towing BMW 135I 2012 E88 Owner's Manual

Opening and closing
34
Locking separately
Push the switch in the direction of arrow 1.
The trunk lid is locked and cannot be unlocked
using the central locking system.
If you give the remote control without the inte-
grated key to someone else while the glove
compartment is locked, the trunk lid cannot be
opened. This is an advantage when valet park-
ing, for example. Locking the glove compart-
ment, refer to page107.
Unlocking separately
Push the switch in the direction of arrow 2.
Emergency release
Pull the lever in the cargo area. The trunk lid is
unlocked.
Closing
The handle recesses on the interior trim of the
trunk lid make it easier to pull down.
Make sure that the closing path of the
trunk lid is clear; otherwise, injuries may
result.<
Alarm system*
The concept
The vehicle alarm system responds:
>When a door, the hood or the trunk lid is
opened
>To movements inside the vehicle: interior
motion sensor, refer to page35
>When the car's inclination changes, e.g.
if an attempt is made to jack it up and steal
the wheels or to raise it prior to towing away:
tilt alarm sensor, refer to page35
>When there has been an interruption of
power supply from the battery
Depending on the market-specific version, the
alarm system briefly signals unauthorized entry
attempts by:
>An acoustic alarm
>Switching on
* the hazard warning flashers
Arming and disarming
When you lock or unlock the vehicle, either with
the remote control or at the door lock, the alarm
system is armed or disarmed at the same time.
You can open the trunk lid using the button
of the remote control even if the alarm system is
armed, refer to page30. The lid is locked and
monitored again as soon as it is closed.
Panic mode
You can trigger the alarm system if you find
yourself in a dangerous situation.
Press the button for at least three seconds.
To switch off the alarm: press any button.
Switching off an alarm
>Unlock the car with the remote control, refer
to page29, or
>insert the remote control all the way into the
ignition lock.

Controls
65Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
The LED in the button goes out.
Manually unlocking parking lock
In the event of a power supply interrup-
tion such as a discharged or discon-
nected battery or an electrical malfunction, the
parking lock must be manually unlocked; other-
wise, the rear wheels are immobilized and the
vehicle cannot be towed.<
Only unlock the parking lock manually for tow-
ing and make sure to set the parking brake
forcefully beforehand so that the vehicle cannot
roll. Lock the parking lock again after the vehicle
is parked.
Releasing
1.Unclip the sleeve of the selector lever.
2.Pull the sleeve up over the selector lever
until the sleeve is inside out.
3.Using the allen wrench from the tool kit,
refer to page227, rotate the cover until it
reaches the stop, arrow 1, and remove,
arrow2.
4.Insert allen wrench into the opening,
arrow1.5.Rotate allen wrench until it reaches the
stop, arrow2. The parking lock is unlocked.
Do not turn allen wrench in the oppo-
site direction; otherwise, you may
damage the mechanism.<
6.Remove allen wrench from the opening.
After parking the vehicle, lock the parking
lock again. Otherwise, there is a danger
that the vehicle will roll.<
Locking
1.Press the button, see arrow.
The parking lock is locked again.
2.Replace cover again.
3.Clip the selector lever sleeve back into
place.
4.Forcefully apply the parking brake.
Jump-starting and towing, starting on
page235.

Driving tips
119Reference
At a glance
Controls
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
pressure which must be exerted by the pads
during brake applications to clean the rotors is
not reached.
Should corrosion form on the brake rotors, the
brakes will tend to respond with a pulsating
effect that even extended application will fail to
cure.
When the vehicle is parked
Condensation forms while the automatic cli-
mate control is in operation, and then exits
under the vehicle. Traces of condensed water
under the vehicle are therefore normal.
Cargo loading
To avoid loading the tires beyond their
approved carrying capacity, never over-
load the vehicle. Overloading can lead to over-
heating and increases the rate at which damage
develops inside the tires. In some situations,
this can result in sudden loss of tire pressure.<
Avoid fluid spills in the cargo area as they
could damage the vehicle.<
Determining loading limit
1.Locate the following statement on your
vehicle's placard
*:
The combined weight of occupants
and cargo should never exceed
XXX kg or YYY lbs. Otherwise, damage to
the vehicle and unstable driving conditions
may result.<
2.Determine the combined weight of the
driver and passengers that will be riding in
your vehicle.3.Subtract the combined weight of the driver
and passengers from XXX kilograms or YYY
pounds.
4.The resulting figure equals the available
amount of cargo and luggage load capacity.
For example, if the YYY amount equals
1,400 lbs. and there will be five 150-lbs.
passengers in your vehicle, the amount of
available cargo and luggage load capacity is
650 lbs.:
1,400 lbs. minus 750 lbs. = 650 lbs.
5.Determine the combined weight of luggage
and cargo being loaded on the vehicle. That
weight may not safely exceed the available
cargo and luggage load capacity calculated
in step 4.
6.If your vehicle will be towing a trailer, part of
the load from your trailer will be transferred
to your vehicle. Consult the manual for
transporting a trailer to determine how this
may reduce the available cargo and luggage
load capacity of your vehicle.
Load
The permissible load is the sum of the occu-
pants' weights and the weight of the cargo. The
greater the weight of the occupants, the less
cargo/luggage can be transported.

Things to remember when driving
120
Stowing cargo
Coupe
Convertible
>Position heavy objects as low and as far for-
ward as possible, ideally directly behind the
respective seat backrests.
>Cover sharp edges and corners.
>For very heavy cargo when the rear seat is
not occupied, secure each safety belt in the
opposite buckle.
Securing cargo
>Secure smaller and lighter items using draw
straps
*.
>Heavy-duty cargo straps
* for securing
larger and heavier objects are available at
your BMW center. To attach the cargo
straps, there are two lashing eyes on the
inside wall of the cargo area.
Comply with the information enclosed with
the load-securing devices.
Always position and secure the cargo as
described above, so that it cannot endan-
ger the car's occupants, for example if sudden
braking or swerving is necessary.
Never exceed either the approved gross vehicle weight or either of the approved axle loads, refer
to page245, as excessive loads can pose a
safety hazard, and may also place you in viola-
tion of traffic safety laws.
Heavy or hard objects should not be carried
loose inside the car, since they could be thrown
around, for example as a result of heavy braking,
sudden swerves, etc., and endanger the occu-
pants.
Only attach the cargo straps using the lashing
eyes shown in the illustration. Do not secure
cargo with the anchors for tether straps, refer to
page55, otherwise, these could be damaged.<
Coupe: roof-mounted
luggage rack*
A special rack system is available as an option
for your BMW. Comply with the directions given
in the installation instructions.
Mounting points
Fold open the cover.
Loading roof-mounted luggage rack
Because roof racks raise the vehicle's center of
gravity when loaded, they have a major effect on
vehicle handling and steering response.
You should therefore always remember not to
exceed the approved roof load capacity, the
approved gross vehicle weight or the axle loads
when loading the rack.
You can find the applicable data under Weights
on page245.
The roof load must be distributed uniformly and
should not be too large in area. Heavy items
should always be placed at the bottom. Be sure

Giving and receiving assistance
236 3.Attach the second terminal clamp of the
plus/+ jumper cable to the positive terminal
of the battery or a starting-aid terminal of
the vehicle to be started.
4.Attach one terminal clamp of the minus/–
jumper cable to the negative terminal of the
battery or to an engine or body ground of
the assisting vehicle.
Your BMW has a special nut as body ground or
negative pole.
5.Attach the second terminal clamp of the
minus/– jumper cable to the negative termi-
nal of the battery or to the engine or body
ground of the vehicle to be started.
Starting the engine
1.Start the engine of the donor vehicle and
allow it to run for a few minutes at slightly
increased idle speed.
2.Start the engine on the other vehicle in the
usual way.
If the first start attempt is not successful,
wait a few minutes before another attempt
in order to allow the discharged battery to
recharge.
3.Let the engines run for a few minutes.
4.Disconnect the jumper cables by reversing
the above connecting sequence.
If necessary, have the battery checked and
recharged.
Never use spray fluids to start the
engine.<
Tow-starting, towing away
Observe the applicable laws and regula-
tions for tow-starting and towing vehi-
cles.<
Do not transport any passengers other
than the driver in a vehicle that is being
towed.<
Using a tow fitting
The screw-in tow fitting must always be carried
in the car. It can be screwed in at the front or
rear of the BMW.
It is stored with the onboard vehicle tool kit
underneath the floor mat in the cargo area, refer
to page227.
Use only the tow fitting provided with the
vehicle and screw it all the way in. Use the
tow fitting for towing on paved roads only. Avoid
lateral loading of the tow fitting, e.g. do not lift
the vehicle by the tow fitting. Otherwise, the
tow fitting and the vehicle could be damaged.<
Access to screw thread
Rectangular cover panel in bumper:
Press the arrow on the cover.
Front

Mobility
237Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Rear
Being towed
Make sure that the ignition is switched on,
refer to page57; otherwise, the low-beam
headlamps, tail lamps, turn signal indicators and
windshield wipers may be unavailable. There is
no power assist while the engine is off. Thus,
braking and steering will require increased
effort. Active steering is not active and it will be
necessary to turn the steering wheel further.<
Manual transmission
Gearshift lever in neutral position.
Automatic transmission
Selector lever in position N.
Changing selector lever position, refer to
page60.
Do not exceed a towing speed of 45 mph/
70 km/h and a towing distance of
90 miles/150 km; otherwise, the automatic
transmission may be damaged.<
Sport automatic transmission with
double clutch
Make sure that the parking lock P is not
engaged; otherwise, the rear wheels are
immobilized.
When using the car wash function, refer to
page224, make sure that after approx.
30 minutes, the parking lock P is automatically
engaged and thus immobilizes the rear wheels.
In the event of an electrical malfunction or if the
vehicle must be towed for more than approx.
20 minutes, unlock the parking lock manually,
refer to page65.<When towing, do not exceed a maximum
speed of 30 mph or 50 km/h and a maxi-
mum distance traveled of 30 miles/50 km; oth-
erwise, the transmission may be damaged.<
BMW recommends transporting the vehicle on
a tow truck with a flatbed or towing with the rear
axle raised.
Towing methods
Do not lift the vehicle by a tow fitting or
body and chassis parts; otherwise, dam-
age may result.<
With a tow bar
The towing vehicle must not be lighter
than the towed vehicle; otherwise, it may
be impossible to maintain control.<
The tow fittings used should be on the same
side on both vehicles. Should it prove impossi-
ble to avoid mounting the tow bar at an angle,
please observe the following:
>Clearance and maneuvering capability will
be sharply limited during cornering.
>The tow bar will generate lateral forces if it is
attached offset.
Attach the tow bar to the tow fittings only,
as attaching it to other parts of the vehicle
could result in damage.<
With a tow rope
When starting off in the towing vehicle, make
sure that the tow rope is taut.
To avoid jerking and the associated
stresses on vehicle components when
towing, always use nylon ropes or nylon straps.
Attach the tow rope to the tow fittings only, as
attaching it to other parts of the vehicle could
result in damage.<

Everything from A to Z
254
Everything from A to Z
Index
A
ABS Antilock Brake
System83
Acceleration assistant, refer to
Launch Control66
Accessories, refer to Your
individual vehicle5
Accident, reporting, refer to
Emergency Request234
Activated-charcoal filter102
Active steering89
Adaptive Light Control95
Additives
– coolant219
– engine oil219
Address, entering125,131
Address for navigation
– entering125
Adjusting temperature100
Airbags90
– sitting safely45
– warning lamp92
Air conditioner99
Air distribution
– automatic100
Airing, refer to Ventilation102
Air outlets, refer to Air
vents99
Air pressure, checking, refer
to Tire inflation
pressure208
Air recirculation, refer to
Recirculated air mode101
Air vents99
Air volume101
AKI, refer to Fuel grade207
Alarm system34
– avoiding unintentional
alarms35
– interior motion sensor35
– switching off an alarm34
– tilt alarm sensor35Albums of music
collection163
ALL program101
All-season tires, refer to
Winter tires215
AM, waveband147
Ambient air, refer to
Recirculated air mode101
Antifreeze
– coolant219
– washer fluid68
Antilock Brake System
ABS83
Anti-theft alarm system, refer
to Alarm system34
Anti-theft system29
Appointments, refer to
Calendar193
Approved axle loads, refer to
Weights245
Approved engine oils219
Approved gross vehicle
weight, refer to Weights245
Apps202
Armrest, refer to Center
armrest108
Arrival time
– computer72
Ashtray109
Assistance systems, refer to
Dynamic Stability Control
DSC83
AUC Automatic recirculated
air control101
Audible instructions, refer to
Voice instructions136
Audio144
– controls144
– switching on/off144
– tone control144
– volume144Automatic
– air distribution100
– air volume100
– cruise control68
– headlamp control94
Automatic car washes223
Automatic climate control99
Automatic curb monitor52
Automatic high beams and
low beams, refer to High-
beam Assistant96
Automatic lamps
– refer to Welcome lamps94
Automatic recirculated air
control AUC101
Automatic Service
Request202
Automatic transmission with
Steptronic59
– selector lever lock60
– shiftlock60
– towing236
– tow-starting236
AUTO program for automatic
climate control100
AUX-IN port166
Available services202
Average fuel consumption72
– setting the units74
Average speed72
Avoid highways in
navigation134
Avoiding unintentional
alarms35
Axle loads, refer to
Weights245
B
Backrests, refer to Seats46
Backrest width adjustment47
Back seats, refer to Rear seats
– adjusting head restraints48

Reference 255
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Backup lamp, replacing
bulb231
Bag for skis, refer to Ski
bag110
Band-aids, refer to First aid
pouch235
Bar, refer to Tow-starting,
towing away237
Base plate for telephone or
mobile phone
– refer to Snap-in adapter186
Bass, tone setting144
Battery232
– charging232
– disposal37,232
– jump-starting235
– replacing232
– temporary power failure232
Battery renewal
– remote control for vehicle37
Being towed237
Belts, refer to Safety belts50
Belt tensioner, refer to Safety
belts50
Beverage holders, refer to
Cupholders108
Blower, refer to Air
volume101
Bluetooth, activating/
deactivating177
Bluetooth audio169
– disconnecting an audio
connection171
– pairing a device169
– playback170
– unpairing device171
– What to do if...171
BMW
– car shampoo224
BMW Assist198
– updating202
BMW Maintenance
System221
BMW Online*200
BMW TeleServices199
Bottle holders, refer to
Cupholders108
Brake Assist, refer to Dynamic
Brake Control83Brake fluid
– service requirements74
Brake Force Display90
Brake lamps
– Brake Force Display90
– replacing bulb231
Brake pads, breaking in116
Brake pedal, refer to Braking
safely118
Brake rotors118
– brakes116
– breaking in116
Brakes
– ABS83
– BMW Maintenance
System221
– braking safely118
– breaking in116
– parking brake59
– service requirements74
Brake system116
– BMW Maintenance
System221
– breaking in116
– disc brakes118
Breakdown services, refer to
Roadside Assistance234
Breaking in the clutch116
Break-in period116
Bulb changing, refer to Lamps
and bulbs227
Button for starting the
engine57
Buttons on the steering
wheel11
C
Calendar193
– displaying appointment193
– selecting calendar day193
California Proposition 65
warning6
Call
– accepting181
– ending181
– muting the microphone182
– rejecting181Calling, refer to Phone
numbers, dialing181
Calling, refer to Telephone
owner's manual
Calls
– with multiple parties181
Can holders, refer to
Cupholders108
Capacities246
Capacity of the cargo area245
Car battery, refer to Vehicle
battery232
Car care, refer to Care223
Care223
– automatic car washes223
– care products223
– carpets226
– CD/DVD drives226
– chrome parts225
– convertible top224
– displays226
– exterior223
– fine wood parts226
– headlamps224
– high-pressure washer224
– interior225
– leather225
– light-alloy wheels225
– paintwork225
– plastic parts226
– rubber seals225
– safety belts226
– sensors and cameras226
– upholstery and cloth
trim225
– washing the car
manually224
– windows224
Cargo, securing120
Cargo area
– capacity245
– Comfort Access36
– enlarging, refer to Through-
loading system109
– lamp, refer to Interior
lamps98
– lid, refer to Trunk lid
33
– opening from outside33

Everything from A to Z
256 Cargo area lid, refer to Trunk
lid33
Cargo area net, refer to
Securing cargo120
Cargo loading119
– securing cargo120
– stowing cargo120
– vehicle119
Car jack
– jacking points232
Car key, refer to Integrated
key/remote control28
Car phone
– installation location, refer to
Center armrest108
– refer to separate Owner's
Manual
Car phone, refer to
Telephone176
Car radio, refer to Radio147
Car shampoo224
Car wash223
Catalytic converter, refer to
Hot exhaust system117
CD, audio playback155
CD changer155,159
– controls144
– fast forward/reverse157
– filling or emptying the
magazine159
– random play sequence156
– selecting a track155
– switching on/off144
– tone control144
– volume144
CD player155
– controls144
– fast forward/reverse157
– random order156
– selecting a track155
– switching on/off144
– tone control144
– volume144
Center armrest108
Center brake lamp, replacing
bulb231
Center console, refer to
Around the center
console14Central key, refer to Integrated
key/remote control28
Central locking
– from inside32
– from outside29
Central locking system29
– Comfort Access35
Changes, technical, refer to
For your own safety5
Changing bulbs227
Changing gears64
Changing the language on the
Control Display81
Changing wheels231
Chassis number, refer to
Engine compartment217
Check Control78
Child restraint fixing system
LATCH55
Child restraint systems54
Child seats54
Chrome parts225
Chrome polish225
Cigarette lighter109
Cleaning headlamps67
– washer fluid68
Cleaning your BMW, refer to
Care223
Climate control
– automatic air
distribution100
Clock70
– 12h/24h mode77
– setting the time and date77
– setting time76
Closing
– from inside32
– from outside29
Clothes hooks108
Cold start, refer to Starting the
engine58
Comfort Access35
– replacing the battery37
Comfort access, refer to
Comfort Access35
Comfort area, refer to Around
the center console14Compartment for remote
control, refer to Ignition
lock57
Compass106
Computer71
– displays on Control
Display72
Computer, refer to iDrive16
Concierge service199
Condensation, refer to When
the vehicle is parked119
Condition Based Service
CBS221
Configuring settings, refer to
Personal Profile28
Confirmation signals for
locking/unlocking the
vehicle30
ConnectedDrive198
Connecting vacuum cleaner,
refer to Connecting
electrical appliances109
Consumption, refer to
Average fuel
consumption72
Contacts188
– deleting190,197
– exporting/importing197
– new contact189
Control Center, refer to
iDrive16
Control Display16,17
Control Display, refer to iDrive
– switching on/off17
Controller, refer to iDrive16
Controls and displays10
Convenient opening and
closing
– windows30
– windows with Comfort
Access36
– with Comfort Access36
Convenient start, refer to
Starting the engine58
Convertible
– rollover protection
system92
– top40
– wind deflector43

Everything from A to Z
258 Driving through water118
Driving tips, refer to Driving
notes116
Dry air, refer to Cooling
function101
DSC Dynamic Stability
Control83
DTC Dynamic Traction
Control84
– indicator lamps84
DVD
– country codes157
– settings158
– video playback157
DVD menu158
DVD player, refer to CD
player155
DVD video157
Dynamic Brake Control
DBC83
Dynamic destination
guidance140
Dynamic Stability Control
DSC83
Dynamic Traction Control
DTC84
– indicator lamps84
E
EBV Electronic brake-force
distribution83
Eject button, refer to Buttons
on the CD/DVD player144
Electrical defect
– 7-gear Sport automatic
transmission with double
clutch65
Electrical malfunction
– door lock32
– fuel filler flap206
– glass roof40
Electronic brake-force
distribution EBV83
Electronic oil level check217
Electronic Stability Program
ESP, refer to Dynamic
Stability Control DSC83
Email192Emergency operation, refer to
Manual operation
– door lock32
– fuel filler flap206
– glass roof40
– transmission lock, automatic
transmission61
Emergency release, trunk
lid34
Emergency Request234
Emergency services, refer to
Roadside Assistance234
Energy, saving
– saving fuel116
Engine
– breaking in116
– data242
– speed242
– starting58
– starting, Comfort Access35
– switching off58
Engine compartment217
Engine coolant, refer to
Coolant219
Engine oil
– adding219
– additives219
– alternative oil types219
– approved engine oils219
– BMW Maintenance
System221
– checking level217
– intervals between changes,
refer to Service
requirements74
Engine oil level, checking217
Engine output, refer to Engine
data242
Engine speed, refer to Engine
data242
Engine starting, refer to
Starting the engine58
Entering the postal code for
navigation126
Entry map for destination130
Equalizer, tone setting145
ESP Electronic Stability
Program, refer to Dynamic
Stability Control DSC83Exhaust system, refer to Hot
exhaust system117
Exterior mirrors51
– adjusting51
– automatic dimming
feature52
– automatic heating52
– folding in and out51
External devices
– random play sequence168
– software update172
Eyes
– for tow-starting and towing
away236
– for tying down loads120
F
Failure messages, refer to
Check Control78
Failure of an electrical
consumer232
False alarm, refer to Avoiding
unintentional alarms35
Fastening safety belts, refer to
Safety belts50
Fastest route for
navigation134
Fast forward
– CD changer157
– CD player157
Filter of automatic climate
control, refer to Microfilter/
activated charcoal filter102
First aid pouch235
Fixture for remote control,
refer to Ignition lock57
Flash when locking/
unlocking30
Flat tire
– run-flat tires214
– Tire Pressure Monitor
TPM86
Flat Tire Monitor FTM84
– indicating a flat tire85
– initializing the system85
– system limits84
Flat tires, refer to Tire
condition213