airbag BMW 540I SEDAN 2000 Owners Manual

Contents

Overview
Controls and features

Cockpit16
Instrument cluster18
Indicator and warning lamps22
Multifunction steering wheel
(MFL)25
Hazard warning flashers27
Warning triangle 27
First-aid kit 27
Refueling28
Fuel specifications29
Tire inflation pressure29

Locks and security systems:

Keys34
Electronic vehicle
immobilizer35
Central locking system36
Opening and closing Ð from the
outside36
With the key 36
Opening and closing Ð from the
inside40
Luggage compartment lid/
Tailgate41
Luggage compartment44
Alarm system45
Electric power windows47
Sliding/Tilt sunroof 48

Adjustments:

Seats 50
Steering wheel 54
Mirrors54
Seat, mirror and steering wheel
memory56
Car Memory, Key Memory58

Passenger safety systems:

Safety belts59
Airbags60
Child restraints 64
Child seat security66
Child-safety locks66

Driving:

Steering/Ignition lock67
Starting the engine68
Switching off the engine69
Parking brake69
Manual transmission70
Automatic transmission 71
Automatic transmission with
Steptronic 74
Indicator/Headlamp flasher77
Wiper/Washer system77
Rear window defroster79
Cruise control80

Everything under control:

Odometer, outside temperature
display82
Tachometer83
Energy control83
Fuel gauge83
Temperature gauge84
Service Interval Display84
Check Control85
Onboard computer88

Technology for safety and
convenience:

Park Distance Control (PDC) 90
Automatic Stability Control plus
Traction (ASC+T)/Dynamic
Stability Control (DSC) 91
Tire Pressure Control (RDC) 92

Contents

Operation, care and maintenance
Owner service procedures
Advanced technology

Under the hood:

Hood143
Engine compartment 144
Washer fluids148
Washer nozzles148
Engine oil149
Coolant151
Brake fluid152
Vehicle Identification
Number153

Care and maintenance:

The BMW Maintenance
System154
Caring for your car155
Airbags160
Vehicle storage160

Laws and regulations:

Technical modifications161
OBD connector162

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 vehicle183Airbags188
Adaptive Transmission Control
(ATC) 188
Automatic Stability Control plus
Traction (ASC+T)/Dynamic
Stability Control (DSC) 189
Radio reception190
BMW active seat 190
Safety belt tensioner191
DSP sound system 192
Interior rearview mirror with
automatic dimmer 192
Rain sensor 193
Tire Pressure Control (RDC) 194
Integrated rear suspension194
Level control system 195
Xenon lamps 195

19n

RepairsIndexOverview Controls Car care Technology Data

Instrument cluster

There are two versions, depending on
the equipment on your vehicle
1 Fuel gauge with indicator lamp for
fuel reserve 83
2 Indicator lamp for turn signals 24
3 Speedometer
4 Indicator lamp for high beams 24
5 Tachometer and
Energy Control 83
6 Engine coolant thermometer with
"Coolant temperature too high"
indicator 84
7 Indicator and warning lamps for:

>

Parking brake/Brake hydraulic
system, Dynamic Brake Control
(DBC)

*
22, 23

>

Antilock Brake System (ABS) 23

>

Brake pads 23

>

Tire Pressure Control (RDC)

*
23

>

Airbags 23

>

Automatic transmission

*
23

>

Please fasten safety belts 23

>

Cruise control 24
8 Selector lever and program display
for automatic transmission

*
71, 74
9 Service Interval Display 8410 Display for onboard computer
(operation via the turn signal lever,
refer to page 88):

>

Outside temperature

>

Average fuel consumption

>

Cruising range

>

Average speed
11 Indicator lamp for Automatic
Stability Control plus Traction
(ASC+T)/Dynamic Stability
Control (DSC)

*
24
12 Indicator lamp for level control
system

*
23
13 Odometer and trip odometer 82
14 Indicator for Check Control 85
15 Reset button for trip odometer 82
16 Indicator and warning lamps for:

>

Fog lamps 24

>

Battery charge current 22

>

Engine oil level/Engine oil
pressure 22, 23

>

Electronic Engine Power
Control (EML) 24

>

CHECK ENGINE lamp 24

21n
RepairsIndexOverview Controls Car care Technology Data

Instrument cluster

*
There are two versions, depending on
the equipment on your vehicle
1 Fuel gauge with indicator lamp for
fuel reserve 83
2 Indicator lamp for turn signals 24
3 Speedometer
4 Indicator lamp for high beams 24
5 Tachometer and
Energy control 83
6 Engine coolant temperature
gauge 84
7 Indicator and warning lamps for:

>

Parking brake 23

>

Brake hydraulic system, Dynamic
Brake Control (DBC)

*
22, 23

>

Antilock Brake System (ABS) 23

>

Airbags 23

>

Please fasten safety belts 23

>

Cruise control 24
8 CHECK button 85
9 Selector lever and program display
for automatic transmission

*
71, 7410 Outside temperature display 82
11 Indicator lamp for Automatic
Stability Control plus Traction
(ASC+T)/Dynamic Stability
Control (DSC)

*
24
12 Trip odometer 82
13 Indicator for Check Control 85
14 Odometer 82
15 Service Interval Display 84
16 Reset button for trip odometer 82
17 Indicator and warning lamps for:

>

Fog lamps 24

>

Battery charge current 22

>

Engine oil pressure 22

>

CHECK ENGINE lamp 24

23n
RepairsIndexOverview Controls Car care Technology Data
Indicator and warning lampsYellow: Stop immediately
Engine oil level l
Stop vehicle and switch off en-
gine immediately. The oil level is
at the absolute minimum.
Refer to page 149.
Do not continue driving until oil is
added. Otherwise, the engine
could be damaged because of inade-
quate lubrication.<
Red: An important reminder
Parking brake
*
Comes on when you engage the
parking brake.
For additional information: Refer to
page 69.
Parking brake warning lamp
* for
Canadian models.
Please fasten safety belts l
Together with an acoustic signal
or a message
* in the Check
Control. Comes on until the safety belts
are fastened. For additional information
on safety belts: Refer to page 59.
Airbags l
Please have the system in-
spected by your authorized
BMW center.
For additional information: Refer to
page 60.
Yellow: Check as soon as possible
Antilock Brake System (ABS) l
ABS has been deactivated in
response to system malfunction.
Conventional braking efficiency is avail-
able without limitations. Please have
the system inspected by your autho-
rized BMW center.
For additional information: Refer to
page 127.
Antilock Brake System (ABS)
warning lamp for Canadian
models.
Engine oil level l
Comes on after the engine has
been shut off: Check the engine
oil level. For additional information:
Refer to page 149.
Automatic transmission
*
Because of a malfunction, the
automatic transmission shifts
only in the emergency program. Please
consult the nearest authorized BMW
center.
For additional information: Refer to
pages 73, 76.
Brake pads
* l
Have the brake pads checked.
For additional information:
Refer to page 130.

32n
Locks and security systems:
Keys34
Electronic vehicle
immobilizer35
Central locking system36
Opening and closing
Ð from the outside36
With the key36
Opening and closing
Ð from the inside40
Luggage compartment lid/
Tailgate41
Luggage compartment44
Alarm system45
Electric power windows47
Sliding/Tilt sunroof48
Adjustments:
Seats50
Steering wheel54
Mirrors54
Seat, mirror and steering wheel
memory56
Car Memory, Key Memory58
Passenger safety systems:
Safety belts59
Airbags60
Child restraints64
Child seat security66
Child-safety locks66Driving:
Steering/Ignition lock67
Starting the engine68
Switching off the engine69
Parking brake69
Manual transmission70
Automatic transmission71
Automatic transmission with
Steptronic74
Indicator/Headlamp flasher77
Wiper/Washer system77
Rear window defroster79
Cruise control80
Everything under control:
Odometer, outside temperature
display82
Tachometer83
Energy control83
Fuel gauge83
Temperature gauge84
Service Interval Display84
Check Control85
Onboard computer88
Technology for safety and
convenience:
Park Distance Control (PDC)90
Automatic Stability Control plus
Traction (ASC+T)/Dynamic
Stability Control (DSC)91
Tire Pressure Control (RDC)92

59n
RepairsIndexOverview Controls Car care Technology Data
Fasten your safety belt before begin-
ning to drive.
To fasten: Make sure you hear the lock
engage in the belt buckle.
To release: Press the red button in the
buckle. Hold the belt and guide it back
into its reel.
The shoulder belt anchor automatically
adjusts to continue providing an opti-
mum fit when you move the seat for-
ward or back.
The two rear safety belt buckles which
are integrated in the rear seat are for
passengers sitting on the left and right.
The belt buckle with the word
"CENTER" is intended exclusively for
passengers sitting in the middle.390de033
For your safety, comply with the
following instructions for wearing
safety belts. If you do not, the safety
belts may not be able to provide their
maximum protection. All passengers in
the vehicle should be aware of and
comply with this information:
Never allow more than one person to
wear a single safety belt. Never allow
infants or small children to ride in a pas-
senger's lap.
Avoid twisting the belt while routing it
firmly across the hips and shoulder. Do
not allow the belt to rest against hard or
fragile objects in your pockets. Never
route the belt across your neck, do not
run it across sharp edges. Be sure that
the belt does not become caught or
jammed.
Wear the safety belt as firmly as possi-
ble against your body. You should avoid
wearing bulky clothing that prevents it
from doing so. Pull the belt periodically
to re-tension it across your shoulder. In
the event of a frontal impact, a loose lap
belt could slide over your hips, leading
to abdominal injury. In addition, the
safety belt's restraint effectiveness is
reduced if the belt is worn loosely.
Expectant mothers should always wear
their safety belts, taking care to position
the lap belt against the lower hips,
where it will not exert pressure against
the abdominal area.<
For care instructions, refer to page 159.
sedan with through-loading
system
*: Please comply with the
instructions for the center safety belt on
page 112.
sport wagon: If the center safety belt
cannot be pulled out, the larger rear
backrest section is not engaged. Refer
to page 116.<
If the safety belt system has been
subjected to the stresses involved
in an accident or otherwise damaged:
Have the entire safety belt mechanism
replaced by your BMW center, includ-
ing the safety belt tensioner. In addition,
have your BMW center inspect the
safety belt anchors. If a child restraint
system was in the vehicle during an ac-
cident, consult the manufacturer's in-
structions regarding replacement.c
Child restraint systems
*
Never install a rear-facing child
restraint device on the front pas-
senger seat. Otherwise, injuries could
occur when the airbag is triggered in
the event of an accident. Children
should always ride in the rear.
Do not attempt to modify child restraint
systems. If you do this, the protection
provided by these systems could be im-
paired.<
Safety belts

60n
Airbags 1 Front airbags for driver and
front passenger
2 Side impact Head Protection System
3 Side airbags (front and rear
*)
Protective effectThe front airbags supplement the three-
point safety belts by providing addi-
tional protection for the front-seat
occupants in the event of a severe
frontal collision in which the protection
afforded by the belts alone may no
longer be sufficient. The head protec-
tion and side airbags help provide pro-
tection in the event of a collision from
the side. Each of the side airbags is de-
signed to support the upper body.380de647
The side airbags in the rear pas-
senger area
* of your vehicle may
already have been deactivated either at
the time of manufacture or by a BMW
center. You may have them activated if
you desire to do so. Please contact
your authorized BMW center for addi-
tional information.<
The illustration depicts schematically
the primary directions of vehicle impact
which initiate an airbag deployment.390de142

61n
RepairsIndexOverview Controls Car care Technology Data
AirbagsIndicator lamp
The indicator lamp displays the
operational status of the airbag
system in ignition key posi-
tions 1 and 2.
System operational:
>The indicator lamp comes on briefly
then goes out.
System malfunction:
>The indicator lamp fails to come on
>The indicator lamp comes on briefly
before going out and then lighting up
again.
A system malfunction could prevent the
system from responding to an impact
occurring within its normal response
range.
Please have your authorized BMW cen-
ter inspect and repair the system as
soon as possible.
Sitting correctly with airbags
For your safety, comply with the
following instructions for the air-
bags. If you do not, the airbags may not
be able to provide their maximum pro-
tection. All passengers in the vehicle
should be aware of and comply with
this information:
The airbags are supplemental restraint
devices designed to provide extra pro-
tection; they are not a substitute for
safety belts. Wear your safety belt at all
times. The airbags will not be triggered
in the event of a minor accident, a vehi-
cle roll-over, or collisions from the rear.
In these instances, the safety belt pro-
vides optimal protection.
Airbags are located under cover panels
in the steering wheel, in the dashboard,
in the side trim panels in the front and
rear*, and in the windshield pillars and
the sides of the headliner.
Adjust your seat to a position that pro-
vides maximum distance between you
and the steering wheel, the instrument
panel and the door while still allowing
comfortable and safe access to all
vehicle controls.
To avoid sustaining hand and arm inju-
ries: Always grasp the steering wheel
on the rim with the hands at the 9 and
3 o'clock positions: Do not place your
hands on the center pad.
Never allow any objects to obstruct the
area between the airbag and an occu-
pant.
Do not use the cover panel above the
passenger-side airbag as a storage
area.
Do not apply adhesive materials to the
cover panels of the airbags, cover them
or modify them in any other way.
Do not install a rear-facing child re-
straint system in the front passenger
seat of this car.
Children under 13 years of age and
children less than 5 feet (150 cm) tall
should ride only in the rear seat.
Infants or small children should never
be held on the lap of a passenger.
If your car is equipped with side airbags
in the rear passenger area, be sure that
child restraints are mounted correctly
and provided with the greatest-possible
distance between the airbags in the
side trim panels. Do not allow children
to lean out of the child's seat in the di-
rection of the side trim panels. If they
do so, serious injuries can occur if the
airbag is triggered.<

62n
AirbagsAt all times, occupants should sit
upright and be properly restrained (in-
fants and small children in appropriate
child restraint systems; larger children
and adults using the safety belts). Never
let an occupant's head rest near or on a
side airbag because the inflating airbag
could cause a serious or fatal injury.
Please note that the word "Airbag" im-
printed on the door trim panel indicates
the airbag's location.
Accident research shows that the
safest place for children in an automo-
bile is in the rear seat. However, a child
sitting in the rear seat and not properly
restrained may place his or her head on
or near the side airbag, if so equipped.
For example, a child Ð even though
belted Ð may fall asleep with his or her
head against the side airbag. It may be
difficult for a driver to ensure that chil-
dren in the rear seat will remain prop-
erly positioned at all times and not
place their heads on or near the side
airbag.Therefore, we recommend that the rear
seat side airbags, if provided, be deac-
tivated if you plan to transport children
in the rear seat.
The rear seat side airbags may already
have been deactivated, either at the
time of manufacture or by a BMW cen-
ter. Labels in the rear door opening
should indicate the status of your rear
seat side airbags. If your are uncertain
of their status, or wish to have the air-
bags activated or deactivated, please
contact your BMW center.Even when all these guidelines are
followed, there is still a small residual
risk of injuries to the face, hands and
arms occurring from airbag deploy-
ment in isolated instances. The ignition
and inflation noise may provoke a mild
temporary hearing loss in extremely
sensitive individuals.
Airbag warning information is also
provided on the sun visors.
For additional information concerning
the airbag system, refer to pages 160
and 188.