2002 BMW 540I SEDAN ignition

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.

114n
BMW Universal Transmitter
*
Programming1 Channel buttons
2 Indicator lamp
3 Receiver for programming
Read and comply with the safety
precautions on page 113.<
1. Ignition key in position 2
2. For initial operation: press and hold
the two outer buttons 1 until the indi-
cator lamp 2 flashes. Release the
buttons. The three channel buttons
are cleared390de640
3. Hold the original hand-held trans-
mitter at the receiver 3 a maximum of
2 in (5 cm) away
4. Simultaneously press the transmit-
ting button of the original hand-held
transmitter (arrow 2) and the desired
channel button of the BMW Universal
Transmitter (arrow 1). Release both
buttons as soon as the indicator
lamp flashes rapidly
5. To program other original hand-held
transmitters, repeat steps 3 and 4.
The corresponding channel button is
now programmed with the signal of the
original hand-held transmitter.380de712
Programming a hand-held
transmitter with change code
Read and comply with the safety
precautions on page 113.<
Consult the operating instructions for
the individual device when program-
ming the BMW Universal Transmitter.
Read and comply with the following
programming instructions for the use of
the BMW Universal Transmitter with a
change code system:
A second person simplifies
programming of the BMW
Universal Transmitter.<

116n
Glove compartment Storage compartmentsTo openPull the handle and the lamp comes on.To closeFold the cover up.
To prevent injury in the event of an
accident, close the glove
compartment immediately after use.< 390de738
To lockUse one of the master keys. A master
key is also required for unlocking.
For example, if you turn over only
your door and ignition keys for
valet parking (refer to page 32), access
to the glove compartment is not
possible.< Rechargeable flashlight
*
Located on the left-hand side of the
glove compartment.
Features integral overload-protection,
so it can be left in its holder continu-
ously.
Be sure that the flashlight is
switched off when it is inserted
into its holder. To avoid completely
discharging and possibly damaging the
lamp, always ensure that it is switched
off before inserting it in the socket.<
The cover of the storage compartment
on the vertical surface of the center
console can be pushed open or closed
(illustration). If your vehicle is equipped
with a cassette holder
*, open each
cassette compartment by pressing on
the small button.
Storage compartment on the center
console between the front seats: to
open, reach into the recess at the front
and pull upward.
You will find a coin holder in the door
pocket on the driver's side.
You will find additional storage
compartments in all of the doors as well
as on the backrests of the front seats.
390de739

118n
Cigarette lighter
*
Ashtray, rear
Press the cover panel for access
(arrow), then push the lighter down.
You can remove the lighter from its
socket for use as soon as it snaps back
out.
Hold or touch the hot cigarette
lighter by the knob only. Holding
or touching it in other areas could result
in burns.
The cigarette lighter remains opera-
tional when the ignition key has been
removed.
For this reason, do not leave unsuper-
vised children in the vehicle.< 390us737
Cigarette lighter socketThis socket is suitable for attaching
power supplies for flashlights, car
vacuum cleaners and other appliances
up to a rating of approx. 200 watts at
12 volts. Avoid damage to the socket
caused by inserting plugs of different
shapes or sizes.Non-smoker's equipment
packageOn vehicles with the non-smoker's
equipment package, the socket is
concealed by a cover.
For access to the socket: lift off the
cover.
To emptyPress the edge of the cover (arrow).
The ashtray moves up and can be
removed.390de744

119n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Through-loading system
*
Fold the rear backrests downReach into the recess and pull forward
(arrow 1).
When you close the backrest, be sure
that the catch engages securely. The
red slide (arrow 2) must go underneath.394de745
The central belt has an additional small
buckle.
>If you connect the two belt sections,
you can use the central belt as any
normal 3-point belt
>It is easier to fold the rear-seat back-
rest up and down if you unbuckle the
belt (arrow).394de746
With a master key, you can lock each
backrest in the rear seat.
This also prevents access to the
luggage compartment from the interior
of the vehicle when you turn over the
door and ignition key 3 to someone else
(refer to page 32), for valet parking, etc.394de747

164n
Towing the vehicle
The towed vehicle should always
be the lighter of the two vehicles.
If this is not the case, it is no longer
possible to control vehicle response.<
Tow-startingIt is not possible to start the engine of
vehicles equipped with an automatic
transmission by towing or pushing.
For instructions on jump-starting: refer
to page 162.
Never attempt to use your vehicle to
push another vehicle, since damage to
the energy-absorbing bumpers could
result.
Towing a vehicle with automatic
transmission1. Place the selector lever in position N
2. Towing speed:
Max. 45 mph (70 km/h)
3. Towing distance:
Max. 95 miles (150 km)
4. Leave the ignition key in position 1 to
ensure that the brake lamps, turn
signals, horn and windshield wipers
remain operative, and to prevent the
steering lock detent from engaging
5. Switch on the hazard warning
flashers (observe official regulations).
Find some means of identifying the
vehicle in tow, for instance, place a sign
or warning triangle in the rear window.
Make sure that the ignition key
remains in position 1 even when
the electrical system has failed to
prevent the steering lock from
engaging. The steering and brakes are
without power-assist when the engine
is off. This means that increased effort
is required for steering and braking.<
Towing with a commercial
tow truck>Do not tow with sling-type equipment
>Use a wheel-lift or flatbed carrier
>Please comply with applicable towing
laws.
Never allow passengers to ride in
a towed vehicle for any reason.< 380us124

Everything from A to Z
179n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
I
Ice warning80
Identification, tires135
Ignition lock66
Immoblizer function94
activating code94
deactivating code94
selecting code94
Important in the engine
compartment138
Imprint4
Independent ventilation
system112
Indicator and warning
lamps19
Inflation pressure26t
monitoring99
Inflation pressure,
tires26, 133
INSPECTION82
Instrument
cluster15, 16, 17
Instrument displays15
Instrument lighting102
Instrument panel16, 17
Instrument panel switch76
Instruments15
Intensive cleaning139 Interior lamps103
Interior mirror58
Interior motion sensor42
avoiding unintentional
alarms44
deactivate35
Interior rearview mirror57
automatic dimmer58
Interlock66
J
Jack157
Jump-starting162t K
Key Memory64
Key with remote control32
Keys32
Kickdown71, 74 L
Lamps and bulbs151t
LATCH child-restraint
system63
LATCH child-restraint
system, sport wagon64 Leather care, refer to the
"Caring for your vehicle"
manual
Length of vehicle169
Level control system21, 99
inactive99t
License plate lamps
bulb replacement156t
Liftgate, refer to tailgate40
Light switch101
Lighter118
LIGHTS ON warning101
LIMIT91
Load-securing devices126
Louvers104, 107
Low beams101
bulb replacement151t
Low-fuel warning lamp81
Lug bolts158
Lug wrench157t
Luggage
compartment38, 42, 123
capacity171
manual operation38t
Luggage compartment
lid38
electrical malfunction38
emergency release from
luggage compartment's
interior41 opening from the
outside39
opening separately38
remote control35
secure separately38
Luggage compartment's
interior, emergency
release41
Luggage net42
Luggage straps42
Lumbar support50
M
M+S tires136
Maintenance82, 144t
Malfunction displays83t
Manual operation
doors33
fuel filler door24
luggage compartment
lid38
sliding/tilt sunroof47
tailgate39
Manual transmission69
Manually controlled
recirculated-air110
Manually-adjusted seat50
Master key32
Maximum cooling110
Memory settings