2003 BMW 540I SEDAN bulb

Contents

Operation, maintenance
Owner service procedures

Special operating instructions:

Break-in procedures132
Driving notes133
Antilock Brake System133
Brake system134

Wheels and tires:

Tire inflation pressure135
Tire condition135
Tire replacement136
Wheel and tire
combinations137
Special characteristics of winter
tires138
Snow chains138

Under the hood:

Hood139
Engine compartment
essentials140
Washer fluids141
Engine oil142
Coolant144
Brake fluid145

Maintenance:

The BMW Maintenance
System146

Laws and regulations:

Technical modifications147
California Proposition
65 Warning147
OBD interface socket148

Replacement procedures:

Onboard tool kit152
Windshield wiper blades152
Lamps and bulbs153
Changing a wheel158
Battery162
Fuses162

Assistance, giving and
receiving:

Jump-starting164
Towing the vehicle165

87n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Check Control>"CHECK LOWBEAM LIGHTS"
"CHECK SIDE LIGHTS"
"CHECK REAR LIGHTS"
"CHECK FRONT FOGLAMPS"
"CHECK LICPLATE LIGHT"
"CHECK HIGHBEAM LIGHT"
"CHECK BACK UP LIGHTS"
Defective bulb or circuit. Refer to
pages 153 and following, page 162
or consult your BMW center
>"TRANS. FAILSAFE PROG"
Please consult the nearest BMW
center. Refer to pages 74 and 77
>"CHECK BRAKE LININGS"
Have the brake pads inspected by
your BMW center. Refer to page 134
>"CHECK COOLANT LEVEL"
Coolant too low, top up at the next
opportunity. Refer to page 144
>"ENGINE FAILSAFE PROG"
*
Indicates a malfunction in the elec-
tronic engine-management system,
which then reverts to an emergency
default program allowing continued
operation at reduced power and
lower engine speeds.
Please have the system inspected at
your BMW center.
Displays after completion of tripAll of the malfunctions registered during
the trip appear consecutively when the
ignition key is turned to position 0.
The following displays will appear when
appropriate:
>"LIGHTS ON"
>"KEY IN IGNITION LOCK"
>"CHECK ENGINE OIL LEV"
Add engine oil at the next opportunity
(next stop to refuel). Refer to
page 142.
This display appears when you open
the driver's door after parking the
vehicle. A supplementary gong is also
heard.
Status messages remain available for a
period of approx. three minutes after
the display goes out and the key is
removed from the ignition. Press the
CHECK button 3. If there were multiple
reports, press the CHECK button
repeatedly to view them all in
sequence.
To check the Check ControlPress the CHECK button 3 with the
ignition key in position 2:
CHECK CONTROL OK appears in the
display.
No malfunctions are present in the
monitored systems.ComputerYou can find a description of the com-
puter on pages 88 and 93 as well as in
the "Owner's Manual for Onboard Com-
puter."
You can have the Check Control
and computer messages
displayed in a different language.<

153n
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.<

154n
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

155n
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

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.<