
Transporting children safely
56
Transporting children safely
The right place for children
Do not leave children unattended in the
vehicle; otherwise, they could endanger
themselves and other persons, e.g. by opening
the doors.<
Children always in the rear
Accident research shows that the safest place
for children is in the back.
Children younger than 13 years of age or
with a height under 5 ft/150 cm may only
be transported in the rear in child restraint sys-
tems which correspond to the age, weight and
height of the child. Otherwise there is an
increased danger of injury in an accident.<
Children 13 years of age or older must wear a
safety belt as soon as a suitable child restraint
system can no longer be used due to their age,
size and weight.
With the exception of the driver's seat, all seats
in your BMW comply with the recommenda-
tions of the standard SAE J1819 for the safe
securing of child restraint systems in motor
vehicles.
Exception for front passenger seat
Should it be necessary to use a child
restraint system on the front passenger
seat, the front, knee and side airbag on the pas-
senger side must be deactivated. Otherwise,
there is an increased risk of injury for the child if
the airbags are triggered, even with a child
restraint system. Your BMW center will be glad
to advise you.<
For more information on automatic deactivation
of the front passenger airbags, refer to page93.
Installing child restraint
systems
Follow child-restraint system manufac-
turer's instructions for the selection,
installation and use of child restraint systems.
Otherwise the degree of protection they offer
may be reduced.<
Child seat security
All rear safety belts and the safety belt for the
front passenger can be locked against pulling
out to secure child restraint systems.
Locking safety belt
1.Secure the child restraint system with the
belt.
2.Pull out the belt webbing completely.
3.Allow the belt webbing to be pulled in and
pull taut against the child restraint system.
The safety belt is locked.
Unlocking safety belt
1.Open the belt buckle.
2.Remove the child restraint system.
3.Allow the belt webbing to be pulled in com-
pletely.

Things to remember when driving
120 steep downhill stretches. Even light but consis-
tent pressure on the brake pedal can lead to
high temperatures, brake wear and possibly
even brake failure.<
The braking effect of the engine can be further
increased by downshifting, if necessary all the
way down into first gear. This strategy helps
you avoid placing excessive loads on the brake
system. For information on downshifting in the
manual mode of the automatic transmission,
refer to page63.
Do not drive with the clutch depressed, in
idle or with the engine switched off, other-
wise there will be no engine braking action or
support of the braking force and steering.
Never allow floor mats, carpets or any other
objects to protrude into the area of movement
of the pedals and impair their operation.<
Corrosion on brake rotors
When the vehicle is driven only occasionally,
during extended periods when the vehicle is not
used at all, and in operating conditions where
brake applications are less frequent, there is an
increased tendency for corrosion to form on
rotors, while contaminants accumulate on the
brake pads. This occurs because the minimum
pressure which must be exerted by the pads
during brake applications to clean the rotors is
not reached.
Should corrosion form on the brake rotors, the
brakes will tend to respond with a pulsating
effect that even extended application will fail to
cure.
When vehicle is parked
Condensation forms in the automatic climate
control during operation, and then exits under
the vehicle. Traces of condensed water under
the vehicle are therefore normal.
Before driving into a car wash
To prevent the exterior mirrors on this vehicle
from being damaged, always fold them in by
hand before entering an automatic car wash.General information on the care and mainte-
nance of your BMW is contained in the Caring
for your vehicle brochure.
With comfort access and automatic
transmission
Insert the remote control into the ignition lock.
The engine can be switched off in the selector
lever position N. Also refer to page38.
Cargo loading
To avoid loading the tires beyond their
approved carrying capacity, never over-
load the vehicle. Overloading can lead to over-
heating and increases the rate at which damage
develops inside the tires. The ultimate result
can assume the form of a sudden blow-out.<
Determining loading limit
1.Locate the following statement on your
vehicle's placard
*:
The combined weight of occupants
and cargo should never exceed
XXX lbs. or YYY kg, otherwise the vehicle
may be damaged and unstable driving con-
ditions may result.<
2.Determine the combined weight of the
driver and passengers that will be riding in
your vehicle.
3.Subtract the combined weight of the driver
and passengers from XXX lbs. or YYY kg.
4.The resulting figure equals the available
amount of cargo and luggage load capacity.
For example, if the XXX amount equals
800 lbs. and there will be four 150-lb. pas-
sengers in your vehicle, the amount of avail-

Driving tips
121Reference
At a glance
Controls
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
able cargo and luggage load capacity is
200 lbs.:
800lbs. minus 600lbs. = 200lbs.
5.Determine the combined weight of luggage
and cargo being loaded on the vehicle. That
weight may not safely exceed the available
cargo and luggage load capacity calculated
in step 4.
6.If your vehicle will be towing a trailer, part of
the load from your trailer will be transferred
to your vehicle. Consult the manual for
transporting a trailer to determine how this
may reduce the available cargo and luggage
load capacity of your vehicle.
Load
The permissible load is the total of the weight of
occupants and cargo/luggage. The greater the
weight of occupants, the less cargo/luggage
can be transported.
Stowing cargo
>Load heavy cargo as far forward and as low
as possible, placing it directly behind the
bulkhead behind the rear seats.
>Cover sharp edges and corners.
Securing cargo
>Use the luggage net* or securing straps to
hold down small and lightweight luggage
and cargo.
>Heavy-duty cargo straps
* for securing
larger and heavier objects are available at
your BMW center. Four lashing eyes
mounted in the luggage compartment are
used to secure these heavy-duty cargo
straps, refer to arrows.
>Please observe the special instructions
supplied with the heavy-duty cargo straps.
Always position and secure the load as
described above. If you do not, it can
endanger the passengers during braking or
evasive maneuvers.
When fastening lashings, use only the lashing
eyes, refer to illustration; otherwise, the lash-
ings could come loose or you could damage the
vehicle.
Never exceed the approved gross vehicle
weight or either of the approved axle loads, refer
to page217, as excessive loads can pose a
safety hazard, and may also put you in violation
of freeway safety laws.
You should never transport heavy or hard
objects unsecured in the passenger compart-
ment, as they could fly around and pose a safety
hazard to the vehicle's occupants during abrupt
braking or evasive maneuvers.<
Pad on bottom of luggage
compartment
You can use the pad as needed, for example to
transport soiled objects. The rubberized side is
washable and has an anti-skid effect.

Mobility
187Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Fuel specifications
Never used leaded gasoline; it will perma-
nently damage the catalytic converter.<
Required fuel
Super Premium Gasoline/AKI 91
This gasoline is highly recommended.
However, you may also use gasoline with less
AKI. The minimum AKI rating is 87.
If you use gasoline with this minimum AKI rat-
ing, the engine may produce knocking sounds
when starting at high outside temperatures.
This has no affect on the engine life.
Use high-quality brands
Field experience has demonstrated significant
differences in fuel quality: volatility, composi-
tion, additives, etc., among gasolines offered for
sale in the United States and Canada. Fuels
containing up to and including 10 % ethanol or
other oxygenates with up to 2.8 % oxygen by
weight, that is, 15 % MTBE or 3 % methanol
plus an equivalent amount of co-solvent, will
not void the applicable warranties with respect
to defects in materials or workmanship.
The use of poor-quality fuels may result in
problems relating to drivability and start-
ing, and to a tendency to stall, especially under
certain environmental conditions such as high
ambient temperature and high altitude.
Should you encounter drivability problems
which you suspect could be related to the fuel
you are using, we recommend that you respond
by switching to a recognized high-quality brand
such as gasoline that is advertised as Top Tier
Detergent Gasoline.
Failure to comply with these recommendations
may also result in unscheduled maintenance.<

Mobility
189Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Tire inflation pressures for the 650i
Coupe
Tire inflation pressures for the 650i Convertible
Tire sizePressure specifications in psi/kPa
Traveling speeds
up to max. of
100 mph/160 km/hTraveling speeds
including those exceeding
100 mph/160 km/h
All pressure specifications
in the table are indicated in
psi/kilopascal with cold tires.
Cold = ambient temperature
245/45 R 18 96 V M+S
245/50 R 17 99 H M+S30/210 33/230 30/210 33/230 33/230 39/270
Front: 245/45 R 18 96 W
Rear: 275/40R1899W30/210 33/230 30/210 33/230 33/230 39/270
Front: 245/40 R 19 94 W
Rear: 275/35R1996W30/210 33/230 30/210 33/230 33/230 39/270
Front: 245/35 R 20 91 W
Rear: 275/30R2093Y30/210 33/230 30/210 33/230 33/230 39/270
More details on the permissible load and weights can be found on page217.
Tire sizePressure specifications in psi/kPa
Traveling speeds
up to max. of
100 mph/160 km/hTraveling speeds
including those exceeding
100 mph/160 km/h
All pressure specifications
in the table are indicated in
psi/kilopascal with cold tires.
Cold = ambient temperature
245/45 R 18 96 V M+S
245/50 R 17 99 H M+S32/220 38/260 32/220 38/260 39/270 46/320
Front: 245/45 R 18 96 W
Rear: 275/40R1899W32/220 38/260 32/220 38/260 39/270 46/320
Front: 245/40 R 19 94 W
Rear: 275/35R1996W32/220 38/260 32/220 38/260 39/270 46/320
Front: 245/35 R 20 91 W
Rear: 275/30R2093Y32/220 39/270 32/220 38/260 39/270 46/320
More details on the permissible load and weights can be found on page217.

Reference 217
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Weights
Never exceed either the approved axle loads or
the gross vehicle weight.
Capacities
650i Coupe 650i Convertible
Curb weight lbs./kg 3,814/1,730 4,277/1,940
Approved gross vehicle weight lbs./kg 4,652/2,110 5,049/2,290
Load lbs./kg 838/380 772/350
Approved front axle load lbs./kg 2,337/1,060 2,403/1,090
Approved rear axle load lbs./kg 2,491/1,130 2,778/1,260
Luggage compartment capacity cu ft/l 15.9/450 10.6/300
>with raised convertible top
compartment floor, refer to page35cu ft/l – 12.4/350
Notes
Fuel tank gal/liters approx. 18.5/70 Fuel specification: page187
including reserve of: gal/liters approx. 2.1/8
Window and headlamp
washer system US quarts/liters approx. 5.3/5For details: page66
Engine oil and filter change US quarts/liters 8.5/8.0 BMW High Performance
Synthetic Oil
Oil grades: page196

Everything from A to Z
222
Everything from A to Z
Index
"..." Identifies Control Display
texts used to select
individual functions, and
indicates where to find them
in the text.
A
ABS Antilock Brake
System86
ACC, refer to Active cruise
control67
Acceleration assistant with
SMG64
Accessories6
Activated-charcoal filter108
Activating hour signal83
"Activation time" for parked
car ventilation108
Active cruise control67
– indicator lamp70
– radar sensor71
– selecting distance69
– warning lamps71
Active steering92
– warning lamp92
Adapter for spare key28
Adaptive brake lamps, refer to
Brake force display92
Adaptive Head Light101
"Add digits" for mobile
phone172
"Address book" for
navigation132
Address for navigation
– deleting133
– entering125,128
– selecting133
– storing132
– storing current position132
"Add to address book"132"Add to destination list"128
Adjusting confirmation signals
for locking and unlocking31
Adjusting the thigh support48
Adjusting tone in audio mode,
refer to Tone control145
"After door opened"50
"After unlocking"50
Airbags92
– deactivating, refer to
Exception for front
passenger seat56
– sitting safely47
– warning lamp94
Air distribution
– automatic105
– manual106
Airing, refer to Ventilation107
Air recirculation, refer to AUC
Automatic recirculated-air
control107
"Air recirculation on / off"54
Air vents, refer to
Ventilation107
Air volume
106
AKI, refer to Fuel
specifications187
Alarm system35
– avoiding unintentional
alarms36
– interior motion sensor36
– switching off alarm35
– switching off tilt alarm
sensor and interior motion
sensor36
– tilt alarm sensor36
"All channels"154
"All doors"30
All-season tires, refer to
Winter tires193
"All stations" on the radio,
selecting148,151Alterations, technical, refer to
For your own safety6
"AM", reception
range144,148
Antenna for mobile phone166
Antifreeze
– coolant197
– washer fluid66
Antilock Brake System
ABS86
Anti-theft alarm system, refer
to Alarm system35
Anti-theft system, refer to
Central locking system29
Approved axle loads, refer to
Weights217
Approved engine oils196
Approved gross vehicle
weight, refer to Weights217
Armrest, refer to Center
armrest112
Around the center console14
Around the steering wheel10
Arrival time
– refer to Computer76
– refer to Starting destination
guidance136
"Arrow display" during
Navigation137
Ashtray113
Assist, refer to
BMW Assist179
Assistance systems, refer to
Driving stability control
systems86
Assistance window20
"Assist. window off"21
AUC Automatic recirculated-
air control107

Reference 223
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Audio144
– controls144
– switching on/off144
– tone control145
– volume145
"Audio", refer to Tone
control145
Automatic
– air distribution105
– air volume105
– headlamp control100
– service notification180
– steering wheel adjustment,
refer to Easy entry/exit53
– storing stations149
Automatically switching
between high beams and
low beams, refer to High-
beam assistant102
Automatic car washes120
– also refer to Comfort
access38
– also refer to the Caring for
your vehicle brochure
Automatic climate control104
– automatic air
distribution105
– convertible program105
– switching off107
Automatic closing of doors,
see Automatic soft
closing33
Automatic curb monitor53
Automatic lighting
– refer to Automatic headlamp
control100
– refer to Daytime running
lamps101
– refer to High-beam
assistant102
– refer to Interior lamps103
– refer to Pathway lighting100
"Automatic programs"105
Automatic recirculated-air
control AUC107
Automatic soft closing33
Automatic station search149Automatic transmission with
Steptronic62
– deactivating selector lever
interlock63
– Dynamic Driving Control64
– interlock62
– kick-down63
– selector lever lock,
Interlock62
– shiftlock62
– towing209
– tow-starting210
– with comfort access38
"Automatic ventilation"108
AUTO program with
automatic climate
control105
"Autostore" on the
radio148,150
Average fuel consumption75
– setting units84
Average speed75
"Avoid ferries" for
navigation135
"Avoid highways" for
navigation135
Avoiding freeways for
navigation134
Avoiding unintentional
alarms36
"Avoid tollroads" for
navigation135
Axle loads, refer to
Weights217
"A - Z"171,172
B
Backrest contour, refer to
Lumbar support48
Backrests, refer to Seats48
Backup lamps
– refer to Reverse gear61
– replacing bulbs, refer to Tail
lamps203
"Balance", refer to Tone
control146Balance, refer to Tone
control146
Balance adjustment in audio
mode, right/left146
Band-aids, refer to First-aid
kit207
Bass, refer to Tone
control145
"Bass", tone control146
Battery
– disposal38
– jump starting207
– refer to Vehicle battery204
Battery change38
Being towed209
Belts, refer to Safety belts51
Blower, refer to Air
volume106
"BMW Assist"181
BMW Assist179
– enabling179
– services offered180
"BMW Contact"173
"BMW Contact
Numbers"173
BMW homepage4
BMW Maintenance
System199
BMW Night Vision97
– activating98
– cleaning camera99
– cleaning camera, refer to
Wiper system66
– deactivating98
– making settings98
"BMW Service"181
"BMW Service settings"180
BMW website4
Brake Assistant, refer to DBC
Dynamic Brake Control86
Brake fluid197
– level197
– warning lamp197
Brake force display92
Brake hydraulic system197
Brake lamps
– brake force display92
– replacing bulbs, refer to Tail
lamps203