BMW 540I SEDAN 2001 User Guide

11n

Controls and features
Operation, care and maintenance

Technology for safety and
driving convenience:

Park Distance Control
(PDC)100
Automatic Stability Control plus
Traction (ASC+T)/Dynamic
Stability Control (DSC)102
Tire Pressure Control (RDC)103

Lamps:

Parking lamps/Low beams105
Instrument lighting105
High beams/Parking lamps106
Fog lamps106
Interior lamps106
Reading lamps107

Controlling the climate for
pleasant driving:

Air conditioner108
Automatic climate control114
Seat heating119
Steering wheel heating120
Roller sun blind120
Independent ventilation
system120

Cabin convenience:

BMW Universal Transmitter121
Glove compartment124
Storage facilities124
Cellular phone125
Beverage holder 125
Ashtray, front126
Cigarette lighter126
Ashtray, rear127

Loading and transporting
cargo:

Through-loading system128
Ski bag129
sport wagon:
Luggage compartment132
Roll-up cover132
Partition net132
Storage areas in the luggage
compartment133
Cargo loading136
Roof-mounted luggage rack137

Special operating instructions:

Break-in procedure140
Driving notes141
Catalytic converter142
Antilock Brake System
(ABS)143
Disc brakes144
Brake system146
Winter operation146
Power steering148
Level control system148
Cellular phone149
Radio reception149

Wheels and tires:

Tire inflation pressure150
Tire condition150
Tire replacement151
Tire rotation152
Wheel and tire
combinations153
Winter tires154
Snow chains155
Approved wheel and tire
specifications156

Contents

Operation, care and maintenance
Owner service procedures
Advanced technology

Under the hood:

Hood159
Engine compartment160
Washer fluids164
Washer nozzles164
Engine oil165
Coolant167
Brake fluid168
Vehicle Identification
Number169

Care and maintenance:

The BMW Maintenance
System170
Caring for your car171
Airbags176
Vehicle storage176

Laws and regulations:

Technical modifications177
California Proposition
65 Warning177
OBD interface socket178

Replacement procedures:

Onboard tool kit182
Wiper blades182
Lamps and bulbs183
Changing a wheel190
Battery193
Fuses196

In case of electrical
malfunction:

Fuel filler door198
Sliding/Tilt sunroof198
Tailgate199

Assistance, giving and
receiving:

Jump-starting200
Towing the vehicle201Airbags206
Adaptive Transmission Control
(ATC)207
Automatic Stability Control plus
Traction (ASC+T)/Dynamic
Stability Control (DSC)208
BMW active seat210
Safety belt tensioner210
DSP sound system211
Mirrors with automatic
dimmer211
Rain sensor212
Tire Pressure Control (RDC)213
Integrated rear suspension214
Level control system214
Xenon lamps215

13n

Technical data
Index

Engine specifications218
Dimensions219
Weights221
Capacities223
Electrical system224
Drive belts224Everything from A to Z228

14n

IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview

Overview
Controls and features
Operation, care
and maintenance
Owner service procedures
Technical data
Index Advanced technology

15n
Cockpit16
Instrument cluster18
Indicator and warning lamps22
Multifunction steering wheel
(MFL) 25
Sports steering wheel26
Hazard warning flashers27
Warning triangle 27
First-aid kit 27
Refueling28
Fuel specifications29
Tire inflation pressure29

16n
390us712

Cockpit

IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview

17n
1 Parking lamps/Low beams105
2

>

Turn signal78

>

Parking lamps106

>

High beams106

>

Headlamp flasher78

>

Computer89
3 Fog lamps106
4 Wiper/Washer system78
5 Central locking system38
6 Hazard warning flashers27
7 Rear window defroster80
8 Horn25, 26
9 Adjusting the steering wheel56

Cockpit

18n

Instrument cluster390us338

IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview

19n

Instrument cluster

There are two versions, depending on
the equipment on your vehicle.
1 Fuel gauge with indicator lamp for
fuel reserve84
2 Indicator lamp for turn signals24
3 Speedometer
4 Indicator lamp for high beams24
5 Tachometer and
Energy Control84
6 Coolant thermometer with
"Coolant temperature too high"
warning lamp85
7 Indicator and warning lamps for:

>

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

*
22, 23

>

Antilock Brake System (ABS)23

>

Brake pads23

>

Tire Pressure Control (RDC)

*
23

>

Airbags23

>

Automatic transmission

*
23

>

Please fasten safety belts23

>

Cruise control24
8 Selector lever and program display
for automatic transmission

*
72, 75
9 Service Interval Display8510 Display for the computer
(operation via the turn signal lever,
refer to page 89):

>

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 odometer83
14 Indicator for Check Control86
15 Reset button for trip odometer83
16 Indicator and warning lamps for:

>

Fog lamps24

>

Battery charge current22

>

Engine oil level/Engine oil
pressure22, 23

>

Engine electronics24

>

Service Engine Soon24

20n

Instrument cluster

*
390us339