2000 BMW 540I SEDAN sensor

194n
Tire Pressure Control (RDC)
*
Integrated rear suspension
The Tire Pressure Control system (RDC)
assumes the task of regular tire pres-
sure checks for you. The tire pressure is
monitored at all four wheels, even when
the vehicle is moving.
Behind the valve stem in every wheel,
there is an electronic chip which is
designed for severe-duty applications
and long service life. It contains a pres-
sure sensor, a transmitter and a battery.
The pressure is measured in extremely
short time intervals and then transmit-
ted by a radio signal. If an irregularity is
detected, the transmission rate is
increased.394de304
Near every wheel, there are antennas in
the body which receive the signals from
all four wheels. A central electronics
system evaluates the quadruple signals
and forwards any changes.
The RDC provides an important contri-
bution to driving safety.
The control arms on the patented inte-
grated aluminum rear axle assembly are
not mounted directly on the body. They
are mounted elastically on a chassis
sub-frame which is joined in turn with
elasticity to the vehicle body. The result-
ing double elastic suspension system
effectively absorbs the forces resulting
from bumps and road surface irregulari-
ties.
The compliance rates of the integrated
rear axle assembly's control arm mounts
have been precisely calibrated to help
provide supplementary adjustment in
the tracking angle of the rear wheels
(programmed self-steer effect). The ulti-
mate result is enhanced safety and con-
trol under all conditions.
The illustration shows the rear axle of the
sedan. With the lightweight, compact
rear axle of the sport wagon, the shock
absorbers are positioned at an angle.
390de114

195n
RepairsIndexOverview Controls Car care Technology Data
Level control system
*
Xenon lamps
*
The level control system for the rear
axle maintains constant ground clear-
ance of your vehicle, even when carry-
ing a load.
To achieve this, the vehicle is equipped
with air struts at the rear axle instead of
conventional shock absorbers and steel
suspension springs. With the help of
two sensors, an electronic control unit
calculates the height of the body at all
times and, if it is required, it allows air
which is generated in a compressor to
flow into the air springs.
As a result of the pressure increase in
the air springs, the level control system
ensures not only constant ride height,
but also ride comfort which is indepen-
dent of the load the vehicle is carrying.390de136
The xenon lamps light up the side and
front areas of the vehicle with signifi-
cantly more brightness and uniformity
then the traditional halogen lamps.
In a xenon lamp, an electric arc
replaces the filament in order to gener-
ate intense illumination. A gas mixture
in a quartz glass tube with metal vapor
is ignited by a high electric voltage. The
arc that is generated is then sustained
by a lower voltage. When the lamp is
turned on, a brief period is needed for
the full beam strength to build up. Maxi-
mum brightness is attained in approx.
15 seconds.390de134
Xenon lamps provide significantly-
improved visibility, especially during
adverse weather conditions and driving
situations (driving at night in heavy rain
or through road repair areas where
there are no lane markers, for instance).
Vehicles with xenon lamps
are
equipped with automatic headlamp
range control. As a result, the highway
is always optimally lighted, regardless
of load conditions, and drivers in on-
coming traffic are not blinded.
Xenon lamps make a significant contri-
bution to highway safety since other
highway users, or bicyclists and motor-
cyclists in the right lane, and pedestri-
ans are more easily detected.

Everything from A to Z

G
Gasoline29
Gasoline gauge83
Glove compartment108
Gross weight201

H
Handbrake23, 69
Handsfree system109
Hazard warning system27
Hazard warning triangle27
Head restraint53
Headlamp cleaning78
Headlamp covers,
care155, 167
Headlamp flasher77
Headlamp washer
system148
Heated seats103
Heated steering wheel103
Heating and ventilation98
Heating while stopped102
Heavy loads120
Height199
Height adjustment
Seats52
Steering wheel54
HiFi system192
High beams24
Bulb replacement167
High Performance Synthetic
Oils150Hood release143
Horn25, 26
Hydraulic Brake Assistant,
refer to DBC24, 129

I
Ice warning82
Identification number of the
vehicle153
Identification, tires137
Ignition key35
Ignition lock67
Independent ventilation104
Indicator77
Indicator lamps22
Inflation pressure30, 134
Monitoring92, 194
INSPECTION84
Instrument cluster18, 20
Instrument lighting94
Instrument panel20
Instrument panel switch77
Instruments18
Integrated rear axle194
Intensive automatic cleaning
unit78
Intensive cleaning
system148
Interaxle tire rotation136
Interference indicators85
Interference with
car phones133Interior lamps96
Remote control38
Interior mirror55
automatic dimming
feature55
Interior motion sensor46
Deactivation46
Interior rearview mirror
with automatic dimming
feature55, 192
Interlock67
Intermittent wiper switch77

J
Jack173
Jump-starting182

K
Key Memory58
Keys35
Kickdown72, 75

L
Lashing eye44, 120
Leather care159
Length199
Level control
system24, 132, 195
Light switch94
Light-alloy wheels138, 140
Lighter110Lights-on warning94
Load-securing devices120
Locking and unlocking the
doors36, 37
Low beams94
Bulb replacement167
Low beams, bulb
replacement167
Low-fuel warning lamp83
Lug bolts174
Lug wrench174
Luggage compartment
Capacity201
Lamps96
Net44
Luggage compartment lid/
Tailgate44
Emergency actuation41
Opening separately41
Remote control39
Luggage space44
Luggage straps44
Lumbar support51

M
M Multifunction steering
wheel (MFL)26
M+S tires138
Magic Eye177
Maintenance84, 154

211n

RepairsIndexOverview Controls Car care Technology Data

Everything from A to Z

Manual operation
Doors36
Fuel filler door180
Luggage compartment lid/
Tailgate41, 181
Sliding/Tilt sunroof180
Manual transmission70
Manually controlled
recirculated-air101
Master key34
Mechanical seat52
Memory56
MFL (M Multifunction
steering wheel)26
MFL (Multifunction steering
wheel)25
Microfilter103
Mirror54
Mirror heating55
Mirror memory56
Mobile communications
systems, refer to the
separate Owner's Manual
Mobile phones133
Modifications,
technical6, 161
Multifunction steering wheel
(MFL)25

N
Navigation System, refer to
the separate Owner's
Manual
Nonsmoker equipment110
Nozzles98

O
OBD connector162
Odometer82
Oil
Additives149
Consumption149
Grades150
Oil change interval, see the
Service and Warranty
Information Booklet (US
models) or Warranty and
Service Guide Booklet
(Canadian models)
Oil dipstick149
Oil level, indicator lamp23
Oil quantity, engine203
OILSERVICE84
Old batteries177
Onboard computer88
Average fuel
consumption88
Average speed88
Cruising range88
Outside temperature88
Onboard tool kit166Open luggage compartment
lid/tailgate from
interior41
Opening and closing
From the inside38
From the outside36
Operating range88
Outside temperature88
Outside temperature
display82

P
Paint blemishes156
Paint, care156
Paintwork, minor
repairs157
Paintwork, waxing157
Park Distance Control
(PDC)90
Parking brake23, 69
Parking help90
Parking lamps95
Bulb replacement168
Parking, Winter132
PDC (Park Distance
Control)90
Playing cassettes
Refer to the Radio Owner's
Manual
Playing CDs
Refer to the Radio Owner's
Manual
Pocket light108Pollen filter103
Power output198
Power steering132
Power windows47
Safety switch48
Power-slip control
Refer to ASC+T/DSC91
Pressure, tire30, 134
Monitoring92, 194

R
Radio reception133, 190
Radio, refer to the separate
Owner's Manual
Radios133
Rain sensor155
RDC (Tire Pressure
Control)92, 194
Reading lamps96
Rear view mirror54
Rear window blind104
Rear window
defrosting79, 102
Rear window wiper79
Rear-seat backrest,
removable112
Recirculated-air control101
Reclining seat50
Refueling28
Remote control37
Removable rear-seat
backrest112

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