2008 BMW 128I COUPE tow

Giving and receiving assistance
224 4.Attach one terminal clamp of the minus/–
jumper cable to the negative terminal of the
battery or to an engine or body ground of
the assisting vehicle.
Your BMW has a special nut as body ground or
negative pole.
5.Attach the second terminal clamp of the
minus/– jumper cable to the negative termi-
nal of the battery or to the engine or body
ground of the vehicle to be started.
Starting the engine
1.Start the engine of the donor vehicle and
allow it to run for a few minutes at slightly
increased idle speed.
2.Start the engine on the other vehicle in the
usual way.
If the first start attempt is not successful,
wait a few minutes before another attempt
in order to allow the discharged battery to
recharge.
3.Let the engines run for a few minutes.
4.Disconnect the jumper cables by reversing
the above connecting sequence.
If necessary, have the battery checked and
recharged.
Never use spray fluids to start the
engine.<
Tow-starting, towing away
Observe the applicable laws and regula-
tions for tow-starting and towing vehi-
cles. than the driver in a vehicle that is being
towed.<
Using a tow fitting
The screw-in tow fitting must always be carried
in the car. It can be screwed in at the front or
rear of the BMW.
It is stored with the onboard tool kit underneath
the floor mat in the cargo bay, refer to page216.
Use only the tow fitting provided with the
vehicle and screw it all the way in. Use the
tow fitting for towing on paved roads only. Avoid
lateral loading of the tow fitting, e.g. do not lift
the vehicle by the tow fitting. Otherwise the tow
fitting and the vehicle could be damaged.<
Access to screw thread
Rectangular cover panel in bumper:
Press the arrow on the cover.
Front
Rear
Being towed
Make sure that the ignition is switched on,
refer to page58, otherwise the low-beam
headlamps, tail lamps, turn signal indicators and

Mobility
225Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
windshield wipers may be unavailable. Power
steering assistance is not available when the
engine is not running. Thus, braking and steer-
ing will require increased effort. Active steering
is not active and it will be necessary to turn the
steering wheel further.<
Switch on the hazard warning flashers, depend-
ing on local regulations.
Manual transmission
Gearshift lever in idle position.
Automatic transmission
Selector lever in position N.
Changing the selector lever position, refer to
page61.
Do not exceed a towing speed of 45 mph/
70 km/h and a towing distance of
90 miles/150 km, otherwise the automatic
transmission may be damaged.<
Towing methods
I n s o m e c o u n t r i e s , i t i s i l l e g a l t o t o w y o u r v e h i c l e
with a tow bar or tow rope on public highways.
Please familiarize yourself with the relevant
towing regulations for the country in which you
are driving.
With a tow bar
The towing vehicle must not be lighter
than the towed vehicle, otherwise it may
be impossible to maintain control.<
The tow fittings used should be on the same
side on both vehicles. Should it prove impossi-
ble to avoid mounting the tow bar at an angle,
please observe the following:
>Clearance and maneuvering capability will
be sharply limited during cornering.
>The tow bar will generate lateral forces if it is
attached offset.
Attach the tow bar to the tow fittings only,
as attaching it to other parts of the vehicle
could result in damage.<
With a tow rope
When starting off in the towing vehicle, make
sure that the tow rope is taut.
To avoid jerking and the associated
stresses on vehicle components when
towing, always use nylon ropes or nylon straps.
Attach the tow rope to the tow fittings only, as
attaching it to other parts of the vehicle could
result in damage.<
With a tow truck
Have the BMW transported with a tow truck
with a so-called lift bar or on a flat bed.
Do not tow the vehicle with just the rear axle
raised as this may cause the steering to turn.
Do not lift the vehicle by a tow fitting or
body and chassis parts, otherwise dam-
age may result.<
Tow-starting
Avoid tow-starting the vehicle whenever possi-
ble; instead, jump-start the engine, refer to
page223. Vehicles with a catalytic converter
should only be tow-started when the engine is
cold, vehicles with an automatic transmission
cannot be tow-started at all.
1.Switch on the hazard warning flashers,
comply with local regulations.
2.Switch on the ignition, refer to page58.
3.Shift into 3rd gear.
4.Have the vehicle tow-started with the clutch
depressed all the way and slowly release
the clutch. After the engine starts, immedi-
ately depress the clutch completely again.

Giving and receiving assistance
226 5.Stop at a suitable location, remove the tow
bar or rope and switch off the hazard warn-
ing flashers.
6.Have the vehicle checked.

Short commands for the voice command system
236
Onboard info
Entertainment
To display route criteria134{Route preference}
To switch on voice instructions140{Navigation info on}
To switch off voice instructions140{Navigation info off}
To repeat voice instructions140{Repeat navigation info}
To show arrow display137{Arrow display}
To display map138{Map}, {Map facing north},
{Map direction of travel} or
{Perspective}
To open route125, 141 {Route menu}
To open "New route"141{New route}
To change scale139{Scale ... miles} or
{Scale ... feet}
To display towns/cities and streets along the
route139{Route list}
FunctionCommand
FunctionCommand
To open "Car Data"68{Car Data}
To display computer67{Onboard info}
To display trip computer69{Trip computer}
To open speed limit78{Limit}
To open stopwatch78{Stopwatch}
To activate road-speed limit78{Limit on}
To deactivate road-speed limit78{Limit off}
FunctionCommand
Tone control151{Audio}
To switch on radio154{Radio on},
{FM} or
{AM}
To open "FM"154{FM menu}
To open "AM"154{AM menu}
To open "All stations"154{FM All stations}
To select radio station154{Station} e.g. {Station WNYC} or
{Choose station}
To open "Presets"154{FM presets} or
{AM presets}

Reference 241
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Automatic transmission with
Steptronic60
– interlock61
– selector lever lock61
– shiftlock61
– towing224
– tow-starting224
"Automatic ventilation" for
parked car ventilation100
AUTO program for automatic
climate control98
"Auto Request"193
"Autostore"
– on the radio156
"AUX"150,169,171
– AUX-In port169
– USB-audio interface170
AUX-In port169
Average fuel consumption68
– setting the units70
Average speed68
"Avoid ferries" in
navigation134
"Avoid highways" in
navigation134
Avoid highways in
navigation134
Avoiding unintentional
alarms35
"Avoid tollroads" in
navigation134
Axle loads, refer to
Weights233
"A - Z"183,184
B
Backrests, refer to Seats46
Backrest width adjustment47
Back seats, refer to Rear seats
– adjusting head restraints48
Backup lamp, replacing
bulb219
Bag for skis, refer to Ski
bag109
Balance, tone control151
Band-aids, refer to First-aid
pouch223Bar, refer to Tow-starting,
towing away225
Bass, tone control151
Bass sounds, refer to Treble
and bass151
Battery220
– charging220
– disposal37,220
– jump starting223
– temporary power failure220
Battery renewal
– remote control for vehicle37
Being towed224
Belts, refer to Safety belts51
Belt tensioner, refer to Safety
belts51
Beverage holders, refer to
Cup holders106
Blower, refer to Air flow
rate98
"BMW Assist"192,193,194
BMW Assist
– activating196
– Concierge service194
– contacting BMW Customer
Relations194
– Roadside Assistance192
– services offered191
– TeleService193
"BMW Contact"186
"BMW Contact
Numbers"186
BMW Maintenance
System214
"BMW Service settings"197
Bottle holders, refer to Cup
holders106
Brake assist, refer to Dynamic
Brake Control81
Brake fluid
– service requirements71
Brake Force Display87
Brake lamps
– Brake Force Display87
– replacing bulb219
Brake pads, breaking in114
Brake rotors116
– brakes114
– breaking in114Brakes
– ABS81
– BMW Maintenance
System214
– braking safely116
– breaking in114
– parking brake59
– service requirements71
Brake system114
– BMW Maintenance
System214
– breaking in114
– disc brakes116
Breakdown services, refer to
Roadside Assistance222
Breaking in the clutch114
Break-in period114
"Brightness"79
Bulb changing, refer to Lamps
and bulbs216
Bulbs, changing216
Button for starting the
engine58
Buttons on the steering
wheel11
C
California Proposition 65
warning6
"Call"184,195
Call
– accepting182
– displaying accepted184
– ending183
– missed184
– starting183
Calling
– from phone book183
– from Top 8 list184
– redialing184
Can holders, refer to Cup
holders106
Capacities234
Capacity of the cargo bay233
Car battery, refer to Vehicle
battery220
Car care, refer to Caring for
your vehicle brochure

Everything from A - Z
242 Car-care products, refer to
Caring for your vehicle
brochure
"Car Data"68
Care, refer to Caring for your
vehicle brochure
Cargo, securing118
Cargo bay
– capacity233
– convenient access37
– enlarging, refer to Through-
loading system108
– lamp, refer to Interior
lamps94
– lid, refer to Luggage
compartment lid33
– opening from outside33
Cargo bay lid, refer to
Luggage compartment
lid33
Cargo bay net, refer to
Securing cargo118
Cargo loading
– securing cargo118
– stowing cargo117
– vehicle117
Caring for artificial leather,
refer to Caring for your
vehicle brochure
Caring for leather, refer to
Caring for your vehicle
brochure
Caring for plastic, refer to
Caring for your vehicle
brochure
Caring for the carpet, refer to
Caring for your vehicle
brochure
Caring for the vehicle finish,
refer to Caring for your
vehicle brochure
Car jack
– jacking points220
Car key, refer to Integrated
key/remote control28Car phone176
– installation location, refer to
Center armrest106
– refer to Mobile phone176
– refer to separate Owner's
Manual
Car radio, refer to Radio154
Car wash116
– also refer to Caring for your
vehicle brochure
Catalytic converter, refer to
Hot exhaust system115
"Categories" for satellite
radio161
"CD"150,163
CD changer163
– compressed audio files163
– controls150
– fast forward/reverse167
– installation location167
– playing a track165
– random order166
– repeating a track166
– selecting a CD163
– selecting a track164
– switching on/off150
– tone control151
– volume151
CD player163
– compressed audio files163
– controls150
– fast forward/reverse167
– playing a track165
– random order166
– repeating a track166
– selecting a track164
– switching on/off150
– tone control151
– volume151
Center armrest106
Center brake lamp, replacing
bulb219
Center console, refer to
Around the center
console14
Central key, refer to Integrated
key/remote control28
"Central locking"30,50Central locking
– from inside32
– from outside29
Central locking system29
– convenient access36
Changes, technical, refer to
For your own safety5
Changing the language on the
Control Display79
Changing the measurement
units on the Control
Display70,78
Changing wheels219
Chassis number, refer to
Engine compartment210
Check Control76
"Check Control
messages"77
Checking oil level210
Child-restraint fixing system
LATCH56
Child-restraint systems55
Child seats55
Chrome parts, care, refer to
Caring for your vehicle
brochure
Cigarette lighter107
Cleaning, refer to Caring for
your vehicle brochure
Cleaning headlamps64
– washer fluid64
"Climate"97
Clock66
– 12h/24h format75
– setting time74
Closing
– from inside32
– from outside29
Clothes hooks106
Cold start, refer to Starting the
engine59
Combination instrument, refer
to Instrument cluster12
Comfort access, refer to
Convenient access36
Comfort area, refer to Around
the center console14
"Communication"182,192,1
93,194

Reference 245
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Emergency Request222
Emergency services, refer to
Roadside Assistance222
"Enabled services"196
"Enable services"197
"End call"183
Energy, saving
– saving fuel114
Engine
– breaking in114
– data230
– speed230
– starting59
– starting, convenient
access36
– switching off59
Engine compartment210
Engine coolant, refer to
Coolant213
Engine oil
– adding212
– additives212
– BMW Maintenance
System214
– checking level210
– intervals between changes,
refer to Service
requirements71
– specified engine oils212
"Engine oil level"211
Engine output, refer to Engine
data230
Engine speed, refer to Engine
data230
Engine starting, refer to
Starting the engine59
"Enter address"124
Entering a destination124
Entering a destination
country124
Entering a house number or
intersection126
Entering an intersection125
Entering a street125
"Entertainment"150
"Equalizer", refer to Tone
control152
Equalizer, refer to Tone
control152"ESN"160
ESP Electronic Stability
Program, refer to Dynamic
Stability Control DSC81
Event data recorders215
Exhaust system, refer to Hot
exhaust system115
Exterior mirrors51
– adjusting51
– automatic dimming
feature53
– automatic heating52
– folding in and out52
External audio device, refer to
AUX-In port169
Eyes
– for tow-starting and towing
away224
– for tying down loads118
F
Fader, tone control151
Failure messages, refer to
Check Control76
Failure of an electrical
consumer220
False alarm, refer to Avoiding
unintentional alarms35
Fastening safety belts, refer to
Safety belts51
Fastest route for
navigation134
Fast forward
– CD changer167
– CD player167
"Fast route" in navigation134
Filter of automatic climate
control, refer to Microfilter/
activated charcoal filter100
First aid pouch223
Fixture for remote control,
refer to Ignition lock58
Flash when locking/
unlocking31
Flat tire
– Run-Flat Tires207
– Tire Pressure Monitor
TPM84Flat Tire Monitor FTM83
– indicating a flat tire84
– initializing the system83
– malfunction84
– system limits83
Flat tires, refer to Tire
condition206
"FM", waveband150,154
FM, waveband154
Fog lamps94
– indicator lamp13,94
Footbrake, refer to Braking
safely116
Footwell lamps94
For your own safety5
Frequency, selecting
manually155
Front airbags88
Front seat setting45
Frost, removing from
windows, refer to Defrosting
windows99
FTM, refer to Flat Tire
Monitor83
Fuel200
– gauge67
– high-quality brands200
– quality200
– specifications200
– tank contents, refer to
Capacities234
Fuel clock, refer to Fuel
gauge67
Fuel consumption display,
refer to Average fuel
consumption68
Fuel consumption statistics,
refer to Average fuel
consumption68
Fuel display, refer to Fuel
gauge67
Fuel filler door200
– releasing in the event of
electrical malfunction200
Fuses220

Everything from A - Z
246
G
Garage door opener, refer to
Integrated universal remote
control102
Gasoline, refer to Required
fuel200
Gasoline display, refer to Fuel
gauge67
Gear change
– with automatic
transmission61
– with manual transmission60
Gear display, with automatic
transmission60
Gearshift lever
– automatic transmission with
Steptronic61
– manual transmission60
General driving notes115
Glass roof, electric39
– closing after electrical
malfunction40
– convenient operation32
– opening, closing39
– operation with convenient
access36
– pinch protection system40
– raising39
– remote control30
Glove compartment105
GPS navigation, refer to
Navigation system122
Grills, refer to Air vents96
Gross vehicle weight, refer to
Weights233
H
Halogen lamps
– replacing bulbs217
Handbrake, refer to Parking
brake59
Hands-free system, refer to
Microphone for hands-free
mode14
Hazard warning flashers14
"HD radio"157HD radio, refer to High
Definition Radio157
Head airbags88
Headlamp control,
automatic91
Headlamp cover217
Headlamp flasher62
– indicator lamp13
Headlamps
– care, refer to Caring for your
vehicle brochure
– replacing bulbs217
Head restraints47
Heated
– seats49
Heated mirrors52
Heating
– mirrors52
– seats49
Heating, rear window99
Heating and ventilation96
Heating during a stop99
Heavy loads, refer to Stowing
cargo118
Height, refer to
Dimensions231
Height adjustment
– steering wheel53
High beams93
– indicator lamp13
– replacing bulbs217
High Definition Radio157
High water, refer to Driving
through water116
Highways, refer to Route
criteria134
Hills116
Holders for cups106
Home address133
"Home address" in
navigation134
Hood209
Hot exhaust system115
"Hour memo"75
"House number" in
destination entry126
Hydraulic brake assist, refer to
Dynamic Brake Control81
Hydroplaning115
I
IBOC, refer to High Definition
Radio157
Ice warning, refer to Outside
temperature
warning66
ID3 tag, refer to Information
about the track165
Identification marks
– tire coding205
iDrive16
– adjusting brightness79
– automatic climate control97
– changing date and time74
– changing language79
– confirming selection or
entry19
– displays, menus17
– lists19
– menu guidance17
– operating principle16
– selecting a menu item19
– status information20
– switching menu pages19
– symbols18
Ignition58
– switched off58
– switched on58
Ignition key, refer to
Integrated key/remote
control28
Ignition key position 1, refer to
Radio readiness58
Ignition key position 2, refer to
Ignition on58
Ignition lock58
Imprint2
Indicator and warning
lamps13
– Tire Pressure Monitor
TPM86
Indicator lighting, refer to
Instrument lighting94
Individually programmable
buttons on steering
wheel53
Individual settings, refer to
Personal Profile28