2000 BMW 540I SEDAN stop start

22n

Indicator and warning lampsTechnology that monitors itselfMany of the systems of your BMW mon-
itor themselves automatically, both dur-
ing engine starts and while you are driv-
ing. Indicator and warning lamps that
are identified by "l" are tested for
proper functioning whenever the igni-
tion key is turned. They each light up
once for different periods of time.
If a fault should occur in one of these
systems, the corresponding lamp does
not go out after the engine is started or
it lights up while the vehicle is moving.
You will see how to react to this below.
Red: Stop immediately
Battery charge current l
The battery is no longer being
charged. There is a malfunction
of the alternator V-belt or in the charg-
ing circuit of the alternator. Please con-
tact the nearest BMW center.
If the ribbed V-belt is defective, do
not continue driving. The engine
could be damaged due to overheating.
If the ribbed V-belt is defective, in-
creased steering effort is also re-
quired.<
Engine oil pressure l
Comes on while the engine is
running and the "STOP! ENGINE
OILPRESS" message appears in the
Check Control: Stop vehicle and switch
off engine immediately. Check level of
oil in engine, top up as required. If oil
level is correct: Please contact the
nearest BMW center.
Do not continue driving. The en-
gine could be damaged because
of inadequate lubrication.<
Tire Pressure Control (RDC)
* l
In addition, there is an acousti-
cal warning signal: A tire failure
has occurred. Reduce vehicle speed
immediately and stop the vehicle. Avoid
hard brake applications. Do not over-
steer. For additional information: Refer
to page 92.
Parking brake
*, brake hydraulic
system l
Comes on when you engage the
parking brake. For additional informa-
tion: Refer to page 69.
Comes on although the parking brake is
released: Have the brake fluid level
checked. Before driving further, be
sure to read the notes on pages 130
and 152.
Also comes on with the message
"CHECK BRAKE PADS" in the Check
Control.
Parking brake warning lamp
*/
Brake hydraulic system for
Canadian models.

73n
RepairsIndexOverview Controls Car care Technology Data
Automatic transmission
*
Electronic transmission control
module
If the indicator lamp comes on
or if the message "TRANS.
FAILSAFE PROG" appears in
the Check Control
*, there is a malfunc-
tion in the transmission system.
Bring the vehicle to a stop, select the
"Park" position, apply the parking brake
and shut the engine off (ignition key po-
sition 0). Restart the engine after a few
seconds. If the indicator lamp goes out
again after a few seconds, the normal
transmission functions have been re-
stored. You may continue to drive as
usual.
If the indicator lamp does not go out,
you can place the selector lever in all
positions. However, the vehicle will now
only drive forward with limited gear
selection.
Under these circumstances, avoid ex-
treme engine loads and consult the
nearest authorized 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.

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.

101n
RepairsIndexOverview Controls Car care Technology Data
Automatic climate controlAir supply
In the "AUTO" program, the air
flow is controlled automati-
cally. AUTO will appear in the display
(refer to the overview on page 98). Use
"+" and "-" to vary the air flow. When
your setting is displayed by bars, the
automatic air flow is switched off. Auto-
matic air distribution maintains its set-
ting. You can reactivate the automatic
air flow by pressing the "AUTO" button.
When you press "Ð " during operation at
minimum blower speed all displays are
canceled: The fan, heating and air con-
ditioner are switched off. The outside
air supply is closed. By pressing any
button of the automatic climate control
(except the "REST" button 16), you can
switch the system back on.
To defrost windshield and door
windows
This program quickly removes
ice and condensation from the
windshield and the side windows.
Air conditioner
The air is cooled and dehu-
midified and Ð depending on
the temperature setting Ð warmed again
when the air conditioner system is
switched on. Depending on the
weather, the windshield may fog over
briefly when the engine is started.
Use the button to switch off the air con-
ditioner at outside temperatures below
approx. +417 (+56). This will help to
prevent the windows from fogging up.
If the windows fog over after switching
the air conditioner off, switch it back on.
Condensation forms in the air con-
ditioner system during operation,
which then exits under the vehicle.
Traces of condensed water of this kind
are thus normal.<
Automatic recirculated-air
control (AUC)
You can respond to unpleas-
ant external odors by tempo-
rarily stopping the flow of outside air.
The system then recirculates the air
currently within the vehicle. Press the
button repeatedly to run through the
following control sequence:
>Indicator lamps off: Outside air flow
operational.
>Left-hand indicator lamp on Ð AUC
mode: The system recognizes pollut-
ants in the outside air and blocks the
flow of air when necessary. The sys-
tem then recirculates the air currently
within the vehicle.
Depending on the air quality, the au-
tomatic system then switches back
and forth between outside air supply
and recirculation of the air within the
vehicle.
>Right-hand indicator lamp on: The
flow of external air into the vehicle is
permanently blocked. The system
then recirculates the air currently
within the vehicle.
If you have a multifunction steering
wheel with the recirculated-air button
(refer to page 25), you can also use it to
switch between "Off" and the recircu-
lated-air mode or AUC and the recircu-
lated-air mode.

126n
Catalytic converterThe catalytic converter reduces harmful
exhaust emissions, and is designed for
use with unleaded fuel only.
Even minute quantities of lead would be
enough to permanently damage both
the catalytic converter and the system
oxygen sensor.
To ensure efficient, trouble-free engine
operation and avoid potential damage:
>Be sure to comply with the scheduled
maintenance requirements
>Fill the fuel tank well before it is
empty
>Tow-start the vehicle only when the
engine is cold, since unburned fuel
may otherwise reach the catalytic
converter. It is better to start the vehi-
cle with an outside starting aid>Avoid other situations in which the
fuel is not burned, or burns incom-
pletely, such as engaging the starter
frequently or for extended periods, or
repeated start attempts in which the
engine does not start (stopping and
restarting an engine which is running
properly does not present a problem).
Never let the engine run with any of
the spark plug cables disconnected.Be sure to comply with the in-
structions above to prevent un-
burned fuel from reaching the catalytic
converter. Otherwise there is danger of
overheating and damage to the cata-
lytic converter.
Extreme temperatures occur at the cat-
alytic converter on this and every cata-
lyst-equipped vehicle. Heat shields are
installed adjacent to some sections of
the exhaust system. Never remove
these shields; do not apply undercoat-
ing to their surfaces. When driving,
standing at idle, and parking the vehi-
cle, take care to avoid contact between
the exhaust system and flammable ma-
terials (grass, hay, leaves, etc.). Such
contact could lead to a fire, resulting in
personal injury and property damage.<

157n
RepairsIndexOverview Controls Car care Technology Data
Caring for your carCaring for the vehicle finishRegular washing is a preventive mea-
sure against long-term effects from
substances that are harmful to the vehi-
cle's finish, especially if you drive your
vehicle in areas with high levels of air
pollution or aggressive natural sub-
stances (tree resins, pollen).
Nevertheless, you should immediately
remove especially aggressive sub-
stances. Failure to do so can lead to
changes in the paint's chemical struc-
ture or to discoloration. Gasoline spilled
during refueling, oil, grease and brake
fluid should always be cleaned away
immediately, as should bird droppings
(finish damage).
Any contamination remaining on the
surface of the vehicle will be especially
conspicuous after washing. Use clean-
ing fluid or alcohol with a clean cloth or
cotton pad to remove. Remove tar
spots with tar remover. After cleaning,
the affected areas should be waxed to
ensure continued protection.
Use cleaning and car-care
products that you can obtain
at your BMW center.<
Waxing your carProtect the finish using carnauba or
synthetic-based waxes only.
The best way to determine when the
finish needs to be waxed is by noting
when water stops beading on the sur-
face.
You can use a glass cleaner to remove
any wax or silicone that may have been
left on the windows during waxing.
Use cleaning and car-care
products that you can obtain
at your BMW center.<
Paint damageYou can touch up small areas of dam-
age with BMW spray paint or a BMW
touch-up stick.
The paint color code for your car is pro-
vided on a sticker located on the right
hand side under the hood and on the
first page of your Service and Warranty
Information Booklet.
Damage caused by flying stones,
scratches, etc., must be touched up
without delay to prevent rust from form-
ing.
If corrosion has started to form in an
area with paint damage, remove all rust
and clean the area. Then prime the area
with a BMW Primer Stick. Finally, apply
the finish coat. After a few days, polish
and protect the touched-in areas.
More extensive paint damage should be
repaired professionally in accordance
with the manufacturer's instructions.
Your BMW center uses original BMW
finish materials in accordance with ap-
proved repair procedures.

173n
RepairsIndexOverview Controls Car care Technology Data
Changing tires
Safety measures in the event of a
flat tire or wheel change:
Stop the vehicle as far as possible from
passing traffic. Park on a firm, flat,
surface. Switch on the hazard flashers.
Turn the steering wheel to the straight-
ahead position, remove the key and
engage the steering lock. Shift into 1st
or reverse (selector lever in Park with
automatic transmission) and engage the
parking brake. All passengers should
be outside the car and well away from
your immediate working area (behind a
guardrail, for instance).
If a warning triangle or portable hazard
warning lamp is available, set it up on
the roadside at an appropriate distance
from the rear of the vehicle. Comply
with all safety guidelines and regula-
tions.
Change the wheel only on a level, firm
surface which is not slippery. Avoid
jacking the car on a soft or slippery sup-
port surface (snow, ice, loose gravel,
etc.), since it could slide sideways.
Position the jack on a firm support
surface.
Do not place wooden blocks or similar
objects under the jack. If this is done,
the jack might not be able to reach its
full support capacity because of the
limited height.
Do not lie under the vehicle or start the
engine when the vehicle is supported
by the jack Ð risk of fatal injury.<
What you will needIn order to avoid rattling noises later,
note the position of the tools when you
remove them and return them to their
original position when you are through
using them.
>Car jack
sedan: Fold back the luggage com-
partment floor mat for access, then
unscrew the wingnut to release the
jack (arrow).
sport wagon: Raise the floor panel
and spare tire cover (refer to
page 118).
When you have completed work,
screw the jack all the way back down.
Fold the handle back and insert it in
its holder
>Wedge (wheel chock)
Located next to the jack. Loosen the
wing nut to remove it394de090

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