2003 BMW 540I SEDAN Owners Manual

17n

OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex

Instrument cluster

*
1 Fuel gauge83
2 Indicator lamp for turn signal
indicators21
3 Speedometer4 Indicator lamp for high beams21
5 Tachometer and Energy Control83
6 Coolant temperature gauge847 Indicator and warning
lamps19 to 21
8 CHECK button85
9 Selector lever and program display
for automatic transmission

*
72, 75
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Instrument cluster

*
10 Outside temperature display82
11 Indicator lamp for Automatic Sta-
bility Control plus Traction (ASC+T)/
Dynamic Stability Control
(DSC)

*
2112 Trip odometer82
13 Check Control display85
14 Odometer8215 Service Interval Display84
16 Reset button for trip odometer82
17 Indicator and warning
lamps19 to 21
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OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex

Indicator and warning lamps

Technology that monitors itself

The system runs a check on the
warning and indicator lamps marked
by "

l

" each time you switch on the
ignition. They each light up once for dif-
ferent periods of time.
If a fault should occur in one of these
systems, the corresponding lamp does
not go out after the engine is started or
it lights up while the vehicle is moving.
The following section describes how
you should respond.

Red: stop immediately

Battery charge current

l

The battery is no longer being
charged. This indicates a defect
in the alternator drive belt or in the
charging circuit of the alternator. Please
contact the nearest BMW center.
You should never attempt to con-
tinue driving with a defective drive
belt, as the engine could overheat and
sustain serious damage. If the drive belt
is defective, increased steering effort is
also required.

<


Engine oil pressure

l

May be accompanied by the
message "STOP!ENGINE OIL-
PRESS" in the Check Control

*
: stop the
vehicle immediately and switch off the
engine. Check the engine oil level; top
up as required. If the oil level is correct:
please contact the nearest BMW
center.
Do not continue driving, as the
engine could sustain serious
damage from inadequate lubrication.

<



Tire Pressure Monitor (RDC)

*


l

Accompanied by an acoustic
warning signal: a flat tire has
occurred. Reduce vehicle speed imme-
diately and stop the vehicle. Avoid hard
brake applications. Do not oversteer.
For additional information: refer to
page 101
Parking brake

*
/Brake system
hydraulic circuits

l

Comes on when you engage the
parking brake.
For additional information: refer to
page 70
Comes on although the parking brake
is released: have the brake fluid level
checked. Before continuing your
journey, be sure to read the notes on
pages 134 and 145
Also comes on with the message
"CHECK BRAKE LININGS" in the
Check Control.
Parking brake warning lamp

*
/
Brake system hydraulic circuits
for Canadian models.

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Indicator and warning lamps

Red: as important reminder

Parking brake

*
Comes on when you engage the
parking brake.
For additional information: refer to
page 70
Parking brake warning lamp

*
for
Canadian models.
Please fasten safety belts

l

Accompanied by warning tone
and message

*
in the Check
Control. 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 59

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 133
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 142
Engine oil level

*
Comes on after the engine has
been switched off: add engine
oil at your earliest opportunity (when
you stop to refuel).
For additional information: refer to
page 142

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 74 and 77
Brake pads

*


l

Have the brake pads checked.
For additional information: refer
to page 134

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 100
Dynamic Brake Control (DBC)
warning lamp for Canadian
models.
Tire Pressure Monitor (RDC)

*
l
Check the tire inflation pressure:
refer to pages 26, 101

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OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Indicator and warning lamps
Self-leveling suspension
* l
The self-leveling suspension
system is inactive. Please con-
sult the nearest BMW center.
For additional information: refer to
page 101
Automatic Stability Control plus
Traction (ASC+T)/Dynamic Sta-
bility Control (DSC)
* l
ASC+T/DSC has been deactivated,
either manually at the button or auto-
matically in response to a system mal-
function. In the event of a malfunction,
have the system checked by your BMW
center.
For additional information: refer to
page 99
Engine electronics
*
There is a fault in the electronic
engine-management system.
You can continue to drive with reduced
engine output and engine speed.
Please have the system inspected by
your BMW center.
Service Engine Soon l
If the indicator lamp comes on
either continuously or intermit-
tently, this indicates a fault in the emis-
sions-related electronic systems.
Although the vehicle remains opera-
tional, you should have the systems
checked by your BMW center at the
earliest possible opportunity.
For additional information: refer to
page 148
Service Engine Soon warning
lamp for Canadian models.
Check Filler Cap
* l
This indicator lamp comes on
when the fuel filler cap is loose
or missing.
Close the filler cap tightly: refer to
page 25
Green: for your information
Turn signal indicators
Flashes when the turn signal
indicators are on. Rapid flashing
indicates a system malfunction.
For additional information: refer to
page 78
Cruise control
Lights up when the system is
switched on: available for oper-
ation via the multifunction steering
wheel.
For additional information: refer to
page 80
Front fog lamps
Lights up whenever you switch
on the front fog lamps.
For additional information: refer to
page 104
Blue: for your information
High beams
Lights up when the high beams
are on or the headlamp flasher
is actuated.
For additional information: refer to
pages 78 and 104

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Steering wheel with multifunction buttonsThe controls integrated within the multi-
function steering wheel (MFL) and the
sports steering wheel
* have been
designed to allow you to operate a
number of accessories both quickly and
safely, without taking your eyes from
the road:
>selected control functions for the
radio along with CD and cassette
player
>recirculated-air control of the air
conditioner system or the steering
wheel heating
* (MFL only)
>the cruise control
>selected phone functions
* and
>voice entry
*.
The controls are active only when
the corresponding systems and
accessories are switched on.<
Press briefly:
Receive a phone call, initiate dialing,
terminate a call.
Extended pressure:
Activate/deactivate voice entry.
Switch between phone and radio, cas-
sette and CD.
Forward:
>Radio
Press briefly: station scan in FM band
Extended pressure: search function
>CD
Press briefly: track scan
Extended pressure: search function
in track
>Cassette
Press briefly: stop track scan or fast
forward
Extended pressure: fast forward
>Phone
Scan personal phone book.
Reverse: functions as forward.
Volume
Cruise control: to select a stored set-
ting.
Cruise control: store and accelerate (+)
or decelerate and store (Ð).
Cruise control: activate/interrupt/deac-
tivate.
Recirculated-air mode and automatic
recirculated-air control (AUC) or
steering wheel heating: activate/deacti-
vate.

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OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Warning triangle
*
First-aid kit
*
The hazard warning triangle is readily
available, stored in the onboard tool kit
mounted on the inside of the luggage
compartment lid/tailgate.
To open the container, loosen the wing
screw.
Always observe all legal regula-
tions requiring a warning triangle
to be carried in the vehicle.< 394de053
The first-aid kit is located under the
front passenger's seat.
To remove: lift the release lever on the
front (arrow) and pull the first-aid kit for-
ward out of its support.
To store: place the first-aid kit into the
support, then push back until the button
engages.390de716
Some of the items contained in
the first-aid kit have a limited ser-
vice life. For this reason, check the
expiration dates of each of the items
regularly, and replace any whose
expiration dates have passed. You can
acquire replacements in any drugstore
or pharmacy.
Always observe all legal regulations
requiring a first-aid kit to be carried in
the vehicle.<

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RefuelingFuel filler door
Always switch off the engine
before refueling, as it is not pos-
sible to add fuel with the engine run-
ning, and attempts may also trigger the
Service Engine Soon lamp.<
To open the filler door, press on the
front edge.
In the event of an electrical malfunction,
you can also open the fuel filler door
manually:
sedan
1. Use the handle to lower the trim
panel on the right side of the luggage
compartment
2. Pull the button with the fuel pump
symbol.
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sport wagon
1. Release the right-hand panel in the
luggage compartment with the
button and fold the panel down
2. Pull the button with the fuel pump
symbol.
If a subwoofer
* is installed, loosen the
T-screw and swing the subwoofer to
the side.
Always observe all safety precau-
tions posted at the service station
when handling fuel. Never carry spare
fuel containers in your vehicle. Whether
empty or full, these containers can leak,
cause an explosion, or lead to fire in the
event of a collision.<
Simple and environmentally
friendly
Open the fuel filler cap carefully to
prevent fuel from spraying out.
Fuel spray may cause injury.
Do not top off. Topping off may cause
fuel spillage.<
Keep the filler cap in the bracket
attached to the fuel filler door.
When refueling, insert the filler nozzle
completely into the filler pipe. Pulling
the nozzle out of the pipe during refu-
eling
>results in premature pump shutoff
>and will reduce the effectiveness of
the vapor recovery system on the
pump.
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