engine BMW I3 2015 I01 Owner's Manual

THE ORIGIN OF EMISSION-FREE
DRIVING: POWER FROM RENEWABLE
RESOURCES.
With zero local emissions while driving, the BMW i3 helps reduce air
pollution in urban areas. When charged with clean power – generated
from renewables – the positive impact is greater still. This is because,
throughout the entire product life cycle, driving the new BMW i3 on
energy from renewable sources can potentially reduce emissions (CO2
equivalents) by up to 50%, when compared to a highly efficient vehicle
of the same class with a combustion engine. That’s why BMW i rec-
ommends clean energy producers, to help make an even bigger differ-
ence. Further details can be found online at bmw-i.com/sustainability.
As if that weren’t enough, the innovative eDrive technology of the
BMW i3 also features all sorts of efficiency enhancers: from state-of-
the-art brake energy recuperation to range-increasing ECO PRO+
driving mode, which can boost the driving range by up to 40km at the
touch of a button.
03. UTILIZATION
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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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Addendum
by it as appropriate for use in your vehicle
and that can be properly fixed in place.”
9. At page 155, under the heading: “Have
maintenance carried out,” the sentence
beginning, “The maintenance should be
carried out …” should be disregarded and
the following text should be read in lieu
thereof:   “BMW recommends that you have
the maintenance carried out by your service
center.”
10. At page 161, under the heading “Make sure
that the charging device is in flawless oper-
ating condition,” the word “flawless” should
read “proper.”
11. At page 173, under the heading “Tire infla-
tion specifications,” the sentence begin-
ning, “Tire inflation pressure specifications
apply to approved tire sizes … .” should be
disregarded.
12. At page 176, under the heading: “Mount-
ing,” the paragraph beginning, “Have
mounting and balancing …” should be dis-
regarded and the following text should be
read in lieu thereof: “BMW recommends
that you have mounting and balancing per-
formed by your service center or a tire
mounting specialist.”
13. At page 177, under the heading: “Approved
wheels and tires,” the term “Approved”
should be disregarded and in lieu thereof,
the term “Recommended” should be read
in its place. In addition, the text of that sec-
tion should be disregarded and the follow-
ing text should be read in lieu thereof:
The manufacturer of your vehicle strongly
suggests that you use wheels and tires that
have been recommended by the vehicle
manufacturer for your vehicle type; other-
wise, for example, despite having the same
official size ratings, variations can lead to
body contact and with it, the risk of severe
accidents.
The manufacturer of your vehicle does not
evaluate non-recommended wheels and
tires to determine if they are suitable for use
on your vehicle.
14. At page 181, under the heading: “Snow
Chains,” the text should be disregarded and
the following text should be read in lieu
thereof:
Only certain types of fine-link snow chains
have been tested by the manufacturer of
your vehicle and are determined by the
manufacturer of your vehicle to be road safe
and are recommended by the manufacturer
of your vehicle.
Information about recommended snow
chains is available from a service center.
15. At page 182, under the heading “Hood,” the
sentence beginning, “If you are unfamiliar”
should be disregarded.
16. At page 185, under the heading: “Adding or
changing engine oil,” the text should be dis-
regarded and in lieu thereof should be read
as follows:
If necessary, BMW recommends that you
have oil added changed at your BMW
dealer's service center or at another service
center that has trained personnel that can
perform the work in accordance with BMW
specifications.
17. At page 189, under the heading: “Service
and Warranty Information Booklet for US
models and Warranty and Service Guide
Booklet for Canadian models,” the second
paragraph should be disregarded and the
following text read in lieu thereof:
The manufacturer of your vehicle recom-
mends that you have maintenance and
repair performed by your BMW dealer's ser-
vice center or another service center or
repair shop that employs trained personnel
that can perform maintenance and repair
work on your vehicle in accordance with
BMW specifications. The manufacturer of
your vehicle recommends that you maintain
records of all maintenance and repair work
performed on your vehicle.
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ContentsThe fastest way to find information on a partic‐
ular topic or item is by using the index, refer to
page 210.6Notes
At a glance
14Cockpit18iDrive26Voice activation system29Integrated Owner's Manual in the vehicle31BMW eDRIVE34Safety of the high-voltage system
Controls
38Opening and closing53Adjusting60Transporting children safely64Driving75Displays90Lights93Safety107Driving stability control systems110Driving comfort128Climate control135Interior equipment143Storage compartments
Driving tips
148Things to remember when driving152Loading154Increase rangeMobility160Charging vehicle169Refueling172Fuel173Wheels and tires182Under the hood184Engine oil186Coolant188Maintenance190Replacing components196Breakdown assistance200Care
Reference
206Technical data208Appendix210Everything from A to Z
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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 does not apply
when country-specific government approval
has been granted. Testing of this kind may fail
to embrace the entire range of potential oper‐
ating conditions to which components might
be exposed on BMW vehicles. Such products
could conceivably fail to comply with BMW's
own stringent quality standards.
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▷Warranty and Service Guide Booklet for
Canadian models
If the vehicle is not maintained according to
these specifications, this could result in seri‐
ous damage to the vehicle. Such damage is
not covered by the BMW New Vehicle Limited
Warranty.
Seite 8Notes8
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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. The respectively applicable country
provisions must be observed when using the
respective features and systems.
BMW eDRIVE Special features of the BMW i
High-voltage system
This 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).At 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.
Seite 31BMW eDRIVEAt a glance31
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Replacing the battery1.Remove integrated key from remote con‐
trol.2.Raise the cover of the battery compart‐
ment, arrow 1.3.Remove the cover of the battery compart‐
ment, arrow 2.4.Insert a battery of the same type with the
positive side facing up.5.Press the cover closed.
Take the used battery to a recycling
center or to your service center.
New remote controls New remote controls are available from the
service center.
Loss of the remote controls Lost remote controls can be disabled by your
service center.
Emergency detection of remote
control
Also in the following situations, radio-ready
state and drive readiness can be established:
▷Interference of radio transmission to re‐
mote control by external sources e.g., by
radio masts.▷Empty battery in remote control.▷Interference from radio transmissions
through mobile devices in close proximity
to remote control.▷Interference of radio transmission by
charger while charging items such as mo‐
bile devices in the vehicle.
A Check Control message is displayed if one
attempts to turn on the radio-ready state or ac‐
tivate engine readiness.
Activation of drive readiness via
emergency detection of the remote
control
If a respective Check Control message ap‐
pears, hold the remote control with its back
against the marked area on the steering col‐
umn. The BMW logo on the remote control
should be at the same height as the marked
area. Press the Start/Stop button within
10 seconds while pressing the brake pedal.
If the remote control is not recognized: slightly
change the height position of the remote con‐
trol and repeat the procedure.
Personal Profile
The concept Personal Profile provides three profiles, using
which personal vehicle settings can be stored.
Every remote control has one of these profiles
assigned.
If the vehicle is unlocked using a remote con‐
trol, the assigned personal profile will be acti‐
vated. All settings stored in the profile are au‐
tomatically applied.
If several drivers use their own remote control,
the vehicle will adjust the personal settings
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▷While the driver's safety belt is unbuckled
with driver's door open and low beams off.▷When the batteries' state of charge is low,
if the low beams are turned off.▷The low beams switch to parking lights af‐
ter approx. 15 minutes of no use.
Drive readiness
If drive readiness is switched on, the vehicle
ready to drive and the READY signal, refer to
page 65, is displayed in the instrument clus‐
ter.
All vehicle systems are ready for operation.
Most of the indicator and warning lights in the
instrument cluster light up for a varied length
of time.
Activated drive readiness is the equivalent of a
running engine in conventional vehicles. Deac‐
tivated engine readiness is equivalent to
switching the ignition off.
To save battery power when parking, switch
off drive readiness and any unnecessary elec‐
tronic systems/power consumers.
Drive readiness is switched off automatically:
▷When opening or closing the driver door, if
the driver's safety belt is unbuckled.
Note
If drive readiness is switched on, the system
automatically switches to the radio-ready state
when the door is opened and the driver's
safety belt is unbuckled, or if the lights are
turned off or the daytime running lights are ac‐
tivated.
Selector lever position P with drive readi‐
ness switched off
When drive readiness is switched off, selector
lever position P is automatically engaged.
When in an automatic car wash, e.g., ensure
that the drive readiness is not switched off ac‐
cidentally, otherwise, wheels can lock up.◀
Drive readiness in detail
Hints Do not leave the vehicle unattended
Do not leave the vehicle unattended with
drive readiness switched on; otherwise, it may
pose a risk.◀
Before leaving the vehicle
Before leaving the vehicle, with drive
readiness switched on engage lever in position
P P and set the parking brake; otherwise, the
vehicle is not secured against rolling away.◀
Switching on drive readiness1.Close the driver's door.2.Depress the brake pedal.3.Press the Start/Stop button.
Drive readiness is switched on.
Display in the instrument cluster The READY display indicates
that the vehicle is ready for driv‐
ing.
Display on the Start/Stop button
General information
Drive readiness is also displayed through light
indicators on the Start/Stop button.
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Driving in detail: eDRIVE
Hints Awareness of vehicle reduced when
driven in electric mode
When driving in electric mode, note that, due
to the lack of engine noise, pedestrians and
other traffic might pay less attention to the ve‐
hicle due to missing engine noises. Please
take special care when parking or leaving a
parking space.◀
Cautiously remove your foot from the ac‐
celerator pedal
Cautiously remove your foot from the acceler‐
ator pedal because the braking effect of the
electric motor can be stronger than with a
combustion engine. Otherwise, abrupt braking
and slow-down may confuse other traffic.◀
Accelerator pedal positions1Deceleration2Coasting3Acceleration or constant speed: ePOWER
Deceleration
The deceleration depends on the position of
the accelerator pedal. The less the actuation of
the accelerator pedal, the greater the decelera‐
tion. In this way energy is recovered and the
high-voltage battery is charged.
Releasing the accelerator pedal causes decel‐
eration similar to cautious braking. Addition‐
ally, the brake lights will come on without hit‐
ting the brakes.
Energy recovery: CHARGE The high-voltage battery is recharged in part
through energy recovery. The electric motor
acts as a generator when decelerating and
converts the kinetic energy into electrical en‐
ergy.
Energy can be recovered if the following condi‐
tions are met:▷The vehicle is moving.▷Speed higher than approx.
12 mph/20 km/h.▷Selector lever position D or R is set.▷Gas pedal is not actuated or only pressed
down 1/3 of the way.
Energy cannot be recovered in the following
situations:
▷Selector lever position N is set.▷While drive stability control systems, e.g.
DTC, are active and control the vehicle,
even though this is not indicated by an in‐
dicator light.▷The high-voltage battery is fully charged.▷When temperature of the high-voltage bat‐
tery is very low or very high.
In winter it might be possible that the en‐
ergy recovery is temporarily unavailable af‐
ter startup.
Always be ready to apply the brake
Always be ready to apply the brake, be‐
cause without energy recovery there is also no
braking action through the electric drive unit.
The vehicle could roll further than anticipated.
This may constitute a danger for other traffic.◀
Exemplary traffic situations
If a deceleration operation is foreseeable while
driving, this can be used for energy recovery.
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DSC Dynamic Stability Control is
deactivated or DTC Dynamic Traction
Control is activated
Dynamic Stability Control DSC is
switched off or Dynamic Traction Con‐
trol DTC is switched on.
For additional information, refer to Dynamic
Stability Control, refer to page 107, and Dy‐
namic Traction Control, refer to page 108.
Flat Tire Monitor FTM The Flat Tire Monitor signals a loss of
tire inflation pressure in a tire.
Reduce your speed and stop cau‐
tiously. Avoid sudden braking and steering ma‐
neuvers.
For more information, see Flat Tire Monitor, re‐
fer to page 99.
Tire Pressure Monitor TPM Illuminated: the Tire Pressure Monitor
signals a loss of tire inflation pressure
in a tire.
Reduce your speed and stop cautiously. Avoid
sudden braking and steering maneuvers.
Flashing and then continuously illuminated: no
flat tire or loss of tire inflation pressure can be
detected.▷Interference through systems or devices
with the same radio frequency: after leav‐
ing the area of the interference, the system
automatically becomes active again.▷TPM could not conclude the reset: perform
the reset of the system again.▷A wheel without TPM electronics is fitted:
have the service center check it if needed.▷Malfunction: have the system checked by
your service center.
For more information, see Tire Pressure Moni‐
tor, refer to page 96.
Steering system
Steering system in some cases defec‐tive.
Have the steering system checked by
the service center.
Engine functions Have the vehicle checked by the serv‐ice center.
For additional information, refer to On-
board Diagnostics socket, refer to page 189.
Green lights Turn signal Turn signal on.
Unusually rapid flashing of the indicator
lamp indicates that a turn signal bulb
has failed.
For additional information, refer to Turn signal,
refer to page 71.
Parking lights, headlight control Parking lights or headlights are acti‐
vated.
For additional information, refer to
Parking lights/low beams, headlight control, re‐
fer to page 90.
Cruise control The system is switched on. It maintains
the speed that was set using the con‐
trol elements on the steering wheel.
Blue lights
High beams High beams are activated.Seite 80ControlsDisplays80
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