maintenance schedule BMW 540I SEDAN 2000 Owners Manual

6n

For your own safety

Use unleaded gasoline only. Fuels
containing up to 10% ethanol or
other oxygenates with up to 2.8% oxy-
gen by weight (i.e., 15% MTBE or
3% methanol plus an equivalent
amount of co-solvent) will not void the
applicable warranties with respect to
defects in materials or workmanship.
Field experience has indicated signifi-
cant differences in fuel quality (i.e., vol-
atility, composition, additives, etc.)
among gasolines offered for sale in the
United States and Canada. The use of
poor-quality fuels may result in drive-
ability, starting and stalling problems,
especially under certain environmental
conditions, such as high ambient tem-
perature and high altitude.
Should you encounter driveability prob-
lems that you suspect could be related
to the fuel you are using, we recom-
mend that you respond by switching to
a recognized high-quality brand.
Failure to comply with these recom-
mendations may result in unscheduled
maintenance.
Follow the relevant safety rules when
you are handling gasoline.

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Important safety information!
For your own safety, use genuine
parts and accessories approved by
BMW.
When you purchase accessories tested
and approved by BMW and Original
BMW Parts, you simultaneously acquire
the assurance that they have been
thoroughly tested by BMW to ensure
optimum performance when installed
on your vehicle.
BMW warrants these parts to be free
from defects in material and workman-
ship.
BMW will not accept any liability for
damage resulting from installation of
parts and accessories not approved by
BMW.
BMW cannot test every product from
other manufacturers to verify if it can be
used on a BMW safely and without risk
to either the vehicle, its operation, or its
occupants.
Original BMW Parts, BMW Accessories
and other products approved by BMW,
together with professional advice on
using these items, are available from all
BMW centers.

Installation and operation of non-BMW
approved accessories such as alarms,
radios, amplifiers, radar detectors,
wheels, suspension components, brake
dust shields, telephones (including
operation of any portable cellular phone
from within the vehicle without using an
externally-mounted antenna) or trans-
ceiver equipment (C.B., walkie-talkie,
ham radio, for instance) may cause ex-
tensive damage to the vehicle, compro-
mise its safety, interfere with the vehi-
cle's electrical system, or affect the
validity of the BMW Limited Warranty.
Visit your authorized BMW center for
additional information.

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Maintenance, replacement, or re-
pair of the emission control de-
vices and systems may be performed
by any automotive repair establishment
or individual using any certified automo-
tive part.

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126n
Catalytic converterThe catalytic converter reduces harmful
exhaust emissions, and is designed for
use with unleaded fuel only.
Even minute quantities of lead would be
enough to permanently damage both
the catalytic converter and the system
oxygen sensor.
To ensure efficient, trouble-free engine
operation and avoid potential damage:
>Be sure to comply with the scheduled
maintenance requirements
>Fill the fuel tank well before it is
empty
>Tow-start the vehicle only when the
engine is cold, since unburned fuel
may otherwise reach the catalytic
converter. It is better to start the vehi-
cle with an outside starting aid>Avoid other situations in which the
fuel is not burned, or burns incom-
pletely, such as engaging the starter
frequently or for extended periods, or
repeated start attempts in which the
engine does not start (stopping and
restarting an engine which is running
properly does not present a problem).
Never let the engine run with any of
the spark plug cables disconnected.Be sure to comply with the in-
structions above to prevent un-
burned fuel from reaching the catalytic
converter. Otherwise there is danger of
overheating and damage to the cata-
lytic converter.
Extreme temperatures occur at the cat-
alytic converter on this and every cata-
lyst-equipped vehicle. Heat shields are
installed adjacent to some sections of
the exhaust system. Never remove
these shields; do not apply undercoat-
ing to their surfaces. When driving,
standing at idle, and parking the vehi-
cle, take care to avoid contact between
the exhaust system and flammable ma-
terials (grass, hay, leaves, etc.). Such
contact could lead to a fire, resulting in
personal injury and property damage.<