2001 BMW 540I SEDAN window

IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
113n
Air conditionerRapid heating 1 You can specify an interior tempera-
ture comfortable for you, e.g. 707
(226), by turning the rotary temper-
ature dial.
2 Set the air distribution rotary dial
to .
3 Turn the blower/air supply rotary dial
completely to the right.
4 Close the air outlets in the rear
passenger area.390us709
To defrost windows and remove
condensation 1 You can specify an interior tempera-
ture comfortable for you, e.g. 707
(226), by turning the rotary temper-
ature dial.
2 Set the air distribution rotary dial
to .
3 Turn the blower/air supply rotary dial
completely to the right.
4 Close the air outlets in the rear
passenger area.
5 Switch on the rear window defroster
to defrost the rear window.390us710
HeatingWhen the windows are free of ice and
condensation, we recommend the fol-
lowing settings:
1 You can specify an interior tempera-
ture comfortable for you, e.g. 707
(226), by turning the rotary temper-
ature dial.
2 Set the air distribution rotary dial
to .
3 Set the blower/air supply rotary dial
to the middle zone.
4 Close the air outlets in the rear
passenger area.390de127390us711

IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
115n
Automatic climate control
*
1 Airflow directed toward the
windshield and side windows
2 Airflow for the upper body
The side rotary dials provide
infinitely-variable regulation of
the air supply, while the levers
change the airflow direction.
The center rotary dial controls the
temperature of the air as it
flows out118
3 Front footwell ventilation
4 Rear footwell ventilation
5 Airflow for the upper body in
the rear118
6 Automatic air distribution116
7 Individual air distribution116
8 Temperature control –
left-hand side116
9 Display for temperature and
air supply116, 11710 Temperature control –
right-hand side116
11 To defrost windshield and
windows117
12 Air conditioner117
13 Automatic recirculated air control
AUC117
14 Rear window defroster80, 118
15 Air supply117
16 Maximum cooling117
Residual heating mode118
17 Air grill for interior temperature
sensor – please keep clear and
unobstructed

116n
Automatic climate control
*
Tips for pleasant drivingUse the automatic system, that is,
press AUTO button 6. Select an interior
temperature that is comfortable for you
– we recommend 707 (226). When
the outside temperature is above 417
(56), you can also use the air condi-
tioner 12. This will dry the air and pre-
vent the window from fogging (for ex-
ample if people are wearing damp
clothes in the vehicle). Set the outlets 2
so that the airflows past you and is not
directed straight at you. Set the rotary
dial between the outlets 2 for the upper
body to a central position. This will pro-
vide cooler air, and help to prevent fa-
tigue during the journey.
Detailed setting options are described
for you in the following section.
You can make the settings of your
vehicle in such a manner that,
when you unlock the vehicle with the
remote control of your personal key,
your own personalized setting for the
automatic climate control is initiated.<
Automatic air distribution
The AUTO program assumes
the adjustment of the air
distribution and the air supply for you
and also adapts the temperature to
external influences (summer, winter) to
meet preferences you can specify. This
program maintains a comfortable in-car
climate regardless of the season. Select
an interior temperature that is pleasant
for you – we recommend 707 (226).
The selected temperature and AUTO
for the airflow appear in the display 9.
Refer to the overview on page 114.
Open the ventilation outlets for the
upper body. Switch on the air condi-
tioner 12 in warm weather. The maxi-
mum cooling capacity is achieved when
you set the rotary dial 3 (refer to
page 118) to cold.
Individual air distribution
You can cancel the AUTO
program by selecting specific
distribution patterns to suit
your own individual require-
ments. You can direct air to flow onto
the windows , toward the upper body
and into the footwell .
Temperature
You can make individual
temperature settings on the
driver's side or the front
passenger side. Your settings will be
shown in the display 9. The displayed
temperatures are reference values for
the interior temperature. We recom-
mend 707 (226) as a comfortable
setting, whether the air conditioner is
operating or not. When you start the
vehicle, the system ensures that the
selected temperature is achieved as
quickly as possible. It then maintains
this temperature, regardless of the
season.
Set the rotary dial 3 (refer to "Draft-free
ventilation" on page 118) to a medium
position to provide somewhat cooler
air. This helps to promote driving with-
out fatigue. Make use of this means of
mixing air especially for making minor
adjustments for personal comfort.
You can set uncontrolled heater
output at up to 907 (326). Full
cooling output is available from the air
conditioner down to 607 (166).<

IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
117n
Automatic climate control
*
Air supply
In the "AUTO" program, the
airflow is controlled automati-
cally. AUTO will appear in the display 9
(refer to the overview on page 114).
Use "+" and "– " to vary the airflow.
When your setting is displayed by bars,
the automatic airflow is switched off.
Automatic air distribution maintains its
setting. You can reactivate the auto-
matic airflow by pressing the "AUTO"
button.
When you press "– " during operation at
minimum blower speed all displays are
canceled: the blower, heating and air
conditioner are switched off. The out-
side air supply is closed. By pressing
any button of the automatic climate
control (except the "MAX" button 16),
you can switch the system back on.
To defrost windshield and
windows
This program quickly re-
moves ice and condensation
from the windshield and the side win-
dows.
Air conditioner
The air is cooled and dehu-
midified and – depending on
the temperature setting – warmed again
when the air conditioner system is
switched on. Depending on the
weather, the windshield may fog over
briefly when the engine is started.
Use the button to switch off the air con-
ditioner at outside temperatures below
approx. +417 (+56). This will help to
prevent the windows from fogging up.
If the windows fog over after switching
the air conditioner off, switch it back
on.
Condensation forms in the air
conditioner system during opera-
tion, which then exits under the vehicle.
Traces of condensed water of this kind
are thus normal.<
Maximum cooling
You will get maximum
cooling capacity using this
program if the engine is running and
the outside temperature is above
+41 7(+5 6).
The temperature display 9 jumps to
+61 7 (+16 6), the system switches
over to the recirculated-air mode, and
the air will only stream out of the venti-
lation grill with the maximum amount of
air flow. That is why you need to keep
these open if you select this program.
Automatic recirculated-air
control (AUC)
You can respond to unpleas-
ant external odors by tempo-
rarily stopping the flow of outside air.
The system then recirculates the air
currently within the vehicle. Press the
button repeatedly to run through the
following control sequence:
>Indicator lamps off: outside airflow
operational.

118n
Automatic climate control
*
>Left-hand indicator lamp on – AUC
mode: the system recognizes pollut-
ants in the outside air and blocks the
flow of air when necessary. The sys-
tem then recirculates the air currently
within the vehicle.
Depending on the air quality, the au-
tomatic system then switches back
and forth between outside air supply
and recirculation of the air within the
vehicle.
>Right-hand indicator lamp on: the
flow of external air into the vehicle is
permanently blocked. The system
then recirculates the air currently
within the vehicle.
If you have a multifunction steering
wheel with the recirculated-air button
(refer to page 25), you can also use it to
switch between "Off" and the recircu-
lated-air mode or AUC and the recircu-
lated-air mode.
If the windows should fog over in
the recirculated air mode, switch
the recirculated air mode off and in-
crease the air supply as required.<
Rear window defroster
When the rear window de-
froster is activated, the indica-
tor lamp comes on. The rear window
defroster switches off automatically.
Residual heating mode
The heat which is stored in
the engine is utilized for
heating the interior when the engine
has been switched off (while waiting at
a railroad crossing, for instance).
In ignition key position 1, you can alter
the settings of the automatic climate
control. In ignition key position 0, the
system automatically directs heated air
to the windshield, side windows and
footwells.
This function may be activated
when the outside temperature is
below approx. 597 (156), the engine
is at operating temperature, and the
battery is adequately charged. The LED
on the button will light up when all con-
ditions have been met.<
Draft-free ventilationYou can adjust the blower controls for
the upper body area to select the opti-
mum airflow rates and directions for
your personal requirements:
Use rotary dial 1 to open and close the
airflow through an infinitely-variable
range. You can also use the levers 2 to
change the direction of the airflow.
Set the outlets so that the air flows past
you and does not flow directly onto you.
Rotary dial 3 allows you to adjust the
airflow from these outlets by adding
heat or cooling as desired:
Turn toward blue – colder.
Turn toward red – warmer.390de051

120n
Steering wheel heating
*
Roller sun blind
*
Independent ventilation
*
To activate and cancel the steering
wheel heater, press the button (arrow)
with the ignition key in position 2.
The lamp within the button lights up
when the steering wheel heater is in
operation.
If you have a multifunction steering
wheel without steering wheel heating,
the button for the recirculated-air mode
is in this location (refer to page 25).390de656
To operate, press the key briefly with
the ignition key in position 1 or 2.Roller sun blinds for rear side
windows
*
Use the strap to extract the blinds, then
hook them in the attachment provided.390us718
This system allows you to ventilate the
interior and lower its temperature, using
the blower of the automatic climate
control.
The independent ventilation system is
operated via the Multi-Information Dis-
play (MID) – refer to page 94 – or the
onboard monitor. Refer to the separate
Owner's Manual.
You can set two different times for the
system to start; it will remain active for
30 minutes. You can also turn it on and
off directly. Since the system uses a
substantial amount of electrical current,
you should not activate it twice in suc-
cession without allowing the battery to
be recharged in normal operation
between use.
When a preselected activation time is
set, the independent ventilation system
is operational at outside temperatures
above 607 (166), or by direct switch
activation. It cannot be switched on
when the vehicle is moving.
The air emerges via the vent outlets for
the upper body. Therefore, the vents
must be open for the system to oper-
ate.

164nWasher fluids Washer nozzles
Headlamp* and windshield
washer system
Capacity in US quarts (liters).
Windshield washer:
approx. 3.7 (3.5) – sedan
approx. 6.3 (6.0) – sport wagon
Incl. headlamp washing system:
approx. 6.3 (6.0)
Fill with water and – if required – with a
washer antifreeze (according to manu-
facturer's recommendations).
We recommend that you mix the
washer fluid before adding it to
the reservoir. <
390de082
Intensive-cleaning washer
reservoir
*
Capacity approx. 1.1 US quarts
(1.0 liter).
Fill with intensive-cleaning washer fluid.
It resists freezing to approx. -17 7
(-27 6) and is available from your
BMW center.
Antifreeze agents or intensive-
cleaning washer fluids for the
washer systems are highly flammable.
For this reason, keep them away from
sources of flame and store them only in
their original containers. Store them so
that they are inaccessible to children.
Comply with the instructions on the
containers. <
390de083
Windshield washer
Windshield:
The spray from the nozzles should
be directed so as to ensure effective
cleaning, even at high speeds. Use
a needle to adjust the nozzles as
required, or have them adjusted at
your BMW center.
Rear window:
Have this system adjusted by your
BMW center as required.
Headlamp washer system
Have the nozzles adjusted by your
BMW center as required.

Index
Data
Technology
Repairs
Car care
Controls
Overview
173nCaring for your car
Caring for the vehicle finish
Regular washing is a preventive mea-
sure against long-term effects from
substances that are harmful to the vehi-
cle's finish, especially if you drive your
vehicle in areas with high levels of air
pollution or aggressive natural sub-
stances (tree resins, pollen).
Nevertheless, you should immediately
remove especially aggressive sub-
stances. Failure to do so can lead to
changes in the paint's chemical struc-
ture or to discoloration. Gasoline spilled
during refueling, oil, grease and brake
fluid should always be cleaned away
immediately, as should bird droppings
(finish damage).
Any contamination remaining on the
surface of the vehicle will be especially
conspicuous after washing. Use clean-
ing fluid or alcohol with a clean cloth or
cotton pad to remove. Remove tar
spots with tar remover. After cleaning,
the affected areas should be waxed to
ensure continued protection.
Use cleaning and car-care
products that you can obtain
at your BMW center. <
Waxing your car
Protect the finish using carnauba or
synthetic-based waxes only.
The best way to determine when the
finish needs to be waxed is by noting
when water stops beading on the sur-
face.
You can use a glass cleaner to remove
any wax or silicone that may have been
left on the windows during waxing.
Use cleaning and car-care
products that you can obtain
at your BMW center. <
Paint damage
You can touch up small areas of dam-
age with BMW spray paint or a BMW
touch-up stick.
The paint color code for your vehicle is
provided on a sticker located on the
right hand side under the hood and on
the first page of your Service and War-
ranty Information Booklet.
Damage caused by flying stones,
scratches, etc., must be touched up
without delay to prevent rust from form-
ing.
If corrosion has started to form in an
area with paint damage, remove all rust
and clean the area. Then prime the area
with a BMW Primer Stick. Finally, apply
the finish coat. After a few days, polish
and protect the touched-in areas.
More extensive paint damage should
be repaired professionally in accor-
dance with the manufacturer's instruc-
tions. Your BMW center uses original
BMW finish materials in accordance
with approved repair procedures.