ABS BMW 540I SEDAN 2000 User Guide

137n
RepairsIndexOverview Controls Car care Technology Data
Tire rotation Wheel and tire combinationsShould you decide to rotate the tires, it
is essential to comply with the follow-
ing: Rotate tires on the same side only,
since braking characteristics and road
grip could otherwise be adversely
affected.
Following tire rotation, correct the tire
inflation pressure.
If different tire sizes are mounted
on the front and rear axles (refer to
page 140), the wheels may not be
rotated from one axle to the other.<
The right choiceUse only tires approved by BMW.
Refer to the information beginning on
page 140.
Because of the high speeds this vehicle
can reach, the use of specific tire
brands, specifications and dimensions
is mandatory. Consult any BMW center
for details.
Comply with national, state, or province
regulations.
The correct wheel-tire combina-
tion affects different systems such
as ABS, ATC, ASC+T/DSC. The func-
tion of these systems is impaired if im-
proper wheel-tire combinations are
used.
For this reason, use only tires of the
same brand and tread pattern. In the
event of a flat tire if you have mounted
winter tires, for example, remount the
approved wheel-tire combination as
soon as possible.<
Codes on tires and wheelsThe tire codes will aid you in selecting
the correct tire.
Codes on radial tires:
The speed rating indicates the ap-
proved maximum speed for the tire.
Summer tires:
S = up to 112 mph (180 km/h)
T = up to 118 mph (190 km/h)
H = up to 130 mph (210 km/h)
V = up to 150 mph (240 km/h)
W = up to 167 mph (270 km/h)
Y = up to 186 mph (300 km/h)
ZR= over 150 mph (240 km/h)Example:
Nominal width
in mm
Aspect ratio in %
Radial tire code
Rim diameter in inches
Load rating
(not on ZR tires)
Speed rating
(before R on ZR tires)
235/60 R 16 100 W

152n
Coolant Brake fluidAdding coolantWait until the engine cools before re-
moving the cap from the expansion
tank. The needle of the coolant gauge
in the instrument cluster must be lo-
cated in the blue zone; otherwise, there
is a danger of scalding.
1 Start by turning the cap counter-
clockwise. Pause to allow any
accumulated pressure to escape,
then open.
2 If the coolant is low, slowly add
coolant until the correct level is
reached Ð do not overfill.
The coolant is a mixture of water and
extended-duty antifreeze with corrosion
inhibitor. Always maintain the pre-
scribed all-season 50:50 mixture ratio
for year-round protection against inter-
nal corrosion. No other additives are re-
quired.
Replace the coolant every four years.If the indicator lamp for the
brake hydraulic system appears
or if the "CHECK BRAKE FLUID"
warning appears in the Check
Control: The brake fluid level is
too low in the reservoir.
The brake fluid reservoir is located
under the microfilter housing on the
driver's side of the car. Should you de-
termine that the brake fluid is low, refer
the problem to your BMW center, who
can trace and rectify any sources of
leakage when refilling the reservoir.
Your BMW center is familiar with the
specifications for approved brake fluids
(DOT 4).
Brake fluid loss results in extended
pedal travel. For this situation, refer to
the notes on page 130.
Brake fluid is hygroscopic, that is,
it absorbs moisture from the air
over time.
In order to ensure the safety and
reliability of the brake system, have the
brake fluid changed every two years by
an authorized BMW center. Refer also
to the Service and Warranty Information
Booklet (US models) or to the Warranty
and Service Guide Booklet (Canadian
models).
Brake fluid is toxic and damages the
vehicle's paint. You should always store
it in its original container and in a loca-
tion which is out of reach of children.
Do not spill the fluid and do not fill the
brake fluid reservoir beyond the "MAX"
mark. The brake fluid could ignite upon
contact with hot engine parts and cause
serious burns.<
Comply with the applicable
environmental laws regulating the
disposal of brake fluid.<

168n
Lamps and bulbsXenon lamps
*
The operating life of these lamp units is
extremely long and the likelihood of fail-
ure very low, provided that they are not
switched on and off a very great num-
ber of times. If one of these bulbs
should nevertheless fail, it is possible to
continue driving with great caution us-
ing the fog lamps, provided traffic laws
in your area do not prohibit this.
Because of the extremely high
voltages involved, any work on the
lighting system should be carried out by
technically-qualified personnel only.
Otherwise, there is a risk of fatal in-
jury.<
Parking lamp5 watt bulb
1 Turn the bulb holder to the left (arrow)
and remove.
2 Remove and replace the bulb.390de099
Turn signals/Parking lamps (side
marker lamps), frontDual-filament bulb, 28/8 watts
1 Press the tabs (arrow) together and
extract the bulb holder.
2 Press gently on the bulb, turn it to the
left and remove.
3 After replacing the bulb insert the
holder (note lug positions) and snap it
back into place.390de100

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.

184n
Towing the vehicle
The towed vehicle should always
be the lighter of the two vehicles.
If this is not the case, it is no longer
possible to control vehicle response.<
Tow-startingIt is not possible to start the engine of
vehicles equipped with an automatic
transmission by towing or pushing.
For instructions on jump starting, refer
to page 182.
Never attempt to use your vehicle to
push another car, since damage to the
energy-absorbing bumpers could
result.
Towing a vehicle with automatic
transmission1 Place the selector lever in position N
2 Towing speed:
Max. 45 mph (70 km/h)
3 Towing distance:
Max. 95 miles (150 km)
4 Leave the ignition key at position 1 to
ensure that the brake lamps, turn sig-
nals, horn and windshield wipers re-
main operative, and to prevent the
steering lock detent from engaging.
5 Switch on the hazard-warning system
(observe country-specific regula-
tions).
Find some means of identifying the ve-
hicle in tow, for instance, place a sign
or warning triangle in the rear window.
Make sure that the ignition key
remains in position 1 even when
the electrical system has failed to pre-
vent the steering lock from engaging.
The steering and brakes are without
power assist when the engine is off.
This means that increased effort is
required for steering and braking.<
Towing with a commercial
tow truck>Do not tow with sling-type equipment
>Use a wheel lift or flat bed carrier
>Please comply with applicable towing
laws.
Never allow passengers to ride in
a towed vehicle for any reason.<380us124

194n
Tire Pressure Control (RDC)
*
Integrated rear suspension
The Tire Pressure Control system (RDC)
assumes the task of regular tire pres-
sure checks for you. The tire pressure is
monitored at all four wheels, even when
the vehicle is moving.
Behind the valve stem in every wheel,
there is an electronic chip which is
designed for severe-duty applications
and long service life. It contains a pres-
sure sensor, a transmitter and a battery.
The pressure is measured in extremely
short time intervals and then transmit-
ted by a radio signal. If an irregularity is
detected, the transmission rate is
increased.394de304
Near every wheel, there are antennas in
the body which receive the signals from
all four wheels. A central electronics
system evaluates the quadruple signals
and forwards any changes.
The RDC provides an important contri-
bution to driving safety.
The control arms on the patented inte-
grated aluminum rear axle assembly are
not mounted directly on the body. They
are mounted elastically on a chassis
sub-frame which is joined in turn with
elasticity to the vehicle body. The result-
ing double elastic suspension system
effectively absorbs the forces resulting
from bumps and road surface irregulari-
ties.
The compliance rates of the integrated
rear axle assembly's control arm mounts
have been precisely calibrated to help
provide supplementary adjustment in
the tracking angle of the rear wheels
(programmed self-steer effect). The ulti-
mate result is enhanced safety and con-
trol under all conditions.
The illustration shows the rear axle of the
sedan. With the lightweight, compact
rear axle of the sport wagon, the shock
absorbers are positioned at an angle.
390de114

195n
RepairsIndexOverview Controls Car care Technology Data
Level control system
*
Xenon lamps
*
The level control system for the rear
axle maintains constant ground clear-
ance of your vehicle, even when carry-
ing a load.
To achieve this, the vehicle is equipped
with air struts at the rear axle instead of
conventional shock absorbers and steel
suspension springs. With the help of
two sensors, an electronic control unit
calculates the height of the body at all
times and, if it is required, it allows air
which is generated in a compressor to
flow into the air springs.
As a result of the pressure increase in
the air springs, the level control system
ensures not only constant ride height,
but also ride comfort which is indepen-
dent of the load the vehicle is carrying.390de136
The xenon lamps light up the side and
front areas of the vehicle with signifi-
cantly more brightness and uniformity
then the traditional halogen lamps.
In a xenon lamp, an electric arc
replaces the filament in order to gener-
ate intense illumination. A gas mixture
in a quartz glass tube with metal vapor
is ignited by a high electric voltage. The
arc that is generated is then sustained
by a lower voltage. When the lamp is
turned on, a brief period is needed for
the full beam strength to build up. Maxi-
mum brightness is attained in approx.
15 seconds.390de134
Xenon lamps provide significantly-
improved visibility, especially during
adverse weather conditions and driving
situations (driving at night in heavy rain
or through road repair areas where
there are no lane markers, for instance).
Vehicles with xenon lamps
are
equipped with automatic headlamp
range control. As a result, the highway
is always optimally lighted, regardless
of load conditions, and drivers in on-
coming traffic are not blinded.
Xenon lamps make a significant contri-
bution to highway safety since other
highway users, or bicyclists and motor-
cyclists in the right lane, and pedestri-
ans are more easily detected.

A
ABS (Antilock Brake
System)23, 127
Accessories6
Activated-charcoal
filter103
Active seat53, 190
Adaptive Transmission
Control (ATC)71, 188
Add engine oil149
Add washer fluid148
Adjust backrest52
Adjust seats50
Adjust steering wheel54
Adjust temperature100
Air conditioning control98
Remove condensation
from windshields101
Air distribution100
Air pressure134
Air supply101
Air vent98
Airbags23, 60, 160, 188
Alarm system45
Antenna, Diversity190
Antennas133
Antifreeze151
Antifreeze, radiator130
Antilock Brake System
(ABS)23, 127
Anti-theft protection37
Approved gross vehicle
weight201Aquaplaning134
ASC+T/DSC24, 91, 189
Ashtray110
ATC (Adaptive Transmission
Control)71, 188
Attach vacuum cleaner111
AUC (Automatic recirculated-
air control)101
Automatic car washes155
Automatic climate control98
Automatic cruise control80
Automatic curb monitor56
Automatic dimming, interior
rearview mirror55
Automatic rear window
wiper79
Automatic recirculated-air
control (AUC)101
Automatic Stability Control
plus Traction/Dynamic
Stability Control (ASC+T)/
(DSC)24, 91, 189
Automatic steering wheel
adjustment54
Automatic transmission71
Automatic transmission with
Steptronic74
Automatic transmission, oil
capacities203
Average fuel
consumption88
Average speed88
Axle loads201

B
Backup lamps70
Bulb replacement169
Battery176, 204
Capacity204
Charging177
Discharged182
Removal and
installation178
Belts59
Beverage holder109
Blower101
BMW active seat53, 190
BMW comfort seat51
BMW sports seat52
BMW Universal
Transmitter105
Bore198
Brake system124
Brake faults130
Brake fluid152
Brake lamps, bulb
replacement169
Brake pads23
Breaking-in the
brakes124
Disc brakes124, 128
Parking brake23, 69
Brake-in procedure124
Brakes, refer to Brake
system
Breaking in the vehicle124
Break-resistant security
glass, care158
Bulb replacement167

C
Car jack173
Car keys35
Car Memory58
Car phones and telephones,
refer to the seperate
Owner's Manual
Car radio
reception133, 190
Car telephone109
Car wash155
Care, vehicle exterior156
Care, vehicle interior158
Cargo loading120
Caring for the vehicle
finish157
Catalytic converter126
Cellular phone133
Center (high-mount) brake
lamp, bulb
replacement171
Central locking system,
button40
Changing a tire173
Charging the battery177
Check air pressure30
Check Control85
Check engine oil level149
Child restraint systems59
Child's seat59
Child-safety locks66
Cigarette lighter110

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