BMW 540I SEDAN 2000 Owners Manual

111n
RepairsIndexOverview Controls Car care Technology Data
Cigarette lighter
*
Ashtray, rear
Cigarette lighter socket Suitable for attaching power supplies
for flashlights, car vacuum cleaners,
etc., up to a rating of approx. 200 watts
at 12 volts. Avoid damage to the socket
caused by inserting plugs of different
shapes or sizes.Non-smoker's equipment
packageOn vehicles with the non-smoker's
equipment package, the socket is
concealed by a cover.
For access to the socket: Lift the cover
off.
To openPress the recess in the lid.To emptyPress the edge of the cover (arrow).
You can now pull the ashtray upward
for removal.390de063

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Through-loading system
*
The backrest of the rear seat is divided
into two portions, one-third and two-
thirds of the seat respectively. For stor-
ing longer objects, you can fold down
either side individually.
To open:
Reach into the recess and pull forward
(arrow 1).
When you close the backrest, be sure
that the catch engages securely. The
red slide (arrow 2) must go underneath.394de117
The central belt has an additional small
buckle.
>If you connect the two belt sections,
you can use the central belt as any
normal 3-point belt
>It is easier to fold the rear seat back-
rest up and down if you unbuckle the
belt (arrow).394de303
With a master key, you can lock each
backrest in the rear seat.
This also prevents access to the lug-
gage compartment from the interior of
the vehicle when you turn over the door
and ignition key 3 to someone else
(refer to page 34), for valet parking for
instance.394de118

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RepairsIndexOverview Controls Car care Technology Data
Ski bag
*
Designed for safe, convenient trans-
port of 3 to 4 pairs of skis.
The length of the ski bag and the addi-
tional space provided in the luggage
compartment make it possible to carry
skis with a length of up to 6.8 feet
(2.1 0 meters). Because of the tapered
shape of the bag, the ski bag can only
accommodate two pairs of skis with a
length of 6.8 feet (2.1 0 meters).
Removing the center armrest(Not for vehicles with the through-load-
ing system and for the sport wagon.
Refer to page 115)
1 Fold the center armrest completely
outward.
2 Loosen the trim from the upper
Velcro¨ fastener and place it on the
armrest.
3 Grasp the front of the armrest with
one hand, then use your other hand
to reach down behind the armrest
and pull up sharply (arrow).394de067
Installing the center armrestGuide the armrest into position from
above, then apply pressure until you
hear it snap into position.
When removing and installing the
center armrest, be sure that the
seat covers are not damaged by the
side pins.<

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Ski bag
*
Loading1 Press the release button (arrow 1) to
unlock the cover panel in the luggage
compartment.
2 Press the detent levers (arrows 2) in-
ward and fold the cover to the front.
3 Extend the ski bag between the front
seats. The zipper provides conve-
nient access to the inside of the bag,
and can also be left open to promote
drying.394de068
4 Use the magnetic retainers to attach
the cover panel to the upper surface
(metal surface below rear tray) of the
luggage compartment.
Please ensure that the skis are clean
before loading them into the bag. Take
care to avoid damage from sharp
edges.380de069
Secure the bag's contents by
tightening down the strap at the
buckle.<
To store the ski bag, perform the above
steps in reverse sequence.
380de070

115n
RepairsIndexOverview Controls Car care Technology Data
Ski bag
*
With through-loading system1 Fold the center armrest outward.
Loosen the trim from the upper
Velcro¨ fastener and place it on the
armrest.
2 Press button 1 downward and swing
the cover forward.
3 Press knob 2: The cover in the
luggage compartment is unlocked.394de119
In the sport wagon1 Fold the center armrest outward.
Loosen the trim from the upper
Velcro¨ fastener and place it on the
armrest.
2 Press button 1 downward and swing
the cover forward.
3 Press button 2: The cover in the lug-
gage compartment is unlocked.392de176

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Luggage compartment Ð sport wagonFold the rear backrests downReach into the recess and pull upward
(arrow).
The rear backrest is divided into two
sections, one-third and two-thirds of
the seat respectively. You can fold ei-
ther section of the backrest down sepa-
rately in order to increase luggage com-
partment capacity.
When you close the backrest, be
sure that the catch engages se-
curely. The red warning indicator disap-
pears in the recess when the retainer is
locked.
The center safety belt can be retracted
only when the larger backrest is en-
gaged.<392de161
Roll-up coverPull the roll-up cover out and hook it
into the rear bracket.
The cover will support light objects
such as items of clothing.
Do not place heavy or bulky
objects on the roll-up cover. They
could pose a danger to vehicle
occupants during braking or evasive
maneuvers.
Do not allow the cover to snap back,
since this could damage it.<
For storing the case, refer to the next
page.392de162
Separation net
*
Pull the separation net out with the
straps. Hold the bar on both sides and
insert it into the holders. It is easiest to
do this from the back seat.
Do not allow the separation net to
snap back. Doing so could pose a
risk of injury and the separation net
could be damaged.<
When the rear backrests are folded
down, you can store the case in front of
the rear seats, pull the separation net
out from there and insert it in the front
holders (refer to the next page).392de163

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RepairsIndexOverview Controls Car care Technology Data
Luggage compartment Ð sport wagonRemoving the roll-up cover and
separation net1 Press on the buttons (arrow 1) to re-
lease the case on both sides.
2 Holding the case straight, pull out to
the rear (arrow 2).InstallationSimply slide the case forward in the two
side holders until it engages.392de164
StorageThere are holders for the case in front of
the rear seats.
Guide the case in from the side as
shown in the illustration. The strap of
the separation net must be directed up-
ward, while the end of the roll-up cover
must be laid around and under the case
to the rear.
You can pull the separation net out and
insert it in the holders above it in the
upper roof area.392de165
Side coversOpen the side covers by pressing the
button.392de166

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Luggage compartment Ð sport wagonFloor compartmentTo release: Press the handle in the re-
cess and fold the cover upward on the
handle (large arrow).
You can lock the cover with a master
key.
The dividers in the compartment can be
rearranged. If you remove the divider
and turn the divider retainer to the left
and remove it, you have a level storage
compartment.392de167
Fold the floor cover upLift up the black retainer on the lower
side of the panel and hook it into the
upper frame of the tailgate cutout.
Before you fold the floor cover down,
return the retainer to its original posi-
tion.392de168
Raise the spare tire coverLift up the cover and hook it into the red
retainer on the floor panel (arrow).
Before you fold the cover down, return
the retainer to its original position.392de169

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RepairsIndexOverview Controls Car care Technology Data
Luggage compartment Ð sport wagonRaise the cargo floorFor access to the compartment under
the floor or to the spare tire, etc.:
>Raise the cargo floor and secure it
with the support rod (arrow)
>Open the quick-release fasteners on
the spare tire cover.392de175

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Cargo loading Stowing cargoWhen transporting loads in your BMW:
>Position heavy loads as far forward
as possible Ð directly behind the
backrests or the luggage compart-
ment partition panel Ð and at the bot-
tom (the illustration shows the sport
wagon)
>Cover sharp edges and corners
>Do not pile objects higher than the
top edge of the backrest
>Pull out the separation net
* (refer to
page 116) and ensure that carried
items cannot pass through the sepa-
ration net
>For very heavy loads when the rear
seat is not occupied, secure each
safety belt in the opposite buckle.
392de177
Securing the load >Secure smaller, light pieces with the
retaining straps or a luggage net
*, or
use elastic straps (refer to page 44)
>For large, heavy pieces, visit your
BMW center for load-securing de-
vices
*. Lashing eyes are provided at
the corners of the luggage compart-
ment for attaching these load-secur-
ing devices (the illustration shows the
sport wagon)
>Comply with the information en-
closed with the load-securing de-
vices.
392de178
Always position and secure the
load correctly, otherwise it can
endanger the passengers during brak-
ing or evasive maneuvers.
Do not exceed the permissible gross
vehicle weight and the permissible axle
loads (refer to page 201). If you do, the
operating safety of the vehicle is no
longer ensured and you are in violation
of the law.
Do not carry hard or heavy objects
unsecured in the passenger compart-
ment. If you do so, they may be pro-
jected through the air during braking
and evasive maneuvers, thus endanger-
ing vehicle occupants.<