2001 BMW 540I SEDAN automatic transmission

Index
Data
Technology
Repairs
Car care
Controls
Overview
207n
On vehicles with automatic transmis-
sion, Adaptive Transmission Control
(ATC) uses a number of factors to cal-
culate the gear which provides the
maximum efficiency. In this process it
monitors your personal driving style,
the situation in which you are driving,
the condition of the road and the traffic
conditions.
ATC recognizes your personal driving
style from the positions and movements
of the accelerator pedal, deceleration
when braking and lateral acceleration
through curves. Four different shift
characteristics – from comfort-oriented
to performance-oriented – are available
for selection by ATC.
In order to take driving conditions into
account, ATC registers corners and
390de334
ATC
both uphill and downhill gradients. For
example, if you maintain speed through
a curve, the transmission does not up-
shift.
On uphill gradients, it shifts only when
the engine speed increases in order to
make more efficient use of power
reserves. On downhill gradients ATC
downshifts when the speed of the vehi-
cles increases, causing the driver to
step on the brakes.
ATC*

Index
Data
Technology
Repairs
Car care
Controls
Overview
221nWeights – sedan
BMW 525i BMW 530i BMW 540i
Curb weight (with one person, ready for operation, full tank of fuel, o\
ptions not included)
with manual transmission
with automatic transmission lbs. (kg)
lbs. (kg)3,450 (1,565)
3,505 (1,590)3,494 (1,585)
3,549 (1,610) 3,748 (1,700)
3,803 (1,725)
Approved gross vehicle weight
with manual transmission
with automatic transmission lbs. (kg)
lbs. (kg)4,464 (2,025)
4,520 (2,050)4,509 (2,045)
4,563 (2,070) 4,762 (2,160)
4,817 (2,185)
Approved front axle weight lbs. (kg) 2,116 (960)2,138 (970) 2,381 (1,080)
Approved rear axle weight lbs. (kg) 2,579 (1,170) 2,579 (1,170) 2,635 (1,195)
Approved roof load capacity lbs. (kg) 220 (100) 220 (100) 220 (100)
Approved axle loads and approved gross vehicle weight may not be exceede\
d.
Luggage compartment capacity cu ft (l) 16.2 (460) 16.2 (460) 16.2 (460)

222nWeights – sport wagon
BMW 525i BMW 540i
Curb weight (with one person, ready for operation, full tank of fuel, o\
ptions not included)
with manual transmission
with automatic transmission lbs (kg)
lbs (kg)3,682 (1,670)
3,736 (1,695) –
4,056 (1,840)
Approved gross vehicle weight
with manual transmission
with automatic transmission lbs (kg)
lbs (kg)4,773 (2,165)
4,828 (2,190) –
5,093 (2,310)
Approved front axle weight lbs (kg) 2,116 (960)2,381 (1,080)
Approved rear axle weight lbs (kg) 2,844 (1,290) 2,910 (1,320)
Approved roof load capacity lbs (kg) 220 (100) 220 (100)
Approved axle loads and approved gross vehicle weight may not be exceede\
d.
Luggage compartment capacity cu ft (l) 14.5 – 53.9 (410 – 1,525) 14.5 – 53.9 (410 – 1,525)

Index
Data
Technology
Repairs
Car care
Controls
Overview
223nCapacities
Notes
Fuel tank
Reserve gal. (liters)
gal. (liters)approx. 18.5 (approx. 70)
approx. 2.0 (approx. 8) – BMW 525i,
530i
approx. 2.5 (approx. 10) – BMW 540i Fuel specification: page
29
Windshield washer system
with headlamp washer system
Intensive cleaning system quarts (liters)
quarts (liters)
quarts (liters)approx. 3.7 (approx. 3.5)
approx. 6.3 (approx 6.0)
approx. 1.1 (approx 1.0) For details: page
164
Cooling system including heater
circuit quarts (liters) 11.1 (10.5) – BMW 525i, 530i
12.7 (12.0) – BMW 540i For details: page
167
Engine with oil filter change quarts (liters) 6.9 (6.5) – BMW 525i, 530i 7.9 (7.5) – BMW 540i"BMW High Performance
Synthetic Oil."
For details: page
167
Manual transmission, automatic
transmission and differential – – Lifetime fluid, no fluid
change required

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

Everything from A to Z
233n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Rear wiper blade, blade
replacement182t
Rear-seat backrest,
removable128
Rearview mirror57
Recirculated air mode110
Recirculated-air control117
Reclining seat52
Refueling28
Releasing fuel filler door after
electrical defect198t
Releasing the hood159t
Reminder signal93
Remote control39
computer99
Removable rear-seat
backrest128
Removing condensation
from the
windows113t, 117t
from the
windshield113t, 117t
Replace wiper
blades182t
Replacement keys36
Replacement of tires151
Replacing fuses196t
Reporting safety defects7
Reservoir, washer
fluids164t
Residual heat118
Restraint system62Reverse71
Rims153
Roller sun blind120
Roof load capacity221
Roof-mounted luggage
rack137
Rubber parts147
SSafety belt tensioner210
Safety belts61
Safety lock buttons42
Seats
electric power52
forward/backward
adjustment52, 55
heating119
height adjustment52
machanical53
mechanical53
memory58
Secure the load46, 136
Selector lever, automatic
transmission72, 75
Self-dimming rearview
mirror211
Service and Warranty
Information Booklet
(US models)170
Service Interval
Display85, 170
Servotronic148Shift lever70
Shiftlock72, 75
Shoulder support54
Shutting off the engine69
Side airbags62
Side Impact Head Protection
System62
Side lamps, bulb
replacement184t
Ski bag129
Ski bag in the sport
wagon131
Skid control148
Sliding148
Sliding/tilt sunroof50
closing after an after an
electrical defect198t
convenience operation38
glass moonroof51
manual operation198
power supply
interruption51t
remote control40
Slippery roads147
Snow chains147, 155t
Socket127
Sound system, refer to
DSP211
Spare key36
Spare tire191t
Spark plugs224
Speaker125Special oil166t
Specifications for engine
oil166
Speed98
Speed control81
Speed limit95, 96
Speedometer18, 20
sport wagon
compartments in the
luggage
compartment133
folding down the rear
backrest132
lashing eyes136
load-securing
devices136
luggage
compartment132
luggage compartment
lamps, bulb
replacement189t
opening the rear
window44
partition net132
rear window wiper80
rear window wiper, blade
replacement182t
releasing the fuel filler
door after an electrical
defect198t
releasing the tailgate after
an electrical defect199t