2002 BMW 540I SEDAN spare tire

26n
Tire inflation pressureThe inflation pressures are indicated on
a sticker attached to the B-pillar behind
the driver's door (visible with door
open).Check tire pressuresAll pressure specifications are indicated
in psi (kilopascal) for tires at ambient
temperature (refer also to the next
pages).
Vehicles with Tire Pressure Monitor
(RDC)
*:
After correcting tire inflation pressures,
reactivate the system, refer to page 99.
390de697
Check your tire pressures on a
regular basis Ð at least twice a
month Ð and before every extended
journey. Incorrect tire pressure can lead
to driving instability, tire damage and
accidents.
Check the inflation pressure of the
spare tire also. Inflate the spare tire to
the highest pressure of any tire on your
vehicle.<
Comply with tire approval
specificationsThe inflation pressures in the tables
apply to BMW approved tires sizes and
tire manufacturers. Your BMW center is
familiar with these pressures. Higher
pressures may be specified for tires
from other manufacturers.
Your vehicle is equipped with tires that
not only meet US, but also European
standards. We recommend the exclu-
sive use of BMW approved tires.

100n
Tire Pressure Monitor (RDC)*Loss of tire pressureIf, after a certain period of time, the air
pressure has gone down significantly
(which is normal for any tire), the yellow
indicator lamp comes on or the
message "CHECK TIRE PRESSURE"
appears in the Check Control.
This alerts you that you should have the
tires inflated to the specified pressures
as soon as possible.
If you are prompted to check the
tire pressure shortly after a
correction has been made, this indi-
cates that the corrected values were
not accurate. Please check the inflation
pressure again and make corrections
according to the inflation pressure
table.<
Flat tireIf there is a tire failure with a loss of air
pressure, the red indicator lamp comes
on or the message "TIRE DEFECT"
appears in the Check Control. In addi-
tion, a gong sounds.
If this occurs, reduce vehicle speed
immediately and stop the vehicle in a
safe location. Avoid hard brake applica-
tions. Do not oversteer. Replace the flat
tire.
The spare tire which is available in
your vehicle as standard equip-
ment is equipped with the electronics
required for RDC and, following activa-
tion of the system, is also monitored
after it is mounted.<
The RDC cannot alert you to
severe and sudden tire damage
caused by external factors.<
Have the tires changed at your
BMW center.
Your BMW center has the information
needed for working with RDC and is
equipped with the necessary special
tools.<
System interferenceDuring the period of the malfunction,
the yellow indicator lamp comes on
or the message "TIRECONTROL INAC-
TIVE" appears in the Check Control.
You will also see the same message
>in the event of a system fault
>if a wheel is mounted without the
RDC electronics
>if, in addition to the spare tire, addi-
tional wheels with RDC electronics
are on board.
Please contact your BMW center for
additional information.

125n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Luggage compartment Ð sport wagonFloor compartmentTo release: press the handle in the
recess and fold the cover upward on
the handle (large arrow).
You can lock the cover with a master
key.
The dividers in the compartment can be
rearranged. If you remove the divider
and turn the divider retainer to the left
and remove it, you have a level storage
compartment.392de779
Fold the floor cover upLift up the black retainer on the lower
side of the panel and hook it into the
upper frame of the tailgate cutout.
Before you fold the floor cover down,
return the retainer to its original posi-
tion.392de168
Fold up the spare tire coverLift up the cover and hook it into the red
retainer on the floor panel (arrow).
Before you fold the cover down, return
the retainer to its original position.392de169

126n
Luggage compartment Cargo loadingRaise the cargo floorFor access to the compartment under
the floor or to the spare tire, etc.:
>Raise the cargo floor and secure it
with the support rod (arrow)
>Open the quick-release fasteners on
the spare tire cover.392de756
Stowing cargoWhen transporting loads in your BMW:
>Position heavy loads as far forward
as possible Ð directly behind the
backrests or the luggage compart-
ment partition panel Ð and at the
bottom (the illustration shows the
sport wagon)
>Cover sharp edges and corners
>Do not pile objects higher than the
top edge of the backrest
>Pull out the partition net
* (refer to
page 123) and ensure that carried
items cannot pass through the parti-
tion net
>For very heavy loads when the rear
seat is not occupied, secure each
safety belt in the opposite buckle.
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Securing the load>Secure smaller, light pieces with the
retaining straps or a luggage net
*, or
use elastic straps (refer to page 42)
>For large, heavy pieces, visit your
BMW center for load-securing
devices
*. Anchorages are provided
at the corners of the luggage
compartment for attaching these
load-securing devices (the illustration
shows the sport wagon)
>Read and comply with the informa-
tion enclosed with the load-securing
devices.
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133n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Information for your safetyThe factory-approved radial tires are
matched to the vehicle and have been
selected to provide optimum safety and
driving comfort.
It is not merely the tire's service life, but
also driving comfort and Ð above all else
Ð driving safety which depend on the
condition of the tires and the mainte-
nance of the specified tire pressure.
Incorrect inflation pressures are a
frequent cause of tire problems
and tire damage. Tire pressure also has
a major effect on your BMW's handling
response. We recommend that you
check the tire pressure Ð remember to
check the spare as well Ð before every
extended trip, as well as at least every
two weeks in normal use (refer to
page 26). Failure to observe these
precautions can result in incorrect tire
pressures, which cause instable
handling response as well as tire
damage, and can ultimately lead to an
accident.<
Tire tread Ð Tire damageInspect your tires frequently for tread
wear, signs of damage and for foreign
objects lodged in the tread. Check the
tread depth.
Tread depth should not be allowed to
go below 0.12 in (3 mm), even though
the legally specified minimum tread
depth is 0.063 in (1.6 mm). Tread wear
indicators (arrow) are embedded in the
base of the tire's tread. Their locations
are indicated by the legend "TWI" Ð
Tread Wear Indicator Ð at various points
on the tire's shoulder. When the tread
reaches a depth of 0.063 in (1.6 mm),
these indicators appear to signal that
the tires have worn to the minimum
legal level. Below 0.12 in (3 mm) tread
depth, there is an increased risk of
aquaplaning, even at relatively 390de331
moderate speeds and with only small
amounts of water on the road.
Do not drive on a deflated (flat)
tire. A flat tire greatly impairs
steering and braking response, and can
lead to complete loss of control over
the vehicle.
Avoid overloading the vehicle so that
the permitted load on the tires is not
exceeded. Overloading leads to over-
heating and causes damage inside the
tires. The ultimate result can assume
the form of a sudden air loss.
Unusual vibrations encountered during
normal vehicle operation can indicate a
flat tire or some other vehicle malfunc-
tion. The type of problem can be
caused by contact with curbs, etc. This
is also true for irregularities in the
vehicle's handling characteristics, such
as a pronounced tendency to pull to the
left or right. Should this occur, respond
by immediately reducing your speed.
Proceed carefully to the nearest BMW
center or professional tire center, or
have the vehicle towed in to have it, its
wheels and tires inspected.
Tire damage (up to and including blow-
outs) can endanger the lives of both the
vehicle occupants and other road
users.<
Tire inflation pressure Tire condition

135n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Tire replacement Wheel and tire combinationsUniform Tire Quality GradingQuality grades can be found where
applicable on the tire sidewall between
tread shoulder and maximum section
width. For example:
Treadwear 200 Traction AA
Temperature A
Do not use retreaded tires, since
driving safety may be impaired.
This is due to the possible variations in
casing structures and, in some cases,
to their extreme age, which can lead to
a decrease in their durability.< Tire ageThe date on which the tire was manu-
factured is indicated by the code on the
sidewall:
DOT ... 2601 indicates that the tire was
manufactured in Week 26 of the year
2001.
Although tires may have a theoretical
service life of up to 10 years, BMW
strongly recommends that you replace
all tires after an absolute maximum of
6 years.
The right choice
Never mount wheels and tires that
have not been specifically
approved by BMW for use on your
particular model. Although other wheels
and tires may theoretically have the
same dimensions, variations in factors
such as manufacturing tolerances can
result in contact between tire and body-
work, ultimately leading to serious acci-
dents. If non-approved wheels and tires
are used, BMW cannot evaluate their
suitability, and therefore cannot be held
liable for driving safety.<
BMW has tested certain tires for each
tire size, rated them according to road
safety and approved them. Your BMW
center can inform you which tires have
been tested in this way. Observe
possible national guidelines, e.g.
regarding entry into vehicle documents.
The correct wheel and tire combi-
nation affects different systems
such as ABS, ATC, ASC+T/DSC. The
function of these systems is impaired if
improper wheel and tire combinations
are used.
Always ensure that all of the tires
mounted on the vehicle are the same
series, from the same manufacturer and
with the same tread pattern. If you have
to mount the spare tire in response to a
flat, etc., you should remount a tire of
the correct specifications as soon as
possible.<
The use of rims and wheel bolts
that do not meet the specifica-
tions of the original factory-installed
equipment will affect the safe operation
of your vehicle and may cause an acci-
dent and personal injury.
Never mix tires of different design, such
as steel-belted radials with radial bias-
belted or bias-ply tires, etc. Mixing tire
types will adversely affect roadholding
and can lead to loss of vehicle
control.< Storage Store tires in a cool, dry place,
protecting them against light whenever
possible. Protect the tires against
contact with oil, grease and fuel.

157n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Changing a wheelWhat you will needIn order to avoid rattling noises later,
note the position of the tools when you
remove them and return them to their
original positions when you are through
using them.
>Car jack
sedan: fold back the luggage
compartment floor mat for access,
then unscrew the wingnut to release
the jack (arrow).
sport wagon: raise the floor panel
and spare tire cover (refer to
page 125).
When you have completed work,
screw the jack all the way back
down. Fold the handle back and
insert it in its holder394de090
>Wedge (wheel chock)
Located next to the jack. Loosen the
wing nut to remove it
>Spare tire and adapter
* for removing
the lug bolt cover
* (refer to the next
column)
Both are next to the jack. Remove the
adapter or the plastic cover. Unscrew
the wing nut (arrow) by hand and
remove the wheel
>Lug wrench and screwdriver
In the onboard tool kit under the
luggage compartment lid (refer to
page 150).
sport wagon: the lug wrench is next
to the spare tire.
394de091
Procedure1. Carefully read and comply with the
safety precautions on the previous
page
2. Secure the vehicle to prevent it
from rolling:
Place the wedge against the rear
surface of the front tire on the side
opposite the side being raised. If
the vehicle is parked on a down-
ward slope, place the wedge
securely in front of the tire. If the
wheel must be changed on a
surface with a more severe slope,
take additional precautions to
secure the vehicle from rolling
3. Wheels with full wheel covers
*:
Reach into the ventilation openings
and pull the cover off

158n
Changing a wheel4. Wheels with adapter
*: position the
lug bolt adapter on the lug bolt
cover. Then apply the lug wrench
and turn it to the left (refer to the
illustration)
5. Wheels with hub cover*: pry the
hub cover off with the screwdriver
in the slot
6. Loosen the lug bolts 1/2-turn
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7. Position the jack at the jacking
point closest to the flat tire so that
the jack base is vertically below the
jacking point and the entire surface
of the head of the jack will move
into the square recess of the
jacking point (refer to the illustration
detail) when the jack is cranked
8. Jack the vehicle up until the wheel
you are changing is raised from the
ground
9. Unscrew the lug bolts and remove
the wheel
10. Remove accumulations of mud or
dirt from the mounting surfaces of
the wheel and hub. Clean the lug
bolts390de707
11. Position the spare wheel. Secure
the wheel by turning at least two lug
bolts into opposite bolt holes
12. Screw in the remaining lug bolts.
Tighten all the bolts securely in a
diagonal pattern
13. Lower the jack and remove it from
beneath the vehicle
14. Tighten the lug bolts in a diagonal
pattern
15. Wheels with full wheel covers:
Place the wheel cover with the
valve opening over the valve
(arrow). Use both hands to press
the cover securely onto the rim
For this light-weight wheel, use
only the full wheel cover installed
by the factory. Other wheel covers may
not fit securely.< 390de360