
90
Flat tire
The red warning lamp in the 
instrument cluster lights up to 
warn of pressure loss and tire 
failure. In addition, an acoustic signal is 
sounded. To come to an immediate 
stop, reduce speed, while avoiding any 
sudden, jerky braking or steering 
maneuvers.
Fix the flat tire using the M Mobility sys-
tem, refer to page 139.
To reset the indicator lamp: the red 
indicator lamp has to be switched off 
manually after putting on a new wheel. 
At this point, hold the Flat Tire Monitor 
button down until the indicator lamp 
goes out. Reinitialize the system after-
ward.
The Flat Tire Monitor cannot pro-
vide you with advance warning of 
sudden and severe tire damage caused 
by external factors.
Another factor which the Flat Tire Moni-
tor does not recognize is the balanced 
and very gradual pressure loss that 
takes place in all tires over an extended 
period of time.<
Check tire inflation pressures on a 
regular basis, correcting them as 
necessary, refer to page 25.
Under certain circumstances, there 
may be false warnings or a delayed 
detection of losses in pressure when 
driving on snow-covered or slippery 
road surfaces.
Performance-oriented driving – slip at 
the drive wheels and high levels of lat-
eral acceleration – can also delay the 
appearance of status reports in the Flat 
Tire Monitor's display panel.<
System malfunctionsAs long as there is still a malfunction, 
the indicator lamp in the instrument 
cluster will stay lit up yellow.
Please contact your BMW center for 
additional information.
Flat Tire Monitor
handbook.book  Page 90  Tuesday, July 30, 2002  9:28 AM 

97
1Air onto the windshield and the side 
windows
2Air for the upper body area99
3Air to the footwell
4Outside air/Automatic recirculated-
air control (AUC)/Recirculated 
air99
5Air supply/Blower98
6Temperature98
7Automatic air distribution and 
supply98
8Individual air distribution98
9Interior temperature sensor – please 
keep clear and unobstructed
10 Display for temperature and air 
supply98
11 To defrost windows and remove 
condensation98
12 Air conditioning98
13 Rear window defroster99Automatic climate control
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
handbook.book  Page 97  Tuesday, July 30, 2002  9:28 AM 

98
Tips for pleasant drivingUse the automatic mode – switch on 
with AUTO button 7. Select the desired 
interior temperature.
Detailed setting options are described 
for you in the following sections.
You can make the settings of your 
vehicle in such a manner that, 
when you unlock the vehicle with the 
remote control of your personal key, 
your own personalized setting for the 
automatic climate control is initiated.
The AUTO program adjusts the 
air distribution and the air sup-
ply for you and in addition adapts the 
temperature to external influences – 
summer, winter – to meet preferences 
you can specify.
Individual air distribution
You can cancel the AUTO pro-
gram by selecting specific dis-
tribution patterns to suit your 
own individual requirements. 
While the AUTO program is then deacti-
vated, the automatic airflow control 
remains in operation. Air flows onto 
the windows  , toward the upper 
body  , and into the footwell  . You 
can reactivate the automatic air supply 
by pressing the AUTO button.Temperature
The interior temperature that 
appears in the display panel is a 
general figure intended for reference 
purposes. We recommend 727/+226 
as a comfortable setting, even if the air 
conditioning is on. When you start the 
vehicle, the system ensures that the 
selected temperature is reached as 
quickly as possible. It then maintains 
this temperature, regardless of the sea-
son.
To select the units of measure 6/7 
of the display, refer to page 84.
Air supply/Blower
By pressing the left or right half 
of the button, you can vary the 
air supply. This deactivates the auto-
matic air supply – the AUTO display dis-
appears from the panel. Nevertheless, 
the automatic air distribution remains 
unchanged. You can reactivate the 
automatic air supply by pressing the 
AUTO button.
When the lowest blower speed is set 
and you press the left half of the button, 
all of the displays are canceled: the 
blower, heating and air conditioner are 
switched off, and the air supply is 
stopped. You can reactivate the system 
by pressing any button for the auto-
matic climate control.To defrost windows and remove 
condensation
This program quickly removes 
ice and condensation from the 
windshield and the side windows.
Air conditioning
The air is cooled and dehumidi-
fied and – depending on the 
temperature setting – rewarmed.
Depending on the weather, the wind-
shield may fog over briefly when the 
engine is started. Air conditioning helps 
prevent the windows from fogging up.
Condensation forms during opera-
tion of the air conditioning system, 
which then exits under the vehicle. 
Traces of condensed water of this kind 
are thus normal.<
Automatic climate control
handbook.book  Page 98  Tuesday, July 30, 2002  9:28 AM 

128Maintenance
The BMW Maintenance SystemThe BMW Maintenance System has 
been designed as a reliable means of 
providing maximum driving and operat-
ing safety – and as cost-effectively for 
you as possible. Please keep in mind 
that regular maintenance is not only 
necessary for the safety of your vehicle, 
but also plays a significant role in main-
taining the resale value of the vehicle.Service interval displayWhile conventional systems rely on dis-
tance traveled alone to determine when 
service is due, the BMW Maintenance 
System has for years taken the actual 
conditions under which the vehicle 
operates into consideration, because 
miles can be traveled in many different 
ways:
For example, 62,000 miles/100,000 km 
short-distance driving are not equal to 
the same 62,000 miles/100,000 km of 
long-distance travel.
The BMW Maintenance System 
includes the Engine Oil Service and 
Inspections I and II.
Have a break-in inspection per-
formed at 1,250 miles/2,000 km 
regardless of the service interval indi-
cated on the display.<
Determining the maintenance intervals 
according to the actual loads on the 
vehicle covers every kind of operating 
situation. Minimal-use drivers – who 
drive significantly fewer than 
6,200 miles/10,000 km annually – 
should have the engine oil changed at 
least every 2 years since oil deterio-
rates over time, regardless of use.
Service and Warranty Information 
Booklet for US models/Warranty 
and Service Guide Booklet for 
Canadian modelsFor additional information on required 
maintenance intervals and procedures, 
please refer to the Service and War-
ranty Information Booklet for US mod-
els, or the Warranty and Service Guide 
Booklet for Canadian models.
As a precaution against corrosion, it is 
advisable to have the body checked for 
damage from rocks or gravel at the 
same time, depending upon operating 
conditions.
Have your BMW center perform 
maintenance and repair.
Be sure that all maintenance work is 
recorded in the Service and Warranty 
Information Booklet for US models, or 
in the Warranty and Service Guide 
Booklet for Canadian models. These 
entries are your verification for the reg-
ular maintenance of your vehicle and 
are required for the performance of 
warranty repairs.<
handbook.book  Page 128  Tuesday, July 30, 2002  9:28 AM 

Everything from A to Z
157
Cleaning position, convert-
ible top 45
Cleaning windshield 78
Clock 83
refer also to the radio or 
onboard computer 
Owner's Manual
Cockpit 14
Code, tires 118
Coin box 102
Compression ratio 150
Computer 84
Condensation, removing 
from windows 98
Configure personal settings
Vehicle Memory, Key 
Memory 65
Consumption
display 81
fuel 85
Convertible top
cleaning position 45
electrical malfunction 44
emergency operation 44
opening and closing 42
Convertible top operation
fully automatic convertible 
top 41
Coolant 122, 126, 153
indicator lamp 19
Cooling system 153
Copyright 4Cornering Brake Control 
(CBC) 111
Cruise control 78
indicator lamp 20
Cup holder, see Beverage 
holder 102
Curb weight 152
Cushion height 151
D
Data
dimensions 151
engine 150
weights 152
Daytime driving lamps 92
DBC Dynamic Brake 
Control 88
warning lamp 19
Defrost position 98
Defrosting rear window 99
Defrosting windows 98
Digital clock 83
Dimensions 151
Dipstick, engine oil 124
Disc brakes 112
Displacement 150
Display lighting 93
Displays 16
Distance warning 86
Door key 30
Door lock buttons 34Doors
emergency operation 33
manual operation 33
remote control 31
unlocking and locking 
31, 33
Drivelogic 74
Driving notes
braking 111
disc brakes 112
general 111
hydroplaning 111
DSC Dynamic Stability Con-
trol 87
indicator lamp 19
Dynamic Brake Control 
(DBC) 88
Dynamic Stability Control 
(DSC) 87
indicator lamp 19
E
Electric malfunction
doors 33
Electric power windows 40
Electrical accessories, fail-
ure 144
Electrical malfunction
convertible top 44
fuel filler door 24Emergency operation
doors 33
fuel filler door 24
Emergency release
luggage compartment 
lid 36
Engine
displacement 150
output 150
starting 67
switching off 69
torque 150
Engine compartment 122
Engine coolant 153
refilling 126
temperature gauge 81
Engine data 150
Engine electronics
warning lamp 19
Engine oil
adding 122, 124
capacity 153
consumption 124
dipstick 124
quality 125
types 125
viscosity 125
Engine oil level
check 122
indicator lamp 19
warning lamp 18
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
handbook.book  Page 157  Tuesday, July 30, 2002  9:28 AM 

Everything from A to ZEngine oil pressure
warning lamp 18
Engine speed 150
Entering the rear 51
Exterior mirrors 55
Eyelet, towing 146
F
False alarm, avoiding 39
Fault displays 82
First-aid kit 23
Flat tire 115
repairing 139
Flat Tire Monitor 88
indicator lamp 18, 19
Fog lamps 94
Fold down convertible top 
compartment panel 37
Follow me home lamps 92
Footbrake 112
Footbrake, refer to Driving 
notes 111
Footwell lamps 94
Front airbags 57
Front fog lamps 94
indicator lamp 20
Front seat adjustment 49
Frost protection, 
radiator 126
Fuel 25
Fuel consumption 85
display 81Fuel filler door 24
release following an elec-
trical malfunction 24
Fuel gauge 81
Fuel specifications 25
Fuel tank capacity 153
Fuel tank display 81
Fuel tank gauge 81
Fuel-injection system 150
Fully automatic convertible 
top 41
operation 41
Fuses 144
replacing 144
G
Gasoline 25
Gasoline gauge 81
Gearbox, sequential 71
Gearshift lever 70
Glove compartment 101
Grills 96
Gross vehicle weight 152
H
Hands-free system 102
Hardtop 113
Hazard warning flashers 14
Hazard warning triangle 23
Head restraints 50
Headlamp 92Headlamp cleaning system 
122, 124, 153
Headlamp control 92
Headlamp flasher 76, 93
Heated mirror 55
Heated seats 54
Heavy loads 106
High beams 76, 93
indicator lamps 21
Holder for beverages 102
Hood release 120
Horn 14
Hydroplaning 111, 115
I
Ice warning 84
Ignition key 30
positions 66
Ignition lock 66
Imprint 4
Indicator lamps 18
Individual settings, Vehicle 
Memory, Key Memory 65
Inflation pressure 25, 115
INSPECTION 82
Instrument cluster 16
Instrument lighting 93
Instrument panel 14, 16
Interface socket for onboard 
diagnostics (OBD) 130
Interior lamps 32, 94
remote control 32Interior motion sensor 38
remote control 32
switching off 32, 39
Interior rearview mirror
automatic dimming 
feature 56
Interior temperature
adjusting 98
Intermittent mode 77
J
Jump-starting 145
K
Key Memory 65
Keys 30
L
Lamp replacement 135
Lamps
daytime driving lamps 92
fog lamps 94
footwell lamps 94
headlamp flasher 76, 93
high beams 93
instrument lighting 93
interior lamps 94
low beams 92
parking lamps 92
reading lamps 94
standing lamps 93
Lashing fittings 107
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Everything from A to Z
159
LATCH child-restraint 
mounting system 62
Leather care, refer to the 
Caring for your vehicle 
brochure
Length 151
License plate lamp
replacing bulb 139
Light switch 92
Lighter 102
Lighting, see lamps
LIGHTS ON warning 92
Load-securing devices 106
Lock, steering wheel 66
Low beams 92
bulb replacement 135
Luggage compartment 
35, 37
capacity 152
floor panel 37
increase volume 37
Luggage compartment lid 35
emergency release 36
manual operation 35
opening from the inside 35
remote control 32
securing separately 35
Luggage compartment light-
ing 35
Luggage rack 107
Lumbar support 50M
M Engine dynamics 
control 91
M Mobility system 139
M+S tires 118
Maintenance 82, 128
Malfunction displays 82
Manual operation
convertible top 44
Manual transmission 70
Master keys 30
with remote control 30
Memory 53, 65
Microfilter 100
Microphone 102
Mirror defrosting 55
Mirror memory 53
Mirrors 55
automatic curb monitor 54
inside rearview 56
outside 55
Mobility system 139
Modifications, technical 5
Mounting the roof rack 113
Multifunction switch 76
N
Navigation system, refer to 
Owner's Manual for 
Onboard Computer
Neckrest 50O
OBD interface socket 130
Odometer 80
Oil
additives 125
capacity 153
quality 125
viscosity 125
Oil change interval, see Ser-
vice and Warranty Infor-
mation Booklet for US 
models / Warranty and 
Service Guide Booklet for 
Canadian models
Oil filter change 153
Oil level
checking 124
indicator lamp 19
warning lamp 18
Oil pressure
warning lamp 18
OIL SERVICE 82
Oil types 125
Onboard computer, refer to 
the Owner's Manual for 
Onboard Computer
Onboard tool kit 134
Opening and closing
from inside 34
via remote control 31
via the door lock 33
Operating elements 14Outlets, ventilation 96
Outside temperature dis-
play 84
P
Paintwork care, refer to the 
Caring for your vehicle 
brochure
Panic mode, trigger 
alarm 32
Park Distance Control 
(PDC) 86
Parking aid 86
Parking brake 69
Parking lamps 92
PDC Park Distance 
Control 86
Pollen 100
Power output 150
Power seat 49
Pressure, tires 25, 115
R
Radiator 153
Radio navigation, refer to 
Owner's Manual for 
Radio 85
Radio, refer to the Owner's 
Manual for Radio
Rain sensor 77
Range 85
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
handbook.book  Page 159  Tuesday, July 30, 2002  9:28 AM 

Everything from A to ZReading lamps
front 94
rear 95
Rear lamps 137
Rear window defroster 99
Rear-entry assist 51
Rearview mirror 55
Recirculated-air mode 99
Refueling 24
Remote control 31
Remote key 30
Replacement key 30, 31
Reporting safety defects 6
Reserve indicator lamp 81
Restraint system 59
Reverse 70
Rims 118
Rollover protection 
system 63
indicator lamp 19
lowering 63
Roof load capacity 152
Roof-mounted luggage 
rack 107
S
Safe seating position 48
Safety belts 52
seat-integrated belt sys-
tem (SGS) 51
Seat
rear-entry assist 51Seat adjustment 48, 49
lumbar support 49, 50
power seats 49
Seat heating 54
Seat memory 53
Securing cargo 106
Securing child-restraint sys-
tem 61
Securing devices 107
Sequential M gearbox 
SMG II 71
indicator lamp 19, 75
Service and Warranty Infor-
mation Booklet 128
SERVICE ENGINE SOON
warning lamp 19
Service interval display 
82, 128
Set clock 83
Side airbags 57
Side turn signals
bulb replacement 136
Size 151
Ski bag 104
SMG gearbox 71
Snow chains 119
Socket 103
Spare key 30
Speedometer 16
Sport mode 91
Standing lamps 93
bulb replacement 135Starting problems 67
Starting the engine 67
Steering wheel lock 66
Steering wheel with multi-
function buttons 22
Steering wheel, adjusting 55
Storage compartments 101
Stroke 150
Summer tires 118
Surface ice warning 84
Switching off the engine 69
Symbols used 4
T
Tachometer 16, 80
Tail lamp assembly
replacing bulb 137
Tail lamps 137
replacing bulb 137
Tank capacity 153
Technical data 150
Technical modifications 5
Telephone hookup 102
Telephone, refer to the sep-
arate Owner's Manual
Temperature adjustment 98
Temperature display
engine coolant 81
ice warning 84
interior temperature 98
outside temperature 84
Temperature gauge 80Temperature layering 99
Thigh support area, adjust-
ing 49
Third brake lamp 138
Tilt alarm
deactivate 32, 39
Tilt alarm sensor
remote control 32
Time 83
Tire code 118
Tire damage 115
Tire inflation pressure 
25, 115
checking 25
Tire pressure monitor 
(TPM) 88
Tire replacement 116
Tire tread 115
Tools 134
Torque 150
Towing eyelet 146
Towing the vehicle 146
Track 151
Transmission 70
Transporting children 
safely 59
Tread depth, tires 115
Tread wear indicator 115
Trip odometer 80
Trunk, see Luggage com-
partment 35, 152
handbook.book  Page 160  Tuesday, July 30, 2002  9:28 AM