warning BMW 540I SEDAN 2001 Owners Manual

Contents

Overview
Controls and features

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

Locks and security systems:

Keys36
Electronic vehicle
immobilizer37
Opening and closing –
from the outside38
With the key38
With the remote control39
Opening and closing –
from the inside42
Luggage compartment lid/
Tailgate43
Rear window43
Luggage compartment46
Alarm system47
Electric power windows49
Sliding/Tilt sunroof50

Adjustments:

Seats52
Steering wheel56
Mirrors56
Seat, mirror and steering wheel
memory58
Car Memory, Key Memory60

Passenger safety systems:

Safety belts61
Airbags62
Transporting children safely66

Driving:

Steering/Ignition lock68
Starting the engine68
Switching off the engine69
Parking brake70
Manual transmission70
Automatic transmission72
Automatic transmission with
Steptronic75
Indicator/Headlamp flasher78
Wiper/Washer system78
Rear window defroster80
Cruise control81

Everything under control:

Odometer, outside temperature
display83
Tachometer84
Energy control84
Fuel gauge84
Coolant temperature gauge85
Service Interval Display85
Check Control86
Computer89
Multi-information display
(MID)91
Digital clock in the MID92
Computer in the MID95

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

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

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

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

IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
21n

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 temperature gauge85
7 Indicator and warning lamps for:

>

Parking brake 23

>

Brake hydraulic system, Dynamic
Brake Control (DBC)

*
22, 23

>

Antilock Brake System (ABS)23

>

Airbags23

>

Please fasten safety belts23

>

Cruise control24
8 CHECK button86
9 Selector lever and program display
for automatic transmission

*
72, 7510 Outside temperature display83
11 Indicator lamp for Automatic
Stability Control plus Traction
(ASC+T)/Dynamic Stability
Control (DSC)

*
24
12 Trip odometer83
13 Check Control display86
14 Odometer83
15 Service Interval Display85
16 Reset button for trip odometer83
17 Indicator and warning lamps for:

>

Fog lamps24

>

Battery charge current22

>

Engine oil pressure22

>Service Engine Soon24

22n
Indicator and warning lampsTechnology that monitors itselfMany of the systems of your BMW
monitor themselves automatically, both
during engine starts and while you are
driving. Indicator and warning lamps
that are identified by "l" are tested for
proper functioning whenever the igni-
tion key is turned. They each light up
once for different periods of time.
If a fault should occur in one of these
systems, the corresponding lamp does
not go out after the engine is started or
it lights up while the vehicle is moving.
You will see how to react to this below.
Red: stop immediately
Battery charge current l
The battery is no longer being
charged. There is a malfunction
of the alternator V-belt or in the charg-
ing circuit of the alternator. Please con-
tact the nearest BMW center.
If the ribbed V-belt is defective, do
not continue driving. The engine
could be damaged due to overheating.
If the ribbed V-belt is defective, in-
creased steering effort is also re-
quired.<
Engine oil pressure l
Comes on while the engine is
running and the "STOP!ENGINE
OILPRESS" message appears in the
Check Control: stop vehicle immedi-
ately and switch off engine. Check level
of oil in engine, top up as required. If oil
level is correct: please contact the
nearest BMW center.
Do not continue driving. The en-
gine could be damaged because
of inadequate lubrication.<
Tire Pressure Control (RDC)
* l
In addition, there is an acousti-
cal warning signal: a tire failure
has occurred. Reduce vehicle speed
immediately and stop the vehicle. Avoid
hard brake applications. Do not over-
steer. For additional information: refer
to page 103.
Parking brake
*,
brake hydraulic system l
Comes on when you engage the
parking brake. For additional informa-
tion: refer to page 70.
Comes on although the parking brake is
released: have the brake fluid level
checked. Before driving further, be
sure to read the notes on pages 146
and 168.
Also comes on with the message
"CHECK BRAKE PADS" in the Check
Control.
Parking brake* warning lamp/
Brake hydraulic system for
Canadian models.

IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
23n
Indicator and warning lampsRed: an important reminder
Parking brake
*
Comes on when you engage the
parking brake.
For additional information: refer to
page 70.
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 61.
Airbags l
Please have the system in-
spected by your BMW center.
For additional information: refer to
page 62.
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 BMW
center.
For additional information: refer to
page 143.
Antilock Brake System (ABS)
warning lamp for Canadian
models.
Engine oil level
*
Comes on while driving: the oil
level is at the absolute mini-
mum; refill as soon as possible. Do not
drive more than approx. 30 miles
(50 km) until you add oil.
For additional information: refer to
page 165.
Engine oil level
*
Comes on after the engine has
been shut off: add oil at the
earliest opportunity (when you stop to
refuel).
For additional information: refer to
page 165.
Automatic transmission
*
Because of a malfunction, the
automatic transmission shifts
only in the emergency program. Please
consult the nearest BMW center.
For additional information: refer to
pages 74, 77.
Brake pads
* l
Have the brake pads checked.
For additional information: refer
to page 146.
Dynamic Brake Control
(DBC)
* l
Fault in the DBC system. Con-
ventional braking efficiency is available
without limitations.
For additional information: refer to
page 145.
Dynamic Brake Control (DBC)
warning lamp for Canadian
models.
Tire Pressure Control (RDC)
* l
Check the tire inflation pressure.
Refer to pages 29, 103.
Level control system
* l
The level control system is
inactive. Please consult the
nearest BMW center.
For additional information: refer to
page 148.

24n
Indicator and warning lamps
Automatic Stability Control plus
Traction (ASC+T)/Dynamic Sta-
bility Control (DSC)
* l
The ASC+T/DSC has been switched off
or has been deactivated because of a
malfunction. In the event of a malfunc-
tion, have the system checked by your
BMW center.
For additional information: refer to
page 102.
Engine electronics
*
There is a fault in the engine's
electronic control system. The
electronics allow for continued driving
with reduced engine output or rpms.
Please have the system inspected by
your BMW center.
Service Engine Soon l
If the indicator lamp comes on
either continuously or intermit-
tently, this indicates a fault in the emis-
sions-related electronic systems.
Although the vehicle remains opera-
tional, you should have the systems
checked by your BMW center at the
earliest possible opportunity.
For additional information: refer to
page 178.
Service Engine Soon warning
lamp for Canadian models.
Green: for your information
Turn signal
Flashes when the turn signals
are in operation. Rapid flashing
indicates a system malfunction.
For additional information: refer to
page 78.
Cruise control
Lights up when the cruise con-
trol is activated. Available for
operation via the multifunction steering
wheel.
For additional information: refer to
page 81.
Fog lamps
Lights up whenever you switch
on the fog lamps.
For additional information: refer to
page 106.
Blue: for your information
High beams
Lights up when the high beams
are on or the headlamp flasher
is actuated.
For additional information: refer to
pages 78 and 106.

IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
27n
Hazard warning flashers Warning triangle
*
First-aid kit
*
The button flashes rhythmically when
the hazard warning flashers are on.
To help you locate the switch in an
emergency, the button is also illumi-
nated whenever the car's headlamps
are on.390de039
The hazard warning triangle is quickly
available, stored in the onboard tool kit
mounted on the inside of the luggage
compartment lid/tailgate.
To open the container, loosen the wing
screw.
Comply with legal requirements
which cover the availability of a
hazard warning triangle in the car.< 394de053
The first-aid kit is located under the
front passenger's seat.
To remove: lift the release lever on the
front (arrow) and pull the first-aid kit for-
ward out of its support.
To store: place the back of the kit into
the support, then push back until the le-
ver engages.
Some of the articles in the first-aid
kit may be used within a limited
time only. For this reason, check the
expiration dates of each of the items
regularly, and replace any whose expi-
ration dates have passed. You can
acquire replacements in any drugstore
or pharmacy.
Comply with legal requirements which
cover availability of a first-aid kit in your
vehicle.< 390de086