BMW Repair: metric system, oxygen sensors, traction control system

Question
Evan
I just knew how to solve some problems through previous answers of some mails you have answered. However I have a 528i production date 09/1999 as printed on driver’s door panel with last seven digits of VIN number GU9375 this car now is being used abroad where metric system and Celsius is preferable. Just want to change functions so it could read kilometers liters and Celsius concerning consumption of fuel distance instead of miles and deg Fahrenheit. How this could be done without changing the original. GM, SA and VN codes. Is it true that disabling oxygen sensors would make fuel consumption less? If yes why?.

Often ABS BREAK AND DSC IS LIT ON INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. I was told to change the DSC unit control. But i have read that it could be programed as u answered to a person who had same problem. Are u positive about this matter. The mecanic says no way i should replace it.

Regards
Harry


Answer
Harry, you have some information backwards. Never a good idea to disable oxygen sensors. O2 sensors are the major factor in the DME's calculation of fuel delivery. The system would run in open loop which is significantly richer mixtures used for engine operation, plus you would never get rid of the check engine light. Secondly if the car has a hard fault in the traction control system then coding the module rarely does any perment good. A new module will have to be coded to the vehicle aswell as steering angle sensor calibrated and end of belt mode carried out and faults cleared. You need to have the faults read out and diagnosed by a Qualified technician. If you want the unit to be read out in metric then for the A/C press and hold either the right or left instrument cluster button (I can't remember which) and cycle the key. Also in car/key memory you should be able to change the rest of the units into metric digits, never done it cause it is an odd request, but I think the option is in there.
-Evan