BMW 540I SEDAN 2003 Owners Manual

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OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
394us723
Dimensions Ð sedan
All dimensions are given in inches (mm).
Min. turning circle dia.: BMW 525i, 530i: 37.1 ft (11.3 m); BMW 540i: 37.4 ft (11.4 m)

172n
Dimensions Ð sport wagon
392us724
All dimensions are given in inches (mm). Height with roof-mou nted luggage rack
*: 57.4 (1,459)
Min. turning circle dia.: BMW 525i: 37.1 ft (11.3 m); BMW 540i: 37.4 ft (11.4 m)

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Weights Ð sedan
BMW 525i BMW 530i BMW 540i
Curb weight (with one person, ready for operation, full tank of fuel, options not included)
with manual transmission
with automatic transmissionlbs. (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 transmissionlbs. (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 load lbs. (kg)
2,138 (970)2,138 (970) 2,381 (1,080)
Approved rear axle load 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)
Never exceed either the approved axle loads or the gross vehicle weight.
Luggage compartment capacity cu ft (l) 16.2 (460) 16.2 (460) 16.2 (460)

174n
Weights Ð sport wagon
BMW 525i BMW 540i
Curb weight (with one person, ready for operation, full tank of fuel, options not included)
with manual transmission
with automatic transmissionlbs. (kg)
lbs. (kg)3,682 (1,670)
3,715 (1,695)Ð
4,056 (1,840)
Approved gross vehicle weight
with manual transmission
with automatic transmissionlbs. (kg)
lbs. (kg)4,773 (2,165)
4,828 (2,190)Ð
5,093 (2,310)
Approved front axle load lbs. (kg)
2,116 (960)2,381 (1,080)
Approved rear axle load lbs. (kg) 2,844 (1,290) 2,910 (1,320)
Approved roof load capacity lbs. (kg) 220 (100) 220 (100)
Never exceed either the approved axle loads or the gross vehicle weight.
Cargo area capacity cu ft (l) 14.5 Ð 53.9 (410 Ð 1,525) 14.5 Ð 53.9 (410 Ð 1,525)

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Capacities

Notes
Fuel tank
Reservegal. (liters)
gal. (liters)approx. 18.5 (approx. 70)
approx. 2.0 (approx. 8) Ð BMW 525i, 530i
approx. 2.5 (approx. 10) Ð BMW 540iFuel specification: page 25
Windshield washer system
with headlamp washer system
Intensive cleaning systemquarts (liters)
quarts (liters)
quarts (liters)approx. 3.7 (approx. 3.5)
approx. 6.3 (approx 6.0)
approx. 1.1 (approx 1.0)For details: page 141
Cooling system including
heater circuitquarts (liters) 11.1 (10.5) Ð BMW 525i, 530i
12.7 (12.0) Ð BMW 540iFor details: page 144
Engine oil and filter change quarts (liters) 6.9 (6.5) Ð BMW 525i, 530i
7.9 (7.5) Ð BMW 540i"BMW High Performance
Synthetic Oil."
For details: page 143
Manual transmission, automatic
transmission and differentialÐ Ð Lifetime fluid, no fluid
change required

176n

177n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Overview
Controls and features
Operation, maintenance
Owner service procedures
Index Technical data
Key words

Everything from A to ZA
ABS (Antilock Brake
System)20, 133
Accessories9
Activated-charcoal
filter114
Active seat52
Adaptive Transmission
Control (ATC)72, 75
Add
antifreeze144t
brake fluid145t
engine coolant144t
engine oil142t
washer fluid141t
Adjusting
backrest50
head restraints52
mirrors57
seats48
steering wheel56
temperature107, 111
thigh support50
Air conditioning106
Air distribution107, 111
Air outlets106, 109
Air pressure,
tires26t, 135
Air supply107, 111
Air vent106, 109
Airbags20, 59 Alarm system42
Anchorage points
child-restraint system with
tether strap62
Antifreeze, disposal144t
Antifreeze, radiator144
Antilock Brake System
(ABS)20, 133
Anti-theft alarm system42
Anti-theft protection34
Approved axle load173
Approved gross vehicle
weight173
Aquaplaning133, 135
ASC+T (Automatic Stability
Control plus Traction)21
ASC+T/DSC (Automatic
Stability Control plus
Traction/Dynamic Stability
Control)99
Ashtray, front119
Ashtray, rear120
ATC (Adaptive Transmission
Control)72, 75
Attach vacuum cleaner120
AUC (Automatic
recirculated-air
control)112 Automatic climate
control109
removing condensation
from windows111
Automatic cruise control80
Automatic curb monitor55
Automatic rear window
cleaning79
Automatic recirculated-air
control (AUC)112
Automatic Stability Control
plus Traction (ASC+T)21
Automatic Stability Control
plus Traction/Dynamic
Stability Control (ASC+T/
DSC)99
Automatic
transmission20, 72
Automatic transmission with
Steptronic20, 75
Average fuel
consumption88
Average speed88, 96
Avoiding unintentional
alarms43t, 44
B
Backrest, adjusting50
Backup lamps
bulb replacement156t Battery162
care162t
charging162t
discharged164t
disposal162t
Belts53
Beverage holder119
Blower107, 111
BMW active seat52
BMW comfort seat51
BMW Maintenance
System146t
BMW Universal
Transmitter115
Bottle holder, refer to
beverage holder119
Brake fluid145
adding145
Brake hydraulic system19
Brake lamps, bulb
replacement156t
Brake malfunctions134
Brake system134
brake fluid level134
brake pads20, 134
disc brakes134
malfunctions134
Break-in procedures132
Bulbs and lamps153t

Everything from A to Z
179n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
C
California Proposition
65 Warning147
Capacities175
Cargo area
floor compartment127
lamps105
opening from the
inside40
partition net125
roll-up cover125
Cargo loading128
Cellular phone119
Center (high-mount) brake
lamp157
Central locking
system32, 37
Changing a wheel/
tire158t
Charge indicator lamp19
CHECK button85
Check Control85t
Check engine oil
level142t
Child seats62
Child-restraint
installation64
Child-restraint system with
tether strap62
Child-restraint systems62
Child-safety locks66
Cigarette lighter120 Clean rear window79
Cleaning windshield79
Climate control, refer to
Automatic climate
control109
Clock90
for additional information
refer to the "Owner's
Manual for Onboard
Computer"
Cockpit14
Code, refer to immobilizer
function96
Cold start69
Comfort seat51
Compartments118
Computer88
for additional information
refer to the "Owner's
Manual for Onboard
Computer"
remote control97
Computer in the MID93
Configuring personal
adjustments, Vehicle and
Key Memory67
Consumption display83
Consumption, fuel88, 95
Convenience operation of
windows and sliding/tilt
sunroof33 Convenience starting
feature69
Coolant144
Coolant temperature
gauge84
Copyright4
Cover, sun blinds114
Cruising range88, 95
Cup holder119
Cup holder, refer to
beverage holder119
Curb monitor55
D
Date
calling up90
changing90
Daytime driving lamps103
DBC (Dynamic Brake
Control)20
Deactivating97
interior motion sensor43
tilt alarm sensor43
Deep water133
Defrost windows108, 111
Defroster mode108, 111
Digital clock in the MID90
Dimensions171
Dipstick, engine oil142t
Displacement170
Display lighting104 Displays16, 17
Disposal
antifreeze with corrosion
inhibitor144t
used batteries162t
used oils143t
Distance from
destination94
Distance warning98
Divided rear-seat
backrest121
Doors
manual operation33
opening and closing34
opening/closing from the
inside34
operation via remote
control34
DOT Quality Grades136
Driving notes133
DSC (Dynamic Stability
Control)21, 99
Dynamic Brake Control
(DBC)20
Dynamic Stability Control
(DSC)21, 99
E
Electric power seat50
Electric power windows44

Everything from A to ZElectrical malfunction
doors33
fuel filler door24
luggage compartment
lid38
sliding/tilt sunroof47
tailgate39
Elements of operation,
cockpit14
Emergency release of
luggage compartment lid
from luggage
compartment's interior41
Energy control83
Engine compartment
essentials140
Engine coolant84, 144
Engine oil142
consumption142
disposal143t
level20
pressure19
specifications143t
viscosity ratings143
Engine specifications170
Estimated time of arrival95
Exterior mirrors57, 58
F
Failure messages85t
Filling the washer
reservoir141t
First-aid kit23
Fittings, tow-starting and
towing165t
Flashlight118
Flat tire135, 158t
Fog lamps104
bulb replacement155t
Fold rear-seat backrest121
Follow me home lamps103
Front ashtray119
Front fog lamps104
Front seat adjustment48
Fuel25
gauge83
quality25
specifications25
tank capacity175
Fuel consumption88, 95
average88, 95
indicator83
Fuel filler door24
electrical malfunction24
manual release24
Fuses162
G
Gasoline25
gauge83
quality25
Glass moonroof47
Glove compartment118
Grilles109
Gross vehicle weight173 H
Handbrake70
Hands-free system119
Hazard warning triangle23
Head restraints50
Headlamp covers,
care153t
Headlamp flasher78
Headlamp washer
system141
Heated seats55
Heated steering wheel56
Heating and
ventilation106, 109
Heating while stopped113
Heavy cargo128
Height adjustment
seats50
steering wheel56
Height of vehicle171
High beams21, 104
bulb replacement153t High Performance Synthetic
Oils143
High-mount brake lamp157
Holder for canned
beverages119
Hood139
release139t
Horn14
Hydraulic Braking Assistant,
refer to DBC20
Hydroplaning133, 135
I
Ice warning82
Identification, tires137
Ignition lock68
Immobilizer function96
activating code96
deactivating code96
selecting code96
Imprint4
Indicator and warning
lamps19
Inflation pressure26t
monitoring101
Inflation pressure,
tires26, 135
INSPECTION84
Instrument
cluster15, 16, 17