Owner`s manual
Table Of Contents
- Notes on the Owner's Manual
- Symbols used
- The individual vehicle
- Status at time of printing
- For your own safety
- Symbol on vehicle parts
- REPORTING SAFETY DEFECTS
- Contents
- Cockpit
- Instrument cluster
- Instrument cluster*
- Indicator and warning lamps
- Multifunction steering wheel (MFL)
- Sports steering wheel*
- Hazard warning flashers
- Warning triangle*
- First-aid kit*
- Refueling
- Fuel specifications
- Tire inflation pressure
- Keys
- Electronic vehicle immobilizer
- Central locking system
- Opening and closing – from the outside
- Opening and closing – from the inside
- Luggage compartment lid/Tailgate
- Luggage compartment
- Alarm system
- Electric power windows
- Sliding/Tilt sunroof*
- Seat adjustment
- Electric power seat(s*)
- Mechanical seat
- BMW comfort seat*
- BMW sports seat*
- BMW active seat*
- Adjusting the steering wheel
- Mirrors
- Seat, mirror and steering wheel memory
- Car Memory, Key Memory
- Safety belts
- Airbags
- Transporting children safely
- Steering/Ignition lock
- Starting the engine
- Switching off the engine
- Parking brake
- Manual transmission
- Automatic transmission*
- Automatic transmission with Steptronic*
- Indicator/Headlamp flasher
- Wiper/Washer system
- Rear window defroster
- Cruise control
- Odometer, outside temperature display
- Tachometer
- Energy control
- Fuel gauge
- Coolant temperature gauge
- Service Interval Display
- Check Control
- Computer
- Multi-Information Display (MID)*
- Digital clock in the MID*
- Computer in the MID*
- Park Distance Control (PDC)*
- ASC+T/DSC*
- Tire Pressure Control (RDC)*
- Parking lamps/Low beams
- Instrument lighting
- High beams/Parking lamps
- Fog lamps
- Interior lamps
- Reading lamps
- Air conditioner
- Automatic climate control*
- Seat heating*
- Steering wheel heating*
- Roller sun blind*
- Independent ventilation*
- BMW Universal Transmitter*
- Glove compartment
- Storage facilities
- Cellular phone*
- Beverage holder*
- Ashtray, front
- Cigarette lighter*
- Ashtray, rear
- Through-loading system*
- Ski bag*
- Luggage compartment – sport wagon
- Cargo loading
- Roof-mounted luggage rack
- Break-in procedure
- Driving notes
- Catalytic converter
- Antilock Brake System (ABS)
- Disc brakes
- Brake system
- Winter operation
- Power steering
- Level control system*
- Cellular phone*
- Radio reception
- Tire inflation pressure
- Tire condition
- Tire replacement
- Tire rotation
- Wheel and tire combinations
- Winter tires
- Snow chains*
- Approved wheel and tire specifications – sedan
- Hood
- Engine compartment – BMW 525i, 530i
- Engine compartment – BMW 540i
- Washer fluids
- Washer nozzles
- Engine oil
- Coolant
- Brake fluid
- Vehicle Identification Number
- The BMW Maintenance System
- Caring for your car
- Airbags
- Vehicle storage
- Technical modifications
- California Proposition 65 Warning
- OBD interface socket
- Onboard tool kit
- Wiper blades
- Lamps and bulbs
- Changing a wheel
- Battery
- Fuses
- Fuel filler door
- Sliding/Tilt sunroof
- Tailgate
- Jump-starting
- Towing the vehicle
- Airbags
- ATC*
- ASC+T/DSC*
- Radio reception
- BMW active seat*
- Safety belt tensioner
- DSP sound system*
- Mirrors with automatic dimmer*
- Rain sensor*
- Tire Pressure Control (RDC)*
- Integrated rear suspension
- Level control system*
- Xenon lamps*
- Engine specifications
- Dimensions – sedan
- Dimensions – sport wagon
- Weights – sedan
- Weights – sport wagon
- Capacities
- Electrical system
- Drive belts
- Everything from A to Z
- Refueling
![](/manual/bmw/540i-sedan-sport-wagon/owner-s-manual-english/images/img-5.png)
6n
For your own safety
Use unleaded gasoline only. Fuels
containing up to 10% ethanol or
other oxygenates with up to 2.8% oxy-
gen by weight (that is, 15% MTBE or
3% methanol plus an equivalent
amount of co-solvent) will not void the
applicable warranties with respect to
defects in materials or workmanship.
Field experience has indicated signifi-
cant differences in fuel quality (volatility,
composition, additives, etc.) among ga-
solines offered for sale in the United
States and Canada. The use of poor-
quality fuels may result in driveability,
starting and stalling problems, espe-
cially under certain environmental con-
ditions, such as high ambient tempera-
ture and high altitude.
Should you encounter driveability pro-
blems that you suspect could be rela-
ted to the fuel you are using, we recom-
mend that you respond by switching to
a recognized high-quality brand.
Failure to comply with these recom-
mendations may result in unscheduled
maintenance.
Follow the relevant safety rules when
you are handling gasoline.
<
Important safety information!
For your own safety, use genuine parts
and accessories approved by BMW.
When you purchase accessories tested
and approved by BMW and Original
BMW Parts, you simultaneously acquire
the assurance that they have been
thoroughly tested by BMW to ensure
optimum performance when installed
on your vehicle.
BMW warrants these parts to be free
from defects in material and workman-
ship.
BMW will not accept any liability for
damage resulting from installation of
parts and accessories not approved by
BMW.
BMW cannot test every product from
other manufacturers to verify if it can be
used on a BMW safely and without risk
to either the vehicle, its operation, or its
occupants.
Original BMW Parts, BMW Accessories
and other products approved by BMW,
together with professional advice on
using these items, are available from all
BMW centers.
Installation and operation of non-BMW
approved accessories such as alarms,
radios, amplifiers, radar detectors,
wheels, suspension components, brake
dust shields, telephones (including
operation of any portable cellular phone
from within the vehicle without using an
externally-mounted antenna) or trans-
ceiver equipment (for instance, CBs,
walkie-talkie, ham radio or similar ac-
cessories) may cause extensive da-
mage to the vehicle, compromise its
safety, interfere with the vehicle's elec-
trical system, or affect the validity of the
BMW Limited Warranty. Visit your BMW
center for additional information.
<
Maintenance, replacement, or re-
pair of the emission control de-
vices and systems may be performed
by any automotive repair establishment
or individual using any certified auto-
motive part.
<
Symbol on vehicle parts
Indicates that you should consult
the relevant section of this
Owner's Manual for information on a
particular part or assembly.
Online Edition for Part No. 01 41 0 155 420 - © 01/01 BMW Group