windshield wipers BMW 540i 1999 E39 Workshop Manual

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ing at the finish when it is wet. If the water coats the paint in
smooth sheets instead of forming beads that roll off, a new
coat of wax is needed. Waxshould not be applied to black trim
pieces, rubber, or other plastic parts.
Windshield wiper blade maintenance
Common problems with the windshield wipers include streak-
ing or sheeting, water drops afler wiping, and blade chatter.
Streaking is usually caused when wiper blades are coated
with road
film or car wash wax. Clean the blades using soapy
water.
If cleaning the blades does not cure the problem, they
should be replaced. BMW recommends replacing the wiper
I blades twice a year, before and after the cold season.
I
< To replace wiper blade, depress retaining tab (arrow) and
slide blade out of arm.
I - Checlc tension spring that forces wiper against glass. Re-
place wiper arm if spring tension is weak.
Drops that remain behind after wiping are caused by oil, road
film, or diesel exhaust coating the windshield. Use an alcohol
or ammonia solution or a nonabrasive cleanser to clean the
windshield.
Wiper blade chatier may be caused by dirty or worn blades,
by a dirty windshield, or by bent or twisted wiper arms. Clean
the blades and windshield as described above.
Adjusithe
wiper arm so that there is even pressure along the blade, and
so that the blade is perpendicularto the windshield at rest. Lu-
bricate the wiper linkage with a light oil. The
linkage is located
under the hood on the driver's side. If the problem persists,
the blades are excessively aged or worn and should be re-
placed. See
61 1 Wipers and Washers for more information.

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Body shell
Exterior and aerodynamics
Crash behavlor -frontal impact
-side impact
Body
-rear impact Structural body components -rigidity
-rollover -strength -vibrations -acoustics
Bumpers compartment lid -bendable Seets,.steerlng system .dents -vibrations bars -vibration patterns
Fenders -aerodvnamic
With its traditional styling features, such as the ltidney grille.
circular headlights behind a glass cover (for reasons of
streamlining), and the
"kiclt" in the rear most roof pillar (C-pil-
lar), the E39 can be immediately recognized as a BMW.
The BMW 5 Series chassis is a unibody design constructed of
high strength steel. Attaching parts, such as the front fenders,
rear quarter panels, doors,
trunk lid and hood are also con-
structed of
steel.
Computer aided design (CAD) techniques have been used in
refining the
E39 body to reduce vehicle weight while retaining
strength and increasing torsional rigidity. For good handling
purposes, the more rigid the structure the more precisely the
suspension can operate.
Wind resistance
Windows bonded flush to the body and the guided flow of
cooling air into the engine compartment provide the
carwith a
good coefficient of drag (Cd).
E39 cars have been designed
for balanced aerodynamics but not necessarily an extremely
low Cd. See table below.
Windshield wipers are designed for effectiveness at speeds
up to and beyond 200
ltph (124 mph).
Coefficient of aerodynamic drag (Cd)
6-cylinder sedan 0.30
V-8 sedan 0.31
6-cylinder Sport Wagon 0.31
V-8 Sport Wagon 0.33
Fenders
The exterior panels are corrosion-resistant zinc coated (gal-
vanized) steel. The front fenders are bolted on. For front fend-
er replacement information, see
410 Fenders, Engine
Hood.

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Hood, raising to service position
CAUTION-
Do not switch on the windshield wipers with the engine
hood raised. As a precaution, remove the wiper
motor
fuse. See 610 Electrical Component Locations.
The
hoodis heavy Before removing the hoodsupports,
be sure to have an assistant help support the hood.
< Open hood fully. With the help of a partner, support hood and
remove retaining clips (arrow) on upper end of pressurized
lifting struts. Pull struts off hood.
< Raise hood to service position and loclc in position by placing
bolts (arrow) in right and
left hinges.

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112 INDEX
Warnings 001-1
Warnings, cautions and notes
01
0-3
Washer fluid pump
see Wipers and washers
Washers see Wipers and washers
Washing see Maintenance
Water pump
see Cooling system, coolant
pump
Waxing
see Mainienance
Wheel, steering
see Steering
Wheel alignment
320-33 ride [height 300-14
see also Maintenance
Wheel bearing
see Front suspension
see also Rear suspension
Wheels
300-1 1
Window motor see Door window
Window regulator
see Door window
Window switch
512-3
see Switches
Windows, door
see Door window
Windshield wipers and washers
see Wipers and washers
see also Maintenance
Wiper motor
see Wipers and washers Wipers and
washers
rain sensor 61
1-6 rear window (Sport Wagon) wiper motor, removingiinstaiiing
611-15 wiper shaft, removing.instaiiing
611-15
wiperiwasher system 61
1-8 washer system 611-16
wiper
assembly 611-12
wiper blades and arms 61 1-9
Wiring codes and abbreviations
600-12
Wirinq diaarams ELF-I -
see also Electrical system
Working under car safely
010-6
Xenon headlght
630-6
ZKE (central body electronics)
600-8