2000 BMW 540I SEDAN ECO mode

Congratulations, and thank you for choosing a BMW.
Thorough familiarity with your vehicle will provide you with enhanced control and
security when you drive it. We therefore have this request:
Please take the time to read this Owner's Manual and familiarize yourself with the
information that we have compiled for you before starting off in your new car. It
contains important data and instructions intended to assist you in gaining maximum
use and satisfaction from the unique range of technical features on your BMW. The
manual also contains information on care and maintenance designed to enhance
operating safety and contribute to maintaining the value of your BMW throughout an
extended service life.
This Owner's Manual should be considered a permanent part of this vehicle.
It should stay with the vehicle when sold to provide the next owner with important
operating, safety and maintenance information.
This manual is supplemented by a Service and Warranty Information Booklet
(US models) or a Warranty and Service Guide Booklet (Canadian models).
We recommend that you read this publication thoroughly.
Your BMW is covered by the following warranties:
Ð New Vehicle Limited Warranty
Ð Limited Warranty Rust Perforation
Ð Federal Emissions System Defect Warranty
Ð Federal Emissions Performance Warranty
Ð California Emission Control System Limited Warranty
Detailed information about these warranties is listed in the Service and Warranty
Information Booklet (US models) or in the Warranty and Service Guide Booklet
(Canadian models).
We wish you an enjoyable driving experience.
BMW AG

38n
Opening and closing Ð from the outside Unlocking and convenience
opening modeTo release: Press button 1.
Press the button once to unlock the
driver's door only; press a second time
to unlock all remaining doors as well as
the luggage compartment and fuel filler
door.
Convenience opening mode: Press and
hold button 1. The windows and the
sliding/tilt sunroof are opened.463de025
To lock and securePress button 2.463de027
Deactivate the tilt sensor alarm
system and interior motion sensorAfter locking the vehicle press button 2
again.
For additional information: Refer to
page 46.To switch on the interior lampsAfter locking the car, press button 2.380us646463de027

39n
RepairsIndexOverview Controls Car care Technology Data
Opening and closing Ð from the outsideTo open the luggage
compartment lid/tailgatePress button 3.
The luggage compartment lid/tailgate
opens slightly, regardless of whether it
was previously locked or unlocked.
Before and after a trip, be sure
that the luggage compartment lid/
tailgate has not been opened uninten-
tionally.< Panic ModeBy pressing and holding button 3 for
two to five seconds, you can trigger the
alarm system if there is an impending
danger (the system must be armed).
The alarm is deactivated by pressing
button 1.463de026
External systemsExternal systems or devices may cause
local interference in the functions of the
remote control.
If this should occur, you can unlock and
lock the vehicle via the door lock with a
master key.
For US owners onlyThe transmitter and receiver units com-
ply with part 15 of the FCC (Federal
Communication Commission) regula-
tions. Operation is governed by the fol-
lowing:
FCC ID: LX8EWS
LX8FZVS
LX8FZVE
Compliance statement:
This device complies with part 15 of the
FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the
following two conditions:
>This device may not cause harmful
interference, and
>this device must accept any interfer-
ence received, including interference
that may cause undesired operation.
Any unauthorized modifications to
these devices could void the
user's authority to operate the equip-
ment.<

47n
RepairsIndexOverview Controls Car care Technology Data
Electric power windowsOpen and close windowsIn ignition key position 1 or 2:
>Depress the rocker switch until you
feel resistance:
The window continues moving for as
long as you maintain pressure on the
switch
>Press the rocker switch beyond the
resistance point:
The window moves automatically.
Press the switch a second time to
stop the window.390de055
After the ignition has been switched off:
>You can still operate the windows as
long as neither of the front doors has
been opened. To open the window,
press the switch beyond the resis-
tance point.
Remove the key from the ignition
when you leave the vehicle, so
that children cannot operate the power
windows and possibly injure them-
selves.<
For the convenience mode via the door
lock or the remote control, refer to
pages 36 or 37.Safety featureA contact strip is integrated into the
inner side of each of the upper window
frame sections. If pressure is exerted
against this contact strip while a win-
dow is being raised, the system will
respond by stopping the window and
then retracting it a small distance.
Despite this safety feature, be ex-
tremely careful that the closing
path of the window is not obstructed
whenever it is closed. Otherwise, an
object might not touch the contact strip
in some situations (very thin objects, for
instance).
You can override this safety feature by
pressing the switch beyond the resis-
tance point and holding it.
Because the power windows are sealed
at high pressure to prevent wind noise
when closed, a powerful motor is re-
quired for efficient closing. When clos-
ing the windows, always be sure that
they are not obstructed in any way. Un-
supervised use of these systems can
result in serious personal injury. Re-
move the ignition key to deactivate the
electric power windows whenever you
leave the car. Never leave the keys in
the car with unsupervised children.
Never place anything that could ob-
struct the driver's vision on or next to
the windows.<

68n
Starting the engineBefore starting>Engage the parking brake
>Be sure that the transmission selector
is in "Neutral" (or "Park" if the vehicle
is equipped with an automatic trans-
mission)
>Step on the clutch pedal.
Do not allow the engine to run in
enclosed spaces. The exhaust
gases contain carbon monoxide, an
odorless and colorless, but highly toxic
gas. Breathing the exhaust gases poses
an extreme health risk, and can lead to
unconsciousness and death.
Never leave the car unattended with the
engine running. An unattended vehicle
with a running engine represents a po-
tential safety hazard.<
Starting the engine>Start the engine. Do not press the
accelerator pedal.
BMW 528i, BMW 540i with man-
ual transmission:
Do not actuate the starter for too short
a time. Do not turn it for more than ap-
prox. 20 seconds. Release the ignition
key immediately as soon as the engine
starts.
Do not allow the engine to warm up by
leaving it running while the vehicle re-
mains stationary. Instead, begin driving
immediately at a moderate engine
speed.
BMW 540i with automatic transmission:
Your BMW is equipped with the conve-
nience starting feature. Simply turn the
key to position 3 (starter) and then re-
lease it immediately.
The starter continues to operate auto-
matically.
The automatic starting mode will not
operate if the battery voltage is low.
Should this condition arise, it remains
possible to jump-start the engine (refer
to page 182).<
Should the engine fail to start on the
first attempt (if it is very hot or cold, for
instance):
>Press the accelerator pedal halfway
down while engaging the starter.
Cold starts at extremely low tempera-
tures, from approx. +57 (Ð156)
and at elevations above 3,300 feet
(1,000 meters):
>It may be necessary to allow the
starter to remain engaged somewhat
longer than under normal operating
conditions (approx. 10 seconds)
>Press the accelerator pedal halfway
down while engaging the starter.
Engine idle speed is controlled by the
engine computer system. Increased
speeds at startup are normal and
should decrease as the engine warms
up. If engine speed does not decrease,
service is required.
To prevent the battery from discharg-
ing, always deactivate electrical de-
vices which are not in use. Switch the
ignition off when the vehicle is not
being driven.

72n
Automatic transmission
*
Before leaving the vehicle when
the engine is running, shift the se-
lector lever to the "Park" or "Neutral"
position and apply the parking brake.
The vehicle could move if this is not
done.
Never leave the car unattended with the
engine running. An unattended vehicle
with a running engine represents a po-
tential safety hazard.
If you should accidentally select "Neu-
tral" while traveling at high speed,
remove your foot from the accelerator
pedal immediately. Allow the engine
speed to drop to idle before selecting
the desired drive position. Damage
could otherwise occur due to excessive
engine speed.<
P ParkSelect "Park" only when the vehicle is
stationary. The transmission locks to
prevent the rear wheels from turning.R ReverseSelect "Reverse" only when the vehicle
is stationary.
N NeutralSelect "Neutral" only if your journey is
interrupted for a long period.D Drive
(automatic shift program)This position is designed for driving
under all normal operating conditions.
All forward gears are available.4 Ð Sport ProgramThis position is recommended if you
wish to select a performance-oriented
driving style.
3 and 2 Ð Shift limiterSelect this range when you wish to limit
gear changes (on steep uphill or down-
hill slopes, for instance). The transmis-
sion shifts up only as far as the selected
gear."Kickdown" In the "Kickdown" mode, you achieve
maximum performance.
To activate this mode, depress the ac-
celerator pedal beyond the full-throttle
position, at which a resistance point
must be overcome.

76n
Automatic transmission with Steptronic
*
Upshifts or downshifts will be carried
out by the ATC only at appropriate en-
gine speeds and road speeds. For in-
stance, if engine speed is too high, a
downshift will not be executed. The
gear selected will appear briefly in the
instrument cluster followed by the cur-
rent gear.
If you are driving in the manual
mode and wish to accelerate rap-
idly from low road speeds (when pass-
ing, for instance), you must shift down
manually or with the kickdown func-
tion.<
You can only change from "M/S" to se-
lector lever positions "P,""R," and "N"
via the "D" position.
In the following situations, the Step-
tronic "thinks" for you in the manual
mode:
>In order to prevent engine over-
speeding, the transmission shifts au-
tomatically to the next higher gear
shortly before the RPM cutoff point
>At low speeds, the transmission shifts
down automatically Ð you do not have
to act
>In the kickdown mode, the transmis-
sion shifts down to the lowest gear
which is possible, depending on the
engine speed
>According to the situation, for
instance in wintry conditions, the
vehicle can be started in 2nd or
3rd gear.Electronic transmission control
module
If the indicator lamp comes on
or the message "TRANS.FAIL-
SAFE PROG" appears in the
Check Control
*, there is a fault in the
transmission system.
Bring the vehicle to a stop. Move the
transmission selector lever to "P." Set
the parking brake and turn the engine
off (ignition key to position 0).
Wait a few seconds, then start the
engine.
If the indicator lamp goes out after a
few seconds, normal transmission per-
formance has been restored. You may
continue to drive as usual. If the indica-
tor lamp does not go out, you can place
the selector lever in all positions. How-
ever, the vehicle will now only drive for-
ward with limited gear selection.
If this happens, avoid extreme engine
loads and consult the nearest autho-
rized BMW center.
Do not work in the engine com-
partment when a drive gear (for-
ward or reverse) is engaged. If you do
this, the vehicle could move.<
For jump-starting, towing and tow-
starting, refer to pages 182 and 183.

83n
RepairsIndexOverview Controls Car care Technology Data
Tachometer Energy control Fuel gaugeNever allow the engine to operate with
the needle in the red overspeed zone of
the gauge.
To protect the engine, the engine-man-
agement system automatically inter-
rupts the fuel supply in this range; the
resulting effect resembles that associ-
ated with a sudden loss of power.390us004
Indicates current fuel consumption in
mpg (in liters per 100 km on Canadian
vehicles). This instrument shows
whether your current driving style is
conducive to fuel economy with mini-
mum exhaust emissions.
When the vehicle is stationary, the dis-
play goes to "Maximum" (zero on Cana-
dian models).390us005
When you switch on the ignition, the in-
dicator lamp comes on briefly to con-
firm that the system is operational.
If the indicator lamp stays on, there are
approx.
>2.1 gal (8 liters) Ð BMW 528i
>2.6 gal (10 liters) Ð BMW 540i
remaining in the tank.
Tank capacity: Refer to page 203.
Certain operating conditions (such as
those encountered in mountainous ar-
eas) may cause the needle to fluctuate
slightly.
Please refuel early, since driving
to the last drop of fuel can result in
damage to the engine and/or catalytic
converter.< 390us006