tailgate BMW 540I SEDAN 2000 User Guide

43n
RepairsIndexOverview Controls Car care Technology Data
Luggage compartment lid/TailgateClosing Ð sport wagonYou can pull the tailgate down by plac-
ing both hands in the handle recesses
(arrows).
To close the tailgate, merely press it
down gently. The closing process will
then be carried out automatically.
To avoid injuries, be sure that the
travel path of the tailgate is clear
when it is closed, as with all closing
procedures.< 392de160
When the tailgate of the sport
wagon is opened, the clearance
from the ground to the upper edge is
more than 6.5 feet (two meters). Please
keep this in mind when opening the tail-
gate (in a garage, for example).<
Operate the vehicle only when the
luggage compartment lid/tailgate
is completely closed. Otherwise,
exhaust fumes could penetrate the
interior of the vehicle. Should it be
absolutely necessary to operate the
vehicle with the luggage compartment
lid/tailgate open:
>Close all windows. Shut the sliding/
tilt sunroof
>Increase the airflow of the automatic
climate control to a high level. Refer
to page 101.<

45n
RepairsIndexOverview Controls Car care Technology Data
Alarm systemThe conceptThe vehicle alarm system responds:
>When a door, the hood or the lug-
gage compartment lid/tailgate is
opened
>To movement inside the vehicle
(interior motion sensor)
>To variations in the vehicle tilt sensor
such as occur during attempts to
steal the wheels or tow the vehicle
>To interruption of battery voltage.
The system responds to unauthorized
vehicle entry and attempted theft by
simultaneously activating the following:
>Sounding an acoustical alarm for
30 seconds
>The hazard warning flashers are
activated for approx. five minutes
>The high beams flash on and off in
the same rhythm.
To activate and deactivate the
alarm systemWhen the vehicle is locked or unlocked
with the key or the remote control, the
alarm system is also simultaneously
armed or disarmed.
The interior motion sensor is activated
approx. 30 seconds after you have fin-
ished locking the car.
The system indicates that it has been
correctly armed by switching on the
hazard flashers for a single cycle and by
emitting an acoustical signal.
You can have different acknowl-
edgment messages set to confirm
arming and disarming (not released at
this time).<
When the system is active, you can still
gain access to the luggage compart-
ment by pressing button 3 on the
remote control transmitter (refer to
page 39). When you close the luggage
compartment lid/tailgate, it locks again.
Indicator lamp displays>The indicator lamp below the interior
rearview mirror flashes continuously:
The system is armed
>The indicator lamp flashes during
arming: Door(s), the hood or luggage
compartment lid/tailgate are not
completely closed. Even if you do not
close the alerted area, the system be-
gins to monitor the remaining areas,
and the indicator lamp flashes contin-
uously after 10 seconds. However,
the interior motion sensor is not acti-
vated
>If the indicator lamp goes out when
the system is disarmed: No manipula-
tion or attempted intrusions have
been detected in the period since the
system was armed390de020

85n
RepairsIndexOverview Controls Car care Technology Data
Check ControlGraphic display
*
The following alerts or status messages
are displayed symbolically from ignition
key position 2 and up until the defects
are corrected:
1 Check lowbeam, highbeam and
parking lamps
2 Add washer fluid
(goes out after approx. 1 minute)
3 Door open
4 Luggage compartment lid/tailgate
open
5 Check brake and tail lamps.
A defective center tail lamp is indi-
cated by the upper symbol
When you open the door after stopping,
a warning signal sounds without a vi-
sual indicator for:
>LIGHTS ON and
>KEY IN IGNITION LOCK.390de121
Alphanumeric display
*
Text messages are used to alert the
driver to system malfunctions when the
ignition key is turned to position 2. The
alert is accompanied by a gong.
1 Status report symbol
2 Display
3 CHECK button
Messages concerning system faults are
differentiated based on two priorities:390us111
Priority 1
These defects are immediately indi-
cated by a gong and a flashing warning
symbol (1). Simultaneous defects will
be displayed consecutively. These
status reports remain in the display until
the defects are corrected. It is not pos-
sible to delete them by pressing the
CHECK button (3):

118n
Luggage compartment Ð sport wagonFloor compartmentTo release: Press the handle in the re-
cess and fold the cover upward on the
handle (large arrow).
You can lock the cover with a master
key.
The dividers in the compartment can be
rearranged. If you remove the divider
and turn the divider retainer to the left
and remove it, you have a level storage
compartment.392de167
Fold the floor cover upLift up the black retainer on the lower
side of the panel and hook it into the
upper frame of the tailgate cutout.
Before you fold the floor cover down,
return the retainer to its original posi-
tion.392de168
Raise the spare tire coverLift up the cover and hook it into the red
retainer on the floor panel (arrow).
Before you fold the cover down, return
the retainer to its original position.392de169

121n
RepairsIndexOverview Controls Car care Technology Data
Roof-mounted luggage rackMounting pointsAccess to the mounting points:
To fold up the cover (arrow), please use
the tool which is provided with the lug-
gage system.
A special luggage system is available as
an option for your BMW. Please comply
with the precautions included with the
installation instructions.
Because roof racks raise the center of
gravity of the car when loaded, they ex-
ercise a major effect on its handling and
steering response.394de369
You should therefore always remember
not to exceed the approved roof weight,
the approved gross vehicle weight or
the axle weights when loading the rack.
You will find the specifications under
"Technical data" on page 201.
Make sure that the load is not too
heavy, and attempt to distribute it
evenly. Always load the heaviest pieces
first (on the bottom). Be sure that
adequate clearance is maintained for
raising the sliding/tilt sunroof, and that
objects do not project into the opening
path of the luggage compartment lid/
tailgate.
Secure the roof luggage correctly and
tightly to prevent it from shifting or be-
ing lost during driving (danger to follow-
ing traffic).
Drive smoothly. Avoid sudden accelera-
tion and braking maneuvers. Take cor-
ners gently.
The roof load increases aerodynamic
resistance: Increased fuel consumption
and stress on the roof are the immedi-
ate results.

131n
RepairsIndexOverview Controls Car care Technology Data
Winter operationRubber seals and components In order to prevent the weather-strip-
ping from freezing, apply BMW rubber
treatment or silicone spray to the seals
on the doors, hood and luggage com-
partment lid/tailgate.
A full range of car-care products is
available from your BMW center.< Snow chainsBMW snow chains
* can be mounted on
both summer and winter tires. Mount
them in pairs on the rear wheels only
and comply with the manufacturer's
safety precautions. Do not exceed a
maximum speed of 30 mph (50 km/h).
For maximum traction, we recommend
that you manually deactivate the
ASC+T/DSC
* when driving with snow
chains mounted. Refer to page 91.
Starting offWe recommend that you use the man-
ual control switch to deactivate ASC+T/
DSC
* when starting off in deep snow or
when rocking the car to free it (refer to
page 91).
Driving on low-traction road
surfacesUse smooth, gentle pressure to control
the accelerator pedal. Avoid excessive
engine speeds and shift to the next
higher gear at an early point. Adapt
your speed and driving style when ap-
proaching grades or slopes. Maintain
an adequate distance between yourself
and the car ahead.BrakesWinter road conditions substantially
reduce the amount of traction available
between the tires and the road surface.
The resulting increases in braking dis-
tance are considerable and should be
kept in mind at all times.
ABS is intended to prevent the wheels
from locking during brake applications,
thus helping to maintain vehicle stability
and steering response. If the ABS does not respond in a critical
braking situation and the wheels lock:
Reduce the pressure on the brake
pedal until the wheels just start to roll
again while still maintaining enough
force to continue braking.
Following that, increase pedal pressure
again. Reduce the pressure as the
wheels lock, then reapply pressure.
Repeat this procedure. This type of
staggered braking will reduce the brak-
ing distance, and the vehicle still re-
mains responsive to steering.
You can then attempt to steer around
hazards after you have reduced pres-
sure on the brake pedal.
Do not shift down on slick road
surfaces. Doing so could cause
the rear wheels to lose traction and
skid, which could result in the loss of
vehicle control.<
Depress the clutch during hard
braking on road surfaces which
provide only poor or uneven traction.<

Overview
Controls and features
Operation, care
and maintenance
Owner service procedures
Technical data
Index Advanced technology
165n
RepairsIndexOverview Controls Car care Technology Data
Replacement procedures:
Onboard tool kit166
Wiper blades166
Lamps and bulbs167
Changing tires173
Battery176
Fuses178
In case of electrical
malfunction:
Fuel filler door180
Sliding/Tilt sunroof180
Tailgate181
Assistance, giving and
receiving:
Jump-starting182
Towing the vehicle183

166n
Attached to the underside of the
luggage compartment lid/tailgate.
Unscrew the wingnut for access.
394de080
Front1 Pull the wiper arm up slightly and
hold it firmly.
2 Press back the release (arrow) and
pull the wiper blade back toward the
base of the wiper arm.
3 Install the new blade and slide the
release back into position.390de097
Rear
*
1 Hold the wiper blade on the window
and remove/unclip the wiper arm at
the articulated joint (arrow).
2 Insert a new wiper blade and press it
on/clip it into the wiper arm.
Use only wiper blades approved
by BMW.< 392de173
Onboard tool kit Wiper blades

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.