2000 BMW 540I SEDAN Owners Manual

25n
RepairsIndexOverview Controls Car care Technology Data
Multifunction steering wheel (MFL)There are two design versions, depend-
ing on the equipment installed in your
vehicle.
The controls integrated in the multi-
function steering wheel (MFL) are pro-
vided so that you can operate a number
of accessories quickly and without be-
ing distracted from traffic conditions.
You may operate:
>Selected functions of the radio, the
CD and cassette modes
>The recirculated air mode of the air
conditioner or
>the steering wheel heater
>The cruise control and
>selected cellular phone functions.
In order to operate a system via
the MFL, the corresponding
system controls must be switched on.<
The illustration shows the maximum
possible number of controls, corre-
sponding to a full range of optional
equipment. Refer to the individual
accessory manuals for more detailed
descriptions.
1 Cellular phone: Receive a call, initiate
dialing and terminate a call
2 Radio/Telephone: Select
3 Radio/Telephone: Scan backward or
scan station keys or scroll in the
phone listings.
Fast forward and reverse for CD and
cassette modes
4 Radio/Telephone: Volume
5 Radio/Telephone: Forward scan or
scan station keys or scroll in the
phone listings.
Fast forward and reverse for CD and
cassette modes380de702
6 Horn: The entire surface
7 Cruise control: Activate stored
setting (resume)
8 Cruise control: Store and
accelerate (+); decelerate and
store (Ð)
9 Cruise control: Activate/Interrupt/
Deactivate
10 Recirculated-air mode and AUC or
steering wheel heating: Switch on
and off

26n
M Multifunction steering wheel (MFL)
*
There are two design versions, depend-
ing on the equipment installed in your
vehicle.
The controls integrated in the M multi-
function steering wheel (MFL) are
provided so that you can operate a
number of accessories quickly and
without being distracted from traffic
conditions. You may operate:
>Selected functions of the radio, the
CD and cassette modes
>The cruise control and
>selected cellular phone functions.
In order to operate a system via
the MFL, the corresponding
system controls must be activated.<
The illustration shows the maximum
possible number of controls, corre-
sponding to a full range of optional
equipment. Refer to the individual
accessory manuals for more detailed
descriptions.
1 Cellular phone: Receive a call, initiate
dialing and terminate a call
2 Radio/Telephone: Volume
3 Radio/Telephone: Forward/Back-
ward scan or scan station keys or
scroll in the phone listings.
Fast forward and reverse for CD and
cassette modes
4 Horn: The entire surface39mde058
5 Cruise control: Activate stored
setting (resume)
6 Cruise control: Activate/Interrupt/
Deactivate
7 Cruise control: Store and
accelerate (+); decelerate and
store (Ð)
8 Radio/Telephone: Select

27n
RepairsIndexOverview Controls Car care Technology Data
Hazard warning flashers Warning triangle
*
First-aid kit
*
The button flashes rhythmically when
the hazard warning flashers are on.
To help you locate the switch in an
emergency, the button is also illumi-
nated whenever the car's headlamps
are on.390de039
The hazard warning triangle is quickly
available, stored in the onboard tool kit
mounted on the inside of the luggage
compartment lid (tailgate).
To open the container, loosen the wing
screw.
Comply with legal requirements
which cover the availability of a
hazard warning triangle in the car.< 394de053
The first-aid kit is located under the
front passenger's seat.
To remove: Lift the release lever on the
front (arrow) and pull the first-aid kit for-
ward out of its support.
To store: Position the back of the kit
into the support, then push back until
the lever engages.
Some of the articles in the first-aid
kit may be used within a limited
time only. For this reason, check the
expiration dates of each of the items
regularly, and replace any whose expi-
ration dates have passed. You can
acquire replacements in any drugstore
or pharmacy.
Comply with legal requirements which
cover availability of a first-aid kit in your
vehicle.< 390de086

28n
RefuelingFuel filler door
Before refueling, shut the engine
off. If the engine is running, fuel
cannot be filled into the tank and the
Service Engine lamp may come on.<
To open the filler door, press on the
front edge.
To unlock the filler door if the central
locking system fails, refer to page 180.
When handling fuels, comply with
all of the applicable safety precau-
tions and regulations pertaining to
fuels.
Never carry spare fuel containers in
your vehicle. Whether empty or full,
these containers can leak, cause an ex-
plosion, or lead to fire in the event of a
collision.<
394de011
Simple and friendly to the
environment
Open the filler cap carefully to
prevent fuel from spraying out.
Fuel spray may cause injury.
Do not top off. Topping off may cause
fuel spillage.<
Keep the filler cap in the bracket
attached to the fuel filler door.
390de603
When refueling, insert the filler nozzle
completely into the filler pipe. Pulling
the nozzle out of the pipe during refuel-
ing
>results in premature pump shutoff
and
>will reduce the effect of the vapor
recovery system on the pump.
Close the fuel cap carefully after
refueling. A loose or missing cap
will activate the Service Engine lamp.<

29n
RepairsIndexOverview Controls Car care Technology Data
Fuel specifications Tire inflation pressureUse unleaded gasoline only.
Recommended octane rating: 91 AKI.
BMW engines are equipped with knock
sensors and will adapt automatically
to different octane ratings, provided
that the minimum octane requirement
(87 AKI) is met.
Fuels with higher octane ratings will
provide enhanced performance and
lower fuel consumption, while the use
of fuels with low octane ratings will
have an opposite effect.
Do not use leaded fuels. The use
of leaded fuels will cause perma-
nent damage to the system's oxygen
sensor and the catalytic converter.<
AKI = Anti Knock Index
The inflation pressures are indicated on
a sticker attached to the B-pillar behind
the driver's door (visible with door
open).Check tire pressuresAll pressure specifications are indicated
in psi (kilopascal) for tires at ambient
temperature (refer also to the next
pages).
For vehicles with Tire Pressure Control
(RDC)
*:
After a correction of the tire inflation
pressure, reactivate the system. Refer
to page 92.
390de351
Check tire inflation pressures reg-
ularly Ð at least every two weeks
and before beginning a longer trip.
Incorrect tire pressure can lead to tire
damage and accidents.
Check the inflation pressure of the
spare tire also. Inflate the spare tire to
the highest inflation of any tire on your
vehicle.<
Comply with tire approval
specificationsThe inflation pressures in the table
apply to tires from BMW approved
manufacturers. Your BMW center is
familiar with these pressures. Higher
pressures may be specified for tires
from other manufacturers. You will find
a list of approved tires beginning on
page 140.
Your vehicle is equipped with tires that
not only meet US standards, but also
European standards. We recommend
the exclusive use of BMW approved
tires.

30n
Tire inflation pressuresedan Tires
All pressure specifications in
the table are indicated in psi
(kilopascal) with cold tires
(cold = ambient temperature)
528i225/60 R 15 96 H M+S
225/60 R 15 96 W US/CDN:
225/55 R 16 95 W 33 (230) 41 (280) 33 (230) 41 (280)
235/45 R 17 94 W/Y
Rear: 255/40 R 17 94 W/Y outside US/CDN:
205/65 R 15 94 Q M+S 29 (200) 33 (230) 33 (230) 41 (280)
225/60 R 15 96 Q M+S
225/55 R 16 95 Q M+S
235/45 R 17 94 Q M+S
540i235/45 R 17 94 W/Y
225/55 R 16 95 W35 (240) 39 (270) 41 (280) 48 (330)
Rear: 255/40 R 17 94 W/Y Ð 39 (270) Ð 48 (330)
225/55 R 16 95 Q,T,H M+S
30 (210) 35 (240) 36 (250) 44 (300)
235/45 R 17 94 Q,T,H M+S
540iA225/55 R 16 95 H M+S
225/55 R 16 95 W
235/45 R 17 94 W/Y
225/55 R 16 95 Q M+S
235/45 R 17 94 Q M+S30 (210) 35 (240) 36 (250) 44 (300)
Rear: 225/40 R 17 94 W/Y 35 (240) 44 (340)

31n
RepairsIndexOverview Controls Car care Technology Data
Tire inflation pressuresport
wagonTires
All pressure specifications in
the table are indicated in psi
(kilopascal) with cold tires
(cold = ambient temperature)
528i225/60 R 15 96 H M+S
30 (210) 35 (240) 36 (250) 44 (300) 225/60 R 15 96 W
225/55 R 16 95 W
235/45 R 17 94 W/Y
225/60 R 15 96 Q M+S
33 (230) 38 (260) 39 (270) 46 (320)
225/55 R 16 95 Q M+S
235/45 R 17 94 Q M+S
540i225/55 R 16 95 H M+S
30 (210) 35 (240) 36 (250) 44 (300)
225/55 R 16 95 W
235/45 R 17 94 W/Y
225/55 R 16 95 Q M+S
33 (230) 38 (260) 39 (270) 46 (320)
235/45 R 17 94 Q M+S

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