
 
5
 
Notes
 
Status at time of printing
 
BMW pursues a policy of continuous, 
ongoing development that is conceived 
to ensure that our vehicles continue to 
embody the highest quality and safety 
standards combined with advanced, 
state-of-the-art technology. For this 
reason, the features described in this 
Owner's Manual could differ from those 
on your vehicle. Nor can errors and 
omissions be entirely ruled out. You are 
therefore asked to appreciate that no 
claims can be recognized on the basis 
of the data, illustrations or descriptions 
in this Owner's Manual.
 
For your own safety
 
Use unleaded gasoline only. Fuels 
containing up to and including 
10 % ethanol or other oxygenates with 
up to 2.8 % oxygen by weight – that is, 
15 % MTBE or 3 % methanol plus an 
equivalent amount of co-solvent – will 
not void the applicable warranties 
respecting defects in materials or work-
manship. Field experience has indi-
cated significant differences in fuel 
quality – volatility, composition, addi-
tives, etc. – among gasolines offered for 
sale in the United States and Canada. 
The use of poor quality fuels may result 
in driveability, starting and stalling 
problems especially under certain envi-
ronmental conditions, such as high 
ambient temperature and high altitude.
Should you encounter driveability prob-
lems which you suspect could be 
related to the fuel you are using, we 
recommend that you respond by 
switching to a recognized high-quality 
brand.
Failure to comply with these recom-
mendations may result in unscheduled 
maintenance.
Obey pertinent safety rules when you 
are handling gasoline.
 
<
 
Important safety information!
For your own safety, use genuine parts 
and accessories approved by BMW.
When you purchase accessories tested 
and approved by BMW and Original 
BMW Parts, you simultaneously acquire 
the assurance that they have been thor-
oughly tested by BMW to ensure opti-
mum performance when installed on 
your vehicle.
BMW warrants these parts to be free 
from defects in material and workman-
ship.
BMW will not accept any liability for 
damages resulting from installation of 
parts and accessories not approved by 
BMW.
BMW cannot test every product made 
by other manufacturers to verify if it can 
be used on a BMW safely and without 
risk to either the vehicle, its operation, 
or its occupants.
Original BMW Parts, BMW Accessories 
and other products approved by BMW, 
together with professional advice on 
using these items, are available from all 
BMW centers.
Installation and operation of non-BMW 
approved accessories such as alarms, 
radios, amplifiers, radar detectors, 
wheels, suspension components, brake 
 
handbook.book  Page 5  Tuesday, July 30, 2002  9:28 AM 

 
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 
buttons22
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
Convertible top41
Wind deflector*46
 
To adjust:
 
Safe seating position48
Seats49
Power seat adjustment49
Head restraints50
Entering the rear51
Safety belts52
Seat and mirror memory53
Seat heating*54
Steering wheel55
Mirrors55
 
handbook.book  Page 8  Tuesday, July 30, 2002  9:28 AM 

 
Contents
 
9
 
Passenger safety systems:
 
Airbags57
Transporting children safely59
Rollover protection system63
Vehicle Memory, Key 
Memory65
 
Driving:
 
Ignition lock66
Starting engine and driving 
off67
Switching off the engine69
Parking brake69
Manual transmission70
Sequential M gearbox 
SMG II*71
Turn signal indicator/Headlamp 
flasher76
Washer/wiper system/Rain 
sensor*77
Cruise control78
 
Everything under control:
 
Odometer80
Tachometer80
Temperature gauge80
Fuel gauge81
Engine coolant temperature 
gauge81
Service interval display82
Check Control82
Clock83
Computer84
 
Technology for safety and 
driving convenience:
 
Park Distance Control (PDC)*86
Dynamic Stability Control 
(DSC)87
Flat Tire Monitor88
M Engine dynamics control91
 
Lamps:
 
Parking lamps/Low beams92
Instrument lighting93
High beams/Standing lamps93
Fog lamps94
Interior lamps94
Reading lamps94
 
Controlling the climate for 
pleasant driving:
 
Automatic climate control96
 
Interior conveniences:
 
Glove compartment101
Storage compartments101
Cellular phone*102
Ashtray, front*102
Ashtray, rear*103
 
Loading and transporting:
 
Ski bag*104
Cargo loading106
Roof-mounted luggage rack for 
the hardtop*107
 
Operation, maintenance
 
Special operating instructions:
 
Break-in procedures110
Driving notes111
Antilock Brake System 
(ABS)111
Brake system112
Hardtop*113
 
Wheels and tires:
 
Tire inflation pressure115
Tire condition115
Tire replacement116
Wheel and tire 
combinations118
Winter tires118
Snow chains*119
 
In the engine compartment:
 
Hood120
Engine compartment 
essentials122
Washer fluids124
Engine oil124
Coolant126
Brake fluid127
 
Maintenance:
 
The BMW Maintenance 
System128
 
Laws and regulations:
 
California Proposition 65 
warning130
OBD interface socket130
 
Controls and features
 
handbook.book  Page 9  Tuesday, July 30, 2002  9:28 AM 

 
15
1Parking lamps/Low beams92
2
 
>
 
Turn signal indicators76
 
>
 
Standing lamps93
 
>
 
High beams93
 
>
 
Headlamp flasher76
 
>
 
Computer84
3Washer/wiper system/Rain 
sensor77
4Hazard warning flashers
5Rear window defroster99
6Central locking system30
7Horn: the entire surface
8Steering wheel55
9Fog lamps94
 
Cockpit
 
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
 
handbook.book  Page 15  Tuesday, July 30, 2002  9:28 AM 

 
20
button or in response to a system mal-
function. In the event of a malfunction, 
have the system checked by your near-
est BMW center.
For additional information: refer to 
page 87
Dynamic Brake Control (DBC)
 
●
 
Malfunction in DBC system. 
Conventional braking efficiency 
is available and unrestricted.
Have the system checked and repaired 
at your BMW center as soon as possi-
ble.
For additional information: refer to 
page 88
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 124
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 130
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
Coolant level too low, top up as 
soon as possible.
For additional information: refer to 
page 126
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 24
 
Rollover protection system 
 
●
 
The rollover protection system is 
deactivated due to a malfunc-
tion. Please have the system inspected 
immediately at your BMW center.
For additional information: refer to 
page 63
 
Green: for your information
 
Turn signal indicator
Flashes when turn signals are 
on. Rapid flashing: indicates a 
system malfunction.
For additional information: refer to 
page 76
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 78
Front fog lamps
Lights up whenever the fog 
lamps are on.
For additional information: refer to 
page 94
 
Indicator and warning lamps
 
handbook.book  Page 20  Tuesday, July 30, 2002  9:28 AM 

 
22
 
Steering wheel with multifunction buttons
 
These buttons let you operate the fol-
lowing functions quickly and without 
being distracted from traffic conditions: 
 
>
 
Selected radio functions
 
>
 
The cruise control
 
>
 
Several telephone
 
*
 
 functions.
The controls are active only when 
the corresponding systems and 
accessories are switched on.
 
<
 
Press briefly:
Accept incoming call, start dialing, ter-
minate call.
Switch between phone and radio, cas-
sette, CD and MD.
Forward:
 
>Radio
Press briefly: station scan in FM band
Extended pressure: station search
>CD/MD
Press briefly: jump to next track
Extended pressure: search function 
in track
>Cassette
Press briefly: jump to next track or 
stop fast forward
Extended pressure: fast forward
>Phone
Scan personal phone book.
Rewind: same functions as forward.
Volume.
Cruise control: select a stored setting.
Cruise control: store and accelerate + 
or decelerate and store –.
Cruise control: activate/interrupt/deac-
tivate.
handbook.book  Page 22  Tuesday, July 30, 2002  9:28 AM 

38
When opening the convertible top, 
refer to page 41, make sure that 
the luggage compartment is set up for 
this, otherwise you may damage some-
thing.<
Alarm system*The conceptThe vehicle alarm system responds:
>When a door, the hood or the lug-
gage compartment lid are opened
>To movement inside the vehicle – 
interior motion sensor
>Altering the vehicle tilt, e.g. as would 
occur while attempting to steal the 
wheels or tow the vehicle – tilt alarm 
sensor system
>To interruption of battery voltage.
The system responds to unauthorized 
vehicle entry and attempted theft by 
simultaneously activating the following:
>Sounding an acoustic alarm for 
30 seconds
>Activating the hazard warning flash-
ers for approx. five minutes
>Flashing the high beams on and off in 
rhythm with the hazard warning flash-
ers.To arm and disarm the alarm 
systemWhen the vehicle is locked or unlocked 
by using a key or with the remote con-
trol, the alarm system is also simulta-
neously armed or disarmed.You can have a signal set as 
acknowledgment for both arming 
and disarming the alarm.<
You can also open the luggage com-
partment lid when the system is armed 
by pressing the button of the remote 
control, refer to page 32. When it is 
closed, the lid is once again secured.
Luggage compartment
handbook.book  Page 38  Tuesday, July 30, 2002  9:28 AM 

48To adjust
Safe seating positionFor relaxed and fatigue-free driving you 
should select a sitting position that 
reflects your personal requirements. In 
combination with the safety belts and 
airbags, the correct seating position 
plays an important role in enhancing 
occupant safety in the event of an acci-
dent. To ensure that the vehicle's safety 
systems provide you with optimal pro-
tection, we request that you direct your 
careful attention to the following sec-
tion.
For supplementary information on 
transporting children, refer to page 59.Sitting safely with airbags
Always maintain an adequate dis-
tance between yourself and the 
airbags. Always hold the steering wheel 
by the rim to keep any chance of injury 
to hands or arms to an absolute mini-
mum should the airbag be deployed. 
Never allow any objects, individuals or 
animals to obstruct the areas between 
passengers and airbags. Never use the 
front airbag's cover as a storage tray or 
support for objects of any kind. Never 
allow front passengers to rest their feet 
or legs on the airbag cover.<
For airbag locations and additional 
information on airbags, refer to 
page 57.Sitting safely with safety belts
Never allow more than one person 
to wear a single safety belt. Never 
allow infants or small children to ride in 
a passenger's lap. Avoid twisting the 
belt while routing it firmly across the 
pelvis and shoulder, wear it as snugly 
against your body as possible. Do not 
allow the belt to rest against hard or 
fragile objects in your pockets. Do not 
route the belt across your neck, or run it 
across sharp edges. Be sure that the 
belt does not become caught or 
jammed. Avoid wearing bulky clothing 
and pull on the lap belt periodically to 
retension it over your shoulders. In the 
event of a frontal impact, a loose lap 
belt could slide over the hips, leading to 
abdominal injury. In addition, the safety 
belt's restraint effectiveness is reduced 
if the belt is worn loosely. Expectant 
mothers should always wear their 
safety belts, taking care to position the 
lap belt against the lower hips, where it 
will not exert pressure against the 
abdominal area.<
For information on using the safety 
belts, refer to page 52.
handbook.book  Page 48  Tuesday, July 30, 2002  9:28 AM