BMW 540I SEDAN 2000 Owners Manual

101n
RepairsIndexOverview Controls Car care Technology Data
Automatic climate controlAir supply
In the "AUTO" program, the air
flow is controlled automati-
cally. AUTO will appear in the display
(refer to the overview on page 98). Use
"+" and "-" to vary the air flow. When
your setting is displayed by bars, the
automatic air flow is switched off. Auto-
matic air distribution maintains its set-
ting. You can reactivate the automatic
air flow by pressing the "AUTO" button.
When you press "Ð " during operation at
minimum blower speed all displays are
canceled: The fan, heating and air con-
ditioner are switched off. The outside
air supply is closed. By pressing any
button of the automatic climate control
(except the "REST" button 16), you can
switch the system back on.
To defrost windshield and door
windows
This program quickly removes
ice and condensation from the
windshield and the side windows.
Air conditioner
The air is cooled and dehu-
midified and Ð depending on
the temperature setting Ð warmed again
when the air conditioner system is
switched on. Depending on the
weather, the windshield may fog over
briefly when the engine is started.
Use the button to switch off the air con-
ditioner at outside temperatures below
approx. +417 (+56). This will help to
prevent the windows from fogging up.
If the windows fog over after switching
the air conditioner off, switch it back on.
Condensation forms in the air con-
ditioner system during operation,
which then exits under the vehicle.
Traces of condensed water of this kind
are thus normal.<
Automatic recirculated-air
control (AUC)
You can respond to unpleas-
ant external odors by tempo-
rarily stopping the flow of outside air.
The system then recirculates the air
currently within the vehicle. Press the
button repeatedly to run through the
following control sequence:
>Indicator lamps off: Outside air flow
operational.
>Left-hand indicator lamp on Ð AUC
mode: The system recognizes pollut-
ants in the outside air and blocks the
flow of air when necessary. The sys-
tem then recirculates the air currently
within the vehicle.
Depending on the air quality, the au-
tomatic system then switches back
and forth between outside air supply
and recirculation of the air within the
vehicle.
>Right-hand indicator lamp on: The
flow of external air into the vehicle is
permanently blocked. The system
then recirculates the air currently
within the vehicle.
If you have a multifunction steering
wheel with the recirculated-air button
(refer to page 25), you can also use it to
switch between "Off" and the recircu-
lated-air mode or AUC and the recircu-
lated-air mode.

102n
Automatic climate control
If the windows should fog over in
the recirculated air mode, switch
the recirculated air mode off and in-
crease the air supply as required.<
Rear window defroster
When the rear window de-
froster is activated, the indica-
tor lamp comes on. The rear window
defroster switches off automatically.
Residual heat mode
The heat which is stored in
the engine is utilized for
heating the interior when the engine has
been switched off (while waiting at a
railroad crossing, for instance). In igni-
tion key position 1, you can alter the
settings of the automatic climate con-
trol. In ignition key position 0, the sys-
tem automatically directs heated air to
the windshield, side windows and foot-
wells.
This function may be activated
when the outside temperature is
below approx. 597 (156), the engine
is at operating temperature, and the
battery is adequately charged.<
Draft-free ventilationYou can adjust the blower controls for
the upper body area to select the opti-
mum airflow rates and directions for
your personal requirements:
Use rotary dial 1 to open and close the
airflow through an infinitely-variable
range. You can also use the levers 2 to
change the direction of the airflow.
Set the outlets so that the air flows past
you and does not flow directly on you.
Rotary dial 3 allows you to temper the
air flow from these outlets by adding
heat or cooling as desired:
Turn toward blue Ð colder
Turn toward red Ð warmer390de051
Rear passenger area ventilationRotary dial 1 opens the outlets in an in-
finitely-variable range. You can vary the
temperature of the air as it flows out us-
ing rotary dial 3 in the same manner as
for the front rotary dial.
You can change the direction of the air
flow with levers 2.390de354

103n
RepairsIndexOverview Controls Car care Technology Data
Automatic climate control Seat heating
*
Steering wheel heating
*
Microfilter, activated-charcoal
filterThe microfilter removes dust and pollen
from the incoming air. The activated-
charcoal filter provides additional
protection by filtering gaseous pollut-
ants from the outside air. Your BMW
center replaces this combined filter as a
standard part of your scheduled main-
tenance. A substantial reduction in air
flow indicates that the filter must be
replaced before scheduled mainte-
nance.The seat cushion and backrest can
be heated with the ignition key in posi-
tion 2.
You can call up different heating modes
by repeatedly pressing the keys.
The highest heating mode is on when
the three indicator lamps are lit; one
lamp is lit for lowest heating. Tempera-
ture regulation in each mode is with a
thermostat.
You can also switch the higher heating
modes off directly:
Press the key and hold it slightly longer.
390de356
To activate and cancel the steering
wheel heater, press the button (arrow)
with the ignition key in position 2.
The lamp within the button lights up
when the steering wheel heater is in op-
eration.
If you have a multifunction steering
wheel without steering wheel heating,
the button for the recirculated-air mode
is in this location (refer to page 25).390de630

104n
Roller sun blind
*
Independent ventilation system
*
To operate, press the key briefly with
the ignition key in position 1 or 2.Roller sun blinds for rear side
windows
*
Use the strap to extract the blinds, then
hook them in the attachment provided.390de357
This system allows you to ventilate the
interior and lower its temperature, using
the blower of the automatic climate
control.
The independent ventilation system is
operated via the multi-information dis-
play MID or the onboard computer. Re-
fer to the separate Owner's Manual.
You can set two different times for the
system to start; it will remain active for
30 minutes. You can also turn it on and
off directly. Since the system uses a
substantial amount of electrical current,
you should not activate it twice in suc-
cession without allowing the battery to
be recharged in normal operation
between use.When a preselected activation time is
set, the independent ventilation system
is operational at outside temperatures
above 607 (166), or by direct switch
activation. It cannot be switched on
when the vehicle is moving.
The air emerges via the vent outlets for
the upper body. Therefore, the vents
must be open for the system to operate.

105n
RepairsIndexOverview Controls Car care Technology Data
The conceptThe BMW Universal Transmitter re-
places up to three hand-held transmit-
ters that control different devices such
as a garage door opener, alarm sys-
tems or a door locking system. The
BMW Universal Transmitter recognizes
and "learns" the transmitted signal from
each of the original hand-held transmit-
ters.
The signal of an original hand-held
transmitter can be programmed to one
of three channel keys. Following that,
each of the devices can be operated
with the channel key that you have pro-
grammed for it. A transmission of the
signal is indicated by the indicator lamp.
Before you sell your vehicle, the pro-
grammed channel keys should be de-
leted. Refer to page 107 for the de-
scription of this process.
To prevent potential injuries or
damage: During the programming
operation and before every remote trig-
gering of a programmed device using
the BMW Universal Transmitter, be sure
that there are no persons, animals or
objects within the range of movement
of the respective device. Read and
comply with the safety instructions for
the original hand-held transmitter
also.<
To Canadian residents:
During programming, your hand-
held transmitter may automatically stop
transmitting after two seconds. This
may not be long enough to program the
BMW Universal Transmitter. If you are
programming from one of these hand-
held transmitters, the Universal Trans-
mitter's lamp may begin to flash in a se-
ries of double flashes. If this occurs,
continue to hold the button on the Uni-
versal Transmitter while you reactivate
your hand-held transmitter. You may
have to repeat this function several
times while programming.<
Before programming, read the
"User's information" section on
page 107.<
The original hand-held transmitter
If this symbol is depicted on the
packaging or in the user's in-
structions for the original hand-
held transmitter, it may be assumed
that this original hand-held transmitter
is compatible with the BMW Universal
Transmitter.
Checking for the change codeIn order to determine whether the origi-
nal hand-held transmitter is equipped
with a change code system, you may
either refer to the instructions for the
original hand-held transmitter or pro-
gram a channel key as described in the
left column on page 106 under "Pro-
gramming."
Following that, press and hold the pro-
grammed channel key of the BMW Uni-
versal Transmitter. If the indicator lamp
of the BMW Universal Transmitter
flashes rapidly for two seconds and
then stays on continuously, the original
hand-held transmitter is equipped with
a change code system. If the change
code system is available, program the
channel keys as described in the right-
hand column on page 106 under "Pro-
gramming a hand-held transmitter with
change code."
If you have additional questions,
please consult your BMW center
or call 1-800-355-3515.<
BMW Universal Transmitter
*

106n
BMW Universal Transmitter
*
Programming1 Channel keys
2 Indicator lamp
3 Receiver for programming
Read and comply with the safety
precautions on page 105.<
1 Ignition key position 2.
2 For initial operation: Press and hold
the two outer keys (1) until the indica-
tor lamp (2) flashes. Release the keys.
The three channel keys are cleared.390de640
3 Hold the original hand-held transmit-
ter toward the receiver (3) a maximum
of 2 inches (5 cm) away.
4 Simultaneously press the transmitting
key of the original hand-held trans-
mitter (arrow 2) and the desired chan-
nel key of the BMW Universal Trans-
mitter (arrow 1). Release both keys as
soon as the indicator lamp flashes
rapidly.
5 To program other original hand-held
transmitters, repeat steps 3 and 4.
The corresponding channel key is now
programmed with the signal of the orig-
inal hand-held transmitter.380de712
Programming a hand-held
transmitter with change code
Read and comply with the safety
precautions on page 105.<
Consult the operating instructions for
the individual device when program-
ming the BMW Universal Transmitter.
Read and comply with the following
programming instructions for the use of
the BMW Universal Transmitter with a
change code system:
A second person simplifies pro-
gramming of the BMW Universal
Transmitter.<

107n
RepairsIndexOverview Controls Car care Technology Data
BMW Universal Transmitter
*
1 Program the BMW Universal Trans-
mitter as described above under
"Programming."
2 Press and hold the programming key
on the receiver of the device for
about two seconds or until the pro-
gramming lamp on the device comes
on.
3 Press the desired channel key of the
BMW Universal Transmitter three
times.
If you have additional questions,
please consult your BMW cen-
ter.<
Clearing the channel keys
Read and comply with the safety
precautions on page 105.<
Individual channel keys cannot be
cleared. However, the three channel
keys can be cleared together in the fol-
lowing manner:
>Press and hold the two outer channel
keys of the BMW Universal Transmit-
ter until the indicator lamp flashes,
and then release the keys.
All channel keys are cleared.
User's informationDo not use this BMW Universal Trans-
mitter with any garage door opener that
lacks safety "stop" and "reverse" fea-
tures as required by federal safety stan-
dards (this includes any garage door
opener model manufactured before
April 1, 1982).
This device complies with Part 15 of the
FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the
following two conditions:
(1) This device may not cause harmful
interference, and
(2) This device must accept any inter-
ference received, including interference
that may cause undesired operation.

108n
Glove compartment Storage facilitiesTo openPull the handle and the lamp comes on.To closeFold the cover up.To lockUse one of the master keys to lock the
vehicle. A master key is also required
for unlocking.
For example, if you turn over only
your door and ignition keys for va-
let parking (refer to page 34), access to
the glove compartment is not possi-
ble.< 390de060
To prevent injury in the event of an
accident, close the glove com-
partment immediately after use.<
Rechargeable flashlight
*
Located on the left-hand side of the
glove compartment.
Features integral overload-protection,
so it can be left in its holder continu-
ously.
Be sure that the flashlight is
switched off when it is inserted
into its holder. Failure to comply with
this precaution could lead to overcharg-
ing and damage.<
The cover of the storage compartment
on the vertical surface of the center
console can be pushed open or closed
(illustration). If your vehicle is equipped
with a cassette holder
*, open each cas-
sette compartment by pressing on the
small button.
Storage compartment on the center
console between the front seats: To
open, reach into the recess at the front
and pull upward.
You will find a coin holder in the door
pocket on the driver's side.
You will find additional storage com-
partments in all of the doors as well as
on the backrests of the front seats.
390de043

109n
RepairsIndexOverview Controls Car care Technology Data
Cellular phone
*
Beverage holder
*
Handsfree systemOn vehicles with a telephone hookup
*,
the handsfree speaker is positioned in
the headliner.
For further information on the cellular
phone, refer to the separate Owner's
Manual.
390de639
Two holders for canned drinks have
been provided in the center console be-
low the controls for the automatic cli-
mate control, with two additional hold-
ers for rear passengers on the rear of
the console, just below the vent outlets.
Press to open; fold back inward to
close.390de363

110n
Ashtray, front Cigarette lighter
*
To openPress briefly in the direction indicated
by the arrow.
To extinguish a cigarette, tap off the ash
and gently press the tip into the funnel.390de061
To emptyOpen the lid and press down (arrow):
You can now pull the ashtray upward
for removal.
On vehicles equipped for non-
smokers, the insert is removed in
the same way.390de062
Press the cover panel for access
(arrow), then push the lighter down.
Remove as soon as the lighter jumps
back out.
Hold or touch the hot cigarette
lighter by the knob only. Holding
or touching it in other areas could result
in burns.
The cigarette lighter remains opera-
tional when the ignition key has been
removed. Therefore, do not leave unsu-
pervised children in the vehicle.< 390de364