2001 BMW 540I SEDAN light

Index
Data
Technology
Repairs
Car care
Controls
Overview
193nChanging a wheel Battery
When storing the wheel, take care to
ensure that you do not damage the
retaining pin in the spare tire recess.
If light-alloy wheels other than original
BMW light-alloy wheels have been
mounted, it may be necessary to use
different lug bolts for those wheels.
Replace the defective tire as soon as
possible and have the new wheel/tire
balanced.
Size 255/40 R17 94 W
* tires on
the rear axle:
In the event of a puncture or other tire
failure, it may be necessary to mount
the spare tire of different size at the
rear. This tire is of full capacity in all
load and speed ranges. Nevertheless,
mount a tire of the correct size as soon
as possible. <
Battery posts, terminals, and re-
lated accessories contain lead
and lead compounds. Wash hands after
handling. <
Installation location
The battery is located behind the right-
hand side trim panel in the luggage
compartment.
Fold the trim panel down with the
handle at the top. On the sport wagon,
press the button.
If a subwoofer
* is installed on the sport
wagon, loosen the T-screw and swing
the subwoofer to the side.
390de610
Maintenance
The battery is absolutely maintenance-
free, that is, the original electrolyte will
normally last for the service life of the
battery under moderate climatic condi-
tions.
Symbols
You will find the following symbols on
your vehicle battery. To avoid injury,
please comply with the corresponding
precautions whenever you work with or
near the battery.
Please read the following infor-
mation before working with the
battery.
Wear eye protection. Do not al-
low particles containing battery
acid or lead to come into con-
tact with your eyes, your skin, or your
clothing.
Battery acid is extremely corro-
sive. Wear eye protection and
protective gloves. Do not tip the
battery. Battery acid can leak from the
ventilation openings.
Be sure that children keep well
away from batteries and battery
acid.

194nBattery
Never allow sparks or open
flame near the battery. Do not
smoke in the vicinity of the
battery. Avoid sparks from electrical
cables or electrical equipment. Turn the
key to position 0 in the steering lock
during the disconnection or connection
of the battery. Never short-circuit the
battery terminals. There is a danger of
injury from powerful sparks.
A highly-explosive gas is
generated when the battery is
charged.
If you happen to get acid in your
eyes, rinse thoroughly for
15 minutes with clear water.
Following that, consult a physician
immediately. If you get acid spray on
your skin or clothing, rinse with plenty
of water. If electrolyte is accidentally
swallowed, consult a physician immedi-
ately.
In order to protect the battery
case from ultraviolet radiation,
do not place it in direct sunlight.
A discharged battery can freeze. Store
the battery in areas where the tempera-
ture remains above freezing.
Charge condition
You can read the charge condition
of the battery with the "Magic Eye"
*
(a hydrometer):
> Green: adequate charge.
> Black: not charged adequately.
The battery must be recharged.
Please contact your BMW center.
> Yellow: replace the battery.
The projected service life of the
battery can only be reached if the
battery is fully-charged at all times.
Check the charge condition of the bat-
tery frequently if the vehicle is used pri-
marily for driving short distances. <
390de612
Charging the battery
If the battery is charged in the vehicle:
Do not charge the battery with the
engine running.
Before performing any work on
the electrical system, disconnect
the cable from the negative terminal. If
you do not, short circuits can create the
risk of fire or personal injury. <
If you plan to store the vehicle for more
than four weeks, disconnect the battery
from the vehicle electrical system by
disconnecting the cable at the negative
terminal and then recharge using a suit-
able charging device.
If you intend to store your vehicle for
longer than 12 weeks: remove the bat-
tery, charge it and store it in a cool (but
frost and dust-free) room. Every three
months and before reinstalling the bat-
tery, have it recharged. If it is not
recharged, it will not be serviceable.
Every time the battery is discharged,
especially over extended periods, its
service life is reduced.

202nTowing the vehicle
The towed vehicle should always
be the lighter of the two vehicles.
If this is not the case, it is no longer
possible to control vehicle response. <
Tow-starting
It is not possible to start the engine of
vehicles equipped with an automatic
transmission by towing or pushing.
For instructions on jump starting, refer
to page 200.
Never attempt to use your vehicle to
push another vehicle, since damage to
the energy-absorbing bumpers could
result.
Towing a vehicle with automatic
transmission
1 Place the selector lever in position N.
2 Towing speed: Max. 45 mph (70 km/h).
3 Towing distance: Max. 95 miles (150 km).
4 Leave the ignition key in position 1 to ensure that the brake lamps, turn sig-
nals, horn and windshield wipers re-
main operative, and to prevent the
steering lock detent from engaging.
5 Switch on the hazard warning flash- ers (observe country-specific regula-
tions).
Find some means of identifying the ve-
hicle in tow, for instance, place a sign
or warning triangle in the rear window.
Make sure that the ignition key
remains in position 1 even when
the electrical system has failed to pre-
vent the steering lock from engaging.
The steering and brakes are without
power assist when the engine is off.
This means that increased effort is
required for steering and braking. <
Towing with a commercial
tow truck
> Do not tow with sling-type equip-
ment.
> Use a wheel lift or flat bed carrier.
> Please comply with applicable towing
laws.
Never allow passengers to ride in
a towed vehicle for any reason. <
380us124

Index
Data
Technology
Repairs
Car care
Controls
Overview
211nDSP sound system*Mirrors with automatic dimmer*
The DSP professional premium sound
system features a special amplifier
combined with Digital Sound Process-
ing (DSP) and integrated speakers to
surround you with crisp, true-to-life
sound reproduction.
The speaker system's subwoofers,
woofers, midrange speakers and tweet-
ers furnish you with an impressively full-
bodied listening experience. The indi-
vidual components are oriented so as
to produce the aural sensation that you
would experience facing the stage in a
concert hall. The system also automati-
cally adjusts the bass and treble set-
tings to compensate for changes in vol-
ume and vehicle speed.
390de109
The interior and exterior mirrors with
automatic dimming feature reduce the
glare from following traffic by adapting
the intensity of the reflected images to
correspond to levels of light registered
by the unit's sensors. The mirrors revert
to their undimmed setting as soon as
the light source disappears.
One sensor is mounted on the front
of the interior mirror housing and is
designed to monitor light levels in the
area immediately forward of the vehicle.
A second sensor is integrated within
the mirror's glass.
390de113
The electronic control system operates
by comparing the respective levels of
luminous intensity in front of and behind
the car. The difference provides the
basic parameter used to modulate an
electrical current and induce chemical
changes in a semisolid layer incorpora-
ted in the lens.
The semisolid reacts chemically to this
electrical current, thus providing infi-
nitely-variable dimming of the mirror
(electrochromic technology).
As a result, it is no longer necessary
to dim the mirror manually, and the
driver can maintain full concentration
on traffic.

212nRain sensor*
Depending on the degree of wetness
on the windshield, the rain sensor
controls the operation of the windshield
wipers.
Infrared light is carried along the
surface of the windshield in an optical
conductor in such a manner that it is
reflected completely when the wind-
shield is dry. The quantity of reflected
light is measured.
If the window is covered with beads of
water, the amount of light that is
reflected is decreased since the infra-
red light at the surface of the wind-
shield can then escape. The quantity of
reflected light is thus a means of
gauging the degree of wetness on the
windshield.
390de133
When the system is set to the "Intermit-
tent" wiper speed, the wipers react
immediately – if water is splashed onto
the windshield by vehicles traveling
ahead of you, for example. As a result,
the rain sensor provides a contribution
to driving safety and comfort.

214nIntegrated rear suspension Level control system*
The control arms on the patented inte-
grated aluminum rear axle assembly are
not mounted directly on the body. They
are mounted elastically on a chassis
sub-frame which is joined in turn with
elasticity to the vehicle body. The result-
ing double elastic suspension system
effectively absorbs the forces resulting
from bumps and road surface irregulari-
ties.
The compliance rates of the integrated
rear axle assembly's control arm mounts
have been precisely calibrated to help
provide supplementary adjustment in
the tracking angle of the rear wheels
(programmed self-steer effect). The ulti-
mate result is enhanced safety and con-
trol under all conditions.
390de114
The illustration shows the rear axle of the
sedan. With the lightweight, compact
rear axle of the sport wagon, the shock
absorbers are positioned at an angle.
The level control system for the rear
axle maintains constant ground clear-
ance of your vehicle, even when carry-
ing a load.
To achieve this, the vehicle is equipped
with air struts at the rear axle instead of
conventional shock absorbers and steel
suspension springs. With the help of
two sensors, an electronic control unit
calculates the height of the body at all
times and, if it is required, it allows air
which is generated in a compressor to
flow into the air springs.
As a result of the pressure increase in
the air springs, the level control system
ensures not only constant ride height,
but also ride comfort which is indepen-
dent of the load the vehicle is carrying.
390de136

Index
Data
Technology
Repairs
Car care
Controls
Overview
215nXenon lamps*
The xenon lamps light up the side and
front areas of the vehicle with signifi-
cantly more brightness and uniformity
then the traditional halogen lamps.
In a xenon lamp, an electric arc
replaces the filament in order to gener-
ate intense illumination. A gas mixture
in a quartz glass tube with metal vapor
is ignited by a high electric voltage. The
arc that is generated is then sustained
by a lower voltage.
When the lamp is turned on, a brief
period is needed for the full beam
strength to build up. Maximum bright-
ness is attained in approx. 15 seconds.
390de134
Xenon lamps provide significantly
improved visibility, especially during
adverse weather conditions and driving
situations (driving at night in heavy rain
or through road repair areas where
there are no lane markers, for instance).
Vehicles with xenon lamps
are
equipped with automatic headlamp
range control. As a result, the highway
is always optimally lighted, regardless
of load conditions, and drivers in on-
coming traffic are not blinded.
Xenon lamps make a significant contri-
bution to highway safety since other
highway users, or bicyclists and motor-
cyclists in the right lane, and pedestri-
ans are more easily detected.

Everything from A to Z

229n

IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview

Car jack190

t

Car keys36
Car Memory60
Car phones, refer to the
seperate Owner's Manual
Car radio reception149
Car telephone125
Car wash171
Care
vehicle exterior172
vehicle interior174
Cargo loading136
Caring for the vehicle
finish173
Catalytic converter142
Cellular phone149
Center (high-mount) brake
lamp, bulb
replacement187
Central locking
system38, 42
Changing a tire190

t

Changing a wheel190

t

Charge indicator lamp22
Charging the battery194

t

Check air pressure30
Check button86
Check Control86

t

Check engine oil
level165

t

Check tire pressures29

t

Child restraint systems62
Child seat62, 66Child seat security67
Child-safety locks67
Cigarette lighter126
Cleaning headlamps79
Cleaning windshield78, 79
Clock92
Clock, refer also to the
onboard monitor
Cockpit16
Code98
activating98
de-activating98
selecting98
Cold start69
Combination switch78
Comfort seat54
Compartments124
Computer89, 95
average fuel
consumption89
average speed89
cruising range89
outside temperature89
remote control99
Computer, refer also to the
onboard monitor Owner's
Manual
Configure settings60
Consumption display84
Consumption, fuel97
Contamination on
paintwork172Convenience operation
sliding/tilt sunroof38
windows38
Convenience starting
feature69
Coolant146, 167
antifreeze146
temperature gauge85
Copyright notice4
Courtesy lamp, bulb
replacement189

t

Cover, sun blinds120
Cruise control81
Cruising range89, 97
Cup holder125
Curb weight221

D
Dashboard16
Data link connector for
Onboard Diagnostics178
Date
calling up92
changing92
Date, refer also to the
onboard monitor Owner's
Manual
Daytime-driving lamp105
DBC (Dynamic Brake
Control)23, 100, 145Deactivating99
interior motion
sensor40, 48
tilt sensor alarm
system40, 48
Deep water141
Defrost
rear window80

t

Defrost position113, 117
Defrost
windows113, 117

t

Difficult steering148

t

Digital clock92
Digital sound
processing211
Dimensions219
Dipstick, engine oil165

t

Disc brakes144
Disconnect the
battery195

t

Displacement218
Display lighting105
Displays18, 20
Distance96
Distance warning100
Diversity Antenna
system209
Divided rear-seat
backrest128
Door keys36