airbag BMW 328I SEDAN 2008 E90 Owner's Manual

At a glance
15Reference
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
1Microphone for voice command system*
and for telephone in hands-free mode*
2SOS: initiating an Emergency Request
call
*235
3Reading lamps99
4Glass roof/panorama glass roof
*39
5Interior lamps99
6Passenger airbag status lamp
*95
7Control Display16
8Hazard warning flashers
9DTC Dynamic Traction Control87
10Central locking system32
11Automatic climate control
12Ejecting audio CD156
13Changing
>Radio station160
>Track17014Selecting radio, CD and CD changer
15Selecting AM or FM waveband
16Ejecting navigation DVD128
18Controller16
Can be turned, pressed, or moved horizon-
tally in four directions
19Opening start menu on Control Display17
20Drive for navigation DVD128
21Programmable memory keys21
22Switching audio sources on/off and adjust-
ing volume156
23Drive for audio CD156 Air distribution to the
windshield101
Air distribution to the upper body
area101
Air distribution to the footwell101
Automatic air distribution and flow
rate102
Cooling function103
AUC Automatic recirculated-air
control102
Recirculated-air mode102
Maximum cooling102
Residual heat mode103
Air flow rate102
Defrosting windows103
Rear window defroster103
17
Heated seats*47
PDC Park Distance Control
*85
Sedan:
Roller sun blind
*109
HDC Hill Descent Control
*87

Controls
43Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Adjustments
Sitting safely
The ideal sitting position can make a vital con-
tribution to relaxed, fatigue-free driving. In con-
junction with the safety belts, the head
restraints and the airbags, the seated position
has a major influence on your safety in the event
of an accident. To ensure that the safety sys-
tems operate with optimal efficiency, we
strongly urge you to observe the instructions
contained in the following section.
For additional information on transporting chil-
dren safely, refer to page52.
Airbags
Always maintain an adequate distance
between yourself and the airbags. Always
grip the steering wheel on the rim, with your
hands in the 3 o'clock and 9 o'clock positions,
to minimize the risk of injury to the hands or
arms in the event of the airbag being triggered
off.
No one and nothing is to come between the air-
bags and the seat occupant.
Do not use the cover of the front airbag on the
front passenger side as a storage area. Make
sure that the front passenger is sitting correctly,
e.g. not resting feet or legs on the dashboard,
otherwise leg injuries can occur if the front air-
bag is triggered.
Make sure that passengers do not lean their
heads against the side or head airbags, other-
wise serious injuries could result if the airbags
suddenly deployed.<
Even if you follow all the instructions, injuries
resulting from contact with airbags cannot be
fully excluded, depending on the circum-
stances. The ignition and inflation noise may
provoke a mild hearing loss in extremely sensi-
tive individuals. This effect is usually only tem-
porary.
For airbag locations and additional information
on airbags, refer to page94.
Head restraint
A correctly adjusted head restraint reduces the
risk of neck injury in the event of an accident.
Adjust the head restraint in such a way
that its center is at approx. ear level. Oth-
erwise, there is an increased risk of injury in the
event of an accident.<
Head restraints, refer to page45.
Safety belt
Before every drive, make sure that all occupants
wear their safety belts. Airbags complement the
safety belt as an additional safety device, but
they do not represent a substitute.
Your vehicle has five seats, each of which is
equipped with a safety belt.
Never allow more than one person to
wear a single safety belt. Never allow
infants or small children to ride in a passenger's
lap. Make sure that the belt in the lap area sits
low across the hips and does not press against
the abdomen.
The safety belt must not rest against the throat,
run across sharp edges, pass over hard or frag-
ile objects or be pinched. Fasten the safety belt
so that it sits as snugly as possible against the
lap and shoulder without being twisted. Other-
wise the belt could slide over your hips and
injure your abdomen in the event of a frontal
collision.
Avoid wearing bulky clothing and regularly pull
the belt in the upper-body area taut, otherwise
its restraining effect could be impaired.
Sports Wagon: if the rear center safety belt is
used, the wider backrest must be locked in
place, refer to page114. Otherwise the safety
belt will have no restraining effect.<
Safety belts, refer to page48.

Adjustments
48 The adjusting procedure is halted immediately
when you touch a seat adjustment switch or
one of the memory buttons.
Selecting automatic call-up
iDrive, for operating principle refer to page16.
1.Open the start menu.
2.Press the controller to open the menu.
3.Select "Settings" and press the controller.
4.Select "Vehicle / Tires" and press the con-
troller.
5.If necessary, move the highlight marker to
the uppermost field. Turn the controller
until "Door locks" is selected and press the
controller.
6.Select "Central locking" and press the con-
troller.
7.Select "Last seat pos." and press the con-
troller.
8.Select "After unlocking" or "After door
opened".
9.Press the controller.
Switching off automatic call-up
Select "Deactivated" and press the controller.
Safety belts
Observe the adjustment instructions on
page44 to ensure the best possible per-
sonal protection.<
Before every drive, make sure that all occupants
wear their safety belts. Airbags complement the
safety belt as an additional safety device, but
they do not represent a substitute.
On the rear seats, the center belt buckle marked
with the letters CENTER is solely intended for
the center passenger.
Closing
Make sure you hear the latch plate engage in
the belt buckle.
The upper belt anchor is suitable for adults of
any stature as long as the seat is adjusted prop-
erly, refer to page44.
Opening
1.Grasp the belt firmly.
2.Press the red button in the buckle.
3.Guide the belt into its reel.
'Fasten safety belts' reminder for front
seats
The indicator lamp comes on and an
acoustic signal sounds. In addition, a
message appears on the Control Dis-
play. Check whether the safety belt
has been fastened correctly.
The 'Fasten safety belts' reminder is issued as
long as the driver's safety belt has not been fas-
tened. The 'Fasten safety belts' reminder is also
activated at road speeds above approx. 5 mph
or 8 km/h if the front passenger's safety belt is

Transporting children safely
52
Transporting children safely
The right place for children
Do not leave children unattended in the
vehicle, otherwise they could endanger
themselves and/or other persons by opening
the doors, for example.<
The rear center seat is not suitable for installing
child-restraint systems for all age groups,
approved for the age group in question.
Children always in the rear
Accident research has shown that the safest
place for children is on the rear seat.
Children under the age of 13 or smaller
than 5 ft/150 cm may be transported only
in the rear in suitable child-restraint systems
appropriate for their age, weight and size. Oth-
erwise there is an increased risk of injury in the
event of an accident.<
Children 13 years of age or older must be buck-
led in with a safety belt as soon as there no
longer is any child-restraint system that is
appropriate for their age, size and weight.
Exception for front passenger seat
Should it be necessary to use a child-
restraint system on the front passenger
seat, the front and side airbags for the front pas-
senger must be deactivated. Otherwise, a child
traveling on that seat will face a significant risk
of injury if the airbags are triggered off, even
with a child-restraint system.<
For more information on automatic deactivation
of the front passenger airbags refer to page94.
Installing child-restraint
systems
Observe the child-restraint system man-
ufacturer's instructions when selecting,
installing and using child-restraint systems.
Otherwise the protective effect may be dimin-
ished. to be secured with a lap belt or with the lap-belt
section of a lap-and-shoulder belt. Incorrectly
or improperly installed child-restraint systems
can increase the risk of injury to children.
Always follow the installation instructions for
the system with the greatest care.
On the front passenger seat
After installing a child-restraint system on
the front passenger seat, make sure that
the front and side airbags for the front passen-
ger are deactivated, otherwise there is an
increased risk of injury if the airbags deploy.<
Backrest width*
The backrest width of the front passen-
ger's seat must be at its widest possible
setting. Do not change the setting after install-
ing the child seat. Otherwise the child seat's
stability on the front passenger's seat is lim-
ited.<
1.Adjust the backrest width to its widest set-
ting, refer to page45.
2.Install the child seat.
Child seat security
The rear safety belts and the front passenger's
safety belt can be prevented from being pulled
out in order to fasten child-restraint systems.

Technology for driving comfort and safety
94
Airbags
The following airbags are located under the
marked covers:
1Front airbags
2Head airbags, front and rear
3Side airbags in the seat backrests
Protective action
Observe the adjustment instructions on
page43 to ensure the best possible per-
sonal protection.<
The front airbags help protect the driver and
front passenger by responding to frontal
impacts in which safety belts alone cannot pro-
vide adequate restraint. When needed, the
head and side airbags help provide protection in
the event of side impact. The relevant side air-
bag supports the side upper body area. The
head air bag supports the head.
The airbags have been designed to not be trig-
gered in every collision situation, e.g. not in
minor accidents or rear-end collisions.
Do not apply adhesive materials to the
cover panels of the airbags, cover them or
modify them in any other way. Do not attach
seat covers, cushions or other objects not spe-
cifically approved for seats with integral side air-
bags to the front seats. Do not hang items of
clothing such as coats or jackets over the back-
rests. Do not attempt to remove the airbag
retention system from the vehicle. Do not mod-
ify the individual components of the system or
its wiring in any way. This includes the uphol-
stered covers on the steering wheel, instrument
panel, seats and roof posts, as well as the sides of the roof lining. Do not attempt to remove or
dismantle the steering wheel.
Do not touch the individual components imme-
diately after the system has been triggered,
because there is a danger of burns.
In the event of malfunctions, deactivation or
triggering of the airbag restraint system, have
the testing, repair, removal and disposal of air-
bag generators executed only by a BMW center
or a workshop that works according to repair
procedures of BMW with correspondingly
trained personnel and that has the required
explosives licenses. Unprofessional attempts to
work on the system could lead to failure in an
emergency or to undesired airbag activation,
either of which could result in personal injury.<
Warning notices and information about the air-
bags can also be found on the sun visors.
Automatic deactivation of the front
passenger airbags
An analysis of the impression in the front pas-
senger seat cushion determines whether and
how the seat is occupied. The front and side air-
bags for the front passenger are activated or
deactivated by the system accordingly.
The indicator lamp above the interior
rearview mirror shows the current status
of the front passenger airbags, deactivated or
activated, refer to Status of front passenger air-
bags below.
Before transporting a child on the front
passenger seat, read the safety precau-
tions and handling instructions under Trans-
porting children safely, refer to page52.

Controls
95Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
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 page56, 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.<

Everything from A - Z
252
Everything from A - Z
Index
"..." Identifies Control Display
texts used to select
individual functions and
refers you to the page where
these texts can be found.
A
ABS Antilock Brake
System86
ACC, refer to Active cruise
control64
Accident, refer to Sending an
Emergency Request235
Activated-charcoal filter for
automatic climate
control104
"Activation time"104
Active cruise control64
– indicator lamps67
– malfunction68
– selecting distance66
– sensor68
Active steering93
– warning lamp93
Adaptive Head Light98
"Add digits" for mobile
phone190
Additives
– coolant224
"Address book" in
navigation138
Address for navigation
– deleting140
– entering130,138
– selecting139
– storing138
– storing current position139
"Add to destination
list"133,135
Adjusting temperature inside
the car, refer to Automatic
climate control101Adjusting the thigh support44
Adjusting the tone during
audio operation, refer to
Tone control157
Airbags94
– indicator/warning lamp95
– sitting safely43
Air conditioning mode
– automatic climate
control101
– ventilation103
Air distribution
– automatic102
– individual101
Air flow rate102
Airing, refer to Ventilation103
Air pressure, refer to Tire
inflation pressure208
Air recirculation, refer to
Recirculated-air mode102
"Air recirculation on / off"51
Air supply
– automatic climate
control101
– ventilation103
Air vents100
AKI, refer to Fuel
specifications207
Alarm system35
– avoiding unintentional
alarms36
– interior motion sensor36
– switching off an alarm36
– tilt alarm sensor36
"All channels" for satellite
radio167
All-season tires, refer to
Winter tires220
"All stations", displaying with
the radio160
All-wheel drive, refer to
xDrive87
"AM", waveband156,160Ambient air, refer to
Recirculated-air mode102
Antenna for mobile phone182
Antifreeze
– coolant224
– washer fluid62
Anti-theft alarm system, refer
to Alarm system35
Anti-theft system29
Approved axle loads, refer to
Weights245
Approved gross vehicle
weight, refer to Weights245
Armrest, refer to Center
armrest110
Arrival time, refer to
Computer73
Arrival time, refer to Starting
destination guidance143
Arrow display for
navigation144
"Arrow display" in
navigation144
Ashtray
– front111
– rear112
Assistance systems, refer to
Driving stability control
systems86
Assistance window20
– refer to iDrive20
AUC Automatic recirculated-
air control102
"Audio"159,163
Audio156
– controls156
– switching on/off156
– tone control157
– volume157
"Audio", refer to Tone
control157
Audio device, external110

Everything from A - Z
256 Dashboard lighting, refer to
Instrument lighting99
Data, technical242
– dimensions243
– engine242
– weights245
"Date"81
Date
– setting80
– setting format81
"Date format"81
"Daytime running lamps"97
Daytime running lamps97
DBC Dynamic Brake
Control86
"Deactivated"48
Deactivating front passenger
airbags94
Deadlocking, refer to
Locking30
Decommissioning the vehicle,
refer to Caring for your
vehicle brochure
Defect
– door lock31
– fuel filler door206
– glass roof40
– panorama glass roof42
"Delete address book" in
navigation140
"Delete all numbers" on the
mobile phone191
"Delete data" in
navigation140
"Delete" for mobile
phone191
Destination address
– deleting140
– entering130,134Destination for navigation
– destination list137
– entry130
– home address140
– manual entry130,134
– selecting from address
book139
– selecting using
information136
– selecting via language134
– selecting via map135
– storing138
Destination guidance143
– canceling voice
instructions51
– changing specified
route141
– displaying route144
– distance and arrival143
– starting143
– terminating/continuing143
– voice instructions146
– volume of voice
instructions147
Destination list for navigation
system137
Destinations recently driven
to137
"Details" for audio mode177
"Dial" for mobile phone189
"Dial number"189
Digital clock71
Digital compass108
Digital radio, refer to High
Definition Radio163
Dimensions243
Directional indicators, refer to
Turn signals60
Direction instructions, refer to
Voice instructions146
Directory for navigation, refer
to Address book138
Displacement, refer to Engine
data242
Display, refer to iDrive
controls16
Display lighting, refer to
Instrument lighting99
"Display off"21Displays
– on the Control Display16
Displays, refer to Instrument
cluster12
Displays and controls10
Disposal
– coolant224
– remote control battery38
– vehicle battery234
Distance control, refer to
Active cruise control64
Distance remaining to service,
refer to Service
requirements76
"Distance to dest."74
Distance warning, refer to
PDC Park Distance
Control85
Door key, refer to Remote
control with integrated
key28
Door lock31
"Door locks"30,31,32,77
Doors, emergency
operation31
DOT Quality Grades217
Draft-free ventilation103
Drinks holders, refer to Cup
holders111
Drive-off assistance, refer to
Dynamic Stability Control
DSC86
Drive-off assistant88
Driving around a traffic
congestion150
Driving lamps, refer to Parking
lamps/low beams96
Driving notes120
Driving off on hills, refer to
Drive-off assistant88
Driving route, refer to
Displaying route144
Driving stability control
systems86
Driving through water122
Driving tips, refer to Driving
notes120
Dry air, refer to Cooling
function103

Everything from A - Z
258 Fastening safety belts, refer to
Safety belts48
Fastest route for
navigation141
Fast forward
– CD changer173
– CD player173
"Fast route" in navigation141
Filter
– refer to Microfilter/activated-
charcoal filter for automatic
climate control104
Fine wood, refer to Caring for
your vehicle brochure
First aid pouch236
Fixture for remote control,
refer to Ignition lock56
Flashlight, refer to LED hand
lamp110
Flash when locking/
unlocking31
Flat tire
– Run-Flat Tires219
– Tire Pressure Monitor
TPM90
Flat Tire Monitor FTM89
– indicating a flat tire90
– indicator/warning lamp90
– initializing the system89
– malfunction90
– snow chains89,220
– system limits89
Flat tires, refer to Tire
condition218
Floor mats, carpets, refer to
Caring for your vehicle
brochure
Fluid reservoir, refer to
Washer fluid reservoir62
"FM", waveband156,160
FM, waveband160
Fog lamps98
– indicator lamp13,98
Folding in the mirrors, before
driving into a car wash49
Folding rear seat backrest114
Folding up the floor panel116
Footbrake, refer to Braking
safely122Footwell lamps, refer to
Interior lamps99
For your own safety5
Four-wheel drive, refer to
xDrive87
Frequency, selecting
manually161
Front airbags94
FTM, refer to Flat Tire
Monitor89
Fuel207
– average consumption73
– gauge72
– high-quality brands207
– quality207
– specifications207
– tank contents, refer to
Capacities246
Fuel clock, refer to Fuel
gauge72
Fuel display, refer to Fuel
gauge72
Fuel-efficient driving, refer to
Energy Control72
Fuel filler door206
– releasing in the event of
electrical malfunction206
Fuses234
G
Garage door opener, refer to
Integrated universal remote
control106
Gasoline
– refer to Average
consumption73
Gasoline, refer to Required
fuel207
Gasoline display, refer to Fuel
gauge72
Gear indicator, automatic
transmission with
Steptronic58
Gearshift lever
– automatic transmission with
Steptronic59
– manual transmission58Gearshifts
– automatic transmission with
Steptronic59
– manual transmission58
General driving notes121
Glass roof, electric39
– closing after electrical
malfunction40
– convenient operation30,31
– initializing40
– opening, closing39
– pinch protection system40
– power failure40
– raising39
– remote control30
Glove compartment109
– LED hand lamp110
GPS navigation, refer to
Navigation system128
Grills100
Gross vehicle weight, refer to
Weights245
H
Halogen lamps
– replacing bulbs229
Handbrake, refer to Parking
brake57
Hand lamp, refer to LED hand
lamp110
Hands-free system14
Hazard warning flashers14
HDC Hill Descent Control87
"HD radio"163
HD radio, refer to High
Definition Radio163
Head airbags94
Headlamp control,
automatic96
Headlamp cover229
Headlamp flasher60
– indicator lamp11,13
Headlamps
– care, refer to Caring for your
vehicle brochure
– replacing bulbs229

Everything from A - Z
264 Remote control28
– battery renewal38
– convenient access36
– garage door opener106
– luggage compartment lid30
– malfunction31,38
– removing from the ignition
lock56
– service data226
– tailgate30
"Repeat directory" for audio
mode172
"Repeat" for audio mode172
"Repeat track" for audio
mode172
Replacement remote
control28
Replacing bulbs, refer to
Lamps and bulbs229
Replacing tires219
Replacing tires, refer to New
wheels and tires219
Reporting safety defects6
Reserve warning, refer to Fuel
gauge72
"Reset"89,91
Reset, refer to Resetting tone
settings159
"Reset" for stopwatch84
"Reset" for tone settings159
Residual heat103
Restraint systems
– for children52
– refer to Safety belts48
Reverse
– CD changer173
– CD player173
Reverse gear
– automatic transmission with
Steptronic59
– manual transmission58
Road map145
"Roadside Assistance"198
Roadside
Assistance198,235
Roadside parking lamps98
– replacing bulbs230
Roadworthiness test, refer to
Service requirements76Roller blind
– sun blinds109
Roof load capacity245
Roof-mounted luggage
rack124
"Roomsound", refer to Tone
control158
Rope, refer to Tow-starting,
towing away
239
Rotary/pushbutton, refer to
iDrive16
Route141
– arrow display144
– changing147
– display144
– displaying streets and
towns/cities146
– displaying town146
– list146
– map display145
– selecting141
– selecting criteria141
RSC Runflat System
Component, refer to Run-
Flat Tires219
Rubber parts, refer to Caring
for your vehicle brochure
Runflat System Component
RSC, refer to Run-Flat
Tires219
Run-Flat Tires219
– continuing driving with a
damaged tire90
– flat tire90
– Flat Tire Monitor90
– new tires219
– replacing219
– tire inflation pressure208
– winter tires220
S
Safety-belt height
adjustment48
Safety belts48
– damage49
– indicator/warning lamp48
– reminder48
– sitting safely43Safety belts, care, refer to
Caring for your vehicle
brochure
Safety systems
– airbags94
– Antilock Brake System
ABS86
– brake system86
– driving stability control
systems86
– Dynamic Stability Control
DSC86
– safety belts48
Safety tires, refer to Run-Flat
Tires219
"SAT"156,166
Satellite radio166
– displaying additional
information167
– enabling166
– selecting channel167
– storing channel167
Saving fuel120
"Scan"
– sampling radio stations161
– sampling tracks on CD171
Scan
– CD changer171
– CD player171
– radio161
"Scan all" for audio mode171
"Scan directory" for audio
mode171
Screen, refer to iDrive
controls16
Screw thread for tow
fitting238
SDARS, refer to Satellite
radio166
Seat adjustment
– electric44
– mechanical44
Seat and mirror memory47
Seat belt reminder, refer to
'Fasten safety belts'
reminder48
Seat heating47