
74
DrivelogicDrivelogic makes various driving pro-
grams available to you.
Press the Drivelogic repeatedly until the 
desired driving program is shown in the 
SMG display of the instrument cluster, 
refer to page 72.
In the automated mode you can select 
from five driving programs ranging from 
convenience mode/winter operation to 
sporty and highly dynamic.
In the first automated driving program, 
starting off takes place in second gear, 
which is advisable under winter road 
conditions with ice and snow.
In the sequential mode you can choose 
from six driving programs ranging from 
balanced, dynamic driving – 1 – to 
sporty, puristic driving – 6. The sporty, 
puristic driving program can only be 
activated with the Dynamic Stability 
Control (DSC) deactivated, refer to 
page 87.
To maintain vehicle stability, 
always drive with the DSC acti-
vated on whenever possible.<
Following each change between the 
sequential and the automated mode, 
the last driving program selected in the 
respective mode is active. Exception: 
instead of the last selected sequential 
driving program 6, program 5 is acti-
vated only after the engine has been 
started again.
Your vehicle is set so that when 
the engine is started, the last 
selected driving program saved in your 
key is activated for each shifting 
mode.<
Gradient assistanceThe gradient assistance enables start-
ing off on grades with virtually no roll-
back. It can be activated in the sequen-
tial and automated mode with the vehi-
cle stopped and can be used for both 
forward and reverse driving.
The vehicle may roll slightly before 
it is held by the gradient assis-
tance after releasing the footbrake.
Two seconds after the footbrake is 
released, the vehicle begins to roll, as it 
is no longer held with the gradient 
assistance.<
1. Depress footbrake with vehicle 
stopped
2. Activate the gradient assistance by 
pulling the left paddle for at least 
0.5 seconds. An increase in the 
engine speed indicates that the gra-
dient assistance is activated
Briefly pulling the left paddle again 
deactivates the gradient assis-
tance again.<
3. Release the footbrake and start off 
within two seconds.
The gradient assistance must be reacti-
vated before each use.
Sequential M gearbox SMG II*
handbook.book  Page 74  Tuesday, July 30, 2002  9:28 AM 

75
Indicator lamp
The transmission indicator lamp 
in the instrument cluster goes 
out after the engine is started.
>If it does not go out, or if it lights up 
during driving, a fault has occurred. 
The available functions may be lim-
ited under certain circumstances.
Drive carefully and with the Dynamic 
Stability Control (DSC) activated. 
Have the system checked by the 
nearest BMW center
>If the indicator lamp flashes while 
driving, the system is overloaded. 
Avoid high loads until the indicator 
lamp goes out again permanently.
Shift lightsTo achieve the best possible vehicle 
acceleration with a sporty driving style 
in the sequential mode, shift lights in 
the instrument cluster indicate the opti-
mum shifting point shortly before the 
maximum engine speed is reached.
1. When the maximum engine speed is 
approached, yellow indicator fields, 
shift lights, in the tachometer light up 
consecutively to indicate the 
approaching upshift time
2. Shift at the latest when the last indi-
cator field lights up red.
Tire replacement, snow chainsFollowing a tire or wheel change and 
after mounting or removing snow 
chains, the slip recognition of the 
SMG II must become familiar with the 
changed condition.
Reinitialize the system afterwards:
1. Move the selector lever into 
position 0 on a straight stretch of 
road at a speed of over 20 mph / 
30 km/h
2. Pull both shift paddles for approx. 
two seconds.
If you do not carry out the initialization, 
the system automatically learns the 
changed condition gradually during 
driving. This can become apparent due 
to brief opening and closing of the 
clutch.
Sequential M gearbox SMG II*
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
handbook.book  Page 75  Tuesday, July 30, 2002  9:28 AM 

78
0Wipers retracted
1Clean windshield and headlampsClean windshield and headlamps*
Do not use the washers if there is 
any danger that the fluid will 
freeze on the windshield, as your vision 
could be obscured. Always use a wind-
shield washer antifreeze in cold 
weather. Refer to page 124.
Do not use the washers when the reser-
voir is empty. This could cause damage 
to the washer pump.<
The system sprays washer fluid against 
the windshield and activates the wipers 
for a brief period. 
When the vehicle's lighting system is 
switched on, the headlamps will also be 
cleaned at reasonable intervals.Windshield washer nozzlesThe windshield washer jets are warmed 
automatically when the ignition key is in 
position 2.
Cruise controlStarting at about 20 mph  / 30 km/h, you 
can maintain and store any vehicle 
speed that you specify.
The cruise control is operational when-
ever the engine is running and the sys-
tem has been activated.To activate the systemWith the ignition key in position 2 or 
higher:
Press the button. The indicator lamp in 
the instrument cluster comes on, refer 
to page 20. You can now use the cruise 
control.
Do not use cruise control on twist-
ing roads, when high traffic den-
sity prevents driving at a constant 
speed, or when the road surface is slick 
– snow, rain, ice – or loose – rocks or 
gravel, sand.
ment cluster goes out.
Washer/wiper system/Rain sensor*
handbook.book  Page 78  Tuesday, July 30, 2002  9:28 AM 

79
Cruise control is also deactivated when 
the ignition key is in position 0.
The speed stored in memory is deleted.To store and maintain speed or to 
acceleratePress button "+" briefly:
The system stores and maintains the 
current vehicle speed. Every time you 
tap the button, the speed increases by 
0.6 mph / 1 km/h.
Press and hold button "+":
The vehicle accelerates without pres-
sure on the accelerator pedal. When 
you release the button, the system 
stores and maintains the current speed.
If on a downhill gradient the 
engine braking effect is not suffi-
cient, the controlled speed can be 
exceeded. Speed can drop on uphill 
grades if the engine output is insuffi-
cient.<
To deceleratePress button "–" briefly:
When cruise control is active, every tap 
of the button reduces the speed by 
approx. 0.6 mph / 1 km/h.
Press and hold button "–":
With the cruise control active, the sys-
tem automatically reduces the throttle 
opening to slow the vehicle. When you 
release the button, the system stores 
and maintains the current speed.To interrupt the cruise controlEach time zou activate the system, 
press the button. The indicator lamp 
stays on. You can use the cruise control 
again whenever you want by calling up 
the speed that was stored last.
In addition, cruise control is interrupted 
automatically:
>If the brakes are applied
>When pressing down the clutch pedal
>If you exceed or fall below the pro-
grammed speed for an extended 
period – by depressing the accelera-
tor, for example
>Sequential M gearbox SMG II, refer 
to page 71: when shifting in the 
sequential mode.To recall the stored settingPress button:
The vehicle accelerates to and main-
tains the last speed stored.
Cruise control
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
handbook.book  Page 79  Tuesday, July 30, 2002  9:28 AM 

80Everything under control
Odometer1Odometer
2Trip odometerOdometerYou can activate the displays shown in 
the illustration with the ignition key in 
position 0 by pressing the left button, 
see arrow, in the instrument cluster.Trip odometerTo reset the trip odometer to zero, 
press the left button – see arrow – with 
the ignition key in position 1 or higher.
TachometerVariable pre-warning zoneThe yellow pre-warning zone displays 
current permissible engine speeds, 
depending on the engine temperature. 
As the engine temperature climbs, 
some of the sectors for this pre-warning 
zones will go out one after the other.
Avoid engine speeds in the early warn-
ing zone if possible.
Never allow the engine to operate with 
the needle in the red overspeed zone of 
the gauge.
To protect the engine, the fuel supply is 
interrupted when you approach this 
sector.
Temperature gaugeThe general operating temperature lies 
between 1757/806 and 2507/ 
1206. During high-performance driv-
ing, do not exceed a maximum value of 
3007/1506.
handbook.book  Page 80  Tuesday, July 30, 2002  9:28 AM 

81
Fuel gaugeOnce the indicator lamp stays on con-
tinuously, there are still approx. 
2 gallons/8 liters of fuel in the fuel tank.
Fuel tank capacity approx. 16.6 gal./ 
63 liters.
If the tilt of the vehicle varies – when 
you are driving in mountainous areas, 
for example – the needle may fluctuate 
slightly.
Fill the fuel tank before it is com-
pletely empty. Driving to the last 
drop of fuel can prevent the engine 
from operating properly and result in 
damage.<
When you switch on the ignition, the 
indicator lamp lights up briefly as an 
operation check.
Engine coolant temperature gaugeBlueThe engine is still cold. Drive at moder-
ate engine and vehicle speeds.RedWhen you switch on the ignition, the 
warning lamp comes on briefly as an 
operation check.
If the lamp comes on while operating 
the vehicle: the engine has overheated. 
Switch off the engine immediately and 
allow it to cool down.
To check the coolant level, refer to 
page 126.
Between the blue and red zonesNormal operating range. The needle 
may rise as far as the edge of the red 
sector during normal operation.
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
handbook.book  Page 81  Tuesday, July 30, 2002  9:28 AM 

82
Service interval displayRemaining distance to next 
serviceThe displays shown in the illustration 
appear for a few seconds when the 
ignition key is in position 1 or higher or 
after the engine is started.
The next service due appears with the 
message OIL SERVICE or 
INSPECTION, together with the dis-
tance remaining in miles – in kilometers 
in Canada – before the next scheduled 
service.
The computer bases its calculations of 
the remaining distance on the preced-
ing driving style.
A flashing message and a "–" in front of 
the number mean that the service inter-
val has already been exceeded by the 
distance shown on the display. Please 
contact your BMW center for an 
appointment.
Check ControlDisplayWhen the ignition key is in position 2 or 
higher, the following information or 
conditions are displayed until the cause 
has been corrected:
1Inspect the low-beam and high-beam 
headlamps, as well as the parking 
lamps
2Door open
3Luggage compartment lid open
4Check brake and tail lamps
When you open the driver's door after 
completing a journey, an acoustic 
warning signal will sound if you have 
forgotten to turn off the headlamps.
handbook.book  Page 82  Tuesday, July 30, 2002  9:28 AM 

85
Average fuel consumptionIf you continue to press and hold the 
button on the turn signal lever, the aver-
age fuel consumption being displayed 
is recalculated from that point.
If you wish, you can have the aver-
age fuel consumption displayed in 
a different unit of measure.
driving style and on the remaining fuel 
in the tank.
It is important that you refuel when 
the cruising range falls below 
approx. 35 miles/50 kilometers. Other-
wise, the engine cannot be guaranteed 
to operate properly and damage may 
result.<
Average speedIf you continue to hold the button on the 
turn signal lever, the average fuel con-
sumption being displayed for that 
speed is recalculated from that point in 
time.
Any time spent when the vehicle is sta-
tionary and the engine is shut off is 
ignored for the calculation.
Computer
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
handbook.book  Page 85  Tuesday, July 30, 2002  9:28 AM