deactivate airbag BMW 540I SEDAN 2000 Owners Manual

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.

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

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.