
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. 

At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
Reference
Everything under control
47Odometer
47Tachometer 
47Fuel gauge 
47Coolant temperature gauge 
48Service interval display
48Outside temperature
48Clock
49Computer*
Technology for safety and driving 
convenience
51Dynamic Stability Control DSC
52Brake Force Display
53Antilock Brake System ABS
53Flat Tire Monitor
Controlling the climate for pleasant 
driving
55Air conditioning
57Automatic climate control*
Interior conveniences
60Glove compartment
60Storage compartments
61Beverage holder
61Preparations for the cellular phone*
61Ashtray*
Special operating instructions
64Break-in procedures
65Driving notes
65Brake system
66Cargo loading
67Hardtop preparation*
Refueling
70Fuel filler door
70Fuel specifications
Wheels and tires
71Tire inflation pressure
73Tire condition
73Tire replacement
74Wheel and tire combinations
75Run Flat tires
76Winter tires
76Snow chains*
In the engine compartment
77Hood
78Engine compartment
79Washer fluids for washer systems
79Engine oil
80Coolant
81Brake fluid
Maintenance
82The BMW Maintenance System
82Care
Laws and regulations
83California Proposition 65 warning
83OBD interface socket
Replacement procedures
84Onboard tool kit
84Windshield wiper blades
84Lamps and bulbs
87Changing a wheel
87Battery
Giving and receiving assistance
89Warning triangle*
89First-aid kit*
89Jump-starting
90Towing and tow-starting the vehicle
Technical data
94Engine data 
94Weights 
95Dimensions
96Capacities
Everything from A - Z
97Index 

At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
Reference
 7
For your own safety
Use unleaded gasoline only. Fuels 
containing up to and including 10 % 
ethanol or other oxygenates with up to 
2.8 % oxygen by weight – i.e. 15 % MTBE or 
3% methanol plus an equivalent amount of 
co-solvent – will not void the applicable 
warranties respecting defects in materials 
or workmanship. Field experience has indi-
cated significant differences in fuel quality – 
i.e. volatility, composition, additives, etc. –
among gasolines offered for sale in the 
United States and Canada. The use of poor 
quality fuels may result in drivability, start-
ing and stalling problems especially under 
certain environmental conditions, such as 
high ambient temperature and high alti-
tude.
Should you encounter driveability prob-
lems that you suspect could be related to 
the fuel you are using, we recommend that 
you respond by switching to a recognized 
high-quality brand.
Failure to comply with these recommenda-
tions may result in unscheduled mainte-
nance.
Follow the relevant safety rules when you 
are handling gasoline.<
Important safety information!
For your own safety, use parts and 
accessories approved by BMW.
When you purchase accessories tested 
and approved by BMW and Original BMW 
Parts, you simultaneously acquire the 
assurance that they have been thoroughly 
tested by BMW to ensure optimum perfor-
mance when installed on your vehicle.
BMW warrants these parts to be free from 
defects in material and workmanship.
BMW will not accept any liability for dam-
age resulting from installation of parts and 
accessories not approved by BMW.
BMW cannot test every product made by 
other manufacturers to verify if it can be 
used on a BMW safely and without risk to 
either the vehicle, its operation, or its occu-
pants.Original BMW Parts, BMW Accessories 
and other products approved by BMW, 
together with professional advice on using 
these items, are available from all BMW 
retailers.
Installation and operation of non-BMW 
approved accessories such as alarms, 
radios, amplifiers, radar detectors, wheels, 
suspension components, brake dust 
shields, telephones – including operation of 
any portable cellular phone from within the 
vehicle without using an externally mounted 
antenna – or transceiver equipment – e.g. 
C.B., walkie-talkie, ham radio or similar – 
may cause extensive damage to the vehicle, 
compromise its safety, interfere with the 
vehicle's electrical system or affect the 
validity of the BMW Limited Warranty. See 
your BMW center for additional information.
Do not use key or remote control to lock 
doors or luggage compartment with any-
one inside the car. Refer to the Owner's 
Manual for more details.<
Maintenance, replacement or repair 
of the emission control devices and 
systems may be performed by any automo-
tive repair establishment or individual using 
any certified automotive part.
and Warranty Information Booklet for US 
models or a Warranty and Service Guide 
Booklet for Canadian models. 
We recommend that you read this publica-
tion thoroughly.
Your BMW is covered by the following war-
ranties:
>New Vehicle Limited Warranty
>Rust Perforation Limited Warranty
>Federal Emissions System Defect 
Warranty
>Federal Emissions Performance 
Warranty
>California Emission Control System 
Limited Warranty. 

Notes
8 Detailed information about these warran-
ties is listed in the Service and Warranty 
Information Booklet for US models or in the 
Warranty and Service Guide Booklet for 
Canadian models.
Reporting safety defects
The following only applies to vehicles 
owned and operated in the US.
If you believe that your vehicle has a defect 
which could cause a crash or could cause 
injury or death, you should immediately 
inform the National Highway Traffic Safety 
Administration – NHTSA – in addition to 
notifying BMW of North America, LLC, 
P.O. Box 1227, Westwood, New Jersey 
07675-1227,
Telephone toll-free 1-800-831-1117. 
If NHTSA receives similar complaints, it 
may open an investigation, and if it finds 
that a safety defect exists in a group of 
vehicles, it may order a recall and remedy 
campaign. However, NHTSA cannot 
become involved in individual problems 
between you, your retailer, or BMW of 
North America, LLC.
To contact NHTSA, you may either call the 
Auto Safety Hotline toll-free at 
1-800-424-9393 or 366-0123 in 
Washington, D.C. area, or write to: NHTSA, 
U.S. Department of Transportation, Wash-
ington, D.C. 20590. You can also obtain 
other information about motor vehicle 
safety from the Hotline. 

At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
Reference
 13
Instrument cluster
1Speedometer
2Indicator and warning lamps 14
3Tachometer47
with indicator and warning lamps 14
4Engine coolant temperature gauge47
5Fuel gauge47
6Button for 
>Time48
>Service interval display48 7Selector lever and program display for 
automatic transmission41
8Button for
>Trip odometer, reset to zero47
>Setting time48
9Display for
>Trip odometer/Odometer47
>Clock48
>Service interval48
>Computer48 

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 

Driving
38
Driving
Ignition lock 
0Steering locked 
1Steering unlocked
2Ignition switched on
3Engine started
Steering locked
This is the only position in which the igni-
tion key can be inserted or removed.
After removing the key, turn the steering 
wheel slightly to the left or right until the 
lock engages.
If the key is not removed, an acoustic signal 
sounds when the driver's door is opened.
Once the ignition has been switched off – 
ignition key in position 0 or removed – the 
radio functions are still available for approx. 
20 minutes. Turn the radio back on to use it.
Vehicles with automatic transmission:
do not move the selector lever from 
position P until the engine is running – igni-
tion key in position 2.
In order to turn the key back to position 0 or 
to remove it, move the selector level into 
position P first – Interlock.<
Steering unlocked 
You will often find that it is easier to turn the 
ignition key from position 0 to 1 if you move 
the steering wheel slightly to help disen-
gage the detent.
Individual electrical equipment and acces-
sories are available for use.
Engine
Do not allow the engine to warm up while 
the vehicle is stationary. Instead, begin 
driving immediately at a moderate engine 
speed.
Engine idle speed is controlled by the 
engine computer system. Increased 
speeds at start-up are normal and should 
decrease as the engine warms up. If engine 
speed does not decrease, service is 
required.
To prevent the battery from discharging, 
always deactivate electrical devices that 
are not in use. Switch the ignition off when 
the vehicle is not being driven.
Do not allow the engine to run in 
enclosed spaces. The exhaust gases 
contain carbon monoxide, an odorless and 
colorless, but highly toxic gas. Breathing 
the exhaust gases poses an extreme health 
risk, and can lead to unconsciousness and 
death.
Do not leave the vehicle unattended with 
the engine running. An unattended vehicle 
with a running engine poses a safety haz-
ard.
When driving, standing at idle and parking 
the vehicle, take care to avoid contact 
between the hot exhaust system and flam-
mable materials – e.g. hay, leaves, grass, 
etc. Such contact could lead to a fire, 
resulting in serious personal injury and 
property damage.<
Starting the engine
Do not press the accelerator pedal while 
starting the engine.
Vehicles with manual transmission:
Step on the clutch when starting the 
vehicle. A lockout prevents the engine from 
starting if the clutch is not depressed.<
Do not actuate the starter for too 
short a time, but do not actuate it for 
more than approx. 20 seconds. Release  

Everything under control
48
Between the blue and red zones
Normal operating range. The needle may 
rise as far as the edge of the red sector dur-
ing normal operation.
Red
When you switch on the ignition, warning 
lamp 1 comes on briefly to indicate an 
operational check.
Comes on while driving: 
The engine has overheated. Switch off the 
engine immediately and allow it to cool 
down.
For checking the coolant level, refer to 
page 80.
Service interval display
Remaining distance to next service
The displays shown in the illustration 
appear for a few seconds when the ignition 
key is in position 1 or after the engine is 
started.
The next service due appears with the 
message OIL SERVICE or INSPECTION, 
together with the distance remaining in 
miles – in kilometers in Canada – before the 
next scheduled service.
The computer bases its calculations of the 
remaining distance on the preceding driv-
ing style.
A flashing message and a "–" in front of the 
number mean that the service interval has 
already been exceeded by the distance 
shown on the display. Please contact your 
BMW center for an appointment.
Outside temperature
If the vehicle is not equipped with a com-
puter, the display in the instrument cluster 
always shows the outside temperature.
Clock
If you wish to have a permanent time dis-
play, you can have it appear in the car radio 
display, refer to the Owner's Manual for 
Radio.
You can set the clock and the time display 
in the car radio as follows.
To adjust
Ignition key in position 1 or higher:
Hours
1.Keep button 2 pressed for several sec-
onds until the hours are displayed and 
the colon flashes
2.Press button 1 repeatedly until the 
required hour is set
Minutes
3.Press button 2 to switch to the minutes 
display