2001 BMW 540I SEDAN Owners Manual

Index
Data
Technology
Repairs
Car care
Controls
Overview
177n
Any BMW center will be glad to inform
you of the advisability, legal require-
ments and factory recommendations
with regard to technical modifications
on the car. For this purpose, the center
requires the Vehicle Identification Num-
ber and, in some cases, also the engine
number.
Light-Emitting Diodes (LEDs)
Light-emitting diodes installed behind
translucent lenses serve as the light
source for many of the controls and dis-
plays in your vehicle. The concept be-
hind their operation is related to that
employed for lasers, and they are offi-
cially designated as Class 1 light-emit-
ting diodes. Do not remove the protective lens
and avoid staring directly at the
unfiltered beam for extended periods
(several hours), as inflammation of the
iris could result. <
California laws require us to state the
following warning:
Engine exhaust, some of its con-
stituents, and certain vehicle com-
ponents contain or emit chemicals
known to the State of California to
cause cancer and birth defects or other
reproductive harm. <
Technical modifications California Proposition 65 Warning

178nOBD interface socket
The Onboard Diagnostic (OBD) socket
is located on the left of the driver's side
at the bottom of the instrument panel
and under a cover (arrow).
The cover has the letters "OBD" on it.
The purpose of the OBD system is to
ensure proper emission control system
operation for the vehicle's lifetime by
monitoring emission-related compo-
nents and systems for deterioration and
malfunction.
390us249
An illuminated lamp informs you
of the need for service, not of
the need to stop the vehicle.
However, the systems should be
checked by your BMW center at the
earliest possible opportunity.
Under certain conditions, the indicator
will blink or flash. This indicates a rather
severe level of engine misfire. When
this occurs, you should reduce speed
and consult the nearest BMW center as
soon as possible. Severe engine misfire
over only a short period of time can se-
riously damage emission control com-
ponents, especially the catalytic con-
verter.
Service Engine Soon warning
lamp for Canadian models.When the filler cap is not properly
tightened, the OBD system can
detect the vapor leak and the indicator
will light up. If the filler cap is subse-
quently tightened, the indicator should
extinguish within a few days. <

Index
Data
Technology
Repairs
Car care
Controls
Overview
179n

180n

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

182n
Attached to the underside of the
luggage compartment lid/tailgate.
Unscrew the wingnut for access.
394de080
Front
1 Pull the wiper arm up slightly and hold it firmly.
2 Press back the release (arrow) and pull the wiper blade back toward the
base of the wiper arm.
3 Install the new blade and slide the release back into position.
390de097
Rear*
1 Hold the wiper blade on the window and remove/unclip the wiper arm at
the articulated joint (arrow).
2 Insert a new wiper blade and press it on/clip it into the wiper arm.
Use only wiper blades approved
by BMW. <
392de173
Onboard tool kit Wiper blades

Index
Data
Technology
Repairs
Car care
Controls
Overview
183nLamps and bulbs
The lamps and bulbs make essential
contributions to the safety of your vehi-
cle. For this reason, follow the instruc-
tions below carefully when replacing a
bulb. If you are not familiar with any of
the procedures, consult your BMW
center.
Do not touch the glass portion of a
new bulb with your bare hands
since even small amounts of impurities
burn into the surface and reduce the
service life of the bulb. Use a clean
cloth, paper napkin, or a similar mate-
rial, or hold the bulb by its metallic
base. <
A replacement bulb set is available from
your BMW center.
Whenever working on the electri-
cal system, switch off the electri-
cal accessory you are working on or
disconnect the cable from the negative
terminal of the battery. Failure to do this
could result in short circuits.
To prevent injuries and damage, com-
ply with any instructions provided by
the bulb manufacturer. <
The illustration shows the right-hand
engine compartment.
For checking and adjusting head-
lamp aim, please contact your
BMW center. <
1 Low beams
2 High beams
H7 bulb, 55 watts
The H7 bulb is pressurized. There-
fore, wear safety glasses and pro-
tective gloves. Failure to comply with
this precaution could lead to injury if the
bulb is accidentally damaged during re-
placement. <
390de668
1 Turn the bulb holder to the left (arrow)
and remove.
2 Remove and replace the bulb.
When cleaning the headlamps,
please observe the following:
> Do not wipe dry (scratches). Never
use abrasives or strong
solvents to clean the covers.
Remove dirt and contamination (such
as insects) by soaking with BMW Car
Shampoo and then rinsing with plenty
of water.
Always use a deicer spray to remove
accumulated ice and snow – never
use a scraper. <

184nLamps and bulbs
Xenon lamps*
The operating life of these lamp units is
extremely long and the likelihood of fail-
ure very low, provided that they are not
switched on and off a very great num-
ber of times. If one of these bulbs
should nevertheless fail, it is possible to
continue driving with great caution us-
ing the fog lamps, provided traffic laws
in your area do not prohibit this.
Because of the extremely high
voltages involved, any work on the
lighting system should be carried out by
technically-qualified personnel only.
Otherwise, there is a risk of fatal in-
jury. <
Parking lamp
10 watt bulb
The bulb holder and reflector are a
single unit and are both changed
at the same time. <
1 Turn the bulb holder with reflector to the left and remove.
2 Disconnect the plug.
3 Plug the new bulb holder into the plug connector. Be sure that it is
securely engaged.
4 Insert the reflector with bulb holder and turn to the right as far as
possible.
390de669
Front turn signal indicators/
Parking lamps (side marker
lamps)
Dual-filament bulb, 21 watt
1 Turn the bulb holder to the left and
remove.
2 Remove and replace the bulb.
390de670