2001 BMW 540I SEDAN climate control

11n

Controls and features
Operation, care and maintenance

Technology for safety and
driving convenience:

Park Distance Control
(PDC)100
Automatic Stability Control plus
Traction (ASC+T)/Dynamic
Stability Control (DSC)102
Tire Pressure Control (RDC)103

Lamps:

Parking lamps/Low beams105
Instrument lighting105
High beams/Parking lamps106
Fog lamps106
Interior lamps106
Reading lamps107

Controlling the climate for
pleasant driving:

Air conditioner108
Automatic climate control114
Seat heating119
Steering wheel heating120
Roller sun blind120
Independent ventilation
system120

Cabin convenience:

BMW Universal Transmitter121
Glove compartment124
Storage facilities124
Cellular phone125
Beverage holder 125
Ashtray, front126
Cigarette lighter126
Ashtray, rear127

Loading and transporting
cargo:

Through-loading system128
Ski bag129
sport wagon:
Luggage compartment132
Roll-up cover132
Partition net132
Storage areas in the luggage
compartment133
Cargo loading136
Roof-mounted luggage rack137

Special operating instructions:

Break-in procedure140
Driving notes141
Catalytic converter142
Antilock Brake System
(ABS)143
Disc brakes144
Brake system146
Winter operation146
Power steering148
Level control system148
Cellular phone149
Radio reception149

Wheels and tires:

Tire inflation pressure150
Tire condition150
Tire replacement151
Tire rotation152
Wheel and tire
combinations153
Winter tires154
Snow chains155
Approved wheel and tire
specifications156

IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Overview
Controls and features
Operation, care
and maintenance
Owner service procedures
Technical data
Index Advanced technology
35n
Technology for safety and
driving convenience:
Park Distance Control
(PDC)100
Automatic Stability Control plus
Traction (ASC+T)/Dynamic
Stability Control (DSC)102
Tire Pressure Control (RDC)103
Lamps:
Parking lamps/Low beams105
Instrument lighting105
High beams/Parking lamps106
Fog lamps106
Interior lamps106
Reading lamps107
Controlling the climate for
pleasant driving:
Air conditioner108
Automatic climate control114
Seat heating119
Steering wheel heating120
Roller sun blind120
Independent ventilation
system120Cabin convenience:
BMW Universal Transmitter121
Glove compartment124
Storage facilities124
Cellular phone125
Beverage holder 125
Ashtray, front126
Cigarette lighter126
Ashtray, rear127
Loading and transporting
cargo:
Through-loading system128
Ski bag129
sport wagon:
Luggage compartment132
Roll-up cover132
Partition net132
Storage areas in the luggage
compartment133
Cargo loading136
Roof-mounted luggage rack137

IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
45n
Luggage compartment lid/TailgateClosing – sport wagonYou can pull the tailgate down by
placing both hands in the handle
recesses (arrows).
To close the tailgate, merely press it
down gently. The closing process will
then be carried out automatically.392de160
To avoid injuries, be sure that the
travel path of the luggage com-
partment lid/tailgate is clear when it is
closed, as with all closing procedures.
Operate the vehicle only when the
luggage compartment lid/tailgate is
completely closed. Otherwise, exhaust
fumes could penetrate the interior of
the vehicle. Should it be absolutely
necessary to operate the vehicle with
the luggage compartment lid/tailgate
open:
>Close all windows. Shut the sliding/
tilt sunroof.
>Increase the air supply for the air
conditioner or automatic climate
control to a high level. Refer to
page 108 or 114.<

80n
Wiper/Washer system Rear window defrosterRear window wiper – sport wagon0 Rest position of the rear window
wiper
1 Rear window wiper in intermittent
operation. When reverse gear is
engaged, continuous operation is
switched on automatically
2 Cleaning rear window
You can also program the interval:
>Switch briefly from position 0 to
position 1.
>The time until reactivation (from
position 0 to 1) is the programmed
interval (max. 30 seconds).392de158
Programming is cleared:
>Approx. 10 seconds after the lever is
placed in position 0 or
>after the engine is switched off.
When the rear window is opened, the
rear window wiper is switched off. It
must be switched on again after the
window has been closed.
For changing the wiper blade, refer to
page 182.
To activatePress the button: as long as the indica-
tor lamp remains on, the rear window
defroster continues at high-output
(rapid thaw).
After the indicator lamp goes out, the
defroster continues operating at re-
duced power for a limited period before
deactivating automatically.
Vehicles with automatic climate control:
For the selection button refer to
page 116. To deactivateIf the indicator lamp is on, press the
button.390us714

IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
109n
Air conditioner1 Air flow directed toward the wind-
shield and side windows
2 Air flow for the upper body
The side rotary dials allow you to
open and close the air supply over
an infinitely-variable range, while
the levers change the airflow direc-
tion. The center rotary dial controls
the temperature of the air as it flows
out, refer to page 111
3 Front footwell ventilation
4 Rear footwell ventilation
5 Airflow for the upper body in
the rear111
6 Temperature110
7 Air distribution toward
>the windows
>the upper body
>the footwell
All intermediate settings are
possible. Refer to page 110
8 Air supply110
The climate control is active when
the blower is switched on
9 Rear window defroster110
10 Cooling110
11 Recirculated air mode111

110n
Air conditionerTips for a pleasant driving
experienceTemperature 6 is recommended for a
comfortable setting at 707 (226).
Turn the air distribution 7 to the
"6 o'clock" position. Adjust the air sup-
ply 8 to the center setting. Set the out-
lets 2 so that the air flows past you and
is not directed straight at you. Set the
rotary dial between the outlets 2 for the
upper body to a central position so that
cooler air helps prevent fatigue during
the journey.
The following description will lead you
through additional individual adjust-
ments.Temperature
The graduations on the dial
provide general reference val-
ues for the interior tempera-
ture. We recommend 707
(226) as a comfortable setting. When
you start the vehicle, this system ad-
justs the air to the selected temperature
as quickly as possible, and then main-
tains that temperature constantly.
Air distribution
You can direct air to flow onto
the windows , toward the
upper body and into the
footwell . You can also
select all intermediate settings. In the
setting, there is a low flow of air onto
the windows to keep them free of con-
densation. The "6 o'clock" setting is
recommended for normal conditions
(refer to the illustration and overview on
page 108).
Air supply
You can adjust the air supply
over an infinitely-variable
range. The heating and venti-
lation become increasingly
effective as the air supply settings are
increased. In the "0" setting, the blower
and climate control are switched off
and the outside air supply is blocked.
Rear window defroster
When the rear window de-
froster is activated, the indi-
cator lamp comes on. The rear window
defroster switches off automatically.
Cooling
The air is cooled and dehu-
midified and – depending on
the temperature setting – warmed again
with the air conditioner system
switched on. Depending on the
weather, the windshield may fog over
briefly when the engine is started.
Switch off the air conditioner at outside
temperatures below approx. 427
(56). This will help to prevent the
windows from fogging up.
If the windows fog over after switching
the air conditioner off, switch it back
on.
Condensation forms in the air
conditioner system during opera-
tion, which then exits under the vehicle.
Traces of condensed water of this kind
are thus normal.<

114n
390us704Automatic climate control
*

IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
115n
Automatic climate control
*
1 Airflow directed toward the
windshield and side windows
2 Airflow for the upper body
The side rotary dials provide
infinitely-variable regulation of
the air supply, while the levers
change the airflow direction.
The center rotary dial controls the
temperature of the air as it
flows out118
3 Front footwell ventilation
4 Rear footwell ventilation
5 Airflow for the upper body in
the rear118
6 Automatic air distribution116
7 Individual air distribution116
8 Temperature control –
left-hand side116
9 Display for temperature and
air supply116, 11710 Temperature control –
right-hand side116
11 To defrost windshield and
windows117
12 Air conditioner117
13 Automatic recirculated air control
AUC117
14 Rear window defroster80, 118
15 Air supply117
16 Maximum cooling117
Residual heating mode118
17 Air grill for interior temperature
sensor – please keep clear and
unobstructed