tow BMW 128I CONVERTIBLE 2008 E88 Owner's Guide

Mobility
209Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
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Navigation
Entertainment
heat when tested under controlled conditions
on a specified indoor laboratory test wheel.
Sustained high temperature can cause the
material of the tire to degenerate and reduce
tire life, and excessive temperature can lead to
sudden tire failure. The grade C corresponds to
a level of performance which all passenger car
tires must meet under the Federal Motor Vehi-
cle Safety Standard No. 109. Grades B and A
represent higher levels of performance on the
laboratory test wheel than the minimum
required by law.
The temperature grade for this tire is
established for a tire that is properly
inflated and not overloaded. Excessive speed,
underinflation, or excessive loading, either sep-
arately or in combination, can cause heat
buildup and possible tire failure.<
RSC – Run-Flat Tires
You will recognize Run-Flat Tires by a circular
symbol containing the letters RSC on the side
of the tire, refer to page210.
M+S
Winter and all-season tires.
These have better winter properties than sum-
mer tires.
XL
Designation for specially reinforced tires.
Tire condition
Inspect your tires frequently for tread wear,
signs of damage and for foreign objects lodged
in the tread. Check the tread depth.
Minimum tread depth
The tire tread depth should not be below 1/8 in/
3 mm. At tread depths below 1/8 in/3 mm there
i s a n i n c r e a s e d r i s k o f h i g h - s p e e d h y d r o p l a n i n g ,
even when only small amounts of water are
present on the road surface.
The tread depth should not drop below 1/8 in/
3 mm, although, for example, European legisla-
tion only specifies a minimum tread depth of 1/16 in/1.6 mm. At tread depths below 1/8 in/
3 mm there is an increased risk of high-speed
hydroplaning, even when only small amounts of
water are present on the road surface.
When winter tires wear down past a tread depth
of 1/6 in/4 mm, they become perceptibly less
suitable for winter conditions. In the interest of
safety, new tires should be installed.
Wear indicators in the base of the tread groove
are distributed around the tire's circumference;
the letters TWI, for Tread Wear Indicator, on the
tire's sidewalls identify tires that incorporate
these wear indicators. Once the tire tread has
worn down to the wear indicators, the tire has
worn to a depth of 1/16 in/1.6 mm.
Wheel/tire damage
Please note that low-profile tires cause wheels,
tires and suspension parts to be more suscep-
tible to road hazard and consequential dam-
ages.
Unusual vibrations encountered during normal
vehicle operation can indicate tire failure or
some other vehicle defect. This can, for exam-
ple, be caused by driving over curbs. The same
applies to any other abnormal road behavior,
such as pulling severely to the right or left.
In these cases, reduce speed immedi-
ately and have wheels and tires thor-
oughly checked. To do so, drive carefully to the
nearest BMW center or tire shop that works
according to BMW repair procedures with cor-
respondingly trained personnel. If necessary,
have the vehicle towed there.
Otherwise, tire damage can pose a lethal hazard
to vehicle occupants and other road users.<

Mobility
223Reference
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Replacing components
Onboard tool kit
The onboard tool kit is stored below the floor
mat in the cargo bay.
Wiper blades
1.Fold out the wiper arm and hold it.
2.Press together the locking spring, arrows1,
and fold out the wiper blade, arrow2.
3.Take the wiper blade out of the catch mech-
anism, pulling the blade toward the front.
To avoid damage, make sure that the
wiper arms are against the windshield
before you open the engine compartment.<
Lamps and bulbs
Lamps and bulbs make an essential contribu-
tion to vehicle safety. They should, therefore,
be handled carefully. BMW recommends hav-
ing your BMW center perform any work that you
do not feel competent to perform yourself or
that is not described here.
Never touch the glass of new bulbs with
your bare fingers, as even minute
amounts of contamination will burn into the
bulb's surface and reduce its service life. Use a
clean tissue, cloth or something similar, or hold
the bulb by its base.<
You can obtain a selection of replacement bulbs
at your BMW center.When working on electrical systems,
always begin by switching off the con-
sumer in question, otherwise short-circuits
could result. To avoid possible injury or equip-
ment damage when replacing bulbs, observe
any instructions provided by the bulb manufac-
turer.<
If the routine for changing a particular
bulb is not described here, please contact
your BMW center or a workshop that works
according to BMW repair procedures with cor-
respondingly trained personnel.<
Light-emitting diodes LED
Light-emitting diodes installed behind translu-
cent lenses serve as the light source for many of
the controls and displays in your vehicle. These
light-emitting diodes, which operate using a
concept similar to that applied in conventional
lasers, are officially designated as Class 1 light-
emitting diodes.
Do not remove the covers or expose the
eyes directly to the unfiltered light source
for several hours, otherwise this could cause
irritation to the retina.<
Xenon lamps*
These bulbs have a very long service life and are
highly unlikely to fail. If a xenon lamp fails never-
theless, switch on the fog lamps and continue
the journey with great care, provided that local
legislation does not prohibit this.
Have any work on the xenon lamp system,
including bulb replacements, performed
only by a BMW center or a workshop that works
according to BMW repair procedures with cor-
respondingly trained personnel. Otherwise, if
such work is carried out improperly, the high
voltage in the system presents the danger of
fatal injuries.<

Mobility
231Reference
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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. 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 tool kit underneath
the floor mat in the cargo bay, refer to page223.
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
Rear
Being towed
Make sure that the ignition is switched on,
refer to page58, otherwise the low-beam
headlamps, tail lamps, turn signal indicators and

Giving and receiving assistance
232 windshield wipers may be unavailable. Power
steering assistance is not available when the
engine is not running. Thus, braking and steer-
ing 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 the selector lever position, refer to
page61.
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.<
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.<
With a tow truck
Have the BMW transported with a tow truck
with a so-called lift bar or on a flat bed.
Do not tow the vehicle with just the rear axle
raised as this may cause the steering to turn.
Tow-starting
Avoid tow-starting the vehicle whenever possi-
ble; instead, jump-start the engine, refer to
page230. Vehicles with a catalytic converter
should only be tow-started when the engine is
cold, vehicles with an automatic transmission
cannot be tow-started at all.
1.Switch on the hazard warning flashers,
comply with local regulations.
2.Switch on the ignition, refer to page58.
3.Shift into 3rd gear.
4.Have the vehicle tow-started with the clutch
depressed all the way and slowly release
the clutch. After the engine starts, immedi-
ately depress the clutch completely again.
5.Stop at a suitable location, remove the tow
bar or rope and switch off the hazard warn-
ing flashers.
6.Have the vehicle checked.

Reference 241
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Onboard info
Entertainment
To show arrow display137{Arrow display}
To display map138{Map}, {Map facing north},
{Map direction of travel} or
{Perspective}
To open route125, 141 {Route menu}
To open "New route"141{New route}
To change scale139{Scale ... miles} or
{Scale ... feet}
To display towns/cities and streets along the
route139{Route list}
FunctionCommand
FunctionCommand
To open "Car Data"69{Car Data}
To display computer68{Onboard info}
To display trip computer70{Trip computer}
To open speed limit79{Limit}
To open stopwatch79{Stopwatch}
To activate road-speed limit79{Limit on}
To deactivate road-speed limit79{Limit off}
FunctionCommand
Tone control151{Audio}
To switch on radio154{Radio on},
{FM} or
{AM}
To open "FM"154{FM menu}
To open "AM"154{AM menu}
To open "All stations"154{FM All stations}
To select radio station154{Station} e.g. {Station WNYC} or
{Choose station}
To open "Presets"154{FM presets} or
{AM presets}
To open "Manual"155{FM manual} or
{AM manual} or
{Choose frequency},
{Frequency ... Megahertz}

Reference 245
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Automatic transmission with
Steptronic60
– interlock61
– selector lever lock61
– shiftlock61
– towing231
– tow-starting231
"Automatic ventilation" for
parked car ventilation101
AUTO program for automatic
climate control99
"Auto Request"193
"Autostore"
– on the radio156
"AUX"150,169,171
– AUX-In port169
– USB-audio interface170
AUX-In port169
Average fuel consumption69
– setting the units71
Average speed69
"Avoid ferries" in
navigation134
"Avoid highways" in
navigation134
Avoid highways in
navigation134
Avoiding unintentional
alarms35
"Avoid tollroads" in
navigation134
Axle loads, refer to
Weights239
"A - Z"183,184
B
Backrests, refer to Seats46
Backrest width adjustment47
Back seats, refer to Rear seats
– adjusting head restraints48
Backup lamp, replacing
bulb226
Bag for skis, refer to Ski
bag109
Balance, tone control151
Band-aids, refer to First-aid
pouch230Bar, refer to Tow-starting,
towing away232
Bass, tone control151
Bass sounds, refer to Treble
and bass151
Battery227
– charging227
– disposal37,227
– jump starting230
– temporary power failure227
Battery renewal
– remote control for vehicle37
Being towed231
Belts, refer to Safety belts51
Belt tensioner, refer to Safety
belts51
Beverage holders, refer to
Cup holders107
Blower, refer to Air flow
rate99
BMW
– car shampoo222
"BMW
Assist"192,193,194,195
BMW Assist
– activating196
– concierge service195
– contacting BMW Customer
Relations194
– Roadside Assistance192
– services offered191
– TeleServices193
"BMW Contact"186
"BMW Contact
Numbers"186
BMW Maintenance
System217
"BMW Service settings"197
BMW Teleservice Call
– automatic193
– manual193
BMW TeleServices193
– displaying194
– updating194
Bottle holders, refer to Cup
holders107
Brake assist, refer to Dynamic
Brake Control82Brake fluid
– service requirements72
Brake Force Display88
Brake lamps
– Brake Force Display88
– replacing bulb226
Brake pads, breaking in114
Brake rotors116
– brakes114
– breaking in114
Brakes
– ABS82
– BMW Maintenance
System217
– braking safely116
– breaking in114
– parking brake59
– service requirements72
Brake system114
– BMW Maintenance
System217
– breaking in114
– disc brakes116
Breakdown services, refer to
Roadside Assistance229
Breaking in the clutch114
Break-in period114
"Brightness"80
Bulb changing, refer to Lamps
and bulbs223
Bulbs, changing223
Button for starting the
engine58
Buttons on the steering
wheel11
C
California Proposition 65
warning6
"Call"184,195
Call
– accepting182
– displaying accepted184
– ending183
– missed184
– starting183

Everything from A - Z
246 Calling
– from phone book183
– from Top 8 list184
– redialing184
Can holders, refer to Cup
holders107
Capacities239
Capacity of the cargo bay239
Car battery, refer to Vehicle
battery227
Car care, refer to Care219
"Car Data"69
Care219
– automatic car washes219
– care products219
– carpets221
– CD/DVD drives222
– chrome parts221
– convertible top220
– displays222
– exterior219
– fine wood parts222
– headlamps220
– high-pressure washer219
– interior221
– leather221
– light-alloy wheels221
– paintwork220
– plastic parts222
– rubber seals221
– safety belts222
– sensors and cameras222
– upholstery and cloth
trim221
– washing the car
manually220
– windows220
– wiper blades220
Cargo, securing118
Cargo bay
– capacity239
– convenient access37
– enlarging, refer to Through-
loading system108
– lamp, refer to Interior
lamps95
– lid, refer to Luggage
compartment lid33
– opening from outside33Cargo bay lid, refer to
Luggage compartment
lid33
Cargo bay net, refer to
Securing cargo118
Cargo loading
– securing cargo118
– stowing cargo117
– vehicle117
Car jack
– jacking points227
Car key, refer to Integrated
key/remote control28
Car phone176
– installation location, refer to
Center armrest107
– refer to Mobile phone176
– refer to separate Owner's
Manual
Car radio, refer to Radio154
Car shampoo222
Car wash116
Catalytic converter, refer to
Hot exhaust system115
"Categories" for satellite
radio161
"CD"150,163
CD changer163
– compressed audio files163
– controls150
– fast forward/reverse167
– installation location167
– playing a track165
– random order166
– repeating a track166
– selecting a CD163
– selecting a track164
– switching on/off150
– tone control151
– volume151CD player163
– compressed audio files163
– controls150
– fast forward/reverse167
– playing a track165
– random order166
– repeating a track166
– selecting a track164
– switching on/off150
– tone control151
– volume151
Center armrest107
Center brake lamp, replacing
bulb226
Center console, refer to
Around the center
console14
Central key, refer to Integrated
key/remote control28
"Central locking"30,50
Central locking
– from inside32
– from outside
29
Central locking system29
– convenient access36
Changes, technical, refer to
For your own safety5
Changing the language on the
Control Display80
Changing wheels226
Chassis number, refer to
Engine compartment213
Check Control77
"Check Control
messages"78
Checking oil level213
Child-restraint fixing system
LATCH56
Child-restraint systems55
Child seats55
Chrome parts222
Chrome polish222
Cigarette lighter108
Cleaning headlamps64
– washer fluid64
Cleaning your BMW, refer to
Care219
"Climate"98

Reference 249
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Electronic Stability Program
ESP, refer to Dynamic
Stability Control DSC82
Emergency operation, refer to
Manual operation
– door lock32
– fuel filler door202
– glass roof40
– transmission lock, automatic
transmission62
Emergency release, luggage
compartment lid34
Emergency Request229
Emergency services, refer to
Roadside Assistance229
"Enabled services"196
"Enabled TeleServices"194
"End call"183
Energy, saving
– saving fuel114
Engine
– breaking in114
– data236
– speed236
– starting59
– starting, convenient
access36
– switching off59
Engine compartment213
Engine coolant, refer to
Coolant216
Engine oil
– adding215
– additives215
– BMW Maintenance
System217
– checking level213
– intervals between changes,
refer to Service
requirements72
– specified engine oils215
"Engine oil level"214
Engine output, refer to Engine
data236
Engine speed, refer to Engine
data236
Engine starting, refer to
Starting the engine59
"Enter address"124Entering a destination124
Entering a destination
country124
Entering a house number or
intersection126
Entering an intersection125
Entering a street125
"Entertainment"150
"Equalizer", refer to Tone
control152
Equalizer, refer to Tone
control152
"ESN"160
ESP Electronic Stability
Program, refer to Dynamic
Stability Control DSC82
Event data recorders218
Exhaust system, refer to Hot
exhaust system115
Exterior mirrors51
– adjusting51
– automatic dimming
feature53
– automatic heating52
– folding in and out52
External audio device, refer to
AUX-In port169
Eyes
– for tow-starting and towing
away231
– for tying down loads118
F
Fader, tone control151
Failure messages, refer to
Check Control77
Failure of an electrical
consumer227
False alarm, refer to Avoiding
unintentional alarms35
Fastening safety belts, refer to
Safety belts51
Fastest route for
navigation134
Fast forward
– CD changer167
– CD player167
"Fast route" in navigation134Filter of automatic climate
control, refer to Microfilter/
activated charcoal filter101
First aid pouch230
Fixture for remote control,
refer to Ignition lock58
Flash when locking/
unlocking31
Flat tire
– Run-Flat Tires210
– Tire Pressure Monitor
TPM85
Flat Tire Monitor FTM84
– indicating a flat tire85
– initializing the system84
– malfunction85
– system limits84
Flat tires, refer to Tire
condition209
"FM", waveband150,154
FM, waveband154
Fog lamps95
– indicator lamp13,95
Footbrake, refer to Braking
safely116
Footwell lamps95
For your own safety5
Frequency, selecting
manually155
Front airbags89
Front seat setting45
Frost, removing from
windows, refer to Defrosting
windows100
FTM, refer to Flat Tire
Monitor84
Fuel202
– gauge68
– high-quality brands202
– quality202
– specifications202
– tank contents, refer to
Capacities239
Fuel clock, refer to Fuel
gauge68
Fuel consumption display,
refer to Average fuel
consumption69

Everything from A - Z
250 Fuel consumption statistics,
refer to Average fuel
consumption69
Fuel display, refer to Fuel
gauge68
Fuel filler door202
– releasing in the event of
electrical malfunction202
Fuses227
G
Garage door opener, refer to
Integrated universal remote
control103
Gasoline, refer to Required
fuel202
Gasoline display, refer to Fuel
gauge68
Gear change
– with automatic
transmission61
– with manual transmission60
Gear display, with automatic
transmission60
Gearshift lever
– automatic transmission with
Steptronic61
– manual transmission60
General driving notes115
Glass roof, electric39
– closing after electrical
malfunction40
– convenient operation32
– opening, closing39
– operation with convenient
access36
– pinch protection system40
– raising39
– remote control30
Glove compartment106
GPS navigation, refer to
Navigation system122
Grills, refer to Air vents97
Gross vehicle weight, refer to
Weights239
H
Halogen lamps
– replacing bulbs224
Handbrake, refer to Parking
brake59
Hands-free system, refer to
Microphone for hands-free
mode14
Hazard warning flashers14
"HD radio"157
HD radio, refer to High
Definition Radio157
Head airbags89
Headlamp control,
automatic92
Headlamp cover224
Headlamp flasher62
– indicator lamp13
Headlamps
– replacing bulbs224
Head restraints47
Heated
– seats49
Heated mirrors52
Heating
– mirrors52
– seats49
Heating, rear window100
Heating and ventilation97
Heating during a stop100
Heavy loads, refer to Stowing
cargo117
Height, refer to
Dimensions237
Height adjustment
– steering wheel53
High beams94
– indicator lamp13
– replacing bulbs224
High Definition Radio157
High-pressure
washer219,220
High water, refer to Driving
through water116
Highways, refer to Route
criteria134
Hills116
Holders for cups107Home address133
"Home address" in
navigation134
Hood212
Hot exhaust system115
"Hour memo"76
"House number" in
destination entry126
Hydraulic brake assist, refer to
Dynamic Brake Control82
Hydroplaning115
I
IBOC, refer to High Definition
Radio157
Ice warning, refer to Outside
temperature
warning67
ID3 tag, refer to Information
about the track165
Identification marks
– tire coding208
iDrive16
– adjusting brightness80
– automatic climate control98
– changing date and time75
– changing language80
– confirming selection or
entry19
– displays, menus17
– lists19
– menu guidance17
– operating principle16
– selecting a menu item19
– status information20
– switching menu pages19
– symbols18
Ignition58
– switched off58
– switched on58
Ignition key, refer to
Integrated key/remote
control28
Ignition key position 1, refer to
Radio readiness58
Ignition key position 2, refer to
Ignition on58
Ignition lock58

Everything from A - Z
254
R
Radio
– autostore155
– controls150
– High Definition Radio157
– listening to stations154
– sampling stations155
– satellite radio160
– selecting a
waveband150,154
– selecting the frequency
manually155
– station search155
– stations with best
reception155
– storing stations156
– switching on/off150
– tone control151
– volume151
Radio position, refer to Radio
readiness58
Radio readiness58
– switched off58
– switched on58
Rain sensor63
"Random", refer to Random
play166
"Random all" for audio
mode167
"Random directory" for audio
mode167
Random play166
"RDS" Radio Data
System157
Reading lamps96
Rear fog lamps
– replacing bulb226
Rear lamps, refer to Tail
lamps225
Rear-mounted luggage
rack119
Rear seats
– adjusting head restraints48
– folding down backrests108
Rearview mirror, refer to
Mirrors51
Rear window defroster100
"Received calls"184Receiving level of mobile
phone, refer to Status
information20
Recirculated-air mode99
Recirculation of air, refer to
Recirculated-air mode99
Recording times, refer to
Stopwatch79
"Redial" on the mobile
phone184
Reflectors, refer to Tail
lamps225
Refueling202
Releasing
– hood212
Remaining distance, refer to
Computer69
Remaining distance, refer to
Cruising range69
Remote control28
– battery renewal37
– convenient access36
– garage door opener103
– luggage compartment lid30
– malfunctions31,37
– removing from the ignition
lock58
– service data217
Remote control key, refer to
Integrated key/remote
control28
"Repeat directory" for audio
mode166
"Repeat" for audio mode166
"Repeat track" for audio
mode166
Replacement fuses, refer to
Fuses227
Replacement remote
control28
Replacing bulbs, refer to
Lamps and bulbs223
Replacing tires, refer to New
wheels and tires210
Reporting safety defects6
Reserve warning, refer to Fuel
gauge68
Reservoir for washer
systems64"Reset"84,86
– tone settings153
Reset, refer to Resetting tone
settings152
"Reset" for stopwatch79
Residual heat100
Restraint systems, refer to
Safety belts51
Restraint systems for
children55
Retreaded tires210
Reverse
– CD changer167
– CD player167
Reverse gear
– automatic transmission with
Steptronic61
– manual transmission60
Road map138
"Roadside Assistance"192
Roadside
Assistance192,229
Roadside parking lamps94
– replacing bulbs224
Roadworthiness test, refer to
Service requirements72
Rollover protection system,
convertible90
– resetting91
Roof load capacity239
Roof-mounted luggage
rack118
Rope, refer to Tow-starting,
towing away232
Rotary/pushbutton control,
refer to Controller16
Route134
– arrow display137
– changing141
– display137
– displaying streets and
towns/cities139
– displaying town139
– list139
– map display138
– selecting134
– selecting criteria134