2001 BMW 540I SEDAN wiper blades

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
79n
Wiper/Washer systemYou can leave the lever permanently in
position 1. It is then only necessary to
activate the rain sensor from ignition
key position 1 and up. To do this
>turn rotary dial 7 briefly or
>use either the cleaning windshield 5
or the intensive cleaning 6.
To modify the sensitivity of the rain
sensor:
Turn rotary dial 7.
To deactivate the rain sensor:
Move lever to position 0.
Turn the rain sensor off in auto-
matic car washes. Failure to do so
could result in damage caused by un-
desired wiper activation.< 2 Normal wiper speedThe wipers automatically revert to inter-
mittent operation when the vehicle is
stationary (not on vehicles with rain
sensor
*).
3 Fast wiper speedThe wipers automatically revert to nor-
mal speed when the vehicle is station-
ary (not on vehicles with rain sensor
*).
5 Cleaning windshieldThe system sprays washer fluid against
the windshield and activates the wipers
for a brief period.
If you only pull the lever briefly, the sys-
tem sprays washer fluid onto the wind-
shield without activating the wipers.6 Intensive cleaning
*
As in setting 5. In addition, an intensive-
action washer fluid is first sprayed on
the windshield.
For changing the wiper blades, refer to
page 182.
Cleaning headlamps
*
If they are on, the headlamps will also
be cleaned every fifth time you activate
cleaning windshield (5) or intensive
cleaning (6).
Do not use the washers if there is
any danger that the fluid will
freeze on the windshield, otherwise vi-
sion could be obscured. For this rea-
son, use an antifreeze agent. Refer to
page 164.
Do not use the washers when the reser-
voir is empty, since this could cause
damage to the washer pump. Windshield washer jetsThe windshield washer jets are warmed
automatically when the ignition key is in
position 2.

174nCaring for your car
Window care
You can use window and glass cleaner
to clean inside window surfaces and
mirrors without smearing and streaking.
Never use polishing pastes or abrasive
(quartz) cleansers on mirror lenses.
When caring for break-resistant
security glass
*, observe the fol-
lowing instructions:
The inner surface of the side windows
is coated with a plastic film. For this
reason, do not affix any decals or adhe-
sive stickers on the inside of these win-
dows unless they are to be placed there
permanently.
Wash the glass with clean water. If nec-
essary, you may add a commercially-
available mild household cleaner. Do
not use abrasive cleaners.
If the windows are fogged or iced over,
treat them with an anti-misting cloth or
a deicer spray – do not use an ice
scraper. <
Clean the wiper blades with soapy wa-
ter. The wiper blades should be re-
placed twice a year, before and after
the cold season.
Use only wiper blades which have
been approved by BMW. <
Caring for other vehicle
components and materials
Light-alloy wheels should be treated
with alloy wheel cleaner, especially
during the winter months. However, do
not use aggressive products contain-
ing acids, strong alkalis or abrasives.
Do not use steam cleaners operating at
temperatures above 140 7 (60 6).
(Follow the manufacturer's instruc-
tions.)
If your vehicle has chrome parts
* such
as window moldings, door handles or
other items, clean these parts carefully
with ample clean water, especially if
they have an accumulation of road salt.
Use a chrome polish for an additional
treatment.
Plastic components, vinyl upholstery,
headliners, lamp lenses, the clear cover
of the instrument cluster and compo-
nents with a sprayed dull black surface
can be cleaned with water (add plastic
cleaner as required). Do not allow mois-
ture to soak through the seats or head-
liner. Never use solvents such as lac-
quer thinner, heavy-duty grease
remover, fuels, etc. Rubber components should be cleaned
with water only; a rubber treatment or
silicone spray may also be applied.
The safety belts should be cleaned with
a mild soap and water solution without
being removed from the vehicle. Never
attempt chemical or dry cleaning, as
damage to the belt fabric could result.
After cleaning, never allow the inertia
reel to retract the belts until they are
completely dry. Dirty safety belts pre-
vent the inertia reel mechanism from
retracting the strap properly, and thus
constitute a safety hazard.
Heavily soiled floor carpets and mats
*
can be cleaned with an interior cleaner.
The floor mats can be removed from
the vehicle for cleaning.
Please use only a damp cloth to clean
wooden fascia panels and components.
Follow up by drying with a soft cloth.
Use cleaning and car-care
products that you can obtain
at your BMW center. <

Index
Data
Technology
Repairs
Car care
Controls
Overview
Overview
Controls and features Operation, care
and maintenance
Owner service procedures
Technical dataIndex
Advanced technology
181
n
Replacement procedures:
Onboard tool kit 182
Wiper blades 182
Lamps and bulbs 183
Changing a wheel 190
Battery 193
Fuses 196
In case of electrical
malfunction:
Fuel filler door 198
Sliding/Tilt sunroof 198
Tailgate 199
Assistance, giving and
receiving:
Jump-starting 200
Towing the vehicle 201

182n
Attached to the underside of the
luggage compartment lid/tailgate.
Unscrew the wingnut for access.
394de080
Front
1 Pull the wiper arm up slightly and hold it firmly.
2 Press back the release (arrow) and pull the wiper blade back toward the
base of the wiper arm.
3 Install the new blade and slide the release back into position.
390de097
Rear*
1 Hold the wiper blade on the window and remove/unclip the wiper arm at
the articulated joint (arrow).
2 Insert a new wiper blade and press it on/clip it into the wiper arm.
Use only wiper blades approved
by BMW. <
392de173
Onboard tool kit Wiper blades

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