2003 BMW 540I SEDAN Owners Manual

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OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Cruise controlTo maintain and store speed
or to acceleratePress button (+) briefly:
The system maintains and stores the
current vehicle speed. Every time you
tap the button, the speed increases by
approx. 0.6 mph (1 km/h).
Press and hold button (+):
The vehicle accelerates without pres-
sure on the accelerator pedal. When
you release the button, the system
maintains and stores the current speed.
If, on a downhill gradient, the
engine braking effect is not suffi-
cient, the controlled speed can be
exceeded. Speed can drop on uphill
grades if the engine output is insuffi-
cient.<
To deceleratePress button (Ð) briefly:
If you are already driving with active
cruise control, the speed is decreased
by approx. 0.6 mph (1 km/h) every time
you tap the button.
Press and hold button (Ð):
With the cruise control active, the
system automatically reduces the
throttle opening to slow the vehicle.
When you release the button, the
system maintains and stores the cur-
rent speed.
To interrupt the cruise control When the system is activated, press the
button. The indicator lamp stays on.
You can use the cruise control again
whenever you want by calling up the
speed that was stored last.
In addition, cruise control is interrupted
automatically:
>When the brakes are applied
>When you depress the clutch pedal
>If you exceed or fall below the pro-
grammed speed for an extended
period (by depressing the acceler-
ator, for example). To recall the stored settingPress button:
The vehicle accelerates to and main-
tains the last speed stored.

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1 Odometer
2 Trip odometer
3 Outside temperature display
Odometer You can activate the displays shown in
the illustration with the ignition key in
position 0 by pressing the button in the
instrument cluster (arrow).
The range of available displays varies
according to your individual vehicle's
equipment.Trip odometerTo reset the trip odometer to zero,
press the button (arrow) with the igni-
tion key in position 1 or 2.390us608
Outside temperature displayThe outside temperature appears in the
display from ignition key position 1 on.
You can change the units of measure-
ment (7/6) by
1. pressing and holding down the
button (arrow) with the ignition key in
position 1
2. and then turning the ignition key to 0.
Refer also to page 88.
Ice warningIf the outside temperature drops to
approx +37.5 7 (+3 6), a warning
signal sounds and the display flashes
briefly.
The ice warning does not alter the
fact that surface ice can form at
temperatures above +37.5 7 (+3 6),
on bridges and shaded road surfaces,
etc.<
Odometer, outside temperature display

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OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Tachometer Energy control Fuel gaugeDo not operate the engine with the
needle in the red overspeed zone of the
gauge.
To protect the engine, the engine-man-
agement system interrupts the fuel
supply when you approach this sector.390us004
Indicates the current fuel consumption
in mpg (in liters/100 km on Canadian
vehicles). This allows you to see
whether your current driving style is
conducive to fuel economy with
minimum exhaust emissions.
When the vehicle is stationary, the dis-
play goes to "Maximum" (zero on Cana-
dian models).390us005
When you switch on the ignition, the
indicator lamp comes on briefly to
confirm that the system is operational.
If the indicator lamp stays on, there are
approx.
>2.0 gal (8 liters) Ð
BMW 525i, BMW 530i
>2.5 gal (10 liters) Ð BMW 540i
of fuel still in the tank.
Tank capacity: refer to page 175
Certain operating conditions (such as
those encountered in mountainous
areas) may cause the needle to fluc-
tuate slightly.
Please refuel early, since driving
to the last drop of fuel can result in
damage to the engine and/or catalytic
converter.< 390us006

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Coolant temperature gauge Service Interval DisplayBlueThe engine is still cold. Drive at mod-
erate engine and vehicle speeds.RedWhen you switch on the ignition, the
warning lamp
* comes on briefly to con-
firm that the system is operational.
If the warning lamp lights up during
normal vehicle operation, or the mes-
sage "COOLANT TEMPERATURE"
appears in the Check Control
*, the
engine is overheated. Switch off the
engine immediately and allow it to cool
down.
390de007
Between the blue and red zonesNormal operating range. The needle
may rise as far as the edge of the red
sector in normal operation.
Checking coolant level: refer to
page 144.
The range of available displays varies
according to your individual vehicle's
equipment.
Green lampsThe number of illuminated lamps
decreases as the time for your next
maintenance visit approaches.Yellow lampThis field appears together with
OILSERVICE or INSPECTION.
Maintenance is due. Please contact
your BMW center for an appointment.Red lampThe maintenance deadline has been
passed.390us702

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OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Check ControlGraphic display
*
The following alerts and status mes-
sages are displayed with icons from
ignition key position 2 and remain in the
display until the defects are corrected:
1 Check low beams
2 Add washer fluid (goes out after
approx. 1 minute)
3 Door open
4 Luggage compartment lid/tailgate
open
5 Check brake and tail lamps.
A defective center brake lamp is indi-
cated by the upper symbol
When you open the door after stopping,
a warning signal sounds without a
visual indicator for:
>"LIGHTS ON" and
>"KEY IN IGNITION LOCK."390de121
Alphanumeric display
*
Text messages are used to alert the
driver to system malfunctions when the
ignition key is turned to position 2. The
alert is accompanied by a gong.
1 Status messages symbol
2 Display
3 CHECK button
Messages warning of system malfunc-
tions are assigned one of two priority
levels:390us111
Priority 1
These defects are immediately indi-
cated by a gong and a flashing warning
symbol 1. Simultaneous defects will be
displayed consecutively. These status
messages remain in the display until the
defects are corrected. They cannot be
deleted by pressing the CHECK
button 3:

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Check Control>"RELEASE PARKINGBRAKE"
>"COOLANT TEMPERATURE"
The coolant is overheated. Stop the
vehicle immediately and switch off
the engine. Refer to pages 84
and 144
>"STOP!ENGINE OILPRESS"
The oil pressure is too low. Stop the
vehicle immediately and switch off
the engine. Refer to pages 19, 142
>"CHECK BRAKE FLUID"
Indicates that brake fluid is down to
roughly minimum level. Have the
reservoir topped up at the earliest
opportunity, refer to page 145. Have
the source of the brake fluid loss
repaired at your BMW center
>"TIRE DEFECT"
*
Reduce vehicle speed immediately
and stop the vehicle. Avoid hard
brake applications. Do not oversteer.
Refer to page 102
>"SELFLEVEL SUSP.INACT"
Please consult the nearest BMW
center. Refer to page 101
>"LIMIT"
*
Display if the programmed speed
limit has been exceeded, refer to
page 93Priority 2
These displays appear for 20 seconds
when the ignition key is turned to posi-
tion 2. The warning symbols remain
after the message disappears. You can
display the messages again by pressing
the CHECK button 3:
>"TRUNKLID OPEN"
Message appears only when the
vehicle is initially set in motion
>"DOOR OPEN"
This message appears after a defined
road speed has been exceeded
>"FASTEN SEAT BELTS"
*
In addition to this message, a
warning lamp with the safety belt icon
appears and an acoustic signal
sounds
>"WASHER FLUID LOW"
Too low; top up fluid at the next
opportunity. Refer to page 141
>"CHECK ENGINE OIL LEV"
The engine oil level is at the absolute
minimum. You should respond by
topping up the oil as soon as
possible, refer to page 142. Do not
continue for more than approx.
30 miles (50 km) before adding oil>"CHECK FILLER CAP"
Inspect the cap to make sure that it is
closed properly, refer to page 25
>"OUTSIDE TEMP. +20 7 (Ð5 6)"
This display is only an example. The
current temperature is displayed at
outside temperatures of +37.5 7
(+3 6) and below. Refer also to
page 82
>"TIRE PRESSURE SET"
*
The RDC has imported the current
inflation pressure in the tires as the
target values which the system will
monitor.
Refer to page 101
>"CHECK TIRE PRESSURE"
*
Check and correct the tire inflation
pressure to specifications at the
earliest opportunity (next stop to
refuel).
Refer to page 101
>"TIRECONTROL INACTIVE"
*
A temporary interference of the RDC
or a system fault. Refer to page 102
>"CHECK BRAKE LIGHTS"
A lamp has failed or the electrical
circuit has a fault. Refer to pages 156
and 162 or consult a BMW center

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OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Check Control>"CHECK LOWBEAM LIGHTS"
"CHECK SIDE LIGHTS"
"CHECK REAR LIGHTS"
"CHECK FRONT FOGLAMPS"
"CHECK LICPLATE LIGHT"
"CHECK HIGHBEAM LIGHT"
"CHECK BACK UP LIGHTS"
Defective bulb or circuit. Refer to
pages 153 and following, page 162
or consult your BMW center
>"TRANS. FAILSAFE PROG"
Please consult the nearest BMW
center. Refer to pages 74 and 77
>"CHECK BRAKE LININGS"
Have the brake pads inspected by
your BMW center. Refer to page 134
>"CHECK COOLANT LEVEL"
Coolant too low, top up at the next
opportunity. Refer to page 144
>"ENGINE FAILSAFE PROG"
*
Indicates a malfunction in the elec-
tronic engine-management system,
which then reverts to an emergency
default program allowing continued
operation at reduced power and
lower engine speeds.
Please have the system inspected at
your BMW center.
Displays after completion of tripAll of the malfunctions registered during
the trip appear consecutively when the
ignition key is turned to position 0.
The following displays will appear when
appropriate:
>"LIGHTS ON"
>"KEY IN IGNITION LOCK"
>"CHECK ENGINE OIL LEV"
Add engine oil at the next opportunity
(next stop to refuel). Refer to
page 142.
This display appears when you open
the driver's door after parking the
vehicle. A supplementary gong is also
heard.
Status messages remain available for a
period of approx. three minutes after
the display goes out and the key is
removed from the ignition. Press the
CHECK button 3. If there were multiple
reports, press the CHECK button
repeatedly to view them all in
sequence.
To check the Check ControlPress the CHECK button 3 with the
ignition key in position 2:
CHECK CONTROL OK appears in the
display.
No malfunctions are present in the
monitored systems.ComputerYou can find a description of the com-
puter on pages 88 and 93 as well as in
the "Owner's Manual for Onboard Com-
puter."
You can have the Check Control
and computer messages
displayed in a different language.<

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ComputerMode selectionFrom ignition key position 1 and up, you
can press the button in the turn signal
lever to retrieve information from the
computer for display. Tap the button
toward the steering column to scroll to
the next status display in the sequence.
The displays appear in the following
order: outside temperature, average
fuel consumption, cruising range,
average speed.
Starting with ignition key position 1,
the last active setting is displayed.
The range of available displays varies
according to your individual vehicle's
equipment.390de700
Outside temperature and
average fuel consumptionYou can change the units of measure
(7/6) for the outside temperature dis-
play by
1. pressing and holding the trip
odometer reset button (in ignition key
position 1)
2. and then turning the ignition key to 0.
Refer also to page 82.Cruising range and average speedThe computer bases its calculations of
the cruising range on the previous
driving style and conditions.
The computer ignores any time spent
when the vehicle is stationary and the
engine is not running in its average
speed calculations.390us126
To delete the displayPress the button in the turn signal lever
while the average speed is being shown
to cancel the display of computer infor-
mation.To restart calculationsYou can maintain pressure on the
button within the turn signal lever to
reset the computer and initiate new cal-
culations of average speed and fuel
consumption. This feature is only avail-
able when the engine is running.Computer with alphanumeric
display
*
If your vehicle is equipped with Check
Control featuring an alphanumeric dis-
play, a description of the corresponding
computer can be found starting on
page 93 as well as in the "Owner's
Manual for Onboard Computer."