BMW 128I CONVERTIBLE 2011 E88 Owner's Manual

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Care
Care products
Regular cleaning and care contributes signifi-
cantly to the value retention of your BMW.
BMW recommends cleaning and caring for your
vehicle with products that are approved by
BMW for this purpose.
Your BMW center will be happy to advise you on
the products and services available for cleaning
and caring for your BMW.
Original BMW CareProducts have been
material tested, laboratory checked and
proven in the field, and offer optimal care and
protection for your vehicle.<
Do not use cleaners that contain alcohol
or solvents as these may result in dam-
age.<
Cleaning agents can contain substances
that are dangerous or hazardous to your
health. Therefore, follow the warning and safety
instructions on the packaging. When cleaning
inside the vehicle, always open the doors or
windows of the vehicle. In enclosed areas, pro-
vide for sufficient ventilation. Only use products
designed for cleaning vehicles.<
Exterior care
Washing the vehicle
Especially during the winter months,
ensure that the vehicle is washed more
frequently. Heavy soiling and road salt can lead
to vehicle damage.<
After washing the vehicle, apply the
brakes briefly to dry them; otherwise,
water can reduce braking efficiency over the
short term and brake discs can corrode.<
Automatic car washes
Preference should be given to cloth car washes.
Do not use high-pressure car washes;
otherwise, water may drip into the vehicle
around the windows.<
Before driving into a car wash, ensure that it is
suitable for your BMW. Check the following:
>Dimensions of your vehicle, refer to
page227.
>If necessary, fold in the outside rearview
mirrors, refer to page50.
>Maximum permissible tire width.
Avoid car washes with guide rail heights
over 4 in/10 cm; otherwise, there is the
danger of damaging chassis parts.<
>In Convertibles, do not treat the convertible
top with wax. Ensure that a program is avail-
able that does not apply wax or is designed
specifically for convertibles.
Preparations before driving into an automatic
car wash:
>Unscrew the rod antenna
*.
>Deactivate the rain sensor
* to prevent unin-
tentional wiping.
>Remove additional attachments, e.g. spoil-
ers or telephone antennas, if there is a pos-
sibility that they could be damaged.
Automatic transmission
Before driving into an automatic car wash, per-
form the following steps to ensure that the vehi-
cle can roll:
1.Insert the remote control into the ignition
lock, even with Comfort Access.
2.Move the selector lever to position N.
3.Release the parking brake.
4.Switch off the engine.
5.Leave the remote control in the ignition lock
so that the vehicle can roll.

Care
210
Sports automatic transmission with
double clutch
Before driving into an automatic car wash, per-
form the following steps to ensure that the vehi-
cle can roll:
1.Insert the remote control into the ignition
lock, even with Comfort Access.
2.Engage transmission position N.
3.Release the parking brake.
4.Switch off the engine.
5.Leave the remote control in the ignition lock
so that the vehicle can roll.
The transmission is switched into position P:
>automatically after approx. 30 minutes
>if you remove the infrared remote control
from the ignition lock
Steam jets/high-pressure washers
When using steam jets or high-pressure
washers, make sure to maintain sufficient
distance from the vehicle and do not exceed a
temperature of 1407/606.
Insufficient clearance or excessive pressure or
temperature can lead to component damage or
water penetration. Follow the operating instruc-
tions for the steam jet or high-pressure
washer.<
When using high-pressure washers, do
not spray against the sensors and cam-
eras, e.g. of the Park Distance Control or Rear
View Camera, for an extended period and main-
tain a distance of at least 1 ft/30 cm.<
Manual car wash
When washing the vehicle by hand, use large
quantities of water and car shampoo if neces-
sary. Clean the vehicle with a sponge or wash-
ing brush, applying light pressure only.
Before cleaning the windshield, deacti-
vate the rain sensor or switch off the igni-
tion to prevent unintentional activation of the
wipers.<
Observe local regulations pertaining to
washing vehicles by hand.<
Headlamps
Do not rub them dry and do not use abrasive or
corrosive cleaning agents.
Loosen dirt, e.g. insects, with shampoo or
insect remover and wash away with copious
quantities of water.
Thaw ice with a windshield deicer and do not
use an ice scraper.
Windows
Clean the inside and outside surfaces of the
windows and the mirrors with window cleaner.
Do not clean the mirrors with cleaners
containing quartz.<
Convertible top care
The appearance and life of the convertible top
depend on proper care and operation.
Follow these instructions:
>Do not fold the convertible top into the con-
vertible top box when the top is wet or fro-
zen, as this may cause water spots, mold
stains or chafed areas.
>If water spots occur on the inside headliner
despite precautions, remove them using a
microfiber cloth and interior cleaner.
>If the vehicle is parked in enclosed areas for
extended periods, ensure that there is suffi-
cient ventilation.
>Remove bird droppings immediately, as
their corrosive ingredients attack the con-
vertible top and damage the rubber seals.
To remove stains from the convertible
top, do not use stain removers, paint thin-
ners, solvents, benzine or similar substances.
These substances may damage the rubber
parts. Improper care and cleaning may cause
the convertible top and convertible top seams
to become leaky.<
To remove heavy soiling, use a special convert-
ible top cleaner.
Follow the manufacturer's instructions for use.
After washing the convertible top three to five
times, treat it with an impregnating agent.

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Paintwork care
Regular care contributes to value retention and
protects the paintwork against the long-term
effects of damaging substances.
Region-specific environmental influences can
damage the vehicle paintwork. Therefore, it is
important to adapt the frequency and scope of
car care accordingly.
Immediately remove aggressive materials such
as spilled fuel, oil, grease, brake fluid, tree sap or
bird droppings to prevent damage to the paint-
work.
Repairing paintwork damage
Immediately repair scratches or similar
damage, such as that caused by stones
hitting the vehicle, where necessary to prevent
rusting.<
BMW recommends having paintwork damage
repaired by a professional paint repair work-
shop according to BMW specifications using
original BMW paint materials.
Preservation
A preservation treatment is necessary when
water no longer beads off the clean paintwork
surface. Only use products for paintwork pres-
ervation that contain carnauba or synthetic
waxes.
Rubber seals
Treat only with water or rubber care products.
Do not use silicon-containing care prod-
ucts on rubber seals; otherwise, noise
and damage could occur.<
Chrome parts
Carefully clean vehicle parts such as the radia-
tor grill, door handles or window frames with
copious quantities of water and a shampoo
additive, especially when roads are treated with
de-icing salt. For additional treatment, use a
chrome polish.
Light-alloy wheels
For technical reasons, dust is generated during
braking that is deposited on the light-alloy
wheels. Remove the dust regularly using acid-
free rim cleaner.
Do not use aggressive, acidic, strongly
alkaline and abrasive cleaning agents or
steam jets over 140 7/60 6; otherwise, damage
may occur.<
Outside sensors/cameras
Keep the sensors and cameras on the
outside of the vehicle, e.g. those for Park
Distance Control, clean and free of ice to ensure
that they remain fully functional.<
Interior care
Upholstery fabrics/cloth trims/
Alcantara fabrics
Vacuum regularly with a vacuum cleaner to
remove superficial dirt.
To remove severe spots such as stains from
beverages, use a soft sponge or lint-free
microfiber cloth and suitable interior cleaners.
Follow the instructions on the packaging.
Clean the upholstery down to the seams
using a sweeping motion. Avoid strong
rubbing.<
Opened Velcro fasteners on pants or
other articles of clothing can damage the
seat covers. Ensure that Velcro fasteners are
closed.<
Leather/leather trim
The leather used by BMW is a high quality
natural product. Slight irregularities in the
leather are a typical characteristic of natural
leather.<
Dust and road grit in the pores and folds of the
leather have an abrasive effect, leading to
increased wear and causing the leather surface
to become brittle prematurely. Therefore, fre-
quently clean the leather of dust using a cloth or
vacuum cleaner.

Care
212 Clean light-colored leather more frequently as
dust and dirt are more noticeable.
Treat the leather at least once every two
months using a leather lotion as dirt and grease
will gradually attack the leather's protective
layer.
Carpet/floor mats*
The floor mats can be removed for cleaning.
When heavily soiled, clean carpets with a
microfiber cloth and water or textile cleaner.
Rub back and forth in the direction of travel; oth-
erwise, the carpet may become matted.
Interior plastic parts
>Imitation leather surfaces
>Lamp glasses
>Display pane of instrument cluster
>Matte parts
Clean with water and solvent-free plastic
cleaner if necessary.
Fine wood parts
Clean fine wood trim and fine wood parts with a
damp cloth. Wipe dry with a soft cloth.
Safety belts
Dirty belt straps impede the reeling action and
thus have a negative impact on safety.
Do not clean chemically, as this may
destroy the webbing.<
Interior sensors/cameras
To clean interior sensors and cameras, e.g. of
the high-beam assistant, use a lint-free cloth
moistened with glass cleaner.
Displays
To clean displays, e.g. of the radio or instrument
cluster, use a cleaning cloth for displays or a
soft, non-abrasive, lint-free cloth.
Avoid applying excessive pressure when
cleaning the displays; otherwise, damage
may occur. hold cleaning agents. Keep all types of
fluid away from the device. Otherwise, surfaces
or electrical components may be corroded or
damaged.<
CD/DVD drives
Do not use a cleaning CD, as it may dam-
age parts of the drive.<
Vehicle storage
If your vehicle is to be decommissioned for
longer than three months, your BMW center or
a workshop that operates according to BMW
specifications will be glad to advise you.

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Replacing components
Onboard vehicle tool kit
The onboard vehicle tool kit is stored below the
floor mat in the cargo area.
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.Only change bulbs when cool; otherwise,
you may burn yourself.<
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 of the retina.<
Headlight lenses
In cool or humid weather, condensation may
form on the interior of outside lamps. When the
light is switched on, the condensation will dis-
appear after a short time. The headlight lenses
do not need to be replaced.
At high humidities, e.g. water droplets may form
in the lights; have these checked by your BMW
center.

Replacing components
214
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
o n ly b y a BM W c e n t e r o r a w o r k s h o p t h a t w o r k s
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.<
Removing the headlamp cover
1.Pull the wire brackets over the notches, see
arrows, and fold to the side.
2.Fold away the headlamp cover.
Be careful when attaching the headlamp
cover and ensure that both wire brackets
are securely in place; otherwise, leaks could
occur and cause damage to the headlamp sys-
tem.<
Attach the headlamp cover in reverse order.
Halogen headlamps
Halogen low beams and high beams
H7 bulb, 55 watts
Always wear gloves and eye protection;
the atmosphere within the H7 bulb is
pressurized. Otherwise, there is a risk of injury if
the bulb is damaged. 1High beams
2Low-beam headlamps
1.Remove the headlamp cover.
2.Fold down the holding bracket.
3.Remove and replace the bulb.
4.Reattach the bulb holder with the notch at
the top.
5.Fold the holding bracket back up and let it
snap into place.
6.Attach the headlamp cover.
Parking lamps, roadside parking lamps
W5W bulb, 5 watts
1.Remove the headlamp cover.
The figure shows the right-hand headlamp.
2.Pull out the bulb holder.
3.Remove and replace the bulb.
4.Reinsert the bulb holder.
5.Attach the headlamp cover.

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Xenon headlamps
Parking lamps, roadside parking
lamps, daytime running lights
H8 bulb, 35 watts
The figure shows the right-hand headlamp.
1.Remove the headlamp cover.
2.Turn the bulb, see arrow, and remove it.
3.Pull off the connector and replace the bulb.
4.Attach the connector, insert the bulb and
turn it all the way in the opposite direction.
5.Attach the headlamp cover.
Corner-illuminating lamps
H3 bulb, 55 watts
The figure shows the right-hand headlamp.
1.Remove the top headlamp cover, using the
screwdriver to push the detents to one side.
2.Turn the bulb holder, see arrow, and
remove it.3.Slide the bulb out of the holder and pull off
the connector.
4.Replace the bulb and attach the connector.
5.Insert the bulb holder and turn it all the way
in the opposite direction.
6.Attach the headlamp cover.
Turn signals, front
PY21W bulb, 21 watts
The turn signal bulb can be changed via a cover
in the wheel arch.
1.Turn the respective wheel inwards.
2.Using a coin, turn both locks of the cover all
the way to the left, arrows 1, and remove the
cover.
3.Turn the bulb holder to the left and remove
it, arrow2.
4.Apply gentle pressure to the bulb while
turning it to the right for removal and
replacement.
5.Insert the bulb holder and lock it by turning
it to the right.
6.Attach the cover by positioning the bottom
edge first and then turning both locks all the
way to the right.

Replacing components
216
Side turn signals
W5W bulb, 5 watts
1.Press the rear edge of the lamp toward the
front with your fingertip, arrow1 and pivot it
out, arrow2.
2.While simultaneously lifting the retaining
tab, rotate bulb holder to the left and
remove.
3.Remove lamp and replace it.
To install, insert front end of the lamp and press
into place at the back.
Tail lamps
>Turn signal:
PY21W bulb, 21 watts
>Backup lamp:
W16W bulb, 16 watts
>Brake lamps:
P21W bulb, 21 watts
>Brake Force Display lamp:
H21W bulb, 21 watts
1Inner brake lamp
2Outer brake lamp
3Lateral reflector
4Roadside parking lamp and tail lamp LED
5Reflector6Turn signal
7Backup lamp
8Brake Force Display lamp
Replacing tail lamps
Outer brake lamp
The outer brake lamp can be accessed through
a single socket.
The figure shows the right side of the vehicle.
1.Remove the cover from the panel of the
cargo area.
2.Turn the bulb holder to the left, see arrow,
and remove it.
3.Apply gentle pressure to the bulb while
turning it to the left for removal and replace-
ment.
4.Attach the bulb holder and turn it all the way
in the opposite direction.
5.Reattach the cover.
The roadside parking lamp/tail lamp uses
LED design. After replacing the bulb,
ensure that the bulb holder is properly seated;
otherwise, the roadside parking lamp/tail lamp
may not work.<

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Inner brake lamp, turn signal, backup
lamp and Brake Force Display lamp
The bulbs are integrated in a single bulb holder.
1.Remove the cover from the panel of the
cargo area.
2.Detach the bulb holder by pressing
together the clips, see arrows, and remove
it.
3.Brake lamps and turn signal: apply gentle
pressure to the bulb while turning it to the
left for removal and replacement.
4.Backup lamp: pull the bulb out of the socket
and replace it.
5.Attach the bulb holder and let it snap into
place.
6.Reattach the cover.
License plate lamps and center brake
lamp
These lamps use LED technology for operation.
In the event of a malfunction, please contact
your BMW center or a workshop that works
according to BMW repair procedures with cor-
respondingly trained personnel.
Changing wheels
Your BMW comes with run-flat tires as standard
equipment. This eliminates the need to change
a wheel immediately in the event of a puncture.
For information on continuing to drive with a
damaged tire, refer to Indication of a flat tire on
page83.
The symbol identifying run-flat tires is a circle
with the letters RSC on the sidewall, refer to
Run-flat tires, page200.When mounting new tires or changing over
from summer to winter tires and vice versa,
mount run-flat tires for your own safety. In the
event of a flat, no spare wheel is available. Your
BMW center will be glad to advise you. Refer
also to New wheels and tires, page200.
The tools for changing wheels are avail-
able as optional accessories from your
BMW center.<
Jack mounting points
The jacking points are at the positions shown in
the illustration.
Vehicle battery
Battery care
The battery is 100 % maintenance-free, the
electrolyte will last for the life of the battery
when the vehicle is operated in a temperate cli-
mate. Your BMW center will be glad to advise in
all matters concerning the battery.
Replacing the battery
Use only vehicle battery types that are
approved by the manufacturer of your
vehicle; otherwise, the vehicle may be damaged
or some functions may become partly or com-
pletely unavailable.<
After replacing the battery, have it paired with
the vehicle at your BMW center so that all con-
venience functions are completely available.

Replacing components
218
Charging the battery
Only charge the battery in the vehicle via the
terminals in the engine compartment with the
engine off. Connections, refer to Jump-starting
on page220.
Disposal
Have old batteries disposed of by your
BMW center or bring them to a recycling
center. Maintain the battery in an upright posi-
tion for transport and storage. Always secure
the battery against tipping over during trans-
port.<
Power failure
After a temporary power loss, the functioning of
some equipment may be limited and require
reinitialization. Individual settings may likewise
have been lost and will have to be programmed:
>Time and date
These values must be updated, refer to
page74.
>Radio
In some cases, stations may have to be
stored again, refer to page143.
>Navigation system
Wait for the system to start, refer to
page137.
>Glass roof
It may happen that the roof can only be
raised. The system must be initialized.
Please contact your BMW center.
>Seat and mirror memory
*
The positions must be stored again, refer to
page48.
>Inside rearview mirror with digital compass
The system must be calibrated, refer to
page104.
>Active steering
The system automatically initializes itself
briefly during a trip. The system is deacti-
vated during this time, refer to page87.
Fuses
Never attempt to repair a blown fuse and
do not replace a defective fuse with a sub-
stitute of another color or amperage rating; oth-
erwise, this could lead to a circuit overload, ulti-
mately resulting in a fire in the vehicle.<
In the glove compartment
Accessing the fuse box:
1.Open the glove compartment.
2.Remove the damper, arrow1, from the
lower holder by applying forward pressure.
3.Disengage the glove compartment by
pressing on both tabs, arrows 2, and fold it
down.
Plastic tweezers are located on the distributor
box.
Information on fuse assignment can be found
next to the distributor box.
Spare fuses are available from your BMW cen-
ter.
After replacing a fuse, press the glove compart-
ment upward until it engages and reattach the
damper.