2008 BMW 328XI CONVERTIBLE manual transmission

Controls
91Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
then moves slightly faster than double walking
speed without the driver needing to intervene.
HDC can be activated as long as you are driving
under approx. 20 mph or 35 km/h. When driving
downhill at a speed of under approx. 20 mph or
35 km/h, the vehicle's speed is automatically
reduced to slightly more than double walking
speed and maintained.
Increasing or decreasing speed
By accelerating or braking you can change this
speed within a range from approx. 3 to 15 mph,
approx. 5 to 25 km/h.
You can specify a target speed within the same
range using the cruise control
* lever on the
steering column.
1To increase speed
2To decrease speed
Activating HDC
Press the button; the LED lights up.
When the vehicle is being braked automatically,
the LED flashes.
Deactivating HDC
Press the button again; the LED goes out.HDC is automatically deactivated in the follow-
ing situations:
>At speeds above approx. 40 mph or
60 km/h
>After switching off the ignition.
Using HDC
In cars with manual transmission:
Use HDC in lower gears and in reverse gear.
With automatic transmission:
You can use HDC in any drive position.
Displays in the instrument cluster*
1Display for target speed
2HDC display
Malfunction
The HDC display disappears during HDC oper-
ation, or does not appear:
HDC is temporarily unavailable due to exces-
sive brake temperature, or DSC has failed.
Drive-off assistant
The drive-off assistant enables you to drive off
smoothly on uphill gradients. It is not necessary
to use the parking brake for this.
1.Hold the car in place by depressing the
brake.
2.Release the brake and drive off without
delay.
The drive-off assistant holds the car in
place for approx. 2 seconds after the
brake is released. Drive off without delay after
releasing the brake. Otherwise, the drive-off
assistant will no longer hold the car in place

Things to remember when driving
126 The risk of hydroplaning increases with declin-
ing tread depth on the tires, refer also to Mini-
mum tread depth on page221.
Driving through water
Drive through water on the road only if it is
not deeper than 1 ft/30 cm, and then only
at walking speed at the most. Otherwise, the
vehicle's engine, the electrical systems and the
transmission may be damaged.<
Use the parking brake on inclines
On inclines, do not hold the vehicle for a
lengthy period using the clutch; use the
parking brake instead. Otherwise greater clutch
wear will result.<
For more information about the drive-off assis-
tant, refer to page91.
Braking safely
Your BMW is equipped with ABS as a standard
feature. Applying the brakes fully is the most
effective way of braking in situations in which
this is necessary. Since the vehicle maintains
steering responsiveness, you can still avoid
possible obstacles with a minimum of steering
effort.
Pulsation of the brake pedal, combined with
sounds from the hydraulic circuits, indicate that
ABS is in its active mode.
Driving in wet conditions
When roads are wet or there is heavy rain,
briefly exert gentle pressure on the brake pedal
every few miles. Monitor traffic conditions to
ensure that this maneuver does not endanger
other road users. The heat generated in this
process helps dry the pads and rotors to ensure
that full braking efficiency will then be available
when you need it.
Hills
To prevent overheating and the resulting
reduced efficiency of the brake system,
drive long or steep downhill gradients in the
gear in which the least braking is required. Even
light but consistent brake pressure can lead to high temperatures, brake wear and possibly
even brake failure.<
You can increase the engine's braking effect by
shifting down, all the way to first gear if neces-
sary. This strategy helps you avoid placing
excessive loads on the brake system. Down-
shifting in manual mode of the automatic trans-
mission, refer to page62.
Never drive with the clutch held down,
with the transmission in idle or with the
engine switched off; otherwise, engine braking
action will not be present or there will be no
power assistance to the brakes or steering.
Never allow floor mats, carpets or any other
objects to protrude into the area around the
pedals, otherwise pedal function could be
impaired.<
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 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.

Driving tips
127Reference
At a glance
Controls
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
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.<
Make sure that no liquids are spilled or
leak from their containers in the cargo
bay, as this could result in damage to the vehi-
cle.<
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.
>For very heavy cargo when the rear seat is
not occupied, secure each safety belt in the
opposite buckle.

Mobility
239Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
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.
Coupe: it is sto red in the onboard tool kit under-
neath the cover on the right-hand side of the
cargo bay, refer to page231.
Convertible: it is stored in the onboard tool kit
underneath the cargo bay floor, refer to
page231.
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 on the upper edges of the cover panel.
Front
Rear
Being towed
Make sure that the ignition is switched on,
refer to page59, otherwise the low-beam headlamps, tail lamps, turn signal indicators and
windshield wipers may be unavailable.
Power steering assistance is not available when
the engine is not running. Thus, braking and
steering 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 selector lever positions, refer to
page62.
Do not exceed a towing speed of 45 mph
or 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.<

Reference 247
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Weights
Coupe
Convertible
Capacities
328i328xi335i335xi
Curb weight
>with manual transmission lbs/kg 3,351/1,520 3,582/1,625 3,571/1,620 3,759/1,705
>with automatic transmission lbs/kg 3,417/1,550 3,627/1,645 3,582/1,625 3,770/1,710
Approved gross weight
>with manual transmission lbs/kg 4,277/1,940 4,508/2,045 4,497/2,040 4,685/2,125
>with automatic transmission lbs/kg 4,343/1,970 4,552/2,065 4,508/2,045 4,696/2,130
Load lbs/kg 926/420 926/420 926/420 926/420
Approved front axle load lbs/kg 2,061/935 2,260/1,025 2,172/985 2,326/1,055
Approved rear axle load lbs/kg 2,293/1,040 2,326/1,055 2,348/1,065 2,381/1,080
Approved roof load capacity lbs/kg 165/75 165/75 165/75 165/75
Cargo bay capacity cu ft/l 15.5/440 15.5/440 15.2/430 15.2/430
328i335i
Curb weight
>with manual transmission lbs/kg 3,792/1,720 3,946/1,790
>with automatic transmission lbs/kg 3,858/1,750 3,957/1,795
Approved gross weight
>with manual transmission lbs/kg 4,674/2,120 4,828/2,190
>with automatic transmission lbs/kg 4,740/2,150 4,839/2,195
Load lbs/kg 882/400 882/400
Approved front axle load lbs/kg 2,105/955 2,205/1,000
Approved rear axle load lbs/kg 2,646/1,200 2,646/1,200
Approved roof load capacity lbs/kg - -
Cargo bay capacity cu ft/l 7.4 - 12.4/210 - 350 7.4 - 12.4/210 - 350
Notes
Fuel tank US gal/liters approx. 16.1/61 Fuel grade: page211
including reserve of US gal/liters approx. 2.1/8.0
Window washer system For more details: page65
including headlamp washers US quarts/liters approx. 6.3/6.0

Reference 253
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Automatic
– air distribution106
– air flow rate106
– cruise control66,67
– headlamp control100
– service notification203
– storing of stations165
Automatic climate control104
– automatic air
distribution106
– settings via iDrive105
Automatic curb monitor53
"Automatic programs" with
automatic climate
control106
Automatic recirculated-air
control AUC106
Automatic station search165
Automatic transmission with
Steptronic61
– interlock61,62
– overriding selector lever
lock63
– shiftlock, refer to Changing
selector lever position62
– sport program62
– towing238
– tow-starting238
"Automatic ventilation"108
AUTO program for automatic
climate control106
"Auto Request"203
"Autostore"
– on the radio166
"AUX"160,179,181
– AUX-In port179
– USB-audio interface180
AUX-IN
– port114
AUX-In port179
Average fuel consumption76
– setting the units78
Average speed76
"Avoid ferries" in
navigation145
"Avoid highways" in
navigation145
Avoid highways in
navigation145Avoiding unintentional
alarms36
"Avoid tollroads" in
navigation145
Axle loads, refer to
Weights247
"A - Z"193
,194
B
Backrest contour, refer to
Lumbar support47
Backrests, refer to Seat
adjustment46
Backrest width adjustment47
Back seats
– refer to Rear seats48
Backup lamps
– replacing bulb233
Backup lamps, refer to Tail
lamps233
Bag holder118
Balance, tone control161
Band-aids, refer to First-aid
pouch237
Bar, refer to Towing
methods239
Base plate for telephone or
mobile phone
– refer to Snap-in adapter in
the center armrest storage
compartment114
Bass, tone control161
Bass sounds, refer to Treble
and bass161
Battery235
– charging235
– disposal38,235
– jump starting237
– remote control28
– temporary power failure235
Battery renewal
– remote control38
– remote control for vehicle38
Being towed239
Belt hand-over52
– pinch protection system52
Belts, refer to Safety belts51Belt tensioner, refer to Safety
belts51
Beverage holders, refer to
Cup holders115
Blinds, refer to Roller sun
blinds113
Blower, refer to Air flow
rate106
Bluetooth, refer to separate
Owner's Manual
"BMW Assist"202,203,204
BMW Assist
– activating206
– Concierge service204
– contacting BMW Customer
Relations204
– Roadside Assistance202
– services offered201
– TeleService203
"BMW Contact"196
"BMW Contact
Numbers"196
BMW Homepage4
BMW Maintenance
System229
"BMW Service settings"207
BMW webpage4
Bottle holders, refer to Cup
holders115
Brake assist, refer to Dynamic
Brake Control DBC89
Brake fluid, refer to Service
requirements79
Brake Force Display96
Brake lamps
– replacing bulb233
– two-stage96
Brake pads124
– breaking in124
Brake rotors126
– brakes124
– breaking in124
Brakes
– ABS89
– BMW Maintenance
System229
– breaking in124
– parking brake60
– service requirements79

Reference 257
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Driving tips, refer to Driving
notes124
Dry air, refer to Cooling
function107
DSC Dynamic Stability
Control89
DTC Dynamic Traction
Control90
– indicator/warning lamp90
DVD for navigation132
Dynamic Brake Control
DBC89
"Dynamic route" in
navigation145
Dynamic Stability Control
DSC
– indicator/warning lamp90
Dynamic Traction Control
DTC
– indicator/warning lamp90
E
EBV Electronic brake-force
distribution89
Eject button, refer to Buttons
on the CD player160
Electrical malfunction
– door lock32
– driver's door32
– fuel filler door210
– glass roof40
– luggage compartment lid33
Electric seat adjustment46
Electric steering wheel lock
– with convenient access37
Electronic oil level check225
Emergency actuation,
automatic transmission,
refer to Overriding selector
lever lock63
Emergency operation
– fuel filler door, manual
release210
Emergency operation, refer to
Closing manually
– glass roof40Emergency operation, refer to
Manual operation
– door lock32
Emergency release
– luggage compartment lid
from inside34
Emergency Request236
Emergency services, refer to
Roadside Assistance236
"Enabled services"206
"Enable services"207
"End call"193
Energy, saving
– saving fuel124
Engine
– breaking in124
– data244
– overheated, refer to Coolant
temperature75
– speed244
– starting60
– starting, convenient
access36
– switching off60
Engine compartment225
Engine coolant, refer to
Coolant227
Engine oil
– adding227
– BMW Maintenance
System229
– capacity247
– checking level225
– intervals between changes,
refer to Service
requirements79
"Engine oil level"226
Engine output, refer to Engine
data244
Engine speed, refer to Engine
data244
Engine starting, refer to
Starting the engine60
"Enter address"135
Entering a destination135
Entering a destination
country135
Entering a house number or
intersection137Entering an intersection136
Entering a street136
"Entertainment"160
Entry lamps, refer to Interior
lamps103
"Equalizer", refer to Tone
control163
Equalizer, refer to Tone
control162
Error messages, refer to
Check Control83
"ESN"170
ESP Electronic Stability
Program, refer to DSC
Dynamic Stability
Control89
Event data recorders230
Exhaust system, refer to Hot
exhaust system125
Exterior mirrors52
– adjusting52
– automatic dimming
feature53
– automatic heating53
– folding in and out52
External audio device114
External audio device, refer to
AUX-In port179
Eyes
– for tow-starting and towing
away239
– for tying down loads128
F
Fader, tone control161
Failure messages, refer to
Check Control83
Failure of an electrical
consumer235
False alarm
– avoiding unintentional
alarm36
– switching off an alarm35
Fastening safety belts, refer to
Safety belts51
Fastest route for
navigation145

Everything from A - Z
258 Fast forward
– CD changer177
– CD player177
"Fast route" in navigation145
Filter
– refer to Microfilter/activated-
charcoal filter for automatic
climate control108
Fine wood, refer to Caring for
your vehicle brochure
First aid pouch237
Fixture for remote control,
refer to Ignition lock59
Flashlight, refer to LED hand
lamp114
Flash when locking/
unlocking31
Flat tire
– Run-Flat Tires222
– Tire Pressure Monitor
TPM93
Flat Tire Monitor FTM92
– indicating a flat tire93
– indicator/warning lamp93
– initializing the system92
– malfunction93
– snow chains92,223
– system limits92
Flat tires, refer to Tire
condition221
Floor mats, carpets, refer to
Caring for your vehicle
brochure
Fluid reservoir, refer to
Washer fluid reservoir65
"FM", waveband160,164
FM, waveband164
Fog lamps102
– indicator lamp13,102
Folding in the mirrors, before
driving into a car wash52
Folding up the floor panel119
Footbrake, refer to Braking
safely126
Footwell lamps, refer to
Interior lamps103
For your own safety5
Four-wheel drive, refer to
xDrive90Frequency, selecting
manually165
Front airbags97
FTM, refer to Flat Tire
Monitor92
Fuel211
– average consumption76
– gauge75
– high-quality brands211
– quality211
– specifications211
– tank contents, refer to
Capacities247
Fuel clock, refer to Fuel
gauge75
Fuel display, refer to Fuel
gauge75
Fuel filler door210
– releasing in the event of
electrical malfunction210
Fuses235
G
Garage door opener, refer to
Integrated universal remote
control110
Gasoline
– refer to Average
consumption76
Gasoline, refer to Required
fuel211
Gasoline display, refer to Fuel
gauge75
Gear indicator, automatic
transmission with
Steptronic61
Gearshift lever
– automatic transmission with
Steptronic62
– manual transmission61
Gearshifts
– automatic transmission with
Steptronic62
– manual transmission61
General driving notes125Glass roof, electric39
– closing after electrical
malfunction40
– convenient operation30,32
– initializing40
– opening, closing39
– operation with convenient
access37
– pinch protection system40
– power failure40
– raising39
– remote control30
Glove compartment113
– LED hand lamp114
GPS navigation, refer to
Navigation system132
Grills104
Gross vehicle weight, refer to
Weights247
H
Handbrake, refer to Parking
brake60
Hand lamp, refer to LED hand
lamp114
Hands-free system14
Hazard warning flashers14
HDC Hill Descent Control90
"HD radio"167
HD radio, refer to High
Definition Radio167
Head airbags97
Headlamp control,
automatic100
Headlamp flasher63
– indicator lamp11,13
Headlamps
– care, refer to Caring for your
vehicle brochure
Head restraints47
– front, removing48
– rear, removing48
– sitting safely45
Heated
– mirrors53
– rear window107
– seats49