ignition BMW 640I CONVERTIBLE 2012 Owner's Guide

attempt in order to allow the discharged bat‐
tery to recharge.
3. Let both engines run for several minutes.
4. Disconnect the jumper cables in the reverse
order.
Check the battery and recharge if necessary.
Tow-starting and towing
Manual transmission
Observe before towing your vehicle
The parking brake is blocked
The parking brake cannot be released
manually.
When the parking brake is blocked, do not tow
with the front axle lifted or the vehicle can be
damaged.
Contact your service center.◀
Gearshift lever in neutral position.
Towing
Follow the towing instructions
Follow all towing instructions; otherwise,
vehicle damage or accidents may occur.◀
▷ Make sure that the ignition is switched on;
otherwise, the low beams, tail lamps, turn
signals, and windshield wipers may be un‐
available.
▷ Do not tow the vehicle with the rear axle
tilted, as the front wheels could turn.
▷ When the engine is stopped, there is no
power assist. Consequently, more force
needs
to be applied when braking and steer‐
ing.
▷ Larger steering wheel movements are re‐
quired. Tow truck
Have your vehicle transported with a tow truck
with a so-called lift bar or on a flat bed.
Do not lift the vehicle
Do not lift the vehicle by the tow fitting or
body

and chassis parts; otherwise, damage may
result.◀
Automatic transmission*: transporting
your vehicle
Note
Your vehicle is not permitted to be towed.
Therefore, contact a service center in the event
of a breakdown.
Do not have the vehicle towed
Have your vehicle transported on a loading
platform only; otherwise, damage may occur.◀
Tow truck Do not lift the vehicle
Do not lift the vehicle by the tow fitting or
body

and chassis parts; otherwise, damage may
result.◀
Use the tow fitting screwed in at the front for
maneuvering the vehicle only. Seite 251
251Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 606 521 - 03 11 490

Reference
Mobility Communication Entertainment Navigation Driving tips Controls At a glance

Manual transmission
If
possible, do not tow-start the vehicle but start
the engine by jump-starting, refer to page 249.
If the vehicle is equipped with a catalytic con‐
verter, only tow-start while the engine is cold.
1. Switch on the hazard warning system and
comply with local regulations.
2. Ignition, refer to page 65, on.
3. Engage third gear.
4. Have the vehicle tow-started with the clutch
pressed

and slowly release the clutch. After
the engine starts, immediately press on the
clutch again.
5. Stop at a suitable location, remove the tow
bar or rope, and switch off the hazard warn‐
ing system.
6. Have the vehicle checked.
Seite 253
253Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 606 521 - 03 11 490

Reference
Mobility Communication Entertainment Navigation Driving tips Controls At a glance

Care
Car washes
Notes
Steam jets or high-pressure washers
When using steam jets or high-pressure
washers, hold them a sufficient distance away
and use a maximum temperature of 140 ℉/
60 ℃.
Holding them too close or using excessively
high
pressures or temperatures can cause dam‐
age or preliminary damage that may then lead to
long-term damage.
Follow the operating instructions for the high-
pressure washer.◀
Cleaning sensors/cameras with high-
pressure washers
When using high-pressure washers, do not
spray the exterior sensors and cameras, e.g.,
Park Distance Control*, for extended periods of
time and only from a distance of at least 12 in/
30 cm.◀
Wash your vehicle frequently, particularly in win‐
ter.
Intense soiling and road salt can damage the ve‐
hicle.
Washing in automatic car washes
Your vehicle can be washed in automatic car
washes right from the start.
Give preference to cloth car washes or those
that use soft brushes in order to avoid paint
damage.
Notes
Note the following:
▷ Make sure that the wheels and tires are not
damaged by the transport mechanisms.
▷ Fold in the exterior mirrors; otherwise, they
may

be damaged, depending on the width of
the vehicle. ▷
Deactivate the rain sensor, refer to page 70,
to avoid unintentional wiper activation.
▷ Do not treat the convertible top with wax.
Ensure that a cycle without wax or a special
cycle for convertibles is available.
▷ In some cases, an unintentional alarm can be
triggered

by the interior motion sensor of the
alarm system*. Follow the instructions on
avoiding an unintentional alarm, refer to
page 43.
Guide rails in car washes
Avoid car washes with guide rails higher
than 4 in/10 cm; otherwise, the vehicle body
could be damaged.

◀
Before driving into a car wash
The vehicle is able to roll when the following
steps are taken:
Manual transmission:
1. Shift to neutral.
2. Release the parking brake, refer to page 67.
3. Switch the engine off.
4. Switch on the ignition.
Automatic transmission*:
1. Depress the brake pedal.
2. Engage transmission position N.
3. Release the parking brake, refer to page 67,
or deactivate Automatic Hold, refer to
page 67.
4. Switch the engine off.
Transmission
position P with the igni‐
tion off
When the ignition is switched off, position P
is engaged automatically. When in an auto‐
matic car wash, for example, ensure that the
ignition is not switched off accidentally.◀ The vehicle cannot be locked from the outside
when in transmission position N. Seite 254
254 Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 606 521 - 03 11 490
Care

A signal is sounded when an attempt is made to
lock the vehicle.
Transmission position
Transmission position P is engaged automati‐
cally:
▷
When the ignition is switched off.
▷ After approx. 15 minutes.
Headlamps
▷ Do not rub dry and do not use abrasive or
caustic cleansers.
▷ Soak areas that have been soiled e.g. due to
insects, with shampoo and wash off with
water.
▷ Thaw ice with de-icing spray; do not use an
ice scraper.
After washing the vehicle
After washing the vehicle, apply the brakes
briefly
to dry them; otherwise, braking action can
be reduced and corrosion of the brake discs can
occur.
Vehicle care
Car care products
BMW recommends using cleaning and care
products from BMW, since these have been
tested and approved.
Car care and cleaning products
Follow the instructions on the container.
When cleaning the interior, open the doors or
windows.
Only use products intended for cleaning vehi‐
cles.
Cleansers can contain substances that are dan‐
gerous and harmful to your health.◀
Vehicle paint
Regular care contributes to driving safety and
value retention. Environmental influences can act on the vehicle
paint.

Tailor the frequency and extent of your car
care to these influences.
Caring for the convertible top
The appearance and life of the convertible top
depend on correct care and operation.
Note the following instructions:
▷ To avoid water stains, mildew spots, and
chafe marks, do not fold and stow the con‐
vertible top in the convertible top well while
the top is wet or frozen.
▷ Remove water stains that may nevertheless
have appeared on the headliner using a mi‐
crofiber cloth and an interior cleaner.
▷ When the vehicle is parked in enclosed
areas for lengthy periods, ensure that the
area is well ventilated.
▷ Remove bird droppings immediately as their
corrosive effect will otherwise attack the
convertible top and damage the rubber
seals.
Do not use spot remover, paint thinner,
solvent,
benzine, or similar products to re‐
move spots on the convertible top. These prod‐
ucts may destroy the rubber coating. Incorrect
care and cleaning may cause the convertible top
and its seams to become leaky.◀
To remove heavy soiling, use a special conver‐
tible top cleaner.
Follow the instructions for use from the manu‐
facturer.
Treat the convertible top with an impregnating
agent after it has been washed three to five
times.
Leather care
Remove dust from the leather often, using a
cloth or vacuum cleaner.
Otherwise, particles of dust and road grime
chafe in pores and folds, and lead to increased
wear and premature degradation of the leather
surface. Seite 255
255Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 606 521 - 03 11 490

Reference
Mobility Communication Entertainment Navigation Driving tips Controls At a glance

External temperature warn‐
ing 75
Eyes for securing cargo 141
F
Fader 164
Failure message, refer to Check Control 82
False alarm, refer to Uninten‐ tional alarm 43
Fan, refer to Air volume 124
Fault displays, refer to Check Control 82
Filler neck for engine oil 238
Fine wood, care 256
First aid kit 249
Fitting
for towing, refer to Tow
fitting 252
Flat Tire Monitor FTM 95
Flat tire, Tire Pressure Monitor TPM 91
Flat tire, warning lamp 93, 95
Flat tire, wheel change 246
Flooding 139
Floor carpet, care 256
Floor mats, care 256
FM/AM station 166
Fold-out position, windshield wipers 71
Foot brake 139
Front airbags 88
Front fog lamps 87
Front lamps 244
Front passenger airbags, au‐ tomatic deactivation 89
Front passenger airbags, indi‐ cator lamp 90
Front seats 53
FTM Flat Tire Monitor 95
Fuel cap 226
Fuel consumption, current 75
Fuel consumption, refer to Average fuel consump‐
tion 77
Fuel filler flap 226
Fuel gauge 74
Fuel quality 228 Fuel, tank capacity
262
Fuse 247
G
Garage door opener, refer to Integrated universal remote
control 128
Gas station recommenda‐ tion 155
Gear
change, automatic trans‐
mission 72
Gear shift indicator 79
General driving notes 138
Glove compartment 132
GPS navigation, refer to Navi‐ gation system 146
Gross vehicle weight, ap‐ proved 261
Gross weight, permissible for trailer towing 261
H
Hand brake, refer to Parking brake 67
Hand-held transmitter, alter‐ nating code 129
Hazard warning flashers 248
HD Radio 167
Headlamp control, auto‐ matic 85
Headlamp courtesy delay fea‐ ture 84
Headlamp courtesy delay fea‐ ture via remote control 37
Headlamp flasher 69
Headlamp glass 244
Headlamps 244
Headlamps, care 255
Headlamp washer system 69
Head restraints 53
Head restraints, front 57
Head-up Display 121
Head-up Display, care 257
Heavy cargo, stowing 141
Height, seats 53
Height, vehicle 260 High-beam Assistant
86
High beams 69
High beams/low beams, refer to High-beam Assistant 86
Hills 140
Hill start assistant, refer to Drive-off assistant 101
Hints 6
Holder for beverages 133
Homepage 6
Hood 236
Horn 12
Hotel function 39
Hot exhaust system 138
House number, entering for navigation 147
Hydroplaning 139
I
Ice warning, refer to External temperature warning 75
Icy roads, refer to External temperature warning 75
Identification marks, tires 231
Identification number, refer to Engine compartment 236
iDrive 19
Ignition key, refer to Remote control 32
Ignition off 65
Ignition on 65
Indication of a flat tire 93, 95
Indicator and warning mes‐ sages 14
Indicator lamps 14
Individual air distribution 123
Individual settings, refer to Personal Profile 33
Inflation pressure, tires 229
Inflation pressure warning FTM, tires 95
Info display, refer to Com‐ puter 76
Information on the navigation data 160
Initialization, Integral Active Steering 103
Seite 275
275Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 606 521 - 03 11 490

Reference Mobility Communication Entertainment Navigation Driving tips Controls At a glance