2001 BMW 540I SEDAN service

24n
Indicator and warning lamps
Automatic Stability Control plus
Traction (ASC+T)/Dynamic Sta-
bility Control (DSC)
* l
The ASC+T/DSC has been switched off
or has been deactivated because of a
malfunction. In the event of a malfunc-
tion, have the system checked by your
BMW center.
For additional information: refer to
page 102.
Engine electronics
*
There is a fault in the engine's
electronic control system. The
electronics allow for continued driving
with reduced engine output or rpms.
Please have the system inspected by
your BMW center.
Service Engine Soon l
If the indicator lamp comes on
either continuously or intermit-
tently, this indicates a fault in the emis-
sions-related electronic systems.
Although the vehicle remains opera-
tional, you should have the systems
checked by your BMW center at the
earliest possible opportunity.
For additional information: refer to
page 178.
Service Engine Soon warning
lamp for Canadian models.
Green: for your information
Turn signal
Flashes when the turn signals
are in operation. Rapid flashing
indicates a system malfunction.
For additional information: refer to
page 78.
Cruise control
Lights up when the cruise con-
trol is activated. Available for
operation via the multifunction steering
wheel.
For additional information: refer to
page 81.
Fog lamps
Lights up whenever you switch
on the fog lamps.
For additional information: refer to
page 106.
Blue: for your information
High beams
Lights up when the high beams
are on or the headlamp flasher
is actuated.
For additional information: refer to
pages 78 and 106.

28n
RefuelingFuel filler door
Before refueling, shut the engine
off. If the engine is running, fuel
cannot be filled into the tank and the
Service Engine Soon lamp may come
on.<
To open the filler door, press on the
front edge.
To unlock the filler door if the central
locking system fails, refer to page 198.
When handling fuels, comply with
all of the applicable safety precau-
tions and regulations pertaining to
fuels.
Never carry spare fuel containers in
your vehicle. Whether empty or full,
these containers can leak, cause an ex-
plosion, or lead to fire in the event of a
collision.< 394de011
Simple and friendly to the environment
Open the filler cap carefully to
prevent fuel from spraying out.
Fuel spray may cause injury.
Do not top off. Topping off may cause
fuel spillage.<
Keep the filler cap in the bracket
attached to the fuel filler door.390de603
When refueling, insert the filler nozzle
completely into the filler pipe. Pulling
the nozzle out of the pipe during refuel-
ing
>results in premature pump shutoff
>and will reduce the effect of the vapor
recovery system on the pump.
As long as the filler nozzle is used prop-
erly, the fuel tank is full whenever the
nozzle shuts off the first time.
Tank capacity: refer to page 223.
Close the filler cap carefully after
refueling until a "click" is heard.
While closing, be sure not to squeeze
the strap which is fastened to the cap.
A loose or missing cap will activate the
message "CHECK FILLER CAP" in the
Check Control
* or the Service Engine
Soon lamp.<

34n
Locks and security systems:
Keys 36
Electronic vehicle immobilizer 37
Central locking system 38
Opening and closing –
from the outside 38
With the key 38
With the remote control 38
Opening and closing – from the inside 42
Luggage compartment lid/ Tailgate 43
Rear window 44
Luggage compartment 46
Alarm system 47
Electric power windows 49
Sliding/Tilt sunroof 50
Adjustments:
Seats 52
Steering wheel 56
Mirrors 56
Seat, mirror and steering wheel memory 58
Car Memory, Key Memory 60
Passenger safety systems:
Safety belts 61
Airbags 62
Transporting children safely 66Driving:
Steering/Ignition lock
68
Starting the engine 68
Switching off the engine 69
Parking brake 70
Manual transmission 70
Automatic transmission 72
Automatic transmission with Steptronic 75
Indicator/Headlamp flasher 78
Wiper/Washer system 78
Rear window defroster 80
Cruise control 81
Everything under control:
Odometer, outside temperature display 83
Tachometer 84
Energy control 84
Fuel gauge 84
Coolant temperature gauge 85
Service Interval Display 85
Check Control 86
Computer 89
Multi-information display (MID) 91
Digital clock in the MID 92
Computer in the MID 95

IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Overview
Controls and features
Operation, care
and maintenance
Owner service procedures
Technical data
Index Advanced technology
35n
Technology for safety and
driving convenience:
Park Distance Control
(PDC)100
Automatic Stability Control plus
Traction (ASC+T)/Dynamic
Stability Control (DSC)102
Tire Pressure Control (RDC)103
Lamps:
Parking lamps/Low beams105
Instrument lighting105
High beams/Parking lamps106
Fog lamps106
Interior lamps106
Reading lamps107
Controlling the climate for
pleasant driving:
Air conditioner108
Automatic climate control114
Seat heating119
Steering wheel heating120
Roller sun blind120
Independent ventilation
system120Cabin convenience:
BMW Universal Transmitter121
Glove compartment124
Storage facilities124
Cellular phone125
Beverage holder 125
Ashtray, front126
Cigarette lighter126
Ashtray, rear127
Loading and transporting
cargo:
Through-loading system128
Ski bag129
sport wagon:
Luggage compartment132
Roll-up cover132
Partition net132
Storage areas in the luggage
compartment133
Cargo loading136
Roof-mounted luggage rack137

IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
69n
Starting the engine Switching off the engineStarting the engine>Start the engine. Do not press the
accelerator pedal.
Do not actuate the starter for too
short a time. Do not turn it for
more than approx. 20 seconds. Release
the ignition key immediately as soon as
the engine starts.
Do not allow the engine to warm up by
leaving it running while the vehicle re-
mains stationary. Instead, begin driving
immediately at a moderate engine
speed.
BMW 540i with automatic transmission:
Your BMW is equipped with the conve-
nience starting feature. Simply turn the
key to position 3 (starter) and then re-
lease it immediately.
The starter continues to operate auto-
matically.
The automatic starting mode will not
operate if the battery voltage is low.
Should this condition arise, it remains
possible to jump-start the engine (refer
to page 200).<
Should the engine fail to start on the
first attempt (if it is very hot or cold, for
instance):
>Press the accelerator pedal halfway
down while engaging the starter.
Cold starts at extremely low tempera-
tures, from approx. +57 (–156)
and at elevations above 3,300 ft
(1,000 meters):
>Be sure to let the starter remain
engaged somewhat longer the first
time (approx. 10 seconds).
>Press the accelerator pedal halfway
down while engaging the starter.
Engine idle speed is controlled by the
engine computer system. Increased
speeds at start-up are normal and
should decrease as the engine warms
up. If engine speed does not decrease,
service is required.
To prevent the battery from discharg-
ing, always deactivate electrical de-
vices which are not in use. Switch the
ignition off when the vehicle is not
being driven.Turn the ignition key to position 1 or 0.
Never remove the ignition key
while the vehicle is rolling. The
steering locks, making it impossible to
steer the vehicle.
Always remove the ignition key and en-
gage the steering lock before leaving
the vehicle.
Vehicles with manual transmission:
Always engage the parking brake
when parking on slopes and inclined
surfaces, since not even placing the
lever in 1st gear or reverse may not
provide adequate resistance to rolling.
Vehicles with automatic transmission:
Place the selector lever in "Park."<
Vehicles with automatic transmission
*:
The vehicle must be stationary and the
selector lever in "Park" before you can
remove the ignition key.

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

IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
87n
Check Control>RELEASE PARKINGBRAKE
>COOLANT TEMPERATURE
The coolant is overheated. Stop the
vehicle immediately and switch off
the engine. Refer to pages 85
and 16 7.
>STOP!ENGINE OILPRESS
The oil pressure is too low. Stop the
vehicle immediately and switch off
the engine. Refer to page 22.
>CHECK BRAKE FLUID
Indicates that brake fluid is down to
roughly minimum level. Top up the
brake fluid at the next opportunity.
Refer to page 168. Have the source
of the brake fluid loss diagnosed and
corrected by your BMW center.
>TIRE DEFECT
*
Reduce vehicle speed immediately
and stop the vehicle. Avoid hard
brake applications. Do not oversteer.
Refer to page 104.
>SELFLEVEL SUSP.INACT
Please consult the nearest authorized
BMW center. Refer to page 148.
>SPEED LIMIT
*
Display if the programmed speed
limit has been exceeded.Priority 2
These displays appear for 20 seconds
when the ignition key is turned to posi-
tion 2. The warning symbols remain
after the message disappears. You can
display the messages again by pressing
the CHECK button 3:
>TRUNKLID OPEN
Message appears only when the
vehicle is initially set in motion.
>DOOR OPEN
This message appears after a mini-
mal defined road speed has been ex-
ceeded.
>FASTEN SEAT BELTS
*
In addition to this message, a
warning lamp with the safety belt icon
appears and an acoustical signal
sounds.
>WASHER FLUID LOW
Too low; top up fluid at the next
opportunity. Refer to page 164.
>CHECK ENGINE OIL LEV
The oil level is at the absolute mini-
mum, and therefore engine oil should
be added as soon as possible. Refer
to page 165. Until then, do not drive
more than approx. 30 miles (50 km)>CHECK FILLER CAP
Check that the filler cap is closed
correctly, refer to page 28. A loose or
missing cap will activate the message
"CHECK FILLER CAP" in the Check
Control
* or the Service Engine Soon
lamp.
>OUTSIDE TEMP. +207 (–56)
This display is only an example. The
current temperature is displayed at
outside temperatures of +37.57
(+36) and below. Refer also to
page 83.
>SET TIRE PRESSURE
*
The RDC has imported the current in-
flation pressure in the tires as the tar-
get values which the system will
monitor. Refer to page 103.
>CHECK TIRE PRESSURE
*
Check and correct the tire inflation
pressure to specifications at the earli-
est opportunity (next stop for fuel).
Refer to page 104.
>TIRECONTROL INACTIVE
*
A temporary interference of the RDC
or a system fault. Refer to page 104.
>CHECK BRAKE LIGHTS
A lamp has failed or the electrical cir-
cuit has a fault. Refer to pages 186
and 196 or consult a BMW center.

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