2002 BMW 540I SEDAN transmission oil

20n

Indicator and warning lamps

Red: as important reminder

Parking brake

*
Comes on when you engage the
parking brake.
For additional information: refer to
page 68
Parking brake warning lamp

*
for
Canadian models.
Please fasten safety belts

l

Accompanied by warning tone
and message

*
in the Check
Control panel. Remains on until the
safety belts are fastened.
For additional information on safety
belts: refer to page 53.
Airbags

l

Please have the system
inspected by your BMW center.
For additional information: refer to
page 58

Yellow: please have checked at
your earliest opportunity

Antilock Brake System (ABS)

l

ABS has been deactivated in
response to system malfunction.
Conventional braking efficiency is avail-
able without limitations. Please have
the system inspected by your BMW
center.
For additional information: refer to
page 131
Antilock Brake System (ABS)
warning lamp for Canadian
models.
Engine oil level

*
Comes on while driving: the
engine oil level has fallen to the
absolute minimum; refill as soon as
possible. Do not drive more than
approx. 30 miles (50 km) until you do.
For additional information: refer to
page 140
Engine oil level

*
Comes on after the engine has
been shut off: add engine oil at
your earliest opportunity (when you
stop to refuel).
For additional information: refer to
page 140

Automatic transmission

*
Because of a malfunction, the
automatic transmission shifts
only in the emergency program. Please
consult the nearest BMW center.
For additional information: refer to
pages 72 and 75
Brake pads

*


l

Have the brake pads checked.
For additional information: refer
to page 132

Dynamic Brake Control (DBC)

*

l


Malfunction in DBC system.
Conventional braking efficiency
is available without limitations.
Have the system repaired by your BMW
center at the earliest possible opportu-
nity.
For additional information: refer to
page 98
Dynamic Brake Control (DBC)
warning lamp for Canadian
models.
Tire Pressure Monitor (RDC)

*


l

Check the tire inflation pressure.
Refer to pages 26, 98

140n
Engine oilChecking oil level1. Park the vehicle on a level surface
2. Shut the engine off after it has
reached normal operating tempera-
ture
3. After approx. 5 minutes, pull the
dipstick out and wipe it off with a
clean lint-free cloth, paper towel, or
similar material
4. Carefully push the dipstick all the
way into the guide tube and pull it
out again
5. The oil level should be in between
the two marks on the dipstick.
As with fuel economy, oil consumption
is directly influenced by your driving
style and vehicle operating conditions.390de647
The oil volume between the two marks
on the dipstick corresponds to approx.
1.1 US quarts (1 liter). Do not fill beyond
the upper mark on the dipstick. Excess
oil will damage the engine.460de189
Adding engine oilWhile you should wait until the level has
dropped to just above the lower gradu-
ation before adding oil, you should
never allow the oil level to fall below
this marking.
BMW engines are designed to
operate without oil additives; the
use of additives could lead to damage
in some cases. This is also true for the
manual transmission, the automatic
transmission, the differential, and the
power steering system.<
Recommendation: have the oil changed
by your BMW center only.390de626

173n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Capacities

Notes
Fuel tank
Reservegal. (liters)
gal. (liters)approx. 18.5 (approx. 70)
approx. 2.0 (approx. 8) Ð BMW 525i, 530i
approx. 2.5 (approx. 10) Ð BMW 540iFuel specification: page 25
Windshield washer system
with headlamp washer system
Intensive cleaning systemquarts (liters)
quarts (liters)
quarts (liters)approx. 3.7 (approx. 3.5)
approx. 6.3 (approx 6.0)
approx. 1.1 (approx 1.0)For details: page 139
Cooling system including
heater circuitquarts (liters) 11.1 (10.5) Ð BMW 525i, 530i
12.7 (12.0) Ð BMW 540iFor details: page 142
Engine oil and filter change quarts (liters) 6.9 (6.5) Ð BMW 525i, 530i
7.9 (7.5) Ð BMW 540i"BMW High Performance
Synthetic Oil."
For details: page 141
Manual transmission, automatic
transmission and differentialÐ Ð Lifetime fluid, no fluid
change required

Everything from A to ZA
ABS (Antilock Brake
System)20, 131
Accessories10
Activated-charcoal
filter112
Active seat52
Adaptive Transmission
Control (ATC)70, 73
Add
antifreeze142t
brake fluid143t
engine coolant142t
engine oil140t
washer fluid139t
Adjusting
backrest50
head restraints52
mirrors57
seats48
steering wheel56
temperature105, 109
thigh support50
Air conditioning104
Air distribution105, 109
Air outlets104, 107
Air pressure26t, 133
Air supply105, 109
Air vent104, 107 Airbags20, 58
Alarm system42
Anchorages to secure the
load126
Antifreeze, disposal142t
Antifreeze, radiator142
Antilock Brake System
(ABS)20, 131
Anti-theft alarm system42
Anti-theft protection34
Approved axle weight171
Approved gross vehicle
weight171
Aquaplaning131, 133
ASC+T (Automatic Stability
Control plus Traction)21
ASC+T/DSC (Automatic
Stability Control plus
Traction/Dynamic Stability
Control)97
Ashtray, front117
Ashtray, rear118
ATC (Adaptive Transmission
Control)70, 73
Attach vacuum cleaner118
AUC (Automatic
recirculated-air
control)110 Automatic climate
control107
removing condensation
from windows109
Automatic cruise control78
Automatic curb monitor55
Automatic rear window
cleaning77
Automatic recirculated-air
control (AUC)110
Automatic Stability Control
plus Traction (ASC+T)21
Automatic Stability Control
plus Traction/Dynamic
Stability Control (ASC+T/
DSC)97
Automatic
transmission20, 70
Automatic transmission with
Steptronic20, 73
Average fuel
consumption86
Average speed86, 94
Avoid false alarms43t
Avoiding unintentional
alarms44
B
Backrest, adjusting50
Backup lamps
bulb replacement154t
Battery160
care160t
charging160t
discharged162t
disposal160t
Belts53
Beverage holder117
Blower105, 109
BMW active seat52
BMW comfort seat51
BMW Maintenance
System144t
BMW Universal
Transmitter113
Bottle holder, refer to
beverage holder117
Brake fluid143
adding143
Brake hydraulic system19
Brake lamps, bulb
replacement154t
Brake malfunctions132

Everything from A to Z
181n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Reminder signal (Memo)89
Remote control34
computer95
Removable rear-seat
backrest119
Remove condensation from
windows106, 109
Replacing
fuses160t
lamps and bulbs151t
wiper blades150t
Reporting safety defects11
Reservoir, washer
system139t
Residual heat111
Rims135
Roller sun blind112
Roll-up cover123
Roof load capacity171
Roof-mounted luggage
rack127 S
Safety belts53
Safety defects, reporting11
Safety lock buttons37
Seat belts53
Seats electric power50
manually-adjusted50
memory setting54
Secure the load126
Securing cargo42, 126
Selector lever, automatic
transmission70, 73
Service and Warranty
Information Booklet (US
models)144
Service Interval
Display82, 144
Shiftlock70, 73
Shoulder support51
Side airbags58
Side Impact Head Protection
System58
Side lamps
bulb replacement152t
Side turn signal
bulb replacement153t
Ski bag120
Ski bag in the sport
wagon122
Sliding/tilt sunroof46
manual operation47
with glass moonroof47
Snow chains136 Socket for attaching
electrical appliances118
Spare tire157t
Speaker117
Special characteristics of
winter tires136
Special oil141t
Speed94
Speed limit91
Speed, average86, 94
Speedometer15, 16, 17
sport wagon
anchorages126
compartments in the
luggage
compartment124
cover in the luggage
compartment124
folding down the rear
backrest123
LATCH child-restraint
system64
load-securing
devices126
luggage
compartment123
opening the rear
window40
partition net123 rear window wiper, blade
replacement150t
releasing the tailgate after
an electrical
malfunction39
roll-up cover123
securing a load126
ski bag122
tail lamp assembly, bulb
replacement154t
transporting children
safely64
Standing lamps102
Starting assistance162t
Starting problems67t
Starting the engine67
Steering wheel
heating56
lock66
memory setting54
Steering wheel with
multifunction buttons22
Steptronic73
Stopwatch89
for additional information
refer to the "Owner's
Manual for Onboard
Computer"
Storage compartments116
in the cargo area124

Everything from A to ZSummer tires135
Sun blind cover112
Sunroof46
Switching off the engine68
Switch-on times for parked-
car ventilation90
Symbols8 T
Tachometer81
Tail lamps154
bulb replacement154t
Tailgate
manual operation39
manual release39
opening from the
inside40
opening from the
outside39
Technical
modifications10, 145
Telephone hookup117
Temperature display80, 86
Temperature gauge82
Temperature
layering106, 111
Third brake lamp155 Through-loading
system119
Tilt alarm sensor42, 43
avoiding unintentional
alarms44
deactivate35
Tilt function, passenger-side
mirror55
Time
calling up88
changing88
of arrival, estimated93
Timer88
for additional information
refer to the "Owner's
Manual for Onboard
Computer"
Tire
change157t
damage133t
inflation pressure26, 133
pressure
monitoring99, 133
renewal134
tread133
Tire inflation pressure26
Tire Pressure Monitor
(RDC)99
Tire Quality Grading135
Tools150t Torque168
Tow fittings163t
Towing the vehicle163t
Track169
Traction control system,
refer to ASC+T/DSC
Transmission69, 70, 73
Transmitter key32
Transporting children
safely61
Tread depth, tires133
Trip odometer80
Trunk lid
refer to luggage
compartment lid38
Trunk, refer to luggage
compartment42
Turn signal
bulb replacement152t
Turn signal indicator76
Turning circle169
U
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
(UTQR)135
Universal Transmitter113
Use antifreeze,
radiator142t
Used batteries,
disposal160t Used oils, disposal141t
V
Vacuum cleaner, attach118
Valve caps159
Vehicle Memory64
Ventilation104, 106, 111
draft-free106, 111
in the rear106
Ventilation while
parked112
for more information on
ventilation with vehicle
stationary, refer to the
"Owner's Manual for
Onboard Computer"
Viscosity ratings, oils141 W

Warm feet Ð cool
head106, 111
Warning and indicator
lamps19
Warning lamps19t
Warning messages83t
Warning triangle23