2000 BMW 540I SEDAN brake fluid

152n
Coolant Brake fluidAdding coolantWait until the engine cools before re-
moving the cap from the expansion
tank. The needle of the coolant gauge
in the instrument cluster must be lo-
cated in the blue zone; otherwise, there
is a danger of scalding.
1 Start by turning the cap counter-
clockwise. Pause to allow any
accumulated pressure to escape,
then open.
2 If the coolant is low, slowly add
coolant until the correct level is
reached Ð do not overfill.
The coolant is a mixture of water and
extended-duty antifreeze with corrosion
inhibitor. Always maintain the pre-
scribed all-season 50:50 mixture ratio
for year-round protection against inter-
nal corrosion. No other additives are re-
quired.
Replace the coolant every four years.If the indicator lamp for the
brake hydraulic system appears
or if the "CHECK BRAKE FLUID"
warning appears in the Check
Control: The brake fluid level is
too low in the reservoir.
The brake fluid reservoir is located
under the microfilter housing on the
driver's side of the car. Should you de-
termine that the brake fluid is low, refer
the problem to your BMW center, who
can trace and rectify any sources of
leakage when refilling the reservoir.
Your BMW center is familiar with the
specifications for approved brake fluids
(DOT 4).
Brake fluid loss results in extended
pedal travel. For this situation, refer to
the notes on page 130.
Brake fluid is hygroscopic, that is,
it absorbs moisture from the air
over time.
In order to ensure the safety and
reliability of the brake system, have the
brake fluid changed every two years by
an authorized BMW center. Refer also
to the Service and Warranty Information
Booklet (US models) or to the Warranty
and Service Guide Booklet (Canadian
models).
Brake fluid is toxic and damages the
vehicle's paint. You should always store
it in its original container and in a loca-
tion which is out of reach of children.
Do not spill the fluid and do not fill the
brake fluid reservoir beyond the "MAX"
mark. The brake fluid could ignite upon
contact with hot engine parts and cause
serious burns.<
Comply with the applicable
environmental laws regulating the
disposal of brake fluid.<

157n
RepairsIndexOverview Controls Car care Technology Data
Caring for your carCaring for the vehicle finishRegular washing is a preventive mea-
sure against long-term effects from
substances that are harmful to the vehi-
cle's finish, especially if you drive your
vehicle in areas with high levels of air
pollution or aggressive natural sub-
stances (tree resins, pollen).
Nevertheless, you should immediately
remove especially aggressive sub-
stances. Failure to do so can lead to
changes in the paint's chemical struc-
ture or to discoloration. Gasoline spilled
during refueling, oil, grease and brake
fluid should always be cleaned away
immediately, as should bird droppings
(finish damage).
Any contamination remaining on the
surface of the vehicle will be especially
conspicuous after washing. Use clean-
ing fluid or alcohol with a clean cloth or
cotton pad to remove. Remove tar
spots with tar remover. After cleaning,
the affected areas should be waxed to
ensure continued protection.
Use cleaning and car-care
products that you can obtain
at your BMW center.<
Waxing your carProtect the finish using carnauba or
synthetic-based waxes only.
The best way to determine when the
finish needs to be waxed is by noting
when water stops beading on the sur-
face.
You can use a glass cleaner to remove
any wax or silicone that may have been
left on the windows during waxing.
Use cleaning and car-care
products that you can obtain
at your BMW center.<
Paint damageYou can touch up small areas of dam-
age with BMW spray paint or a BMW
touch-up stick.
The paint color code for your car is pro-
vided on a sticker located on the right
hand side under the hood and on the
first page of your Service and Warranty
Information Booklet.
Damage caused by flying stones,
scratches, etc., must be touched up
without delay to prevent rust from form-
ing.
If corrosion has started to form in an
area with paint damage, remove all rust
and clean the area. Then prime the area
with a BMW Primer Stick. Finally, apply
the finish coat. After a few days, polish
and protect the touched-in areas.
More extensive paint damage should be
repaired professionally in accordance
with the manufacturer's instructions.
Your BMW center uses original BMW
finish materials in accordance with ap-
proved repair procedures.

A
ABS (Antilock Brake
System)23, 127
Accessories6
Activated-charcoal
filter103
Active seat53, 190
Adaptive Transmission
Control (ATC)71, 188
Add engine oil149
Add washer fluid148
Adjust backrest52
Adjust seats50
Adjust steering wheel54
Adjust temperature100
Air conditioning control98
Remove condensation
from windshields101
Air distribution100
Air pressure134
Air supply101
Air vent98
Airbags23, 60, 160, 188
Alarm system45
Antenna, Diversity190
Antennas133
Antifreeze151
Antifreeze, radiator130
Antilock Brake System
(ABS)23, 127
Anti-theft protection37
Approved gross vehicle
weight201Aquaplaning134
ASC+T/DSC24, 91, 189
Ashtray110
ATC (Adaptive Transmission
Control)71, 188
Attach vacuum cleaner111
AUC (Automatic recirculated-
air control)101
Automatic car washes155
Automatic climate control98
Automatic cruise control80
Automatic curb monitor56
Automatic dimming, interior
rearview mirror55
Automatic rear window
wiper79
Automatic recirculated-air
control (AUC)101
Automatic Stability Control
plus Traction/Dynamic
Stability Control (ASC+T)/
(DSC)24, 91, 189
Automatic steering wheel
adjustment54
Automatic transmission71
Automatic transmission with
Steptronic74
Automatic transmission, oil
capacities203
Average fuel
consumption88
Average speed88
Axle loads201

B
Backup lamps70
Bulb replacement169
Battery176, 204
Capacity204
Charging177
Discharged182
Removal and
installation178
Belts59
Beverage holder109
Blower101
BMW active seat53, 190
BMW comfort seat51
BMW sports seat52
BMW Universal
Transmitter105
Bore198
Brake system124
Brake faults130
Brake fluid152
Brake lamps, bulb
replacement169
Brake pads23
Breaking-in the
brakes124
Disc brakes124, 128
Parking brake23, 69
Brake-in procedure124
Brakes, refer to Brake
system
Breaking in the vehicle124
Break-resistant security
glass, care158
Bulb replacement167

C
Car jack173
Car keys35
Car Memory58
Car phones and telephones,
refer to the seperate
Owner's Manual
Car radio
reception133, 190
Car telephone109
Car wash155
Care, vehicle exterior156
Care, vehicle interior158
Cargo loading120
Caring for the vehicle
finish157
Catalytic converter126
Cellular phone133
Center (high-mount) brake
lamp, bulb
replacement171
Central locking system,
button40
Changing a tire173
Charging the battery177
Check air pressure30
Check Control85
Check engine oil level149
Child restraint systems59
Child's seat59
Child-safety locks66
Cigarette lighter110

Everything from A to Z

Everything from A to Z Third brake lamp, bulb
replacement171
Through-loading
system112
Tilt alarm38
Tire134
Change173
Code137
Damage134
Inflation pressure30, 134
Monitoring inflation
pressure92, 194
Renewal135
Rotation between
axles135
Tread134
Valve caps138
Tire Pressure Control
(RDC)92, 194
Tools166
Torque198
Tow fittings183
Towing183
Tow-starting183
Track width199
Transmission70
Tread depth, tires134
Trip odometer82
Trunk, capacity201
Turn signal77
Bulb replacement169
Turning circle199
U
Universal Transmitter105
Used oil151

V
Valve caps138
Vanity mirror55
Vehicle battery176
Vehicle care, exterior156
Vehicle care, interior158
Vehicle Identification
Number153
Vehicle painting156
Vehicle removal from
service160
Vehicle storage160
Ventilation98, 102
Ventilation in the rear102
Ventilation while parked104
Ventilation, draft-free102
Vinyl upholstery, care158
Viscosity150

W
Warning lamps22
Warranty and Service Guide
Booklet (Canadian
models)154
Washer fluid reservoir
Capacity203
Filling148Washing your car155
Water on the roads125
Waxing, paintwork157
Weights201
Wheelbase199
Wheels and tires137
Width199
Windows
Convenience
operation36
Windows, convenience
operating mode36, 37
Windshield washer fluid
reservoir, capacity203
Windshield washer nozzle
adjustment148
Windshield washer reservoir,
filling148
Windshield wipers77
Winter driving130
Winter operation130
Winter tires138
Wiper blade
replacement166
Wiper/Washer system77
Work in the engine
compartment143

X
Xenon lamps94, 168, 195

A
Add
Antifreeze152
Brake fluid152
Coolant152
Engine coolant152
Engine oil149
Fluid, power steering152
Washer fluids148
Adjust washer nozzles148
Avoid false alarms46

B
Backup lamps, bulb
replacement169
Battery176
Charge condition177
Discharged182
Removing and
installing178
Brake lamps, bulb
replacement170
Brakes, brake faults130
Bulb replacement167

C
Car jack173
Changing tires173
Charging the battery178
Check Control85
Check engine oil level149
Check tire pressures29
Courtesy lamp, bulb
replacement172

D
Deactivating the interior
motion sensor38
Deactivating the tilt sensor
alarm system38, 46
Defrost windshields101
Difficult steering132
Doors
Manual operation36

E
Electrical defect
Fuel filler door180
Sliding/Tilt sunroof180
Emergency operation
Doors36
Fuel filler door180
Sliding/Tilt sunroof180
Tailgate181
Engine oil
specifications150

F
Failure messages85
Filling the washer
reservoir148
First-aid kit27
Fittings, tow-starting and
towing183
Flat tire173Fog lamp, replace the
bulb169
Footwell lamps, bulb
replacement172
Fuel filler door release after
electrical fault180
Fuses179

G
Glove compartment lamp,
bulb replacement172

H
Hazard warning flashers27
Hazard warning triangle27
Headlamp covers,
care155, 167
Help with jump starting182
High beams, bulb
replacement167
Hood release143

I
Indicator lamps22
Bulb replacement169

J
Jack173
Jump starting182

L
Level control system,
inactive132
License plate lamp, bulb
replacement171
Low beams, bulb
replacement167
Lug wrench174
Luggage compartment
lamps, bulb
replacement172
Luggage compartment lid/
Tailgate, unlock in case of
electrical fault41

M
Maintenance84, 154
Malfunction displays85
Manual operation
Doors36
Fuel filler door180
Sliding/Tilt sunroof180
Tailgate181

O
Oil specifications150
Onboard tool kit166

Owner service procedures

215n

RepairsIndexOverview Controls Car care Technology Data

Owner service procedures

P
Parking lamp, bulb
replacement168
Power steering, adding
fluid152
Pressure, tires29, 134

R
Rear lamps170
Releasing fuel filler door after
electrical defect180
Releasing the hood143
Remove condensation from
windshields101
Replace wiper blades166
Replacement key34
Replacing fuses179

S
Service Interval Display154
Side lamps, bulb
replacement169
Sliding/Tilt sunroof
Closing after an after an
electrical defect180
Power supply
interruption49
Snow chains139
Spare key34
Spare tire174
Special oil150sport wagon
Rear window wiper, wiper
blade replacement166
Releasing the fuel filler
door after an electrical
defect180
Releasing the tailgate after
an electrical defect181
Tail lamp assembly, bulb
replacement170
Starting
problems67, 126, 182
Starting the engine67

T
Tail lamps, bulb
replacement170
Tailgate
Release after an electrical
defect181
Third brake lamp, bulb
replacement171
Tire damage173
Tire inflation
pressure29, 134
Tools166
Tow fittings183
Towing183
Tow-starting183
Turn signals, bulb
replacement169

W
Warning lamps22
Warning messages85
Work in the engine
compartment143