
4
Notes
© 2003 Bayerische Motoren Werke
Aktiengesellschaft
Munich, Germany
Reprinting, including excerpts, only with the
written consent of BMW AG, Munich.
Order No. 01 41 0 157 599
US English VIII/03
Printed in Germany
Printed on environmentally friendly paper,
bleached without chlorine, suitable for recycling.
About this Owner's Manual
We have made every effort to ensure
that you are able to find what you need
in this Owner's Manual as quickly as
possible. The fastest way to find spe-
cific topics is by using the detailed
index at the end. If you wish to gain an
initial overview of your vehicle, you will
find this in the first chapter.
Should you wish to sell your BMW at
some time in the future, please remem-
ber to hand over this Owner's Manual
to the new owner; it is an important part
of the vehicle.
Additional sources of information
If you have any additional questions,
your BMW center will be glad to advise
you.
You can find more information about
BMW, for example on its technology,
on the Internet at www.bmw.com.
Symbols used
Indicates precautions that must
be followed precisely in order to
avoid the possibility of personal injury
and serious damage to the vehicle.
Contains information that will
assist you in gaining the optimum
benefit from your vehicle and enable
you to care more effectively for your
vehicle.
Refers to measures that can be
taken to help protect the environ-
ment.
Marks the end of a specific item of
information.
Indicates special equipment, coun-
try-specific equipment and optional
extras when available.
Vehicle Memory, Key Memory,
refer to page 70. Identifies func-
tions that can be specifically adapted
for a particular key or vehicle. These
adjustments can be performed either by
yourself or by your BMW center.

Contents
Notes
About this Owner's Manual4
Additional sources of
information4
Symbols used4
Your individual vehicle5
Status at time of printing5
For your own safety5
Symbol on vehicle parts6
Service and warranty7
Reporting safety defects7
Overview
Cockpit14
Instrument cluster16
Indicator and warning lamps18
Buttons in steering wheel*22
Hazard warning triangle*23
First-aid kit*23
Refueling24
Fuel specifications25
Tire inflation pressure25
Controls and features
Opening and closing:
Keys30
Central locking system30
Opening and closing – via the
remote control31
Opening and closing – via the
door lock33
Opening and closing – from the
inside34
Luggage compartment lid35
Luggage compartment37
Alarm system*38
Electric power windows40
Manual convertible top41
Fully-automatic convertible
top*46
Wind deflector*50
To adjust:
Safe seating position52
Seats53
Adjusting electric power
seats53
Lumbar support*54
Head restraints54
Entering the rear55
Safety belts56
Seat and mirror memory*57
Seat heating*58
Steering wheel59
Mirrors59

Contents
9
Passenger safety systems:
Airbags61
Transporting children safely64
Rollover protection system68
Vehicle Memory, Key
Memory70
Driving:
Ignition lock71
Starting the engine71
Switching off the engine73
Parking brake73
Manual transmission74
Sequential manual gearbox
SMG*75
Automatic transmission with
Steptronic*79
Turn signal indicator/Headlamp
flasher82
Washer/wiper system/Rain
sensor*83
Cruise control*84
Everything under control:
Odometer86
Tachometer86
Energy control86
Fuel gauge87
Engine coolant temperature
gauge87
Service interval display88
Check Control88
Clock89
Computer90
Technology for safety and
driving convenience:
Park Distance Control (PDC)*92
Dynamic Stability Control
(DSC)93
Flat Tire Monitor*94
Brake force display96
Lamps:
Parking lamps/Low beams97
Adaptive headlights*98
Instrument lighting98
High beams/Standing lamps99
Fog lamps99
Interior lamps100
Controlling the climate for
pleasant driving:
Air conditioning102
Automatic climate control*106
Interior conveniences:
Glove compartment111
Integrated universal remote
control*112
Storage compartments114
Cellular phone*115
Ashtray, front*115
Ashtray, rear*116
Loading and transporting:
Ski bag*117
Cargo loading118
Roof-mounted luggage rack for
the hardtop*121
Controls and features

Contents
Operation, maintenance
Special operating instructions:
Break-in procedures124
General driving notes125
Antilock Brake System
(ABS)125
Brake system126
Hardtop*127
Wheels and tires:
Tire inflation pressure129
Tire condition129
Tire replacement130
Wheel and tire
combinations132
Winter tires132
In the engine compartment:
Hood134
Engine compartment
essentials136
Washer fluid138
Engine oil138
Coolant140
Brake fluid141
Maintenance:
The BMW Maintenance
System142
Laws and regulations:
California Proposition 65
warning143
OBD interface socket143
Owner service procedures
Replacement procedures:
Onboard tool kit148
Windshield wiper blades148
Lamps and bulbs149
Changing a wheel153
Run Flat tires*156
Battery157
Fuses157
Giving and receiving
assistance: Receiving assistance158
Jump-starting159
Towing the vehicle160
Technical data
Engine data166
Dimensions167
Weights168
Capacities169

18
Indicator and warning lamps
Technology that monitors itself
Indicator and warning lamps that are
identified by
●
are tested for proper
functioning whenever the ignition key is
turned. 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.
You will see how to react in the follow-
ing section.
Red: stop immediately
Battery charge current
●
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.
If the drive belt is defective, stop
and switch off the engine immedi-
ately to prevent overheating and seri-
ous engine damage. If the drive belt is
defective, increased steering effort is
also required.
<
Engine oil pressure
●
Stop the vehicle immediately
and switch off the engine.
Check the engine oil level; top off as
required. If the oil level is correct:
please contact the nearest BMW cen-
ter.
Do not continue driving, as the
engine could sustain serious dam-
age from inadequate lubrication.
<
Flat Tire Monitor
●
In addition, an acoustic signal is
sounded: there is a flat tire.
Reduce speed and carefully come to a
stop. Avoid sudden braking and steer-
ing maneuvers.
For additional information: refer to
page 94
Brake warning lamp
●
If the lamp comes on when the
parking brake is not engaged:
check the brake fluid level. Before driv-
ing further, be sure to comply with the
instructions on pages 126 and 141.
Brake warning lamp for Cana-
dian models.
Red: an important reminder
Brake warning lamp
Comes on when the parking
brake is engaged – an additional
acoustic signal sounds when you start
off.
For additional information: refer to
page 73
Brake warning lamp for Cana-
dian models.
Lock backrest/Fasten safety
belts
●
Comes on together with an
acoustic signal until the safety belts are
fastened. Flashes if the backrest is not
locked.
For additional information on locking
the seat backrests, refer to page 55
For additional information on safety
belts: refer to page 56
Airbags
●
Please have the system
inspected at your BMW center.
For additional information: refer to
page 61

19
Red and yellow: continue driving
cautiously
The brake warning lamp comes
on together with the yellow indi-
cator lamps for ABS
●
and
DSC:
The entire ABS, CBC and DSC
control system has failed. Con-
tinue driving cautiously and
defensively. Avoid full brake
applications. Please have the system
checked by your BMW center as soon
as possible.
Additional information beginning on
page 93
CBC, ABS and DSC and DBC
indicator and warning lamps for
Canadian models.
Orange: consult the nearest BMW
center
Automatic transmission/sequen-
tial manual gearbox
The respective transmission has
responded to a malfunction by reverting
to operation in its emergency default
program. Please consult the nearest
BMW center.
For additional information: refer to
page 77, 79
Yellow: check as soon as possible
Engine oil level
If the lamp comes on during
normal vehicle operation: the
engine oil level has fallen to the abso-
lute minimum; refill as soon as possible.
Do not drive more than approx.
30 miles/50 km before refilling.
For additional information: refer to
page 138
Engine oil level
Comes on after the engine has
been switched off: add engine
oil at the earliest opportunity, such as
the next time you stop to refuel.
For additional information: refer to
page 138
Brake pads
●
Have the brake pads checked.
For additional information: refer
to page 126
Flat Tire Monitor
●
The Flat Tire Monitor is malfunc-
tioning or out of order. Have the
system checked by your BMW center.
For additional information, refer to
page 94
Dynamic Stability Control
(DSC)
●
Indicator lamp flashes:
The system is actively regulating drive
torque and braking force.
The indicator lamp stays lit:
DSC has been switched off with the
button; DTC is operational.
Please contact a BMW center in case of
a malfunction.
Additional information beginning on
page 93
Dynamic Stability Control (DSC)
and brake warning lamp
●
The indicator lamps remain on:
DSC/DTC have been switched
off with the button or are faulty.
Please consult the nearest BMW
center.
Additional information beginning on
page 93
Indicator and warning lamps
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex

20
DSC indicator and brake warn-
ing lamps for Canadian models.
Dynamic Brake Control (DBC)
●
Malfunction in DBC system.
Conventional braking efficiency
is available and unrestricted.
Have the system repaired at your BMW
center as soon as possible.
For additional information: refer to
page 125
Dynamic Brake Control (DBC)
warning lamp for Canadian
models.
Add washer fluid
The washer fluid is too low. Top
off the fluid at the earliest
opportunity.
For additional information: refer to
page 138
SERVICE ENGINE SOON
●
If the indicator lamp comes on
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 by your BMW center at the
earliest possible opportunity.
For additional information: refer to
page 143
Service Engine Soon indicator
lamp for Canadian models.
Engine electronics
●
There is a fault in the electronic
engine-management system.
You can continue to drive with reduced
engine output or engine speed. Please
have the system inspected at your
BMW center.
Add coolant
The coolant level is too low. Add
coolant at the earliest opportu-
nity.
For additional information: refer to
page 140
CHECK GAS CAP*
●
This indicator lamp comes on
when the gas cap is loose or
missing.
Close the gas cap tightly: refer to
page 24
Rollover protection system
●
The rollover protection system
has been deactivated due to a
malfunction. Please have the system
inspected by your BMW center at the
earliest opportunity.
For additional information: refer to
page 68
Green: for your information
Turn signal indicator
Flashes when the turn signal is
operated.
Rapid flashing indicates a system mal-
function.
For additional information: refer to
page 82
Cruise control
Lights up when the cruise con-
trol is activated: ready for oper-
ation via the buttons in the steering
wheel.
For additional information: refer to
page 84
Front fog lamps
Lights up whenever you switch
on the fog lamps.
For additional information: refer to
page 99
Indicator and warning lamps

22
Buttons in steering wheel*
These buttons let you operate the fol-
lowing functions quickly and without
being distracted from traffic conditions:
>
Selected radio functions
>
The cruise control
>
Selected telephone functions.
The controls are active only when
the corresponding systems and
accessories are switched on.
<
Press briefly:
Receive a phone call, initiate dialing,
terminate a call.
Switch between phone, radio, cassette
and CD.
Forward:
>Radio
Press briefly: next station in station
memory
Extended pressure: station search
>CD
Press briefly: jump to next track
Extended pressure: search function
in track
>Cassette
Press briefly: jump to next track or
stop fast forward
Extended pressure: fast forward
>Phone
Scan personal phone book.
Rewind/reverse: same functions as for-
ward.
Volume.
Cruise control: select a stored setting.
Cruise control: store and accelerate +
or decelerate and store –.
Cruise control: activate/interrupt/deac-
tivate.