
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.<  

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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.< 

95n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Computer in the MID
*
After three incorrect code entries, or 
three attempts to start the engine 
without a code entry, the alarm will 
sound for 30 seconds on vehicles 
equipped with an alarm. 
Deactivating the alarm in an emer-
gency:
If you have forgotten the code, proceed 
as follows:
1. Disconnect the battery, wait approx. 
2 minutes, then reconnect it. Note 
that on vehicles with an alarm, this 
will sound
2. Set the ignition key to position 1:
The time display will count down for 
the next ten minutes
3. After ten minutes, start the engine. 
If the code becomes available 
again in the meantime, it can be 
entered during the waiting period after 
pressing the CODE button.<
Remote controlThe button on the turn signal indicator 
lever can be used to select the 
computer data which are to be 
displayed.
To do this, press
>the button on the lever until PROG 1 
shows on the display
>the MID buttons in the order in which 
you wish the information to be 
displayed.
Each time an entry is stored, the 
program number appears on the 
display.
To terminate the selection procedure:
Press the right side of the button.390de700
To have all the available information 
displayed, press 
>the button on the lever until the 
display shows PROG 1
>the SET button.
To obtain individual items of informa-
tion, press the button briefly as often as 
necessary. 

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OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Interior lamps Reading lampsThe interior lamps operate automati-
cally.Switching the interior lamps on 
and off manuallyPress the button (arrow) briefly.
If you want the interior lamps to remain 
off all the times, press and hold the 
button for approx. 3 seconds.
Press the button briefly to revert to 
normal operation.
The lamp in the sport wagon's cargo 
area operates the same way.390de638
The reading lamps are located in the 
front near the interior lamp. There are 
also reading lamps in the rear. They can 
be switched on and off with the switch 
(arrow) adjacent to each lamp.
To avoid subjecting the battery to 
excessive loads, all of the lamps 
within the vehicle are automatically 
switched off approximately 15 minutes 
after you turn the ignition key to posi-
tion 0.< 394de301 

111n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Automatic climate control
*
Residual heating mode
The heat which is stored in 
the engine is utilized for 
heating the interior when the engine 
has been switched off (while waiting at 
a railroad crossing, for instance).
In ignition key position 1, you can alter 
the settings of the automatic climate 
control. In ignition key position 0, the 
system automatically directs heated air 
to the windshield, side windows and 
footwells. 
This function is available for oper-
ation when the outside tempera-
ture is below approximately 59 7 
(15 6), with the engine warm from 
recent operation and an adequate 
charge in the battery. The LED on the 
button will light up when all conditions 
have been met.< 
Draft-free ventilationYou can adjust the air outlets for the 
upper body area completely for your 
personal comfort:
1 Rotary dials for infinitely-variable 
opening and closing of the vent 
outlets
2 Selector levers for airflow direction
3 Rotary dial allows you to control the 
temperature of the airflow as desired:
>Turn toward blue Ð colder
>Turn toward red Ð warmer.390de685
Rear passenger area ventilation1 Rotary dial for infinitely-variable 
opening and closing of the vent 
outlets
2 Selector levers for airflow direction
3 The rotary dial operates in the same 
way as the front dial to adjust the 
temperature of the emerging air.390de686 

112n
Automatic climate control
*
Roller sun blind
*
Parked-car ventilation
*
Microfilter, activated-charcoal 
filterThe microfilter removes dust and pollen 
from the incoming air. The activated-
charcoal filter provides additional 
protection by filtering gaseous pollut-
ants from the outside air. Your BMW 
center replaces this combined filter as a 
standard part of your scheduled main-
tenance. A substantial reduction in 
airflow indicates that the filter must be 
replaced before scheduled mainte-
nance.
To operate, press the button briefly with 
the ignition key in position 1 or 2.
Sun blinds
for rear side windows
*
Use the strap to extract the blinds, then 
hook them in the attachment provided.390us730
This system allows you to ventilate the 
interior and lower its temperature using 
the blower of the automatic climate 
control.
The parked-car ventilation system is 
operated via the Multi-Information 
Display (MID) Ð refer to page 90 Ð or 
the onboard computer. Refer to the 
separate Owner's Manual.
You can set two different times for the 
system to start; it will remain active for 
30 minutes. You can also turn it on and 
off directly. Since the system uses a 
substantial amount of electrical current, 
you should not activate it twice in 
succession without allowing the battery 
to be recharged in normal operation 
between use.
The parked-car ventilation system is 
available for timer-controlled operation 
at outside temperatures above 60 7 
(16 6) as well as for manual operation 
at any temperature, provided that the 
vehicle is stationary.
The air emerges via the vent outlets 
for the upper body. Therefore, the 
vents must be open for the system to 
operate.