tow bar BMW 135I CONVERTIBLE 2011 E88 Owner's Manual

Technology for driving comfort and safety
80
Technology for driving comfort and safety
Park Distance Control PDC*
The concept
The PDC assists you with maneuvering in tight
parking spaces. Acoustic signals and a visual
indicator
warn you of the presence of an object
behind your vehicle. Four ultrasonic sensors in
the bumper measure the distance.
These sensors have a range of approx. 6.5 ft/
2 m. However, an acoustic warning does not
sound until an object is approx. 2 ft/60 cm from
the corner sensors, or approx. 5 ft/1.50 m from
the center sensors.
PDC is a parking aid that can indicate
objects when they are approached
slowly, as is usually the case when parking.
Avoid approaching an object at high speed; oth-
erwise, physical circumstances may lead to the
system warning being issued too late.<
Switching on automatically
With the engine running or the ignition switched
on, the system is activated after approx. second
when you engage reverse gear or move the
automatic transmission selector lever to
position R. Wait this short period before driving.
Switching off automatically
After approx. 55 yd/50 m of driving or above
approx. 20 mph/30 km/h, the system switches
off and the LED goes out.
Signal tones
When nearing an object, its position is indicated
correspondingly by an interval tone. As the dis-
tance between vehicle and object decreases,
the intervals between the tones become
shorter. If the distance to the nearest object
falls to below roughly 1 ft/30 cm, then a contin-
uous tone sounds.
An interval tone is interrupted after approx.
3seconds:>If you stop in front of an object that has been
detected by only one of the corner sensors
>If you are driving parallel to a wall
Malfunction
The indicator lamp in the instrument
cluster comes on. PDC is malfunc-
tioning. A message appears on the
Control Display. Have the system checked.
To avoid this problem, keep the sensors clean
and free of ice or snow in order to ensure that
they will continue to operate effectively. When
using a high-pressure cleaner, do not spray the
sensors for extended periods of time and only
from a distance of at least 1 ft/30 cm.
PDC with visual warning
The approach of the vehicle to an object is
shown on the Control Display. Objects that are
farther away are displayed on the Control Dis-
play before a signal tone sounds. The display
appears on the Control Display as soon as PDC
is activated.
System limitations
Even with PDC, final responsibility for
estimating the distance between the
vehicle and any obstructions always remains
with the driver. Even when sensors are pro-
vided, there is a blind spot in which objects can
no longer be detected. The system is also sub-
ject to the physical limits that apply to all forms
of ultrasonic measurement, such as those
encountered with trailer towbars and hitches,
thin or wedge-shaped objects, etc. Low objects
that have already been displayed, e.g. curbs,
can disappear again from the detection area of
the sensors before or after a continuous tone
sounds. Higher, protruding objects, e.g. ledges,
cannot be detected. Loud sound sources out-
side or inside the car can drown out the PDC
signal. Therefore, always drive cautiously; oth-
erwise, there is a risk of personal injury or prop-
erty damage.<

Mobility
213Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
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.

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:

Mobility
223Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Sports automatic transmission with
double clutch:
Have the BMW transported with a tow truck
with a so-called lift bar, or on a flatbed.
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
page220. Vehicles with a catalytic converter
should only be tow-started when the engine is
cold, vehicles with an automatic transmission or
Sports automatic transmission with double
clutch cannot be tow-started at all.
1.Switch on the hazard warning flashers,
comply with local regulations.
2.Switch on the ignition, refer to page55.
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 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

Reference 249
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Storage compartments105
Storing
– seat position, refer to Seat
and mirror memory48
– telephone numbers, refer to
separate Owner's Manual
Storing a destination in the
address book123
Storing music158
Storing tires201
Stowage, refer to Storage
compartments105
Street, entering,
navigation122
Summer tires, refer to Wheels
and tires194
Surround141
SVCD153
SW, waveband143
Switches, refer to
Dashboard10
Switching off
– engine56
Switching off the engine
– start/stop button55
Switching on
– audio140
– CD changer140
– CD player140
– radio140
Switching the cooling function
on and off98
Switch-on times of parked car
ventilation, preselecting100
Symbols4
– status information19
T
Tachometer68
Tailgate, refer to Trunk lid31
Tail lamp, refer to Tail
lamps216
– replacing bulb216Tail lamps216
– replacing bulb216
Tank contents, refer to
Capacities230
Technical changes5
Technical data226
Telephone170
– voice commands177
Telephone, installation
location, refer to Center
armrest105
Telephone, refer to separate
Owner's Manual
TeleService185
TeleService Diagnosis186
TeleService Help186
Temperature display
– outside temperature68
– outside temperature
warning68
– setting the units72
Tempomat, refer to Cruise
control66
Thigh support44
Third brake lamp, refer to
Center brake lamp217
Three-point safety belt49
Through-loading system106
Tilt alarm sensor33
Tilt function, passenger-side
mirror50
Timer, refer to Preselecting
switch-on times100
Tire inflation pressure194
– loss83,84
Tire pressure monitoring,
refer to Flat Tire Monitor82
Tire Pressure Monitor
TPM84
– resetting the system85
– system limitations84
– warning lamp85
Tire puncture, refer to Flat Tire
Monitor83
Tire Quality Grading198Tires
– age198
– air loss85
– breaking in112
– changing, refer to Changing
wheels217
– condition199
– damage199
– inflation pressure
194
– labels198
– minimum tread depth199
– new tires200
– pressure monitoring, refer to
Flat Tire Monitor82
– pressure monitoring, refer to
Tire Pressure Monitor
TPM84
– puncture83
– retreaded200
– size198
– wear indicators, refer to
Minimum tread depth199
– winter tires201
TMC station, refer to Traffic
bulletins133
Tone
– control140
– middle setting142
Tools, refer to Onboard
vehicle tool kit213
Top 50 of music
collection160
Torque, refer to Engine
data226
Tow bar222
Tow fitting221
Tow fittings for tow-starting
and towing away221
Towing221
– car with automatic
transmission221
– methods222
– with 7-gear Sports
automatic transmission with
double clutch222
Towing and tow-starting221