2003 BMW 540I SEDAN Owners Manual

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OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Lamps and bulbsThe lamps and bulbs are essential fac-
tors contributing to the safety of your
vehicle. For this reason, you should
follow the instructions below carefully
when replacing a bulb. If you are not
familiar with any of the procedures,
consult your BMW center.
Do not touch the glass portion of a
new bulb with your bare hands
since even small amounts of impurities
burn into the surface and reduce the
service life of the bulb. Use a clean
cloth, paper napkin, or a similar mate-
rial, or hold the bulb by its metallic
base.<
A replacement bulb set is available from
your BMW center.
Whenever working on the elec-
trical system, switch off the elec-
trical accessory you are working on or
disconnect the cable from the negative
terminal of the battery. Failure to do this
could result in short circuits.
To prevent injuries and damage,
comply with any instructions provided
by the bulb manufacturer.<
The right side of the engine compart-
ment.
1 Low beams
2 High beams
For checking and adjusting head-
lamp aim, please contact your
BMW center.< Low and high beamsH7 bulb, 55 watt
The bulb is pressurized. There-
fore, you should always wear
safety glasses and protective gloves.
Failure to observe these precautions
can result in physical injury if the bulb
breaks.< 390de767
1. Turn the bulb holder to the left
(arrow) and remove
2. Remove and replace the bulb.
When cleaning the headlamps,
please observe the following:
>Do not wipe dry (scratches). Never
use abrasives or strong solvents to
clean the covers
>Remove dirt and contamination (such
as insects) by soaking with BMW Car
Shampoo and then rinsing with plenty
of water
>Always use a deicer spray to remove
accumulated ice and snow Ð never
use a scraper.<

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Lamps and bulbsXenon lamps
*
The operating life of these lamp units is
extremely long and the likelihood of
failure very low, provided that they are
not switched on and off an excessive
number of times. If one of these bulbs
should nevertheless fail, it is possible to
continue driving with great caution
using the fog lamps, provided traffic
laws in your area do not prohibit this.
Because of the extremely high
voltages involved, any work on the
xenon lighting system should be carried
out by technically-qualified personnel
only. Otherwise, there is a risk of fatal
injury.<
Standing lamps10 watt bulb
The bulb holder and reflector are a
single unit and are both changed
at the same time.<
1. Turn the bulb holder with reflector to
the left and remove
2. Disconnect the plug
3. Plug the new bulb holder into the
plug connector. Be sure that it is
securely engaged
4. Insert the reflector with bulb holder
and turn to the right as far as
possible.390de669
Turn signal indicator/Parking
lamps (side marker lamps)Dual-filament bulb, 21 watt
1. Turn the bulb to the left and remove
2. Remove and replace the bulb.390de670

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OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Lamps and bulbsSide turn signal indicators5 watt bulb
1. Use finger pressure against the rear
end of the lens (arrow) to press it for-
ward for removal
2. Press gently on the bulb and turn it to
the left to remove it.390de768
Front fog lampsH8 bulb, 35 watt
The bulb is pressurized. There-
fore, wear safety glasses and pro-
tective gloves. Failure to observe these
precautions can result in physical injury
if the bulb breaks.<
1. Using a screwdriver, remove the
mounting clips for the air grill (arrow)
and remove the grill by bringing it
toward the front390de671
2. Loosen both screws (arrows)
3. Take off the cover panel next to the
headlamp
4. Turn the headlamp 903 to the left and
remove it by bringing it toward the
front
5. Disconnect the plug
6. Turn the lamp to the left and remove
it.390de672

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Lamps and bulbsTail lamps Ð sedanRear lamp/Side marker lamps: LEDs
Remaining bulbs: 21 watt
1 Turn signal
indicator yellow or white
2 Rear lamp/
Side marker lamps red
3 Backup lamps white
4 Brake lamps red
5 Reflector red
Please contact your BMW center
if there is a defect in the rear
lamp/side marker lamp assembly.< 394us721
1. Use the upper handle to fold down
the side panel in the luggage com-
partment
2. Turn the corresponding bulb holder
to the left (arrow) and remove it
3. Press the defective bulb gently and
turn it to the left. Remove the bulb
and replace it
4. Insert the bulb holder and turn to the
right as far as possible.394de769
Tail lamps Ð sport wagonRear lamp/Side marker lamps: LEDs
Remaining bulbs: 21 watt
1 Turn signal indicator red
2 Rear lamp/
Side marker lamps red
3 Backup lamps white
4 Brake lamps, reflector red
5 Reflector red
Please contact your BMW center
if there is a defect in the rear
lamp/side marker lamp assembly.< 392us722

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OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Lamps and bulbsLamps in the rear apron panel:
1. Open the cover in the side panel
2. Turn the quick-release fastener and
remove the trim panel in front of the
bulb holder
3. Open the quick-release fastener
(arrow) and remove the bulb holder
4. Apply gentle pressure to the bulb
while turning it to the left to remove.
If a subwoofer
* is installed behind the
right-hand panel, unscrew the T-screw
and swing the subwoofer to the side.
392de770
Lamps in the luggage compartment lid/
tailgate:
1. Open the trim panel in the luggage
compartment lid/tailgate
2. Open the quick-release fastener
(arrow) and remove the bulb holder
3. Apply gentle pressure to the bulb
while turning it to the left to remove.392de771
Center (high-mount) brake lamp21 watt bulb
1. Open the luggage compartment lid
2. Unclip the cover panel (on the
underside of the rear tray) with
a screwdriver (arrow)
3. Turn the bulb to the left and remove
4. Apply gentle pressure to the bulb
while turning it to the left to remove.
sport wagon: LED strip in the tailgate.
Please contact a BMW center in case of
a malfunction.394de123

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Lamps and bulbs Changing a wheelLicense plate lamps5 watt bulb
1. Insert a screwdriver into the slot and
press to the left (arrow); this disen-
gages the lamp
2. Remove the lamp and replace the
bulb.394de772
Safety measures in the event of a
flat tire or wheel change:
Stop the vehicle as far as possible from
passing traffic. Park on a firm, flat, sur-
face. Switch on the hazard warning
flashers.
Turn the steering wheel to the straight-
ahead position, remove the key and
engage the steering lock. Shift into 1st
or reverse (selector lever in Park with
automatic transmission) and engage
the parking brake.
All passengers should be outside the
vehicle and well away from your imme-
diate working area (behind a guardrail,
for instance).
If necessary, set up your warning tri-
angle or portable hazard warning lamp
on the roadside at an appropriate dis-
tance from the rear of the vehicle.
Comply with all safety guidelines and
regulations.
Change the wheel only on a level, firm
surface which is not slippery. Avoid
jacking the vehicle up on a soft or slip-
pery surface (snow, ice, very smooth
surfaces, etc.), since it could slide side-
ways.
Position the jack on a firm support sur-
face.
Do not place wooden blocks or similar
objects under the jack. If this is done,
the jack might not be able to reach its
full support capacity because of the
limited height.
Do not lie under the vehicle or start the
engine when the vehicle is supported
by the jack Ð risk of fatal injury.<

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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 com-
partment 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 127).
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
wingnut to remove it
>Spare tire and adapter
* for removing
the lug bolt cover
* (refer to the next
page)
Both are next to the jack. Remove the
adapter or the plastic cover. Unscrew
the wingnut (arrow) by hand and
remove the wheel
>Lug wrench and screwdriver
In the onboard tool kit under the lug-
gage compartment lid (refer to
page 152).
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 sur-
face 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

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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
390de773
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 tire. 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