
Contents
Contents
Notes
6About this Owner's Manual
6Symbols used
6Symbol on vehicle parts
6Your individual vehicle
6Status at time of printing
7For your own safety
7Service and warranty
8Reporting safety defects
Overview
12Cockpit
13Instrument cluster
14Indicator and warning lamps
Opening and closing
18Keys
18Central locking system
18Remote control
20Door lock
20Interior
21Luggage compartment lid
22Luggage compartment 
22Electric power windows
23Manual convertible top
24Fully automatic convertible top*
26Wind deflector*
27Alarm system*
Adjustments
29Safe seating position
29Seats
30Seat memory*
 
31Seat heating*
31Safety belts
32Steering wheel 
32Mirrors 
33Airbags
34Transporting children safely
37Vehicle Memory, Key Memory 
Driving
38Ignition lock 
38Engine
39Parking brake 
40Manual transmission 
40Automatic transmission with 
Steptronic*
42Electric Power Steering EPS
42Drivelogic*
42Turn signal indicators/Headlamp 
flasher 
43Washer/wiper system and 
rain sensor* 
44Cruise control* 
Lamps
45Parking lamps/Low beams
46High beams/Standing lamps
46Instrument lighting
46Fog lamps
46Interior lamps
© 2002 Bayerische Motoren Werke
Aktiengesellschaft
Munich, Germany
Reprinting, including excerpts, only with the 
written consent of BMW AG, Munich.
Order No. 01 41 0 156 897
US English VIII/02
Printed in Germany
Printed on environmentally friendly paper –
bleached without chlorine, suitable for recycling. 

Overview
14
Indicator and warning 
lamps
Technology that monitors itself 
Indicator and warning lamps that are iden-
tified by 
+ are tested for proper functioning 
whenever the ignition key is turned. They 
each light up once for different periods of 
time.
If a fault should occur in one of these sys-
tems, the corresponding lamp does not go 
out after the engine is started or it lights up 
again while the vehicle is moving. The indi-
cated pages provide information on what 
measures to take.
Please fasten safety belts 
+31
 Airbags 
+33
Battery charge current 
+87
Engine oil pressure/Engine oil level/
Engine oil sensor
 +79
Parking brake/Chassis control sys-
tem/Dynamic Brake Control/Brake 
fluid 
+39/ 51/ 52/ 81
Brake warning lamp for Canadian 
models
Antilock Brake System ABS/Chas-
sis control system 
+53/ 51
Antilock Brake System ABS/Chas-
sis control system for Canadian 
modelsDynamic Stability Control DSC
 +51
Dynamic Traction Control DTC 
+51
Flat Tire Monitor 
+53
Automatic transmission 
+41
Brake pads 
+66
Add coolant80
Check Gas Cap 
+
Service engine soon +83
Service engine soon 
+
warning lamp for Canadian
models.
Defective bulbs45
Turn signal indicators42
Fog lamps46
Headlamp flasher/
High beams42/ 46 

At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
Reference
 53
>Forceful braking and braking with ABS:
Brake lamps 1 and 2 light up on both 
vehicle sides together with the center 
brake lamp.
Antilock Brake System ABS
The concept
ABS keeps the wheels from locking during 
braking, thereby enhancing active driving 
safety.
Malfunction
If the yellow indicator lamps for the 
Antilock Brake System ABS come 
on together with the brake warning 
lamp and the indicator lamp for the 
Dynamic Stability Control DSC:
The entire ABS and DSC control 
system has failed. Continue driving 
cautiously and defensively. Avoid 
hard brake applications. Please have the 
system checked by your BMW center as 
soon as possible.
ABS and DSC indicator and warn-
ing lamps for Canadian models.
Braking with ABS
If you are in a situation which requires full 
braking, you will exploit the full benefits of 
the ABS system if you apply maximum 
brake pressure – panic stop.
Pulsation at the brake pedal combines with 
sounds from the hydraulic circuits to indi-
cate to the driver that ABS is in its active 
mode.
Flat Tire Monitor
The concept
The tire pressure is determined using the 
signals of the ABS sensors.
The system provides an alert whenever the 
tire pressure of one tire drops relative to 
that of another.
Prerequisites
In order for the system to "learn" the cor-
rect tire inflation pressures, please do the 
following:
>Check the inflation pressure in all tires
>Compare to the inflation pressure table 
– refer to page 72 – and correct if nec-
essary
>Initialize the system.
Check the tire pressures regularly 
and correct if necessary. Refer to 
page 71.<
Indicator lamp
In the event of a flat tire
The indicator lamp lights up red; in 
addition, an acoustic signal is 
sounded:
Respond immediately by carefully reducing 
vehicle speed to under 50 mph / 80 km/h. 
Avoid hard brake applications and steering 
maneuvers.
If your vehicle is equipped with 
Run  Flat  tires, note the information on 
page 75.<
The Flat Tire Monitor cannot alert you 
to severe and sudden tire damage 
caused by external factors. Another factor 
which the Flat Tire Monitor does not recog-
nize is the even and very gradual pressure 
loss that takes place in all tires over an 
extended period of time.< 

At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
Reference
 97
A
ABS Antilock Brake 
System 53
– indicator lamp 14
Accessories 7
Activated-charcoal filter 59
Air conditioning 55, 56
– air distribution 56
– air supply 56
– automatic climate 
control 58
– defrosting windows 
and removing 
condensation 56
– outside-air mode 56
– rear window defroster 56
– recirculated-air mode 56
– temperature 56
Air distribution
– air conditioning 56
– automatic climate 
control 58
Air outlets 56, 59
Air pressure 71
– checking 71
Air supply
– air conditioning 56
– automatic climate 
control 58
Airbags 33
– activation/deactivation 34
– indicator lamp 14, 33
– passenger airbags 
lamp 35
Alarm system 27
– arming/disarming 27
– indicator lamp 27
– tilt alarm sensor 28
– triggering 19
All-season tires, refer to 
Winter tires 76
Antifreeze
– coolant 81
– washer fluid 79Antilock Brake System ABS
– indicator lamp 14
Anti-theft alarm system, 
refer to Alarm system 27
Approved axle load 94
Approved gross vehicle 
weight 94
Ashtray 61
AUC Automatic recircu-
lated air control 58
Automatic
– air distribution 58
– air supply 58
– cruise control 44
– lamp control 45
Automatic car wash, refer 
to the Caring for your 
vehicle brochure
Automatic climate 
control 57, 58
– air conditioning 58
– air distribution 58
– air supply 58
– Automatic recirculated air 
control AUC 58
– defrosting windows 
and removing 
condensation 58
– maximum cooling 58
– outside air 58
– rear window defroster 59
– recirculated air mode 58
– temperature 58
Automatic transmission 
with Steptronic 40
– display 41
– electronic transmission 
control 41
– indicator lamp 14
– manual mode 41
– selector lever position 40
– sport program 41
Automatic windshield 
washer 44Average fuel 
consumption 50
Average speed 50
Axle load, approved 94
B
Backrest, refer to Seats 30
Backup lamps 40
– bulb replacement 86
Bandages 89
Battery 87
Battery charge current
– indicator lamp 14, 88
Belt tensioner, refer to 
Safety belts 31
Belts 31
Beverage holder 61
Blinker, refer to Turn signal 
indicators 42
Blower
– air conditioning 56
– automatic climate 
control 58
BMW High Performance 
synthetic oils 80
BMW Maintenance 
System 82
Bore 94
Brake fluid 81
– indicator lamp 14, 81
– refilling 81
Brake Force Display 52
Brake hydraulic system 65
Brake hydraulics
– indicator lamp 14
Brake lamps
– bulb replacement 86
– indicator lamp, defective 
bulb 14
Brake pads 66
– indicator lamp 14
Everything from A - Z
Index 

At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
Reference
 99
Driving lamps
– indicator lamp, defective 
bulb 14
Driving notes 65
DSC Dynamic Stability 
Control 51
– indicator lamp 14
DTC Dynamic Traction 
Control 51
– indicator lamp 14
Dynamic Brake Control 
DBC 52
– indicator lamp 14
Dynamic Stability Control 
DSC 51
– indicator lamp 14
Dynamic Traction Control 
DTC 51
– indicator lamp 14
E
Electric Power Steering 
EPS 42
– indicator lamp 15
Electric power windows 22
Electrical convertible 
top 25
Electrical fault
– convertible top 25
– door lock 20
– fuel filler door 70
– storage compartment 60
Emergency operation
– convertible top 25
– doors 20
– fuel filler door 70
– storage compartment 60
Emergency release
– from inside luggage 
compartment 22
Engine 38
– break-in procedures 64
– starting 38
– switching off 39
Engine compartment 78
Engine coolant 96
– refilling 81Engine oil 79
– capacity 96
– quality 80
– refilling 79
Engine oil consumption 79
Engine oil level 79
– checking 79
Engine oil pressure 79
– indicator lamp 14
Engine oil sensor 79
– indicator lamp 14
Engine oil types 80
Engine output 94
Engine speed 94
EPS Electric Power 
Steering 42
ESP, refer to DSC 51
Exhaust system, refer to 
High temperatures 65
Exterior mirrors 32
– automatic dimming 
feature 33
Eyelet for tow-starting and 
towing 90
F
False alarm 28
Fault
– storage compartment 60
First-aid kit 89
Flat tire 73, 75
Flat Tire Monitor 53
– indicator lamp 14, 53
Fog lamps 46
– indicator lamp 14
Footbrake, refer to Driving 
notes 65
Front airbags 33
Fuel consumption 50
– display 47
Fuel filler door 70
– unlocking in case of elec-
trical fault 70
Fuel gas cap 70
Fuel gauge 47
Fuel specifications 70, 94
Fuel tank capacity 96
Fuses 88
G
Gasoline gauge, refer to 
Fuel gauge 47
Gasoline specifications, 
refer to Fuel 
specifications 70
Glove compartment 60
Gross vehicle weight, 
approved 94
Guide Booklet, Warranty 
and Service 82
H
Handbrake 39
Hands-free system 61
Hardtop preparation 67
Hardtop, refer to the sepa-
rate Owner's Manual
Hazard warning flashers 12
Hazard warning triangle 89
Head restraints 30
Headlamp flasher 42, 46
Headlamp washer 
system 79, 96
Headlamps 84
– access 84
– high beam 42
Heated seats 31
Heavy loads 66
Height 95
High beams 42, 46
– bulb replacement 85
– indicator lamp 14
High temperatures 65
Hood 77
Hood release 77
Hydraulic brake assistant, 
refer to DBC
Hydroplaning 65
I
Ignition lock 38
Imprint 4, 6
Indicator and warning 
lamps 14 

Everything from A - Z
100 Indicator lamps
– airbag 33
– alarm system 27
– brake fluid 81
– engine temperature 47
– flat tire 75
– Flat Tire Monitor 53
– reserve tank 47
Inflation pressure 71
– monitor 53
INSPECTION 48
Instrument cluster 13
Instrument lighting 46
Instrument panel 12
Interior
– central locking system 20
Interior lamps 19, 46
– remote control 19
Interior mirror
– automatic dimming 
feature 33
Interior motion sensor 19
– deactivating 28
Interior rearview mirror 32
Interlock 38
Intermittent operation, 
windshield wipers 43
J
Jack 87
– jacking points 87
Jets, refer to 
Ventilation 56, 59
Jump-starting 89
K
Key Memory 37
Keys 18
– spare 18
– with remote control 18
Knee airbags 33
L
Lamp
– passenger airbags 35
Lamp control 45
Lamp replacement 84Lamps
– backup lamp 86
– brake lamp 86
– bulb replacement 84
– center high-mount brake 
lamp 87
– daytime driving lamps 45
– defective bulbs 45
– fog lamps 46
– headlamp flasher 46
– headlamps 84
– high beams 46, 85
– indicator lamp, defective 
bulb 14
– instrument lighting 46
– interior lamps 46
– lamp replacement 84
– license plate lamps 87
– LIGHTS ON warning 45
– low beams 45, 85
– low beams, automatic 45
– parking lamps 45
– reading lamps 46
– rear lamp 86
– standing lamps 46
– turn signal indicators 86
– xenon lamps 85
LATCH child-restraint 
mounting system 36
Length 95
License plate lamps
– bulb replacement 87
Light switch 45
Lighter 61
LIGHTS ON warning 45
Loads, securing 66
Lock
– door 20
Locking 19
Longlife oils 80
Low beams 45
– automatic 45
– bulb replacement 85
– indicator lamp, defective 
bulb 14
Luggage 
compartment 22, 94
– capacity 94
– enlarging 22
– remote control 19Luggage compartment 
lid 21
– emergency release from 
luggage compartment's 
interior 22
– opening from the 
inside 21
– opening from the 
outside 21
– opening/closing 21
– remote control 19
M
M+S tires 76
Maintenance system 82
Malfunction
– door lock 20
– fuel filler door 70
– remote control 19
– storage compartment 60
Malfunction of electrical 
accessory 88
Manual convertible top 23
Manual operation
– door lock 20
– electrical convertible 
top 25
– fuel filler door 70
– storage compartment 60
Manual transmission 40
Master key 18
Maximum cooling 58
MC operation, refer to the 
Owner's Manual for Radio
MD operation, refer to the 
Owner's Manual for Radio
Mechanical convertible 
top 23
Mechanical seat 29
Memory
– seats 30
Memory, refer to Key Mem-
ory, Vehicle Memory 37
Microfilter 59
Microphone, cellular 
phone 61
Mirrors 32
– heating 32
Modifications, 
technical 7 

At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
Reference
 101
N
Navigation system, refer to 
the separate Owner's 
Manual
Nets 60
O
OBD socket 83
Odometer 47
Oil 79
– additives 80
– capacity 96
– quality 80
Oil change interval, refer to 
the Service and Warranty 
Information Booklet for 
US models/Warranty and 
Service Guide Booklet for 
Canadian models
Oil consumption 79
Oil dipstick 79
Oil filter change 96
Oil level 79
– checking 79
– indicator lamp 14
Oil pressure 79
– indicator lamp 14
Oil sensor 79
– indicator lamp 14
OIL SERVICE 48
Oil types 80
Onboard computer, refer to 
Computer or to the sepa-
rate Owner's Manual for 
Onboard Computer
Onboard tool kit 84
Operating elements 12
Outlets, refer to 
Ventilation 56, 59
Output 94
Outside air mode
– air conditioning 56
Outside temperature 
display 48
– changing units 49
– in computer 49
P
Paintwork, refer to the Car-
ing for your vehicle bro-
chure
Panel lighting 46
Panic mode 19
Parking brake 39
– indicator lamp 14
Parking lamps 45
Particle filter
– automatic climate 
control 56
Passenger airbags
– activation/deactivation 34
Pollen, refer to
– Microfilter/activated-
charcoal filter 59
– Particle filter 56
Power seat 30
Power steering, electric 42
Power windows 22
Preparations for the cellular 
phone 61
Pressure monitor, tires 53
Pressure, tires 71
R
Radiator 96
Radio, refer to the Owner's 
Manual for Radio
Rain sensor 43
Reading lamps 46
Rear lamps 86
– bulb replacement 86
Rear window defroster
– air conditioning 56
– automatic climate 
control 59
Rearview mirror 32
Recirculated air mode
– air conditioning 56
– automatic climate 
control 58
Refueling 70
Remote control 18
– interior motion sensor 19
– luggage compartment 
lid 19
– malfunction 19Remote control keys 18
Replacement key 18
Replacement of tires 73
Reserve tank indicator 
lamp 47
Restraint systems 34
Reverse 40
Run Flat tires 73, 75, 87
– flat tire 75
S
Safety belts 31
Safety defects 8
Seat adjustment
– storing 30
Seat heating 31
Seat memory 30
Seats 29
– adjustment, 
mechanical 29
– adjustment, power 30
Securing loads 66
Securing, locking the 
vehicle 19
Selector lever
– automatic 
transmission 40
– position, automatic 
transmission 40
Service 48
Service and warranty 7
Service and Warranty Infor-
mation Booklet 82
Service Engine Soon 83
– indicator lamp 14
Service interval 
display 48, 82
Shiftlock 40
Side airbags 33
Snow chains 76
Socket
– for Onboard 
Diagnostics 83
– refer to Cigarette lighter 
socket 61
Spare fuses 88
Spare key 18
Special oils 80
Speed control, refer to 
Cruise control 44 

Everything from A - Z
102 Speedometer 13
Sport program
– automatic transmission 
with Steptronic 41
– Drivelogic 42
Standing lamps, refer to 
Parking lamps 45, 46
Starting problems 89
Starting the engine 38
Steering lock 38
Steering wheel
– adjusting 32
Steptronic 40
Storage compartments 60
– electrical fault 60
– opening manually 60
Storage nets 60
Storage, tires 76
Storing the vehicle, refer to 
the Caring for your vehi-
cle brochure
Stroke 94
Switching gears, refer to 
Automatic transmission 
with Steptronic 40
Symbols 6
Synthetic oils 80
T
Tachometer 47
Tail lamps
– bulb replacement 86
– indicator lamp, defective 
bulb 14
Tank capacity 96
Technical data 94
– engine 94
– weight 94
Technical 
modifications 7
Telephone preparation 61
Telephone, refer to the 
Owner's Manual for the 
telephone
Temperature
– air conditioning 56
– automatic climate 
control 58
– tires 74Temperature display
– engine coolant 47
– outside temperature 48
– outside temperature in 
computer 49
Third brake lamp 87
Tilt alarm sensor 19, 28
– deactivating 28
– remote control 19
Tire change 87
Tire damage 73
Tire inflation pressure 71
– checking 71
Tire pressure monitor 53
Tires
– age 73
– approval 71
– break-in procedures 64
– condition 73
– damage 73
– DOT quality grades 73
– flat tire 75
– inflation pressure 71
– M+S tires 76
– replacement 73
– Run Flat tires 73, 75, 87
– temperature 74
– traction 74
– tread 73
– tread wear 73
– Uniform Tire Quality 
Grading 74
– wheel-tire 
combination 74
– winter tires 76
Tool kit, refer to Onboard 
tool kit 84
Torque 94
Towing 90
Towing eyelet 90
Tow-starting 90
Track width 95
Traction 74
Transmission, refer to 
Automatic transmission 
with Steptronic 40
Transporting children 
safely 34
Tread depth, tires 73
Tread wear 73
Tread wear indicator 73Trip odometer 47
Trunk lid, refer to Luggage 
compartment lid 21, 22
Trunk, refer to Luggage 
compartment 22
Turn signal indicators 42
– bulb replacement 86
– indicator lamps 14
Turning circle 95
U
Undercoating, refer to the 
Caring for your vehicle 
brochure
Uniform Tire Quality 
Grading 74
Unintentional alarm 28
Unlocking the vehicle 19
Used batteries, refer to 
Battery disposal 88
V
Vacuum cleaner, refer to 
Cigarette lighter 
socket 61
Vehicle
– battery 87
– break-in procedures 64
– data 94
Vehicle Memory 37
Vehicle storage, refer to the 
Caring for your vehicle 
brochure
Vehicle vacuum cleaner, 
refer to Cigarette lighter 
socket 61
Ventilation 56, 59
Vents, refer to 
Ventilation 56, 59
W
Warning and indicator 
lamps 14
Warning triangle 89
Warranty and service 7
Warranty and Service 
Guide Booklet 82