2000 BMW 540I SEDAN engine

131n
RepairsIndexOverview Controls Car care Technology Data
Winter operationRubber seals and components In order to prevent the weather-strip-
ping from freezing, apply BMW rubber
treatment or silicone spray to the seals
on the doors, hood and luggage com-
partment lid/tailgate.
A full range of car-care products is
available from your BMW center.< Snow chainsBMW snow chains
* can be mounted on
both summer and winter tires. Mount
them in pairs on the rear wheels only
and comply with the manufacturer's
safety precautions. Do not exceed a
maximum speed of 30 mph (50 km/h).
For maximum traction, we recommend
that you manually deactivate the
ASC+T/DSC
* when driving with snow
chains mounted. Refer to page 91.
Starting offWe recommend that you use the man-
ual control switch to deactivate ASC+T/
DSC
* when starting off in deep snow or
when rocking the car to free it (refer to
page 91).
Driving on low-traction road
surfacesUse smooth, gentle pressure to control
the accelerator pedal. Avoid excessive
engine speeds and shift to the next
higher gear at an early point. Adapt
your speed and driving style when ap-
proaching grades or slopes. Maintain
an adequate distance between yourself
and the car ahead.BrakesWinter road conditions substantially
reduce the amount of traction available
between the tires and the road surface.
The resulting increases in braking dis-
tance are considerable and should be
kept in mind at all times.
ABS is intended to prevent the wheels
from locking during brake applications,
thus helping to maintain vehicle stability
and steering response. If the ABS does not respond in a critical
braking situation and the wheels lock:
Reduce the pressure on the brake
pedal until the wheels just start to roll
again while still maintaining enough
force to continue braking.
Following that, increase pedal pressure
again. Reduce the pressure as the
wheels lock, then reapply pressure.
Repeat this procedure. This type of
staggered braking will reduce the brak-
ing distance, and the vehicle still re-
mains responsive to steering.
You can then attempt to steer around
hazards after you have reduced pres-
sure on the brake pedal.
Do not shift down on slick road
surfaces. Doing so could cause
the rear wheels to lose traction and
skid, which could result in the loss of
vehicle control.<
Depress the clutch during hard
braking on road surfaces which
provide only poor or uneven traction.<

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RepairsIndexOverview Controls Car care Technology Data
HoodTo unlockPull the lever located under the left-
hand side of the instrument panel.
Do not work on your vehicle with-
out appropriate skills. Switch off
the engine and allow it to cool down
before working in the engine compart-
ment. Always disconnect the battery
before working on any electrical
systems or equipment, especially when
these are located within the engine
compartment. Comply with all applica-
ble instructions and warnings. Failure to
work in an informed, professional
manner when servicing components
and materials constitutes a safety
hazard for vehicle occupants and other
road users. If you are not familiar with
the guidelines, please have the opera-
tions performed by your authorized
BMW center.<390de071
To openPull the release handle and open the
hood.390de072
To closeAllow the hood to fall from a height
of about 12 inches (30 cm) so that it
audibly engages.
To avoid injuries, be sure that the
travel path of the hood is clear
when it is closed, as with all closing
procedures.
If it is determined that the hood is not
completely closed while driving, stop
immediately and close it securely.< 390de375

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Engine compartment Ð BMW 528i

145n
RepairsIndexOverview Controls Car care Technology Data
Engine compartment Ð BMW 528i1 Engine oil dipstick149
2 Reservoir for brake fluid (under the
housing of the microfilter)152
3 Auxiliary terminal for jump
starting182
4 Coolant expansion tank151
5 Engine oil filler neck149
6 Reservoir for intensive-cleaning
system
*
148
7 Reservoir for headlamp washer
* and
windshield washer system148

146n
Engine compartment Ð BMW 540i
390us621

147n
RepairsIndexOverview Controls Car care Technology Data
Engine compartment Ð BMW 540i1 Reservoir for brake fluid (under the
housing of the microfilter)152
2 Auxiliary terminal for jump
starting182
3 Engine oil dipstick149
4 Engine oil filler neck149
5 Coolant expansion tank151
6 Reservoir for intensive-cleaning
system
*
148
7 Reservoir for headlamp washer
* and
windshield washer system148

149n
RepairsIndexOverview Controls Car care Technology Data
Engine oilChecking oil level1 Park the vehicle on a level surface.
2 Shut the engine off after it has
reached normal operating
temperature.
3 After approx. 5 minutes, pull the
dipstick out and wipe it off with a
clean lint-free cloth, paper towel, or
similar material.
4 Push the dipstick all the way into the
guide tube and pull it out again.
5 The oil level should be in between the
two graduations on the dipstick.
As with fuel economy, oil consumption
is directly influenced by your driving
style and vehicle operating conditions.390de076
The oil volume between the two marks
on the dipstick corresponds to approx.
1.1 US quarts (1 liter). Do not fill beyond
the upper mark on the dipstick. Excess
oil will damage the engine.460de189
To add oilWait until the level has dropped to just
above the lower mark before adding oil.
However, do not wait until the oil level
drops below the lower mark.
BMW engines are designed to op-
erate without oil additives; the use
of additives could lead to damage in
some cases. This is also true for the
manual transmission, the automatic
transmission, the differential, and the
power steering system.< 390de077

150n
Engine oilSpecified engine oils The quality of the engine oil selected
has critical significance for the opera-
tion and service life of an engine. Based
on extensive testing, BMW has ap-
proved only certain engine oils.
Use only approved "BMW High Perfor-
mance Synthetic Oil."
If you are unable to obtain "BMW High
Performance Synthetic Oil," you may
use small amounts of synthetic oil in
between oil changes. Only use oils with
the specification API SH or higher.
Ask your authorized BMW center
for details concerning the specific
"BMW High Performance Synthetic Oil"
or "synthetic oils" which have been ap-
proved.<
You can also call BMW of North
America at 1-800-831-1117 or visit
this website: www.bmwusa.com to
obtain this information.
Viscosity ratingsViscosity is the oil flow rating as estab-
lished in SAE classes.
The selection of the correct SAE class
depends on the climatic conditions in
the area where you typically drive your
BMW.
Approved oils are in SAE classes
5W-30 and SAE 5W-40.<
These oils may be used for driving in all
ambient temperatures.
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