2000 BMW 540I SEDAN steering

32n
Locks and security systems:
Keys34
Electronic vehicle
immobilizer35
Central locking system36
Opening and closing
Ð from the outside36
With the key36
Opening and closing
Ð from the inside40
Luggage compartment lid/
Tailgate41
Luggage compartment44
Alarm system45
Electric power windows47
Sliding/Tilt sunroof48
Adjustments:
Seats50
Steering wheel54
Mirrors54
Seat, mirror and steering wheel
memory56
Car Memory, Key Memory58
Passenger safety systems:
Safety belts59
Airbags60
Child restraints64
Child seat security66
Child-safety locks66Driving:
Steering/Ignition lock67
Starting the engine68
Switching off the engine69
Parking brake69
Manual transmission70
Automatic transmission71
Automatic transmission with
Steptronic74
Indicator/Headlamp flasher77
Wiper/Washer system77
Rear window defroster79
Cruise control80
Everything under control:
Odometer, outside temperature
display82
Tachometer83
Energy control83
Fuel gauge83
Temperature gauge84
Service Interval Display84
Check Control85
Onboard computer88
Technology for safety and
convenience:
Park Distance Control (PDC)90
Automatic Stability Control plus
Traction (ASC+T)/Dynamic
Stability Control (DSC)91
Tire Pressure Control (RDC)92

Overview
Controls and features
Operation, care
and maintenance
Owner service procedures
Technical data
Index Advanced technology
33n
RepairsIndexOverview Controls Car care Technology Data
Lamps:
Parking lamps/Low beams94
Instrument lighting94
High beams/Parking lamps95
Fog lamps95
Interior lamps96
Reading lamps96
Controlling the climate for
pleasant driving:
Automatic climate control98
Seat heating103
Steering wheel heating103
Roller sun blind104
Independent ventilation
system104
Cabin convenience:
BMW Universal Transmitter105
Glove compartment108
Storage facilities108
Cellular phone109
Beverage holder 109
Ashtray, front110
Cigarette lighter110
Ashtray, rear111Loading and transporting cargo:
Through-loading system112
Ski bag113
sport wagon:
Luggage compartment116
Roll-up cover116
Separation net116
Storage areas in the luggage
compartment118
Cargo loading120
Roof-mounted luggage rack121

34n
Keys1 The master keys with remote control
determine the functions of the Key
Memory. Refer to page 58.
There is an extended-life battery
in every master key that is
charged automatically in the steering
lock as you drive.
For this reason, if you have a master
key that is otherwise not used, use that
key approximately once every year
while driving for an extended period to
charge the battery. Refer also to
page 37.<
2 Spare key for storage in a safe place
such as in your wallet. This key is not
intended for continuous use.463de023
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 useful for
valet parking, for instance.
Replacement keysReplacement keys are available exclu-
sively through your authorized BMW
center. Your BMW center is obligated to
ensure that a person requesting a key is
authorized to do so since the keys
belong to a security system (refer to
"Electronic vehicle immobilizer" on
page 35).
If possible, take all of the master
keys that belong to the vehicle
with you when you pick up your re-
placement key.
Whenever you receive a new replace-
ment key, turn that key to position 2 in
the ignition lock once (ignition switched
on) and then back. This allows the elec-
tronic vehicle immobilizer to "learn" the
new key.<

37n
RepairsIndexOverview Controls Car care Technology Data
Opening and closing Ð from the outsideWith the remote controlThe 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:
With this function, you can also
"search for" your vehicle, when
parked in an underground garage, for
instance.
>To open the luggage compartment:
The luggage compartment lid/tail-
gate will open slightly, regardless of
whether it was previously locked or
unlocked.
>Panic Mode:
In case of danger, you can trigger an
alarm.
When the vehicle is unlocked, the anti-
theft system is simultaneously deacti-
vated, the alarm system is disarmed
and the interior lamps are switched on.
Locking the vehicle activates the anti-
theft and alarm systems and switches
the interior lamps off.
You can have an acknowledgment
message set to confirm that the
vehicle has been secured correctly (not
released at this time).<
Master keysKeys with a transmitter for remote con-
trol are master keys. Refer to page 34.
Since children 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.< 390us604
Master keys that are used repeat-
edly are always ready for opera-
tion since the battery in the key is
charged automatically in the steering
lock as you drive.
If it is no longer possible to unlock the
vehicle via the remote control, the bat-
tery is discharged. Use this key while
driving for an extended period in order
to charge the battery. Refer also to
page 34.
To prevent unauthorized use of the re-
mote control, surrender only the door
and ignition key 3 or the spare key 2
(refer to page 34) when leaving the ve-
hicle for valet parking, for example.
In the event of a system malfunction,
please contact your BMW center. You
can also obtain replacement keys
there.<

50n
For maximum safety, please comply
with the following instructions when ad-
justing a seat:
Never try to adjust your seat while
operating the vehicle. The seat
could respond with unexpected move-
ment, and the ensuing loss of vehicle
control could lead to an accident. Wear
the safety belt firmly against your body
at all times. In the event of a frontal im-
pact, a loose lap belt could slide over
your hips, leading to abdominal injury.
In addition, the safety belt's restraint ef-
fectiveness is reduced if the belt is
worn loosely.
Never ride with the backrest reclined to
an extreme horizontal angle (especially
important for front passengers to re-
member). Keep the backrest relatively
upright to minimize the risk of "sliding
under" the safety belt and sustaining in-
jury in an accident.
Do not slide the seats to the rear when
the vehicle is at an extreme angle (on
garage ramps or steep slopes, for in-
stance), to prevent the shoulder strap's
automatic height adjustment mecha-
nism from disengaging.<
1 Tilt angle (only driver's side)
2 Forward/Back adjustment
3 Cushion height
4 Backrest angle
5 Head restraint height
Adjust the tilt angle of the head restraint
by rotating it.
Comply with the adjustment
instructions in the preceding
column. Failure to do so could result in
diminished personal safety.< 380de023
Correct sitting postureTo reduce strain on the spinal column,
sit all the way back in the seat and rest
your back fully against the backrest.
The ideal sitting posture is achieved
with your head extending from your
spine in a straight line.
For long-distance driving, you may wish
to increase the backrest tilt-angle
slightly to reduce muscular tension.
Please remember that you should
always remain able to grasp the entire
periphery of the steering wheel without
straightening your arms.Lumbar support
*
Refer to the BMW comfort seat on the
next page.
Seat adjustment Electric power seats

53n
RepairsIndexOverview Controls Car care Technology Data
BMW sports seat
*
BMW active seat*
Correct sitting postureTo reduce strain on the spinal column,
sit all the way back in the seat and rest
your back fully against the backrest.
The ideal sitting posture is achieved
with your head extending from your
spine in a straight line.
For long-distance driving, you may wish
to increase the backrest tilt-angle
slightly to reduce muscular tension.
Please remember that you should
always remain able to grasp the entire
periphery of the steering wheel without
straightening your arms.
Head restraintsTo adjust the angle of the front head
restraints: Adjust by tilting the head
restraint.
To adjust the height of the rear head
restraints: Adjust by pulling or applying
pressure.
Head restraints reduce the risk of
spinal injury in the event of an
accident. Adjust the head restraint so
that its center is approximately level
with your ears.
Leave the center-rear head restraint in
the fully-lowered position at all times,
since pulling it out limits its function.< 39mde051
Active changes in the seat's surface
help to avoid muscle cramps, pain in
the spine's lumbar region and fatigue.
To activate the seat, press the button
(arrow).
For additional details concerning the
BMW active seat, please refer to the
chapter describing "Advanced technol-
ogy" on page 190.390de629

54n
Adjusting the steering wheel MirrorsThe steering wheel can be moved in
any of four directions. Adjust by moving
the control lever in the desired direc-
tion.
Do not adjust the steering wheel
while the vehicle is moving. There
is a risk of accident from unexpected
movement.<
To store the steering wheel setting,
refer to "Seat, mirror and steering wheel
memory" on page 56.390de028
Automatic steering wheel
adjustment (only in conjunction with seat, mirror
and steering wheel memory)
In order to make it easier to get into and
out of the car, the steering wheel auto-
matically moves into the top position
and returns to the driving (memory) po-
sition.
This automatic feature is controlled by
the position of the ignition key and by
the driver's door.
Exterior mirrors1 Mirror switch for 4-way adjustment
2 Left/Right selection switch
You can also adjust the mirrors manu-
ally by pressing against the outer edges
of their lenses.
To store the mirror settings: Refer
to "Seat, mirror and steering wheel
memory" on page 56.390us605

56n
Seat, mirror and steering wheel memoryYou can store and call up three different
seat, exterior mirror and steering wheel
positions. The illustration shows the
buttons on the driver's door for making
these position adjustments.
The adjustment for the lumbar support
is not stored in the memory.390de032
To store1 Ignition key at position 1 or 2.
2 Adjust the desired positions for the
seat, door mirror and steering wheel.
3 Press the
M
EMORY button: The indi-
cator lamp in the button comes on.
4 Press memory button 1, 2 or 3, as
desired: The indicator lamp goes out.
To select a stored settingConvenience function:
1 The driver's door remains open after
unlocking or the ignition key is in po-
sition 1.
2 Briefly press memory button 1, 2 or 3,
as desired.
Movement stops immediately when
one of the seat-adjustment or mem-
ory buttons is activated during the
adjustment process.
Security function:
1 The driver's door is closed and the
ignition key is either removed or in
position 0 or 2.
2 Press and hold the desired memory
button (1, 2 or 3) until the adjustment
process is completed.
If you press the
M
EMORY button acci-
dentally: Press the button a second
time; the indicator lamp goes out.
Do not call up a position from the
memory while the vehicle is
moving. There is a risk of accident from
unexpected movement of the seat or
steering wheel.<