2000 BMW 540I SEDAN maintenance

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

6n

For your own safety

Use unleaded gasoline only. Fuels
containing up to 10% ethanol or
other oxygenates with up to 2.8% oxy-
gen by weight (i.e., 15% MTBE or
3% methanol plus an equivalent
amount of co-solvent) will not void the
applicable warranties with respect to
defects in materials or workmanship.
Field experience has indicated signifi-
cant differences in fuel quality (i.e., vol-
atility, composition, additives, etc.)
among gasolines offered for sale in the
United States and Canada. The use of
poor-quality fuels may result in drive-
ability, starting and stalling problems,
especially under certain environmental
conditions, such as high ambient tem-
perature and high altitude.
Should you encounter driveability prob-
lems that you suspect could be related
to the fuel you are using, we recom-
mend that you respond by switching to
a recognized high-quality brand.
Failure to comply with these recom-
mendations may result in unscheduled
maintenance.
Follow the relevant safety rules when
you are handling gasoline.

<



Important safety information!
For your own safety, use genuine
parts and accessories approved by
BMW.
When you purchase accessories tested
and approved by BMW and Original
BMW Parts, you simultaneously acquire
the assurance that they have been
thoroughly tested by BMW to ensure
optimum performance when installed
on your vehicle.
BMW warrants these parts to be free
from defects in material and workman-
ship.
BMW will not accept any liability for
damage resulting from installation of
parts and accessories not approved by
BMW.
BMW cannot test every product from
other manufacturers to verify if it can be
used on a BMW safely and without risk
to either the vehicle, its operation, or its
occupants.
Original BMW Parts, BMW Accessories
and other products approved by BMW,
together with professional advice on
using these items, are available from all
BMW centers.

Installation and operation of non-BMW
approved accessories such as alarms,
radios, amplifiers, radar detectors,
wheels, suspension components, brake
dust shields, telephones (including
operation of any portable cellular phone
from within the vehicle without using an
externally-mounted antenna) or trans-
ceiver equipment (C.B., walkie-talkie,
ham radio, for instance) may cause ex-
tensive damage to the vehicle, compro-
mise its safety, interfere with the vehi-
cle's electrical system, or affect the
validity of the BMW Limited Warranty.
Visit your authorized BMW center for
additional information.

<


Maintenance, replacement, or re-
pair of the emission control de-
vices and systems may be performed
by any automotive repair establishment
or individual using any certified automo-
tive part.

<

Overview
Controls and features
Operation, care
and maintenance
Owner service procedures
Technical data
Index Advanced technology

9n

RepairsIndexOverview Controls Car care Technology Data

11n

Controls and features
Operation, care and maintenance

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 heating 103
Steering wheel heating 103
Roller sun blind 104
Independent ventilation
system 104

Cabin convenience:

BMW Universal Transmitter 105
Glove compartment108
Storage facilities108
Cellular phone 109
Beverage holder 109
Ashtray, front110
Cigarette lighter 110
Ashtray, rear111

Loading and transporting cargo:

Through-loading system 112
Ski bag 113
sport wagon:
Luggage compartment 116
Roll-up cover 116
Separation net 116
Storage areas in the luggage
compartment 118
Cargo loading120
Roof-mounted luggage rack121

Special operating instructions:

Break-in procedure124
Driving notes125
Catalytic converter126
Antilock Brake System
(ABS)127
Disc brakes128
Brake system130
Winter operation130
Power steering132
Level control system 132
Cellular phone 133
Radio reception133

Wheels and tires:

Tire inflation pressure134
Tire condition134
Tire replacement135
Tire rotation136
Wheel and tire
combinations137
Winter tires138
Snow chains 139
Approved wheel and tire
specifications 140

Contents

Operation, care and maintenance
Owner service procedures
Advanced technology

Under the hood:

Hood143
Engine compartment 144
Washer fluids148
Washer nozzles148
Engine oil149
Coolant151
Brake fluid152
Vehicle Identification
Number153

Care and maintenance:

The BMW Maintenance
System154
Caring for your car155
Airbags160
Vehicle storage160

Laws and regulations:

Technical modifications161
OBD connector162

Replacement procedures:

Onboard tool kit166
Wiper blades166
Lamps and bulbs167
Changing tires173
Battery176
Fuses178

In case of electrical
malfunction:

Fuel filler door180
Sliding/Tilt sunroof180
Tailgate181

Assistance, giving and
receiving:

Jump-starting182
Towing the vehicle183Airbags188
Adaptive Transmission Control
(ATC) 188
Automatic Stability Control plus
Traction (ASC+T)/Dynamic
Stability Control (DSC) 189
Radio reception190
BMW active seat 190
Safety belt tensioner191
DSP sound system 192
Interior rearview mirror with
automatic dimmer 192
Rain sensor 193
Tire Pressure Control (RDC) 194
Integrated rear suspension194
Level control system 195
Xenon lamps 195

Overview
Controls and features
Operation, care
and maintenance
Owner service procedures
Technical data
Index Advanced technology

15n

RepairsIndexOverview Controls Car care Technology Data

Cockpit16
Instrument cluster18
Indicator and warning lamps22
Multifunction steering wheel
(MFL) 25
Hazard warning flashersHazard
warning flashers27
Warning triangle 27
First-aid kit 27
Refueling28
Fuel specifications29
Tire inflation pressure29

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

84n
Temperature gauge Service Interval DisplayBlueThe engine is still cold. Drive at moder-
ate engine and vehicle speeds.RedWhen you switch on the ignition, the
warning lamp comes on briefly to con-
firm that the system is operational.
Comes on while driving: The engine is
overheated. Switch the engine off im-
mediately and allow it to cool down.390de007
Between the blue and red zonesNormal operating range. It is not un-
usual for the needle to rise as far as the
edge of the red zone in response to
high outside temperatures or severe
operating conditions.
Checking coolant level: Refer to
page 151.
The precise layout varies according to
the individual model version.
Green lampsThe number of illuminated lamps de-
creases as the time for your next main-
tenance visit approaches.Yellow lampThis field appears together with
OILSERVICE or INSPECTION.
Maintenance is due. Please contact
your BMW center for an appointment.Red lampThe maintenance deadline has been
passed.390us702