2001 BMW 540I SEDAN engine coolant

Index
Data
Technology
Repairs
Car care
Controls
Overview
Overview
Controls and features Operation, care
and maintenance
Owner service procedures
Technical dataIndex
Advanced technology
139
n
Special operating instructions:
Break-in procedure 140
Driving notes 141
Catalytic converter 142
Antilock Brake System (ABS) 143
Disc brakes 144
Brake system 146
Winter operation 146
Power steering 148
Level control system 148
Cellular phone 149
Radio reception 149
Wheels and tires:
Tire inflation pressure 150
Tire condition 150
Tire replacement 151
Tire rotation 152
Wheel and tire combinations 153
Winter tires 154
Snow chains 155
Approved wheel and tire specifications 156 Under the hood:
Hood
159
Engine compartment 160
Washer fluids 164
Washer nozzles 164
Engine oil 165
Coolant 167
Brake fluid 168
Vehicle Identification Number 169
Care and maintenance:
The BMW Maintenance System 170
Caring for your car 171
Airbags 176
Vehicle storage 176
Laws and regulations:
Technical modifications 177
California Proposition 65 Warning 177
OBD interface socket 178

Index
Data
Technology
Repairs
Car care
Controls
Overview
161n
1 Auxiliary terminal for jump starting 200
2 Reservoir for brake fluid (under the housing of the microfilter) 168
3 Engine oil dipstick 165
4 Coolant expansion tank 167
5 Engine oil filler neck 165
6 Reservoir for intensive-cleaning system
*164
7 Reservoir for windshield and headlamp washer system
*164
Engine compartment – BMW 525i, 530i

Index
Data
Technology
Repairs
Car care
Controls
Overview
163nEngine compartment – BMW 540i
1 Reservoir for brake fluid (under the
housing of the microfilter) 168
2 Auxiliary terminal for jump starting 200
3 Engine oil dipstick 165
4 Engine oil filler neck 165
5 Coolant expansion tank 167
6 Reservoir for intensive-cleaning system
*164
7 Reservoir for headlamp washer
* and
windshield washer system 164

Index
Data
Technology
Repairs
Car care
Controls
Overview
167nEngine oil Coolant
Comply with the applicable envi-
ronmental laws regulating the dis-
posal of used oil. <
Recommendation: have the oil changed
by your BMW center. Continuous exposure to used oil
has caused cancer in laboratory
testing. For this reason, any skin areas
that come into contact with oil should
be thoroughly washed with soap and
water.
Always store oil, grease, etc., out of
reach of children. Comply with all warn-
ing labels and information on lubricant
containers. < Do not add coolant to the cooling
system when the engine is hot. If
you attempt to do so, escaping coolant
can cause burns.
To avoid the possibility of damage later
on, never use anything other than fac-
tory-approved, nitrite and amino-free
extended-duty antifreeze with corrosion
inhibitor. Your authorized BMW center
is familiar with the official specifica-
tions.
Antifreeze and anticorrosion agents are
hazardous to health. You should always
store them in their original container
and in a location which is inaccessible
to children.
Extended-duty antifreeze with corro-
sion inhibitor contains the flammable
substance ethylene glycol. For this rea-
son, do not spill antifreeze with corro-
sion inhibitor on hot engine parts. It
could catch fire and cause serious
burns. <
Comply with the applicable envi-
ronmental laws regulating the dis-
posal of extended-duty antifreeze with
corrosion inhibitor. <
Checking coolant level
Correct coolant level when the engine
is cold (approx. 68 7/20 6):
Unscrew the cap from the expansion
tank.
The coolant level is correct when the
upper end of the red float is at least
even with the upper edge of the filler
neck (refer to the arrow in the illustra-
tion), but no more than 0.8 in (2 cm)
above it – that is, up to the second mark
on the float (refer also to the schematic
diagram next to the filler neck).
380de081

168nCoolant Brake fluid
Adding coolant
Wait until the engine cools before
removing the cap from the expansion
tank. The needle of the coolant temper-
ature gauge in the instrument cluster
must be located in the blue zone; other-
wise, there is a danger of scalding.
1 Start by turning the cap counter-
clockwise. Pause to allow any
accumulated pressure to escape,
then open.
2 If the coolant is low, slowly add coolant until the correct level is
reached – do not overfill.
The coolant is a mixture of water and
extended-duty antifreeze with corrosion
inhibitor. Always maintain the pre-
scribed all-season 50:50 mixture ratio
for year-round protection against inter-
nal corrosion. No other additives are re-
quired.
Replace the coolant every four years.
If the indicator lamp for the
brake hydraulic system comes
on or if the "CHECK BRAKE
FLUID" warning appears in the
Check Control
*: the brake fluid
level is too low in the reservoir.
The brake fluid reservoir is located
under the microfilter housing on the
driver's side of the car. Should you de-
termine that the brake fluid is low, refer
the problem to your BMW center, who
can trace and rectify any sources of
leakage when refilling the reservoir.
Your BMW center is familiar with the
specifications for approved brake
fluids (DOT 4).
Brake fluid loss results in extended
pedal travel. For this situation, refer to
the notes on page 146.
Brake fluid is hygroscopic, that is,
it absorbs moisture from the air
over time.
In order to ensure the safety and
reliability of the brake system, have
the brake fluid changed every two years
by an BMW center. Refer also to the
Service and Warranty Information
Booklet (US models) or to the Warranty
and Service Guide Booklet (Canadian
models).
Brake fluid is toxic and damages the
vehicle's paint. You should always store
it in its original container and in a loca-
tion which is out of reach of children.
Do not spill the fluid and do not fill the
brake fluid reservoir beyond the "MAX"
mark. The brake fluid could ignite upon
contact with hot engine parts and
cause serious burns. <
Comply with the applicable
environmental laws regulating the
disposal of brake fluid. <

Everything from A to Z

A
ABS (Antilock Brake
System)23, 143
Accessories6
Activated-charcoal
filter119
Active seat55, 210
Adaptive Transmission
Control (ATC)72, 207
Add
antifreeze168

t

brake fluid168

t

engine coolant168

t

engine oil165

t

washer fluids164

t

Adjust washer
nozzles164

t

Adjusting
backrest angle53
backrest, forward/
backward52
seats52
steering wheel56
temperature110, 116
thigh support55
Air conditioner108
Air distribution110, 116
Air outlets108, 114
Air pressure29

t

, 150

t

Air supply110, 117
Air vent108, 114Airbags23, 62, 176, 206
Alarm system47
Antennas149
Antifreeze167

t

radiator146
Antilock Brake System
(ABS)23, 143
Anti-theft alarm system47
Anti-theft protection39
Approved axle weight221
Approved gross vehicle
weight221
Approved roof load
capacity221
Aquaplaning141, 150
Arrival time97
ASC+T/DSC (Automatic
Stability Control plus
Traction/Dynamic Stability
Control)24, 102, 208
Ashtray126
ATC (Adaptive Transmission
Control)72, 207
Attach vacuum cleaner127
AUC (Automatic
recirculated-air
control)117
Automatic car washes171
Automatic climate
control114
remove condensation from
windows117Automatic cruise control81
Automatic curb monitor59
Automatic dimming
interior rearview mirror57
Automatic rear window
cleaning80
Automatic recirculated-air
control (AUC)117
Automatic Stability Control
plus Traction/Dynamic
Stability Control (ASC+T/
DSC)24, 102, 208
Automatic transmission72
Automatic transmission with
Steptronic75
Average fuel
consumption89
Average speed89, 98
Avoid false alarms48

t

Axle loads221

B
Backrest, adjusting52, 55
Backup lamps71
bulb replacement186

t

Battery193

t

, 224
capacity224
charge condition194

t

charging194
discharged200

t

removing and
installing195

t

Belts61
Beverage holder125
Blower110, 117
BMW active seat55, 210
BMW comfort seat54
BMW sports seat55
BMW Universal
Transmitter121
Body-cavity protectant172
Brake faults146

t

Brake hydraulic
system22, 146
Brake lamps, bulb
replacement186

t

Brake system140
brake faults146
brake fluid168
brake lamps, bulb
replacement186
brake pads23
disc brakes144
parking brake23, 70
Brake-in procedure140
Break-resistant security
glass174
care174

t

Bulb replacement183

t

C
California Proposition
65 Warning177
Capacity223

Everything from A to Z

229n

IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview

Car jack190

t

Car keys36
Car Memory60
Car phones, refer to the
seperate Owner's Manual
Car radio reception149
Car telephone125
Car wash171
Care
vehicle exterior172
vehicle interior174
Cargo loading136
Caring for the vehicle
finish173
Catalytic converter142
Cellular phone149
Center (high-mount) brake
lamp, bulb
replacement187
Central locking
system38, 42
Changing a tire190

t

Changing a wheel190

t

Charge indicator lamp22
Charging the battery194

t

Check air pressure30
Check button86
Check Control86

t

Check engine oil
level165

t

Check tire pressures29

t

Child restraint systems62
Child seat62, 66Child seat security67
Child-safety locks67
Cigarette lighter126
Cleaning headlamps79
Cleaning windshield78, 79
Clock92
Clock, refer also to the
onboard monitor
Cockpit16
Code98
activating98
de-activating98
selecting98
Cold start69
Combination switch78
Comfort seat54
Compartments124
Computer89, 95
average fuel
consumption89
average speed89
cruising range89
outside temperature89
remote control99
Computer, refer also to the
onboard monitor Owner's
Manual
Configure settings60
Consumption display84
Consumption, fuel97
Contamination on
paintwork172Convenience operation
sliding/tilt sunroof38
windows38
Convenience starting
feature69
Coolant146, 167
antifreeze146
temperature gauge85
Copyright notice4
Courtesy lamp, bulb
replacement189

t

Cover, sun blinds120
Cruise control81
Cruising range89, 97
Cup holder125
Curb weight221

D
Dashboard16
Data link connector for
Onboard Diagnostics178
Date
calling up92
changing92
Date, refer also to the
onboard monitor Owner's
Manual
Daytime-driving lamp105
DBC (Dynamic Brake
Control)23, 100, 145Deactivating99
interior motion
sensor40, 48
tilt sensor alarm
system40, 48
Deep water141
Defrost
rear window80

t

Defrost position113, 117
Defrost
windows113, 117

t

Difficult steering148

t

Digital clock92
Digital sound
processing211
Dimensions219
Dipstick, engine oil165

t

Disc brakes144
Disconnect the
battery195

t

Displacement218
Display lighting105
Displays18, 20
Distance96
Distance warning100
Diversity Antenna
system209
Divided rear-seat
backrest128
Door keys36

Everything from A to Z

Door locks, care146
Doors
emergency release38
manual operation38

t

remote control40
unlocking and locking38
DOT Quality Grades151
Drive belts224
Driving in winter146
Driving notes141
Driving through water141
DSC (Dynamic Stability
Control)24, 102, 208
DSP sound system211
refer also to the Radio
Owner's Manual
Dynamic Brake Control
(DBC)23, 100, 145
Dynamic Stability Control
(DSC)24, 102, 208

E
Electric power seat52
Electric power windows49
Electrical defect
fuel filler door198

t

sliding/tilt sunroof198

t

tailgate199
Electrical heating, exterior
mirror57
Electrical steering wheel,
adjusting56Electrical system224
Electronic vehicle
immobilizer37
Elements of operation16
Emergency operation
doors38

t

fuel filler door198

t

luggage compartment lid/
tailgate43, 199

t

sliding/tilt sunroof198

t

Energy control84
Engine
compartment160
coolant167
Engine oil
consumption165
grades166
level23
pressure22
specifications166

t

Engine specifications218
Error indicators86
Estimated time of arrival97
Exterior finish172
Exterior mirror56
electrical heating57
Exterior mirror with
automatic dimming
feature211

F
Failure messages86

t

Failure of an electrical
accessory196

t

Failure warnings86

t

Filler cap cover28
Filling capacities223
Filling the washer
reservoir164

t

First-aid kit27

t

Fittings, tow-starting and
towing201

t

Flashlight124
Flat tire150, 190

t

Fog lamp, bulb
replacement185

t

Footbrake144
Footwell lamps107
bulb replacement189

t

Forward/backward
adjustment, seats52, 55
Front fog lamps106
Front seat adjustment52
Frost protection,
radiator167
Fuel29
gauge84
quality29
tank capacity223
Fuel consumption97
average97
indicator84Fuel filler door, release after
electrical fault198
t
Fuses196

t

, 197

G
Gasoline29
gauge84
quality29
Glove compartment124
bulb replacement189
t

Gross vehicle weight221

H
Handbrake23, 70
Hands-free system125
Hazard warning
flashers27

t

Hazard warning
triangle27

t

Head restraints53
Headlamp covers,
care171

t

, 183

t

Headlamp flasher78
Headlamp washer
system164
Heated seats119
Heated steering wheel120
Heating and
ventilation108, 114
Heating while stopped118
Heating, rapid113
Heavy loads136