2001 BMW 540I SEDAN Owners Manual

IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
25n
Multifunction steering wheel (MFL)The controls integrated in the multi-
function steering wheel (MFL) are pro-
vided so that you can operate a number
of accessories quickly and without be-
ing distracted from traffic conditions.
You may operate:
>Selected functions of the radio as
well as the CD and cassette modes,
>the recirculated air mode of the air
conditioner or
>the steering wheel heater
*,
>the cruise control,
>selected cellular phone functions and
>the voice recognition
*
In order to operate a system via
the MFL, the corresponding
systems must be switched on.<
The illustration shows the maximum
possible number of controls, corre-
sponding to a full range of optional
equipment. Refer to the individual
accessory manuals for more detailed
descriptions.
1 Press briefly:
Receive a phone call, initiate dialing,
terminate a call.
Press longer:
Turn voice recognition on and off
2 Radio/Cellular phone: select
3 Radio/Cellular phone: scan backward
or scan station keys or scroll through
the phone listings.
Rewind on the CD and cassette
modes
4 Radio/Cellular phone: volume380de702
5 Radio/Cellular phone: scan forward
or scan station keys or scroll through
the phone listings.
Fast forward on the CD and cassette
modes
6 Horn: the entire surface
7 Cruise control: activate stored
setting (resume)
8 Cruise control: store and
accelerate (+); decelerate and
store (–)
9 Cruise control: activate/interrupt/
deactivate
10 Recirculated-air mode and AUC or
steering wheel heater: switch on
and off

26n
Sports steering wheel
*
The controls integrated in the sports
steering wheel are provided so that you
can operate a number of accessories
quickly and without being distracted
from traffic conditions. You may oper-
ate:
>Selected radio functions as well as
the CD and cassette modes,
>the cruise control,
>selected cellular phone functions and
>the voice recognition
*
In order to operate a system via
the sports steering wheel, the cor-
responding systems must be acti-
vated.<
The illustration shows the maximum
possible number of controls, corre-
sponding to a full range of optional
equipment. Refer to the individual
accessory manuals for more detailed
descriptions.
1 Radio/Cellular phone: select
2 Press briefly:
Receive a phone call, initiate dialing,
and terminate a call.
Press longer:
Turn voice recognition on and off
3 Radio/Cellular phone: volume
4 Radio/Cellular phone: scan backward
or scan station keys or scroll through
the phone listings.
Rewind on the CD and cassette
modes46cde085
5 Radio/Cellular phone: scan forward
or scan station keys or scroll through
the phone listings.
Fast forward on the CD and cassette
modes
6 Horn: the entire surface
7 Cruise control: resume stored setting
8 Cruise control: store and
accelerate (+); decelerate and
store (–)
9 Cruise control: activate/interrupt/
deactivate

IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
27n
Hazard warning flashers Warning triangle
*
First-aid kit
*
The button flashes rhythmically when
the hazard warning flashers are on.
To help you locate the switch in an
emergency, the button is also illumi-
nated whenever the car's headlamps
are on.390de039
The hazard warning triangle is quickly
available, stored in the onboard tool kit
mounted on the inside of the luggage
compartment lid/tailgate.
To open the container, loosen the wing
screw.
Comply with legal requirements
which cover the availability of a
hazard warning triangle in the car.< 394de053
The first-aid kit is located under the
front passenger's seat.
To remove: lift the release lever on the
front (arrow) and pull the first-aid kit for-
ward out of its support.
To store: place the back of the kit into
the support, then push back until the le-
ver engages.
Some of the articles in the first-aid
kit may be used within a limited
time only. For this reason, check the
expiration dates of each of the items
regularly, and replace any whose expi-
ration dates have passed. You can
acquire replacements in any drugstore
or pharmacy.
Comply with legal requirements which
cover availability of a first-aid kit in your
vehicle.< 390de086

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.<

IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
29n
Fuel specifications Tire inflation pressureThe engine uses lead-free gasoline
only.
Required fuel:
>Premium Unleaded Gasoline,
min. 91 AKI
AKI = Anti Knock Index
Do not use leaded fuels. The use
of leaded fuels will cause perma-
nent damage to the system's oxygen
sensor and the catalytic converter.<
The inflation pressures are indicated on
a sticker attached to the B-pillar behind
the driver's door (visible with door
open).Check tire pressuresAll pressure specifications are indicated
in psi (kilopascal) for tires at ambient
temperature (refer also to the next
pages).
For vehicles with Tire Pressure Control
(RDC)
*:
After a correction of the tire inflation
pressure, reactivate the system. Refer
to page 103.
390de351
Check tire inflation pressures reg-
ularly – at least every two weeks
and before beginning a longer trip.
Incorrect tire pressure can lead to tire
damage and accidents.
Check the inflation pressure of the
spare tire also. Inflate the spare tire to
the highest inflation of any tire on your
vehicle.<
Comply with tire approval
specificationsThe inflation pressures in the table
apply to tires from BMW approved
manufacturers. Your BMW center is
familiar with these pressures. Higher
pressures may be specified for tires
from other manufacturers. You will find
a list of approved tires beginning on
page 156.
Your vehicle is equipped with tires that
meet US standards as well as European
standards. We recommend the exclu-
sive use of BMW approved tires.

30n
Tire inflation pressure sedan Tires
All pressure specifications in
the table are indicated in psi
(kilopascal) with cold tires
(cold = ambient temperature)
525i225/60 R 15 96 H M+S
225/55 R 16 95 H M+S
225/60 R 15 96 W
225/55 R 16 95 W
235/45 R 17 94 W/Y
205/65 R 15 94 Q M+S
225/60 R 15 96 Q M+S
225/55 R 16 95 Q M+S
235/45 R 17 94 Q M+S
Front: 235/45 R 17 94 W/Y
Rear: 255/40 R 17 94 W/Y–
29 (200)–
33 (230)33 (230)
33 (230)41 (280)
41 (280)
530i225/55 R 16 95 H M+S
225/55 R 16 95 W
235/45 R 17 94 W/Y
225/55 R 16 95 Q M+S
235/45 R 17 94 Q M+S
Front: 235/45 R 17 94 W/Y
Rear: 255/40 R 17 94 W/Y–
29 (200)–
33 (230)33 (230)
33 (230)41 (280)
41 (280)
(outside US/CDN)
(outside US/CDN)(US/CDN)
(US/CDN)

IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
31n
Tire inflation pressuresedan Tires
All pressure specifications in
the table are indicated in psi
(kilopascal) with cold tires
(cold = ambient temperature)
540i225/55 R 16 95 W
235/45 R 17 94 W/Y35 (240) 39 (270) 41 (280) 48 (330)
Front: 235/45 R 17 94 W/Y
Rear: 255/40 R 17 94 W/Y35 (240)
––
39 (270)41 (280)
––
48 (330)
225/55 R 16 95 Q/T/H M+S
235/45 R 17 94 Q/T/H M+S30 (210) 35 (240) 36 (250) 44 (300)
540iA225/55 R 16 95 H M+S
225/55 R 16 95 W
235/45 R 17 94 W/Y
225/55 R 16 95 Q M+S
235/45 R 17 94 Q M+S30 (210) 35 (240) 36 (250) 44 (300)
Front: 235/45 R 17 94 W/Y
Rear: 255/40 R 17 94 W/Y30 (210)
––
35 (240)36 (250)
––
44 (300)

32n
Tire inflation pressuresport
wagonTires
All pressure specifications in
the table are indicated in psi
(kilopascal) with cold tires
(cold = ambient temperature)
525i225/55 R 16 95 H M+S
225/60 R 15 96 H M+S
225/60 R 15 96 W
225/55 R 16 95 W
235/45 R 17 94 W/Y30 (210) 35 (240) 36 (250) 44 (300)
225/60 R 15 96 Q M+S
225/55 R 16 95 Q M+S
235/45 R 17 94 Q M+S33 (230) 38 (260) 39 (270) 46 (320)
540i225/55 R 16 95 H M+S
225/55 R 16 95 W
235/45 R 17 94 W/Y30 (210) 35 (240) 36 (250) 44 (300)
225/55 R 16 95 Q M+S
235/45 R 17 94 Q M+S33 (230) 38 (260) 39 (270) 46 (320)