tow BMW 540I SEDAN 2000 Owner's Manual

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

209n

RepairsIndexOverview Controls Car care Technology Data

Everything from A to Z

Clock, refer to the Radio
Owner's Manual
Cockpit16
Cold start68
Comfort seat51
Compartments108
Compression ratio198
Computer, refer to Onboard
computer88
Consumption display83
Convenience operating
mode of windows and
sliding/tilt sunroof36
Coolant130, 151
Antifreeze130
Capacity203
Temperature gauge84
Cover, sun blinds104
Cruise control80
Cruising range88
Cup holder109
Curb weight201

D
Dashboard16
Data link connector for
Onboard Diagnostics162
Daytime-driving lamp94
DBC (Dynamic Brake
Control)24, 129
Deep water125Defrost windshields101
Digital sound processor192
Dimensions199
Dipstick, engine oil149
Disc brakes124, 128
Disconnect the battery178
Displacement198
Display lighting94
Displays18
Distance warning90
Diversity Antenna
system190
Divided rear-seat
backrest112
Door keys35
Door locks, care130
Doors
Emergency release36
Manual operation36
Unlocking and locking36
Drive belts204
Driving notes125
Driving through water125
DSC (Dynamic Stability
Control)24, 91, 189
Dynamic Brake Control
(DBC)24, 129
Dynamic Stability Control
(DSC)24, 91, 189

E
Electric power seat50
Electric power windows47
Electrical defect
Fuel filler door180
Sliding/Tilt sunroof180
Tailgate181
Electrical heating exterior
mirror55
Electrical steering wheel
adjustment54
Elements of operation16
Emergency operation
Doors36
Fuel filler door180
Luggage compartment lid/
Tailgate41, 181
Sliding/Tilt sunroof180
Energy Control83
Engine
Compartment144
Coolant151
Specifications198
Engine oil
Capacity203
Consumption149
Grades150
Level23
Pressure23
Error indicators85
Exterior finish156
Exterior mirror54
Electrical heating55

F
Failure of an electrical
accessorry180
Failure warnings85
Filler cap cover28
Filling capacities203
First-aid kit27
Fittings, tow-starting and
towing183
Flashlight108
Flat tire134
Footbrake
Footwell lamps96
Forward/Back adjustment,
seat50, 52
Front fog lamps95, 169
bulb replacement169
Front seat adjustment50
Frost protection,
radiator151
Fuel29
Capacity203
Consumption indicator83
Gauge83
Quality29
Reserve203
Fuel filler door release after
electrical fault180
Fuel tank, capacity203
Fuses178

Everything from A to Z Third brake lamp, bulb
replacement171
Through-loading
system112
Tilt alarm38
Tire134
Change173
Code137
Damage134
Inflation pressure30, 134
Monitoring inflation
pressure92, 194
Renewal135
Rotation between
axles135
Tread134
Valve caps138
Tire Pressure Control
(RDC)92, 194
Tools166
Torque198
Tow fittings183
Towing183
Tow-starting183
Track width199
Transmission70
Tread depth, tires134
Trip odometer82
Trunk, capacity201
Turn signal77
Bulb replacement169
Turning circle199
U
Universal Transmitter105
Used oil151

V
Valve caps138
Vanity mirror55
Vehicle battery176
Vehicle care, exterior156
Vehicle care, interior158
Vehicle Identification
Number153
Vehicle painting156
Vehicle removal from
service160
Vehicle storage160
Ventilation98, 102
Ventilation in the rear102
Ventilation while parked104
Ventilation, draft-free102
Vinyl upholstery, care158
Viscosity150

W
Warning lamps22
Warranty and Service Guide
Booklet (Canadian
models)154
Washer fluid reservoir
Capacity203
Filling148Washing your car155
Water on the roads125
Waxing, paintwork157
Weights201
Wheelbase199
Wheels and tires137
Width199
Windows
Convenience
operation36
Windows, convenience
operating mode36, 37
Windshield washer fluid
reservoir, capacity203
Windshield washer nozzle
adjustment148
Windshield washer reservoir,
filling148
Windshield wipers77
Winter driving130
Winter operation130
Winter tires138
Wiper blade
replacement166
Wiper/Washer system77
Work in the engine
compartment143

X
Xenon lamps94, 168, 195

A
Add
Antifreeze152
Brake fluid152
Coolant152
Engine coolant152
Engine oil149
Fluid, power steering152
Washer fluids148
Adjust washer nozzles148
Avoid false alarms46

B
Backup lamps, bulb
replacement169
Battery176
Charge condition177
Discharged182
Removing and
installing178
Brake lamps, bulb
replacement170
Brakes, brake faults130
Bulb replacement167

C
Car jack173
Changing tires173
Charging the battery178
Check Control85
Check engine oil level149
Check tire pressures29
Courtesy lamp, bulb
replacement172

D
Deactivating the interior
motion sensor38
Deactivating the tilt sensor
alarm system38, 46
Defrost windshields101
Difficult steering132
Doors
Manual operation36

E
Electrical defect
Fuel filler door180
Sliding/Tilt sunroof180
Emergency operation
Doors36
Fuel filler door180
Sliding/Tilt sunroof180
Tailgate181
Engine oil
specifications150

F
Failure messages85
Filling the washer
reservoir148
First-aid kit27
Fittings, tow-starting and
towing183
Flat tire173Fog lamp, replace the
bulb169
Footwell lamps, bulb
replacement172
Fuel filler door release after
electrical fault180
Fuses179

G
Glove compartment lamp,
bulb replacement172

H
Hazard warning flashers27
Hazard warning triangle27
Headlamp covers,
care155, 167
Help with jump starting182
High beams, bulb
replacement167
Hood release143

I
Indicator lamps22
Bulb replacement169

J
Jack173
Jump starting182

L
Level control system,
inactive132
License plate lamp, bulb
replacement171
Low beams, bulb
replacement167
Lug wrench174
Luggage compartment
lamps, bulb
replacement172
Luggage compartment lid/
Tailgate, unlock in case of
electrical fault41

M
Maintenance84, 154
Malfunction displays85
Manual operation
Doors36
Fuel filler door180
Sliding/Tilt sunroof180
Tailgate181

O
Oil specifications150
Onboard tool kit166

Owner service procedures

215n

RepairsIndexOverview Controls Car care Technology Data

Owner service procedures

P
Parking lamp, bulb
replacement168
Power steering, adding
fluid152
Pressure, tires29, 134

R
Rear lamps170
Releasing fuel filler door after
electrical defect180
Releasing the hood143
Remove condensation from
windshields101
Replace wiper blades166
Replacement key34
Replacing fuses179

S
Service Interval Display154
Side lamps, bulb
replacement169
Sliding/Tilt sunroof
Closing after an after an
electrical defect180
Power supply
interruption49
Snow chains139
Spare key34
Spare tire174
Special oil150sport wagon
Rear window wiper, wiper
blade replacement166
Releasing the fuel filler
door after an electrical
defect180
Releasing the tailgate after
an electrical defect181
Tail lamp assembly, bulb
replacement170
Starting
problems67, 126, 182
Starting the engine67

T
Tail lamps, bulb
replacement170
Tailgate
Release after an electrical
defect181
Third brake lamp, bulb
replacement171
Tire damage173
Tire inflation
pressure29, 134
Tools166
Tow fittings183
Towing183
Tow-starting183
Turn signals, bulb
replacement169

W
Warning lamps22
Warning messages85
Work in the engine
compartment143