steering wheel adjustment BMW 128I 2009 E88 Owner's Manual

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
35
Adjustments
Sitting safely
The ideal sitting position can make a vital con-
tribution to relaxed, fatigue-free driving. In con-
junction with the safety belts, the head
restraints and the airbags, the seated position
has a major influence on your safety in the event
of an accident. To ensure that the safety sys-
tems operate with optimal efficiency, we
strongly urge you to observe the instructions
contained in the following section.
For additional information on transporting chil-
dren safely, refer to page44.
Airbags
Always maintain an adequate distance
between yourself and the airbags. Always
grip the steering wheel on the rim, with your
hands in the 3 o'clock and 9 o'clock positions,
to minimize the risk of injury to the hands or
arms in the event of the airbag being triggered
off.
No one and nothing is to come between the air-
bags and the seat occupant.
Do not use the cover of the front airbag on the
front passenger side as a storage area. Make
sure that the front passenger is sitting correctly,
i.e. not resting feet or legs on the dashboard,
otherwise leg injuries can occur if the front air-
bag is triggered.
Make sure that passengers do not lean their
heads against the side or head airbag, other-
wise serious injuries could result if the airbags
suddenly deployed.<
Even if you follow all the instructions, injuries
resulting from contact with airbags cannot be
fully excluded, depending on the circum-
stances. The ignition and inflation noise may
provoke a mild hearing loss in extremely sensi-
tive individuals. This effect is usually only tem-
porary.
For airbag locations and additional information
on airbags, refer to page71.
Head restraint
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.<
Head restraints, refer to page37.
Safety belt
Before every drive, make sure that all occupants
wear their safety belts. Airbags complement the
safety belt as an additional safety device, but
they do not represent a substitute.
Your vehicle has four seats, each of which is
equipped with a safety belt.
Never allow more than one person to
wear a single safety belt. Never allow
infants or small children to ride in a passenger's
lap. Make sure that the belt in the lap area sits
low across the hips and does not press against
the abdomen.
The safety belt must not rest against the throat,
run across sharp edges, pass over hard or frag-
ile objects or be pinched. Fasten the safety belt
so that it sits as snugly as possible against the
lap and shoulder without being twisted. Other-
wise the belt could slide over your hips and
injure your abdomen in the event of a frontal
collision. Avoid wearing bulky clothing and reg-
ularly pull the belt in the upper-body area taut,
otherwise its restraining effect could be
impaired.<
Safety belts, refer to page41.
Seats
Note before adjusting
Never attempt to adjust your seat while
the vehicle is moving. The seat could
respond with unexpected movement, and the
ensuing loss of vehicle control could lead to an

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.

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
71
Airbags
The following airbags are located under the
marked covers:
1Front airbags
2Coupe: head airbags
3Side airbags in the seat backrests
4Convertible: knee airbags
Protective action
Observe the adjustment instructions on
page35 to ensure the best possible per-
sonal protection.<
The front airbags help protect the driver and
front passenger by responding to frontal
impacts in which safety belts alone cannot pro-
vide adequate restraint. When needed, the
head and side airbags help provide protection in
the event of side impact. The relevant side air-
bag supports the side upper body area. The
head air bag supports the head.
The airbags have been designed to not be trig-
gered in every collision situation, e.g. not in
minor accidents or rear-end collisions.
Do not apply adhesive materials to the
cover panels of the airbags, cover them or
modify them in any other way.
Keep the dashboard and window on the front
passenger side clear, i.e. do not cover with
adhesive labels or coverings, and do not attach
holders such as for navigation instruments and
mobile phones.
Do not attach seat covers, cushions or other
objects not specifically approved for seats with
integral side airbags to the front seats. Do not
hang items of clothing such as coats or jackets
over the backrests. Do not attempt to remove the airbag retention system from the vehicle. Do
not modify the individual components of the
system or its wiring in any way. This includes
the upholstered covers on the steering wheel,
instrument panel, seats and roof posts, as well
as the sides of the roof lining. Do not attempt to
remove or dismantle the steering wheel.
Do not touch the individual components imme-
diately after the system has been triggered,
because there is a danger of burns.
In the event of malfunctions, deactivation or
triggering of the airbag restraint system, have
the testing, repair, removal and disposal of air-
bag generators executed only by a BMW center
or a workshop that works according to repair
procedures of BMW with correspondingly
trained personnel and that has the required
explosives licenses. Unprofessional attempts to
work on the system could lead to failure in an
emergency or to undesired airbag activation,
either of which could result in personal injury.<
Warning notices and information about the air-
bags can also be found on the sun visors.
Automatic deactivation of the front
passenger airbags
An analysis of the impression in the front pas-
senger seat cushion determines whether and
how the seat is occupied. The front and side air-
bags for the front passenger are activated or
deactivated by the system accordingly.
The indicator lamp above the interior
rearview mirror shows the current status
of the front passenger airbags, deactivated or
activated, refer to Status of front passenger air-
bags below.<

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

Everything from A to Z
160 Speed
– for winter tires113
Speed display, refer to
Speedometer12
Speedometer12
Sport program, automatic
transmission with
Steptronic50
Spray nozzles, refer to
Windshield washer
nozzles53
Stability control,
refer to Driving stability
control systems64
Start/stop button47
– starting the engine48
– switching off the engine48
Starting, refer to Starting the
engine48
Starting assistance, refer to
Jump starting131
Starting the engine
– start/stop button47
Status of this Owner's Manual
at time of printing5
Steam jet120,121
Steering wheel43
– adjustment43
– buttons on steering
wheel11
– heating43
Steering with variable ratio,
refer to Active steering70
Steptronic, refer to Automatic
transmission with
Steptronic49
Storage123
Storage compartment
package89
Storage compartments89
Storing
– seat position, refer to Seat
and mirror memory39
– telephone numbers, refer to
separate Owner's Manual
Storing tires113
Stowage, refer to Storage
compartments89Summer tires, refer to Wheels
and tires106
Switches, refer to Cockpit10
Switching off
– engine48
Switching off the engine
– start/stop button47
Switching the cooling function
on and off84
Symbols4
T
Tachometer56
Tail lamp, refer to Tail
lamps126
– replacing bulb127
Tail lamps126
– replacing bulb127
Tank contents, refer to
Capacities150
Technical changes5
Technical data146
Telephone, installation
location, refer to Center
armrest88
Telephone, refer to separate
Owner's Manual
Temperature, setting for
automatic climate
control81,82
Temperature display
– outside temperature56
– outside temperature
warning56
– setting the units60
Tempomat, refer to Cruise
control54
Thigh support36
Third brake lamp, refer to
Center brake lamp127
Three-point safety belt41
Through-loading system91
Tilt alarm sensor25
Tilt function, passenger-side
mirror42
Tire inflation pressure106
– loss67Tire pressure monitoring,
refer to Flat Tire Monitor66
Tire Pressure Monitor
TPM68
– resetting the system68
– system limitations68
– warning lamp69
Tire puncture, refer to Flat Tire
Monitor67
Tire Quality Grading110
Tires
– age110,112
– air loss69
– breaking in96
– changing, refer to Changing
wheels127
– condition111
– damage111
– inflation pressure106
– labels110
– minimum tread depth111
– new tires112
– pressure monitoring, refer to
Flat Tire Monitor66
– pressure monitoring, refer to
Tire Pressure Monitor
TPM68
– puncture67
– retreaded112
– Run-Flat Tires112
– size110
– wear indicators, refer to
Minimum tread depth111
– winter tires113
Tools, refer to Onboard tool
kit124
Torque, refer to Engine
data146
Tow bar133
Tow fitting132
Tow fittings for tow-starting
and towing away132
Towing132
– car with automatic
transmission132
– methods133
Towing and tow-starting132
Tow rope133
Tow-starting132