warning lights BMW 135I 2009 E88 Owner's Manual

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
27
Unlocking the luggage compartment
lid separately
Press the button on the outside of the luggage
compartment lid. This corresponds to pressing
the button.
If the vehicle detects that a remote con-
trol has been accidentally left inside the
locked vehicle after the luggage compartment
lid is closed, the lid will reopen. The hazard
warning flashers flash and a signal
* sounds.<
Switching on radio readiness
Radio readiness is switched on by pressing the
start/stop button, refer to page47.
Do not depress the brake or the clutch,
otherwise the engine will start immedi-
ately.<
Starting the engine
You can start the engine or switch on the igni-
tion when a remote control is inside the vehicle.
It is not necessary to insert a remote control into
the ignition switch, refer to page47.
Switching off the engine in cars with
automatic transmission
The engine can only be switched off when the
selector lever is in position P, refer to page48.
To switch the engine off when the selector lever
is in position N, the remote control must be in
the ignition switch.
Malfunctions
Convenient access may malfunction due to
local radio waves. If this happens, open and
close the vehicle via the buttons on the remote
control or using the integrated key. To start the
engine afterward, insert the remote control into
the ignition switch.
Warning lamps
The warning lamp in the instrument
cluster lights up when you attempt to
start the engine: the engine cannot
be started. The remote control is not inside the
vehicle or is malfunctioning. Take the remote
control with you inside the vehicle or have it checked. If necessary, insert another remote
control into the ignition switch.
The warning lamp in the instrument
cluster lights up while the engine is
running: the remote control is no
longer inside the vehicle. After the engine is
switched off, the engine can only be restarted
within approx. 10 seconds.
The indicator lamp in the instrument
cluster comes on: replace the battery
in the remote control.
Replacing the battery
The remote control for convenient access con-
tains a battery that will need to be replaced from
time to time.
1.Take the integrated key out of the remote
control, refer to page18.
2.Remove the cover.
3.Insert the new battery with the plus side fac-
ing up.
4.Press the cover on to close.
Take the old battery to a battery collec-
tion point or to your BMW center.<
Windows
To prevent injuries, watch the windows
while closing them.
Take the remote control out of the ignition
when you leave the car, otherwise children
could operate the electric windows and possi-
bly injure themselves.<

Everything under control
56
Everything under control
Odometer, outside
temperature display, clock
1Knob in the instrument cluster
2Outside temperature and clock
3Odometer and trip odometer
Knob in the instrument cluster
>To reset the trip odometer while the ignition
is switched on
>To display the time, outside temperature
and odometer briefly while the ignition is
switched off
Units of measure
To select the respective units of measure, miles
or km for the odometer as well as 7 or 6 for
the outside temperature, refer to Formats and
units of measure on page60.
The setting is stored for the remote control cur-
rently in use.
Time, outside temperature display
Setting the time, refer to page62.
Outside temperature warning
When the displayed temperature sinks to
approx. +37 7/+36, a signal sounds and a
warning lamp lights up. There is an increased
risk of black ice.
Black ice can also form at temperatures
above +37 7/+36. You should there-
fore drive carefully on bridges and shaded roads, for example, otherwise there is an
increased risk of an accident.<
Odometer and trip odometer
Resetting trip odometer:
With the ignition switched on, press button1 in
the instrument cluster.
When the vehicle is parked
If you still want to view the time, outside tem-
perature and odometer reading briefly after the
remote control has been taken out of the igni-
tion lock:
Press button 1 in the instrument cluster.
Tachometer
Never force the engine speed up into the red
warning field, see arrow. In this range, the fuel
supply is interrupted to protect the engine.

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
57
Coolant temperature
A warning lamp will come on if the coolant, and
therefore the engine, becomes too hot.
Check coolant level, refer to page117.
Engine oil temperature*
When the engine is at normal operating temper-
ature, the engine oil temperature is between
approx. 2107/1006 and approx. 3007/
1506.
If the engine oil temperature is too high, a warn-
ing lamp comes on in the instrument cluster.
Fuel gauge
Fuel tank capacity: approx. 14 US gallons/
53 liters.
You can find information on refueling on
page104.
If the tilt of the vehicle varies for a longer period,
when you are driving in mountainous areas, for
example, the indicator may fluctuate slightly.
Fuel display 135i: in speedometer.
Reserve
Once the fuel level has fallen to the reserve
zone, the indicator lamp lights up briefly and the
cruising range for the remaining amount of fuel
is displayed. The indicator lamp stays on per-
manently when the remaining range is less than
approx. 30 miles/50 km.
Refuel as soon as possible once your
cruising range falls below 30 miles/
50 km, otherwise engine functions are not
ensured and damage can occur.<
Computer
Displays in the instrument cluster
Calling up information
Press the button in the turn indicator lever.

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
69
Message for low tire inflation pressure
The warning lamps come on in yellow
and red. In addition, a signal sounds.
There is a flat tire or substantial loss
of tire pressure.
1.Cautiously reduce speed to below 50 mph/
80 km/h. Avoid sudden braking and steer-
ing maneuvers. Do not exceed a speed of
50 mph/80 km/h.
If the car is not equipped with Run-
Flat Tires, refer to page112, the stan-
dard equipment by design, do not continue
driving. Otherwise a severe accident could
result after a tire puncture if you continue
driving.<
2.In the event of complete pressure loss,
0 psi/0 kPa, you can estimate the possible
distance for continued driving on the basis
of the following guidelines:
>With a light load:
1 to 2 persons without luggage:
approx. 155 miles/250 km
>With a medium load:
2 persons, cargo bay full, or 4 persons
without luggage:
approx. 95 miles/150 km
>With a full load:
4 persons, cargo bay full:
approx. 30 miles/50 km
Drive cautiously and do not exceed a
speed of 50 mph/80 km/h. In the event of
pressure loss, vehicle handling changes. This
includes reduced tracking stability in braking,
extended braking distance and altered natural
steering characteristics.
If unusual vibration or loud noises occur during
the journey, this may be an indication that the
damaged tire has finally failed. Reduce your
speed and pull over as soon as possible at a
suitable location. Otherwise parts of the tire
could come loose, resulting in an accident. Do
not continue driving. Instead, contact your
BMW center.<
Malfunction
The small warning lamp flashes in
yellow and then lights up continu-
ously; the larger warning lamp comes
on in yellow. No punctures can be
detected.
This type of message is shown in the following
situations:
>If there is a malfunction
Have the system checked.
>If a wheel without TPM electronics has
been mounted
>If TPM is temporarily malfunctioning due to
other systems or devices using the same
radio frequency.
Message for unsuccessful system
reset
The warning lamp lights up yel-
low.The system is not reset after a
tire has been changed, for example.
Check the tire inflation pressure and
reset the system, refer to page68.
Declaration according to NHTSA/
FMVSS 138
Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems
Each tire should be checked monthly when cold
and inflated to the inflation pressure recom-
mended by the vehicle manufacturer on the
vehicle placard or tire inflation pressure label. If
your vehicle has tires of a different size than the
size indicated on the vehicle placard or tire infla-
tion pressure label, you should determine the
proper tire inflation pressure for those tires. As
an added safety feature, your vehicle has been
equipped with a tire pressure monitoring sys-
tem, TPMS, that illuminates a low tire pressure
telltale when one or more of your tires are signif-
icantly under-inflated. Accordingly, when the
low tire pressure telltale illuminates, you should
stop and check your tires as soon as possible,
and inflate them to the proper pressure. Driving
on a significantly underinflated tire causes the
tire to overheat and can lead to tire failure.
Underinflation also reduces fuel efficiency and
tire tread life, and may affect the vehicle’s han-

Technology for driving comfort and safety
72 Before transporting a child on the front
passenger seat, read the safety precau-
tions and handling instructions under Trans-
porting children safely, refer to page44.
The front and side airbags can also be deacti-
vated by adolescents and adults sitting in cer-
tain positions; the indicator lamp for the front
passenger airbags comes on. In such cases, the
passenger should change his or her sitting
position so that the front passenger airbags are
activated and the indicator lamp goes out. If the
desired airbag status cannot be achieved by
changing the sitting position, transport the rele-
vant passenger on a rear seat. Do not attach
seat covers, seat cushion padding, ball mats or
other items to the front passenger seat unless
they are specifically recommended by BMW.
Do not place any items under the seat which
could press against the seat from below. Other-
wise a correct analysis of the seat cushion is not
ensured.<
Status of front passenger airbags
The indicator lamp for the front passenger air-
bags shows the functional status of the front
passenger's front and side airbags in accor-
dance with whether and how the front passen-
ger seat is occupied. The indicator lamp shows
whether the front passenger airbags are acti-
vated or deactivated.
>The indicator lamp lights up when a child in
a specially designated child-restraint sys-
tem is detected, as intended, on the seat.
The front and side airbags for the front pas-
senger are not activated.
Most child seats are detected by the
system, especially child seats
required by the NHTSA at the time of vehi-cle production. After mounting a child seat,
ensure that the indicator lamp for the front
passenger airbag is lit. It indicates that the
child seat has been detected and that the
front passenger airbags are deactivated.<
>The indicator lamp does not come on as
long as a person of sufficient size and in a
correct sitting position is detected on the
seat.
The front and side airbags for the front pas-
senger are activated.
>The indicator lamp does not come on if the
seat is empty.
The front and side airbags for the front pas-
senger are not activated.
Operational readiness of airbag system
As of radio readiness, refer to page47, the
warning lamp comes on briefly to indicate that
the entire airbag system and the belt tensioners
are operational.
Airbag system malfunction
>Warning lamp does not light up at radio
readiness or beyond.
>Warning lamp remains permanently on.
In the event of a fault in the airbag system,
have it checked without delay, otherwise
there is the risk that the system will not function
as intended even if a sufficiently severe acci-
dent occurs.<
Convertible: rollover
protection system
The rollover protection system is activated
automatically in the event of an accident, a crit-

Refueling
104
Refueling
Always switch off the engine before refu-
eling, otherwise, fuel cannot be added to
the tank and a message will be displayed.<
Take all precautionary measures and
observe all applicable regulations when
handling fuel. Do not carry any spare fuel con-
tainers in your vehicle. They can develop a leak
and cause an explosion or cause a fire in the
event of an accident.<
Fuel filler door
Opening
1.Open fuel filler door. To do so, lightly press
the rear edge.
2.Turn the gas cap counterclockwise.
3.Place the gas cap in the bracket attached to
the fuel filler door.
Closing
Fit the cap and turn it clockwise until you clearly
hear a click.
Do not pinch the band attached to the
cap, otherwise the cap cannot be closed
properly and fuel vapors can escape.<
The warning lamp lights up briefly if
the gas cap is loose or missing. If this
occurs, close the cap correctly.
Manually releasing the fuel filler door
In the event of a malfunction, you can release
the fuel filler door manually:1.Remove the cover from the right-hand side-
wall of the cargo bay.
2.Pull the button with the fuel pump symbol
down.
The fuel filler door is released.
Observe the following when refueling
When handling fuels, follow the safety
instructions provided at filling stations,
otherwise there is a risk of personal injury or
property damage.<
When refueling, insert the filler nozzle com-
pletely into the filler pipe. Avoid lifting the filler
nozzle while filling the tank, as that would lead
to
>premature pump shutoff
>reduced efficiency of the fuel-vapor recov-
ery system.
The fuel tank is full when the filler nozzle clicks
off the first time.
Fuel tank capacity
Approx. 14 US gallons/53 liters, including the
reserve capacity of 2.1 US gallons/8 liters.
Refuel as soon as possible once your
cruising range falls below 30 miles/
50 km, otherwise engine functions are not
ensured and damage can occur.<
Fuel specifications
Do not fill the tank with leaded fuel, as this
would cause permanent damage to the

Under the hood
116
Possible displays
1Oil level OK
2Oil level is being checked.
This can take about 3 minutes if the car is at
a standstill on a level surface, or about
5 minutes while the car is on the move.
3Oil level down to minimum:
Add engine oil as soon as possible, but no
more than 1 US quart/1 liter, refer also to
Adding engine oil on page116.
4Oil level is too high.
Too much oil will harm the engine.
Have the vehicle checked without
delay.<
5The oil level sensor is defective.
Do not add engine oil. You can continue
your journey. Note the newly calculated dis-
tance remaining to the next oil service, refer
to page118. Have the system checked as
soon as possible.
Adding engine oil
Do not add 1 US quart/1 liter of engine oil until
the following warning lamp lights up in the
instrument cluster or the oil level display reads
"+1l".
Add oil within the next 125 miles/200 km,
otherwise the engine could be dam-
aged.<
Keep oils, greases, etc. out of the reach of
children and comply with the relevant
warnings on the containers. Otherwise, health
hazards may result.<
Oil change
Have oil changed only at your BMW center or at
a workshop that works according to BMW
repair procedures with correspondingly trained
personnel.
Specified engine oils
The quality of the engine oil selected has critical
significance for the operation and service life of
an engine. BMW continuously approves spe-
cific oils after confirming their suitability for use
in its vehicles with extensive testing.
Do not use oil additives as these may
cause engine damage.<

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
119
Socket for On-Board
Diagnosis OBD
Primary components that make up exhaust
emissions can be checked by a device via the
OBD socket.
This socket is located on the driver's side to the
left, on the bottom of the instrument panel
underneath a cover.
Exhaust emission values
The warning lamp lights up:
The exhaust emission values have
worsened. Have the car checked as
soon as possible.
Canadian models display this warning
lamp.
The lamp flashes under certain conditions. This
indicates excessive misfiring in the engine. If
this happens, you should reduce your speed
and visit your nearest BMW center as soon as
possible. Severe engine misfiring can quickly
lead to serious damage of emissions-related
components, especially the catalytic converter.
The warning lamp comes on if the gas
cap is not properly tightened and the
OBD system assumes that fuel vapor
is escaping. If the gas cap is then tightened, the
warning lamp should go out within a few days.
Event data recorders
Your vehicle may be equipped with one or sev-
eral measuring or diagnostic modules or a
device for recording or sending certain vehicle
data or information. In addition, if you have signed a service contract for BMW Assist, cer-
tain vehicle data may be transmitted or
recorded in order to facilitate the corresponding
services.

Indicator and warning lamps
134
Indicator and warning lamps
Indicator and warning lamps can light up in a
variety of combinations and colors. See the
table for information on causes and how to
react. Note whether a lamp comes on alone or in
combination with another. Some lamps can
light up in different colors. Corresponding dis-
tinctions are made in the text.
12Cause Special actions to be taken
Turn signals
High beams/headlamp flasher
switched on
Fog lamps switched on
Fasten safety belts Fasten your safety belt, refer also to
page41.
Indication in US models
Parking brake applied Release the parking brake.
Indication in Canadian models
Parking brake applied Release the parking brake.
Outside temperature warning Drive cautiously, refer also to page56.
Lights up briefly:
>Approx. 2.1 US gallons/8 liters of
fuel remain in the tank
Remains on:
Remaining operating range is no more
than 30 miles/50 km, refer to page57
Engine refuses to start Depress the brake or clutch in order to
start the engine, refer to page48.
Ignition switched on and driver's door
openSwitch off the ignition, refer to page47,
or close the driver's door.
Parking lamps still on
Roadside parking lamps still on Switch off the roadside parking lamps,
refer to page76.

Indicator and warning lamps
136Remote control malfunctioning or, in
cars with convenient access, not
presentThe engine cannot be started. Have the
remote control checked, if necessary.
Battery of remote control dischargedUse the remote control for a longer
journey or, in cars with convenient
access, replace the battery.
Belt tensioners and/or airbag system
failedHave the system checked immediately.
Active steering defective You can continue your journey.
Steering characteristics are modified
and steering wheel could be off-center.
Have the system checked as soon as
possible.
Steering assistance failed Markedly different steering response.
You can continue your journey, but
moderate your speed and exercise due
caution.
Have the system checked as soon as
possible.
Lights up:
Emergency Request system has failed
or is malfunctioningHave the system checked as soon as
possible.
Lights up in red:
Engine malfunction Stop the car and switch off the engine.
You cannot continue your journey.
Contact your BMW center.
Lights up in yellow:
Full engine power is no longer available You can continue your journey, but
moderate your speed and exercise due
caution. Have the engine checked as
soon as possible.
Indication in US models:
Warning lamp flashes:
Engine malfunction under high load.
High engine load will result in damage
to the catalytic converterYou can continue your journey, but
moderate your speed and exercise due
caution. Have the vehicle checked
without delay.
Warning lamp comes on:
Engine malfunction with adverse effect
on exhaust emissionsHave the car checked as soon as possi-
ble.
12Cause Special actions to be taken