ESP BMW 540I SEDAN 2003 Owner's Manual

86n
Check Control>"RELEASE PARKINGBRAKE"
>"COOLANT TEMPERATURE"
The coolant is overheated. Stop the
vehicle immediately and switch off
the engine. Refer to pages 84
and 144
>"STOP!ENGINE OILPRESS"
The oil pressure is too low. Stop the
vehicle immediately and switch off
the engine. Refer to pages 19, 142
>"CHECK BRAKE FLUID"
Indicates that brake fluid is down to
roughly minimum level. Have the
reservoir topped up at the earliest
opportunity, refer to page 145. Have
the source of the brake fluid loss
repaired at your BMW center
>"TIRE DEFECT"
*
Reduce vehicle speed immediately
and stop the vehicle. Avoid hard
brake applications. Do not oversteer.
Refer to page 102
>"SELFLEVEL SUSP.INACT"
Please consult the nearest BMW
center. Refer to page 101
>"LIMIT"
*
Display if the programmed speed
limit has been exceeded, refer to
page 93Priority 2
These displays appear for 20 seconds
when the ignition key is turned to posi-
tion 2. The warning symbols remain
after the message disappears. You can
display the messages again by pressing
the CHECK button 3:
>"TRUNKLID OPEN"
Message appears only when the
vehicle is initially set in motion
>"DOOR OPEN"
This message appears after a defined
road speed has been exceeded
>"FASTEN SEAT BELTS"
*
In addition to this message, a
warning lamp with the safety belt icon
appears and an acoustic signal
sounds
>"WASHER FLUID LOW"
Too low; top up fluid at the next
opportunity. Refer to page 141
>"CHECK ENGINE OIL LEV"
The engine oil level is at the absolute
minimum. You should respond by
topping up the oil as soon as
possible, refer to page 142. Do not
continue for more than approx.
30 miles (50 km) before adding oil>"CHECK FILLER CAP"
Inspect the cap to make sure that it is
closed properly, refer to page 25
>"OUTSIDE TEMP. +20 7 (Ð5 6)"
This display is only an example. The
current temperature is displayed at
outside temperatures of +37.5 7
(+3 6) and below. Refer also to
page 82
>"TIRE PRESSURE SET"
*
The RDC has imported the current
inflation pressure in the tires as the
target values which the system will
monitor.
Refer to page 101
>"CHECK TIRE PRESSURE"
*
Check and correct the tire inflation
pressure to specifications at the
earliest opportunity (next stop to
refuel).
Refer to page 101
>"TIRECONTROL INACTIVE"
*
A temporary interference of the RDC
or a system fault. Refer to page 102
>"CHECK BRAKE LIGHTS"
A lamp has failed or the electrical
circuit has a fault. Refer to pages 156
and 162 or consult a BMW center

88n
ComputerMode selectionFrom ignition key position 1 and up, you
can press the button in the turn signal
lever to retrieve information from the
computer for display. Tap the button
toward the steering column to scroll to
the next status display in the sequence.
The displays appear in the following
order: outside temperature, average
fuel consumption, cruising range,
average 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.390de700
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
odometer reset button (in ignition key
position 1)
2. and then turning the ignition key to 0.
Refer also to page 82.Cruising range and average speedThe computer bases its calculations of
the cruising range on the previous
driving style and conditions.
The computer ignores any time spent
when the vehicle is stationary and the
engine is not running in its average
speed calculations.390us126
To delete the displayPress the button in the turn signal lever
while the average speed is being shown
to cancel the display of computer infor-
mation.To restart calculationsYou can maintain pressure on the
button within the turn signal lever to
reset the computer and initiate new cal-
culations of average speed and fuel
consumption. This feature is only avail-
able when the engine is running.Computer with alphanumeric
display
*
If your vehicle is equipped with Check
Control featuring an alphanumeric dis-
play, a description of the corresponding
computer can be found starting on
page 93 as well as in the "Owner's
Manual for Onboard Computer."

99n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Park Distance Control (PDC)
*
ASC+T/DSC
*
PDC does not remove the driver's
personal responsibility for evalu-
ating the distance between the vehicle
and any obstacles. Even with the sen-
sors, there is a blind spot in which
objects cannot be detected. This
applies especially in those cases where
the system approaches the physical
limits of ultrasonic measurement, as
occurs with tow bars and trailer cou-
plings, and in the vicinity of thin or
wedge-shaped objects.
Certain sources of sound, such as a
loud radio, could drown out the PDC
signal tone.<
Keep the sensors clean and free
of ice or snow in order to ensure
that they continue to operate effec-
tively.
Do not apply high pressure spray to the
sensors for a prolonged period of time.
Maintain an adequate distance of more
than 4 in (10 cm).<
Automatic Stability Control plus
Traction (ASC+T)/Dynamic
Stability Control (DSC)
*
These systems contribute to additional
vehicle stability, especially during
acceleration and when cornering.
The DSC system enhances the benefits
of the ASC+T. In addition to optimizing
vehicle stability and traction during
acceleration or when starting from a
standstill, a further benefit is realized in
cornering. This, of course, is true only
within physically feasible limits.
The system activates automatically
each time you start the engine.

100n
ASC+T/DSC
*
Indicator lamp
The indicator lamp in the instru-
ment cluster goes out shortly
after you switch on the ignition.
Refer to page 21.
Indicator lamp flashes:
The system is active and governs drive
torque and braking force.
If the indicator lamp fails to go out after
the engine is started, or if it comes on
during normal driving:
There is a system malfunction or the
system was deactivated with the
button. You can still drive the vehicle
normally without ASC+T/DSC.
Please consult your BMW center for
repairs.
To deactivate the systemPress the button, the indicator lamp
lights up and remains on continuously.
Depending on equipment options, the
button is marked with ASC or DSC.
With deactivated ASC+T/DSC you are
driving with conventional, unregulated
torque transfer.
In the following exceptional situations,
it may be effective to deactivate the
ASC+T/DSC for a brief period:
>When rocking the vehicle or starting
off in deep snow or on loose surfaces
>When driving with snow chains.390us728
To reactivate the systemPress the button again; the indicator
lamp goes out.
The laws of physics cannot be
repealed, even with ASC+T/DSC.
An appropriate driving style always
remains the responsibility of the driver.
Do not use the extra safety margins fur-
nished by these systems as an excuse
for taking unnecessary risks.< Dynamic Brake Control (DBC)
*
DBC is an integral component of the
DSC system.
The system responds to sudden, high-
intensity applications of force to the
brake pedal by automatically braking
the vehicle with maximum boost to
achieve the shortest possible braking
distances during "panic stops." This
system exploits all the benefits of ABS.
Do not reduce the pressure exerted
against the brake pedal until the
braking maneuver has been completed.
DBC is deactivated when you release
the brake pedal.

103n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Parking lamps (side marker
lamps)
With the switch in this position,
the front, rear and side vehicle
lighting is switched on.
For lighting on one side for parking as
an additional feature, refer to page 104.
Low beams
When the ignition is switched off
while the low beams are on, the
headlamps go out and only the
parking lamps (side marker lamps)
remain on.
390de732
"Follow me home":
When you activate the headlamp
flasher after parking the vehicle and
switching off the lamps, the low beams
will come on for a brief period. You may
also have this function deactivated if
you wish.<
"LIGHTS ON" warningWhen the driver's door is opened with
the ignition key in position 0 an acoustic
signal will sound for several seconds to
remind you that you have forgotten to
switch off the lamps
.
Vehicles with alphanumeric Check
Control
*:
The reminder is provided by the Check
Control, refer to page 87.
Daytime driving lamps
*
The headlamps are automatically
switched on for daytime driving in
ignition key position 2.
Automatic headlamp control
*
When the switch is set to this
position the system automati-
cally activates and cancels the
low beams in response to changes in
ambient light ( in tunnels, at dusk, etc.)
as well as rain and snow.
The vehicle's external lamps
remain on constantly when you
switch on the front fog lamps after the
headlamps have come on automati-
cally.<
Automatic headlamp control
cannot serve as a substitute for
the driver's judgement in determining
when the vehicle lamps should be
switched on. For example, the sensors
are not able to detect fog. To avoid
safety risks, you should respond to
these kinds of low-visibility situations
by switching the headlamps on manu-
ally.<
You can have the sensitivity of
your vehicle's automatic head-
lamp control adjusted.<
Parking lamps/Low beams

107n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Air conditioningTemperature
The graduations on the dial
provide general reference
values for the interior temper-
ature. We recommend 70 7
(22 6) as a comfortable setting. When
you start the vehicle, this system
adjusts the air to the selected tempera-
ture as quickly as possible, and then
maintains that temperature constantly.
Air distribution
You can direct the emerging
air toward the windows ,
toward your upper body or
into the footwell . All inter-
mediate settings are also available. In
the setting, there is a low flow of air
onto the windows to keep them free of
condensation.
Air supply
You can control the emerging
air's flow rate through an infi-
nitely-variable range. The
heating and ventilation
become more and more effective as the
air supply settings are increased. In the
"0" setting, the blower and climate con-
trol are switched off and the outside air
supply is blocked.
Rear window defroster
The indicator lamp comes
on to indicate that the rear
window defroster is in operation. The
rear window defroster switches off
automatically.
Cooling
The air conditioning cools
and dehumidifies the
incoming air before reheating it to the
selected temperature. Depending on
the weather, the windshield may fog
over briefly when the engine is started.
You can reduce condensation forming
on the windows by switching on the air
conditioning.
Condensation forms in the air
conditioning system during opera-
tion, which then exits under the vehicle.
Traces of condensed water of this kind
are thus normal.<
Recirculated-air mode
You can respond to
unpleasant odors in the sur-
rounding environment by using this
mode to temporarily suspend the flow
of outside air into the vehicle's interior.
The system then recirculates the air
currently within the vehicle.
If your vehicle is equipped with a multi-
function steering wheel
featuring a
recirculated-air button then you can
also select the recirculated-air mode
from this location (refer to page 22).
If the windows should fog over in
the recirculated-air mode, switch
the recirculated-air mode off and
increase the air supply as required.<

112n
Automatic climate control
*
Air conditioning
The air is cooled and
dehumidified and Ð
depending on the temperature setting Ð
warmed again when the air conditioning
is switched on. Depending on the
weather, the windshield may fog over
briefly when the engine is started. You
can reduce condensation forming on
the windows by switching on the air
conditioning.
Condensation forms in the air
conditioning system during opera-
tion, which then exits under the vehicle.
Traces of condensed water of this kind
are thus normal.<
Maximum cooling
With the engine running
this program provides
maximum cooling at outside tempera-
tures above approx. 41 7 (5 6).
60 7 (16 6) appears in the tempera-
ture display 9, and the system reverts to
the recirculated-air mode while simulta-
neously providing maximum airflow
through the vent outlets only. That is
why you need to keep these open if you
select this program.
Automatic recirculated-air
control (AUC)
You can respond to
unpleasant external odors
by temporarily stopping the flow of out-
side air. The system then recirculates
the air currently within the vehicle.
Press the button repeatedly to run
through the following control sequence:
>Indicator lamps off: outside airflow
operational
>Left-hand indicator lamp on Ð AUC
mode: the system recognizes pollut-
ants in the outside air and blocks the
flow of air when necessary. The
system then recirculates the air cur-
rently within the vehicle.
Depending on the air quality, the
automatic system then switches back
and forth between outside air supply
and recirculation of the air within the
vehicle
>Right-hand indicator lamp on: the
flow of external air into the vehicle is
permanently blocked. The system
then recirculates the air currently
within the vehicle.
If you have a multifunction steering
wheel with the recirculated-air button
(refer to page 22), you can also use it to
switch between "Off" and the recircu-
lated-air mode or AUC and the recircu-
lated-air mode.
If the windows should fog over in
the recirculated-air mode, switch
the recirculated-air mode off and
increase the air supply as required.< Rear window defroster
When the rear window
defroster is activated, the
indicator lamp comes on. The rear
window defroster switches off automat-
ically.

115n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
The conceptThe BMW Universal Transmitter
replaces up to three hand-held transmit-
ters to control different devices such as
a garage door opener, alarm systems or
a door locking system. The BMW Uni-
versal Transmitter recognizes and
"learns" the transmitted signal from each
of the original hand-held transmitters.
The signal of an original hand-held
transmitter can be programmed on one
of the three channel keys. Following
that, each of the devices can be actu-ated with the appropriately-programmed

channel key. The indicator lamp flashes
to confirm transmission of the signal.
Before you sell your vehicle, the pro-
grammed channel keys should be
cleared. Refer to page 117 for the
description 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. Also, comply
with the safety precautions of the orig-
inal hand-held transmitter.<
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
series of double flashes. If this occurs,
continue to hold the key 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 117.<
The original hand-held transmitter
If this symbol is depicted on the
packaging or in the user's
instructions 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 conversion codeIn order to determine whether the orig-
inal hand-held transmitter is equipped
with a conversion-code system, you
may either refer to the instructions for
the original hand-held transmitter or
program a channel key as described in
the left column on page 116 under
"Programming."
Following that, press and hold the pro-
grammed channel key of the BMW Uni-
versal 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 conversion-code system. If the con-
version-code system is available, pro-
gram the channel keys as described in
the right-hand column on page 116
under "Programming a hand-held trans-
mitter with change code."
If you have additional questions,
please consult your BMW center
or call 1-800-355-3515.<
BMW Universal Transmitter
*

116n
BMW Universal Transmitter
*
Programming1 Channel keys
2 Indicator lamp
3 Receiver for programming
Read and comply with the safety
precautions on page 115.<
1. Ignition key in position 2
2. For initial operation: press and hold
the two outer keys 1 until the indi-
cator lamp 2 flashes. Release the
keys. The three channel keys are
cleared390de640
3. Hold the original hand-held trans-
mitter at the receiver 3 a maximum of
2 in (5 cm) away
4. Simultaneously press the transmit-
ting key of the original hand-held
transmitter (arrow 2) and the desired
channel key of the BMW Universal
Transmitter (arrow 1). Release both
keys as soon as the indicator lamp
flashes rapidly
5. To program other original hand-held
transmitters, repeat steps 3 and 4.
The corresponding channel key is now
programmed with the signal of the orig-
inal hand-held transmitter.380de712
Programming a hand-held
transmitter with conversion code
Read and comply with the safety
precautions on page 115.<
Consult the operating instructions for
the individual device when program-
ming the BMW Universal Transmitter.
Read and comply with the following
programming instructions for the use of
the BMW Universal Transmitter with a
conversion-code system:
A second person simplifies pro-
gramming of the BMW Universal
Transmitter.<

129n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Cargo loading Roof-mounted luggage rack
Always position and secure the
load correctly. If you do not, it can
endanger the passengers during
braking or evasive maneuvers.
Do not exceed the approved gross
vehicle weight or the permissible axle
loads (refer to page 173). 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.<
A special roof-rack system is available
as an optional extra for your BMW.
Please observe the precautions
included with the installation instruc-
tions.AnchoragesAccess to the anchorages:
To fold up the cover (arrow), please use
the tool provided with the roof-rack
system.Loading and driving notesRoof-mounted luggage racks raise the
center of gravity of the vehicle when
they are loaded. For this reason, they
exercise a major effect on the vehicle's
handling and steering response.394de757
You should therefore always remember
not to exceed the approved roof
weight, the approved gross vehicle
weight or the axle loads when loading
the rack. You will find the specifications
under "Technical data" on page 173.
Make sure that the load is not too bulky,
and attempt to distribute it evenly.
Always load the heaviest pieces first (on
the bottom). Ensure that adequate room
remains for the tilt sunroof to extend
upward and that no objects protrude
into the tailgate's travel range on the
sport wagon.
Always ensure that roof-mounted
loads are tightly secured, as loose
loads can shift or even fly off the roof,
posing a serious hazard for following
traffic.<
Drive smoothly and avoid sudden
acceleration and braking. Do not corner
at high speeds.