
Adjustments
46 accident.
On the front passenger seat as well, do not 
incline the backrest too far to the rear while the 
vehicle is being driven, otherwise there is a dan-
ger in the event of an accident of sliding under 
the safety belt, eliminating the protection nor-
mally provided by the belt.<
Comply with the instructions on head restraint 
height on page47, and on damaged safety 
belts on page51.
Manual adjustment
Observe the adjustment instructions on 
page45 to ensure the best possible per-
sonal protection.<
Longitudinal direction
Pull lever 1 and slide the seat to the desired 
position. 
After releasing the lever, move the seat gently 
forward or back to make sure it engages prop-
erly.
Height
Pull lever 2 and apply your weight to the seat or 
lift it off, as necessary.
Backrest
Pull lever 3 and apply your weight to the back-
rest or lift it off, as necessary.
Tilt*
Pull the lever and apply your weight to the seat 
or lift it off, as necessary.
Thigh support*
Pull the lever and move the thigh support for-
ward or back.
Electrical adjustment
Observe the adjustment instructions on 
page45 to ensure the best possible per-
sonal protection.< 

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/or other persons by opening 
the doors, for example.<
Children always in the rear
Accident research has shown that the safest 
place for children is on the rear seat.
Children under the age of 13 or smaller 
than 5 ft/150 cm may be transported only 
in the rear in suitable child-restraint systems 
appropriate for their age, weight and size. Oth-
erwise there is an increased risk of injury in the 
event of an accident.<
Children 13 years of age or older must be buck-
led in with a safety belt as soon as there no 
longer is any child-restraint system that is 
appropriate for their age, size and weight.
Exception for front passenger seat
Should it be necessary to use a child-
restraint system on the front passenger 
seat, the front and side airbags for the front pas-
senger must be deactivated. Otherwise, a child 
traveling on that seat will face a significant risk 
of injury if the airbags are triggered off, even 
with a child-restraint system.<
For more information on automatic deactivation 
of the front passenger airbags refer to page98.
Installing child-restraint 
systems
Observe the child-restraint system man-
ufacturer's instructions when selecting, 
installing and using child-restraint systems. 
Otherwise the protective effect may be dimin-
ished.<
Standard child-restraint systems are designed 
to be secured with a lap belt or with the lap-belt 
section of a lap-and-shoulder belt. Incorrectly or improperly installed child-restraint systems 
can increase the risk of injury to children. 
Always follow the installation instructions for 
the system with the greatest care.
On the front passenger seat
After installing a child-restraint system on 
the front passenger seat, make sure that 
the front and side airbags for the front passen-
ger are deactivated, otherwise there is an 
increased risk of injury if the airbags deploy.<
Backrest width*
The backrest width of the front passen-
ger's seat must be at its widest possible 
setting. Do not change the setting after install-
ing the child seat. Otherwise the child seat's 
stability on the front passenger's seat is lim-
ited.<
1.Adjust the backrest width to its widest set-
ting, refer to page47.
2.Install the child seat.
Child seat security
The rear safety belts and the front passenger's 
safety belt can be prevented from being pulled 
out in order to fasten child-restraint systems.
To lock the safety belt
1.Secure the child-restraint system with the 
belt.
2.Pull the belt strap all the way out. 

Controls
 115Reference
At a glance
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Communications
Navigation
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Mobility
>Storage tray
>Storage compartment with cover
>Cup holders
Coupe: clothes hooks
Press the upper edge to flip open.
Items of clothing hung from the hooks 
must not obstruct the driver's view. Do 
not hang heavy objects from the hooks, other-
wise they could endanger the car's occupants, 
e.g. in case of heavy braking or sudden swerv-
ing.<
Cup holders
Use lightweight and shatterproof contain-
ers and do not transport hot beverages, 
otherwise there is an increased risk of injury in 
the event of the accident. Do not force contain-
ers that are too large into the cup holders, oth-
erwise damage could result.<
Front
Opening
Briefly press the center of the cover.
Closing
Briefly press the cover in the center and push in 
the cup holder.
Coupe: rear
There are two additional cup holders in the rear 
center armrest.
Press the front of the armrest.
Convertible: rear
There are two additional cup holders in the rear 
console.
Press the button to open. 

Things to remember when driving
126
When the vehicle is parked
Condensation forms while the automatic cli-
mate control is in operation, and then exits 
under the vehicle. Traces of condensed water 
under the vehicle are therefore normal.
Before driving into a car wash
For general information about taking care of 
your BMW, refer to the Caring for your vehicle 
brochure.
With convenient access and automatic 
transmission
Insert the remote control into the ignition 
switch.
The engine can be switched off when the selec-
tor lever is in position N. Refer also to page37.
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. This can ultimately 
result in 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 kg or YYY lbs. Otherwise, overloading 
can result in damage to the vehicle and 
unstable driving conditions.<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 kilograms or YYY 
pounds.
4.The resulting figure equals the available 
amount of cargo and luggage load capacity. 
For example, if the YYY amount equals 
1,400 lbs. and there will be five 150-lb. pas-
sengers in your vehicle, the amount of avail-
able cargo and luggage load capacity is 
650 lbs: 
1,400 lbs. minus 750 lbs. = 650 lbs.
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 the occupants, the less cargo/lug-
gage can be transported.
Stowing cargo
>Position heavy objects as low and as far for-
ward as possible, ideally directly behind the 
respective seat backrests.
>Cover sharp edges and corners. 

Driving tips
 127Reference
At a glance
Controls
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Entertainment
Mobility
>For very heavy cargo when the rear seat is 
not occupied, secure each safety belt in the 
opposite buckle.
Coupe
ConvertibleSecuring cargo
Coupe
Convertible
>Secure smaller and lighter items using 
retaining straps, a cargo bay net
* or draw 
straps
*.
>Heavy-duty cargo straps
* for securing 
larger and heavier objects are available at 
your BMW center. Four lashing eyes are 
provided for attaching the cargo straps. 
Two are located on the cargo bay 
sidewalls1, two more are on the rear cargo 
bay panel2.
Please comply with the information sup-
plied with the cargo straps.
Convertible: before opening the hardtop, 
fold down the cargo bay partition. Make 
sure the cargo bay is loaded correctly, other-
wise parts of the hardtop can be damaged, refer 
to page117.<
Always position and secure the cargo as 
described above, so that it cannot endan-
ger the car's occupants, for example if sudden 
braking or swerving is necessary. 
Never exceed either the approved gross vehicle 
weight or either of the approved axle loads, refer 
to page247, as excessive loads can pose a  

Things to remember when driving
128 safety hazard, and may also place you in viola-
tion of traffic safety laws. 
Heavy or hard objects should not be carried 
loose inside the car, since they could be thrown 
around, for example as a result of heavy braking, 
sudden swerves, etc., and endanger the occu-
pants.<
Coupe: roof-mounted 
luggage rack*
A special rack system is available as an option 
f o r  y o u r  B M W .  C o m p l y  w i t h  t h e  d i r e c t i o n s  g i v e n  
in the installation instructions.
Mounting points
The mounting points are located in the roof.
Loading roof-mounted luggage rack
Because roof racks raise the vehicle's center of 
gravity when loaded, they have a major effect on 
vehicle handling and steering response. 
You should therefore always remember not to 
exceed the approved roof load capacity, the 
approved gross vehicle weight or the axle loads 
when loading the rack.
You can find the applicable data under Weights 
on page247.
The roof load must be distributed uniformly and 
should not be too large in area. Heavy items 
should always be placed at the bottom. Be sure 
that adequate clearance is maintained for rais-
ing the glass roof, and that objects do not 
project into the opening path of the luggage 
compartment lid.Fasten roof-mounted cargo correctly and 
securely to prevent it from shifting or falling off 
during the trip.
Drive smoothly. Avoid sudden acceleration and 
braking maneuvers. Take corners gently. 

Mobility
 211Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
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Entertainment
>reduced efficiency of the fuel-vapor recov-
ery system.
The fuel tank is full when the filler nozzle clicks 
off the first time.
Fuel tank capacity
Approx. 16.1 US gallons/61 liters, including the 
reserve capacity of 2.1 US gallons/8 liters.
Refuel as soon as possible once your 
cruising range falls below 30 miles/
50 km, otherwise engine functions are not 
ensured and damage can occur.<
Fuel specifications
Do not fill the tank with leaded fuel, as this 
would cause permanent damage to the 
catalytic converter.
Do not fill the tank with E85, i.e. fuel containing 
85 % ethanol, nor with FlexFuel. Otherwise the 
engine and fuel supply system will be dam-
aged.<
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:
>328i/xi: 87
>335i: 89.
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 effect on the engine life.
Do not use any gasoline below the speci-
fied minimum fuel grade. Otherwise the 
engine could be damaged.<
Use high-quality brands
Field experience has indicated significant dif-
ferences in fuel quality: volatility, composition, 
additives, etc., among gasolines offered for sale 
in the United States and Canada. Fuels contain-
ing 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 
driveability, starting and stalling problems 
especially under certain environmental condi-
tions such as high ambient temperature and 
high altitude. 
Should you encounter driveability 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
 213Reference
At a glance
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Entertainment
Coupe: tire inflation pressures for the 328i
Tire size Pressure specifications in psi/kPa 
Traveling speeds
up to a max. of
100 mph / 160 km/hTraveling speeds
including those exceeding
100mph / 160km/h
All pressure specifications in 
the table are indicated in 
psi/kilopascal with cold tires. 
Cold = ambient temperature
without Sports package:
205/55 R 16 91 H M+S
225/50 R 16 92 H M+S
225/45 R 17 91 H M+S
225/45 R 17 94 V M+S XL
225/45 R 17 91 V32/220 35/240 32/220 35/240 32/220 39/270
Front: 225/45 R 17 91 V 32/220 - 32/220 - 32/220 -
Rear: 255/40 R 17 94 V - 32/220 - 32/220 - 36/250
Front: 225/40 R 18 88 W 32/220 - 32/220 - 32/220 -
Rear: 255/35 R 18 90 W - 35/240 - 35/240 - 36/250
Front: 225/35 R 19 88 Y XL 33/230 - 32/220 - 33/230 -
Rear: 255/30 R 19 91 Y XL - 38/260 - 35/240 - 38/260
with Sports package:
205/55 R 16 91 H M+S 
225/50 R 16 92 H M+S 
225/45 R 17 91 H M+S32/220 35/240 32/220 35/240 32/220 39/270
225/45 R 17 91 V
225/45 R 17 94 V M+S XL32/220 35/240 32/220 35/240 35/240 42/290
Front: 225/45 R 17 91 V 32/220 - 32/220 - 32/220 -
Rear: 255/40 R 17 94 V - 32/220 - 35/240 - 38/260
Front: 225/40 R 18 88 W 32/220 - 32/220 - 35/240 -
Rear: 255/35 R 18 90 W - 35/240 - 35/240 - 41/280
Front: 225/35 R 19 88 Y XL 33/230 - 32/220 - 36/250 -
Rear: 255/30 R 19 91 Y XL - 38/260 - 35/240 - 41/280
More details on the permissible load and weights can be found on page247.