2003 BMW 540I SEDAN tailgate

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OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Luggage compartment lid/Tailgatesport wagon:
1. From inside the luggage compart-
ment, open the two side covers
(arrow). Remove the covers392de778
2. Release the two quick-release fas-
teners of the cover for the onboard
tool kit in the tailgate. Raise the
cover
3. Remove the plastic plug (arrow) and
pull toward the interior. The tailgate
will be released
4. Open the tailgate. Press the plug
back into place and close the cover
with the quick-release fasteners
5. Position the two side covers and
close them.392de776
To open from the outsidePress the button (arrow): the luggage
compartment lid/tailgate opens slightly.
The luggage compartment (cargo area)
is illuminated whenever the luggage
compartment lid/tailgate is opened (for
additional information refer to
page 105).394de728

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Luggage compartment lid/TailgateTo open from the insideYou can use this button to open the
luggage compartment lid/tailgate when
the vehicle is stationary (not possible if
the tailgate has been locked sepa-
rately).
When the tailgate of the sport
wagon is opened, the clearance
from the ground to the upper edge is
more than 6.6 ft (two meters). Please
keep this in mind when opening the tail-
gate (in a garage, for example).<
For the roll-up covers and for additional
details concerning the luggage com-
partment, please refer to "Luggage
compartment" beginning on page 125.390de692
Rear window Ð sport wagonSmall items can be loaded or unloaded
quickly if the rear window is opened
separately.
Press the button (arrow): the rear
window opens slightly. It can now be
tilted up.
Push the window down to close it.
When loading sharp or pointed
objects in the area adjacent to the
rear window always wrap their edges in
soft material if there is any chance that
these objects could shift and rub
against the window while the vehicle is
underway. Failure to observe this pre-
caution can result in damage to the rear
window defroster's resistor elements.< 392de727
Closing Ð sedanThe handle recess (arrow) next to the
lock mechanism is designed to assist
you in closing the luggage compart-
ment lid.394de128

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OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Luggage compartment lid/TailgateClosing Ð sport wagonYou can pull the tailgate down by
placing both hands in the handle
recesses (arrows).
To close the tailgate, merely press it
down gently. The closing process will
then be carried out automatically.392de689
To avoid injuries, be sure that the
travel path of the luggage com-
partment lid/tailgate is clear when it is
closed, observing the same precautions
as with all closing procedures.
Operate the vehicle only when the lug-
gage compartment lid/tailgate or rear
window is completely closed. Other-
wise, exhaust fumes could penetrate
the interior of the vehicle. Should it be
absolutely necessary to operate the
vehicle with the luggage compartment
lid/tailgate or rear window open:
>Close all windows. Shut the sliding/
tilt sunroof
>Increase the air supply for the air
conditioner or automatic climate
control to a high level. Refer to
page 107 or 111.<
Emergency release Ð sedan onlyThis lever releases the luggage com-
partment lid from the luggage compart-
ment's interior.390de792

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Luggage compartment Alarm systemLuggage strapsUse the straps on the floor of the
luggage compartment to secure smaller
items of luggage.
Movement is reduced when objects are
placed on the straps.
The lashing eyes at the corners of the
luggage compartment provide you
with a convenient means of attaching
luggage nets
* and flexible straps for
securing suitcases and luggage.
Refer also to "Cargo loading" on
page 128.
394de302
HangerOn the left-hand side of the luggage
compartment is a hanger for fastening
shopping bags, packages and similar
items.394de144
The conceptThe vehicle alarm system responds
>when a door, the hood, the luggage
compartment lid/tailgate or the rear
window is opened
>to movement inside the vehicle (inte-
rior motion sensor)
>to variations in the vehicle's tilt angle
such as those occurring during
attempts to steal the wheels or tow
the vehicle
>to interruption of battery voltage.
The system responds to unauthorized
vehicle entry and attempted theft by
simultaneously activating the following
>an acoustic alarm for 30 seconds
>the hazard warning flashers, for
approx. five minutes
>the high beams flash on and off in the
same rhythm as the hazard warning
flashers.

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OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Alarm systemTo arm and disarm the alarm
systemWhen the vehicle is locked or unlocked
with the key or the remote control, the
alarm system is also simultaneously
armed or disarmed.
You can have different acknowl-
edgment signals set to confirm
arming and disarming.<
You can also open the luggage com-
partment lid/tailgate when the system is
armed by pressing the button on the
remote control (refer to page 35). When
you close the luggage compartment lid/
tailgate, the luggage compartment is
secured again.
Indicator lamp displays>The indicator lamp below the interior
rearview mirror flashes continuously:
the system is armed
>The indicator lamp flashes during
arming: door(s), the hood or luggage
compartment lid/tailgate are not
completely closed. Even if you do not
secure the indicated area, the system
begins to monitor the remaining
areas, and the indicator lamp flashes
continuously after 10 seconds. How-
ever, the interior motion sensor is not
activated
>If the indicator lamp goes out when
the system is disarmed: no manipula-
tion or attempted intrusions have
been detected in the period since the
system was armed390de020
>If the indicator lamp flashes for
10 seconds when the system is
disarmed: an attempted entry has
been detected in the period since the
system was armed.
Following triggering of an alarm, the
indicator lamp will flash continuously.Avoiding unintentional alarmsThe tilt alarm sensor and interior motion
sensor may be switched off at the same
time. To prevent an unintentional alarm
from being triggered (in garages with
elevator ramps, for instance), or when
the vehicle is transported by trailer or
train:
Lock the vehicle (arm the alarm system)
twice in succession: press button 2 on
the remote control twice (refer to
page 35), or turn the key in the door
lock to the right (lock) twice in succes-
sion (refer to page 33).
The indicator lamp lights up briefly and
then flashes continuously. The tilt alarm
sensor and the interior motion sensor
are deactivated as long as the system is
armed.

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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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Cargo area 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 panel 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 panel 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

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Cargo loading Roof-mounted luggage rack
Always position and secure the
load correctly. If you do not, it can
endanger the passengers during
braking or evasive maneuvers.
Do not exceed the approved gross
vehicle weight or the permissible axle
loads (refer to page 173). If you do, the
operating safety of the vehicle is no
longer ensured and you are in violation
of the law.
Do not carry hard or heavy objects
unsecured in the passenger compart-
ment. If you do so, they may be pro-
jected through the air during braking
and evasive maneuvers, thus endan-
gering vehicle occupants.<
A special roof-rack system is available
as an optional extra for your BMW.
Please observe the precautions
included with the installation instruc-
tions.AnchoragesAccess to the anchorages:
To fold up the cover (arrow), please use
the tool provided with the roof-rack
system.Loading and driving notesRoof-mounted luggage racks raise the
center of gravity of the vehicle when
they are loaded. For this reason, they
exercise a major effect on the vehicle's
handling and steering response.394de757
You should therefore always remember
not to exceed the approved roof
weight, the approved gross vehicle
weight or the axle loads when loading
the rack. You will find the specifications
under "Technical data" on page 173.
Make sure that the load is not too bulky,
and attempt to distribute it evenly.
Always load the heaviest pieces first (on
the bottom). Ensure that adequate room
remains for the tilt sunroof to extend
upward and that no objects protrude
into the tailgate's travel range on the
sport wagon.
Always ensure that roof-mounted
loads are tightly secured, as loose
loads can shift or even fly off the roof,
posing a serious hazard for following
traffic.<
Drive smoothly and avoid sudden
acceleration and braking. Do not corner
at high speeds.