2003 BMW 540I SEDAN brake

145n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Brake fluid
The warning lamp for the brake
system's hydraulic circuits
comes on/the message
"CHECK BRAKE FLUID"
appears in the Check Control:
brake fluid level too low.
To add brake fluidThe brake fluid reservoir is located
under the microfilter housing on the
driver's side of the vehicle. For adding
brake fluid or for determining and cor-
recting the cause of brake fluid loss,
consult your BMW center. Your BMW
center is familiar with the specifications
for factory-approved brake fluids
(DOT 4).
Brake fluid loss may result in extended
brake pedal travel. Should this occur,
refer to the notes on page 134.
Brake fluid is hygroscopic, that is,
it absorbs moisture from the air
over time.
In order to ensure the safety and reli-
ability of the brake system, have
the brake fluid changed every two years
by a BMW center. Refer also to the Ser-
vice and Warranty Information Booklet
(US models) or to the Warranty and
Service Guide Booklet (Canadian
models).
Brake fluid is hazardous to health and
damages the vehicle's paint. You
should always store it in its original
container and in a location which is out
of reach of children.
Do not spill the fluid and do not fill the
brake fluid reservoir beyond the MAX
mark. The brake fluid could ignite upon
contact with hot engine parts and
cause serious burns.<
Comply with the applicable envi-
ronmental laws regulating the dis-
posal of brake fluid.<

156n
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

157n
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

158n
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.<

166n
Towing the vehicle
The towed vehicle should always
be the lighter of the two vehicles.
If this is not the case, it is no longer
possible to control vehicle response.<
Tow-startingIt is not possible to start the engine of
vehicles equipped with an automatic
transmission by towing or pushing.
For instructions on jump-starting: refer
to page 164.
Never attempt to use your vehicle to
push another vehicle, since damage to
the energy-absorbing bumpers could
result.
Towing a vehicle with automatic
transmission1. Place the selector lever in position N
2. Towing speed:
Max. 45 mph (70 km/h)
3. Towing distance:
Max. 95 miles (150 km)
4. Leave the ignition key in position 1 to
ensure that the brake lamps, turn
signal indicators, horn and wind-
shield wipers remain operative, and
to prevent the steering lock from
engaging
5. Switch on the hazard warning
flashers (observe official regulations).
Find some means of identifying the
vehicle in tow, for instance, place a sign
or warning triangle in the rear window.
Make sure that the ignition key
remains in position 1 even when
the electrical system has failed to pre-
vent the steering lock from engaging.
The steering and brakes are without
power-assist when the engine is off.
This means that increased effort is
required for steering and braking.<
Towing with a commercial
tow truck>Do not tow with sling-type equipment
>Use a wheel-lift or flatbed carrier
>Please comply with applicable towing
laws.
Never allow passengers to ride in
a towed vehicle for any reason.< 380us124

Everything from A to ZA
ABS (Antilock Brake
System)20, 133
Accessories9
Activated-charcoal
filter114
Active seat52
Adaptive Transmission
Control (ATC)72, 75
Add
antifreeze144t
brake fluid145t
engine coolant144t
engine oil142t
washer fluid141t
Adjusting
backrest50
head restraints52
mirrors57
seats48
steering wheel56
temperature107, 111
thigh support50
Air conditioning106
Air distribution107, 111
Air outlets106, 109
Air pressure,
tires26t, 135
Air supply107, 111
Air vent106, 109
Airbags20, 59 Alarm system42
Anchorage points
child-restraint system with
tether strap62
Antifreeze, disposal144t
Antifreeze, radiator144
Antilock Brake System
(ABS)20, 133
Anti-theft alarm system42
Anti-theft protection34
Approved axle load173
Approved gross vehicle
weight173
Aquaplaning133, 135
ASC+T (Automatic Stability
Control plus Traction)21
ASC+T/DSC (Automatic
Stability Control plus
Traction/Dynamic Stability
Control)99
Ashtray, front119
Ashtray, rear120
ATC (Adaptive Transmission
Control)72, 75
Attach vacuum cleaner120
AUC (Automatic
recirculated-air
control)112 Automatic climate
control109
removing condensation
from windows111
Automatic cruise control80
Automatic curb monitor55
Automatic rear window
cleaning79
Automatic recirculated-air
control (AUC)112
Automatic Stability Control
plus Traction (ASC+T)21
Automatic Stability Control
plus Traction/Dynamic
Stability Control (ASC+T/
DSC)99
Automatic
transmission20, 72
Automatic transmission with
Steptronic20, 75
Average fuel
consumption88
Average speed88, 96
Avoiding unintentional
alarms43t, 44
B
Backrest, adjusting50
Backup lamps
bulb replacement156t Battery162
care162t
charging162t
discharged164t
disposal162t
Belts53
Beverage holder119
Blower107, 111
BMW active seat52
BMW comfort seat51
BMW Maintenance
System146t
BMW Universal
Transmitter115
Bottle holder, refer to
beverage holder119
Brake fluid145
adding145
Brake hydraulic system19
Brake lamps, bulb
replacement156t
Brake malfunctions134
Brake system134
brake fluid level134
brake pads20, 134
disc brakes134
malfunctions134
Break-in procedures132
Bulbs and lamps153t

Everything from A to Z
179n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
C
California Proposition
65 Warning147
Capacities175
Cargo area
floor compartment127
lamps105
opening from the
inside40
partition net125
roll-up cover125
Cargo loading128
Cellular phone119
Center (high-mount) brake
lamp157
Central locking
system32, 37
Changing a wheel/
tire158t
Charge indicator lamp19
CHECK button85
Check Control85t
Check engine oil
level142t
Child seats62
Child-restraint
installation64
Child-restraint system with
tether strap62
Child-restraint systems62
Child-safety locks66
Cigarette lighter120 Clean rear window79
Cleaning windshield79
Climate control, refer to
Automatic climate
control109
Clock90
for additional information
refer to the "Owner's
Manual for Onboard
Computer"
Cockpit14
Code, refer to immobilizer
function96
Cold start69
Comfort seat51
Compartments118
Computer88
for additional information
refer to the "Owner's
Manual for Onboard
Computer"
remote control97
Computer in the MID93
Configuring personal
adjustments, Vehicle and
Key Memory67
Consumption display83
Consumption, fuel88, 95
Convenience operation of
windows and sliding/tilt
sunroof33 Convenience starting
feature69
Coolant144
Coolant temperature
gauge84
Copyright4
Cover, sun blinds114
Cruising range88, 95
Cup holder119
Cup holder, refer to
beverage holder119
Curb monitor55
D
Date
calling up90
changing90
Daytime driving lamps103
DBC (Dynamic Brake
Control)20
Deactivating97
interior motion sensor43
tilt alarm sensor43
Deep water133
Defrost windows108, 111
Defroster mode108, 111
Digital clock in the MID90
Dimensions171
Dipstick, engine oil142t
Displacement170
Display lighting104 Displays16, 17
Disposal
antifreeze with corrosion
inhibitor144t
used batteries162t
used oils143t
Distance from
destination94
Distance warning98
Divided rear-seat
backrest121
Doors
manual operation33
opening and closing34
opening/closing from the
inside34
operation via remote
control34
DOT Quality Grades136
Driving notes133
DSC (Dynamic Stability
Control)21, 99
Dynamic Brake Control
(DBC)20
Dynamic Stability Control
(DSC)21, 99
E
Electric power seat50
Electric power windows44

Everything from A to ZElectrical malfunction
doors33
fuel filler door24
luggage compartment
lid38
sliding/tilt sunroof47
tailgate39
Elements of operation,
cockpit14
Emergency release of
luggage compartment lid
from luggage
compartment's interior41
Energy control83
Engine compartment
essentials140
Engine coolant84, 144
Engine oil142
consumption142
disposal143t
level20
pressure19
specifications143t
viscosity ratings143
Engine specifications170
Estimated time of arrival95
Exterior mirrors57, 58
F
Failure messages85t
Filling the washer
reservoir141t
First-aid kit23
Fittings, tow-starting and
towing165t
Flashlight118
Flat tire135, 158t
Fog lamps104
bulb replacement155t
Fold rear-seat backrest121
Follow me home lamps103
Front ashtray119
Front fog lamps104
Front seat adjustment48
Fuel25
gauge83
quality25
specifications25
tank capacity175
Fuel consumption88, 95
average88, 95
indicator83
Fuel filler door24
electrical malfunction24
manual release24
Fuses162
G
Gasoline25
gauge83
quality25
Glass moonroof47
Glove compartment118
Grilles109
Gross vehicle weight173 H
Handbrake70
Hands-free system119
Hazard warning triangle23
Head restraints50
Headlamp covers,
care153t
Headlamp flasher78
Headlamp washer
system141
Heated seats55
Heated steering wheel56
Heating and
ventilation106, 109
Heating while stopped113
Heavy cargo128
Height adjustment
seats50
steering wheel56
Height of vehicle171
High beams21, 104
bulb replacement153t High Performance Synthetic
Oils143
High-mount brake lamp157
Holder for canned
beverages119
Hood139
release139t
Horn14
Hydraulic Braking Assistant,
refer to DBC20
Hydroplaning133, 135
I
Ice warning82
Identification, tires137
Ignition lock68
Immobilizer function96
activating code96
deactivating code96
selecting code96
Imprint4
Indicator and warning
lamps19
Inflation pressure26t
monitoring101
Inflation pressure,
tires26, 135
INSPECTION84
Instrument
cluster15, 16, 17