2001 BMW 540I SEDAN battery

Contents

Operation, care and maintenance
Owner service procedures
Advanced technology

Under the hood:

Hood159
Engine compartment160
Washer fluids164
Washer nozzles164
Engine oil165
Coolant167
Brake fluid168
Vehicle Identification
Number169

Care and maintenance:

The BMW Maintenance
System170
Caring for your car171
Airbags176
Vehicle storage176

Laws and regulations:

Technical modifications177
California Proposition
65 Warning177
OBD interface socket178

Replacement procedures:

Onboard tool kit182
Wiper blades182
Lamps and bulbs183
Changing a wheel190
Battery193
Fuses196

In case of electrical
malfunction:

Fuel filler door198
Sliding/Tilt sunroof198
Tailgate199

Assistance, giving and
receiving:

Jump-starting200
Towing the vehicle201Airbags206
Adaptive Transmission Control
(ATC)207
Automatic Stability Control plus
Traction (ASC+T)/Dynamic
Stability Control (DSC)208
BMW active seat210
Safety belt tensioner210
DSP sound system211
Mirrors with automatic
dimmer211
Rain sensor212
Tire Pressure Control (RDC)213
Integrated rear suspension214
Level control system214
Xenon lamps215

IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview

19n

Instrument cluster

There are two versions, depending on
the equipment on your vehicle.
1 Fuel gauge with indicator lamp for
fuel reserve84
2 Indicator lamp for turn signals24
3 Speedometer
4 Indicator lamp for high beams24
5 Tachometer and
Energy Control84
6 Coolant thermometer with
"Coolant temperature too high"
warning lamp85
7 Indicator and warning lamps for:

>

Parking brake/Brake hydraulic
system, Dynamic Brake Control
(DBC)

*
22, 23

>

Antilock Brake System (ABS)23

>

Brake pads23

>

Tire Pressure Control (RDC)

*
23

>

Airbags23

>

Automatic transmission

*
23

>

Please fasten safety belts23

>

Cruise control24
8 Selector lever and program display
for automatic transmission

*
72, 75
9 Service Interval Display8510 Display for the computer
(operation via the turn signal lever,
refer to page 89):

>

Outside temperature

>

Average fuel consumption

>

Cruising range

>

Average speed
11 Indicator lamp for Automatic
Stability Control plus Traction
(ASC+T)/Dynamic Stability
Control (DSC)

*
24
12 Indicator lamp for level control
system

*
23
13 Odometer and trip odometer83
14 Indicator for Check Control86
15 Reset button for trip odometer83
16 Indicator and warning lamps for:

>

Fog lamps24

>

Battery charge current22

>

Engine oil level/Engine oil
pressure22, 23

>

Engine electronics24

>

Service Engine Soon24

IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
21n

Instrument cluster

*
There are two versions, depending on
the equipment on your vehicle.
1 Fuel gauge with indicator lamp for
fuel reserve84
2 Indicator lamp for turn signals24
3 Speedometer
4 Indicator lamp for high beams24
5 Tachometer and
Energy control84
6 Coolant temperature gauge85
7 Indicator and warning lamps for:

>

Parking brake 23

>

Brake hydraulic system, Dynamic
Brake Control (DBC)

*
22, 23

>

Antilock Brake System (ABS)23

>

Airbags23

>

Please fasten safety belts23

>

Cruise control24
8 CHECK button86
9 Selector lever and program display
for automatic transmission

*
72, 7510 Outside temperature display83
11 Indicator lamp for Automatic
Stability Control plus Traction
(ASC+T)/Dynamic Stability
Control (DSC)

*
24
12 Trip odometer83
13 Check Control display86
14 Odometer83
15 Service Interval Display85
16 Reset button for trip odometer83
17 Indicator and warning lamps for:

>

Fog lamps24

>

Battery charge current22

>

Engine oil pressure22

>Service Engine Soon24

22n
Indicator and warning lampsTechnology that monitors itselfMany of the systems of your BMW
monitor themselves automatically, both
during engine starts and while you are
driving. Indicator and warning lamps
that are identified by "l" are tested for
proper functioning whenever the igni-
tion key is turned. They each light up
once for different periods of time.
If a fault should occur in one of these
systems, the corresponding lamp does
not go out after the engine is started or
it lights up while the vehicle is moving.
You will see how to react to this below.
Red: stop immediately
Battery charge current l
The battery is no longer being
charged. There is a malfunction
of the alternator V-belt or in the charg-
ing circuit of the alternator. Please con-
tact the nearest BMW center.
If the ribbed V-belt is defective, do
not continue driving. The engine
could be damaged due to overheating.
If the ribbed V-belt is defective, in-
creased steering effort is also re-
quired.<
Engine oil pressure l
Comes on while the engine is
running and the "STOP!ENGINE
OILPRESS" message appears in the
Check Control: stop vehicle immedi-
ately and switch off engine. Check level
of oil in engine, top up as required. If oil
level is correct: please contact the
nearest BMW center.
Do not continue driving. The en-
gine could be damaged because
of inadequate lubrication.<
Tire Pressure Control (RDC)
* l
In addition, there is an acousti-
cal warning signal: a tire failure
has occurred. Reduce vehicle speed
immediately and stop the vehicle. Avoid
hard brake applications. Do not over-
steer. For additional information: refer
to page 103.
Parking brake
*,
brake hydraulic system l
Comes on when you engage the
parking brake. For additional informa-
tion: refer to page 70.
Comes on although the parking brake is
released: have the brake fluid level
checked. Before driving further, be
sure to read the notes on pages 146
and 168.
Also comes on with the message
"CHECK BRAKE PADS" in the Check
Control.
Parking brake* warning lamp/
Brake hydraulic system for
Canadian models.

36nKeys
1 The master keys with remote control
determine the functions of the Key
Memory. Refer to page 60.
There is an extended-life battery
in every master key that is
charged automatically in the ignition
lock as you drive.
For this reason, if you have a master
key that is otherwise not used, use that
key approximately once every year
while driving for an extended period to
charge the battery. Refer also to
page 39.<
2 Spare key for storage in a safe place such as in your wallet. This key is not
intended for continuous use.
463de023
3 Door and ignition keyThe locks for the luggage compart-
ment lid/tailgate, rear backrest and
glove compartment cannot be oper-
ated with this key. This is useful for
valet parking, for instance.Replacement keys
Replacement keys are available exclu-
sively through your authorized BMW
center. Your BMW center is obligated
to ensure that a person requesting a
key is authorized to do so since the
keys belong to a security system (refer
to "Electronic vehicle immobilizer" on
page 37).
If possible, take all of the master
keys that belong to the vehicle
with you when you pick up your re-
placement key.
Whenever you receive a new replace-
ment key, turn that key to position 2 in
the ignition lock once (ignition switched
on) and then back. This allows the elec-
tronic vehicle immobilizer to "learn" the
new key. <

IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
39n
Opening and closing – from the outsideWith the remote controlThe remote control makes opening and
locking the doors of your vehicle very
convenient. Furthermore, it provides
three additional functions which you
can only execute via the remote control:
>To switch on interior lamps, refer to
page 40
With this function, you can also
"search for" your vehicle, when
parked in an underground garage, for
instance.
>To open the luggage compartment/
tailgate, refer to page 41
The luggage compartment lid/tailgate
will open slightly, regardless of
whether it was previously locked or
unlocked.
>Panic mode
In case of danger, you can trigger the
alarm.
When the vehicle is unlocked, the anti-
theft system is simultaneously deacti-
vated, the alarm system is disarmed
and the interior lamps are switched on.
Locking the vehicle activates the anti-
theft and alarm systems and switches
the interior lamps off.
You can have a signal set as an
acknowledgment message that
the vehicle is closed correctly.<
Master keysKeys with a transmitter for remote
control are master keys. Refer to
page 36.
Since children might be able to
lock the doors from the inside,
take the vehicle's keys with you so that
the vehicle can be opened again from
the outside at any time.< 390us604
Master keys that are used repeat-
edly are always ready for opera-
tion, since the battery in the key is
charged automatically in the ignition
lock as you drive.
If it is no longer possible to unlock the
vehicle via the remote control, the
battery is discharged. Use this key
while driving for an extended period in
order to charge the battery. Refer also
to page 36.
To prevent unauthorized use of the
remote control, surrender only the door
and ignition key 3 or the spare key 2
(refer to page 36) when leaving the
vehicle for valet parking, for example.
In the event of a system malfunction,
please contact your BMW center. You
can also obtain replacement keys
there.<

IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
47n
Alarm systemThe conceptThe vehicle alarm system responds:
>When a door, the hood or the lug-
gage compartment lid/tailgate is
opened.
>To movement inside the vehicle
(interior motion sensor).
>To variations in the vehicle tilt sensor
such as occur during attempts to
steal the wheels or tow the vehicle.
>To interruption of battery voltage.
The system responds to unauthorized
vehicle entry and attempted theft by
simultaneously activating the following:
>Sounding an acoustical alarm for
30 seconds.
>The hazard warning flashers are
activated for approx. five minutes.
>The high beams flash on and off in
the same rhythm.
To arm and disarm the
alarm systemWhen the vehicle is locked or unlocked
with the key or the remote control, the
alarm system is also simultaneously
armed or disarmed.
The interior motion sensor is activated
approx. 30 seconds after you have fin-
ished locking the car.
The system indicates that it has been
correctly armed by switching on the
hazard flashers for a single cycle and by
emitting an acoustical signal.
You can have different acknowl-
edgment signals set to confirm
arming and disarming.<
When the system is armed, you can still
gain access to the luggage compart-
ment lid/tailgate by pressing button 3
on the remote control (refer to page 41).
When you close the luggage compart-
ment lid/tailgate, it locks again.
Indicator lamp displays>The indicator lamp below the interior
rearview mirror flashes continuously:
the system is armed.
>The indicator lamp flashes during
arming: door(s), the hood or luggage
compartment lid/tailgate are not
completely closed. Even if you do not
close the alerted area, the system
begins to monitor the remaining ar-
eas, and the indicator lamp flashes
continuously after 10 seconds. How-
ever, the interior motion sensor is not
activated.
>If the indicator lamp goes out when
the system is disarmed: no manipula-
tion or attempted intrusions have
been detected in the period since
the system was armed.390de020

IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
51n
Sliding/Tilt sunroof
*
Automatic
* opening and closing
Press the appropriate end of the control
switch past the resistance point and
then release it.
Other automatic operations are:
>With the sunroof open, press the
switch briefly toward "Lift:" the sun-
roof automatically extends to its fully
raised position.
>With the sunroof lifted, press the
switch briefly toward "Open:" the
sunroof automatically opens all the
way.
Pressing the switch again briefly stops
the motion.Safety featureIf the sliding/tilt sunroof encounters
resistance at a point roughly past the
middle of its travel when it is closing,
the closing cycle is interrupted and the
sliding/tilt sunroof will open again
slightly.Despite this safety feature, be
extremely careful that the closing
path of the sunroof is not obstructed
whenever it is closed. Otherwise, trig-
gering the closing-force limitation may
not be ensured in some situations (with
very thin objects, for instance). You can
override this safety feature by pressing
the switch beyond the resistance point
and holding it.<
Sliding/tilt sunroof with glass
moonroof
*
The options and control procedures are
essentially the same as those previ-
ously described for the sliding/tilt sun-
roof. In order to open the raised roof,
press the control switch towards
"Open" until the roof has reached the
desired position.
The headliner insert slides back some-
what when you raise the sunroof. When
the sunroof is opened the headliner
retracts with it. The headliner will then
automatically remain in its retracted
position, but can be repositioned as
desired.
Power loss or malfunctionAfter interruptions in the electrical
supply (when the battery is discon-
nected, for instance), the sunroof may
only lift. To reinitialize the mechanism:
1 Raise the sliding/tilt sunroof all
the way.
2 Press and hold the switch for
approx. twenty seconds.
In the event of an electrical malfunction,
you can also operate the sliding/tilt
sunroof manually. Refer to page 198.390de637