fuel BMW I8 2015 I12 Owner's Manual

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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fuel consumption (EU)
2.1 l /100 km
CO² emissions
49 g / km
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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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CockpitVehicle 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 tothe 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.
All around the steering wheel
1Open the tailgate   442Power windows  493Exterior mirror operation   544Open fuel filler flap,
Tank vent   1585Lock, unlock vehicle   446Opening the door  447LightsParking lights  92Low beams  92Automatic headlight con‐
trol   93
Daytime running lights   93
High-beam Assistant   94Instrument lighting  958Left steering column stalkSeite 14At a glanceCockpit14
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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‐
Seite 31BMW eDRIVEAt a glance31
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▷Display of hybrid system utilization, refer to
page 78▷Hints for saving fuel, refer to page 144, for
reduction of the fuel consumption.
After the trip
▷Charge vehicle, refer to page 150, and
plan next trip.▷Prepare for long downtimes, refer to
page 190.
BMW i Remote app
A special BMW i Remote App allows to control
and display certain vehicle functions using a
smartphone.
Safety information Read the information on safe handling of the
high-voltage system, refer to page 34.
Long-term Follow the instructions for vehicle storage and
for longer idle periods, refer to page 190.
Seite 33BMW eDRIVEAt a glance33
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Lighting lights up steady blue
After drive readiness is switched on, light turns
blue. The vehicle is ready to drive. The READY
indicator lights up in the instrument cluster. In
addition, a signal sounds.
Lighting off
Drive readiness, operating readiness and
radio-ready state are turned off. The vehicle is
in the idle state. The charging cable may be
connected.
Activating drive readiness1.Close the driver's door.2.Depress the brake pedal.3.Press the Start/Stop button.
Drive readiness is active, electric driving, Silent
Start or Start of the combustion engine.
Electric drive readiness, Silent Start
The vehicle is ready for driving without starting
the combustion engine.
Silent Start is possible if the requirements for
Electric driving, refer to page 64, are met.
Display READY indicates drive readi‐
ness.
Starting the combustion engine Enclosed areas
Do not let the engine run in enclosed
areas, since breathing in exhaust fumes may
lead to loss of consciousness and death. The
exhaust gases contain carbon monoxide, an
odorless and colorless but highly toxic gas.◀
Unattended vehicle
Do not leave the vehicle unattended with
engine running or drive readiness switched on;
otherwise, it may pose a risk.
Before leaving the vehicle, engage lever in po‐
sition P P, and set the parking brake; other‐
wise, the vehicle is not secured against rolling
away.◀
Repeated starting in quick succession
Avoid trying to start the vehicle repeat‐
edly and in quick succession. Otherwise, the
fuel is not burned or is inadequately burned,
posing a risk of overheating and damage to the
catalytic converter.◀
The combustion engine is started with Acti‐
vate drive, refer to page 63, readiness under
the following conditions:▷The temperature of the hybrid system is
too high.▷The charge level or temperature of the
high-voltage battery is too low.
Driving away
1.Activate drive readiness.2.Apply the brake and engage lever in posi‐
tion P D, SPORT or R.3.Release the parking brake.4.Drive away.
Deactivating drive readiness
After parking the vehicle, you may hear noises due to operation of the hybrid system, such as
for cooling of the high-voltage battery.
After stopping the vehicle:
1.Depress the brake pedal.2.Set the parking brake.3.Press the Start/Stop button.
The READY indicator goes out and a signal
sounds. In case of longer idle times, follow the
instructions in the Care chapter, refer to
page 190.
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Before driving into a car wash
So that the vehicle can roll into a car wash ob‐
serve instructions for going into an automatic
car wash, refer to page 187.
Electric driving: ePOWER
Note 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.◀
General information
In ePOWER, the vehicle is driven exclusively
electrically. ePOWER works automatically.
Depending on the charging state of the high-
voltage battery, maximum speed and range
achieved can vary.
For electrical driving, certain Conditions, refer
to page 64, must be satisfied.
Displays of the hybrid system, refer to
page 77.
Requirements▷State of charge and temperature of the
high-voltage battery is sufficient.▷Selector lever position D or R engaged.▷The accelerator pedal is only slightly de‐
pressed.▷The possible maximum speed for electric
driving is not exceeded.▷The driver's door is closed.Auto eDRIVE
General information
With each starting operation, Auto eDRIVE is
activated using the Start/Stop button.
In Auto eDRIVE, the vehicle is driven in hybrid
mode corresponding to the various driving sit‐
uations, i.e. the drive combines combustion
engine and electric motor. The respectively
most effective drive type is preferred.
SAVE Battery, maintaining charging
state
Should it be necessary, e.g., to conserve the
electrical range for a later point in time on the
trip, the current charging state of the high-volt‐
age battery can be maintained with this func‐ tion.
The function is possible under the following
conditions:▷The fuel fill level is sufficient.▷Engaged selector lever position D▷Drive mode Auto eDrive
Switching on/off
1."Settings"2."Auto eDRIVE"3."Hold state of charge"
MAX eDRIVE
General information Max eDRIVE forces electric driv‐
ing.
With Max eDRIVE, a speed of
approx. 75 mph, approx.
120 km/h is possible.
In special situations, the speed limit can con‐
sciously be exceeded by applying the acceler‐
ator pedal beyond the full throttle point, kick‐
down. The combustion engine is automatically
Seite 64ControlsDriving64
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10Overall range  8311Battery charge indicator   7712Fuel gauge  8213Computer  87Variable drive mode displays
ECO PRO displays In ECO PRO, the instrument cluster switches
to the ECO PRO displays. These displays sup‐
port a driving style that saves on fuel con‐
sumption with more prominent representation
of the efficiency display and various ECO PRO
tips. ECO PRO, refer to page 145.Sport program displays
In the Sport program, the instrument cluster
switches the instrument cluster to the Sport
displays. These displays support a sporty driv‐
ing style with more prominent representation
of the tachometer and a clearer representation
of the eBOOST performance in the form of a
blue illuminated ring.
Charging screen
1Charging status   1552End of charging time   155
Departure time with timer   1563Maximum electrical range   1554Stationary climate control  1565Range for electric driving  1556Charging state  77Seite 76ControlsDisplays76
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Energy recovery: CHARGE
The energy recovered is indicated in the COM‐
FORT and ECO PRO modes by four bars in the
CHARGE range. The high-voltage battery is
being charged. Depending on the available
output of the high-voltage battery, more or
less eBOOST could be recovered. If the high-
voltage battery is completely charged, no en‐
ergy can be recovered. The four bars are
grayed-out.
For further information, please refer to Energy
recovery CHARGE, refer to page 66.
Acceleration boost: eBOOST
Five bars indicate the available output of the
electric motor for the eBOOST, refer to
page 31, acceleration boost. Depending on the
available output of the high-voltage battery,
there could be more or less eBOOST available.
If the high-voltage battery is completely dis‐
charged, all five bars are grayed-out.
Maintaining charging state
In the Maintaining charging state mode, the
arrow indicates the charging state of the high-
voltage battery that should be conserved for a
later point in the trip.
▷Gray arrow: maintaining charging state
mode deactivated.▷Orange arrow: maintaining charging state
mode activated.
Activating/deactivating the Maintaining charg‐
ing state mode, refer to page 64.
Indications on the Control Display
Displaying the hybrid system
utilization
1."Vehicle info"2."eDRIVE"3. "Consumption history"
Hybrid system utilization
Gray bars indicate the fuel consumption of the
combustion engine, arrow 1. Blue bars indicate
the percentage utilization of the functions of
the hybrid system, arrow 2.
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