height BMW 128I 2009 E81 Owner's Manual

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
25
>When there is an interruption in the power
supply from the battery.
Depending on the national-market 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 luggage compartment lid
using the button of the remote control even
if the alarm system is armed, refer to page20.
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 page19, or
>insert the remote control all the way into the
ignition lock.
Indicator lamp displays
>The indicator lamp under the inside rear-
view mirror flashes continuously: the sys-
tem is armed.
>The indicator lamp flashes after locking:
doors, hood or luggage compartment lid are not properly closed. Even if you do not
close the alerted area, the system begins to
monitor the remaining areas, and the indi-
cator lamp flashes continuously after
approx. 10 seconds. The interior motion
sensor and the tilt alarm sensor are not acti-
vated.
>The indicator lamp goes out after unlocking:
your vehicle has not been disturbed while
you were away.
>If the indicator lamp flashes after unlocking
until the remote control is inserted in the
ignition, but for no longer than approx.
5 minutes: your vehicle has been disturbed
while you were away.
Tilt alarm sensor
The tilt of the vehicle is monitored. The alarm
system reacts, e.g. to attempts to steal a wheel
or tow the vehicle.
Interior motion sensor
Coupe
In order for the interior motion sensor to func-
tion properly, the windows and glass roof must
be completely closed
*.
Convertible
The interior of the car is monitored up to the
height of the seat cushions. Thus the alarm sys-
tem is activated together with the interior
motion sensor even if the convertible top is
open. The alarm can be triggered unintention-
ally by falling objects such as leaves, refer to
Avoiding unintentional alarms.
Avoiding unintentional alarms
The tilt alarm sensor and interior motion sensor
may be switched off at the same time. This pre-
vents unintentional alarms, e.g. in the following
situations:
>In duplex garages
>During transport on car-carrying trains,
boats/ships or on a trailer
>When animals are to remain in the vehicle

Adjustments
36 accident.
On the front passenger seat as well, do not
incline the backrest too far to the rear while the
vehicle is being driven, otherwise there is a dan-
ger in the event of an accident of sliding under
the safety belt, eliminating the protection nor-
mally provided by the belt.<
Comply with the instructions on head restraint
height on page37, and on damaged safety
belts on page41.
Manual adjustment
Observe the adjustment instructions
above to ensure the best possible per-
sonal protection.<
Longitudinal direction
Pull lever 1 and slide the seat to the desired
position.
After releasing the lever, move the seat gently
forward or back to make sure it engages prop-
erly.
Height
Pull lever 2 and apply your weight to the seat or
lift it off, as necessary.
Backrest
Pull lever 3 and apply your weight to the back-
rest or lift it off, as necessary.
Tilt*
Pull the lever and apply your weight to the seat
or lift it off, as necessary.
Thigh support*
Pull the lever and move the thigh support for-
ward or back.
Electrical adjustment*
Observe the adjustment instructions
above to ensure the best possible per-
sonal protection.<

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
37
1Longitudinal direction
2Height
3Angle
4Backrest
The head restraints are adjusted manually, refer
to Head restraints on page37.
Lumbar support*
You can also adjust the contour of the backrest
to obtain additional support in the lumbar
region.
The upper hips and spinal column receive sup-
plementary support to help you maintain a
relaxed, upright sitting position.
>Increase or decrease curvature: press the
switch at the front or rear, respectively.>Shift curvature up or down: press the switch
at the top or bottom, respectively.
Backrest width*
You can change the width of the backrest to suit
your individual preferences by adjusting the lat-
eral-support pads.
Press the front or rear end of the switch.
Backrest width decreases or increases accord-
ingly.
To move the front seats forward or backward
from outside or from one of the rear seats: with
the door open, press the front end 1 or rear end
2 of the switch.
Head restraints
A correctly adjusted head restraint reduces the
risk of neck injury in the event of an accident.
Adjust the head restraint in such a way
that its center is at approx. ear level. Oth-
erwise, there is an increased risk of injury in the
event of an accident. Only remove a head
restraint if no one will be sitting on the seat in
question. Reinstall the head restraint before
transporting anyone on that seat. Otherwise,

Adjustments
38 the passenger will be without protection from
the head restraint.<
Front seats
Height adjustment
>To raise: pull up.
>To lower: press the button, arrow1, and
slide the head restraint down.
Removing
1.Pull it up as far as it will go.
2.Press the button, arrow1, and pull the head
restraint all the way out.
Rear seats
Coupe: height adjustment
>To raise: pull up.
>To lower: press the button, arrow1, and
slide the head restraint down.
Convertible: raising and lowering
Only lower the head restraints if there are
no passengers in the rear. Raise all low-
ered head restraints before transporting pas-
sengers in the rear.<>To raise: pull up.
>To lower: press the button, arrow 1, and
slide the head restraint down, arrow 2.
Removing
1.Pull it up as far as it will go.
2.Press the button, arrow1, and pull the head
restraint all the way out.
Coupe: folding head restraint down and
up*
Depending on your vehicle's equipment, it may
contain foldable head restraints.
Folding down:
Press the button, arrow1.
Folding up:
Pull the head restraint.
Only fold down the head restraints if there
are no passengers in the rear. Fold up the
head restraints again before transporting pas-
sengers in the rear.<

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
43
Interior and exterior mirrors, automatic
dimming feature*
The automatic dimming feature of the interior
and exterior mirrors
* is controlled by two photo
cells in the interior rearview mirror. One photo
cell is in the mirror frame, see arrow; the other is
on the back of the mirror.
In order to ensure that the system functions
correctly, keep the photo cells clean, do not
cover the area between the interior rearview
mirror and windshield, and do not affix adhesive
labels or stickers of any kind to the windshield
directly in front of the mirror.
Steering wheel
Adjustments
Do not adjust the steering wheel position
while the car is in motion, otherwise there
is a risk of accident due to an unexpected move-
ment.<
1.Fold the lever down.
2.Move the steering wheel to the preferred
height and angle to suit your seated posi-
tion.
3.Swing the lever back up.Do not use force to swing the lever
back up, otherwise the mechanism
will be damaged.<
Steering wheel heating*
Press the button.
The LED in the button lights up when the steer-
ing wheel heating is switched on.

Under the hood
114
Under the hood
Do not work on the car unless you pos-
sess the necessary technical knowledge.
If you are unfamiliar with the statutory guide-
lines, have any work on the vehicle performed
only by a BMW center or by a workshop that
work according to BMW repair procedures with
correspondingly trained personnel. If this work
is not carried out properly, there is a danger of
subsequent damage and related safety haz-
ards.<
Hood
Releasing
Pull the lever.
Opening
To avoid damage, make sure that the
wiper arms are against the windshield
before you open the engine compartment. Do
not open the engine hood before the engine has
cooled down, otherwise injuries may result.<
Press the release handle and open the hood.
Closing
Close the hood from a height of approx. 16 in/
4 0 c m w i t h m o m e n t um . I t m u st b e c l e a r l y h e a r d
to engage.
Make sure that the closing path of the
hood is clear, otherwise injuries may
result.
If you see any signs while driving your vehicle
that the hood is not completely closed, stop at
once and close it securely.<

Everything from A to Z
156 Front airbags71
Front seat setting35
Frost, removing from
windows, refer to Defrosting
windows81,84
FTM, refer to Flat Tire
Monitor66
Fuel104
– gauge57
– high-quality brands104
– quality104
– specifications104
– tank contents, refer to
Capacities150
Fuel clock, refer to Fuel
gauge57
Fuel consumption display,
refer to Average fuel
consumption58
Fuel consumption statistics,
refer to Average fuel
consumption58
Fuel display, refer to Fuel
gauge57
Fuel filler door104
– releasing in the event of
electrical malfunction104
Fuses128
G
Garage door opener, refer to
Integrated universal remote
control85
Gasoline, refer to Required
fuel104
Gasoline display, refer to Fuel
gauge57
Gear change
– with automatic
transmission50
– with manual transmission49
Gear display, with automatic
transmission49
Gearshift lever
– automatic transmission with
Steptronic50
– manual transmission49
General driving notes97Glass roof, electric29
– closing after electrical
malfunction30
– convenient operation22
– opening, closing29
– operation with convenient
access26
– pinch protection system29
– raising29
– remote control20
Glove compartment88
Grills, refer to Air vents79
Gross vehicle weight, refer to
Weights149
H
Halogen lamps
– replacing bulbs125
Handbrake, refer to Parking
brake49
Hands-free system14
Hazard warning flashers14
Head airbags71
Headlamp control,
automatic74
Headlamp cover125
Headlamp flasher51
Headlamps
– replacing bulbs125
Head restraints37
Heated
– seats39
Heated mirrors42
Heating79
– mirrors42
– seats39
– steering wheel43
Heating, rear window81,84
Heating and ventilation79
Heating during a stop83
Heavy loads, refer to Stowing
cargo99
Height, refer to
Dimensions147
Height adjustment
– steering wheel43High beams76
– indicator lamp134
– replacing bulbs125
High-pressure
washer120,121
High water, refer to Driving
through water98
Hills98
Holders for cups89
Hood114
Hot exhaust system97
Hydraulic brake assist, refer to
Dynamic Brake Control65
Hydroplaning97
I
Ice warning, refer to Outside
temperature
warning56
Identification marks
– tire coding110
Ignition47
– switched off47
– switched on47
Ignition key, refer to
Integrated key/remote
control18
Ignition key position 1, refer to
Radio readiness47
Ignition key position 2, refer to
Ignition on47
Ignition lock47
Imprint2
Indicator and warning
lamps13,134
– Tire Pressure Monitor
TPM69
Indicator lighting, refer to
Instrument lighting77
Individual air distribution80
Individual settings, refer to
Personal Profile18
Inflation pressure, tires106
Inflation pressure monitoring,
refer to Tire Pressure
Monitor TPM68

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
159
Remote control18
– battery renewal27
– convenient access26
– garage door opener85
– luggage compartment lid20
– malfunctions21,27
– removing from the ignition
lock47
– service data118
Remote control key, refer to
Integrated key/remote
control18
Replacement fuses, refer to
Fuses128
Replacement remote
control18
Replacing bulbs, refer to
Lamps and bulbs124
Replacing tires, refer to New
wheels and tires112
Reporting safety defects6
Reserve warning, refer to Fuel
gauge57
Reservoir for washer
systems53
Residual heat83
Restraint systems, refer to
Safety belts41
Restraint systems for
children44
Retreaded tires112
Reverse gear
– automatic transmission with
Steptronic50
– manual transmission49
Roadside Assistance130
Roadside parking lamps76
– replacing bulbs125
Roadworthiness test, refer to
Service requirements61
Rollover protection system,
convertible72
– resetting73
Roof load capacity149
Roof-mounted luggage
rack100
Rope, refer to Tow-starting,
towing away133RSC Runflat System
Component, refer to Run-
Flat Tires112
Runflat System Component
RSC, refer to Run-Flat
Tires112
Run-Flat Tires112
– continuing driving with a
damaged tire67
– flat tire67
– new tires112
– remaining driving distance,
refer to Indication of a flat
tire
67
– tire inflation pressure106
– winter tires113
Runflat Tyres, refer to Run-
Flat Tires112
S
Safety-belt height
adjustment41
Safety belts41
– damage41
– indicator lamp41
– reminder41
– sitting safely35
Safety systems
– airbags71
– Antilock Brake System
ABS64
– Dynamic Stability Control
DSC65
– rollover protection system,
convertible72
– safety belts41
Safety tires, refer to Run-Flat
Tires112
Saving fuel96
Screw thread for tow
fitting132
Seat and mirror memory39
Seat belt reminder, refer to
'Fasten safety belts'
reminder41
Seats35
– heating39
– sitting safely35Securing cargo92,93
Selector lever, automatic
transmission with
Steptronic50
Service, refer to Roadside
Assistance130
Service car, refer to Roadside
Assistance130
Service data in remote
control118
Service Interval Display, refer
to Condition Based Service
CBS118
Service requirement display,
refer to Condition Based
Service CBS118
Service requirements61
Settings
– clock, 12h/24h format60
– date format60
Shifting gears with automatic
transmission with
Steptronic50
Shiftlock, refer to Changing
selector lever positions50
Side airbags71
Side windows, refer to
Windows27
Signal horn, refer to Horn10
Sitting safely35
– airbags35
– safety belt35
Ski bag92
Sliding/tilt sunroof, refer to
Glass roof, electric
29
Slot for remote control47
Smokers' package, refer to
Ashtray90
Snap-in adapter, refer to
Center armrest88
Snow chains113
Socket, refer to Connecting
electrical appliances90
Socket for On-Board
Diagnosis OBD119
Spare fuses128
Special oils, refer to Specified
engine oils116
Specified engine oils116