BMW 540I SEDAN 2000 Owners Manual

171n
RepairsIndexOverview Controls Car care Technology Data
Lamps and bulbsLamps in the luggage compartment lid/
tailgate:
1 Open the trim panel in the luggage
compartment lid/tailgate.
2 Open the quick-release fastener
(arrow) and remove the lamp holder.
3 Apply gentle pressure to the bulb
while turning it to the left to remove.392de171
Center (high-mount) brake lamp21 watt bulb
1 Open the luggage compartment lid/
tailgate.
2 Unclip the cover panel (on the under-
side of the package tray) with a
screwdriver (arrow).
3 Turn the bulb holder to the left and
remove.
4 Apply gentle pressure to the bulb
while turning it to the left to remove.
sport wagon: LED strip in the tailgate.
Please contact a BMW center in case of
a malfunction.394de123
License plate lamps5 watt bulb
1 Insert a screwdriver into the slot and
press to the right (arrow); this disen-
gages the lamp.
2 Remove the lamp and replace the
bulb.394de105

172n
Lamps and bulbsInterior lampsFront
Interior lamp (10 watt bulb) with reading
lamps (10 watt bulbs)
1 Interior lamp: Press the lamp out to
the side with a screwdriver and re-
move the lens. Pull the bulb from the
contacts.
2 Reading lamp: Gently press against
the lamp while turning it to the left to
remove.
Indirect lighting
1 watt bulb
1 Unclip the lamp holder.
2 Remove the bulb.
Rear Ð sedan
Interior lamp (10 watt bulb) with reading
lamp (5 watt bulb)
1 Use a screwdriver on the upper
recesses to pry out the lamp.
2 Interior lamp: Push back the tab on
the reflector and replace the bulb.
3 Reading lamp: Gently press against
the lamp while turning it to the left to
remove.Rear Ð sport wagon
Interior lamp: 5 watt bulbs
1 Use a screwdriver to pry out the lamp
from above.
2 Remove the lens.
3 Replace the bulb.
Interior lamp (10 watt bulb) with
reading lamp (6 watt bulb)
1 Using a screwdriver, press the lamp
next to the button out to the side.
2 Remove the lens.
3 Replace the bulb.
Footwell lamps5 watt bulb
1 Use a screwdriver to press the lens
out to the side.
2 Replace the bulb.Glove compartment lamp5 watt bulb
1 Apply a screwdriver to the recess to
pry the lamp out.
2 Remove the reflector.
3 Replace the bulb.
Luggage compartment lampsLamp on the underside of the rear
parcel tray: 10 watt halogen lamp
Lamp in luggage compartment:
10 watt bulb
1 Apply a screwdriver to the recess to
pry the lamp out.
2 Remove the reflector.
3 Replace the bulb.Luggage compartment lampsHeadliner lamps: 10 watt bulbs
1 Use a screwdriver to push the lens to
the side.
2 Replace the bulbs.
Lamps on the apron of the luggage
compartment lid/tailgate:
10 watt bulb
1 Use a screwdriver to pry out the lamp
at the upper edge.
2 Remove the reflector.
3 Replace the bulb.

173n
RepairsIndexOverview Controls Car care Technology Data
Changing tires
Safety measures in the event of a
flat tire or wheel change:
Stop the vehicle as far as possible from
passing traffic. Park on a firm, flat,
surface. Switch on the hazard flashers.
Turn the steering wheel to the straight-
ahead position, remove the key and
engage the steering lock. Shift into 1st
or reverse (selector lever in Park with
automatic transmission) and engage the
parking brake. All passengers should
be outside the car and well away from
your immediate working area (behind a
guardrail, for instance).
If a warning triangle or portable hazard
warning lamp is available, set it up on
the roadside at an appropriate distance
from the rear of the vehicle. Comply
with all safety guidelines and regula-
tions.
Change the wheel only on a level, firm
surface which is not slippery. Avoid
jacking the car on a soft or slippery sup-
port surface (snow, ice, loose gravel,
etc.), since it could slide sideways.
Position the jack on a firm support
surface.
Do not place wooden blocks or similar
objects under the jack. If this is done,
the jack might not be able to reach its
full support capacity because of the
limited height.
Do not lie under the vehicle or start the
engine when the vehicle is supported
by the jack Ð risk of fatal injury.<
What you will needIn order to avoid rattling noises later,
note the position of the tools when you
remove them and return them to their
original position when you are through
using them.
>Car jack
sedan: Fold back the luggage com-
partment floor mat for access, then
unscrew the wingnut to release the
jack (arrow).
sport wagon: Raise the floor panel
and spare tire cover (refer to
page 118).
When you have completed work,
screw the jack all the way back down.
Fold the handle back and insert it in
its holder
>Wedge (wheel chock)
Located next to the jack. Loosen the
wing nut to remove it394de090

174n
Changing tires>Spare tire and adapter
* for removing
the lug bolt cover
* (refer to the next
column)
Both are next to the jack. Remove the
adapter or the plastic cover. Unscrew
the wing nut (arrow) by hand and re-
move the wheel
>Lug wrench and screwdriver
In the vehicle tool kit under the lug-
gage compartment lid (refer to
page 166).
sport wagon: The lug wrench is next
to the spare tire.
394de091
Procedure1 Read carefully and comply with the
safety precautions on the previous
page.
2 Secure the vehicle against rolling:
Place the wedge against the rear
surface of the front tire on the side
opposite the side being raised. If
the vehicle is parked on a down-
ward slope, place the wedge se-
curely in front of the tire. If the
wheel must be changed on a sur-
face with a more severe slope, take
additional precautions to secure the
vehicle from rolling.
3 Wheels with full wheel covers
*:
Reach into the ventilation openings
and pull the cover off.
4 Wheels with adapter
*: Position the
lug bolt adapter on the lug bolt
cover. Then apply the lug wrench
and turn it to the left (refer to the
illustration).
380de092
5 Wheels with hub cover
*: Pry the
hub cover off with the screwdriver in
the slot.
6 Loosen the lug bolts 1/2-turn.
7 Position the jack at the jacking point
closest to the flat tire so that the
jack base is vertically below the
jacking point and the entire surface
of the head of the jack will move
into the square recess of the jacking
point (refer to the illustration detail)
when the jack is cranked.
8 Jack the car up until the wheel you
are changing is raised from the
ground.
9 Unscrew the lug bolts and remove
the wheel.
10 Remove accumulations of mud or
dirt from the mounting surfaces of
390de350

175n
RepairsIndexOverview Controls Car care Technology Data
Changing tires
the wheel and hub. Clean the lug
bolts.
11 Position the spare wheel. Secure
the wheel by turning at least two lug
bolts into opposite bolt holes.
12 Screw in the remaining lug bolts.
Tighten all the bolts securely.
13 Lower the jack and remove it from
beneath the car.
14 Tighten the lug bolts in a diagonal
pattern.
15 Wheels with full wheel covers: Place
the wheel cover with the valve
opening over the valve (arrow). Use
both hands to press the cover se-
curely onto the rim.
For this light-weight wheel, use
only the full wheel cover installed 390de360
by the factory. Other wheel covers may
not fit securely.<
16 Wheels with hub covers:
Position the hub cover and press it
on tightly.
17 If equipped with lug bolt covers:
Align the arrow on the cover with
the line in the wheel and press the
cover into place.
18 Check and correct the air pressure
at the earliest opportunity.
For vehicles with Tire Pressure Con-
trol (RDC)
*:
After mounting the spare tire or cor-
recting the inflation pressure, reacti-
vate the system. Refer to page 92.The vehicle jack is designed for
changing tires only. Do not
attempt to raise another vehicle model
with it or to raise any load of any kind.
To do so could cause accidents and
personal injury.
To ensure continued safety, have the
lug bolts checked with a calibrated
torque wrench [torque specification
72 lb-ft (100 Nm)] at the earliest
opportunity.<
When storing the wheel, take care to
ensure that you do not damage the
retaining pin in the spare tire recess.
If light-alloy wheels other than original
BMW light-alloy wheels have been
mounted, it may be necessary to use
different lug bolts for those wheels.
Replace the defective tire as soon as
possible and have the new wheel/tire
balanced.

176n
Changing tires Battery
Size 255/40 R17 94 W
* tires on
the rear axle:
In the event of a puncture or other tire
failure, it may be necessary to mount
the spare tire of different size at the
rear. This tire is of full capacity in all
load and speed ranges. Nevertheless,
mount a tire of the correct size as soon
as possible.<
Installation locationThe battery is located behind the right-
hand side trim panel in the luggage
compartment.
Fold the trim panel down with the
handle at the top. On the sport wagon,
press the button.
If a subwoofer
* is installed on the sport
wagon, loosen the T-screw and swing
the subwoofer to the side.
Keep the upper surface of the battery
dry and clean.
390de610
SymbolsYou will find the following symbols on
your car battery. To avoid injury, please
comply with the corresponding precau-
tions whenever you work with or near
the battery.
Please read the following infor-
mation before working with the
battery.
Wear eye protection. Do not al-
low particles containing battery
acid or lead to come into con-
tact with your eyes, your skin, or your
clothing.
Battery acid is extremely corro-
sive. Wear eye protection and
protective gloves. Do not tip the
battery. Battery acid can leak from the
ventilation openings.
Be sure that children keep well
away from batteries and battery
acid.
Never allow sparks or open
flame near the battery. Do not
smoke in the vicinity of the
battery. Avoid sparks from electrical
cables or electrical equipment. Turn the
key to position 0 in the steering lock
during the disconnection or connection
of the battery. Never short-circuit the
battery terminals. There is a danger of
injury from powerful sparks.

177n
RepairsIndexOverview Controls Car care Technology Data
Battery
A highly-explosive gas is
generated when the battery is
charged.
If you happen to get acid in your
eyes, rinse thoroughly for
15 minutes with clear water.
Following that, consult a physician
immediately. If you get acid spray on
your skin or clothing, rinse with plenty
of water. If electrolyte is accidentally
swallowed, consult a physician immedi-
ately.
In order to protect the battery
case from ultraviolet radiation,
do not place it in direct sunlight.
A discharged battery can freeze. Store
the battery in areas where temperature
remains above freezing.
MaintenanceThe battery is absolutely maintenance-
free, that is, the original electrolyte will
normally last for the service life of the
battery under moderate climatic condi-
tions.
Charge conditionYou can read the charge condition
of the battery with the "Magic Eye
*"
(a hydrometer):
>Green: Adequate charge
>Black: Not charged adequately.
The battery must be recharged.
Please contact your BMW center
>Yellow: Replace the battery.
The projected service life of the
battery can only be reached if the
battery is fully-charged at all times.
Check the charge condition of the bat-
tery frequently if the vehicle is used pri-
marily for driving short distances.<
390de612
Charging the batteryIf the battery is charged in the vehicle:
Do not charge the battery with the
engine running.
Before performing any work on
the electrical system, disconnect
the cable from the negative terminal. If
you do not, short circuits can create the
risk of fire or personal injury.<
If you plan to store the vehicle for more
than four weeks, disconnect the battery
from the vehicle electrical system by
disconnecting the cable at the negative
terminal and then recharge using a suit-
able charging device.
If you intend to store your car for longer
than 12 weeks: Remove the battery,
charge it and store it in a cool (but frost-
and dust-free) room. Everv three
months and before reinstalling the bat-
tery, have it recharged. If it is not
recharged, it will not be serviceable.
Every time the battery is discharged,
especially over extended periods, its
service life is reduced.

178n
Battery Fuses Removal and installation
Do not disconnect the battery
when the engine is running. Dis-
connecting the battery cable when the
engine is running will cause a voltage
surge which will damage the vehicle's
onboard electronics.
Do not make any modifications in the
wires to the positive terminal. If you do
so, the protective function of the safety
battery terminal is no longer ensured.
Repairs and disposal may only be
performed by specially-trained person-
nel.<
390de611
When removing the battery, first dis-
connect the negative terminal, then the
positive terminal. Remove the protec-
tive bar (1) and unscrew the threaded
connection of the battery bracket (2).
When installing the battery, connect the
positive terminal first, then connect the
negative terminal.
When installing a battery, be sure
that it is mounted properly. Install
and secure the protective bar. If the
battery is not mounted and fastened
properly, it will not be adequately
secured in case of an accident.<
Return used batteries to a recy-
cling point or your authorized
BMW center. Maintain the battery in an
upright position for transport and stor-
age. Secure the battery against tilting in
transit.<
When an electrical accessory fails to
operate, switch it off and inspect the
fuse.In glove compartment1 Open the glove compartment and
turn the two white quick-release
knobs to the left. Spare fuses and
plastic tweezers are located on the
fuse holder.
2 Use the plastic tweezers to remove
the fuse for the accessory or equip-
ment that has stopped working.
3 If the fuse is burned through (the
metal strip will have melted and sep-
arated), replace it with a new fuse of
the same ampere rating (color code).390de085

179n
RepairsIndexOverview Controls Car care Technology Data
FusesThe fuses, their respective ampere rat-
ings and the equipment in their circuits
are all indicated below the fuse holder.
Close the fuse holder by holding the top
of the cover in place and screwing the
two quick-release knobs to the right.
Additional fuses are provided in the
luggage compartment (refer to next
columns).
The fuse for continuous positive current
is located in a separate fuse box above
the battery. If this fuse is defective, refer
the problem to your BMW center for
repair.
Do not attempt to repair a burned
fuse or replace it with a fuse
having a different color or ampere rat-
ing. To do this could cause a fire in the
vehicle resulting from a circuit over-
load.<
If the fuse fails repeatedly, refer the
problem to your BMW center for repair.
In the luggage compartmentUse the handle to pull down the trim on
the right wall.
A list of the fuses, their respective am-
pere ratings and the equipment in their
circuits is provided on the rear of the
side trim.394de124
In the luggage compartment Ð
sport wagonOpen the right access door by pressing
the button and pull the trim panel to the
side.
A list of the fuses, their respective am-
pere ratings and the equipment in their
circuits is provided on the rear of the
side trim panel.
If a subwoofer
* is installed, loosen the
T-screw and swing the subwoofer to
the side.
392de172

180n
Manual release Ð sedan 1 Use the handle to lower the trim
panel on the right side of the luggage
compartment.
2 Pull the knob with the fuel pump
symbol (arrow).394de095
Manual release Ð sport wagon1 Release the right-hand panel in the
luggage compartment with the button
and fold the panel down.
2 Pull the knob with the fuel pump
symbol (arrow).
If a subwoofer
* is installed, loosen the
T-screw and swing the subwoofer to
the side.
392de157
Manual operation1 Remove the interior lamp (refer to
page 171), reach into the opening
and push out the panel.
2 Use the Allen key from the vehicle
tool kit to turn the sliding/tilt sunroof
in the desired direction (refer to
page 166).390de376
Fuel filler door Sliding/Tilt sunroof