BMW 540I SEDAN 2003 Service Manual

41n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Luggage compartment lid/TailgateClosing Ð sport wagonYou can pull the tailgate down by
placing both hands in the handle
recesses (arrows).
To close the tailgate, merely press it
down gently. The closing process will
then be carried out automatically.392de689
To avoid injuries, be sure that the
travel path of the luggage com-
partment lid/tailgate is clear when it is
closed, observing the same precautions
as with all closing procedures.
Operate the vehicle only when the lug-
gage compartment lid/tailgate or rear
window is completely closed. Other-
wise, exhaust fumes could penetrate
the interior of the vehicle. Should it be
absolutely necessary to operate the
vehicle with the luggage compartment
lid/tailgate or rear window open:
>Close all windows. Shut the sliding/
tilt sunroof
>Increase the air supply for the air
conditioner or automatic climate
control to a high level. Refer to
page 107 or 111.<
Emergency release Ð sedan onlyThis lever releases the luggage com-
partment lid from the luggage compart-
ment's interior.390de792

42n
Luggage compartment Alarm systemLuggage strapsUse the straps on the floor of the
luggage compartment to secure smaller
items of luggage.
Movement is reduced when objects are
placed on the straps.
The lashing eyes at the corners of the
luggage compartment provide you
with a convenient means of attaching
luggage nets
* and flexible straps for
securing suitcases and luggage.
Refer also to "Cargo loading" on
page 128.
394de302
HangerOn the left-hand side of the luggage
compartment is a hanger for fastening
shopping bags, packages and similar
items.394de144
The conceptThe vehicle alarm system responds
>when a door, the hood, the luggage
compartment lid/tailgate or the rear
window is opened
>to movement inside the vehicle (inte-
rior motion sensor)
>to variations in the vehicle's tilt angle
such as those occurring during
attempts to steal the wheels or tow
the vehicle
>to interruption of battery voltage.
The system responds to unauthorized
vehicle entry and attempted theft by
simultaneously activating the following
>an acoustic alarm for 30 seconds
>the hazard warning flashers, for
approx. five minutes
>the high beams flash on and off in the
same rhythm as the hazard warning
flashers.

43n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Alarm systemTo arm and disarm the alarm
systemWhen the vehicle is locked or unlocked
with the key or the remote control, the
alarm system is also simultaneously
armed or disarmed.
You can have different acknowl-
edgment signals set to confirm
arming and disarming.<
You can also open the luggage com-
partment lid/tailgate when the system is
armed by pressing the button on the
remote control (refer to page 35). When
you close the luggage compartment lid/
tailgate, the luggage compartment is
secured again.
Indicator lamp displays>The indicator lamp below the interior
rearview mirror flashes continuously:
the system is armed
>The indicator lamp flashes during
arming: door(s), the hood or luggage
compartment lid/tailgate are not
completely closed. Even if you do not
secure the indicated area, the system
begins to monitor the remaining
areas, and the indicator lamp flashes
continuously after 10 seconds. How-
ever, the interior motion sensor is not
activated
>If the indicator lamp goes out when
the system is disarmed: no manipula-
tion or attempted intrusions have
been detected in the period since the
system was armed390de020
>If the indicator lamp flashes for
10 seconds when the system is
disarmed: an attempted entry has
been detected in the period since the
system was armed.
Following triggering of an alarm, the
indicator lamp will flash continuously.Avoiding unintentional alarmsThe tilt alarm sensor and interior motion
sensor may be switched off at the same
time. To prevent an unintentional alarm
from being triggered (in garages with
elevator ramps, for instance), or when
the vehicle is transported by trailer or
train:
Lock the vehicle (arm the alarm system)
twice in succession: press button 2 on
the remote control twice (refer to
page 35), or turn the key in the door
lock to the right (lock) twice in succes-
sion (refer to page 33).
The indicator lamp lights up briefly and
then flashes continuously. The tilt alarm
sensor and the interior motion sensor
are deactivated as long as the system is
armed.

44n
Alarm system Electric power windowsInterior motion sensorIn order for the interior motion sensor to
function properly, the windows and
sliding/tilt sunroof must be completely
closed.
Nevertheless, you should deactivate
the interior motion sensor (refer to
"Avoiding unintentional alarms") if you
>leave children or animals in the
vehicle
>intend to leave the windows or
sliding/tilt sunroof open.
To open and close windowsFrom ignition key position 1:
>Depress the rocker switch until you
feel resistance:
The window continues moving for as
long as you maintain pressure on the
switch
>Press the rocker switch beyond the
pressure point:
The window moves automatically.
Press the switch a second time to
stop the window.390de055
After the ignition has been switched off:
>You can still operate the windows as
long as neither of the front doors has
been opened. To open the window,
press the switch beyond the pressure
point.
When leaving the vehicle, always
extract the ignition key from the
lock and remember to close the doors
to prevent children from operating the
power windows and injuring them-
selves, etc.<
For the convenience mode via the door
lock or the remote control, refer to
pages 33 or 35.Safety featureA contact strip is integrated into the
inner side of each of the upper window
frame sections. If pressure is exerted
against this contact strip while a
window is being raised, the system will
respond by stopping the window and
then retracting it a small distance.

45n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Electric power windows
Despite this safety feature, be
extremely careful that the closing
path of the window is not obstructed.
Otherwise, an object might not touch
the contact strip in some situations
(very thin objects, for instance).
You can override this safety feature by
pressing the switch beyond the pres-
sure point and holding it.
Because the power windows are sealed
at high pressure to prevent wind noise
when closed, a powerful motor is
required for efficient closing. When
closing the windows, always ensure
that they are not obstructed in any way.
Unsupervised use of these systems can
result in serious personal injury.
Remove the ignition key to deactivate
the electric power windows whenever
you leave the vehicle. Never leave the
keys in the vehicle with unsupervised
children. Never place anything that
could obstruct the driver's vision on or
next to the windows.<
Safety switchWith the safety switch, you can prevent
the rear windows from being opened or
closed via the switch in the rear pas-
senger area (by children, for example).
Press the safety switch whenever
children are riding in the rear of
the vehicle. Careless use of the power
windows can lead to injury.< 390de693

46n
Sliding/tilt sunroof
*
To prevent injuries, exercise care
when closing the sliding/tilt sun-
roof and keep it in your field of vision
until it is shut.
Before leaving the vehicle, switch off
the electric sunroof mechanism by
removing the ignition key. Do not leave
children unattended in the vehicle with
access to vehicle keys. The key could
be used to start the engine and operate
vehicle systems such as the power sun-
roof, etc. Unsupervised use of these
systems can result in serious personal
injury.<
For the convenience mode via the door
lock or the remote control, refer to
page 33 or 35.
Raising Ð Opening Ð ClosingFrom ignition key position 1 on, press
the switch or slide it in the desired
direction until you feel resistance.
When lifting, the headliner retracts sev-
eral inches.
The headliner insert can not be
closed with the sunroof in its
raised position.<
After the ignition has been switched off,
you can still operate the sliding/tilt sun-
roof as long as neither of the front
doors has been opened.390de724
Automatic
* opening and closing
Press the switch past the pressure
point and then release it.
Other automatic operations are:
>With the sunroof open, press the
switch briefly toward "Lift:" the sun-
roof automatically extends to its fully-
raised position
>With the sunroof lifted, press the
switch briefly toward "Open:" the
sunroof automatically opens all the
way.
Pressing the switch again briefly stops
the motion.Safety featureIf the sliding/tilt sunroof encounters
resistance at a point roughly past the
middle of its travel when it is closing,
the closing cycle is interrupted and the
sliding/tilt sunroof will open again
slightly.

47n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Sliding/tilt sunroof
*
Despite this safety feature, be
extremely careful that the travel
path of the sunroof is not obstructed
whenever it is closed. Remember that
the safety mechanism may not be able
to detect obstructions under all circum-
stances (with very thin objects, for
instance). You can disable this safety
feature by pressing the switch beyond
the pressure point and holding it.<
Sliding/tilt sunroof with glass
moonroof
*
The options and control procedures are
essentially the same as those previ-
ously described for the sliding/tilt sun-
roof. In order to open the raised roof,
press the control switch towards
"Open" and maintain pressure until the
roof has reached the desired position.
The headliner insert slides back some-
what when you raise the sunroof, and
retracts along with the sunroof panel
when you slide it back. The insert then
remains open, and you can slide it back
and forth to adjust it whenever the sun-
roof is not fully retracted.
Interruption in the electrical
supplyAfter interruptions in the electrical
supply (when the battery is discon-
nected, for instance), the sunroof may
only lift. To reinitialize the mechanism:
1. Raise the sliding/tilt sunroof fully
2. Press and hold the switch for approx.
twenty seconds.390de725
Manual operationIn the event of an electrical malfunction,
you can also operate the sliding/tilt
sunroof manually:
1. Remove the interior lamp, then reach
into the exposed opening and press
out the cover
2. Use the Allen key from the onboard
tool kit (refer to page 152) to turn the
sliding/tilt sunroof in the desired
direction.390de376

48n
For relaxed and fatigue-free driving you
should select a seating position that
reflects your personal requirements.
Correct seating position combines with
safety belts and airbags to enhance
occupant safety in the event of an acci-
dent. To ensure that the vehicle's safety
systems provide you with optimal pro-
tection, we request that you direct your
careful attention to the following sec-
tion.
For additional information on trans-
porting children, refer to page 62.
Sitting safely with airbags
Always maintain an adequate dis-
tance between yourself and the
airbags. Always hold the steering wheel
by the rim to keep any chance of injury
to hands or arms to an absolute min-
imum should the airbag be deployed.
Never allow any objects, individuals or
animals to obstruct the areas between
passengers and airbags.
Never use the front airbag's cover as a
storage tray or support for objects of
any kind. Never allow front passengers
to rest their feet or legs on the airbag
cover.<
For airbag locations and additional
information on airbags refer to page 59.
Sitting safely with safety belt
Never allow more than one person
to wear a single safety belt. Never
allow infants or small children to ride in
a passenger's lap. Avoid twisting the
belt while routing it firmly across the
pelvis and shoulder, wear it as snugly
against your body as possible. Do not
allow the belt to rest against hard or
fragile objects in your pockets. Do not
route the belt across your neck, or run it
across sharp edges. Avoid wearing
bulky clothing and pull on the lap belt
periodically to retention it over your
shoulders. In the event of a frontal
impact, a loose lap belt could slide over
the hips, leading to abdominal injury. In
addition, the safety belt's restraint
effectiveness is reduced if it is worn
loosely. Expectant mothers should
always wear their safety belts, taking
care to position the lap belt against the
lower hips, where it will not exert pres-
sure against the abdominal area.<
For information on using the safety
belts refer to page 53.
When adjusting your seat, always
observe the following precautions
Never try to adjust your seat while
operating the vehicle. The seat
could respond with an unexpected
movement, and the ensuing loss of
vehicle control could lead to an acci-
dent. Never ride with the backrest
reclined to an extreme horizontal angle
(important for front passengers to
remember), otherwise, there is a risk
that you will slide under the safety belt
in an accident, thus negating the pro-
tection the safety belt provides.
Do not move the seats to the rear when
the vehicle is at an extreme angle (on
garage ramps or steep slopes, for
example). If you do so, the automatic
safety belt height adjustment can be
disengaged.<
Seat adjustment>Manually-adjusted seat, refer to
page 49
>Electric power seats, refer to page 50
>Head restraints, refer to page 52
>BMW active seat, refer to page 52
Sitting safely Seats

49n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Manually-adjusted seatSeat adjustment1 Backward/forward adjustment
Pull the lever and slide the seat to the
desired position.
After you release the lever, move the
seat forward or backward slightly to
engage the detent
2 Cushion height
Pull the lever and apply weight to
or remove weight from the seat as
required390us731
3 Backrest angle
Pull the lever and apply weight to or
remove weight from the backrest as
required.
Comply with the adjustment
instructions on page 48. Failure to
do so could result in diminished per-
sonal safety.< 390us732

50n
Electric power seats
*
1 Tilt angle (driver's seat only)
2 Backward/forward adjustment
3 Cushion height
4 Backrest angle
5 Head restraint height
To adjust the angle of the head restraint
manually, tilt to the desired angle.
Read and comply with the adjust-
ment instructions on page 48.
Failure to do so could result in dimin-
ished personal safety.< 380de023
Adjusting BMW sports seat
*
With this seat, you can also adjust the
thigh support:
Press the front/rear of the switch to
adjust the thigh support for your max-
imum personal comfort.390de696
Adjusting BMW comfort seat
*
This seat allows you to make additional
adjustments for
1 Lumbar support
2 Shoulder support
Lumbar support:
You can adjust the backrest's contour
for additional support in the curvature
of your spine's lumbar region.
The upper hips and spinal column
receive supplementary support to help
you maintain a relaxed, upright seating
position.380de024