2001 BMW 540I SEDAN parking brake

88n
Check Control>CHECK LOWBEAM LIGHTS
CHECK SIDE LIGHTS
CHECK REAR LIGHTS
CHECK FRONT FOGLAMPS
CHECK LICPLATE LIGHT
CHECK HIGHBEAM LIGHTS
CHECK BACK UP LIGHTS
Defective bulb or circuit. Refer to
pages 183 and 196 or consult your
BMW center.
>TRANS. FAILSAFE PROG
Please consult the nearest BMW
center. Refer to pages 74, 77.
>CHECK BRAKE LININGS
Have the brake pads inspected by
your BMW center. Refer to page 146.
>CHECK COOLANT LEVEL
Coolant too low, top up at the next
opportunity. Refer to page 167.
>ENGINE FAILSAFE PROG
*
The electronics allow for continued
driving with reduced engine output or
rpms.
Please have the system inspected by
your BMW center.
Displays after completion of tripAll of the malfunctions registered during
the trip appear consecutively when the
key is turned to position 0.
One of the following displays may ap-
pear:
>LIGHTS ON
>KEY IN IGNITION LOCK
>CHECK ENGINE OIL LEV
Add engine oil at the next opportunity
(next stop for fuel). Refer to page 16 5.
Display appears when you open the
driver's door after parking the vehicle.
A supplementary gong is also heard.
Status reports remain available for a
period of approx. three minutes after
the display goes out and the key is re-
moved from the ignition. Press the
CHECK button. If there were multiple
reports, press the CHECK button re-
peatedly to view them all in sequence.
To check the Check ControlPress the CHECK button 3 with the
ignition key in position 2:
CHECK CONTROL OK appears in the
display.
No malfunctions are present in the
monitored systems.
You can have the Check Control
messages displayed in a different
language.<

140nBreak-in procedure
To ensure that your vehicle provides
maximum economy throughout a long
service life, we request that you ob-
serve the following.
Engine and differential
Up to 1,200 miles (2,000 km):
Drive at varying engine speeds and
road speeds, but do not exceed
4,500 rpm and the following road
speeds during this initial period:
BMW 525i, 530i: 100 mph (160 km/h)
BMW 540i: 106 mph (170 km/h)
Obey your local and state maximum
speed limits.
Refrain from using full throttle and avoid
pressing the accelerator beyond the
kickdown point.
Once you have driven 1,200 miles
(2,000 km), engine and vehicle speeds
can gradually be increased.
You should also comply with these
break-in procedures if the engine or dif-
ferential is replaced later in the course
of the vehicle service life.
Tires
Due to technical factors associated
with their manufacture, tires do not
achieve their full traction potential until
an initial break-in period has elapsed
for this reason, drive with extra care
during the initial 200 miles (300 km).
Obey your local and state maximum
speed limits.
When the vehicle is operated on
wet or slushy roads, a wedge of
water may form between the tire and
the road surface. This phenomenon is
referred to as aquaplaning, or hydro-
planing, and can lead to partial or com-
plete loss of traction, vehicle control
and braking effectiveness. Reduce your
speed on wet roads. <
Brake system
Approximately 300 miles (500 km) must
elapse before the brake pads and ro-
tors achieve the optimal pad-surface
and wear patterns required for trouble-
free operation and long service life later
on.
To break in the separate parking brake
drums, apply the parking brake lightly
when coasting to a standstill (at a traffic
signal, for instance), provided that traf-
fic conditions allow you to do so. To
avoid corrosion, repeat this procedure
from time to time.
The brake lamps do not come on
when the parking brake is applied.
Vacuum for the brake system servo unit
on your BMW is available only when the
engine is running. When you move the
car with the engine shut off – when
towing, for instance – substantially
higher levels of pedal force will be
required to brake the vehicle. <
Clutch
The clutch will also begin to function
optimally after about 300 miles
(500 km). Engage the gears carefully
during the break-in period.

148nWinter operation Power steering Level control system*
Skid control
Release the accelerator pedal and
depress the clutch pedal. Countersteer
carefully and attempt to regain control
of the vehicle.
Parking
Engage 1st or reverse gear. If your
vehicle is equipped with an automatic
transmission, place the selector lever in
"Park." On vehicles with manual trans-
mission, also apply the parking brake
when parking on inclined surfaces. In
order to prevent the parking brake pads
from locking due to frost or corrosion,
dry them by gently applying the parking
brake as the vehicle is coming to a
stop. Make sure that following traffic is
not endangered.
The brake lamps do not come on
when the parking brake is
applied. <
If there is a change in steering behavior,
for instance greater steering effort or if
steering becomes lighter as speed
increases in vehicles equipped with
Servotronic
*:
Contact your BMW center for an
inspection.
If the power steering fails,
increased effort will be required
to steer the vehicle. <
The warning lamp for the level
control system comes on, or the
message "LEVEL CONTROL
INACTIVE" appears in the Check
Control
*: there is a malfunction in the
level control system.
Stop and inspect the vehicle. If it is
riding significantly lower in the rear than
in the front, or if it is sitting at an incline
(left rear compared to right rear),
consult the nearest authorized BMW
center. Drive with appropriate caution
in the meantime. The vehicle has
reduced ground clearance or driving
comfort is noticeably reduced.
Even if the attitude of the vehicle is
normal, you should consult the nearest
BMW center if the warning lamp indi-
cates a system fault.

190nChanging a wheel
Safety measures in the event of a
flat tire or wheel change:
Stop the vehicle as far as possible from
passing traffic. Park on a firm, flat,
surface. Switch on the hazard warning
flashers.
Turn the steering wheel to the straight-
ahead position, remove the key and
engage the steering lock. Shift into 1st
or reverse (selector lever in Park with
automatic transmission) and engage
the parking brake.
All passengers should be outside the
vehicle and well away from your imme-
diate working area (behind a guardrail,
for instance).
If necessary, set up your warning trian-
gle or portable hazard warning lamp on
the roadside at an appropriate distance
from the rear of the vehicle. Comply
with all safety guidelines and regula-
tions.
Change the wheel only on a level, firm
surface which is not slippery. Avoid
jacking the vehicle on a soft or slippery
support surface (snow, ice, loose
gravel, etc.), since it could slide side-
ways.Position the jack on a firm support
surface.
Do not place wooden blocks or similar
objects under the jack. If this is done,
the jack might not be able to reach its
full support capacity because of the
limited height.
Do not lie under the vehicle or start the
engine when the vehicle is supported
by the jack – risk of fatal injury. <
What you will need
In order to avoid rattling noises later,
note the position of the tools when you
remove them and return them to their
original position when you are through
using them.
> Car jack
sedan: fold back the luggage com-
partment floor mat for access, then
unscrew the wingnut to release the
jack (arrow).
sport wagon: raise the floor panel
and spare tire cover (refer to
page 134).
When you have completed work,
screw the jack all the way back
down. Fold the handle back and in-
sert it in its holder
> Wedge (wheel chock)
Located next to the jack. Loosen the
wing nut to remove it
394de090

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 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