
 
Contents
 
Operation, maintenance
Owner service procedures
Technical data
 
Under the hood:
 
Hood137
Engine compartment 
essentials138
Washer fluids139
Engine oil140
Coolant142
Brake fluid143
 
Maintenance:
 
The BMW Maintenance 
System144
 
Laws and regulations:
 
Technical modifications145
California Proposition 
65 Warning145
OBD interface socket146
 
Replacement procedures:
 
Onboard tool kit150
Windshield wiper blades150
Lamps and bulbs151
Changing a wheel156
Battery160
Fuses160
 
Assistance, giving and 
receiving:
 
Jump-starting162
Towing the vehicle163Engine specifications168
Dimensions169
Weights171
Capacities173 

 
19n
 
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
 
Indicator and warning lamps
 
Technology that monitors itself
 
The system runs a check on the 
warning and indicator lamps marked by 
"
 
l
 
" each time you switch on the igni-
tion. 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. 
The following section describes how 
you should respond.
 
Red: stop immediately
 
Battery charge current 
 
l
 
The battery is no longer being 
charged. This indicates a defect 
in the alternator drive belt or in the 
charging circuit of the alternator. Please 
contact the nearest BMW center.
Stop and switch off the engine 
immediately to prevent over-
heating and serious engine damage. If 
the drive belt is defective, increased 
steering effort is also required.
 
<
 
 
Engine oil pressure 
 
l
 
May be accompanied by the 
message "STOP!ENGINE 
OILPRESS" in the Check Control 
display panel
 
* 
: stop the vehicle imme-
diately and switch off the engine. Check 
the engine oil level; top up as required. 
If the oil level is correct: please contact 
the nearest BMW center.
Do not continue driving, as the 
engine could sustain serious 
damage from inadequate lubrication.
 
<
 
 
 
Tire Pressure Monitor (RDC)
 
* 
 
 
l
 
Accompanied by an acoustic 
warning signal: a tire failure has 
occurred. Reduce vehicle speed imme-
diately and stop the vehicle. Avoid hard 
brake applications. Do not oversteer. 
For additional information: refer to 
page 98
Parking brake
 
* 
/
brake system hydraulic circuits 
 
l
 
Comes on when you engage the 
parking brake. 
For additional information: refer to 
page 68
Comes on although the parking brake 
is released: have the brake fluid level 
checked. Before continuing your 
journey, be sure to read the notes on 
pages 132 and 143
Also comes on with the message 
"CHECK BRAKE LININGS" in the 
Check Control.
Parking brake warning lamp
 
* 
/
brake system hydraulic circuits 
for Canadian models. 

32n
Keys Central locking system1 Master key with remote control unit, 
for information on programming the 
key memory refer to page 64.
You can mark individual keys for 
subsequent identification by applying 
the colored decals that you received 
when accepting delivery of your 
vehicle
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 not in regular use, you 
should use that key approx. once every 
year while driving for an extended 
period. This will charge the battery. 
Refer also to page 34.< 463de023
2 Spare key for storage in a safe place, 
such as in your wallet. This key is not 
intended for continuous use
3 Door and ignition key
The locks for the luggage compart-
ment lid/tailgate, rear backrest and 
glove compartment cannot be oper-
ated with this key. This is recom-
mended for valet parking, for 
instance
The conceptThe central locking system is ready for 
operation as soon as you close the front 
doors. The system engages and 
releases the locks on the 
>doors
>luggage compartment lid/tailgate 
and rear window
*
>fuel filler door. 
The central locking system can be 
operated 
>from outside via the driver's door lock 
as well as via the remote control
>from inside via the central locking 
system button. 
Activation from inside does not lock the 
fuel filler door (refer to page 37). Activa-
tion from outside simultaneously arms 
the anti-theft system. The alarm system 
is also activated or deactivated.
When you use the central locking 
system to lock the doors from inside 
the vehicle, it will automatically disen-
gage the locks if an accident occurs, 
except on doors that have been locked 
individually using the lock buttons, refer 
to page 37. The accident response 
routine also includes automatic activa-
tion of the hazard warning flashers and 
the interior lamps. 

34n
Opening and closing Ð via the remote controlThe conceptThe 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 35.
With this function, you can also 
"search for" your vehicle, when 
parked in an underground garage, for 
instance
>To open the luggage compartment 
lid/tailgate, refer to page 35.
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.
Whenever you unlock (lock) the vehicle, 
you simultaneously deactivate (activate) 
the anti-theft system, disarm (arm) the 
alarm system and switch the interior 
lamps on (off).
You can have a signal set to 
confirm that the vehicle's locks 
have engaged securely.< 
1 Unlock, convenience opening and 
alarm system
2 Lock and secure, interior lamp activa-
tion, disarming tilt alarm sensor and 
interior motion sensor
3 Open the luggage compartment lid/
tailgate, panic mode390de793
Master keys with remote control
Since passengers or animals 
remaining in the vehicle 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.< 
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 lock 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 32.
To prevent unauthorized use of the 
remote control, surrender only the door 
and ignition key 3 or the spare key 2 
(refer to page 32) 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.<  

42n
Luggage compartment Alarm systemLuggage strapsUse the straps on the floor of the 
luggage compartment to secure smaller 
items of luggage.
Movement is reduced when objects are 
placed on the straps.
The fittings at the corners of the 
luggage compartment provide you 
with a convenient means of attaching 
luggage nets
* and flexible straps for 
securing suitcases and luggage.
Refer also to "Cargo loading" on 
page 126.
394de302
HangerOn the left-hand side of the luggage 
compartment is a hanger for fastening 
shopping bags, packages and similar 
items.394de144
The conceptThe vehicle alarm system responds
>when a door, the hood, the luggage 
compartment lid/tailgate or the rear 
window is opened
>to movement inside the vehicle (inte-
rior motion sensor)
>to variations in the vehicle's tilt angle 
such as those occurring 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
>an acoustic alarm for 30 seconds
>the hazard warning flashers, for 
approx. five minutes
>the high beams flash on and off in the 
same rhythm as the hazard warning 
flashers. 

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OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Sliding/tilt sunroof
*
Despite this safety feature, be 
extremely careful that the travel 
path of the sunroof is not obstructed 
whenever it is closed. Remember that 
the safety mechanism may not be able 
to detect obstructions under all circum-
stances (with very thin objects, for 
instance). You can disable this safety 
feature by pressing the switch beyond 
the pressure 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 
sunroof. In order to open the raised 
roof, press the control switch towards 
"Open" and maintain pressure until the 
roof has reached the desired position.
The headliner insert slides back some-
what when you raise the sunroof, and 
retracts along with the sunroof panel 
when you slide it back. The insert then 
remains open, and you can slide it back 
and forth to adjust it whenever the 
sunroof is not fully retracted.
Interruption in the electrical 
supplyAfter 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 fully
2. Press and hold the switch for approx 
twenty seconds.390de725
Manual operationIn the event of an electrical malfunction, 
you can also operate the sliding/tilt 
sunroof manually:
1. Remove the interior lamp, then reach 
into the exposed opening and press 
out the cover
2. Use the Allen key from the onboard 
tool kit (refer to page 150) to turn the 
sliding/tilt sunroof in the desired 
direction.390de376 

67n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Starting the engineStarting the engineDo not press the accelerator pedal 
while starting the engine.
While it is important not to release 
the key prematurely, you should 
also avoid allowing the starter to 
operate continuously for more than 
20 seconds at a time. Release the igni-
tion key immediately as soon as the 
engine starts.
BMW 540i with automatic transmission:
Your BMW is equipped with the conve-
nience starting feature. Simply turn the 
key to position 3 (starter) and then 
release it immediately.
The starter continues to operate auto-
matically and will be deactivated as 
soon as the engine starts.
The automatic starting mode will not 
operate if the battery voltage is low. 
The engine can be jump-started using 
an external power source (refer to 
page 162).<
Do not allow the engine to warm up 
by leaving it running while the vehicle 
remains stationary. Instead, begin to 
drive immediately at a moderate engine 
speed.
Should the engine fail to start on the 
first attempt (if it is very hot or cold, for 
instance):
>Press the accelerator pedal halfway 
down while engaging the starter.
Cold starts at extremely low tempera-
tures of roughly +5 7 (Ð15 6) or below 
and at altitudes of over 3,300 ft 
(1,000 m):
>Allow the starter to turn somewhat 
longer (approximately 10 seconds) 
during your initial starting attempt.
Engine idle speed is controlled by the 
engine-management system. Higher 
idle speeds at startup are normal and 
should decrease as the engine warms 
up. If engine speed does not decrease, 
service is required.
To prevent the battery from discharging, 
always deactivate electrical devices 
that are not in use. Switch the ignition 
off when the vehicle is not being driven.Extended starting attempts, char-
acterized by excessively frequent 
or long periods with the starter 
engaged, can lead to catalyst 
damage.<
When driving, standing at idle, 
and parking the vehicle, take care 
to avoid contact between the exhaust 
system and flammable materials (grass, 
hay, leaves, etc.).  Such contact could 
lead to a fire, resulting in serious 
personal injury and property damage.< 

87n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Multi-Information Display (MID)
*
Central displayThe MID serves as the central display 
and operation for the following onboard 
systems:
>Digital clock (e. g. time display, date)
>Audio systems (radio, cassette, CD)
>Computer ( e.g. fuel consumption, 
cruising range)
>Cellular phone ( e.g. dialing).
You will find explanations and informa-
tion on operating the digital clock and 
the computer on the following pages. 
Please refer to the separate Owner's 
Manual instructions for operating the 
audio systems, the cellular phone and 
the computer.
The system rejects implausible 
numerical entries. 
Any interruption in the supply of elec-
trical power from the battery will result 
in the loss of all stored data. Once the 
power has been restored, you will need 
to reset the clock and re-enter any 
times for activating the auxiliary heater/
parked-car ventilation. Distance and 
vehicle speed data must also be 
entered again.<
1 Function button for audio systems
2 Function button for the cellular 
phone
*
3 Indicator lamp for independent 
ventilation
*
>remains on if switch-on time is 
active
>flashes while operating
4 Function button for the digital clock 
and computer
5 Indicator display for the various 
computer systems390us705
6 Display for the entry and display 
buttons. Depending on the operating 
mode, the functions and alternatives 
which can be selected at the buttons 
are displayed here
7 Entry and display buttons for oper-
ating the various computer systems