receives similar complaints, it 
may open an investigation, and if it 
finds that a safety defect exists in a 
group of vehicles, it may order a recall 
and remedy campaign. However, 
NHTSA cannot become involved in indi-
vidual problems between you, your 
dealer, or BMW of North America, LLC.
To contact NHTSA, you may either call 
the Auto Safety Hotline toll-free at 
1-800-424-9393 or 366-0123 in the 
Washington, D.C. area, or write to: 
NHTSA, U.S. Department of Transpor-
tation, Washington, D.C. 20590. You 
can also obtain other information about 
motor vehicle safety from the Hotline. 
 
handbook.book  Page 6  Tuesday, July 30, 2002  12:16 PM 

 
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*21
Hazard warning triangle*22
First-aid kit*22
Refueling23
Fuel specifications24
Tire inflation pressure24
 
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
Sliding/tilt sunroof*41
 
Adjustments:
 
Safe seating position43
Seats43
Manual seat adjustment44
Power seat adjustment*45
Lumbar support*45
Head restraints46
Entering the rear46
Safety belts47
Seat and mirror memory*48
Seat heating*49
Steering wheel50
Mirrors50
 
handbook.book  Page 8  Tuesday, July 30, 2002  12:16 PM 

 
Contents
 
9
 
Passenger safety systems:
 
Airbags52
Transporting children safely54
Vehicle Memory, Key 
Memory58
 
Driving:
 
Ignition lock59
Starting the engine59
Switching off the engine61
Parking brake61
Manual transmission62
Automatic transmission with 
Steptronic*63
Turn signal indicator/Headlamp 
flasher66
Washer/wiper system/Rain 
sensor*67
Cruise control*68
 
Everything under control:
 
Odometer70
Tachometer70
Energy control70
Fuel gauge71
Engine coolant temperature 
gauge71
Service interval display72
Check Control72
Clock73
Computer74
 
Technology for safety and 
driving convenience:
 
Park Distance Control (PDC)*76
Automatic Stability Control plus 
Traction (ASC+T)*77
Dynamic Stability Control 
(DSC)*79
Tire Pressure Monitor (TPM)*81
Flat Tire Monitor*82
 
Lamps:
 
Parking lamps/Low beams85
Instrument lighting86
High beams/Standing lamps86
Fog lamps*87
Interior lamps87
 
Controlling the climate for 
pleasant driving:
 
Air conditioning88
Automatic climate control*92
Roller sun blind*96
 
Interior conveniences:
 
Premium sound system*97
Glove compartment97
Storage compartments98
Cellular phone*99
Ashtray, front*100
Ashtray, rear*100
Clothes hooks101
 
Loading and transporting:
 
Through-loading system102
Ski bag*103
Cargo loading104
Roof-mounted luggage 
rack*105
 
Controls and features
 
handbook.book  Page 9  Tuesday, July 30, 2002  12:16 PM 

 
Contents
 
Operation, maintenance
 
Special operating instructions:
 
Break-in procedures108
Driving notes109
Antilock Brake System 
(ABS)109
Brake system110
 
Wheels and tires:
 
Tire inflation pressure111
Tire condition111
Tire replacement112
Wheel and tire 
combinations114
Winter tires114
 
In the engine compartment:
 
Hood116
Engine compartment 
essentials118
Washer fluids120
Engine oil120
Coolant122
Brake fluid123
 
Maintenance:
 
The BMW Maintenance 
System124
 
Laws and regulations:
 
California Proposition 65 
warning126
OBD interface socket126
 
Owner service procedures
 
Replacement procedures:
 
Onboard tool kit130
Windshield wiper blades130
Lamps and bulbs131
Changing a wheel135
Run Flat tires*139
Battery140
Fuses140
 
Giving and receiving 
assistance:
 
Jump-starting141
Towing the vehicle142
 
Technical data
 
Engine data146
Dimensions147
Weights148
Capacities149
 
handbook.book  Page 10  Tuesday, July 30, 2002  12:16 PM 

 
13
 
Overview
Controls and features
Operation, maintenance
Owner service procedures
Technical data
Index
 
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
 
handbook.book  Page 13  Tuesday, July 30, 2002  12:16 PM 

 
17
1Fuel gauge71
2Indicator lamp for turn signals20
3Speedometer
4Indicator and warning lamps18
to20
5Tachometer and Energy Control70
6Engine coolant temperature 
gauge71
7Indicator and warning lamps18
 to20
8Control button for the clock73
9Selector lever and program display 
for automatic transmission19, 65
10 Display for
 
>
 
Trip odometer/Odometer70
 
>
 
Clock73
 
>
 
Service interval72
 
>
 
Computer74
11 Check Control72
12 Trip odometer, reset to zero70
13 Indicator and warning lamps18
to20
 
Instrument cluster
 
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
 
handbook.book  Page 17  Tuesday, July 30, 2002  12:16 PM 

 
20
DSC and ADB indicator and 
brake warning lamps for Cana-
dian models.
Dynamic Brake Control (DBC)
 
●
 
Malfunction in the DBC system. 
Conventional braking efficiency 
is available and unrestricted.
Have the system repaired at your BMW 
center as soon as possible.
For additional information: refer to 
page 109
Dynamic Brake Control (DBC) 
warning lamp for Canadian 
models.
Add washer fluid
The washer fluid is too low. Top 
off the fluid at the earliest 
opportunity.
For additional information: refer to 
page 120
CHECK FILLER CAP
 
●
 
This indicator lamp comes on 
when the fuel filler cap is loose 
or missing.
Close the filler cap tightly: refer to 
page 23
 
SERVICE ENGINE SOON
 
●
 
If the indicator lamp comes on 
either continuously or intermit-
tently, this indicates a fault in the emis-
sions-related electronic systems. 
Although the vehicle remains opera-
tional, you should have the systems 
checked by your BMW center at the 
earliest possible opportunity.
For additional information: refer to 
page 126
Service Engine Soon warning 
lamp for Canadian models.
Engine electronics
 
●
 
There is a fault in the electronic 
engine-management system. 
You can continue to drive with reduced 
engine output or engine speed. Please 
have the system inspected at your 
BMW center.
Add coolant
The coolant level is too low. Add 
coolant at the earliest opportu-
nity.
For additional information: refer to 
page 122
 
Green: for your information
 
Turn signal indicator
Flashes when the turn signal is 
operated.
Rapid flashing indicates a system mal-
function.
For additional information: refer to 
page 66
Cruise control
Lights up when the cruise con-
trol is activated. Ready for oper-
ation via the steering wheel with multi-
function buttons.
For additional information: refer to 
page 68
Front fog lamps
Lights up whenever you switch 
on the front fog lamps.
For additional information: refer to 
page 87
 
Blue: for your information
 
High beams
Comes on when the high beams 
are on or the headlamp flasher 
is actuated.
For additional information: refer to 
pages 66, 86
 
Indicator and warning lamps
 
handbook.book  Page 20  Tuesday, July 30, 2002  12:16 PM