BMW I3 2014 I01 User Guide

In terms of its performance throughout the entire
product life cycle – from the sourcing of raw
materials to production, use and recycling – how
does the BMW i3 compare to a vehicle with a
high-effi ciency combustion engine?
fewer CO2 equivalents
when driving on elec-
tricity from renewable
sources.
5 0
%

fewer CO2 equivalents
when driving with
EU-25 or comparable
energy mixes.
30
%

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AT BMW i WE NOT ONLY PIONEER
NEW MATERIALS, WE ALSO TAKE
CARE OF THEIR RECYCLING.
Recycling is a given at BMW i. Production residues from carbon fiber
production, carbon components and body parts, for instance, are
valuable materials. That’s why they are either reused as secondary raw
materials for the in-house BMW i production cycle or recycled for other
automotive or non-automotive applications. And the early production
stage of a BMW i3 marks a first for the automotive industry – the first
time recycled carbon fiber is being used for a vehicle passenger cell.
Together with partners, BMW i is pioneering closed loops for up to
100% of carbon fiber from production residues or end-of-life vehicles.
BMW i is also branching out in new directions when it comes to the
recycling of other components and materials. For example, there are
many possible ways to reuse the high-capacity BMW i lithium ion
battery pack. A very simple and effective one is as temporary energy
storage for solar power or wind energy to make renewably produced
energy available when it is needed.
04. RECYCLING
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10 0
%

of used battery
packs could, for ex-
ample, be reused as
temporary storage
units for solar power
equipment and wind
energy systems.
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To fi nd out more about the sustainability
philosophy behind your BMW i, please visit:
bmw-i.com/sustainability
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i3Owner's Manual for Vehicle
Thank you for choosing a BMW i.
The more familiar you are with your vehicle, the better control
you will have on the road. We therefore strongly suggest:
Read this Owner's Handbook before starting off in your new
BMW i. Also use the Integrated Owner's Manual in your vehicle.
It contains important information on vehicle operation that will
help you make full use of the technical features available in your
BMW i. The manual also contains information designed to en‐
hance operating reliability and road safety, and to contribute to
maintaining the value of your BMW i.
Any updates made after the editorial deadline can be found in
the appendix of the Owner's Handbook for Vehicle.
We wish you a safe and enjoyable ride.
BMW AG

© 2014 Bayerische Motoren Werke
Aktiengesellschaft
Munich, Germany
Reprinting, including excerpts, only with the written
consent of BMW AG, Munich.
US English X/14, 11 14 490
Printed on environmentally friendly paper, bleached
without chlorine, suitable for recycling.

ContentsThe fastest way to find information on a partic‐
ular topic or item is by using the index, refer to
page 208.6Notes
At a glance
14Cockpit18iDrive26Voice activation system29Integrated Owner's Manual in the vehicle31BMW eDRIVE
Controls
36Opening and closing51Adjusting58Transporting children safely62Driving74Displays89Lights92Safety106Driving stability control systems109Driving comfort127Climate control134Interior equipment138Storage compartments
Driving tips
144Things to remember when driving148Loading150Increase rangeMobility156Charging vehicle165Refueling168Fuel170Wheels and tires179Under the hood181Engine oil183Coolant185Maintenance187Replacing components193Breakdown assistance198Care
Reference
204Technical data206Appendix208Everything from A to Z

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

equipment that is offered in the model series.
Therefore, in this Owner's Manual, we also de‐
scribe and illustrate features that are not avail‐
able in your vehicle, e.g., because of the se‐
lected optional features or the country-specific
version.
This also applies to safety-related functions
and systems.
On right-hand drive vehicles, some controls
are arranged differently from what is shown in
the illustrations.
Status of the Owner's
Manual
Basic information
The manufacturer of your vehicle pursues a
policy of constant development that is con‐
ceived to ensure that our vehicles continue to
embody the highest quality and safety stan‐
dards. In rare cases, therefore, the features de‐
scribed in this Owner's Manual may differ from
those in your vehicle.
Updates made after the editorial
deadline
Any updates made after the editorial deadline
can be found in the appendix of the printed
Owner's Handbook for Vehicle.
For your own safety
Warranty
Your vehicle is technically configured for the
operating conditions and registration require‐
ments applying in the country of first delivery -
homologation. If your vehicle is to be operated
in a different country it might be necessary to
adapt your vehicle to potentially differing oper‐
ating conditions and permit requirements. If
your vehicle does not comply with the homolo‐
gation requirements in a certain country you
cannot lodge warranty claims for your vehicle
there. Further information can be obtained
from your Service Centre.
Working on the vehicle, maintenance
and repairs
Advanced technology, especially the use of
high-performance high-voltage electronics
and modern materials such as carbon, requires
special knowledge when making modifications
to and working on the vehicle, as well as cus‐
tomized maintenance and repair work.
Modifications and work on the vehicle, espe‐
cially maintenance and repairs to the high-volt‐
age system and carbon body as well as the ret‐
rofitting of accessories, may only be carried
out by an authorized BMW i service center or
one that operates according to BMW i specifi‐
cations with personnel trained accordingly.
Body work and working on the high-volt‐
age system
Do not perform any modifications or work on
the vehicle, especially maintenance and repair
work on the high-voltage system and the car‐
bon body and avoid retrofitting accessories.
If work is not carried out properly, there is the
risk of fire and fatal injury from electrocution
due to the high-voltage system's high voltage.
Modifications and work on the vehicle may
only be carried out by an authorized BMW i
service center or one that operates according
to BMW i specifications with personnel trained
accordingly.◀
Seite 5Notes7

California Proposition 65 Warning
California laws require us to state the following
warning:
Engine exhaust and a wide variety of automo‐
bile components and parts, including compo‐
nents found in the interior furnishings in a vehi‐
cle, contain or emit chemicals known to the
State of California to cause cancer and birth
defects and reproductive harm. In addition,
certain fluids contained in vehicles and certain
products of component wear contain or emit
chemicals known to the State of California to
cause cancer and birth defects or other repro‐
ductive harm. Battery posts, terminals and re‐
lated accessories contain lead and lead com‐
pounds. Wash your hands after handling. Used
engine oil contains chemicals that have caused
cancer in laboratory animals. Always protect
your skin by washing thoroughly with soap and
water.
Service and warranty
We recommend that you read this publication
thoroughly. Your vehicle is covered by the fol‐
lowing warranties:
▷New Vehicle Limited Warranty.▷Rust Perforation Limited Warranty.▷Federal Emissions System Defect War‐
ranty.
▷Federal Emissions Performance Warranty.▷California Emission Control System Lim‐
ited Warranty.
Detailed information about these warranties is
listed in the Service and Warranty Information
Booklet for US models or in the Warranty and
Service Guide Booklet for Canadian models.
Your vehicle has been specifically adapted and
designed to meet the particular operating con‐
ditions and homologation requirements in your
country and continental region in order to de‐
liver the full driving pleasure while the vehicle
is operated under those conditions. If you wish
to operate your vehicle in another country or
region, you may be required to adapt your ve‐
hicle to meet different prevailing operating
conditions and homologation requirements.
You should also be aware of any applicable
warranty limitations or exclusions for such
country or region. In such case, please contact
Customer Relations for further information.
Maintenance
Maintain the vehicle regularly to sustain the
road safety, operational reliability and the New
Vehicle Limited Warranty.
Specifications for required maintenance meas‐
ures:
▷BMW Maintenance system▷Service and Warranty Information Booklet
for US models
Seite 6Notes8
Parts and accessories
BMW recommends using parts and accesso‐
ries approved by BMW for this purpose.
Your BMW center is the right contact for genu‐
ine BMW parts and accessories, other prod‐
ucts approved by BMW and related qualified
advice.
BMW has tested these products for safety and
suitability in relation to BMW vehicles.
BMW can assume responsibility for them.
However, we cannot assume any responsibility
whatsoever for parts and accessories that have
not been specifically approved by BMW.
BMW cannot evaluate whether each individual
product from another manufacturer can be
used with BMW vehicles without presenting a
safety hazard. This guarantee is also not appli‐
cable when country-specific government ap‐
proval has been granted. Testing of this kind
may fail to embrace the entire range of poten‐
tial operating conditions to which components
might be exposed on BMW vehicles. Such
products could conceivably fail to comply with
BMW's own stringent quality standards.