2001 BMW 540I SEDAN Owners Manual

IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
105n
Parking lamps
(side marker lamps)
With the switch in this position,
vehicle lighting is illuminated on
both sides. For lighting on one
side for parking as an additional fea-
ture, refer to page 106.
Low beams/Xenon lamps
*
When the ignition is switched off
and the low beams are on, only
the parking lamps (side marker
lamps) remain on.
390de034
"Follow-me-home lighting:"
If you actuate the headlamp
flasher after you have parked the
vehicle and shut off the engine, the low
beams will remain on for a brief period.
You may also have this function deacti-
vated if you wish.<
Xenon lamps
*
For additional details, refer to
page 184."LIGHTS ON" warning In ignition key position 0, a buzzer
sounds for a few seconds after the
driver's door is opened if the head-
lamps have not been switched off
.
On vehicles with alphanumeric
Check Control
*:
The reminder is given through the
Check Control.
Daytime-driving lamp
*
The headlamps are automatically
switched on for daylight driving at
ignition key position 2.
Turn the rotary dial to adjust the illumi-
nation intensity.390de036
Parking lamps/Low beamsInstrument lighting

106n
High beams/Parking lamps
Fog lamps Interior lamps
1 High beam (blue indicator lamp)
2 Headlamp flasher
(blue indicator lamp)
3 Parking lamps Parking lamp, left or rightAs an additional feature, you can
illuminate your vehicle on either side
for parking, if you wish to do so:
With the ignition key in position 0, push
the lever in the appropriate direction.
The lever engages in the turn signal
position.390de335
Front fog lamps
A green indicator lamp comes
on in the instrument cluster to
indicate that the front fog lamps
are on.
If the high beam is switched on, the fog
lamps go out.
390us037
The interior lamps operate automati-
cally.Switching interior lamps on
and offPress the button (arrow).
If you want the interior lamps to remain
off at all times, press and hold the
button for approx. 3 seconds.
Press the button briefly to revert to
normal operation.
The luggage compartment lamps in
the sport wagon function in the same
manner.390de638

IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
107n
Interior lamps Reading lampsFootwell lamps The footwell lamps operate in the same
way as the interior lamps.
The reading lamps are located in the
front near the interior lamp. There are
also reading lamps in the rear. They can
be switched on and off with the switch
(arrow) adjacent to each lamp.
In order to conserve the battery,
all of the lamps in the vehicle
are switched off automatically approx.
15 minutes after the ignition key is
turned to position 0.<
394de301

108n
390us706Air conditioner

IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
109n
Air conditioner1 Air flow directed toward the wind-
shield and side windows
2 Air flow for the upper body
The side rotary dials allow you to
open and close the air supply over
an infinitely-variable range, while
the levers change the airflow direc-
tion. The center rotary dial controls
the temperature of the air as it flows
out, refer to page 111
3 Front footwell ventilation
4 Rear footwell ventilation
5 Airflow for the upper body in
the rear111
6 Temperature110
7 Air distribution toward
>the windows
>the upper body
>the footwell
All intermediate settings are
possible. Refer to page 110
8 Air supply110
The climate control is active when
the blower is switched on
9 Rear window defroster110
10 Cooling110
11 Recirculated air mode111

110n
Air conditionerTips for a pleasant driving
experienceTemperature 6 is recommended for a
comfortable setting at 707 (226).
Turn the air distribution 7 to the
"6 o'clock" position. Adjust the air sup-
ply 8 to the center setting. Set the out-
lets 2 so that the air flows past you and
is not directed straight at you. Set the
rotary dial between the outlets 2 for the
upper body to a central position so that
cooler air helps prevent fatigue during
the journey.
The following description will lead you
through additional individual adjust-
ments.Temperature
The graduations on the dial
provide general reference val-
ues for the interior tempera-
ture. We recommend 707
(226) as a comfortable setting. When
you start the vehicle, this system ad-
justs the air to the selected temperature
as quickly as possible, and then main-
tains that temperature constantly.
Air distribution
You can direct air to flow onto
the windows , toward the
upper body and into the
footwell . You can also
select all intermediate settings. In the
setting, there is a low flow of air onto
the windows to keep them free of con-
densation. The "6 o'clock" setting is
recommended for normal conditions
(refer to the illustration and overview on
page 108).
Air supply
You can adjust the air supply
over an infinitely-variable
range. The heating and venti-
lation become increasingly
effective as the air supply settings are
increased. In the "0" setting, the blower
and climate control are switched off
and the outside air supply is blocked.
Rear window defroster
When the rear window de-
froster is activated, the indi-
cator lamp comes on. The rear window
defroster switches off automatically.
Cooling
The air is cooled and dehu-
midified and – depending on
the temperature setting – warmed again
with the air conditioner system
switched on. Depending on the
weather, the windshield may fog over
briefly when the engine is started.
Switch off the air conditioner at outside
temperatures below approx. 427
(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
conditioner system during opera-
tion, which then exits under the vehicle.
Traces of condensed water of this kind
are thus normal.<

IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
111n
Air conditionerRecirculated air mode
If there are unpleasant
odors in the outside air, you
can temporarily block the flow of air.
The system then recirculates the air
currently within the vehicle
If you have a multifunction steering
wheel with the button for recirculated
air, you can also use this button to
switch to the recirculated air mode
(refer to page 25).
If the windows fog over in the re-
circulated air mode, switch the re-
circulated air off and increase the air
supply as required.<
Draft-free ventilation You can adjust the blower controls for
the upper body area to select the opti-
mum airflow rates and directions for
your personal requirements:
Use the rotary dials 1 to open and close
the air outlets over an infinitely-variable
range. You can adjust the direction of
the airflow using the rotary dial 2.
Set the air outlets so that the air flows
past you and is not directed straight at
you.
Rotary dial 3 allows you to control the
temperature of the airflow from these
outlets as desired:
>Turn toward blue – colder.
>Turn toward red – warmer.390de051
Rear passenger area ventilationRotary dial 1 opens the outlets over an
infinitely-variable range. You can
change the direction of the airflow
with the levers 2.
The air that flows out here is somewhat
cooler than the air delivered to the foot-
well.390de355

112n
Air conditionerMicrofilter The microfilter removes dust and pollen
from the incoming air. Your BMW cen-
ter will replace it during routine mainte-
nance. A substantial reduction in airflow
indicates that the filter needs to be re-
placed early.
Cooling1 You can specify an interior tempera-
ture comfortable for you, e.g. 707
(226) by turning the rotary tempera-
ture dial.
2 Switch on the air conditioner.
3 Set the air distribution rotary dial
to .
4 Set the blower/air supply rotary dial
to the middle zone.
5 Open the air outlets for the upper
body.
6 Select a temperature that is
comfortable for you with rotary dial 3.
Refer to "Draft-free ventilation" on
page 111.390us707
Rapid ventilation1 You can specify an interior tempera-
ture comfortable for you, e.g. 707
(226), by turning the rotary temper-
ature dial.
2 Switch on the air conditioner and
recirculated air mode.
3 Set the air distribution rotary dial
to .
4 Turn the blower/air supply rotary dial
completely to the right.
5 Open the air outlets for the upper
body.
6 Set rotary dial 3 to cold (blue).
Refer to page 111.390us708