2001 BMW 540I SEDAN maintenance

IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
85n
Coolant 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.
If the the warning lamp lights up while
driving, or the message "Coolant tem-
perature" shows up in the Check Con-
trol
*, then the engine has overheated.
Switch the engine off immediately 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 167.
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

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

142nCatalytic converter
The 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. <

170n
The BMW Maintenance System has
been designed as a reliable means of
providing maximum driving and operat-
ing safety – and as cost-effectively as
possible for you.
Please keep in mind that regular main-
tenance is not only necessary for the
safety of your vehicle, but also plays a
significant role in maintaining the resale
value of the vehicle.
Service Interval Display
Advanced technology is employed to
calculate the optimal maintenance in-
tervals, which are then indicated in the
Service Interval Display. While conven-
tional systems rely on distance traveled
alone to determine when service is due,
the BMW Maintenance System has for
years considered the actual conditions
under which the vehicle operates, be-
390us702
cause mileage can be accumulated in
very different ways.
From a maintenance standpoint,
62,000 miles (100,000 km) accumulated
in short-distance urban driving are not
the equivalent of the same distance
covered at moderate speeds in long-
distance highway travel.
The BMW Maintenance System
includes the Engine Oil Service and
Inspections I and II.
Determining the maintenance intervals
according to the actual loads on the
vehicle covers every kind of operating
situation. However, even those who
drive only short distances – significantly
less than 6,000 miles (10,000 km) annu-
ally – should have the engine oil
changed at least every 2 years since oil
deteriorates over time, regardless of
use.Service and Warranty Information
Booklet (US models) or Warranty
and Service Guide Booklet (Cana-
dian models)
Please refer to the Service and War-
ranty Information Booklet (US models)
or to the Warranty and Service Guide
Booklet (Canadian models) for addi-
tional information on maintenance inter-
vals and procedures.
As a precaution against rust, it might be
a good idea to have the body checked
for damage from rocks or gravel at the
same time, depending upon operating
conditions. Have your BMW center do the
maintenance and repair.
Your BMW center is always informed on
the latest maintenance work and repair
techniques and equipped with the re-
quired special tools. In addition, check-
ing parts known from experience to be
subject to wear is a permanent part of
the maintenance specifications.
Be sure that all maintenance work is
confirmed in the Service and Warranty
Information Booklet (US models) or in
the Warranty and Service Guide Book-
let (Canadian models).
These entries will constitute your proof
that the vehicle has received regular
maintenance. They are also required in
the event of a warranty claim. <
The BMW Maintenance System

172nCaring for your car
Exterior finish
To provide effective corrosion protec-
tion, multilayer paintwork is applied at
the factory. Cataphoretic immersion
priming techniques are supplemented
using special body-cavity protectants,
with the application of specially-devel-
oped and extensively tested materials.
A layer of flexible PVC is first applied to
the undercarriage. Following this, a
comprehensive undercoating treat-
ment with a wax-based protectant is
applied.
Regular maintenance makes an impor-
tant contribution to maintaining the
safety and value of your vehicle.
Increasing awareness of the effects of
harmful environmental factors on vehi-
cle finishes have led paint and vehicle
manufacturers to initiate ongoing pro-
grams designed to further improve the
durability of their finishes. Despite this,
environmental factors that occur locally
or regionally can have negative effects
on the finish of your vehicle. These
should guide you in determining the fre-
quency and extent of your efforts to
maintain the vehicle finish. Depending upon material and type of
impact (perforation of paint layer), phys-
ical stresses from sand, road salt,
gravel, etc., can cause corrosion to
start extending beneath the finish, start-
ing at the point of impact.
Road dirt, tar spots, dead insects, ani-
mal droppings (strong alkali effect) and
tree excretions (resins and pollen) all
contain substances capable of causing
damage when allowed to remain on the
finish of your vehicle for any period of
time (spots, etching, flaking, separation
in the top coat).
In industrial areas, deposits from fly
ash, lime, oil deposits, sulfur-dioxide in
precipitation (acid rain) and other envi-
ronmental pollutants will all damage the
surface of the vehicle unless adequate
protection is provided.
In coastal regions, high levels of
atmospheric salt and humidity promote
corrosion.
In tropical zones, temperatures of over
105
7 (40 6) in the shade prevail, in
addition to heavy ultraviolet radiation
and high humidity. Under those circum-
stances, light exterior finishes reach
temperatures of up to 175 7 (80 6)
and dark finishes up to 250 7 (120 6).

Index
Data
Technology
Repairs
Car care
Controls
Overview
Overview
Controls and features Operation, care
and maintenance
Owner service procedures
Technical dataIndex
Advanced technology
181
n
Replacement procedures:
Onboard tool kit 182
Wiper blades 182
Lamps and bulbs 183
Changing a wheel 190
Battery 193
Fuses 196
In case of electrical
malfunction:
Fuel filler door 198
Sliding/Tilt sunroof 198
Tailgate 199
Assistance, giving and
receiving:
Jump-starting 200
Towing the vehicle 201

Index
Data
Technology
Repairs
Car care
Controls
Overview
193nChanging a wheel Battery
When storing the wheel, take care to
ensure that you do not damage the
retaining pin in the spare tire recess.
If light-alloy wheels other than original
BMW light-alloy wheels have been
mounted, it may be necessary to use
different lug bolts for those wheels.
Replace the defective tire as soon as
possible and have the new wheel/tire
balanced.
Size 255/40 R17 94 W
* tires on
the rear axle:
In the event of a puncture or other tire
failure, it may be necessary to mount
the spare tire of different size at the
rear. This tire is of full capacity in all
load and speed ranges. Nevertheless,
mount a tire of the correct size as soon
as possible. <
Battery posts, terminals, and re-
lated accessories contain lead
and lead compounds. Wash hands after
handling. <
Installation location
The battery is located behind the right-
hand side trim panel in the luggage
compartment.
Fold the trim panel down with the
handle at the top. On the sport wagon,
press the button.
If a subwoofer
* is installed on the sport
wagon, loosen the T-screw and swing
the subwoofer to the side.
390de610
Maintenance
The battery is absolutely maintenance-
free, that is, the original electrolyte will
normally last for the service life of the
battery under moderate climatic condi-
tions.
Symbols
You will find the following symbols on
your vehicle battery. To avoid injury,
please comply with the corresponding
precautions whenever you work with or
near the battery.
Please read the following infor-
mation before working with the
battery.
Wear eye protection. Do not al-
low particles containing battery
acid or lead to come into con-
tact with your eyes, your skin, or your
clothing.
Battery acid is extremely corro-
sive. Wear eye protection and
protective gloves. Do not tip the
battery. Battery acid can leak from the
ventilation openings.
Be sure that children keep well
away from batteries and battery
acid.

Index
Data
Technology
Repairs
Car care
Controls
Overview
Overview
Controls and features Operation, care
and maintenance
Owner service procedures
Technical dataIndex
Advanced technology
205
n
Airbags 206
Adaptive Transmission Control (ATC) 207
Automatic Stability Control plus Traction (ASC+T)/Dynamic
Stability Control (DSC) 208
BMW active seat 210
Safety belt tensioner 210
DSP sound system 211
Mirrors with automatic dimmer 211
Rain sensor 212
Tire Pressure Control (RDC) 213
Integrated rear suspension 214
Level control system 214
Xenon lamps 215