BMW 540I SEDAN 2003 Owner's Guide

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OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Overview
Controls and features
Operation, maintenance
Owner service procedures
Index Technical data

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Keys Central locking system1 Master keys with remote control unit
determine the functions of the Key
Memory, refer to page 67.
You can mark individual keys for sub-
sequent identification by applying the
colored decals that you received
when accepting delivery of your
vehicle
There is an extended-life battery
in every master key that is
charged automatically in the ignition
lock as you drive.
For this reason, if you have a master
key that is not in regular use, you
should use that key approx. once every
year while driving for an extended
period. This will charge the battery.
Refer also to page 34.< 463de023
2 Spare key for storage in a safe place,
such as in your wallet. This key is not
intended for continuous use
3 Door and ignition key
The locks for the luggage compart-
ment lid/tailgate, rear backrest and
glove compartment cannot be oper-
ated with this key. This is recom-
mended for valet parking, for
instance.
The conceptThe central locking system is ready for
operation as soon as you close the front
doors. The system engages and
releases the locks on the
>doors
>luggage compartment lid/tailgate
and rear window
*
>fuel filler door.
The central locking system can be
operated
>from outside via the driver's door lock
as well as via the remote control
>from inside via the central locking
system button.
Activation from inside does not lock the
fuel filler door (refer to page 37). Activa-
tion from outside simultaneously acti-
vates the anti-theft system. The alarm
system is also armed or disarmed.
When you use the central locking
system to lock the doors from inside
the vehicle, it will automatically disen-
gage the locks if an accident occurs,
except on doors that have been locked
individually using the lock buttons, refer
to page 37. The accident response rou-
tine also includes automatic activation
of the hazard warning flashers and the
interior lamps.

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OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Opening and closing Ð via the door lockUsing the keyOne turn of the key in the driver's door
lock unlocks the driver's door only.
Turning the key a second time unlocks
all of the remaining doors, the luggage
compartment lid/tailgate and the fuel
filler door.
You can have a signal set to con-
firm that the vehicle's locks have
engaged securely.< 390de723
Convenience operationYou can also operate the windows and
sliding/tilt sunroof via the door lock.
>To open: with the door closed, turn
the key to the "Unlock" position and
hold it
>To close: with the door closed, turn
the key to the "Lock" position and
hold it.
Watch the closing process care-
fully and be sure that no one is
trapped by the closing motion. The
closing process stops immediately
when you release the key.< Manual operationin the event of an electrical malfunction
Turn the key to the extreme left or right
to unlock/lock the driver's door.

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Opening and closing Ð via the remote controlThe conceptThe remote control makes opening and
locking the doors of your vehicle very
convenient. Furthermore, it provides
three additional functions which you
can only execute via the remote control:
>To switch on interior lamps, refer to
page 35.
With this function, you can also
"search for" your vehicle, when
parked in an underground garage, for
instance
>To open the luggage compartment
lid/tailgate, refer to page 35.
The luggage compartment lid/tailgate
will open slightly, regardless of
whether it was previously locked or
unlocked
>Panic mode
In case of danger, you can trigger the
alarm.
Whenever you unlock (lock) the vehicle,
you simultaneously deactivate (activate)
the anti-theft system, disarm (arm) the
alarm system and switch the interior
lamps on (off).
You can have a signal set to con-
firm that the vehicle's locks have
engaged securely.<
1 Unlock, convenience opening and
alarm system
2 Lock and secure, interior lamp activa-
tion, disarming tilt alarm sensor and
interior motion sensor
3 Open the luggage compartment lid/
tailgate, panic mode390de793
Master keys with remote control
Since passengers or animals
remaining in the vehicle might be
able to lock the doors from the inside,
take the vehicle's keys with you so that
the vehicle can be opened again from
the outside at any time.<
Master keys that are used repeat-
edly are always ready for opera-
tion, since the battery in the key is
charged automatically in the ignition
lock as you drive.
If it is no longer possible to lock the
vehicle via the remote control, the
battery is discharged. Use this key
while driving for an extended period in
order to charge the battery. Refer also
to page 32.
To prevent unauthorized use of the
remote control, surrender only the door
and ignition key 3 or the spare key 2
(refer to page 32) when leaving the
vehicle for valet parking, for example.
In the event of a system malfunction,
please contact your BMW center. You
can also obtain replacement keys
there.<

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OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Opening and closing Ð via the remote controlTo unlockPress button.
Press the button once to unlock the
driver's door and the fuel filler door
only; press a second time to unlock all
remaining doors as well as the luggage
compartment lid/tailgate.Convenience opening modePress and hold button to open the elec-
tric power windows and sliding/tilt sun-
roof.
To lock and securePress button.
Vehicles without armored glass:
do not lock the vehicle if anyone
will be remaining inside, as it would
then be impossible for the occupant(s)
to disengage the locks from the
inside.< To deactivate the tilt alarm sensor
and interior motion sensorPress button a second time immedi-
ately after locking.
For additional information, refer to
page 43.To switch on the interior lampsWith the vehicle locked, press button.
To open the luggage
compartment lid/tailgatePress button.
The luggage compartment lid/tailgate
will open slightly, regardless of whether
it was previously locked or unlocked.
Before and after a trip, be sure
that the luggage compartment lid/
tailgate has not been opened uninten-
tionally.< Panic modeProvided that the alarm system is
armed, you can respond to imminent
danger by holding down the button for
between two and five seconds.
To cancel alarm
Press button.

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Opening and closing Ð via the remote controlExternal systemsThe remote control system may be
affected by other units or equipment
operating in the immediate vicinity of
your vehicle.
If this should occur, you can unlock and
lock the vehicle via the door lock with a
master key.
For US owners onlyThe transmitter and receiver units
comply with part 15 of the FCC (Federal
Communication Commission) regula-
tions. Operation is governed by the
following:
FCC ID: LX8EWS
LX8FZVS
LX8FZVE
Compliance statement:
This device complies with part 15 of the
FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the
following two conditions:
>This device may not cause harmful
interference, and
>this device must accept any interfer-
ence received, including interference
that may cause undesired operation.
Any unauthorized modifications to
these devices could void the
user's authority to operate the equip-
ment.<

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OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Opening and closing Ð from the insideYou can operate the central locking
system with this button when the
driver's door is closed. With this button,
only the doors, the luggage compart-
ment lid/tailgate and rear window are
unlocked or locked. The anti-theft
system is not activated. Also, the fuel
filler door remains unlocked to allow
refueling.
The central locking system can be
locked automatically as soon as
you begin to drive if you desire. You
may also have this function pro-
grammed into individual keys.< 390de691
If only the driver's door was
unlocked from the outside and
you press the button
>all other doors, the luggage compart-
ment lid/tailgate, rear window and
the fuel filler door will be unlocked if
the driver's door is open
>the driver's door will be locked again
when it is closed.<
To unlock and open the doors>Either unlock the doors together with
the button for the central locking
system and then pull the door handle
above the armrest or
>pull the release handle for each door
twice: the first pull unlocks the door,
and the second one opens it.
To engage the locks>Use the central locking button to lock
all of the doors simultaneously,
or
>press down the individual door lock
buttons. As an added design feature
to prevent the driver from being inad-
vertently locked out of the vehicle,
the driver's door lock button will not
engage as long as the door is open.
When the vehicle is moving, you
should not lock the doors with
their lock buttons since doors locked in
this manner would not open automati-
cally in the event of an accident.
Since passengers or animals remaining
in the vehicle might be able to lock the
doors from the inside, take the vehicle's
keys with you so that the vehicle can be
opened again from the outside at any
time.<

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Luggage compartment lid/TailgateLock Ð sedan onlyOnly the master keys (refer to page 32)
fit in the lock of the luggage compart-
ment lid.Opening separatelyTurn the master key to the left in the
luggage compartment lock, continuing
until it stops Ð the luggage compart-
ment lid will open slightly.
The luggage compartment is locked
again as soon as you close the lid.394de783
Secure separatelyTurn the master key to the right past the
pressure point and then pull it out in the
horizontal position.
This locks the luggage compartment lid
and disconnects it from the central
locking system. This feature can be
used to prevent unauthorized access to
the luggage compartment when you
hand over the door and ignition key
(refer to page 32) for valet parking, etc.394de731
Manual operationIn the event of an electrical malfunction,
you can also open the luggage com-
partment lid/tailgate manually:
sedan:
Turn the master key to the left in the
luggage compartment lock, continuing
all the way to the end of its travel Ð the
luggage compartment lid will open
slightly.
The luggage compartment is locked
again as soon as you close the lid.

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Luggage compartment lid/Tailgatesport wagon:
1. From inside the luggage compart-
ment, open the two side covers
(arrow). Remove the covers392de778
2. Release the two quick-release fas-
teners of the cover for the onboard
tool kit in the tailgate. Raise the
cover
3. Remove the plastic plug (arrow) and
pull toward the interior. The tailgate
will be released
4. Open the tailgate. Press the plug
back into place and close the cover
with the quick-release fasteners
5. Position the two side covers and
close them.392de776
To open from the outsidePress the button (arrow): the luggage
compartment lid/tailgate opens slightly.
The luggage compartment (cargo area)
is illuminated whenever the luggage
compartment lid/tailgate is opened (for
additional information refer to
page 105).394de728

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Luggage compartment lid/TailgateTo open from the insideYou can use this button to open the
luggage compartment lid/tailgate when
the vehicle is stationary (not possible if
the tailgate has been locked sepa-
rately).
When the tailgate of the sport
wagon is opened, the clearance
from the ground to the upper edge is
more than 6.6 ft (two meters). Please
keep this in mind when opening the tail-
gate (in a garage, for example).<
For the roll-up covers and for additional
details concerning the luggage com-
partment, please refer to "Luggage
compartment" beginning on page 125.390de692
Rear window Ð sport wagonSmall items can be loaded or unloaded
quickly if the rear window is opened
separately.
Press the button (arrow): the rear
window opens slightly. It can now be
tilted up.
Push the window down to close it.
When loading sharp or pointed
objects in the area adjacent to the
rear window always wrap their edges in
soft material if there is any chance that
these objects could shift and rub
against the window while the vehicle is
underway. Failure to observe this pre-
caution can result in damage to the rear
window defroster's resistor elements.< 392de727
Closing Ð sedanThe handle recess (arrow) next to the
lock mechanism is designed to assist
you in closing the luggage compart-
ment lid.394de128