engine BMW I8 2015 I12 Owner's Manual

03. UTILIZATION
• Optimal ef fi ciency thanks to the innovative BMW eDrive technology.
• A combination of an electric drive system for emission-free driving and a BMW TwinPower Turbo engine for maximum performance.
02. PRODUCTION
• Use of renewable electricity for the production of BMW i vehicles.
• Reduction of energy and water consumption in production.
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FOR OVER THREE QUARTERS OF A
CENTURY, THE BASIC IDEA BEHIND THE
CAR WAS LEFT UNTOUCHED.
Until now. BMW i has launched a groundbreaking sports car with a
wide range of technological innovations – the BMW i8. The innovative
BMW eDrive technology effectively combines an electric motor with
a BMW TwinPower Turbo engine (hybrid electric vehicle). The result
is a breathtaking plug-in hybrid sports car with the fuel consumption
and emissions of a compact vehicle.
The weight of the BMW i8 is a result of the Life module – the passen-
ger cell made of light and extremely robust carbon fiber. It substantially
reduces the weight of the vehicle and has a significant impact on the
design of the BMW i8. The principle of intelligent lightweight design has
also been applied to all other components of the BMW i8. Moreover,
streamflow aerodynamics reduce drag and energy consumption.
With its dynamic proportions and sporty, progressive design, the BMW i8
embodies lightness – as well as efficiency and sheer driving pleasure.
The development process itself is the first of many innovations. In order
to ensure that the BMW i8 is a truly sustainable product, measurable
targets were defined at the design phase and throughout the entire life
cycle of the vehicle, from the extraction of raw materials, production
and use to recycling and the end of product life. The deliberate use of
recycled and environmentally friendly materials in production guarantees
holistic sustainability throughout the entire value chain.

For more information, visit www.bmw-i.com.
01. DEVELOPMENT
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A SUSTAINABLE COMBINATION:
INTELLIGENT ENERGY MANAGEMENT
FOR INSPIRING PERFORMANCE AND
OPTIMUM EFFICIENCY.
BMW has been pursuing its EfficientDynamics strategy for more than
a decade. However, no other vehicle combines driving pleasure and
sustainability like the BMW i8. Equipped with innovative BMW eDrive
technology that intelligently combines an internal combustion engine
with an electric drive system, the BMW i8 offers maximum perfor-
mance and sustainable efficiency.

In an urban environment, the BMW i8 offers a range of up to 37 kilo-
meters when traveling on electric power only. For longer distances,
support is provided by the BMW TwinPower Turbo engine – with an
especially intense boost feature in SPORT mode or maximum efficiency
in ECO PRO mode. A predictive power management system developed
specifically for the BMW i8 ensures optimal settings for the two drive
units at all times.

Additionally, every driver can also help to optimize sustainability when
recharging the car: if renewable energy is used to charge the battery,
CO² emissions are reduced even further. Therefore, BMW i recom-
mends green electricity suppliers to make an even greater contributi-
on to environmental protection.
03. UTILIZATION
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Addendum
“Carpets and floor mats,” the paragraph
that begins: “Only use floor mats …” should
be disregarded and the following language
should be read in lieu thereof: “The manu-
facturer of your vehicle recommends that
you use floor mats that have been identified
by it as appropriate for use in your vehicle
and that can be properly fixed in place.”
10. At page 145, 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.”
11. At page 151, under the heading “Make sure
that the charging device is in flawless oper-
ating condition,” the word “flawless” should
read “proper.”
12. At page 163, under the heading “Tire infla-
tion specifications,” the sentence begin-
ning, “Tire inflation pressure specifications
apply to approved tire sizes … .” should be
disregarded.
13. At page 1
67, 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.”
14. At page 167, 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.
15. At page 171, 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.
16. At page 174, under the heading “Engine
compartment access,” the sentence begin-
ning, “If you are unfamiliar” should be disre-
garded.
17. At page 176, under the heading: “Engine Oil
Change,” the text should be disregarded
and in lieu thereof should be read as follows:
BMW recommends that you have the oil
changed at your BMW dealer's service cen-
ter or at another service center that has
trained personnel that can perform the work
in accordance with BMW specifications.
18. At page 179, 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
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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 198.6Notes
At a glance
14Cockpit18iDrive26Voice activation system29Integrated Owner's Manual in the vehicle31BMW eDRIVE34Safety of the high-voltage system
Controls
38Opening and closing51Adjusting57Transporting children safely61Driving75Displays92Lights96Safety109Driving stability control systems113Driving comfort124Climate control129Interior equipment134Storage compartments
Driving tips
138Things to remember when driving142Loading144Increase rangeMobility150Charging vehicle158Refueling161Fuel163Wheels and tires173Engine oil177Coolant178Maintenance180Replacing components183Breakdown assistance187Care
Reference
194Technical data196Appendix198Everything 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 a hybrid vehicle. In addition to
the combustion engine, the vehicle features a
high-voltage system that consists of an elec‐
tric motor and a high-voltage battery among
other things.
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 battery2Electrical drive unit3High-voltage battery4Fuel filler flap5Combustion engine6Charging port
The concept
The hybrid system makes it possible to opti‐
mize fuel consumption and driving characteris‐
tics.
An electric motor assists the combustion en‐
gine. In certain driving situations, the vehicle
can also be driven using only electric power,
thereby reducing fuel consumption.
In addition to this, the electric motor acts like
an alternator: during braking and coasting, it
converts the vehicle's kinetic energy into elec‐ tricity. The current is stored in the high-voltage
battery and is used to drive the electric motor.
Functions
Acceleration boost: ASSIST and eBOOST
Driving off and accelerating require a lot of en‐
ergy. To reduce fuel consumption during high
acceleration and to optimize acceleration, the
electric motor supports the combustion en‐
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gine. For this purpose, the electric motor is
supplied by the high-voltage battery.
Electric driving: ePOWER
Under certain conditions, refer to page 64,
the vehicle is powered only by the electric mo‐
tor.
Variable drive configuration
The electric motor drives the front axle and the
combustion engine the rear axle. Depending
on the operating condition, the vehicle has the
options of front-wheel drive, rear-wheel drive
or bundled for four-wheel drive.
Follow instructions for electric driving eDRIVE, refer to page 64, driving with the combustion
engine DRIVE, refer to page 65, and driving
stability, refer to page 109.
Acoustic pedestrian protection
Depending on the country variant, the system
generates continuous driving noise, refer to
page 65, during electric driving up to approx.
20 mph/30 km/h.
Driving with the combustion engine: POWER
The combustion engine provides the perform‐
ance to move the vehicle. If necessary, the
high-voltage battery is charged at the same
time.
The hybrid system always starts the combus‐
tion engine automatically.
Energy recovery: CHARGE
The high-voltage battery is charged while driv‐
ing through energy recovery.
The electric motor acts as a generator and
converts the kinetic energy of the vehicle into
electric current.
Charging can take place in various situations
while the vehicle is in motion:▷When the vehicle is rolling if the accelera‐
tor pedal is not pressed.▷During vehicle braking.
When exerting gentle pressure on the brakes,
the vehicle is only braked by the electric motor.
When the brake pedal is depressed further, the
brake system is activated additionally. This is
why only part of the brake energy is used to
charge the high-voltage battery when exerting
firm pressure on the brake.
The mark in the instrument cluster is located
within the CHARGE range.
Sensible driving and early speed reduction are
important to make full use of the energy recov‐
ery feature.
Display The eDRIVE displays, refer to page 75, pro‐
vide information about the current state of the
drive and visualize the system's use in a dia‐
gram.
Energy-saving driving To save energy while driving, read the follow‐
ing information:
Before driving eDRIVE allows using the air conditioner even
before driving off. The stationary climate con‐
trol, refer to page 127, provides more range
than full air conditioning while driving.
Parked car ventilation during the charging
process can provide maximum range when
driving off.
During driving
▷General driving tips, refer to page 144, for
increasing the range.▷Use the eDRIVE system efficiently, refer to
page 138, for an optimized driving style.▷ECO PRO mode, refer to page 145, for in‐
creasing the range.Seite 32At a glanceBMW eDRIVE32
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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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DrivingVehicle 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.
Start/Stop button, drive readiness
The concept The following ready states can
be attained by pressing the
Start/Stop button:▷Radio ready state on/off.▷Operating readiness on/off.▷Activating/deactivating drive readiness.
To activate drive readiness, press the brake
pedal.
Switching radio-ready state on/off
The radio-ready state is activated by pressing
the Start/Stop button in the following situa‐
tions:
▷When the engine is running.▷When drive readiness is activated.
Some electronic systems/power consumers
remain ready for operation.
The radio-ready state is switched off automati‐
cally:
▷After approx. 8 minutes.▷When the vehicle is locked using the cen‐
tral locking system.▷Shortly before the battery is discharged
completely, so that drive readiness is
maintained.
The radio-ready state remains active if, e.g.,
the operating readiness is automatically
switched off for the following reasons:
▷Opening or closing the driver's door.▷Unfastening of the driver's safety belt.▷When automatically switching from low
beams to parking lights.
Operating readiness on
The switched on operating readiness corre‐
sponds to the switched on ignition for conven‐
tional vehicles.
Press the Start/Stop button, and do not press
on the brake pedal at the same time.
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.
To save battery power when the engine is off,
switch off operating readiness and any unnec‐
essary electronic systems/power consumers.
Operating readiness is switched off automati‐
cally in the following situations:
▷When locking the vehicle, even if the low
beams are activated.▷Shortly before the battery is discharged
completely, so that drive readiness is
maintained.
Note
If the engine is switched off and operating
readiness is switched on, the system automati‐
cally switches to the radio-ready state when
the door is opened if the lights are turned off
or, if correspondingly equipped, the daytime
running lights are activated.
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