weight BMW 540I SEDAN 2003 Owners Manual

7n

OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex

Technical data
Index
Engine specifications170
Dimensions171
Weights173
Capacities175Everything from A to Z178

9n

OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex

Status at time of printing

BMW pursues a policy of continuous,
ongoing development designed to
ensure that our vehicles continue to
embody the highest quality and safety
standards combined with advanced,
state-of-the-art technology. For this
reason, it is possible that the features
described in this Owner's Manual could
differ from those on your vehicle. Nor
can errors and omissions be entirely
ruled out. We therefore request your
understanding for the fact that we are
unable to recognize any legal claims
based on the data, illustrations or
descriptions in this manual.

For your own safety

Use unleaded gasoline only. Fuels
containing up to and including
10 % ethanol or other oxygenates with
up to 2.8 % oxygen by weight Ð i.e.
15 % MTBE or 3 % methanol plus an
equivalent amount of co-solvent Ð will
not void the applicable warranties
covering defects in materials or work-
manship. Field experience has indi-
cated significant differences in fuel
quality Ð volatility, composition, addi-
tives, etc. among gasolines offered for
sale in the United States and Canada.
The use of poor-quality fuels may result
in driveability, starting and stalling
problems, especially under certain
environmental conditions, such as high
ambient temperature and high altitude.
Should you encounter driveability prob-
lems that you suspect could be related
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.
Obey pertinent safety rules when you
are handling gasoline.

<



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 thor-
oughly 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
damages 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.

The individual vehicle
Status at time of printing

Notes

49n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Manually-adjusted seatSeat adjustment1 Backward/forward adjustment
Pull the lever and slide the seat to the
desired position.
After you release the lever, move the
seat forward or backward slightly to
engage the detent
2 Cushion height
Pull the lever and apply weight to
or remove weight from the seat as
required390us731
3 Backrest angle
Pull the lever and apply weight to or
remove weight from the backrest as
required.
Comply with the adjustment
instructions on page 48. Failure to
do so could result in diminished per-
sonal safety.< 390us732

64n
Transporting children safelyOlder children should be tightly secured
with a safety belt, after they have out-
grown a booster seat that is appro-
priate for their age, height and weight.
Younger children should be secured in
an appropriate forward-facing child-
restraint system that has first been
properly secured with a safety belt.
Never install a rearward-facing child-
restraint system in the front passenger
seat.
We strongly urge you to carefully read
and comply with the instructions for
installation and use provided by the
child-restraint's manufacturer whenever
you use such a system.
Be sure that all occupants (of all ages)
remain properly and securely restrained
at all times.<
All rear seating positions in your
vehicle meet the recommendations
of SAE J1819, an industry-recom-
mended practice for securing child-
restraint systems in motor vehicles.
Child-restraint installationAll of the rear belt retractors and the
front passenger's safety belt can be
locked for mounting and securing child-
restraint systems.
Information regarding this is located
near the buckle latch of each safety
belt.365us146
Lock the safety beltPull the entire length of the belt from
the belt retractor. Allow the reel to
retract the belt somewhat and engage
the buckle, then tighten the belt against
the child-restraint system. The retrac-
tion mechanism is now locked.Unlock the safety beltRelease the buckle, remove the child-
restraint device and allow the belt
retractor to reel the belt completely in.

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.

160n
Changing a wheel4. Wheels with adapter
*: position the
lug bolt adapter on the lug bolt
cover. Then apply the lug wrench
and turn it to the left (refer to the
illustration)
5. Wheels with hub cover*: pry the
hub cover off with the screwdriver
in the slot
6. Loosen the lug bolts 1/2-turn
390de773
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 from 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
bolts390de707
11. Position the spare tire. 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 in a
diagonal pattern
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 securely 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

173n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
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)

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 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