ignition BMW 540I SEDAN 2000 Owner's Guide

91n
RepairsIndexOverview Controls Car care Technology Data
ASC+T/DSC
*
Automatic Stability Control plus
Traction (ASC+T)/Dynamic
Stability Control (DSC)
*
These systems contribute to additional
vehicle stability, especially during ac-
celeration and when cornering.
The DSC system enhances the benefits
of the ASC+T. In addition to optimizing
vehicle stability and traction during ac-
celeration or when starting from a
standstill, a further benefit is realized in
cornering. This, of course, is true only
within physically feasible limits.
The system activates automatically
each time you start the engine.390de359
Indicator lamp
The indicator lamp in the instru-
ment cluster goes out shortly af-
ter you switch on the ignition.
Refer to page 24.
Indicator lamp flashes:
The system is actively regulating drive
torque in response to monitored vehicle
operating conditions.
If the indicator lamp fails to go out after
the engine is started, or if it comes on
during normal driving:
If the system has not been deactivated,
there is a system malfunction. The vehi-
cle remains operational, but without
ASC+T/DSC. Consult your authorized
BMW center for repair.
To deactivate the systemPress the button. The indicator lamp
will come on.
Depending on equipment options, the
button is marked with ASC or DSC.
With deactivated ASC+T/DSC you are
driving with conventional, unregulated
torque transfer.
We recommend that you deactivate the
system for increased traction:
>When rocking the vehicle or starting
off in deep snow or on loose surfaces
>When driving with snow chains.
Refer also to page 131.To reactivate the systemPress the button again; the indicator
lamp goes out.
The laws of physics cannot be re-
pealed, even with ASC+T/DSC.
Any consequences arising from traction
loss due to excessive vehicle speed re-
main the responsibility of the driver. We
therefore urge you to avoid using the
additional safety margin of the system
as an excuse for taking risks.<
For additional details concerning
ASC+T/DSC, please refer to the chap-
ter describing "Advanced technology"
on page 189.

92n
Tire Pressure Control (RDC)
*
The concept RDC monitors the tire pressures at all
four wheels, even when the vehicle is
moving. The system provides an alert
whenever the inflation pressure drops
significantly below the specified pres-
sure in one or more tires.
In order for the system to "learn" the
correct tire inflation pressure, check the
inflation pressure in all tires. Refer to
the table of "Tire inflation pressures"
beginning on page 29 and make any
necessary corrections. Then activate
the system.
This indicator lamp in the in-
strument cluster or the Check
Control will inform you if the tire
pressure is not correct.
Activate the system1 Turn the ignition key to position 2 (do
not start the engine).
2 Press and hold the button (arrow) un-
til the yellow indicator lamp in the in-
strument cluster comes on for a few
seconds or the message "SET TIRE
PRESSURE" appears in the Check
Control.
3 After you have driven for a few min-
utes, the RDC will import the current
inflation pressure in the tires as the
target values which the system will
monitor.
You will only have to repeat this proce-
dure if the tire inflation pressure must
be corrected. Otherwise, the RDC func-
tions automatically when the ignition
key is in position 2, and thus operates
whenever the vehicle is driven.390de320
Loss of tire pressureIf, after a certain period of time, the air
pressure has gone down significantly
(which is normal for any tire), the yellow
indicator lamp comes on or the mes-
sage "CHECK TIRE PRESSURE" ap-
pears in the Check Control.
This alerts you that you should have the
tires inflated to the specified pressures
as soon as possible.
If you are prompted to check the
tire pressure shortly after a cor-
rection has been made, this indicates
that the corrected values were not ac-
curate. Please check the inflation pres-
sure again and make corrections ac-
cording to the inflation pressure table.<

94n
Parking lamps
(side marker lamps)
With the switch in this position,
vehicle lighting is illuminated on
both sides. For lighting on one
side for parking, see page 95.
Low beams/Xenon lamps
*
When the ignition is switched off
and the low beams are on, only
the parking lamps (side marker
lamps) remain on.
390de034
"Follow-me-home lighting:"
If you actuate the headlamp
flasher after you have parked the
vehicle and shut off the engine, the low
beams will remain on for a brief period.
You may also have this function deacti-
vated if you wish.<
Xenon lamps
*
For additional details, refer to page 168."LIGHTS ON" warning In ignition key position 0, a buzzer
sounds for a few seconds after the
driver's door is opened if the head-
lamps have not been switched off
.
On vehicles with alphanumeric Check
Control
*:
The reminder is given through the
Check Control.
Daytime-driving lamp
*
The headlamps are automatically
switched on for daylight driving at
ignition key position 2.
Turn the rotary dial to adjust the illumi-
nation intensity.390de036
Parking lamps/Low beamsInstrument lighting

95n
RepairsIndexOverview Controls Car care Technology Data
High beams/Parking lamps Fog lamps1 High beam
2 Headlamp flasher
(blue indicator lamp)
3 Parking lamps Parking lamp, left or right
*
With the ignition key in position 0, en-
gage the lever in the appropriate turn-
signal position. The lever engages in
the turn signal position.390de335
Front fog lamps
A green indicator lamp appears in
the instrument cluster to indicate
that the front fog lamps are on.
If the high beam is switched on, the fog
lamps go out.
390us037

96n
Interior lamps Reading lampsThe interior lamps operate automati-
cally.Switching interior lamps on
and offPress the button (arrow).
If you want the interior lamps to remain
off at all times, press and hold the but-
ton for approximately 3 seconds.
Press the button briefly to revert to
normal operation.
The luggage compartment lamp in the
sport wagon functions in the same
manner.390de638
Footwell lamps The footwell lamps operate in the same
way as the interior lamps.
The reading lamps are located in the
front near the interior lamp. There are
also reading lamps in the rear. They can
be switched on and off with the switch
(arrow) adjacent to each lamp.
In order to conserve the battery,
all of the lamps in the vehicle
are switched off automatically approx.
15 minutes after the ignition key is
turned to position 0.<
394de301

102n
Automatic climate control
If the windows should fog over in
the recirculated air mode, switch
the recirculated air mode off and in-
crease the air supply as required.<
Rear window defroster
When the rear window de-
froster is activated, the indica-
tor lamp comes on. The rear window
defroster switches off automatically.
Residual heat mode
The heat which is stored in
the engine is utilized for
heating the interior when the engine has
been switched off (while waiting at a
railroad crossing, for instance). In igni-
tion key position 1, you can alter the
settings of the automatic climate con-
trol. In ignition key position 0, the sys-
tem automatically directs heated air to
the windshield, side windows and foot-
wells.
This function may be activated
when the outside temperature is
below approx. 597 (156), the engine
is at operating temperature, and the
battery is adequately charged.<
Draft-free ventilationYou can adjust the blower controls for
the upper body area to select the opti-
mum airflow rates and directions for
your personal requirements:
Use rotary dial 1 to open and close the
airflow through an infinitely-variable
range. You can also use the levers 2 to
change the direction of the airflow.
Set the outlets so that the air flows past
you and does not flow directly on you.
Rotary dial 3 allows you to temper the
air flow from these outlets by adding
heat or cooling as desired:
Turn toward blue Ð colder
Turn toward red Ð warmer390de051
Rear passenger area ventilationRotary dial 1 opens the outlets in an in-
finitely-variable range. You can vary the
temperature of the air as it flows out us-
ing rotary dial 3 in the same manner as
for the front rotary dial.
You can change the direction of the air
flow with levers 2.390de354

103n
RepairsIndexOverview Controls Car care Technology Data
Automatic climate control Seat heating
*
Steering wheel heating
*
Microfilter, activated-charcoal
filterThe microfilter removes dust and pollen
from the incoming air. The activated-
charcoal filter provides additional
protection by filtering gaseous pollut-
ants from the outside air. Your BMW
center replaces this combined filter as a
standard part of your scheduled main-
tenance. A substantial reduction in air
flow indicates that the filter must be
replaced before scheduled mainte-
nance.The seat cushion and backrest can
be heated with the ignition key in posi-
tion 2.
You can call up different heating modes
by repeatedly pressing the keys.
The highest heating mode is on when
the three indicator lamps are lit; one
lamp is lit for lowest heating. Tempera-
ture regulation in each mode is with a
thermostat.
You can also switch the higher heating
modes off directly:
Press the key and hold it slightly longer.
390de356
To activate and cancel the steering
wheel heater, press the button (arrow)
with the ignition key in position 2.
The lamp within the button lights up
when the steering wheel heater is in op-
eration.
If you have a multifunction steering
wheel without steering wheel heating,
the button for the recirculated-air mode
is in this location (refer to page 25).390de630

104n
Roller sun blind
*
Independent ventilation system
*
To operate, press the key briefly with
the ignition key in position 1 or 2.Roller sun blinds for rear side
windows
*
Use the strap to extract the blinds, then
hook them in the attachment provided.390de357
This system allows you to ventilate the
interior and lower its temperature, using
the blower of the automatic climate
control.
The independent ventilation system is
operated via the multi-information dis-
play MID or the onboard computer. Re-
fer to the separate Owner's Manual.
You can set two different times for the
system to start; it will remain active for
30 minutes. You can also turn it on and
off directly. Since the system uses a
substantial amount of electrical current,
you should not activate it twice in suc-
cession without allowing the battery to
be recharged in normal operation
between use.When a preselected activation time is
set, the independent ventilation system
is operational at outside temperatures
above 607 (166), or by direct switch
activation. It cannot be switched on
when the vehicle is moving.
The air emerges via the vent outlets for
the upper body. Therefore, the vents
must be open for the system to operate.

106n
BMW Universal Transmitter
*
Programming1 Channel keys
2 Indicator lamp
3 Receiver for programming
Read and comply with the safety
precautions on page 105.<
1 Ignition key position 2.
2 For initial operation: Press and hold
the two outer keys (1) until the indica-
tor lamp (2) flashes. Release the keys.
The three channel keys are cleared.390de640
3 Hold the original hand-held transmit-
ter toward the receiver (3) a maximum
of 2 inches (5 cm) away.
4 Simultaneously press the transmitting
key of the original hand-held trans-
mitter (arrow 2) and the desired chan-
nel key of the BMW Universal Trans-
mitter (arrow 1). Release both keys as
soon as the indicator lamp flashes
rapidly.
5 To program other original hand-held
transmitters, repeat steps 3 and 4.
The corresponding channel key is now
programmed with the signal of the orig-
inal hand-held transmitter.380de712
Programming a hand-held
transmitter with change code
Read and comply with the safety
precautions on page 105.<
Consult the operating instructions for
the individual device when program-
ming the BMW Universal Transmitter.
Read and comply with the following
programming instructions for the use of
the BMW Universal Transmitter with a
change code system:
A second person simplifies pro-
gramming of the BMW Universal
Transmitter.<

108n
Glove compartment Storage facilitiesTo openPull the handle and the lamp comes on.To closeFold the cover up.To lockUse one of the master keys to lock the
vehicle. A master key is also required
for unlocking.
For example, if you turn over only
your door and ignition keys for va-
let parking (refer to page 34), access to
the glove compartment is not possi-
ble.< 390de060
To prevent injury in the event of an
accident, close the glove com-
partment immediately after use.<
Rechargeable flashlight
*
Located on the left-hand side of the
glove compartment.
Features integral overload-protection,
so it can be left in its holder continu-
ously.
Be sure that the flashlight is
switched off when it is inserted
into its holder. Failure to comply with
this precaution could lead to overcharg-
ing and damage.<
The cover of the storage compartment
on the vertical surface of the center
console can be pushed open or closed
(illustration). If your vehicle is equipped
with a cassette holder
*, open each cas-
sette compartment by pressing on the
small button.
Storage compartment on the center
console between the front seats: To
open, reach into the recess at the front
and pull upward.
You will find a coin holder in the door
pocket on the driver's side.
You will find additional storage com-
partments in all of the doors as well as
on the backrests of the front seats.
390de043