2001 BMW 540I SEDAN load capacity

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.

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)

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 Z

Door locks, care146
Doors
emergency release38
manual operation38

t

remote control40
unlocking and locking38
DOT Quality Grades151
Drive belts224
Driving in winter146
Driving notes141
Driving through water141
DSC (Dynamic Stability
Control)24, 102, 208
DSP sound system211
refer also to the Radio
Owner's Manual
Dynamic Brake Control
(DBC)23, 100, 145
Dynamic Stability Control
(DSC)24, 102, 208

E
Electric power seat52
Electric power windows49
Electrical defect
fuel filler door198

t

sliding/tilt sunroof198

t

tailgate199
Electrical heating, exterior
mirror57
Electrical steering wheel,
adjusting56Electrical system224
Electronic vehicle
immobilizer37
Elements of operation16
Emergency operation
doors38

t

fuel filler door198

t

luggage compartment lid/
tailgate43, 199

t

sliding/tilt sunroof198

t

Energy control84
Engine
compartment160
coolant167
Engine oil
consumption165
grades166
level23
pressure22
specifications166

t

Engine specifications218
Error indicators86
Estimated time of arrival97
Exterior finish172
Exterior mirror56
electrical heating57
Exterior mirror with
automatic dimming
feature211

F
Failure messages86

t

Failure of an electrical
accessory196

t

Failure warnings86

t

Filler cap cover28
Filling capacities223
Filling the washer
reservoir164

t

First-aid kit27

t

Fittings, tow-starting and
towing201

t

Flashlight124
Flat tire150, 190

t

Fog lamp, bulb
replacement185

t

Footbrake144
Footwell lamps107
bulb replacement189

t

Forward/backward
adjustment, seats52, 55
Front fog lamps106
Front seat adjustment52
Frost protection,
radiator167
Fuel29
gauge84
quality29
tank capacity223
Fuel consumption97
average97
indicator84Fuel filler door, release after
electrical fault198
t
Fuses196

t

, 197

G
Gasoline29
gauge84
quality29
Glove compartment124
bulb replacement189
t

Gross vehicle weight221

H
Handbrake23, 70
Hands-free system125
Hazard warning
flashers27

t

Hazard warning
triangle27

t

Head restraints53
Headlamp covers,
care171

t

, 183

t

Headlamp flasher78
Headlamp washer
system164
Heated seats119
Heated steering wheel120
Heating and
ventilation108, 114
Heating while stopped118
Heating, rapid113
Heavy loads136

Everything from A to Z

231n

IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview

Height219
Height adjustment
seats52
steering wheel56
Help with jump
starting200

t

HiFi system211
High beams24
bulb replacement183

t

High Performance Synthetic
Oils166
High-mount brake lamp187
Hood release159

t

Horn25
Hydraulic Brake Assistant,
refer to DBC23, 100, 145

I
Ice warning83
Identification number of the
vehicle169
Identification, tires153
Ignition key36
Ignition lock68
Imprint4
Independent
ventilation94, 120
Independent ventilation,
refer also to the onboard
monitor Owner's Manual
Indicator lamps22

t

Inflation
pressure29

t

, 30, 150
monitoring103, 213
INSPECTION85
Instrument cluster18, 20
Instrument lighting105
Instrument panel20
Instrument panel switch78
Instruments18
Integrated rear
suspension214
Intensive
cleaning78, 79, 164
Interaxle tire rotation152
Interference indicators86
Interference with
car phones149
Interior lamps106
bulb replacement188

t

remote control40
Interior mirror57
with automatic dimming
feature211
Interior motion sensor48
deactivation48
Interior rearview mirror
with automatic dimming
feature57
Interlock68
Intermittent mode78

J
Jack190

t

Jump starting200

t
KKey Memory60
Key, transmitter36
Keys36
Keys with remote control36
Kickdown73, 76LLashing eye136
Leather care175
Length219
Level control
system23, 214
inactive148t
License plate lamps, bulb
replacement188t
Light switch105
Light-alloy wheels156
Lighter126
Lights-on warning105
LIMIT95
Load-securing devices136
Locking and unlocking the
doors38
Louvers108, 114
Low beams105
bulb replacement183tLow-fuel warning lamp84
Lug bolts191
Lug wrench191t
Luggage compartment46
capacity221
hanger46
lamps106
Luggage compartment
lamps, bulb
replacement189t
Luggage compartment lid/
tailgate43
emergency actuation43
opening separately43
remote control41
secure separately43
unlock in case of electrical
fault43t
Luggage space46
Luggage straps46
Lumbar support54
MM+S tires154
Magic Eye194
Maintenance85t, 170t
Malfunction displays86t

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

Everything from A to Zroll-up cover132
securing a load136
ski bag131
tail lamp assembly, bulb
replacement186t
tailgate, manual release
after electrical fault198t
Sports seat55
Sports steering wheel26
Start the engine69
Starting69
Starting assistance200t
Starting help200
Starting off147
Starting problems
69, 142t, 200t
Starting the engine68t
Steel wheel158
Steering148
Steering wheel
adjustment56
heating120
lock68
memory58
Steptronic75
Stopwatch93
Storage124
Summer tires153
Sun blind cover120
Sun visors57Sunroof50
with glass moonroof51
Switching off the engine69
Switch-on times
input94
Symbols4
TTachometer84
Tail lamp assembly, bulb
replacement186t
Tail lamps186
Tailgate199
convenience opening
mode40
manual release after
electrical fault199
refer also to luggage
compartment
release after an electrical
defect199t
Tank capacity223
Technical
modifications6, 177
Telephone hookup125
Temperature display, engine
coolant85
Temperature display,
outside temperature83
Temperature gauge85
Temperature
layering111, 119Tensioning straps46
Thigh support
adjustment55
Third brake lamp, bulb
replacement187t
Through-loading
system128
Tilt alarm40
Tilt alarm sensor48
deactivation48
Tilt function
passenger side exterior
mirror59
steering wheel56
Time
calling up92
changing92
of arrival, estimated97
Tire
change190
code153
damage150
inflation pressure30, 150
monitoring inflation
pressure103, 213
renewal151
rotation between
axles151
tread150
valve caps154
wear indicator150Tire Pressure Control
(RDC)103, 213
Tire, changing190t
Tools182t
Torque218
Tow fittings201t
Towing201t
Tow-starting201t
Track width219
Traction control system,
refer to ASC+T/DSC
Transmission70, 75
Transmitter key36
Transporting children
safely66
Tread depth indicators150
Tread depth, tires150
Tread wear indicator150
Trip odometer83
Trunk, refer to luggage
compartment
Turn signal indicator78
bulb replace-
ment184t, 186t
Turning circle219
UUniform Tire Quality Grading
(UTQR)152
Universal Transmitter121
Use antifreeze167t