2003 BMW 540I SEDAN key

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OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Self-leveling suspension
*
Tire Pressure Monitor (RDC)
*
The warning lamp for the self-
leveling suspension comes on,
or the message "SELFLEVEL
SUSP.INACT" appears in the Check
Control: there is a malfunction in the
self-leveling suspension.
Stop and inspect the vehicle. If it is
riding significantly lower in the rear than
in the front, or if it is sitting at an incline
(left rear compared to right rear), con-
sult the nearest BMW center. Drive with
appropriate caution in the meantime.
The vehicle has reduced ground clear-
ance or driving comfort is noticeably
reduced.
Even if the attitude of the vehicle is
normal, you should consult the nearest
BMW center if the warning lamp indi-
cates a system fault.
The conceptRDC monitors the tire pressures at all
four wheels, even when the vehicle is
moving. The system provides an alert
whenever the inflation pressure drops
significantly below the specified pres-
sure in one or more tires.
In order for the system to "learn" the
correct tire inflation pressure, check the
inflation pressure in all tires. Refer to
the table of "Tire inflation pressures"
beginning on page 27 and make any
necessary corrections. Then activate
the system.
This indicator lamp in the instru-
ment cluster or the Check Con-
trol will inform you if the tire
pressure is not correct.
Activate the system1. Turn the ignition key to position 2 (do
not start the engine)
2. Maintain pressure on the button until
the yellow indicator lamp in the
instrument cluster comes on for sev-
eral seconds or the message "SET
TIRE PRESSURE" appears in the
Check Control panel
3. After you have driven for a few min-
utes, the RDC will import the current
inflation pressure in the tires as the
reference values which the system
will monitor.
You will only have to repeat this proce-
dure if the tire inflation pressure must
be corrected. Otherwise, the RDC func-
tions automatically when the ignition
key is in position 2, and thus operates
whenever the vehicle is driven.390de704

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OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Parking lamps (side marker
lamps)
With the switch in this position,
the front, rear and side vehicle
lighting is switched on.
For lighting on one side for parking as
an additional feature, refer to page 104.
Low beams
When the ignition is switched off
while the low beams are on, the
headlamps go out and only the
parking lamps (side marker lamps)
remain on.
390de732
"Follow me home":
When you activate the headlamp
flasher after parking the vehicle and
switching off the lamps, the low beams
will come on for a brief period. You may
also have this function deactivated if
you wish.<
"LIGHTS ON" warningWhen the driver's door is opened with
the ignition key in position 0 an acoustic
signal will sound for several seconds to
remind you that you have forgotten to
switch off the lamps
.
Vehicles with alphanumeric Check
Control
*:
The reminder is provided by the Check
Control, refer to page 87.
Daytime driving lamps
*
The headlamps are automatically
switched on for daytime driving in
ignition key position 2.
Automatic headlamp control
*
When the switch is set to this
position the system automati-
cally activates and cancels the
low beams in response to changes in
ambient light ( in tunnels, at dusk, etc.)
as well as rain and snow.
The vehicle's external lamps
remain on constantly when you
switch on the front fog lamps after the
headlamps have come on automati-
cally.<
Automatic headlamp control
cannot serve as a substitute for
the driver's judgement in determining
when the vehicle lamps should be
switched on. For example, the sensors
are not able to detect fog. To avoid
safety risks, you should respond to
these kinds of low-visibility situations
by switching the headlamps on manu-
ally.<
You can have the sensitivity of
your vehicle's automatic head-
lamp control adjusted.<
Parking lamps/Low beams

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Instrument lighting
High beams/Standing lamps
Fog lamps
Turn the rotary dial to adjust the illumi-
nation intensity.390de733
1 High beams
(blue indicator lamp)
2 Headlamp flasher
(blue indicator lamp)
3 Standing lampsStanding lamps, left or rightAs an additional feature, you can
illuminate your vehicle on either side
for parking, if you wish to do so:
With the ignition key in position 0, push
the lever in the appropriate direction.
The lever engages in the turn signal
indicator position.390de722
Front fog lamps
The green indicator lamp in the
instrument cluster lights up to
indicate that the front fog lamps
are on.
If the high beams are switched on, the
fog lamps go out.
If the automatic headlamp control
is on, the low beams will come on
automatically whenever you activate
the fog lamps.<
390us735

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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

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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.

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OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Automatic climate control
*
Residual heating mode
The heat which is stored in
the engine is utilized for
heating the interior when the engine
has been switched off (while waiting at
a railroad crossing, for instance).
In ignition key position 1, you can alter
the settings of the automatic climate
control. In ignition key position 0, the
system automatically directs heated air
to the windshield, side windows and
footwells.
This function is available for oper-
ation when the outside tempera-
ture is below approx. 59 7 (15 6),
with the engine warm from recent oper-
ation and an adequate charge in the
battery. The LED on the button will light
up when all conditions have been
met.<
Draft-free ventilationYou can adjust the vent outlets for the
upper body area completely for your
personal comfort:
1 Rotary dials for infinitely-variable
opening and closing of the vent out-
lets
2 Selector levers for 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 infinitely-variable
opening and closing of the vent out-
lets
2 Selector levers for airflow direction
3 The rotary dial operates in the same
way as the front dial to adjust the
temperature of the emerging air.390de686

114n
Automatic climate control
*
Roller sun blind
*
Parked-car ventilation
*
Microfilter, activated-charcoal
filterThe microfilter removes dust and pollen
from the incoming air. The activated-
charcoal filter provides additional
protection by filtering gaseous pollut-
ants from the outside air. Your BMW
center replaces this combined filter as a
standard part of your scheduled main-
tenance. A substantial reduction in air-
flow indicates that the filter must be
replaced before scheduled mainte-
nance.
To operate, press the button briefly with
the ignition key in position 1 or 2.
Sun blinds for rear side windows
*
Use the strap to extract the blinds, then
hook them in the attachment provided.390us730
This system allows you to ventilate the
interior and lower its temperature using
the blower of the automatic climate
control.
The parked-car ventilation system is
operated via the Multi-Information Dis-
play (MID) Ð refer to page 92 Ð or the
onboard computer. Refer to the sepa-
rate Owner's Manual.
You can set two different times for the
system to start; it will remain active for
30 minutes. You can also turn it on and
off directly. Since the system uses a
substantial amount of electrical current,
you should not activate it twice in suc-
cession without allowing the battery to
be recharged in normal operation
between use.
The parked-car ventilation system is
available for timer-controlled operation
at outside temperatures above 60 7
(16 6) as well as for manual operation
at any temperature, provided that the
vehicle is stationary.
The air emerges via the vent outlets for
the upper body. Therefore, the vent
outlets must be open for the system to
operate.

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OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
The conceptThe BMW Universal Transmitter
replaces up to three hand-held transmit-
ters to control different devices such as
a garage door opener, alarm systems or
a door locking system. The BMW Uni-
versal Transmitter recognizes and
"learns" the transmitted signal from each
of the original hand-held transmitters.
The signal of an original hand-held
transmitter can be programmed on one
of the three channel keys. Following
that, each of the devices can be actu-ated with the appropriately-programmed

channel key. The indicator lamp flashes
to confirm transmission of the signal.
Before you sell your vehicle, the pro-
grammed channel keys should be
cleared. Refer to page 117 for the
description of this process.
To prevent potential injuries or
damage during the programming
operation and before every remote trig-
gering of a programmed device using
the BMW Universal Transmitter, be sure
that there are no persons, animals or
objects within the range of movement
of the respective device. Also, comply
with the safety precautions of the orig-
inal hand-held transmitter.<
To Canadian residents:
During programming, your hand-
held transmitter may automatically stop
transmitting after two seconds. This
may not be long enough to program the
BMW Universal Transmitter. If you are
programming from one of these hand-
held transmitters, the Universal Trans-
mitter's lamp may begin to flash in a
series of double flashes. If this occurs,
continue to hold the key on the Uni-
versal Transmitter while you reactivate
your hand-held transmitter. You may
have to repeat this function several
times while programming.<
Before programming, read the
"User's information" section on
page 117.<
The original hand-held transmitter
If this symbol is depicted on the
packaging or in the user's
instructions for the original
hand-held transmitter, it may be
assumed that this original hand-held
transmitter is compatible with the BMW
Universal Transmitter.
Checking for the conversion codeIn order to determine whether the orig-
inal hand-held transmitter is equipped
with a conversion-code system, you
may either refer to the instructions for
the original hand-held transmitter or
program a channel key as described in
the left column on page 116 under
"Programming."
Following that, press and hold the pro-
grammed channel key of the BMW Uni-
versal Transmitter. If the indicator lamp
of the BMW Universal Transmitter
flashes rapidly for two seconds and
then stays on continuously, the original
hand-held transmitter is equipped with
a conversion-code system. If the con-
version-code system is available, pro-
gram the channel keys as described in
the right-hand column on page 116
under "Programming a hand-held trans-
mitter with change code."
If you have additional questions,
please consult your BMW center
or call 1-800-355-3515.<
BMW Universal Transmitter
*