ignition BMW 540I SEDAN 2003 Owner's Guide

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OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Digital clock in the MID
*
Reminder signalYou can program a reminder signal
(Memo) to be heard every hour, so that
you are sure not to miss a news broad-
cast, for example.
Press the left side of the button.
Press:
MEMO OFF appears in the display for
entry and query buttons, and the tone
symbol will appear in the upper right of
the display.
A signal is then heard 15 seconds
before each hour.
StopwatchPress the left side of the button.
Press.
Display shows:
To start the stopwatch function:
Press the right side of the button.
To take an intermediate time reading:
Press.
Press:
The stopwatch display can be seen
counting up; the stopwatch continues
to run.
To halt the stopwatch:
Press the right side of the button.
The stopwatch is halted when the
ignition key is turned back to 0,
but starts to run again when the ignition
key is turned to 1.<

92n
Digital clock in the MID
*
Enter the switch-on times for the
parked-car ventilation
*
You can enter two different activation
times.
The ventilation will shut off automati-
cally after 30 minutes.
To use the parked-car ventilation
system, please refer to the infor-
mation provided starting on page 114.<
Press the left side of the button.
Press on the left or right.
Display shows:
Press the right side of the button:
Display flashes, e. g. TIMER 1.
To enter the time:
Press on the left or right, or hold the
button down.
To confirm the entry:
Press the right side of the button.
The activated time is marked with an
asterisk.
The activation times remain stored until
new entries are made.
You can change switch-on times that
have already been memorized by
making a new time entry as described
above.
When the switch-on time is active, the
LED comes on in the MID. During actual
operation of the ventilation, the LED
flashes. The LED goes out when the
system is switched off.
To activate/deactivate the time:
Press twice.Directly switching the parked-car
ventilation
* on and off
The parked-car ventilation func-
tion is only available in ignition key
position 1.<
Press the left side of the button.
Press.
Or
Press.

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Computer in the MID
*
SpeedYou can call up a display of the
vehicle's average speed.
To start the calculation, select the func-
tion with the engine running:
Press the right side of the button.
Press:
The display shows the average speed.
To recalculate the speed:
Press the right side of the button.
Extended immobilizer functionYou can enter a code that will prevent
the engine from being started unless
the code is entered.
If you do not have access to the code,
the emergency deactivation procedure
will have to be carried out, refer to the
next page.
Entering and activating the code:
Press the right side of the button.
Press the left side of the button.
Display shows:
Enter the code with the function
buttons.
To correct an entry:
Press the left side of the button and
repeat the entry.
To store the entry:
Press the right side of the button.
Turn the ignition key to position 0.
To deactivate the code:
When you are asked to enter the code
(ignition key in position 1 or 2):
>Enter the code with the function
buttons.
Press the right side of the button.
After the code has been entered cor-
rectly and confirmed with the SET
button, the time display appears.

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OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Computer in the MID
*
After three incorrect code entries, or
three attempts to start the engine
without a code entry, the alarm will
sound for 30 seconds on vehicles
equipped with an alarm system.
Deactivating the alarm in an emer-
gency:
If you have forgotten the code, proceed
as follows:
1. Disconnect the battery, wait approx.
2 minutes, then reconnect it. Note
that on vehicles with an alarm
system, the alarm will sound
2. Turn the ignition key to position 1:
The time display will count down for
the next ten minutes
3. After ten minutes, start the engine.
If the code becomes available
again in the meantime, it can be
entered during the waiting period after
pressing the CODE button.<
Remote controlThe button on the turn signal indicator
lever can be used to select the com-
puter data which are to be displayed.
To do this, press
>the button on the lever until PROG 1
shows on the display
>the MID buttons in the order in which
you wish the information to be
displayed.
Each time an entry is stored, the
program number appears on the
display.
To terminate the selection procedure:
Press the right side of the button.390de700
To have all the available information
displayed, press
>the button on the lever until the
display shows PROG 1
>the SET button.
To obtain individual items of informa-
tion, press the button briefly as often as
necessary.

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The conceptPDC provides extra safety and conve-
nience during parking maneuvers by
providing an acoustic signal to indicate
the distance between your front and
rear bumpers and the nearest object.
To do this, four ultrasonic sensors in
the front and rear bumpers each mea-
sure the distance to the nearest object.
The monitoring range of the front sen-
sors and two rear sensors at the ends
of the rear bumper extends outward
roughly 2 ft (60 cm), while the rear
bumper's two centrally located sensors
detect objects at distances of up to
approx. 5 ft (1.50 meters).Automatic functionThe system starts to operate automati-
cally approx. one second after you
select reverse or move the selector
lever into the "R" position with the igni-
tion key in position 2.
Manual activationPress the button, the indicator lamp
lights up.
When you subsequently drive a dis-
tance of more than approx. 160 ft
(50 meters) or exceed a speed of
approx. 20 mph (30 km/h), the system
switches off and the indicator lamp
goes out. Reactivate the system as
required.390us727
Acoustic signalsThe distance from an obstacle is indi-
cated in front with a higher intermittent
tone, at the rear with a lower intermit-
tent tone. As the distance between
vehicle and object decreases, the inter-
vals between the tones become
shorter. A continuous tone indicates the
presence of an object less than 1 ft
(30 cm) away.
The warning signal is canceled after
approx. three seconds if you are
moving parallel to a wall.
If there is a malfunction of the system:
The indicator lamp flashes and a brief
continuous signal tone is heard
>if you activate PDC with the button
>when you first select reverse or move
the selector lever into the "R" posi-
tion after switching on the ignition
>if a malfunction occurs while the PDC
system is active.
Switch the system off and have the
cause of the malfunction corrected at
your BMW center.
Park Distance Control (PDC)
*

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.

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OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Self-leveling suspension
*
Tire Pressure Monitor (RDC)
*
The warning lamp for the self-
leveling suspension comes on,
or the message "SELFLEVEL
SUSP.INACT" appears in the Check
Control: there is a malfunction in the
self-leveling suspension.
Stop and inspect the vehicle. If it is
riding significantly lower in the rear than
in the front, or if it is sitting at an incline
(left rear compared to right rear), con-
sult the nearest BMW center. Drive with
appropriate caution in the meantime.
The vehicle has reduced ground clear-
ance or driving comfort is noticeably
reduced.
Even if the attitude of the vehicle is
normal, you should consult the nearest
BMW center if the warning lamp indi-
cates a system fault.
The conceptRDC monitors the tire pressures at all
four wheels, even when the vehicle is
moving. The system provides an alert
whenever the inflation pressure drops
significantly below the specified pres-
sure in one or more tires.
In order for the system to "learn" the
correct tire inflation pressure, check the
inflation pressure in all tires. Refer to
the table of "Tire inflation pressures"
beginning on page 27 and make any
necessary corrections. Then activate
the system.
This indicator lamp in the instru-
ment cluster or the Check Con-
trol will inform you if the tire
pressure is not correct.
Activate the system1. Turn the ignition key to position 2 (do
not start the engine)
2. Maintain pressure on the button until
the yellow indicator lamp in the
instrument cluster comes on for sev-
eral seconds or the message "SET
TIRE PRESSURE" appears in the
Check Control panel
3. After you have driven for a few min-
utes, the RDC will import the current
inflation pressure in the tires as the
reference values which the system
will monitor.
You will only have to repeat this proce-
dure if the tire inflation pressure must
be corrected. Otherwise, the RDC func-
tions automatically when the ignition
key is in position 2, and thus operates
whenever the vehicle is driven.390de704

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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

104n
Instrument lighting
High beams/Standing lamps
Fog lamps
Turn the rotary dial to adjust the illumi-
nation intensity.390de733
1 High beams
(blue indicator lamp)
2 Headlamp flasher
(blue indicator lamp)
3 Standing lampsStanding lamps, left or rightAs an additional feature, you can
illuminate your vehicle on either side
for parking, if you wish to do so:
With the ignition key in position 0, push
the lever in the appropriate direction.
The lever engages in the turn signal
indicator position.390de722
Front fog lamps
The green indicator lamp in the
instrument cluster lights up to
indicate that the front fog lamps
are on.
If the high beams are switched on, the
fog lamps go out.
If the automatic headlamp control
is on, the low beams will come on
automatically whenever you activate
the fog lamps.<
390us735

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OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Interior lamps Reading lampsThe interior lamps operate automati-
cally.Switching the interior lamps on
and off manuallyPress the button (arrow) briefly.
If you want the interior lamps to remain
off all the times, press and hold the
button for approx. 3 seconds.
Press the button briefly to revert to
normal operation.
The lamp in the sport wagon's cargo
area operates the same way.390de638
The reading lamps are located in the
front near the interior lamp. There are
also reading lamps in the rear. They can
be switched on and off with the button
(arrow) adjacent to each lamp.
To avoid subjecting the battery to
excessive loads, all of the lamps
within the vehicle are automatically
switched off approx. 15 minutes after
you turn the ignition key to position 0.< 394de301