2
28
Safety check
Use the safety checklist – 
before every journey
Please perform the safety 
check accurately. This is to 
ensure that your BMW C1 com-
plies with road-vehicle use and 
safety laws. 
Your vehicle must be in perfect 
technical order: this is a basic 
prerequisite for your safety and 
the safety of other road users.
If you encounter any problems 
or difficulties, it is always best to 
contact your authorised BMW 
dealer. He will provide the nec-
essary advice and assistance. For this reason, check the 
details in the following sections 
before you start the journey: 
–
Coolant level
– Fuel level
– Windscreen wiper
– Handbrake levers
– Brake pressure
– Brake fluid levels 
(front and rear)
– Lights
– Condition of wheels and 
tyres, tread depth and tyre 
pressures
– Load, gross weight 
Check at regular intervals 
(each 2nd/3rd stop for fuel):
– Engine oil level
– Brake pads
Checklist
  
2
30
Safety check
Engine oil
Winter operation
\f Note:
If temperatures under 10 °C per-
sist for lengthy periods and dur-
ing the cold season of the year, 
use SAE 5 W-40 engine oil.
( ) Figure in bracketsbpage number for 
description
Checking the oil level
e Important:
The  red
p (b 11) engine oil 
pressure warning light indicates 
that the oil pump's delivery rate 
is too low: it is not an oil level 
indicator. The warning light 
goes out after 1-2 seconds, 
once oil pressure has built up  – 
the  red 
p engine oil pressure 
warning light must remain off at 
all times when the vehicle is in 
motion. Check the oil level reg-
ularly, each time that fuel is 
added (or at least every second 
time). Always check engine oil 
level with the engine at its regu-
lar operating temperature. With 
the engine at its regular operat-
ing temperature, wait 
approx. 1 minute for the oil to 
drain back into the sump.
Checking the oil level just after 
the engine has been run or 
when it is not properly warm will 
falsify the reading and could 
lead to the engine being operat-
ed with the wrong quantity of 
oil.
  
33
70
Starting – Riding – ParkingIn an emergency only:
• Move switch 1 to the 
V 
position.
– The electrical circuits for the  BMS engine management 
system, fuel pump and starter 
motor are deenergised
Switching on the ignition– Kill switch 1  in the run 
position
U
 Deactivate the alarm system*  (
bRider's Manual,  optional 
accessories)  The ignition switch should 
be ON
N (b15)
– The following warning lights 
are on:
– Engine oil pressure 
p 
(
b72)
–Coolant temperature
j, 
goes out after 
approx. 5 sec (
b73)
– Fuel level 
m (b73)
– ABS telltale lights* go out  when the self-test com-
pletes successfully (
b79)
*Optional extra
( ) Figure in brackets
bpage number for 
description
Before you start
V
U
1
  
33
72
Starting – Riding – Parking
Engine oil pressureThered p warning light  1 goes 
out when the engine starts and 
accelerates above idle speed
( ) Figure in bracketsbpage number for 
description
e Important:
If the red 
pengine oil pres-
sure warning light  1 comes on 
during the journey, take the fol-
lowing action as soon as traffic 
conditions permit: 
• Operate the emergency off 
switch
 Bring the BMW C1 safely to a  halt
 Check engine oil level (
b30)
 Add engine oil if necessary
– If the oil level is correct,  always consult a specialist 
workshop without delay, pref-
erably an authorised BMW 
dealer.
Telltale and warning lights
1
  
ii
90
Index
AAnti-lock brake system (ABS)Check, 79
Notes, 78
Self-diagnosis, 79
Troubleshooting, 80
BBMW Service, 85
Brake fluidChanging, 35
Checking level, 35-37
Brake pads, checking, 38
Brake pressure, checking, 34
Brakes Handbrake levers, 34
Warnings, 77
CCatalytic converterSafety instructions, 54
Clock Setting, 13
Cockpit Overview, 9
Coolant level
Checking, 29
EEasy-lift mechanism, 55-61
Emergency off (kill) switch for ignition, 19
Engine oil, 30 Filler neck, 7 Engine oil pressure
Warning light, 11, 72
Equipment, 87
FFront brake Brake fluid level, 37
Handbrake lever, 19
Front fairing panel, 6 Installing, 21
Removing, 21
Fuel
Filler cap, 6
Fuse box, 7
GGeneral view Left side, 6
Right side, 7
HHandlebar fittingLeft, 18
Right, 19
Hardtop, 24
Hazard warning flashers, 17
Headlight beam setting RHD/LHD traffic, 40
Headlight beam throw,  adjusting, 40
Headlight flasher, button, 18
High/low beam switch, 18
A  – H