2002 BMW 540I SEDAN ignition

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OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Seat, mirror and steering wheel memory Seat heating
*
Your BMW center can adjust your
vehicle's systems in such a
manner that your personalized settings
are automatically called up for the seat,
mirror and steering wheel positions
when you unlock the vehicle with your
personal remote control key.<
Before using the key memory
feature to unlock the vehicle
always ensure that no objects are
stored in the footwell behind the
driver's seat. If you fail to do so,
persons or objects could be injured or
damaged if the seat should move back-
ward.<
Passenger-side exterior mirror tilt
function(automatic curb monitor)
1 Move the mirror selector switch
(arrow) to the "driver's mirror" posi-
tion
2 When the selector lever is placed in
"Reverse," the passenger-side mirror
tilts downward to help the driver
monitor the area directly adjacent to
the vehicle during parking (curbs,
etc.).
You can deactivate this automatic
feature by setting the mirror selection
switch to the "passenger-side" posi-
tion.390de720
The seat cushion and backrest can be
heated with the ignition key in
position 2.
You can select from different heating
modes by repeatedly pressing the keys.
You can also switch the higher heating
modes off directly:
Press the key and hold it slightly longer.390us729

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Adjusting steering wheel Heated steering wheel
*
The steering wheel can be moved in
any of four directions. Adjust by moving
the control lever in the desired direc-
tion.
Do not adjust the steering wheel
while the vehicle is moving. There
is a risk of accident from unexpected
movement.<
To store the steering wheel setting,
refer to "Seat, mirror and steering
wheel memory" on page 54.390de711
Automatic steering wheel
adjustmentIn order to make it easier to get into and
out of the vehicle, the steering wheel
automatically moves into the top posi-
tion and returns to the driving (memory)
position.
This automatic feature is controlled by
the position of the ignition key and by
the driver's door.
The heated steering wheel feature is
available for operation when the ignition
key is in position 2.
Press the button to switch on and off.
The lamp within the button lights up
when the steering wheel heater is in
operation.
If you have a multifunction steering
wheel without steering wheel heating,
the button for the recirculated-air mode
is in this location (refer to page 22).
390de708

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OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
MirrorsExterior mirrors1 Mirror switch for 4-way adjustment
2 Left/right selection switchTo adjust manuallyThe mirrors can also be adjusted by
hand:
Press the edge of the lens.
To store mirror settings, refer to "Seat,
mirror and steering wheel memory" on
page 54.390us733
Curved-lens mirror
The passenger-side mirror
features a convex lens. When esti-
mating the distance between yourself
and other traffic, bear in mind that the
objects reflected in the mirror are closer
than they appear.<
Self-defrosting mirrorsBoth mirrors are defrosted automati-
cally when the ignition key is in
position 2.
Interior rearview mirrorTo reduce glare from vehicles behind
you after dark, tilt the mirror by moving
the small lever.390de713

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OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Airbags
Never apply stickers or adhesive-
backed objects of any kind to the
airbag covers. Never attempt to reup-
holster the covers or modify them in any
way. If the airbags deploy in response
to an accident, if you note any signs of
system malfunction, or if you wish to
have any parts of the airbag passenger-
restraint system deactivated, always
contact your BMW center, to whom we
strongly urge you to entrust all testing,
repair and dismantling operations.
Never attempt to modify or tamper with
either the system's electrical wiring or
any of its individual components.
System components include the uphol-
stered surfaces on the steering wheel,
instrument panel, the trim panels on the
front and rear doors (with rear airbags)
and the roof braces as well as the sides
of the headliner above the doors.
Never attempt to remove or dismantle
the steering wheel.
To ensure compliance with official
safety regulations, always entrust
disposal of airbag generators to your
BMW center. Attempts to carry out
service procedures undertaken by
anyone other than specially-trained
professionals can result in system
failure or undesired airbag deployment,
both of which can lead to personal
injury. If the airbags deploy in response
to an accident, always remember to
avoid all contact with system compo-
nents, as they are hot and can cause
burns in the period immediately
following deployment.<
All vehicle occupants should
always sit upright and be properly
restrained (infants and small children in
appropriate child-restraint systems;
larger children and adults using the
safety belts). Never let an occupant's
head rest near or on a side airbag: the
inflating airbag could cause a serious or
fatal injury. Please note that the word
"Airbag" imprinted on the door trim
panel indicates the airbag's location.
Accident research shows that the
safest place for children in an automo-
bile is in the rear seat. However, a child
sitting in the rear seat and not properly
restrained may place his or her head on
or near the side airbag, if installed. For
example, a child Ð even though belted Ð
may fall asleep with his or her head
against the side airbag. It may be diffi-
cult for a driver to ensure that children
in the rear seat will remain properly
positioned at all times and do not place
their heads on or near the side airbag.
Therefore, we recommend that the
rear-seat side airbags, if provided, be
deactivated if you plan to transport chil-
dren in the rear seat.
The rear-seat side airbags may already
have been deactivated, either at the
time of manufacture or by a BMW
center. Labels in the rear door opening
should indicate the status of your rear-
seat side airbags. If you are uncertain of
their status, or wish to have the airbags
activated or deactivated, please
contact your BMW center.<
Even when all these guidelines are
followed, there is still a small residual
risk of injuries to the face, hands and
arms occurring in isolated instances.
The ignition and inflation noise may
provoke a mild temporary hearing loss
in extremely sensitive individuals.
Airbag warning information is also
provided on the sun visors.

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AirbagsThis is the right way for a child to sit in a
child restraint when rear side airbags
(arrow) are provided.380de637
This is the right way for a larger child to
sit wearing the safety belt when rear
side airbags (arrow) are provided.380de638
Indicator lamp
The indicator lamp indicates the
operational status of the airbag
system from ignition key posi-
tion 1.
System operational:
>The indicator lamp comes on briefly
then goes out.
System malfunction:
>The indicator lamp fails to come on
>The indicator lamp comes on briefly
before going out and then lighting up
again.
Please respond to any malfunctions in
the system by immediately having it
inspected at your BMW center; other-
wise the airbag could fail to respond to
an accident in which both the angle and
the severity of the impact would
normally trigger airbag deployment.

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0 Steering locked
1 Steering unlocked
2 Ignition switched on
3 Starting engine
Steering locked The key can be inserted or removed in
this position only.
After removing the key, turn the
steering wheel slightly to the left or right
until the lock engages.
An acoustic warning is sounded when
you fail to remove the ignition key after
opening the driver's door. 390de010
Vehicles with automatic transmis-
sion:
Do not move the selector lever from the
"Park" position until the engine is
running (ignition key in position 2).
To turn the key back to position 0 (for
instance, prior to removal), start by
moving the selector lever to position P
(Interlock).<
Steering unlocked You will find that it is often easier to turn
the ignition key from position 0 to posi-
tion 1 when you move the steering
wheel slightly to help disengage the
lock.
Individual electrical accessories are
ready for operation.Starting engine
Vehicles with manual transmis-
sion: depress the clutch when
starting the engine. A lockout prevents
the engine from starting with the clutch
engaged.<
Before starting>Engage the parking brake
>Be sure that the transmission is in
"Neutral" (or "Park" if the vehicle is
equipped with an automatic trans-
mission)
>Step on the clutch pedal.
Do not allow the engine to run in
enclosed spaces. The exhaust
gases contain carbon monoxide, an
odorless and colorless, but highly toxic
gas. Breathing the exhaust gases poses
an extreme health risk, and can lead to
unconsciousness and death.
Never leave the vehicle unattended
with the engine running. An unattended
vehicle with a running engine repre-
sents a potential safety hazard.<
Steering/Ignition lock Starting the engine

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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.<

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Switching off the engine Parking brakeTurn the ignition key to position 1 or 0.
Do not remove the ignition key
while the vehicle is rolling. The
steering locks, making it impossible to
steer the vehicle.
Always remove the ignition key and
engage the steering lock before leaving
the vehicle.
Vehicles with manual transmission:
Always engage the parking brake
when parking on hills and inclined
surfaces, as first gear or reverse may
not provide adequate resistance to
rolling.
Vehicles with automatic transmission:
Place the selector lever in "Park."<
Vehicles with automatic transmission:
The vehicle must be stationary and the
selector lever in "Park" before you can
remove the ignition key.
The parking brake is primarily designed
to prevent the vehicle from rolling while
parked. It operates on the rear wheels.To engageThe lever engages automatically and
the "PARK BRAKE" or "BRAKE" (in
Canada "P") indicator lamp comes on in
the instrument cluster in ignition key
position 2. Refer to pages 19 and 20.To releasePull up slightly on the lever, press the
button and lower the lever.390de714
If, in exceptional circumstances, it
should be necessary to engage
the parking brake while the vehicle is in
motion, do not pull it with excessive
pressure. Keep your thumb pressed
against the release button while care-
fully pulling up the lever to apply
moderate pressure.
Excessive pressure can lead to over-
braking and loss of traction (fishtailing)
at the rear.
The brake lamps do not come on when
the parking brake is applied.
Vehicles with manual transmission:
Always engage the parking brake
when parking on hills and inclined
surfaces, as first gear or reverse may
not provide adequate resistance to
rolling.
Vehicles with automatic transmission:
Place the selector lever in "Park."<
You can help prevent corrosion and
avoid uneven braking response by
gently engaging the parking brake from
time to time when coasting to a stop at
traffic lights (ensure that you will not
pose a hazard to other road users).