
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. 

Driving
44
Windshield washer nozzles
The windshield washer nozzles are heated 
automatically
* when the ignition key is in 
position 2.
Cruise control* 
1To maintain and store speed/to accel-
erate
2To decelerate
3To recall the stored setting
4To deactivate the system
To store and maintain speed or to 
accelerate
You can maintain and store any desired 
vehicle speed above approx. 20 mph / 
30 km/h.
Press the lever briefly in direction 1:
The system maintains and stores the cur-
rent vehicle speed. Every time you tap the 
lever, the speed increases by approx. 
0.6 mph / 1 km/h.
Hold the lever in position 1:
The vehicle accelerates without pressure 
on the accelerator pedal. As soon as you 
release the lever, the system stores and 
maintains the current speed.
If, on a downhill grade, the engine 
braking effect is not sufficient, the 
controlled speed can be exceeded. Speed 
can drop on uphill grades if the engine out-
put is insufficient.<
To decelerate
Press the lever briefly in direction 2:
When the cruise control is active, vehicle speed is reduced by approx. 0.6 mph / 
1 km/h every time you tap the button.
Hold the lever in position 2:
With the cruise control active, the system 
automatically reduces the throttle opening 
to slow the vehicle. As soon as you release 
the lever, the system stores and maintains 
the current speed.
To recall the stored setting
Press the lever briefly in direction 3:
The vehicle accelerates to and maintains 
the last speed stored.
To deactivate the system 
Press the lever briefly in direction 4:
The cruise control is deactivated immedi-
ately.
Cruise control is also deactivated when the 
ignition key is turned to position 0.
In addition, the system is automatically 
deactivated in response to the following 
conditions:
>When you apply the brakes
>When you depress the clutch or move 
the automatic selector lever from D to N
>If you exceed or fall below the preset 
speed for an extended period – by 
depressing the accelerator, for exam-
ple.
The stored speed is cleared in all three 
cases. 

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 

Everything from A - Z
98 Brake system 65
– brake fluid level 81
– brake pads 66
– break-in procedures 64
– disc brakes 65
Brakes
– driving notes 65
Break-in procedures 64
– brake system 64
– clutch 64
– differential 64
– engine 64
– tires 64
Bulb
– defective 45
– replacement 84
C
California Proposition 65 
warning 83
Can holder 61
Capacities 94, 96
– luggage 
compartment 22, 94
Car battery 87
Car radio, refer to the 
Owner's Manual for Radio
Car wash, refer to the Car-
ing for your vehicle bro-
chure
Cargo loading 66
Cassette player operation, 
refer to the Owner's Man-
ual for Radio
Catalytic converter, refer to 
High temperatures 65
CD player operation, refer 
to the Owner's Manual for 
Radio
Cellular phone 
preparation 61
Cellular phone, refer to the 
separate Owner's Manual
Center high-mount brake 
lamp 87
Central locking system 18
– button 20
– interior 20
Charge indicator 
lamp 14, 88Check gas cap 70
– indicator lamp 14
Child seat 34
Child-restraint mounting 
system (LATCH) 36
Child-restraint systems 34
Cigarette lighter 61
Cleaning the headlamps 43
Cleaning the windshield 43
Clock
– 12/24-hour mode 49
– adjusting, refer also to the 
radio or onboard com-
puter Owner's Manual
Clothes hooks 27
Cluster 13
Clutch
– break-in procedure 64
Cockpit 12
Code, refer to the Owner's 
Manual for Radio
Combination switch, refer 
to Turn signal indicators/
Headlamp flasher 42
Compartments 60
Compression ratio 94
Computer 49
– average fuel 
consumption 50
– average speed 50
– clock, 12/24-hour 
mode 49
– cruising range 50
– outside temperature 49
Condensation
– removing from 
windows 56, 58
Configuring adjustments, 
refer to Vehicle Memory, 
Key Memory 37
Consumption 50
Convenience operation
– convertible top 20
– windows 20
Convertible top 23
– convenience operation 20
– electrical fault 25
– emergency operation 25
– malfunction 25
– manual operation 23
– mechanical 23Convertible top compart-
ment panel 22
Coolant 80, 96
– indicator lamp 14
Coolant thermometer 47
Cooling system 96
Cooling, maximum 58
Copyright 4, 6
Cruise control 44
Cruising range 50
Cup holder, refer to Bever-
age holder 61
Curb weight 94
Cylinders 94
D
Data 94
– engine 94
– filling capacities 96
– weights 94
Daytime driving lamps 45
DBC Dynamic Brake 
Control 52
Defects 8
Deflector for wind 26
Defrost setting 56, 58
Defroster, rear window
– air conditioning 56
– automatic climate 
control 59
Defrosting
– windows 56, 58
Differential
– break-in procedures 64
Digital clock
Dimensions 95
Dimming mirror 33
Dipstick, engine oil 79
Disc brakes 65
Displacement 94
Displays, refer to Instru-
ment cluster 13
Door lock 20
Door lock buttons 21
Doors
– emergency operation 20
– locking 19
– unlocking 19
DOT quality grades 73
Drivelogic 42 

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