BMW 540i 1999 E39 Owner's Guide

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Spare parts kit
Carrying a basic set of spare parts can prevent a rninorbreak-
down from turning into a major repair annoyance. The list be-
low is a good place to start.
Spare parts kit
- basic
Polyribbed drive
belt(s)
BMW engine oil: one or two quarts
BMW engine coolant:
1 gallon of premixed 50150 BMW
anti-freeze and water
Fuse assortment:
7.5A. IOA, 1 5A, 20A, 30A. 50A
Radiator hoses: upper and lower
Spare parts
kit - additional contents
Exterior lighting bulbs: headlight, bralte light, turn signal,
and taillight
* Wiper blades or blade inserts
Brake fluid: new, unopened bottle, DOT
4 specification
Main relay for DME system

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020 Maintenance
General ........................... .02 0.2
Special tools ........................ .02 0.2
Service Interval Indicator (Sll) ........... .02 0.3
Service Interval Indicator (Sll), resetting ... .02 0.3
Inspection I, Inspection 11 ............... .02 0.5
Maintenance Tables ................ .02 0.6
Fluid and Lubricant Specifications .. .02 0.9
Fluids and lubricants ................. .02 0.10
Engine Oil Service ................ .02 0.1 I
Engine oil. checking level ............. .02 0.12
Engine oil and filter. changing .......... .02 0-13
Engine Compartment Maintenance . .02 0.14
Accelerator and linkage ............... .02 0.14
Air filter. replacing ................... .02 0.1 4
Cooling system service ............... .02 0.15
Engine drive belt service .............. .02 0.16
Idlespeed .......................... 020-19
Catalytic converter and oxygen sensors .. .02 0.19
Power steering fluid, checking level ..... .02 0.20
Spark plugs ........................ .02 0.20
Spark plugs, replacing ................ .02 0.21
Interior ventilation microfilter, replacing ... .02 0.22
Other Mechanical Maintenance ..... .02 0.22
Battery, checking. cleaning. and replacing .02 0-22
Brake fluid. replacing ................. .02 0-24
Brake pad 1 rotor wear. checking ........ .02 0.24
Brake system, inspecting ............. .02 0.25
Parking brake. checking ............... 020-25
Clutch fluid. checking ................. 020-26
Differential oil level. checking ........... 020-26
Drive axle joint (CV joint) boots. inspecting 020-27
Exhaust system. inspecting ............ 020-27
Fuel filter. replacing .................. 020-27
Fuel tank and fuel lines. inspecting ...... 020-28
Suspension. front. inspecting ........... 020-29
Suspension. rear. inspecting ........... 020-29
Tires. checking inflation pressure ........ 020-29
Tires. rotating ....................... 020-29
Transmission service. automatic ........ 020-29
Transmission service. manual .......... 020-30
Transmission fluid. checking and filling
(manual transmission)
................ 020-30
Wheels. aligning ..................... 020-30
Body and Interior Maintenance ..... 020-31
Body and hinges. lubricating ........... 020-31
Exterior washing ..................... 020-31
Interior care ........................ 020-31
Leather upholstery and trim ............ 020-31
Polishing ........................... 020-32
Seat belts .......................... 020-32
Special cleaning ..................... 020-32
Washing chassis ..................... 020-32
Waxing ............................ 020-32
Windshield wiper blade maintenance ..... 020-33

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020-2
Maintenance
The information given in this repair group includes the routine
checlts and maintenance steps that are both required by
BMW under the terms of the vehicle warranty protection and
recommended by BMW to ensure long and reliable vehicle
operation.
NOTE-
Aside from keeping your car in the best possible condition,
proper maintenance plays a role in maintaining full protection
under
BMW's new car warranty coverage. If in doubt about
the terms and conditions of your car's warranty, an autho-
rized BMW dealer should be able to explain them to you.
Special tools
Some special tools are required for performing engine main-
tenance tasks. Be sure to have the necessary equipment on
hand before starting any job.
4 Hand pump for manual transmission lifetime oil
71 (Tool No. BMW 002 080)
4 Cooling fan counterhold wrench
(Tool No. BMW 11 5 030)
I I 4 Coolina fan wrench
I
4 Service position hood props
(Tool No. BMW 51 2 160)

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Maintenance
Service Interval lndicator (Sll)
The BMW Service Interval lndicator (SII) notifies the driver
when oil change and other service is required. The
Sll dis-
plays the phrase "OIL SERVICE"
or"INSPECTI0N" and 7
light emitting diodes (LEDs) in the Instrumentcluster: 5green,
one yellow and one red.
For the
1997 and later 5 Series, BMW introduced an oil
change interval based on fuel consumption. The advantages
of this system are:
Fuel consumption is an accurate method of determining
engine load and the need for service.
The processing electronics are simple.
Resetting of indicator before the scheduled time will not
affect the time to the next service.
4 The Sll is programmed to measure a set volume of con-
sumed fuel. This volume varies between models, dependent
on vehicle and engine size. The
Sil control unit receives a
signal from the engine control module (ECM) when the vehi-
cle is in use. As
20% of the programmed fuel volume is con-
sumed, one of the green LEDs will go out. Each successive
20% of fuel consumption will cause the next LED to go out
until
100% of the measured volume has been consumed. At
this point the yellow LED will come on, indicating that service
is due. When
108% of the measured volume has been con-
sumed, the red LED will illuminate, indicating that service is
overdue.
Service Interval Indicator (SII), resetting
After the specified maintenance has been carried out, the Sll
memory should be reset.
NOTE-
For reference, the BMW oil service requirements are approx-
imately equivalent to the maintenance tliat other European
manufacturers specify at intervals with a maximum of every
15.000 miles or I2 months.

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020-4
Maintenance
1997 to 2000 models
1997 to 2000 models are equipped with a data link connector
(DLC) plug in the right side engine compartment:
Reset
SII using BMW service and scan tool (DISplus or MoD-
iC, GTI) or a specialty tool from another manufacturer. Plug
tool (arrow) into DLC.
CAUTION-
Follow the manufacturer's directions when resetting the Sll. If
the reset procedures are done
incorrect& the tool or the elec-
tronic Service Interval Indicator
may be damaged.
Aftermarket reset tools that can reset all models with the DLC
can be purchased from one of the following suppliers:
Specialty tool suppliers
Assenmacher Specialty Tools
6440
Odell Place
Boulder, CO 80301
303-530-2424
[email protected] http://www.asttool.com
Baum Tools Unlimited,
Inc.
P.O. Box 5867
Sarasota, FL 34277-5867
800-848-6657
[email protected]
http://www.baumtools.com
Peake Research. Automotive Products Division
P.O. Box 28776
San Jose, CA 95159
408-369-0406
support @peakeresearch.com
http://www.peal~eresearch.com
2001 and later models
On vehicles without the data link connector (DLC) in the en-
gine compartment (2001 and latercars), the reset tool can not
be used. Instead, the
Sll can be reset with the trip odometer
reset button in the instrument cluster.
Make sure ignition key is in OFF position.
* Press and hold trip odometer button in instrument cluster,
and turn ignition key to ACCESSORY position.
Keep
button pressed for approximately 5 seconds until
either of following appear in display: OIL SERVICE or
INSPECTION, with RESET.
Press button again and
hold for approximately 5 seconds
until RESET flashes.

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Maintenance
0 Service due is shown with RESET if the measured con-
sumption limit has been reached and resetting is possible.
If RESET is not shown, the minimum limit has not been
reached and resetting is not possible.
While display is flashing, press button briefly to reset
Sll.
After display has shown new interval, the following will
appear in display for approximately
2 seconds: END SIA.
NOTE-
The system can only be reset again after the vehicle has
been driven approximately 50 to
75 miles (consumes at
least2.5gallons of fuel). If the display shows RESETwhen
resetting, the minimum driving distance has been fulfilled
and the system can be reset again.
0 It is possible to interrupt and end the reset procedure by
changing the position of the ignition
ley.
lnspection I, lnspection II
The Service Interval Indicator (SII) signals the need for main-
tenance and inspection. There are two sets
of inspection re-
quirements, alternating throughout a car's maintenance
history. If the last inspection interval was lnspection I, the next
inspection interval (following an oil service) will be lnspection
11, the next after that will be lnspection I, and so on.
lnspection
I tasks are listed in Table b. lnspection I Service.
lnspection
II includes most of the tasks from lnspection I with
additional lnspection
II tasks. A complete listing of lnspection
II tasks is in Table c. lnspection I1 Service.
NOTE-
For reference, the BMW lnspection I and lnspection I1 re-
quirements are approximately equivalent to the maintenance
requirements that other European manufacturers specify.
ln-
spection I is normally due at intervals with a maximum of
30,000 miles or
24 months. lnspection I1 is normally due at
intervals with a maximum of 60,000 miles or
48 months.

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Maintenance
The intervals for most tasks listed in the maintenance tables
below are determined by the Sll.
NOTE-
BMW is constantly upgrading recommended maintenance
procedures and requirements.
The information contained
here is as accurate as possible at the time of publication. if
there is any doubt about what procedures apply to a specific
model or year, or what intervals should be followed, remem-
ber that an authorized
BMW dealer has the latest information
on factory-recommended maintenance.
Except where noted, the maintenance items listed apply to all
models and model years covered by this manual. The num-
ber in the "additional repair information" column refers to the
repair group in this manual where additional information can
be found.
Table a.
Oil Service
I I I I I Additional
( New parts (Tools Required requrred
Under car maintenance
1 I I I I
I I - I I
Engine compartment maintenance
Check overall thickness of front and rear
bralte pads.
If replacement is necessary:
Examine
braite disc surface.
Clean brake pad contact points in calipers.
Grease wheel centering hubs.
Checlc thickness of parking braite linings
only when replacing rear brake pads.
Checlc operation of parking brake and
adjust as necessary.
spare
Table b.
Inspection I Service
I 1 I I [Additional
020
020
020
New parts Warm engrne Dealer service Irepair , /Tools Required (required (required . (recommended lnformatlon
Change oil and oil filter
Reset Service Interval indicator [Sli)
Replace interior ventilation microfilter
*
A
*
*
*
I I I I I
Undercar maintenance
Checlc engine drive belt condition 020
ri: * Change oil and oil filter. 020 *

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Table b. Inspection I Service (continued)
Checlt transmission and differential for
external lealts.
Check CV joint boots for damage or leaks.
Visually
check fuel tank, fuel lines, and
connections for
leaks.
New parts
Tools Required required
Check condition, position, and mounting
ol
exhaust system. Visually check and adjusl
if necessary.
Check power steering system for lealts.
Check power steering
fluid level and adjust
if necessary.
Check steering racidbox and tie rods for
tightness. Checit condition of front axle
joints, steering
linkage, and steering shaft
joints.
Check overall thickness of front and rear
bralte pads using
BMW special tool. If
replacement is necessary:
Examine brake disc surface.
Clean brake pad contact points in calipers
Grease wheel centering hubs.
Checlt thickness of parking brake linings
only when replacing rear brake shoes.
Checit operation of pariting brake and
adjust as necessary.
Checlt front control arm bushings for
damage or wear.
Check brake system connections and
lines
for leaks, damage, and incorrect
positioning Warm
engine
(~ealer service Irepair , required recommended lnformat~on
Check parking braite actuator. Adjust if
necessary
Check ail tire pressure (including spare)
and correct if necessary.
Checlt condition of tires (outer tread
surface), tread wear pattern: in case of
uneven wear, perform wheel alignment.
inspect entire body according to terms of
rust oerforation limited warrantv. (Must be
*:
4:
2 ~ perfdrmed at least every two years). I
Read out on-board diagnostic (OBD 11) fault
codes.
Checkengine coolant
system1 heater hose
connections for
leaks.
Checit coolant level and antifreeze
protection level. Add coolant as necessary.
* 100113010BD
I
170

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--- -
Maintenance
Table b. Inspection I Service (continued)
I I I I
Warm engine Dealer service
required recommended
Check windshield
washer fluid level and
antifreeze protection.
Add washer fluid as necessary.
Replace ventilation
microfilter. (Note:
reduce replacement intervals in dusty
operation conditions)
Reset Service interval Indicator
(Sil).
Additional
repair
information
Tools Required
*
eck aim of washer jets and adjust if
necessary.
covers, obvious damage or attachment o
s or accessories.
Road test
Check braking performance, steering,
heating and air conditioner operation.
Check manual transmission and clutch
operation or automatic transmission
operation. New
parts
required
*
Bodylelectrical
121
630
630
Checic battery state of charge
Check operation of:
headlights,
parking iights, back-up lights.
license plate lights, interior lights,
glove box
illumination, engine compartment light,
trunk light, turn signals, emergency
flashers, stop iights.
Check operation of horn and headlight
dimmer switch
:i: