2001 BMW 540I SEDAN power steering

194nBattery
Never allow sparks or open
flame near the battery. Do not
smoke in the vicinity of the
battery. Avoid sparks from electrical
cables or electrical equipment. Turn the
key to position 0 in the steering lock
during the disconnection or connection
of the battery. Never short-circuit the
battery terminals. There is a danger of
injury from powerful sparks.
A highly-explosive gas is
generated when the battery is
charged.
If you happen to get acid in your
eyes, rinse thoroughly for
15 minutes with clear water.
Following that, consult a physician
immediately. If you get acid spray on
your skin or clothing, rinse with plenty
of water. If electrolyte is accidentally
swallowed, consult a physician immedi-
ately.
In order to protect the battery
case from ultraviolet radiation,
do not place it in direct sunlight.
A discharged battery can freeze. Store
the battery in areas where the tempera-
ture remains above freezing.
Charge condition
You can read the charge condition
of the battery with the "Magic Eye"
*
(a hydrometer):
> Green: adequate charge.
> Black: not charged adequately.
The battery must be recharged.
Please contact your BMW center.
> Yellow: replace the battery.
The projected service life of the
battery can only be reached if the
battery is fully-charged at all times.
Check the charge condition of the bat-
tery frequently if the vehicle is used pri-
marily for driving short distances. <
390de612
Charging the battery
If the battery is charged in the vehicle:
Do not charge the battery with the
engine running.
Before performing any work on
the electrical system, disconnect
the cable from the negative terminal. If
you do not, short circuits can create the
risk of fire or personal injury. <
If you plan to store the vehicle for more
than four weeks, disconnect the battery
from the vehicle electrical system by
disconnecting the cable at the negative
terminal and then recharge using a suit-
able charging device.
If you intend to store your vehicle for
longer than 12 weeks: remove the bat-
tery, charge it and store it in a cool (but
frost and dust-free) room. Every three
months and before reinstalling the bat-
tery, have it recharged. If it is not
recharged, it will not be serviceable.
Every time the battery is discharged,
especially over extended periods, its
service life is reduced.

202nTowing the vehicle
The towed vehicle should always
be the lighter of the two vehicles.
If this is not the case, it is no longer
possible to control vehicle response. <
Tow-starting
It is not possible to start the engine of
vehicles equipped with an automatic
transmission by towing or pushing.
For instructions on jump starting, refer
to page 200.
Never attempt to use your vehicle to
push another vehicle, since damage to
the energy-absorbing bumpers could
result.
Towing a vehicle with automatic
transmission
1 Place the selector lever in position N.
2 Towing speed: Max. 45 mph (70 km/h).
3 Towing distance: Max. 95 miles (150 km).
4 Leave the ignition key in position 1 to ensure that the brake lamps, turn sig-
nals, horn and windshield wipers re-
main operative, and to prevent the
steering lock detent from engaging.
5 Switch on the hazard warning flash- ers (observe country-specific regula-
tions).
Find some means of identifying the ve-
hicle in tow, for instance, place a sign
or warning triangle in the rear window.
Make sure that the ignition key
remains in position 1 even when
the electrical system has failed to pre-
vent the steering lock from engaging.
The steering and brakes are without
power assist when the engine is off.
This means that increased effort is
required for steering and braking. <
Towing with a commercial
tow truck
> Do not tow with sling-type equip-
ment.
> Use a wheel lift or flat bed carrier.
> Please comply with applicable towing
laws.
Never allow passengers to ride in
a towed vehicle for any reason. <
380us124

224nElectrical system Drive belts
Battery
12 V, 90Ah
Spark plugs
Bosch FGR 7 DQP or
NGK BKR 6 EQUP
This spark ignition system meets all
requirements of the Canadian Interfer-
ence-Causing Equipment Regulations
(ICES-2). BMW 525i, 530i:
Water pump – Generator –
Power steering
Drive belt 6 PK x 1538
A/C compressor
Drive belt 5 PK x 863
BMW 540i:
Water pump – Generator –
Power steering
V-belt 7 K x 1635
A/C compressor
V-belt 5 K x 1004 You can obtain Original BMW
Parts and Accessories, as well as
professional advice from your BMW
center. <

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

Everything from A to ZManual operation
doors38t
fuel filler door198t
luggage compartment lid/
tailgate43, 199
sliding/tilt sunroof198t
tailgate199t
Manual transmission70
Manually controlled
recirculated-air117
Master key36
Mechanical seat53
Memo93
Memory58
MFL (Multifunction steering
wheel)25
Microfilter112, 119
MID (Multi-Information
Display)91
computer95
digital clock92
Mirror56
heating57
memory58
Mirrors with automatic
dimming feature211
Mobile communication
systems, refer to the
separate Owner's Manual
Mobile phones149
Modifications,
technical6, 177
Moonroof51Multifunction steering wheel
(MFL)25
Multi-Information Display
(MID)91
NNeck rest53
Nonsmoker equipment126
Nozzles114OOBD connector178
OBD interface socket178
Odometer83
Oil
additives165
consumption165
grades166
Oil change interval, refer to
the Service and Warranty
Information Booklet (US
models) or to the Warranty
and Service Guide Booklet
(Canadian models)
Oil dipstick165
Oil level, indicator lamp23
Oil pressure, indicator
lamp23
Oil specifications166t
OILSERVICE85
Old batteries195Onboard computer, refer
also to computer
Onboard monitor, refer also
to the separate Owner's
Manual
Onboard tool kit182t
Opening and closing
from the inside42
from the outside38
Operating range89
Outlets, ventilation108, 114
Outside temperature89
display83
PPaint
blemishes172
care172
minor repairs173
waxing173
Paintwork, refer to paint
Park Distance Control
(PDC)100
Parking184
Parking brake23, 70
Parking help100
Parking lamp, bulb
replacement184t
Parking lamps106
Parking, winter148PDC (Park Distance
Control)100
Playing cassettes, refer to
the Radio Owner's Manual
Playing CDs, refer to the
Radio Owner's Manual
Pocket light124
Pollen112
Pollen filter119
Power51
Power steering148
Power windows49
safety switch50
Power-slip control, refer to
ASC+T/DSC102
Pressure, tire30, 150
monitoring103, 213
Pressure, tires29t, 150t
RRadio149
refer also to the separate
Owner's Manual
Radio reception149, 209
Rain sensor78, 171, 212
RDC (Tire Pressure
Control)103, 213
Reading lamps107
Rear window blind120
Rear window
defroster80, 110, 118
Rear window wiper80