2008 BMW 128I CONVERTIBLE winter tires

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heat when tested under controlled conditions
on a specified indoor laboratory test wheel.
Sustained high temperature can cause the
material of the tire to degenerate and reduce
tire life, and excessive temperature can lead to
sudden tire failure. The grade C corresponds to
a level of performance which all passenger car
tires must meet under the Federal Motor Vehi-
cle Safety Standard No. 109. Grades B and A
represent higher levels of performance on the
laboratory test wheel than the minimum
required by law.
The temperature grade for this tire is
established for a tire that is properly
inflated and not overloaded. Excessive speed,
underinflation, or excessive loading, either sep-
arately or in combination, can cause heat
buildup and possible tire failure.<
RSC – Run-Flat Tires
You will recognize Run-Flat Tires by a circular
symbol containing the letters RSC on the side
of the tire, refer to page210.
M+S
Winter and all-season tires.
These have better winter properties than sum-
mer tires.
XL
Designation for specially reinforced tires.
Tire condition
Inspect your tires frequently for tread wear,
signs of damage and for foreign objects lodged
in the tread. Check the tread depth.
Minimum tread depth
The tire tread depth should not be below 1/8 in/
3 mm. At tread depths below 1/8 in/3 mm there
i s a n i n c r e a s e d r i s k o f h i g h - s p e e d h y d r o p l a n i n g ,
even when only small amounts of water are
present on the road surface.
The tread depth should not drop below 1/8 in/
3 mm, although, for example, European legisla-
tion only specifies a minimum tread depth of 1/16 in/1.6 mm. At tread depths below 1/8 in/
3 mm there is an increased risk of high-speed
hydroplaning, even when only small amounts of
water are present on the road surface.
When winter tires wear down past a tread depth
of 1/6 in/4 mm, they become perceptibly less
suitable for winter conditions. In the interest of
safety, new tires should be installed.
Wear indicators in the base of the tread groove
are distributed around the tire's circumference;
the letters TWI, for Tread Wear Indicator, on the
tire's sidewalls identify tires that incorporate
these wear indicators. Once the tire tread has
worn down to the wear indicators, the tire has
worn to a depth of 1/16 in/1.6 mm.
Wheel/tire damage
Please note that low-profile tires cause wheels,
tires and suspension parts to be more suscep-
tible to road hazard and consequential dam-
ages.
Unusual vibrations encountered during normal
vehicle operation can indicate tire failure or
some other vehicle defect. This can, for exam-
ple, be caused by driving over curbs. The same
applies to any other abnormal road behavior,
such as pulling severely to the right or left.
In these cases, reduce speed immedi-
ately and have wheels and tires thor-
oughly checked. To do so, drive carefully to the
nearest BMW center or tire shop that works
according to BMW repair procedures with cor-
respondingly trained personnel. If necessary,
have the vehicle towed there.
Otherwise, tire damage can pose a lethal hazard
to vehicle occupants and other road users.<

Wheels and tires
210
Tire age
For various reasons, such as the development
of brittleness, BMW recommends tire replace-
ment after no more than 6 years, regardless of
the actual wear of the tires.
The manufacturing date of tires is contained in
the tire coding:
DOT ... 0708 means that the tire was manufac-
tured in week 7 of 2008.
Run-Flat Tires
The symbol identifying Run-Flat Tires is a circle
with the letters RSC on the sidewall.
Run-Flat Tires comprise a conditionally self-
supporting tire and a special rim. The reinforce-
ment in the sidewalls ensures that the tire can
continue to be used subject to certain restric-
tions, even if depressurized.
For information on continuing to drive with a flat
tire, refer to Indication of a flat tire on page85.
New wheels and tires
Have new wheels and tires installed only
by your BMW center or tire shop that
works according to BMW repair procedures
with correspondingly trained personnel. If this
work is not carried out properly, there is a dan-
ger of subsequent damage and related safety
h a z a r d s . M a k e s u re t h a t t h e n e w w h ee l s a r e b a l-
anced.<
Retreaded tires
BMW recommends that you do not use
retreaded tires, since driving safety may be impaired. The causes for this include poten-
tially different tire casing structures and often
wide variations in tire age, which can result in a
limited service life.<
Correct wheels and tires
When mounting new tires or changing over
from summer to winter tires and vice versa,
mount Run-Flat Tires for your own safety. In the
event of a flat, no spare wheel is available. Your
BMW center will be glad to advise you.
BMW recommends that you use only
wheel and tire combinations that BMW
has tested and approved for your particular
vehicle. Variations in factors such as manufac-
turing tolerances mean that even wheels and
tires with identical official size ratings could
actually have different dimensions, which could
lead to body contact and thus to severe acci-
dents. If non-approved wheels and tires are
used, BMW cannot evaluate their suitability,
and therefore cannot guarantee their driving
safety.<
You can inquire about the right wheel/tire com-
bination at your BMW center.
The correct combination of wheels and tires is
also necessary to ensure reliable operation of
various vehicle systems such as ABS, DSC or
FTM.
To maintain good handling and vehicle
response, use only tires of a single brand and
tread configuration. After a tire has been dam-
aged, mount the previous wheel and tire combi-
nation again as soon as possible.
Wheels with Tire Pressure Monitor
TPM electronics
When mounting new tires or changing over
from summer to winter tires, or vice versa, only
use wheels with TPM electronics; otherwise the
Tire Pressure Monitor may not be able to detect
a puncture, refer to page87. Your BMW center
will be glad to advise you.

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Recommended tire brands
Certain makes of tire are recommended by
BMW for each tire size. They are marked with a
clearly visible BMW designation on the sidewall
of the tire.
When properly used, these tires meet the high-
est standards in terms of safety and handling
characteristics.
Special characteristics of winter tires
BMW recommends winter tires for use in cold
winter driving conditions. Although all-season
M+S tires provide better winter traction than
summer tires, they generally fail to provide the
same levels of cold-weather performance as
winter tires.
Pay attention to speed
Always comply with the speed limit for the
winter tires mounted on your car; failure
to do so could result in tire damage and acci-
dents.<
If the car is capable of speeds higher than that
permitted for the winter tires, a label stating the
maximum permitted speed for the mounted
tires must be displayed in your field of view.
Specialist tire dealers and your BMW center
can supply these labels.
Storage
Store wheels and tires in a cool, dry place with
as little exposure to light as possible. Always
protect tires against all contact with oil, grease
and fuels.
Do not exceed the maximum tire inflation pres-
sure indicated on the sidewall of the tire.
Swapping wheels between axles
BMW advises against swapping wheels
between the front and rear axles, even if all tires
have the same size, as this could impair driving
characteristics. If the tires are of mixed sizes,
swapping wheels between the axles is not per-
missible.
Snow chains*
Only certain fine-link snow chains have been
tested by BMW, classified as safe for use and
recommended. Consult your BMW center for
more information. Snow chains must be
mounted in pairs and on the rear wheels only.
Observe the manufacturer's instructions when
mounting snow chains. Do not exceed a speed
of 30 mph/50 km/h with chains.
Do not initialize the Flat Tire Monitor if
snow chains are mounted, otherwise the
instrument might issue an incorrect reading.
When driving with snow chains, you may find it
helpful to activate DTC temporarily, refer to
page82.<

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227Reference
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When mounting new tires or changing over
from summer to winter tires and vice versa,
mount Run-Flat Tires for your own safety. In the
event of a flat, no spare wheel is available. Your
BMW center will be glad to advise you. Refer
also to New wheels and tires, page210.
The tools for changing wheels are avail-
able as optional accessories from your
BMW center.<
Jack mounting points
The jacking points are at the positions shown in
the illustration.
Vehicle battery
Battery care
The battery is 100 % maintenance-free, the
electrolyte will last for the life of the battery
when the vehicle is operated in a temperate cli-
mate. Your BMW center will be glad to advise in
all matters concerning the battery.
Charging the battery
Only charge the battery in the vehicle via the
terminals in the engine compartment with the
engine off. Connections, refer to Jump starting
on page230.
Disposal
Have old batteries disposed of by your
BMW center or hand them in to a recy-
cling center. Maintain the battery in an upright
position for transport and storage. Always
secure the battery against tipping over during
transport.<
Power failure
After a temporary power loss, the functioning of
some equipment may be limited and require
reinitialization. Individual settings may likewise
have been lost and will have to be programmed:
>Time and date
These values must be updated, refer to
page75.
>Radio
In some cases, stations may have to be
stored again, refer to page156.
>Navigation system
Wait for the system to start, refer to
page146.
>Glass roof
It may happen that the roof can only be
raised. The system must be initialized.
Please contact your BMW center.
>Seat and mirror memory
*
The positions must be stored again, refer to
page49.
>Inside rearview mirror with digital compass
The system must be calibrated, refer to
page106.
Fuses
Never attempt to repair a blown fuse and
do not replace a defective fuse with a sub-
stitute of another color or amperage rating, oth-
erwise this could lead to a circuit overload, ulti-
mately resulting in a fire in the vehicle.<
In the glove compartment
Accessing the fuse box:

Everything from A - Z
244
Everything from A - Z
Index
"..." Identifies Control Display
texts used to select
individual functions and
refers you to the page where
these texts can be found.
A
ABS Antilock Brake
System82
Accessories, refer to The
individual vehicle5
Accident, reporting, refer to
Emergency Request229
Activated-charcoal filter101
"Activation time" for parked
car ventilation101
Active steering88
Adaptive Head Light94
"Add digits" on the mobile
phone184
Additives
– coolant216
– engine oil215
"Address book" in
navigation131
Address for navigation
– deleting133
– entering123,131
– selecting132
– storing131
– storing current position132
"Add to destination list"126
Airbags89
– sitting safely45
– warning lamp90
Air conditioner97
Air distribution
– automatic99
Air flow rate99
Airing, refer to Ventilation100
Air outlets, refer to Air
vents97Air pressure, checking, refer
to Tire inflation
pressure204
Air recirculation, refer to
Recirculated-air mode99
"Air recirculation on / off"53
Air vents97
AKI, refer to Fuel
specifications202
Alarm system34
– avoiding unintentional
alarms35
– interior motion sensor35
– switching off an alarm35
– tilt alarm sensor35
"All channels" for satellite
radio161
All-season tires, refer to
Winter tires211
"All stations", displaying with
the radio154
"AM", waveband150,154
Ambient air, refer to
Recirculated-air mode
99
Antenna for mobile phone176
Antifreeze
– coolant216
– washer fluid64
Antilock Brake System
ABS82
Anti-theft alarm system, refer
to Alarm system34
Anti-theft system29
Approved axle loads, refer to
Weights239
Approved gross vehicle
weight, refer to Weights239
Armrest, refer to Center
armrest107
Arrival time
– computer69
Arrival time, refer to Starting
destination guidance136Arrow display for
navigation137
"Arrow display" in
navigation137
Ashtray107
Assist191
Assistance systems, refer to
Dynamic Stability Control
DSC82
"Assist profile"197
AUC Automatic recirculated-
air control99
"Audio"153,157
Audio150
– controls150
– switching on/off150
– tone control151
– volume151
"Audio", refer to Tone
control151
Automatic
– air distribution99
– air flow rate99
– BMW Teleservice Call193
– cruise control65
– headlamp control92
– storing of stations155
Automatic car wash, refer to
Car wash116
Automatic car washes219
Automatic climate control97
– automatic air distribution99
– settings via iDrive98
Automatic curb monitor52
Automatic lamps
– refer to Welcome lamps92
"Automatic programs" with
automatic climate control99
Automatic recirculated-air
control AUC99
Automatic station search155

Everything from A - Z
252 Luggage compartment lid33
– convenient access37
– emergency release34
– opening from outside33
– unlocking manually33
– unlocking with remote
control30
Luggage rack, refer to Roof-
mounted luggage rack118
Lumbar support47
M
M+S tires, refer to Winter
tires211
Maintenance, refer to
– BMW Maintenance
System217
– Service booklet
Maintenance system217
Malfunction warnings, refer to
Check Control77
Manual
– BMW Teleservice Call193
Manual car wash220
"Manual" on the radio155
Manual operation
– door lock32
– fuel filler door202
– glass roof40
– luggage compartment lid33
– transmission lock, automatic
transmission62
Manual operation with
automatic transmission61
Manual transmission60
Map
– changing scale139
– destination entry128
"Map direction of travel"138
"Map facing north"138
Maximum cooling98
Maximum speed
– for winter tires211
Menus, refer to iDrive16
Message list, traffic
information142Microfilter/activated-charcoal
filter for automatic climate
control101
Microphone for telephone14
Mirror dimming feature53
Mirrors51
– automatic curb monitor52
– exterior mirrors51
– heating52
– interior rearview mirror52
"Missed calls"184
Missed calls184
Mobile phone
– accepted calls184
– adjusting volume181
– calling183
– ending call183
– missed calls184
– operation via iDrive181
– redialing184
– Top 8184
– touch tone dialing186
Mobile phone, installation
location, refer to Center
armrest107
Mobile phone, refer to the
separate Owner's Manual
Modifications, technical, refer
to For your own safety5
Monitor, refer to iDrive16
Monitoring system for tire
pressures, refer to Flat Tire
Monitor84
"Monitor on / off"54
Most recent mobile phone
numbers184
MP3, refer to Compressed
audio files163
Multifunctional steering
wheel, refer to Buttons on
the steering wheel11
Multifunction switch
– refer to Turn signals/
headlamp flasher62
– refer to Wiper system63
Music tracks, refer to
Tracks164
"Mute on / off"54
N
"Navigation"123,129
Navigation announcements,
refer to Switching voice
instructions on/off140
Navigation drive, location122
Navigation DVD122
– drive150
Navigation system122
– address book131
– changing a route141
– destination entry123
– destination list130
– displaying current
position144
– entering a destination
manually123,127
– last destinations130
– navigation DVD122
– opening123
– route display137
– route list139
– searching for a special
destination129
– selecting destination using
information129
– selecting destination via
map128
– selecting route criteria134
– starting destination
guidance136
– switching off, refer to
Terminating/continuing
destination guidance136
– terminating/continuing
destination guidance136
– voice instructions140
– volume adjustment140
"Navigation voice
instructions"139
"Navigation voice
instructions" via buttons on
steering wheel53
Neck support, refer to Head
restraints47
Nets, refer to Storage
compartments107

Reference 255
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
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Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
RSC Runflat System
Component, refer to Run-
Flat Tires210
Runflat System Component
RSC, refer to Run-Flat
Tires210
Run-Flat Tires210
– continuing driving with a
damaged tire85
– flat tire85
– new tires210
– remaining driving distance,
refer to Indication of a flat
tire85
– tire inflation pressure204
– winter tires211
Runflat Tyres, refer to Run-
Flat Tires210
S
Safety-belt height
adjustment51
Safety belts51
– damage51
– indicator lamp51
– reminder51
– sitting safely45
Safety systems
– airbags89
– Antilock Brake System
ABS82
– Dynamic Stability Control
DSC82
– rollover protection system,
convertible90
– safety belts51
Safety tires, refer to Run-Flat
Tires210
"SAT"150,160
Satellite radio160
– displaying additional
information161
– enabling160
– selecting channel161
– storing channel161
Saving fuel114"Scan"
– sampling radio stations155
– sampling tracks on CD165
Scan
– CD changer165
– CD player165
– radio155
"Scan all" for audio mode165
"Scan directory" for audio
mode165
Screen, refer to iDrive16
Screw thread for tow
fitting231
SDARS, refer to Satellite
radio160
Seat and mirror memory49
Seat belt reminder, refer to
'Fasten safety belts'
reminder51
Seats45
– heating49
– sitting safely45
Securing cargo110,111
"Select as
destination"130,195
"Select current speed"79
Selecting a country for
navigation124
Selecting an audio source150
Selecting menu items19
Selecting new scale for
navigation139
Selector lever, automatic
transmission with
Steptronic61
"Service"214
Service, refer to Roadside
Assistance229
Service car, refer to Roadside
Assistance229
Service data in remote
control217
"Service Info"73,193
Service Interval Display, refer
to Condition Based Service
CBS217
"Service Request"186,193Service requirement display,
refer to Condition Based
Service CBS217
"Service
requirements"73,193,214
Service requirements72
"Set date"76
"Set time"76
"Settings"197
Settings
– clock, 12h/24h format76
– date format77
"Settings" for unlocking30
Setting times, refer to
Preselecting switch-on
times101
Shifting gears with automatic
transmission with
Steptronic61
Shiftlock, refer to Changing
selector lever positions61
Short commands for the voice
command system240
Shortest route in navigation,
refer to Selecting route134
"Short route" in
navigation134
"Show current position"129
"Show destination
position"129
Shuffled, refer to Random
– CD changer166
– CD player166
Side airbags89
Side windows, refer to
Windows38
Signal horn, refer to Horn10
Sitting safely45
– airbags45
– safety belt45
Ski bag109
Sliding/tilt sunroof, refer to
Glass roof, electric39
Slot for remote control58
Smokers' package, refer to
Ashtray107,108
Snap-in adapter189
Snap-in adapter, refer to
Center armrest107

Everything from A - Z
256 Snow chains211
Socket, refer to Connecting
electrical appliances108
Socket for On-Board
Diagnosis OBD218
Song search, refer to Playing a
track165
Sound, adjusting during audio
playback, refer to Tone
control151
Sound output for
entertainment on/off150
Spare fuses227
Speaking, refer to Voice
instructions from navigation
system140
Special oils, refer to Specified
engine oils215
Specified engine oils215
Speed
– for winter tires211
Speed-dependent volume
control151
Speed display, refer to
Speedometer12
Speed limit79
Speed limit warning, refer to
Speed limit79
Speedometer12
"Speed volume", refer to Tone
control152
Sport program, automatic
transmission with
Steptronic61
Spray nozzles, refer to
Windshield washer
nozzles64
Stability control,
refer to Driving stability
control systems82
Start/stop button58
– starting the engine59
– switching off the engine59
"Start guidance"126
Starting, refer to Starting the
engine59
Starting assistance, refer to
Jump starting230Starting the engine
– start/stop button58
Start menu17
"Start service"192
"Start service" for BMW
Assist195
"State / Province" in
destination entry124
Station
– refer to Radio154
"Status"73
Status of this Owner's Manual
at time of printing5
Steam jet219,220
Steering wheel53
– adjustment53
– buttons on steering
wheel11
– freely programmable
buttons53
"Steering wheel buttons"53
Steering with variable ratio,
refer to Active steering88
Steptronic, refer to Automatic
transmission with
Steptronic60
"Stopwatch"79
Stopwatch79
Storage222
Storage compartment
package107
Storage compartments107
"Store" for satellite radio162
"Store in address book" in
navigation132
"Store" on the radio156
Storing
– seat position, refer to Seat
and mirror memory49
– telephone numbers, refer to
separate Owner's Manual
Storing current position132
Storing radio stations156
Storing tires211
Stowage, refer to Storage
compartments107
"Street" in destination
entry126Summer tires, refer to Wheels
and tires204
"Surround Settings", refer to
Tone control152
Switches, refer to Cockpit10
Switching off
– engine59
Switching off the engine
– start/stop button58
Switching on
– audio150
– CD changer150
– CD player150
– radio150
Switching on the hour
signal76
Switching the cooling function
on and off100
Switch-on times of parked car
ventilation, preselecting101
Symbols4
– navigation system143
– status information20
– traffic info for navigation
system141
T
Tachometer67
Tail lamp, refer to Tail
lamps225
– replacing bulb226
Tail lamps225
– replacing bulb226
Tank contents, refer to
Capacities239
Technical changes5
Technical data236
Telematics, refer to BMW
TeleServices, BMW
Assist191
Telephone, installation
location, refer to Center
armrest107
Telephone, refer to Mobile
phone176
Telephone, refer to separate
Owner's Manual
"Telephone list"54