2003 BMW 540I SEDAN Owners Manual

105n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Interior lamps Reading lampsThe interior lamps operate automati-
cally.Switching the interior lamps on
and off manuallyPress the button (arrow) briefly.
If you want the interior lamps to remain
off all the times, press and hold the
button for approx. 3 seconds.
Press the button briefly to revert to
normal operation.
The lamp in the sport wagon's cargo
area operates the same way.390de638
The reading lamps are located in the
front near the interior lamp. There are
also reading lamps in the rear. They can
be switched on and off with the button
(arrow) adjacent to each lamp.
To avoid subjecting the battery to
excessive loads, all of the lamps
within the vehicle are automatically
switched off approx. 15 minutes after
you turn the ignition key to position 0.< 394de301

106n
1 Airflow directed toward the
windshield and side windows
2 Airflow for the upper body
area108
3 Footwell ventilation
4 Rear footwell ventilation 5 Airflow for the upper body area
in the rear seat108
6 Temperature107
7 Air distribution 1078 Air supply107
9 Rear window defroster107
10 Cooling107
11 Recirculated-air mode107
Air conditioning
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107n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Air conditioningTemperature
The graduations on the dial
provide general reference
values for the interior temper-
ature. We recommend 70 7
(22 6) as a comfortable setting. When
you start the vehicle, this system
adjusts the air to the selected tempera-
ture as quickly as possible, and then
maintains that temperature constantly.
Air distribution
You can direct the emerging
air toward the windows ,
toward your upper body or
into the footwell . All inter-
mediate settings are also available. In
the setting, there is a low flow of air
onto the windows to keep them free of
condensation.
Air supply
You can control the emerging
air's flow rate through an infi-
nitely-variable range. The
heating and ventilation
become more and more effective as the
air supply settings are increased. In the
"0" setting, the blower and climate con-
trol are switched off and the outside air
supply is blocked.
Rear window defroster
The indicator lamp comes
on to indicate that the rear
window defroster is in operation. The
rear window defroster switches off
automatically.
Cooling
The air conditioning cools
and dehumidifies the
incoming air before reheating it to the
selected temperature. Depending on
the weather, the windshield may fog
over briefly when the engine is started.
You can reduce condensation forming
on the windows by switching on the air
conditioning.
Condensation forms in the air
conditioning system during opera-
tion, which then exits under the vehicle.
Traces of condensed water of this kind
are thus normal.<
Recirculated-air mode
You can respond to
unpleasant odors in the sur-
rounding environment by using this
mode to temporarily suspend the flow
of outside air into the vehicle's interior.
The system then recirculates the air
currently within the vehicle.
If your vehicle is equipped with a multi-
function steering wheel
featuring a
recirculated-air button then you can
also select the recirculated-air mode
from this location (refer to page 22).
If the windows should fog over in
the recirculated-air mode, switch
the recirculated-air mode off and
increase the air supply as required.<

108n
Air conditioningDraft-free ventilation You can adjust the vent outlets for the
upper body area for optimal personal
comfort:
1 Rotary dials for opening and closing
the vent outlets through an infinitely-
variable range
2 Levers for adjusting airflow direction
3 Rotary dial allows you to control the
temperature of the airflow as desired:
>Turn toward blue Ð colder
>Turn toward red Ð warmer.390de685
Rear passenger area ventilation1 Rotary dial for opening and closing
the vent outlets through an infinitely
variable range
2 Levers for selecting airflow direction.
The air that flows out here is somewhat
cooler than the air delivered to the foot-
well.Microfilter The microfilter removes dust and pollen
from the incoming air. Your BMW
center will replace it during routine
maintenance. A substantial reduction in
airflow indicates that the filter needs to
be replaced early.390de687
To defrost windows and remove
condensation 1. Use the rotary temperature dial to set
the system for an interior tempera-
ture that you find comfortable, such
as 70 7 (22 6)
2. Set the air distribution rotary dial
to
3. Set the blower/air supply rotary dial
completely to the right
4. Close the vent outlets in the rear
seating area
5. Switch on the rear window defroster
to defrost the rear window.390us710

109n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
1 Airflow directed toward the wind-
shield and side windows
2 Airflow for the upper body
area113
3 Footwell ventilation4 Rear footwell ventilation
5 Airflow for the upper body area in
the rear113
6 Automatic air distribution1117 Individual air distribution111
8 Temperature control Ð
left-hand side111
9 Display for temperature and
air supply111Automatic climate control
*
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110n
Automatic climate control
*
10 Temperature control Ð
right-hand side111
11 To defrost windshield and
windows11112 Air conditioning112
13 Automatic recirculated-air control
(AUC)112
14 Rear window defroster11215 Air supply111
16 Maximum cooling112
Residual heating mode113
17 Air grill for interior temperature
sensor Ð please keep clear and
unobstructed
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OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Automatic climate control
*
Tips for pleasant drivingUse the automatic system, that is,
press AUTO button 6. Select an interior
temperature that you find comfortable.
Detailed setting options are described
for you in the following section.
Your BMW center can program
the settings of your vehicle in such
a manner that, when you unlock the
vehicle with your individualized key,
your own personalized setting for the
automatic climate control is initiated.< Automatic air distribution
The AUTO program
assumes the adjustment of
the air distribution and the air supply for
you and also adapts the temperature to
external influences (summer, winter) to
meet preferences you can specify.
Individual air distribution
You can cancel the AUTO
program by selecting
specific distribution patterns
to suit your own individual
requirements. While the
AUTO program is then deactivated, the
automatic airflow control remains in
operation. The system directs air to the
windows , the upper body and
into the footwells . You can reacti-
vate the automatic air distribution mode
by selecting the AUTO button.
Temperature
You can make individual
temperature settings on the
driver's side or the front
passenger side. Your selection appears
in display 7. The numbers that appear
in the display are reference figures for
interior temperature. We recommend a
setting of 72 7 (22 6) for a congenial
interior climate, even when the air con-
ditioner is in operation. When you start
the vehicle, the system ensures that the
selected temperature is achieved as
quickly as possible. It then maintains
this temperature, regardless of the
season.
Air supply
AUTO appears in
display 9, while the AUTO
program automatically controls the flow
of incoming air, refer to overview on
page 109. You can use "+" and "Ð" to
vary the airflow. When your setting is
displayed by bars, the automatic airflow
is switched off. Automatic air distribu-
tion maintains its setting. You can reac-
tivate the automatic airflow by pressing
the AUTO button.
When you press "Ð " during operation at
minimum blower speed all displays are
canceled: the blower, heating and air
conditioner are switched off. The out-
side air supply is deactivated. By
pressing any button of the automatic
climate control (except the MAX
button 16), you can switch the system
back on.
To defrost windows and remove
condensation
This program quickly
removes ice and conden-
sation from the windshield and the side
windows.

112n
Automatic climate control
*
Air conditioning
The air is cooled and
dehumidified and Ð
depending on the temperature setting Ð
warmed again when the air conditioning
is switched on. Depending on the
weather, the windshield may fog over
briefly when the engine is started. You
can reduce condensation forming on
the windows by switching on the air
conditioning.
Condensation forms in the air
conditioning system during opera-
tion, which then exits under the vehicle.
Traces of condensed water of this kind
are thus normal.<
Maximum cooling
With the engine running
this program provides
maximum cooling at outside tempera-
tures above approx. 41 7 (5 6).
60 7 (16 6) appears in the tempera-
ture display 9, and the system reverts to
the recirculated-air mode while simulta-
neously providing maximum airflow
through the vent outlets only. That is
why you need to keep these open if you
select this program.
Automatic recirculated-air
control (AUC)
You can respond to
unpleasant external odors
by temporarily stopping the flow of out-
side air. The system then recirculates
the air currently within the vehicle.
Press the button repeatedly to run
through the following control sequence:
>Indicator lamps off: outside airflow
operational
>Left-hand indicator lamp on Ð AUC
mode: the system recognizes pollut-
ants in the outside air and blocks the
flow of air when necessary. The
system then recirculates the air cur-
rently within the vehicle.
Depending on the air quality, the
automatic system then switches back
and forth between outside air supply
and recirculation of the air within the
vehicle
>Right-hand indicator lamp on: the
flow of external air into the vehicle is
permanently blocked. The system
then recirculates the air currently
within the vehicle.
If you have a multifunction steering
wheel with the recirculated-air button
(refer to page 22), you can also use it to
switch between "Off" and the recircu-
lated-air mode or AUC and the recircu-
lated-air mode.
If the windows should fog over in
the recirculated-air mode, switch
the recirculated-air mode off and
increase the air supply as required.< Rear window defroster
When the rear window
defroster is activated, the
indicator lamp comes on. The rear
window defroster switches off automat-
ically.