BMW 540I SEDAN 2000 Owners Manual

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RepairsIndexOverview Controls Car care Technology Data
Approved wheel and tire specifications Ð sedanPay attention to the specifications for
tires and wheels in the vehicle's manu-
als. If sizes not approved by the manu-
facturer are mounted, an entry in the
vehicle's documents may be necessary.
Comply with local legislation.Snow chains
*
For tires on 17-inch wheels, it is not
possible to mount snow chains. Tire specifications Steel rim
(wheel rim)Light-alloy wheel
BMW 540i
All season tires (BMW 540iA only)
225/55 R 16 95 H M+S Ð 7Jx16
Summer tires
225/55 R 16 95 W Ð 7Jx16
235/45 R 17 94 W/Y Ð 8Jx17
Front: 235/45 R 17 94 W/Y
Rear: 255/40 R 17 94 W/YÐ
Ð8Jx17
9Jx17
Winter tires (M+S)
225/55 R 16 95 Q/T/H Ð 7Jx16
235/45 R 17 94 Q/T/H Ð 8Jx17
The use of rims and wheel bolts
that do not meet the specifications
of the original factory-installed equip-
ment will affect the safe operation of
your vehicle and may cause an accident
and personal injury.
Never mix tires of different design, such
as steel-belted radials with radial bias-
belted or bias-ply tires, etc. Mixing tire
types will adversely affect roadholding
and can lead to loss of vehicle con-
trol.<

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Approved wheel and tire specifications Ð sport wagonTire specifications Steel rim
(wheel rim)Light-alloy wheel
BMW 528i
All season tires
225/60 R 15 96 H M+S Ð 7Jx15
Summer tires
225/60 R 15 96 W Ð 7Jx15
225/55 R 16 95 W Ð 7Jx16
235/45 R 17 94 W/Y Ð 8Jx17
Winter tires (M+S)
225/60 R 15 96 Q 7Jx15 7Jx15
225/55 R 16 95 Q Ð 7Jx16
235/45 R 17 94 Q Ð 8Jx17
BMW 540i
All season tires
225/55 R 16 95 H M+S Ð 7Jx16
Summer tires
225/55 R 16 95 W Ð 7Jx16
235/45 R 17 94 W/Y Ð 8Jx17
Winter tires (M+S)
225/55 R 16 95 Q Ð 7Jx16
235/45 R 17 94 Q Ð 8Jx17
Pay attention to the specifications for
tires and wheels in the vehicle's manu-
als. If sizes not approved by the manu-
facturer are mounted, an entry in the
vehicle's documents may be necessary.
Comply with local legislation.Snow chains
*
For tires on 17-inch wheels, it is not
possible to mount snow chains.
The use of rims and wheel bolts
that do not meet the specifications
of the original factory-installed equip-
ment will affect the safe operation of
your vehicle and may cause an accident
and personal injury.
Never mix tires of different design, such
as steel-belted radials with radial bias-
belted or bias-ply tires, etc. Mixing tire
types will adversely affect roadholding
and can lead to loss of vehicle con-
trol.<

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RepairsIndexOverview Controls Car care Technology Data
HoodTo unlockPull the lever located under the left-
hand side of the instrument panel.
Do not work on your vehicle with-
out appropriate skills. Switch off
the engine and allow it to cool down
before working in the engine compart-
ment. Always disconnect the battery
before working on any electrical
systems or equipment, especially when
these are located within the engine
compartment. Comply with all applica-
ble instructions and warnings. Failure to
work in an informed, professional
manner when servicing components
and materials constitutes a safety
hazard for vehicle occupants and other
road users. If you are not familiar with
the guidelines, please have the opera-
tions performed by your authorized
BMW center.<390de071
To openPull the release handle and open the
hood.390de072
To closeAllow the hood to fall from a height
of about 12 inches (30 cm) so that it
audibly engages.
To avoid injuries, be sure that the
travel path of the hood is clear
when it is closed, as with all closing
procedures.
If it is determined that the hood is not
completely closed while driving, stop
immediately and close it securely.< 390de375

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Engine compartment Ð BMW 528i

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RepairsIndexOverview Controls Car care Technology Data
Engine compartment Ð BMW 528i1 Engine oil dipstick149
2 Reservoir for brake fluid (under the
housing of the microfilter)152
3 Auxiliary terminal for jump
starting182
4 Coolant expansion tank151
5 Engine oil filler neck149
6 Reservoir for intensive-cleaning
system
*
148
7 Reservoir for headlamp washer
* and
windshield washer system148

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Engine compartment Ð BMW 540i
390us621

147n
RepairsIndexOverview Controls Car care Technology Data
Engine compartment Ð BMW 540i1 Reservoir for brake fluid (under the
housing of the microfilter)152
2 Auxiliary terminal for jump
starting182
3 Engine oil dipstick149
4 Engine oil filler neck149
5 Coolant expansion tank151
6 Reservoir for intensive-cleaning
system
*
148
7 Reservoir for headlamp washer
* and
windshield washer system148

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Washer fluids Washer nozzlesHeadlamp
* and windshield
washer system
Capacity in US quarts (liters).
Windshield washer:
approx. 3.7 (3.5) Ð sedan
approx. 6.3 (6.0) Ð sport wagon
Incl. headlamp-washing system:
approx. 6.3 (6.0)
Fill with water and Ð if required Ð with a
washer antifreeze (according to manu-
facturer's recommendations).
We recommend that you mix the
washer ßuid before adding it to the
reservoir.< 390de082
Intensive-action washer
reservoir
*
Capacity approx. 1.1 US quarts
(1.0 liter).
Fill with intensive-action washer fluid.
It resists freezing to approx. -177
(-276) and is available from your
authorized BMW center.
Antifreeze agents or intensive-
action washer fluids for the
washer systems are highly flammable.
For this reason, keep them away from
sources of flame and store them only in
their original containers. Store them so
that they are inaccessible to children.
Comply with the instructions on the
containers.< 390de083
Windshield washerWindshield:
The spray from the nozzles should
be directed so as to ensure effective
cleaning, even at high speeds. Use
a needle to adjust the nozzles as
required, or have them adjusted at your
authorized BMW center.
Rear window:
Have this system adjusted by your
BMW center as required.Headlamp washer systemHave the nozzles adjusted by your
BMW center as required.

149n
RepairsIndexOverview Controls Car care Technology Data
Engine oilChecking oil level1 Park the vehicle on a level surface.
2 Shut the engine off after it has
reached normal operating
temperature.
3 After approx. 5 minutes, pull the
dipstick out and wipe it off with a
clean lint-free cloth, paper towel, or
similar material.
4 Push the dipstick all the way into the
guide tube and pull it out again.
5 The oil level should be in between the
two graduations on the dipstick.
As with fuel economy, oil consumption
is directly influenced by your driving
style and vehicle operating conditions.390de076
The oil volume between the two marks
on the dipstick corresponds to approx.
1.1 US quarts (1 liter). Do not fill beyond
the upper mark on the dipstick. Excess
oil will damage the engine.460de189
To add oilWait until the level has dropped to just
above the lower mark before adding oil.
However, do not wait until the oil level
drops below the lower mark.
BMW engines are designed to op-
erate without oil additives; the use
of additives could lead to damage in
some cases. This is also true for the
manual transmission, the automatic
transmission, the differential, and the
power steering system.< 390de077

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Engine oilSpecified engine oils The quality of the engine oil selected
has critical significance for the opera-
tion and service life of an engine. Based
on extensive testing, BMW has ap-
proved only certain engine oils.
Use only approved "BMW High Perfor-
mance Synthetic Oil."
If you are unable to obtain "BMW High
Performance Synthetic Oil," you may
use small amounts of synthetic oil in
between oil changes. Only use oils with
the specification API SH or higher.
Ask your authorized BMW center
for details concerning the specific
"BMW High Performance Synthetic Oil"
or "synthetic oils" which have been ap-
proved.<
You can also call BMW of North
America at 1-800-831-1117 or visit
this website: www.bmwusa.com to
obtain this information.
Viscosity ratingsViscosity is the oil flow rating as estab-
lished in SAE classes.
The selection of the correct SAE class
depends on the climatic conditions in
the area where you typically drive your
BMW.
Approved oils are in SAE classes
5W-30 and SAE 5W-40.<
These oils may be used for driving in all
ambient temperatures.
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