2001 BMW 540I SEDAN light

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.

154nWheel and tire combinations Winter tires
With all-season and winter tires:
Q M+S = up to 100 mph (160 km/h)
T M+S = up to 118 mph (190 km/h)
H M+S = up to 130 mph (210 km/h)
Codes stamped on light-alloy wheels:
Protect valve inserts against dirt using
screw-on valve stem caps. Dirt in the
valves frequently leads to slow leaks.
Example:
Rim width
in inches
Code letter for
flange type
Symbol for full-drop
center rim
Rim diameter in inches
Hump on the 2 rim shoulders
8x16H2J
Choosing the right tire
BMW recommends winter tires (M+S
radial tires) for driving in adverse winter
road conditions. While tires known as
all-season tires (M+S designation) pro-
vide better winter traction than summer
tires with load ratings H, V, W, Y and
ZR, they generally do not achieve the
performance of winter tires.
In the interests of safe tracking and
steering response, install radial tires
made by the same manufacturer and
with the same tread configuration on all
four wheels if you elect to mount winter
tires.
Mount only winter tires which have
been approved by BMW. Any BMW
center will be glad to provide you with
information for selecting the best winter
tires for your particular driving condi-
tions.

Index
Data
Technology
Repairs
Car care
Controls
Overview
155nWinter tires Snow chains*
Do not exceed specified
maximum speeds
Never exceed the maximum
speed for which the tires are
rated.
Unprofessional attempts by laymen to
service tires can lead to damage and
accidents.
Have this work performed by skilled
professionals only. Any BMW center
has the required technical knowledge
and the proper equipment and will be
happy to assist you. <
Tire condition, tire pressure
Winter tires display a perceptible loss in
their ability to cope with winter driving
conditions once the tread wears to be-
low 0.16 in (4 mm), and should thus be
replaced.
Comply with the specified tire inflation
pressures – and be sure to have the
wheel and tire assemblies balanced
every time you change the tires.
Storage
Store tires in a cool, dry place, away
from light whenever possible. Protect
the tires against contact with oil, grease
and fuel. Use narrow-link BMW snow chains
on
summer or winter tires only in pairs and
only on the rear wheels. Comply with all
manufacturer's safety precautions
when mounting the chains.
It is not possible to mount snow
chains on tires with 17-inch
wheels. <

156nApproved wheel and tire specifications – sedan
Pay attention to the specifications for
tires and wheels in the vehicle's docu-
ments. If sizes not approved by the
manufacturer are mounted, an entry in
the vehicle's documents may be neces-
sary. Comply with local legislation.
Tire specifications Steel rim
(wheel rim)Light-alloy wheel
BMW 525i
All season tires
225/60 R 15 96 H M+S – 7Jx15
225/55 R 16 95 H M+S – 7Jx16
Summer tires
225/60 R 15 96 W – 7Jx15
225/55 R 16 95 W – 7Jx16
235/45 R 17 94 W/Y – 8Jx17
Front: 235/45 R 17 94 W/Y
Rear: 255/40 R 17 94 W/Y –
–8Jx17
9Jx17
Winter tires (M+S)
205/65 R 15 94 Q 6.5Jx15 7Jx156.5Jx15
7Jx15
225/60 R 15 96 Q 7Jx15 7Jx15
225/55 R 16 95 Q – 7Jx16
235/45 R 17 94 Q – 8Jx16
The use of rims and wheel bolts
that do not meet the specifica-
tions of the original factory-installed
equipment will affect the safe operation
of your vehicle and may cause an acci-
dent and personal injury.
Never mix tires of different design, such
as steel-belted radials with radial bias-
belted or bias-ply tires, etc. Mixing tire
types will adversely affect roadholding
and can lead to loss of vehicle con-
trol. <

Index
Data
Technology
Repairs
Car care
Controls
Overview
157nApproved wheel and tire specifications – sedan
Pay attention to the specifications for
tires and wheels in the vehicle's docu-
ments. If sizes not approved by the
manufacturer are mounted, an entry in
the vehicle's documents may be neces-
sary. Comply with local legislation.
Snow chains*
For tires on 17-inch wheels, it is not
possible to mount snow chains.
Tire specifications Steel rim
(wheel rim)Light-alloy wheel
BMW 530i, 540i:
All season tires (BMW 530i, 540iA only)
225/55 R 16 95 H M+S – 7Jx16
Summer tires
225/55 R 16 95 W – 7Jx16
235/45 R 17 94 W/Y – 8Jx17
Front: 235/45 R 17 94 W/Y
Rear: 255/40 R 17 94 W/Y –
–8Jx17
9Jx17
Winter tires (M+S)
225/55 R 16 95 Q/T/H – 7Jx16
235/45 R 17 94 Q/T/H – 8Jx17
The use of rims and wheel bolts
that do not meet the specifica-
tions of the original factory-installed
equipment will affect the safe operation
of your vehicle and may cause an acci-
dent and personal injury.
Never mix tires of different design, such
as steel-belted radials with radial bias-
belted or bias-ply tires, etc. Mixing tire
types will adversely affect roadholding
and can lead to loss of vehicle con-
trol. <

158nApproved wheel and tire specifications – sport wagon
Tire specifications Steel rim
(wheel rim)Light-alloy wheel
BMW 525i
All season tires
225/60 R 15 96 H M+S – 7Jx15
225/55 R 16 95 H M+S – 7Jx16
Summer tires
225/60 R 15 96 W – 7Jx15
225/55 R 16 95 W – 7Jx16
235/45 R 17 94 W/Y – 8Jx17
Winter tires (M+S)
225/60 R 15 96 Q 7Jx15 7Jx15
225/55 R 16 95 Q – 7Jx16
235/45 R 17 94 Q – 8Jx17
BMW 540i
All season tires
225/55 R 16 95 H M+S – 7Jx16
Summer tires
225/55 R 16 95 W – 7Jx16
235/45 R 17 94 W/Y – 8Jx17
Winter tires (M+S)
225/55 R 16 95 Q – 7Jx16
235/45 R 17 94 Q – 8Jx17Pay attention to the specifications for
tires and wheels in the vehicle's docu-
ments. If sizes not approved by the
manufacturer are mounted, an entry in
the vehicle's documents may be neces-
sary. Comply with local legislation.
Snow chains*
For tires on 17-inch wheels, it is not
possible to mount snow chains. The use of rims and wheel bolts
that do not meet the specifica-
tions of the original factory-installed
equipment will affect the safe operation
of your vehicle and may cause an acci-
dent and personal injury.
Never mix tires of different design, such
as steel-belted radials with radial bias-
belted or bias-ply tires, etc. Mixing tire
types will adversely affect roadholding
and can lead to loss of vehicle con-
trol. <

Index
Data
Technology
Repairs
Car care
Controls
Overview
171nCaring for your car
Washing your car
You can have your new BMW washed
in an automatic car wash. Car wash
systems that do not employ brushes
are preferable.
Wipe away tough dirt and loosen and
remove dead insects before washing
the vehicle.
To prevent spots, avoid washing when
the hood is still warm, or immediately
after and during exposure to strong
sunlight.
When using an automatic car wash, be
sure that:
>The car wash system is suited for the
dimensions of your vehicle.
> No damage will occur on vehicles
with attached body accessories (such
as spoilers or antennas). If you are
uncertain, consult the manager of the
car wash.
> The wheels and tires of your vehicle
cannot be damaged by the convey-
ance devices of the car wash system.
> The vehicle is cleaned with minimum
brush pressure, and that ample water
is available for washing and rinsing. Vehicles with rain sensor
*:
Clean the windshield regularly. Wax
from automatic car washes or insects,
for example, can cause malfunctions in
the function of the rain sensor.
Turn the rain sensor off in auto-
matic car washes. If you do not,
damage may occur if the wipers switch
on unintentionally. <
Parts of the vehicle which are inacces-
sible to the automatic washer – such as
door sills, door and hood edges, etc. –
should be cleaned by hand.
In the winter months, it is especially im-
portant to ensure that the vehicle is
washed on a regular basis. Large quan-
tities of dirt and road salt are difficult to
remove, and they also cause damage to
the vehicle. If spray wands or high-pressure
washers are used, be sure to
maintain an adequate distance between
the spray source and the vehicle's sur-
face. Inadequate distance and exces-
sive pressure can damage or weaken
the finish, making it more susceptible to
subsequent attack. In addition, mois-
ture could penetrate to vehicle compo-
nents, leading to long-term damage. < 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 an ice scraper. <
After washing the car, apply the
brakes briefly to dry them. Braking
efficiency might otherwise be reduced
by the moisture, and the brake rotors
could also be corroded. <

172nCaring for your car
Exterior finish
To provide effective corrosion protec-
tion, multilayer paintwork is applied at
the factory. Cataphoretic immersion
priming techniques are supplemented
using special body-cavity protectants,
with the application of specially-devel-
oped and extensively tested materials.
A layer of flexible PVC is first applied to
the undercarriage. Following this, a
comprehensive undercoating treat-
ment with a wax-based protectant is
applied.
Regular maintenance makes an impor-
tant contribution to maintaining the
safety and value of your vehicle.
Increasing awareness of the effects of
harmful environmental factors on vehi-
cle finishes have led paint and vehicle
manufacturers to initiate ongoing pro-
grams designed to further improve the
durability of their finishes. Despite this,
environmental factors that occur locally
or regionally can have negative effects
on the finish of your vehicle. These
should guide you in determining the fre-
quency and extent of your efforts to
maintain the vehicle finish. Depending upon material and type of
impact (perforation of paint layer), phys-
ical stresses from sand, road salt,
gravel, etc., can cause corrosion to
start extending beneath the finish, start-
ing at the point of impact.
Road dirt, tar spots, dead insects, ani-
mal droppings (strong alkali effect) and
tree excretions (resins and pollen) all
contain substances capable of causing
damage when allowed to remain on the
finish of your vehicle for any period of
time (spots, etching, flaking, separation
in the top coat).
In industrial areas, deposits from fly
ash, lime, oil deposits, sulfur-dioxide in
precipitation (acid rain) and other envi-
ronmental pollutants will all damage the
surface of the vehicle unless adequate
protection is provided.
In coastal regions, high levels of
atmospheric salt and humidity promote
corrosion.
In tropical zones, temperatures of over
105
7 (40 6) in the shade prevail, in
addition to heavy ultraviolet radiation
and high humidity. Under those circum-
stances, light exterior finishes reach
temperatures of up to 175 7 (80 6)
and dark finishes up to 250 7 (120 6).