change time BMW 540I SEDAN 2001 Owners Manual

IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
89n
ComputerMode selectionFrom ignition key position 1 and up, you
can call up information from the com-
puter using the button in the turn signal
lever. By pressing the button briefly in
the direction of the steering column,
you can call up a new function for dis-
play.
The displays appear in the following
order: outside temperature, average
fuel consumption, cruising range, aver-
age speed.
Starting with ignition key position 1, the
last active setting is displayed.
The range of available displays varies
according to your individual vehicle's
equipment.390de336
Outside temperature and
average fuel consumptionYou can change the units of measure
(7/6) for the outside temperature dis-
play by
1 pressing and holding the trip odome-
ter reset button (in ignition key posi-
tion 1)
2 and then turning the ignition key to 0.
Refer also to page 83.390us126
Cruising range and
average speed The computer bases its calculations
of the cruising range on the previous
driving style and conditions.
The computer ignores any time spent
with the vehicle stationary and the
engine off in its average speed calcula-
tions.390us703

92n
Digital clock in the MID
*
Only make inputs when the vehi-
cle is standing still – to avoid
endangering yourself or other road
users.<
To call up time or datePress the left side of the button.
Display shows:
You can have the time displayed in
12 or 24 hours.
To change the display:
Press the left side of the button.
If the 12-hour time display is in use, AM
or PM appear after the time.
Changing the time displayPress the left side of the button.
Press on the right side:
The dots flash in the display.
To alter the setting:
Press on the left or right, or hold the
button down.
To store the input:
Press the right side of the button.
To change the datePress the left side of the button.
Press.
Press on the right side:
The dots and the DATE display flash.
To alter the setting:
Press on left or right, or hold the button
down.
To store the input:
Press the right side of the button.
The clock takes leap years into account
and therefore does not have to be reset
manually.

94n
Digital clock in the MID
*
Enter the switch-on times for the
independent ventilation*You can enter two different switch-on
times.
The ventilation will shut off
automatically after 30 minutes.
Please follow the instructions for
operating the independent ventila-
tion that start on page 120.<
Press the left side of the button.
Press on the left/right.
Display shows:
Press on the right:
Display flashes, e. g. TIMER 1.
To input the time:
Press on the left or right, or hold the
button down.
To confirm the input:
Press the right side of the button.
The activated time is marked with an
asterisk.
The switch-on times remain memorized
until new inputs are made.
You can change switch-on times that
have already been memorized by
making a new time input as described
above.
When the switch-on time is active, the
LED comes on in the MID. During actual
operation of the ventilation, the LED
flashes. The LED goes out when the
system is switched off.
To activate/deactivate the time:
Press twice.Directly switching the indepen-
dent ventilation* on and off
The independent ventilation func-
tion can only be called up in igni-
tion key position 1.<
Press the left side of the button.
Press.
or
Press.

104n
Tire Pressure Control (RDC)
*
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.<
Flat tireIf there is a tire failure with a loss of air
pressure, the red indicator lamp comes
on or the message "TIRE DEFECT" ap-
pears in the Check Control. In addition,
a gong sounds.
If this occurs, reduce vehicle speed im-
mediately and stop the vehicle in a safe
location. Avoid hard brake applications.
Do not oversteer. Replace the flat tire.
The spare tire which is available in
your vehicle as standard equip-
ment is equipped with the electronics
required for RDC and, following activa-
tion of the system, is also monitored af-
ter it is mounted.<
The RDC cannot alert you to se-
vere and sudden tire damage
caused by external factors.<
Have the tires changed by your
authorized BMW center.
Your BMW center has the information
needed for working with RDC and is
equipped with the necessary special
tools.<
System interferenceDuring the period of the malfunction,
the yellow indicator lamp comes on
or the message "TIRECONTROL
INACTIVE" appears in the Check
Control.
You will also see the same message
>in the event of a system fault
>if a wheel is mounted without the
RDC electronics
>if, in addition to the spare tire,
additional wheels with RDC
electronics are on board.
Please contact your BMW center for
additional information.

IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
121n
The conceptThe BMW Universal Transmitter re-
places up to three hand-held transmit-
ters that control different devices such
as a garage door opener, alarm sys-
tems or a door locking system. The
BMW Universal Transmitter recognizes
and "learns" the transmitted signal from
each of the original hand-held transmit-
ters.
The signal of an original hand-held
transmitter can be programmed to one
of three channel buttons. Following
that, each of the devices can be oper-
ated with the channel button that you
have programmed for it. A transmission
of the signal is indicated by the indica-
tor lamp.
Before you sell your vehicle, the pro-
grammed channel buttons should be
cleared. Refer to page 123 for the de-
scription of this process.
To prevent potential injuries or
damage during the programming
operation and before every remote trig-
gering of a programmed device using
the BMW Universal Transmitter, be sure
that there are no persons, animals or
objects within the range of movement
of the respective device.
Read and comply with the safety in-
structions for the original hand-held
transmitter also.<
To Canadian residents:
During programming, your hand-
held transmitter may automatically stop
transmitting after two seconds. This
may not be long enough to program the
BMW Universal Transmitter. If you are
programming from one of these hand-
held transmitters, the Universal Trans-
mitter's lamp may begin to flash in a se-
ries of double flashes. If this occurs,
continue to hold the button on the Uni-
versal Transmitter while you reactivate
your hand-held transmitter. You may
have to repeat this function several
times while programming.<
Before programming, read the
"User's information" section on
page 123.< The original hand-held transmitter
If this symbol is depicted on the
packaging or in the user's in-
structions for the original hand-
held transmitter, it may be assumed
that this original hand-held transmitter
is compatible with the BMW Universal
Transmitter.
Checking for the change codeIn order to determine whether the origi-
nal hand-held transmitter is equipped
with a change code system, you may
either refer to the instructions for the
original hand-held transmitter or pro-
gram a channel button as described in
the left column on page 122 under
"Programming."
Following that, press and hold the pro-
grammed channel button of the BMW
Universal Transmitter. If the indicator
lamp of the BMW Universal Transmitter
flashes rapidly for two seconds and
then stays on continuously, the original
hand-held transmitter is equipped with
a change code system. If the change
code system is available, program the
channel buttons as described in the
right-hand column on page 122 under
"Programming a hand-held transmitter
with change code."
If you have additional questions,
please consult your BMW center
or call 1-800-355-3515.<
BMW Universal Transmitter
*

148nWinter operation Power steering Level control system*
Skid control
Release the accelerator pedal and
depress the clutch pedal. Countersteer
carefully and attempt to regain control
of the vehicle.
Parking
Engage 1st or reverse gear. If your
vehicle is equipped with an automatic
transmission, place the selector lever in
"Park." On vehicles with manual trans-
mission, also apply the parking brake
when parking on inclined surfaces. In
order to prevent the parking brake pads
from locking due to frost or corrosion,
dry them by gently applying the parking
brake as the vehicle is coming to a
stop. Make sure that following traffic is
not endangered.
The brake lamps do not come on
when the parking brake is
applied. <
If there is a change in steering behavior,
for instance greater steering effort or if
steering becomes lighter as speed
increases in vehicles equipped with
Servotronic
*:
Contact your BMW center for an
inspection.
If the power steering fails,
increased effort will be required
to steer the vehicle. <
The warning lamp for the level
control system comes on, or the
message "LEVEL CONTROL
INACTIVE" appears in the Check
Control
*: there is a malfunction in the
level control system.
Stop and inspect the vehicle. If it is
riding significantly lower in the rear than
in the front, or if it is sitting at an incline
(left rear compared to right rear),
consult the nearest authorized BMW
center. Drive with appropriate caution
in the meantime. The vehicle has
reduced ground clearance or driving
comfort is noticeably reduced.
Even if the attitude of the vehicle is
normal, you should consult the nearest
BMW center if the warning lamp indi-
cates a system fault.

Index
Data
Technology
Repairs
Car care
Controls
Overview
155nWinter tires Snow chains*
Do not exceed specified
maximum speeds
Never exceed the maximum
speed for which the tires are
rated.
Unprofessional attempts by laymen to
service tires can lead to damage and
accidents.
Have this work performed by skilled
professionals only. Any BMW center
has the required technical knowledge
and the proper equipment and will be
happy to assist you. <
Tire condition, tire pressure
Winter tires display a perceptible loss in
their ability to cope with winter driving
conditions once the tread wears to be-
low 0.16 in (4 mm), and should thus be
replaced.
Comply with the specified tire inflation
pressures – and be sure to have the
wheel and tire assemblies balanced
every time you change the tires.
Storage
Store tires in a cool, dry place, away
from light whenever possible. Protect
the tires against contact with oil, grease
and fuel. Use narrow-link BMW snow chains
on
summer or winter tires only in pairs and
only on the rear wheels. Comply with all
manufacturer's safety precautions
when mounting the chains.
It is not possible to mount snow
chains on tires with 17-inch
wheels. <

168nCoolant Brake fluid
Adding coolant
Wait until the engine cools before
removing the cap from the expansion
tank. The needle of the coolant temper-
ature gauge in the instrument cluster
must be located in the blue zone; other-
wise, there is a danger of scalding.
1 Start by turning the cap counter-
clockwise. Pause to allow any
accumulated pressure to escape,
then open.
2 If the coolant is low, slowly add coolant until the correct level is
reached – do not overfill.
The coolant is a mixture of water and
extended-duty antifreeze with corrosion
inhibitor. Always maintain the pre-
scribed all-season 50:50 mixture ratio
for year-round protection against inter-
nal corrosion. No other additives are re-
quired.
Replace the coolant every four years.
If the indicator lamp for the
brake hydraulic system comes
on or if the "CHECK BRAKE
FLUID" warning appears in the
Check Control
*: the brake fluid
level is too low in the reservoir.
The brake fluid reservoir is located
under the microfilter housing on the
driver's side of the car. Should you de-
termine that the brake fluid is low, refer
the problem to your BMW center, who
can trace and rectify any sources of
leakage when refilling the reservoir.
Your BMW center is familiar with the
specifications for approved brake
fluids (DOT 4).
Brake fluid loss results in extended
pedal travel. For this situation, refer to
the notes on page 146.
Brake fluid is hygroscopic, that is,
it absorbs moisture from the air
over time.
In order to ensure the safety and
reliability of the brake system, have
the brake fluid changed every two years
by an BMW center. Refer also to the
Service and Warranty Information
Booklet (US models) or to the Warranty
and Service Guide Booklet (Canadian
models).
Brake fluid is toxic and damages the
vehicle's paint. You should always store
it in its original container and in a loca-
tion which is out of reach of children.
Do not spill the fluid and do not fill the
brake fluid reservoir beyond the "MAX"
mark. The brake fluid could ignite upon
contact with hot engine parts and
cause serious burns. <
Comply with the applicable
environmental laws regulating the
disposal of brake fluid. <

170n
The BMW Maintenance System has
been designed as a reliable means of
providing maximum driving and operat-
ing safety – and as cost-effectively as
possible for you.
Please keep in mind that regular main-
tenance is not only necessary for the
safety of your vehicle, but also plays a
significant role in maintaining the resale
value of the vehicle.
Service Interval Display
Advanced technology is employed to
calculate the optimal maintenance in-
tervals, which are then indicated in the
Service Interval Display. While conven-
tional systems rely on distance traveled
alone to determine when service is due,
the BMW Maintenance System has for
years considered the actual conditions
under which the vehicle operates, be-
390us702
cause mileage can be accumulated in
very different ways.
From a maintenance standpoint,
62,000 miles (100,000 km) accumulated
in short-distance urban driving are not
the equivalent of the same distance
covered at moderate speeds in long-
distance highway travel.
The BMW Maintenance System
includes the Engine Oil Service and
Inspections I and II.
Determining the maintenance intervals
according to the actual loads on the
vehicle covers every kind of operating
situation. However, even those who
drive only short distances – significantly
less than 6,000 miles (10,000 km) annu-
ally – should have the engine oil
changed at least every 2 years since oil
deteriorates over time, regardless of
use.Service and Warranty Information
Booklet (US models) or Warranty
and Service Guide Booklet (Cana-
dian models)
Please refer to the Service and War-
ranty Information Booklet (US models)
or to the Warranty and Service Guide
Booklet (Canadian models) for addi-
tional information on maintenance inter-
vals and procedures.
As a precaution against rust, it might be
a good idea to have the body checked
for damage from rocks or gravel at the
same time, depending upon operating
conditions. Have your BMW center do the
maintenance and repair.
Your BMW center is always informed on
the latest maintenance work and repair
techniques and equipped with the re-
quired special tools. In addition, check-
ing parts known from experience to be
subject to wear is a permanent part of
the maintenance specifications.
Be sure that all maintenance work is
confirmed in the Service and Warranty
Information Booklet (US models) or in
the Warranty and Service Guide Book-
let (Canadian models).
These entries will constitute your proof
that the vehicle has received regular
maintenance. They are also required in
the event of a warranty claim. <
The BMW Maintenance System

184nLamps and bulbs
Xenon lamps*
The operating life of these lamp units is
extremely long and the likelihood of fail-
ure very low, provided that they are not
switched on and off a very great num-
ber of times. If one of these bulbs
should nevertheless fail, it is possible to
continue driving with great caution us-
ing the fog lamps, provided traffic laws
in your area do not prohibit this.
Because of the extremely high
voltages involved, any work on the
lighting system should be carried out by
technically-qualified personnel only.
Otherwise, there is a risk of fatal in-
jury. <
Parking lamp
10 watt bulb
The bulb holder and reflector are a
single unit and are both changed
at the same time. <
1 Turn the bulb holder with reflector to the left and remove.
2 Disconnect the plug.
3 Plug the new bulb holder into the plug connector. Be sure that it is
securely engaged.
4 Insert the reflector with bulb holder and turn to the right as far as
possible.
390de669
Front turn signal indicators/
Parking lamps (side marker
lamps)
Dual-filament bulb, 21 watt
1 Turn the bulb holder to the left and
remove.
2 Remove and replace the bulb.
390de670