range extender BMW I3 2014 I01 Owner's Manual

NotesThe special features of your
BMW i
High-voltage system
Your BMW i is an electric vehicle. The vehicle
features a high-voltage system that consists of
an electric motor and a high-voltage battery
among other things. Optionally, the vehicle has
a combustion engine that generates electrical
energy via a generator and thereby increases
the range. This combustion engine is called
the Range Extender.
Carbon bodyThe vehicle consists of two different functional
units: the drive module made from aluminum
and the life module made from carbon fiber re‐
inforced plastic (carbon).
Using this Owner's Manual Orientation
The fastest way to find information on a partic‐
ular topic is by using the index.
An initial overview of the vehicle is provided in
the first chapter.
Updates made after the editorialdeadline
Any updates made after the editorial deadline
can be found in the appendix of the printed
Owner's Handbook for Vehicle.
User's manual for Navigation,
Entertainment, Communication
The topics Navigation, Entertainment, Com‐
munication and the short commands of the
voice activation system can be retrieved on the
Control Display via the Integrated Owner's
Handbook.Symbols
Indicates precautions that must be followed
precisely in order to avoid the possibility of
personal injury and serious damage to the
vehicle.
◄ Marks the end of a specific item of
information.
Refers to measures that can be taken to
help protect the environment.
"..." Identifies display texts in vehicle used to
select individual functions.
›...‹ Verbal instructions to use with the voice
activation system.
››...‹‹ Identifies the answers generated by the
voice activation system.
Symbols on vehicle components
Indicates that you should consult the
relevant section of this Owner's Manual for
information on a particular part or assembly.
Indicates, on certain parts or assemblies, that
incorrect use of high-voltage equipment or of
orange-colored high-voltage components re‐
sults in the risk of life-threatening injury from
electric shock.
Vehicle features and options
This Owner's Manual describes all models and
all standard, country-specific and optional
Seite 4Notes6

CockpitVehicle features and options
This chapter describes all standard, country-
specific and optional features offered with the
series. It also describes features that are notnecessarily available in your car, e. g., due to
the selected options or country versions. This
also applies to safety-related functions and
systems.
All around the steering wheel
1Power windows  482Exterior mirror operation  553Unlocking hood  42
Unlock tailgate  43
With Range Extender: vent fuel tank  1654LightsParking lights  89Low beams  89Automatic headlight con‐
trol  90
Daytime running lights  90Instrument lighting  905Left steering column stalkTurn signal  69High beams, head‐
light flasher  69Seite 12At a glanceCockpit14

BMW eDRIVEVehicle features and options
This chapter describes all standard, country-
specific and optional features offered with the
series. It also describes features that are not
necessarily available in your car, e. g., due to
the selected options or country versions. This
also applies to safety-related functions and
systems.
BMW eDRIVEAt a glance1Vehicle battery2Fuel filler flap3High-voltage battery4Charging port5Drive unit
The concept The vehicle can be operated completely emis‐
sions free using its electrical drive system.
The special high-voltage battery supplies theelectric motor as well as the comfort features
with power.
The high-voltage battery is charged via a
charging cable, e.g., when parked or while driv‐
ing by energy recovery.
Charging can be done especially quickly via
special power connections. However, charging
via conventional power supply - at home - is
also possible.
On the go, the energy recovery ensures that
only little energy is lost when braking.
When the vehicle decelerates, the electric mo‐
tor assumes the function of a generator and
completely or partially converts the freed up
motion energy into electrical power.
As a result the high-voltage battery is partially
recharged in order to reach maximum range.
An optional Range Extender can supply the
drive system with power and thus increase the
range of the vehicle.
Functions
Electric driving: eDRIVE
The vehicle is powered exclusively by the elec‐
tric motor. The accelerator pedal can be used
not just for acceleration, but also for decelera‐
tion. In this case, the electric motor works like
a generator and charges the high voltage bat‐
tery. With a sensible driving style, this function
can be used for especially efficient energy re‐
covery and comfortable driving, using just the
accelerator pedal.
Coasting An especially efficient operating point is so-
called coasting. In this case, the vehicle is de‐
celerated only by driving resistance and no en‐
ergy flows between high-voltage battery and
electric motor. In order to coast, depress the
accelerator pedal far enough that the mark in
the instrument cluster, refer to page 74, is
exactly in the center.
Energy recovery: CHARGE
The high-voltage battery is charged while driv‐
ing through energy recovery.Seite 29BMW eDRIVEAt a glance31

Exemplary traffic situations
If a deceleration operation is foreseeable while
driving, this can be used for energy recovery.
The following exemplary driving situations may
show that:▷Decelerating downhill.▷Deceleration before a red light.
Avoid late or abrupt braking. Instead, deceler‐
ate the vehicle using energy recovery.
Coasting
The electric drive makes it possible to roll with‐
out consuming energy. This driving condition
is referred to as coasting.
Proactive driving reduces energy consumption
and increases the range.
With vehicle rolling, READY is displayed in the
instrument cluster. With vehicle rolling, no en‐
ergy is recovered.
Exemplary traffic situations
If a route can be traveled without anticipated
need for braking, it is advantageous to roll.
The following exemplary driving situations may
show that:
▷Rolling on a straight downhill route without
obstacles.▷Coasting on a route without obstacles.
Avoid late or abrupt braking.
Range Extender
Increase range
If the charging state of the high-voltage battery
drops during travel to a minimum value, the
Range Extender starts and supplies the re‐
quired electrical energy for driving on.
The symbol on the charging state indicator
designates a Range Extender reel-on time.
The Range Extender controls its output auto‐
matically, turns itself off and restarts according
to the driving situation.
The high-voltage battery will not be charged
by the Range Extender.
Automatic maintenance run
To ensure that the Range Extender functions
properly even during longer periods of non- use, the Range Extender is automatically acti‐
vated for a few minutes at certain intervals dur‐
ing the trip. Respective Check Control
messages indicate the dry run. Should that oc‐
cur at an unfavorable time you may cancel the
dry run by pressing the Start/Stop button. It
postpones the dry run.
Should the high-voltage battery be fully
charged or if there is not enough gas in the
tank then a dry run will not be executed.
Heavily discharged high-voltage
battery
If the high-voltage battery is heavily dis‐
charged during the trip, the performance and
some comfort features are reduced step-by-
step to extend the range.
Heated high-voltage batteryWith a stationary dirt In exceptional cases, it is possible that the
high-voltage battery heats up sharply when the
vehicle is stationary. E. g. with extreme exter‐
nal temperatures and direct solar radiation.
With a overheated high-voltage battery, drive
readiness cannot be switched on.
A Check Control message is displayed.
Another message will indicate when drive readiness is available again.
While driving
If the high-voltage battery overheats during the
trip, the performance is reduced step-by-step
in order to cool down the battery. The ePO‐
WER performance display in the instrument
cluster returns in the process. When tempera‐
ture increases further, park the vehicle until theSeite 65DrivingControls67

DisplaysVehicle features and optionsThis chapter describes all standard, country-
specific and optional features offered with the
series. It also describes features that are notnecessarily available in your car, e. g., due to
the selected options or country versions. This
also applies to safety-related functions and
systems.
Instrument cluster
The concept
The instrument cluster is a variable display.
Some of the displays in the instrument clustermay differ from the way they are shown in this
Owner's Handbook.
At a glance
1Computer  852Driver assistance systems3Speedometer4Drive readiness indicator  635ECO PRO tips  1516Trip odometer  817Driving Dynamics Control program  1078Range for electric driving  829Battery charge indicator  7610Performance display  76
Selection list, such as for the radio  8411Range Extender range  8212Range Extender fuel gauge  8113Messages, e.g. Check ControlSeite 72ControlsDisplays74

14Display, drive mode  64
Charging screen
1Charging screen  1622End of charging time  162
Departure time with timer  1633Maximum electrical range  1624Stationary climate control  1635Range for electric driving  1626Charging state  767Range Extender range  828With Range Extender: fuel gauge  81Displaying the eDRIVE
system
Displays in the instrument cluster
The concept The display depends on the system's operat‐
ing condition. The following functions of the
eDRIVE system are shown in the instrument
cluster:▷High-voltage battery charge indicator.▷Electric driving: ePOWER.▷Energy recovery: CHARGE.▷Drive readiness: READY.Seite 73DisplaysControls75

High-voltage battery charge indicator
High voltage
Even if no bars are displayed in the bat‐
tery symbol, the high-voltage system is still
under high voltage.◀
The fill level bars indicate the available charg‐
ing state of the high-voltage battery when op‐
erating readiness and drive readiness are
switched on.
With a low range the color of the charging sta‐
tus indicator switches from blue to yellow.
In addition, the range for electric driving is dis‐
played.
With Range Extender: maintaining charging state
The arrow on the charging state indicator
designates the Range Extender reel-on time. If
Range Extender is activated, the current
charging state of the high-voltage battery is
maintained.
▷Gray arrow: Range Extender deactivated.▷White arrow: Range Extender activated.Manual activating/deactivating the Maintaining
charging state function.
Performance display
The accelerator pedal indicator in the perform‐
ance display indicates the current efficiency of
the driving style. The efficient range of the per‐
formance display is colored blue.
Accelerator pedal indicator in the CHARGE
range, arrow 1: display for energy recovered by
coasting or when decelerating.
Accelerator pedal indicator in the ePOWER
range, arrow 2: display when accelerating.
Use eDRIVE efficiently, refer to page 144.
Drive readiness: READY The READY display indicates
that the vehicle is ready for driv‐
ing. Drive readiness in detail, re‐
fer to page 63.
Indications on the Control Display
Fuel consumption history
Seite 74ControlsDisplays76

With Range Extender: fuel
gauge
The fill level bars indicate the available fuel
supply of the Range Extender when operating
readiness and drive readiness are switched on.
Additional range of the Range Extender on top
of pure electric range. If the Range Extender is
activated, the color of the fill level bar indicator
switches from gray to white.
Vehicle tilt position may cause the display to
vary.
Hints on refueling, refer to page 165.
Coolant temperature If the coolant along with the engine becomes
too hot, a Check Control message is displayed.
Check the coolant level, refer to page 183.
Odometer and trip odometer
Display▷Odometer, arrow 1, Scope of the on-board
computer, refer to page 85.▷Trip odometer, arrow 2.
Show/reset kilometers: TRIP
Press the knob.
▷With operating readiness turned off, the
time, the external temperature and the od‐
ometer are displayed.▷When operating readiness is switched on,
the trip odometer is reset.
External temperature
If the indicator drops to +37 ℉/+3 ℃ or lower, a
signal sounds.
A Check Control message is displayed.
There is an increased risk of ice on roads.
Seite 79DisplaysControls81

Ice on roads
Even at temperatures above
+37 ℉/+3 ℃, roads might be icy.
Therefore, drive carefully on bridges and
shaded roads, e.g., to avoid the increased risk
of an accident.◀
Time
The time is displayed in the computer.
Setting the time and time format, refer to
page 87.
Range
The expected range for the energy stored in
the high-voltage battery is displayed on the
right side of the instrument cluster next to the
charging state indicator of the high-voltage
battery.
With Range Extender:
The range of the Range Extender is displayed
separately next to the fuel gauge. The total
range can be displayed via the on-board com‐
puter. Expanding the range with Range Ex‐
tender, refer to page 67.
Two Check Control messages indicate a lim‐
ited range.
The range display is dynamic.
The range can be abruptly reduced or in‐
creased based on the following factors:▷Driving style.▷Traffic conditions.▷Program change via Driving Dynamics
Control.▷Climate and terrain conditions.▷Automatic climate control settings.▷After determination of a route by the navi‐
gation system.▷When exiting a route or recalculating a
route.Hints
Observe range
Always make sure that the range is suffi‐
cient for the planned trip. The range is dynamic
and can abruptly change.◀
Increase range, refer to page 144.
Service requirements
The concept
The driving distance or the time to the next
scheduled maintenance is displayed briefly in
the instrument cluster after operating readi‐
ness is switched on.
Your service specialist can read the current
service requirements from your remote con‐
trol.
Display
Data regarding the service status or legally
mandated vehicle inspections are automati‐
cally transmitted to your service center before
a service due date.
Detailed information on service
requirements
More information on the scope of service re‐
quired can be displayed on the Control Dis‐
play.
On the Control Display:1."Vehicle info"2."Vehicle status"3. "Service required"
Required maintenance procedures and le‐
gally mandated inspections are displayed.4.Select an entry to call up detailed informa‐
tion.Seite 80ControlsDisplays82

Display
Depending on your vehicle's optional features,
the list in the instrument cluster can differ from
the illustration shown.
Activating a list and adjusting the
setting
On the right side of the steering wheel, turn
the thumbwheel to activate the corresponding
list.
Using the thumbwheel, select the desired set‐
ting and confirm it by pushing the thumbwheel.
Computer
Display in the instrument cluster The information from the computer is shown in
the upper left area of the instrument cluster.
Calling up information on the info
display
Press the onboard computer button on the
turn signal lever.
Information is displayed in the info display of
the instrument cluster.
Information at a glance
Repeatedly pressing the button on the turn
signal lever calls up the following information in
the info display:
▷Kilometers.▷With Range Extender: total range▷Average fuel consumption.▷Current fuel consumption.▷Average speed.▷External temperature.▷Time.▷Speed limit detection.
Adjusting displays for computer
You can select what information from the com‐
puter is to be displayed in the instrument clus‐
ter.
On the Control Display:
1."Settings"2."Instrument cluster"3.Select the desired displays.Seite 83DisplaysControls85