Page 4 of 155

Contents
© 2002 BMW M GmbH
Munich, Germany
Reprinting, including excerpts,
only with the written consent of
BMW AG, Munich.
Order no. 01 41 0 156 830
US English IX/02
Printed in Germany
Printed on environmentally friendly paper
Ð bleached without chlorine, suitable for recycling.
Notes
Overview
Controls and features
About this Owner's Manual8
Symbols used8
Your individual vehicle8
Status at time of printing9
For your own safety9
Symbol on vehicle parts10
Service and Warranty10
Reporting safety defects10Cockpit14
Instrument cluster15
Indicator and warning lamps16
Steering wheel with multifunction
buttons19
Warning triangle20
First-aid kit20
Refueling20
Fuel specifications22
Tire inflation pressure22
Opening and closing:
Keys26
Central locking system26
Opening and closing Ð
via the door lock27
Opening and closing Ð
via the remote control28
Opening and closing Ð
from the inside31
Luggage compartment lid32
Luggage compartment34
Alarm system35
Electric power windows36
Sliding/tilt sunroof38
Adjustments:
Sitting safely40
Seats40
BMW M sport seat41
BMW comfort seat42
Head restraints43
BMW active seat43
Safety belts44
Seat, mirror and
steering wheel memory45
Seat heating46
Steering wheel47
Mirrors48
Contents
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Contents
Operation, maintenance
Owner service procedures
Special operating instructions:
Break-in procedures106
Driving notes107
Antilock Brake System107
Brake system108
Wheels and tires:
Tire inflation pressure109
Tire condition109
Tire replacement110
Wheel and tire
combinations111
Special characteristics of winter
tires112
Snow chains112
In the engine compartment:
Hood113
Engine compartment
essentials114
Washer fluids115
Engine oil115
Coolant117
Brake fluid118
Maintenance:
The BMW Maintenance
System119
Laws and regulations:
Technical modifications120
California Proposition
65 Warning120
OBD interface socket121
Replacement procedures:
Onboard tool kit124
Windshield wiper blades124
Lamps and bulbs124
Repairing a flat tire128
Battery131
Fuses132
Assistance, giving and
receiving:
Jump-starting133
Towing the vehicle135
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14n
1 Parking lamps/Low beams84
2
>
Turn signal indicators59
>
Standing lamps85
>
High beams85
>
Headlamp flasher59
>
Computer773 Fog lamps85
4 Wiper/Washer system60
5 Central locking system26
6 Hazard warning flashers7 Rear window defroster90
8 Horn: the entire surface
9 Adjusting the steering wheel47
Cockpit
39mde147
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15n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
1 Fuel gauge 64
2 Indicator lamp for turn signal
indicator18
3 Speedometer
4 Indicator lamp for high beams18
5 Tachometer and engine oil
temperature gauge64
6 Coolant temperature gauge657 Indicator and warning lamps16
to 18
8 CHECK button66
9 Outside temperature display63
10 Indicator lamp for Dynamic Stability
Control (DSC)17
11 Trip odometer6312 Check Control display66
13 Odometer63
14 Service Interval Display65
15 Trip odometer, reset to zero63
16 Indicator and warning lamps16
to 18
Instrument cluster
39mus004
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16n
Indicator and warning lamps
Technology that monitors itself
The system runs a check on the
warning and indicator lamps marked
by "
l
" each time you switch on the
ignition. 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.
The following section describes how
you should respond.
Red: stop immediately
Alternator charge current
l
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.
You should never attempt to con-
tinue driving with a defective drive
belt, as the engine could overheat and
sustain serious damage. A defective
drive belt will also make the vehicle
harder to steer.
<
Engine oil pressure
l
May be accompanied by the
warning "STOP!ENGINE OIL-
PRESS" in the Check Control display
panel: stop the vehicle immediately and
switch off the engine. Check level of oil
in engine, top up as required. If oil level
is correct: please contact the nearest
BMW center.
Do not continue driving, as the
engine could sustain serious
damage from inadequate lubrication.
<
Brake hydraulic system
l
Have the brake fluid level
checked. Before driving further,
be sure to read the notes on pages 108
and 118.
The indicator lamp comes on together
with the "CHECK BRAKE LININGS"
message in the Check Control.
Brake hydraulic system warning
lamp for Canadian models.
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17n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Indicator and warning lamps
Red: an important reminder
Parking brake
l
Comes on when you engage the
parking brake.
For additional information: refer to
page 58
Parking brake warning lamp for
Canadian models.
Please fasten safety belts
l
An acoustic signal sounds and a
message appears in the Check
Control for 4 to 8 seconds. The acous-
tical signal remains on until the belt is
fastened.
For additional information on safety
belts: refer to page 44
Airbags
l
Please have the system
inspected at your BMW center.
For additional information: refer to
page 49
Yellow: please have checked at
your earliest opportunity
Antilock Brake System
(ABS)
l
ABS has been deactivated in
response to a system malfunction. Con-
ventional braking efficiency is available
and unrestricted. Please have the
system inspected at your BMW center.
For additional information: refer to
page 107
ABS warning lamp for Canadian
models.
Dynamic Stability Control
(DSC)
l
DSC has been switched off or
has been deactivated because of a mal-
function. In the event of a malfunction,
have the system checked at your BMW
center.
For additional information: refer to
page 80
Dynamic Brake Control
(DBC)
l
Malfunction in DBC system.
Conventional braking performance
remains available with no loss of effi-
ciency.
Have the system repaired by your BMW
center at the earliest possible opportu-
nity.
For additional information: refer to
page 80
Dynamic Brake Control (DBC)
warning lamp for Canadian
models.
Service Engine Soon
l
If the indicator lamp lights up
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 at your BMW center at the
earliest possible opportunity.
For additional information: refer to OBD
interface socket, page 121
Service Engine Soon warning
lamp for Canadian models.
Page 18 of 155
18n
Indicator and warning lamps
Green: for your information
Turn signal indicators
Flashes when the turn signal
indicators are on. Rapid
flashing: indicates a system malfunc-
tion.
For additional information: refer to
page 59
Cruise control
Lights up when system is on:
available for operation via the
multifunction steering wheel.
For additional information: refer to
page 61
Front fog lamps
Lights up whenever you switch
on the front fog lamps.
For additional information: refer to
page 85
Blue: for your information
High beams
Lights up when the high beams
are on as well as when the
headlamp flasher is activated.
For additional information: refer to
pages 59, 85
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20n
Warning triangle
*
First-aid kit
*
Refueling
The hazard warning triangle is readily
accessible. It is stored in the container
for the onboard tool kit mounted in the
luggage compartment lid.
To open the container, loosen the
wingnut(s).
Always observe all legal regula-
tions requiring a warning triangle
to be carried in the vehicle.
<
394de053
Under the front passenger's seat.
To remove: lift the button on the front
(arrow) and pull the first-aid kit forward
out of its support.
To store: position the first-aid kit in the
support, then push back until the button
engages.
Some of the articles contained in
the first-aid kit have a limited
storage life and should be replaced at
periodic intervals. Please check the
expiration dates of each of the items
regularly, and replace any whose
expiration dates have passed. You can
acquire replacements in any drugstore
or pharmacy.
Always observe all legal regulations
requiring a first-aid kit to be carried in
the vehicle.< 390de716
Fuel filler door
Before filling the tank, shut off the
engine. If you do not, fuel cannot
be filled into the tank and the Service
Engine Soon lamp may come on.<
To open the filler door, press its front
edge.
If an electrical malfunction occurs, you
can unlock the fuel filler door manually:
1. Use the handle to lower the trim
panel on the right side of the luggage
compartment
2. Pull the button with the fuel pump
symbol.
394de729