weight BMW 540I SEDAN 2001 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 (that is, 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 (volatility,
composition, additives, etc.) among ga-
solines offered for sale in the United
States and Canada. The use of poor-
quality fuels may result in driveability,
starting and stalling problems, espe-
cially under certain environmental con-
ditions, such as high ambient tempera-
ture and high altitude.
Should you encounter driveability pro-
blems that you suspect could be rela-
ted 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 (for instance, CBs,
walkie-talkie, ham radio or similar ac-
cessories) may cause extensive da-
mage to the vehicle, compromise its
safety, interfere with the vehicle's elec-
trical system, or affect the validity of the
BMW Limited Warranty. Visit your BMW
center for additional information.

<


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 auto-
motive part.

<



Symbol on vehicle parts

Indicates that you should consult
the relevant section of this
Owner's Manual for information on a
particular part or assembly.

13n

Technical data
Index

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

IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
53n
Mechanical seat1 Forward/backward adjustment
Pull the lever and slide the seat to the
desired position.
After releasing the lever, apply pres-
sure to the cushion to ensure that the
latch engages securely
2 Cushion height
Pull the lever and apply weight to
or remove weight from the seat as
required390de682
3 Backrest angle
Pull the lever and apply weight to or
remove weight from the backrest to
reach the desired position
Comply with the adjustment in-
structions on page 52. Failure to
do so could result in diminished perso-
nal safety.< 390de683
Head restraintsTo adjust the angle of the front head
restraints: adjust by tilting the head
restraint.
To adjust the height of the front pas-
senger and rear head restraints: adjust
by pulling up or pressing down.
Head restraints reduce the risk
of spinal injury in the event of an
accident.
Adjust the head restraint so that its
center is approximately level with your
ears.
Leave the center rear head restraint in
the fully-lowered position at all times,
since pulling it out limits its function.<390de065

136nCargo loading
Stowing cargo
When transporting loads in your BMW:
>Position heavy loads as far forward
as possible – directly behind the
backrests or the luggage compart-
ment partition panel – and at the bot-
tom (the illustration shows the sport
wagon).
> Cover sharp edges and corners
> Do not pile objects higher than the
top edge of the backrest.
> Pull out the partition net
* (refer to
page 132) and ensure that carried
items cannot pass through the parti-
tion net.
> For very heavy loads when the rear
seat is not occupied, secure each
safety belt in the opposite buckle.
392de177
Securing the load
>Secure smaller, light pieces with the
retaining straps or a luggage net
*, or
use elastic straps (refer to page 46).
> For large, heavy pieces, visit your
BMW center for load-securing de-
vices
*. Lashing eyes are provided at
the corners of the luggage compart-
ment for attaching these load-secur-
ing devices (the illustration shows the
sport wagon).
> Comply with the information en-
closed with the load-securing de-
vices.
392de178
Always position and secure the
load correctly, otherwise it can
endanger the passengers during brak-
ing or evasive maneuvers.
Do not exceed the permissible gross
vehicle weight and the permissible axle
loads (refer to page 221). If you do, the
operating safety of the vehicle is no
longer ensured and you are in violation
of the law.
Do not carry hard or heavy objects
unsecured in the passenger compart-
ment. If you do so, they may be pro-
jected through the air during braking
and evasive maneuvers, thus endan-
gering vehicle occupants. <

Index
Data
Technology
Repairs
Car care
Controls
Overview
137nRoof-mounted luggage rack
Mounting points
Access to the mounting points:
To fold up the cover (arrow), please use
the tool which is provided with the lug-
gage system.
A special luggage system is available
as an option for your BMW. Please
comply with the precautions included
with the installation instructions.
Because roof racks raise the center of
gravity of the car when loaded, they ex-
ercise a major effect on its handling and
steering response.
394de369
You should therefore always remember
not to exceed the approved roof
weight, the approved gross vehicle
weight or the axle weights when load-
ing the rack. You will find the specifica-
tions under "Technical data" on
page 221.
Make sure that the load is not too bulky,
and attempt to distribute it evenly.
Always load the heaviest pieces first (on
the bottom). Be sure that adequate
clearance is maintained for raising the
sliding/tilt sunroof, and that objects do
not project into the opening path of the
luggage compartment lid/tailgate.
Secure the roof luggage correctly and
tightly to prevent it from shifting or be-
ing lost during driving (danger to follow-
ing traffic).
Drive smoothly. Avoid sudden accelera-
tion and braking maneuvers. Take cor-
ners gently.
The roof load increases aerodynamic
resistance: increased fuel consumption
and stress on the roof are the immedi-
ate results.

192nChanging a wheel
7 Position the jack at the jacking point
closest to the flat tire so that the
jack base is vertically below the
jacking point and the entire surface
of the head of the jack will move
into the square recess of the jacking
point (refer to the illustration detail)
when the jack is cranked.
8 Jack the vehicle up until the wheel you are changing is raised off the
ground.
9 Unscrew the lug bolts and remove the wheel.
10 Remove accumulations of mud or
dirt from the mounting surfaces of
the wheel and hub. Clean the lug
bolts.
390de350
11 Position the spare wheel. Secure the wheel by turning at least two lug
bolts into opposite bolt holes.
12 Screw in the remaining lug bolts. Tighten all the bolts securely.
13 Lower the jack and remove it from beneath the vehicle.
14 Tighten the lug bolts in a diagonal pattern.
15 Wheels with full wheel covers: Place the wheel cover with the valve
opening over the valve (arrow). Use
both hands to press the cover se-
curely onto the rim.
For this light-weight wheel, use
only the full wheel cover installed
by the factory. Other wheel covers may
not fit securely. <
390de360
16 Wheels with hub covers:
Position the hub cover and press it
on tightly.
17 If equipped with lug bolt covers: Align the arrow on the cover with
the line in the wheel and press the
cover into place.
18 Check and correct the air pressure at the earliest opportunity.
For vehicles with Tire Pressure
Control (RDC)
*:
After mounting the spare tire or cor-
recting the inflation pressure, reacti-
vate the system. Refer to page 103.
The vehicle jack is designed for
changing tires only. Do not
attempt to raise another vehicle model
with it or to raise any load of any kind.
To do so could cause accidents and
personal injury.
To ensure continued safety, have the
lug bolts checked with a calibrated
torque wrench [torque specification
72 lb-ft (100 Nm)] at the earliest
opportunity. <

210nBMW active seat*Safety belt tensioner
BMW seats are configured for your
orthopedic well-being. The active seat
is an engineering enhancement of
BMW's seats, designed to ensure less
fatigue during extended trips while
sitting with little movement. The seat is
no longer a passive element between
the road, the running gear and the pas-
senger. Instead, it creates minor and
imperceptible shifts in your weight by
an active change in the contour of the
seat surface. The basic seat position is
not changed as this occurs.
Fluid cushions are located below the
surface of the seat in the seat's
upholstery on the left and right.
380de676
The fluid is circulated slowly back and
forth between the two cushions by
means of a pump. This causes a move-
ment of the spinal column which is
nearly unnoticeable, resulting in an im-
proved flow of blood to the vertebral
discs and the muscles in the area of the
spinal column. Vehicle occupants can
experience less muscle cramping, back
pain in the spine's lumbar region and
fatigue. The active seat thus provides a
significant contribution to your driving
comfort and safety.
The safety belt tensioner responds to
severe frontal collisions by tightening
the belts to ensure that occupants
remain firmly positioned in their seats.
A gas-pressure system retracts the
buckle assembly to tension the shoul-
der and lap belts within fractions of a
second. This reduces the tendency to
slide under the lap belt.
390de330

214nIntegrated rear suspension Level control system*
The control arms on the patented inte-
grated aluminum rear axle assembly are
not mounted directly on the body. They
are mounted elastically on a chassis
sub-frame which is joined in turn with
elasticity to the vehicle body. The result-
ing double elastic suspension system
effectively absorbs the forces resulting
from bumps and road surface irregulari-
ties.
The compliance rates of the integrated
rear axle assembly's control arm mounts
have been precisely calibrated to help
provide supplementary adjustment in
the tracking angle of the rear wheels
(programmed self-steer effect). The ulti-
mate result is enhanced safety and con-
trol under all conditions.
390de114
The illustration shows the rear axle of the
sedan. With the lightweight, compact
rear axle of the sport wagon, the shock
absorbers are positioned at an angle.
The level control system for the rear
axle maintains constant ground clear-
ance of your vehicle, even when carry-
ing a load.
To achieve this, the vehicle is equipped
with air struts at the rear axle instead of
conventional shock absorbers and steel
suspension springs. With the help of
two sensors, an electronic control unit
calculates the height of the body at all
times and, if it is required, it allows air
which is generated in a compressor to
flow into the air springs.
As a result of the pressure increase in
the air springs, the level control system
ensures not only constant ride height,
but also ride comfort which is indepen-
dent of the load the vehicle is carrying.
390de136

Index
Data
Technology
Repairs
Car care
Controls
Overview
Overview
Controls and features Operation, care
and maintenance
Technical data Index
Advanced technology
217
n
Owner service procedures
Engine specifications 218
Dimensions 219
Weights 221
Capacities 223
Electrical system 224
Drive belts 224
Data

Index
Data
Technology
Repairs
Car care
Controls
Overview
221nWeights – sedan
BMW 525i BMW 530i BMW 540i
Curb weight (with one person, ready for operation, full tank of fuel, o\
ptions not included)
with manual transmission
with automatic transmission lbs. (kg)
lbs. (kg)3,450 (1,565)
3,505 (1,590)3,494 (1,585)
3,549 (1,610) 3,748 (1,700)
3,803 (1,725)
Approved gross vehicle weight
with manual transmission
with automatic transmission lbs. (kg)
lbs. (kg)4,464 (2,025)
4,520 (2,050)4,509 (2,045)
4,563 (2,070) 4,762 (2,160)
4,817 (2,185)
Approved front axle weight lbs. (kg) 2,116 (960)2,138 (970) 2,381 (1,080)
Approved rear axle weight lbs. (kg) 2,579 (1,170) 2,579 (1,170) 2,635 (1,195)
Approved roof load capacity lbs. (kg) 220 (100) 220 (100) 220 (100)
Approved axle loads and approved gross vehicle weight may not be exceede\
d.
Luggage compartment capacity cu ft (l) 16.2 (460) 16.2 (460) 16.2 (460)