towing BMW 128I CONVERTIBLE 2011 E88 Owner's Manual

Opening and closing
32
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 page33
>When the car's inclination changes, for
instance 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
page33
>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 page28. 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 page27, 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 trunk lid are not properly
closed. Even if you do not close the alerted
area, the system begins to monitor the
remaining areas, and the indicator lamp
flashes continuously after approx.
10 seconds. The interior motion sensor and
the tilt alarm sensor are not activated.
>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.

Controls
63Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
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 toolkit,
refer to page213, 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
page220.

Driving tips
115Reference
At a glance
Controls
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
develops inside the tires. In some cases, this
can result in sudden tire pressure loss.<
Make sure that no liquids are spilled or
leak from their containers in the cargo
area, as this could result in damage to the vehi-
cle.<
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-lb. pas-
sengers in your vehicle, the amount of avail-
able 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 total of the weight of
occupants and cargo/luggage. The greater the
weight of the occupants, the less cargo/lug-
gage can be transported.
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.

Mobility
221Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
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 page213.
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

Giving and receiving assistance
222
Being towed
Make sure that the ignition is switched on,
refer to page55; otherwise, the low-beam
headlamps, tail lamps, turn signal indicators and
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 selector lever position, refer to
page58.
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.<
Sports 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
page210, 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 page63.<
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.<
With a tow truck
Manual transmission and automatic transmis-
sion:

Everything from A to Z
238
Everything from A to Z
Index
A
ABS Antilock Brake
System81
Acceleration assistant, refer to
Launch Control64
Accessories, refer to The
individual vehicle5
Accident, reporting, refer to
Emergency Request219
Activated-charcoal filter99
Activating
BMW Assist186,188
Active steering86
Adaptive light control92
Additives
– coolant205
– engine oil205
Address, entering121,127
Address for navigation
– entering121
Adjusting temperature97
Airbags88
– sitting safely43
– warning lamp89
Air conditioner96
Air distribution
– automatic97
Airing, refer to Ventilation99
Air outlets, refer to Air
vents96
Air pressure, checking, refer
to Tire inflation
pressure194
Air recirculation, refer to
Recirculated-air mode98
Air vents96
Air volume98
AKI, refer to Fuel
specifications193Alarm system32
– avoiding unintentional
alarms33
– interior motion sensor33
– switching off an alarm32
– tilt alarm sensor33
Albums of music
collection160
ALL program98
All-season tires, refer to
Winter tires201
AM, waveband143
Ambient air, refer to
Recirculated-air mode98
Antenna for mobile phone170
Antifreeze
– coolant205
– washer fluid66
Antilock Brake System
ABS81
Anti-theft alarm system, refer
to Alarm system
32
Anti-theft system27
Approved axle loads, refer to
Weights229
Approved engine oils205
Approved gross vehicle
weight, refer to Weights229
Armrest, refer to Center
armrest105
Arrival time
– computer70
Ashtray106
Assistance systems, refer to
Dynamic Stability Control
DSC81
AUC Automatic recirculated-
air control98
Audible instructions, refer to
Spoken instructions132Audio140
– controls140
– switching on/off140
– tone control140
– volume140
Automatic
– air distribution97
– air volume97
– cruise control66
– headlamp control91
Automatic car washes209
Automatic climate control96
Automatic curb monitor50
Automatic high beams and
low beams, refer to High-
beam assistant93
Automatic lamps
– refer to Welcome lamps91
Automatic recirculated-air
control AUC98
Automatic Service
Request188
Automatic transmission with
Steptronic57
– selector lever lock58
– shiftlock58
– towing221
– tow-starting221
AUTO program for automatic
climate control97
AUX-IN port163
Available services188
Average fuel consumption70
– setting the units72
Average speed70
Avoid highways in
navigation130
Avoiding unintentional
alarms33
Axle loads, refer to
Weights229

Reference 239
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
B
Backrests, refer to Seats44
Backrest width adjustment45
Back seats, refer to Rear seats
– adjusting head restraints46
Backup lamp, replacing
bulb216
Bag for skis, refer to Ski
bag107
Band-aids, refer to First aid
pouch219
Bar, refer to Tow-starting,
towing away222
Base plate for telephone or
mobile phone
– refer to Snap-in adapter180
Bass, tone setting140
Battery217
– charging218
– disposal35,218
– jump-starting220
– replacing217
– temporary power failure218
Battery for mobile phone181
Battery renewal
– remote control for vehicle35
Being towed222
Belts, refer to Safety belts49
Belt tensioner, refer to Safety
belts49
Beverage holders, refer to
Cupholders105
Blower, refer to Air volume98
Bluetooth, activating/
deactivating172
BMW
– car shampoo210
BMW Assist184
BMW Maintenance
System207
BMW Search186
Bottle holders, refer to
Cupholders105
Brake Assist, refer to Dynamic
Brake Control81
Brake fluid
– service requirements72
Brake Force Display87Brake lamps
– Brake Force Display87
– replacing bulb216
Brake pads, breaking in112
Brake rotors114
– brakes112
– breaking in112
Brakes
– ABS81
– BMW Maintenance
System207
– braking safely114
– breaking in112
– parking brake57
– service requirements72
Brake system112
– BMW Maintenance
System207
– breaking in112
– disc brakes114
Breakdown services, refer to
Roadside Assistance219
Breaking in the clutch112
Break-in period112
Bulb changing, refer to Lamps
and bulbs213
Bulbs, changing213
Button for starting the
engine55
Buttons on the steering
wheel11
C
California Proposition 65
warning6
Call
– accepting173
– ending174
– rejecting174
Calling, refer to Phone
numbers, dialing174
Calling, refer to Telephone
owner's manual
Can holders, refer to
Cupholders105
Capacities230
Capacity of the cargo area229Car battery, refer to Vehicle
battery217
Car care, refer to Care209
Care209
– automatic car washes209
– care products209
– carpets212
– CD/DVD drives212
– chrome parts211
– convertible top210
– displays212
– exterior209
– fine wood parts212
– headlamps210
– high-pressure washer210
– interior211
– leather211
– light-alloy wheels211
– paintwork211
– plastic parts212
– rubber seals211
– safety belts212
– sensors and cameras212
– upholstery and cloth
trim211
– washing the car
manually210
– windows210
Cargo, securing116
Cargo area
– capacity229
– Comfort Access34
– enlarging, refer to Through-
loading system106
– lamp, refer to Interior
lamps95
– lid, refer to Trunk lid31
– opening from outside31
Cargo area lid, refer to Trunk
lid31
Cargo area net, refer to
Securing cargo116
Cargo loading115
– securing cargo
116
– stowing cargo115
– vehicle114
Car jack
– jacking points217

Everything from A to Z
242 DTC Dynamic Traction
Control81
– indicator lamps81
DVD
– country codes153
– settings154
– video playback153
DVD menu154
DVD player, refer to CD
player151
DVD video153
Dynamic Brake Control
DBC81
Dynamic destination
guidance131
Dynamic Stability Control
DSC81
Dynamic Traction Control
DTC
– indicator lamps82
E
EBV Electronic brake-force
distribution81
Eject button, refer to Buttons
on the CD / DVD player140
Electrical defect
– 7-gear sports automatic
transmission with double
clutch63
Electrical malfunction
– door lock30
– fuel filler flap192
– glass roof37
Electronic brake-force
distribution EBV81
Electronic oil level check203
Electronic Stability Program
ESP, refer to Dynamic
Stability Control DSC81
Emergency operation, refer to
Manual operation
– door lock30
– fuel filler flap192
– glass roof37
– transmission lock, automatic
transmission59Emergency release, trunk
lid31
Emergency Request219
Emergency services, refer to
Roadside Assistance219
Energy, saving
– saving fuel112
Engine
– breaking in112
– data226
– speed226
– starting56
– starting, Comfort Access33
– switching off56
Engine compartment203
Engine coolant, refer to
Coolant205
Engine oil
– adding205
– additives205
– alternative oil grades205
– approved engine oils205
– BMW Maintenance
System207
– checking level203
– intervals between changes,
refer to Service
requirements72
Engine output, refer to Engine
data226
Engine speed, refer to Engine
data226
Engine starting, refer to
Starting the engine56
Entering the postal code for
navigation122
Entry map for destination126
Equalizer, tone setting141
ESP Electronic Stability
Program, refer to Dynamic
Stability Control DSC81
Exhaust system, refer to Hot
exhaust system113
Extended connectivity of the
music player in the mobile
phone163Exterior mirrors49
– adjusting49
– automatic dimming
feature51
– automatic heating50
– folding in and out50
External devices
– random sequence165
Eyes
– for tow-starting and towing
away221
– for tying down loads116
F
Failure messages, refer to
Check Control76
Failure of an electrical
consumer218
False alarm, refer to Avoiding
unintentional alarms33
Fastening safety belts, refer to
Safety belts49
Fastest route for
navigation130
Fast forward
– CD changer153
– CD player153
Filter of automatic climate
control, refer to Microfilter/
activated charcoal filter99
First aid pouch219
Fixture for remote control,
refer to Ignition lock55
Flash when locking/
unlocking28
Flat tire
– run-flat tires200
– Tire Pressure Monitor
TPM84
Flat Tire Monitor FTM82
– indicating a flat tire83
– initializing the system83
– system limits82
Flat tires, refer to Tire
condition199
FM, waveband143

Reference 243
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Fog lamps94
– indicator lamp13,94
Footbrake, refer to Braking
safely114
Footwell lamps95
For your own safety5
Free memory capacity, music
collection161
Front airbags88
Front seat setting44
Frost, removing from
windows, refer to Defrosting
windows98
FTM, refer to Flat Tire
Monitor82
Fuel193
– gauge69
– high-quality brands193
– quality193
– specifications193
– tank contents, refer to
Capacities230
Fuel clock, refer to Fuel
gauge69
Fuel consumption indicator,
refer to Average fuel
consumption70
Fuel consumption statistics,
refer to Average fuel
consumption70
Fuel display, refer to Fuel
gauge69
Fuel filler flap192
– releasing in the event of
electrical malfunction192
Fuses218
G
Garage door opener, refer to
Integrated universal remote
control101
Gasoline, refer to Required
fuel193
Gasoline display, refer to Fuel
gauge69Gas station
recommendations131
Gear change
– with automatic
transmission58
– with manual transmission57
Gear display, with automatic
transmission58
Gear shifting62
Gearshift lever60
– automatic transmission with
Steptronic58
– manual transmission57
General driving notes113
Glass roof, electric36
– closing after electrical
malfunction37
– convenient operation30
– opening, closing37
– operation with Comfort
Access34
– pinch protection system37
– raising36
– remote control28
Glove compartment104
GPS navigation, refer to
Navigation system120
Grills, refer to Air vents96
Gross vehicle weight, refer to
Weights229
H
Halogen lamps
– replacing bulbs214
Handbrake, refer to Parking
brake57
Hands-free system, refer to
Microphone for hands-free
mode14
Hazard warning flashers14
HD Radio144
Head airbags88
Headlamp control,
automatic91
Headlamp cover214
Headlamp flasher64
– indicator lamp13Headlamps
– replacing bulbs214
Head restraints46
Heated
– seats48
– steering wheel51
Heated mirrors50
Heating
– mirrors50
– seats48
– steering wheel51
Heating, rear window98
Heating and ventilation96
Heavy loads, refer to Stowing
cargo115
Height, refer to
Dimensions227
Height adjustment
– steering wheel51
High-beam assistant93
High beams93
– indicator lamp13
– replacing bulbs214
High beams and low beams,
automatic, refer to High-
beam assistant93
High-pressure
washer209,210
High water, refer to Driving
through water114
Highways, refer to Route
criteria130
Hills114
Holders for cups105
Hood202
Hot exhaust system113
Hydraulic brake assist, refer to
Dynamic Brake Control81
Hydroplaning113
I
IBOC, refer to HD Radio144
Ice warning, refer to Outside
temperature warning68
Identification marks
– tire coding198
Idle position61

Reference 247
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Reflectors, refer to Tail
lamps216
Refueling192
Releasing
– hood202
Remaining distance, refer to
Computer70
Remaining distance, refer to
Cruising range70
Remote control26
– battery renewal35
– Comfort Access33
– garage door opener101
– malfunctions29,34
– removing from the ignition
lock55
– service data207
– trunk lid28
Remote control key, refer to
Integrated key/remote
control26
Replacement fuses, refer to
Fuses218
Replacement remote
control26
Replacing bulbs, refer to
Lamps and bulbs213
Replacing tires, refer to New
wheels and tires200
Reporting safety defects7
Reserve warning, refer to Fuel
gauge69
Reservoir for washer
systems66
Reset, refer to Resetting tone
settings142
Restraint systems, refer to
Safety belts49
Restraint systems for
children52
Retreaded tires200
Reverse
– CD changer153
– CD player153
Reverse gear61
– automatic transmission with
Steptronic58
– manual transmission57
Road map132Roadside
Assistance185,219
Roadside parking lamps93
– replacing bulbs214
Roadworthiness test, refer to
Service requirements72
Rollover protection system,
Convertible90
– resetting90
Roof load capacity229
Roof-mounted luggage
rack116
Rope, refer to Tow-starting,
towing away222
Rotary/pushbutton control,
refer to Controller16
Route130,131
– bypassing sections131
– changing130,131
– changing criteria130
– displaying streets or towns/
cities131
– map view132
– selecting130
Route instructions, refer to
Destination guidance
through voice
instructions132
Route map, refer to Map
view132
Route section, changing131
Route selection130
RSC Runflat System
Component, refer to Run-
flat tires200
Runflat System Component
RSC, refer to Run-flat
tires200
Run-flat tires200,201
– flat tire83
– Inflation pressure194
– new tires200
– remaining driving distance,
refer to Indication of a flat
tire83
– tire replacement200
Runflat tyres, refer to Run-flat
tires200
S
Safety-belt height
adjustment49
Safety belts49
– damage49
– indicator lamp49
– reminder49
– sitting safely43
Safety systems
– airbags88
– Antilock Brake System
ABS81
– Dynamic Stability Control
DSC81
– rollover protection system,
Convertible90
– safety belts49
Safety tires, refer to Run-flat
tires200
Satellite radio146
– enabling or unsubscribing
from a channel146
– favorites148
– selecting channel147
– storing channel147
– timeshift148
– Traffic Jump149
Saving fuel112
Screen, refer to iDrive16
Screw thread for tow
fitting221
SDARS, refer to Satellite
radio146
Seat and mirror memory48
Seat belt reminder, refer to
"Fasten safety belts"
reminder49
Seats44
– heating48
– sitting safely43
Securing cargo108,109
Selecting a detour136
Selecting new scale for
navigation133
Selector lever, automatic
transmission with
Steptronic58
Selector lever positions60