2008 BMW 650I CONVERTIBLE ABS

Things to remember when driving
126 the road surface, ultimately undermining your
ability to steer and brake the vehicle.<
The risk of hydroplaning increases as the tread
depth of the tires decreases, also refer to Mini-
mum tire tread on page213.
Driving through water
Do not drive through water on the road if it
is deeper than 1 ft/30 cm, and then only at
walking speed at the most. Otherwise, the vehi-
cle's engine, the electrical systems and the
transmission may be damaged.<
Using handbrake on inclines
On inclines, do not hold the vehicle in
place for a long time by riding the clutch;
use the handbrake. Otherwise, greater clutch
wear will result.<
Braking safely
Your BMW is equipped with ABS as a standard
feature. In situations that require it, it is best to
brake with full force. Since the vehicle maintains
steering responsiveness, you can still avoid
possible obstacles with a minimum of steering
effort.
Pulsation at the brake pedal combines with
sounds from the hydraulic circuits to indicate to
the driver that ABS is in its active mode.
Do not drive with your foot resting on the
brake pedal. Even light but consistent
pedal pressure can lead to high temperatures,
brake wear and possibly even brake failure.<
Driving in wet conditions
When driving on wet roads or in heavy rain, it is
a good idea to apply light pressure to the brake
pedal every few miles. Monitor traffic conditions
to ensure that this maneuver does not endan-
ger 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 thus reduced
efficiency of the brake system, downshift
to a gear in which only minimal brake applica-
tions are needed when descending long or
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 sport automatic transmis-
sion, refer to page61.
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.

Wheels and tires
214
Run-flat tires
You will recognize run-flat tires by the circular
symbol containing the letters RSC on the side
of the tire.
Run-flat tires consist of self-contained tires and
special rims. The sidewall reinforcement
ensures that the tire retains some residual
safety in the event of pressure drop and driving
remains possible to a restricted degree.
To continue driving with a damaged tire:
>With Flat Tire Monitor, refer to Indication of
a flat tire, page90
>With Tire Pressure Monitor, refer to Mes-
sage with low tire inflation pressure,
page92
New wheels and tires
Only have new wheels and tires mounted
by a BMW center or a repair shop that
works in accordance with BMW guidelines and
uses appropriately 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 does not recommend the use of
retreaded tires; otherwise, driving safety
may be reduced. Potentially substantial varia-
tions in the design and the age of the carcasses
can result in a reduced service life.<
The right wheels and tires
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 than the
approved units – these differences could lead to
body contact, and with it the risk of severe acci-
dents. If non-approved wheels and tires are
used, BMW cannot evaluate their suitability,
and therefore cannot be held liable for driving
safety.<
You can find out the right wheel-tire combina-
tion from your BMW center.
The right wheel-and-tire combination is
another vital factor in ensuring reliable opera-
tion of various vehicle systems such as ABS
and DSC.
To maintain good handling and vehicle
response, use only tires of a single tread config-
uration from a single manufacturer. After a tire is
damaged, always remember to have the original
wheel and tire combination remounted on the
vehicle as soon as possible.
Wheels with electronics for
TPM Tire Pressure Monitor
When mounting new tires or converting from
summer to winter tires or vice versa, only use
wheels with TPM electronics, otherwise the
Tire Pressure Monitor cannot detect a flat tire,
refer to page90. Your BMW center will be
happy to advise you on this subject.

Mobility
223Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Replacing components
Onboard tool kit
The onboard tool kit is located in the luggage
compartment under the floor mat.
Replacing wiper blades
1.Fold the wiper arm out and grasp it firmly.
2.Press the locking tabs together while slid-
ing the wiper blade toward the front to dis-
engage it.
3.Insert the new wiper blade and slide it in
until it audibly clicks into place.
Lamps and bulbs
Lamps and bulbs make an essential contribu-
tion to driving safety. You must be duly diligent
in replacing them. If you are not familiar with the
specified procedures, have the corresponding
work carried out at your BMW center.
Never touch the glass on new bulbs with
your bare fingers, as even minute
amounts of contamination will burn into the
bulb's surface and reduce its service life. Use a
clean cloth, napkin, etc., or hold the bulb by its
metal socket.<
A selection of replacement bulbs is available at
your BMW center.
Whenever you perform any work on the
electrical system, turn off the electrical
devices involved to prevent short circuits from
occurring. To avoid possible injury or equip-
ment damage when replacing bulbs, follow any
instructions provided by the bulb manufac-
turer.<
When performing maintenance on the head-
lamps, follow the instructions in the separate
Caring for your vehicle brochure.
For bulbs for which changing is not
described, and for checking and adjusting
headlamp aim, please contact your BMW cen-
ter.<
Light-emitting diodes LEDs
Light-emitting diodes installed behind translu-
cent lenses serve as the light source for many of
the controls and displays in your vehicle. These
light-emitting diodes, which operate using a
concept similar to that applied in conventional
lasers, are officially designated as Class 1 light-
emitting diodes.
Do not remove the covers, and never
stare into the unfiltered light for several
hours, as irritation of the retina could result.<

Giving and receiving assistance
228
Warning triangle*
The warning triangle is located on the left-hand
side in the luggage compartment.
First-aid kit*
The first-aid kit is located in the filler element of
the rear seat backrest.
1.Press the button downward and pull the
filler element forward.
2.Take out first-aid kit.
To refit the filler element, insert the two
bottom tabs into the strip and press the
filler element back into place. Make sure that
you do not damage the rear seat upholstery. have a limited service life. For this reason, check
the expiration dates of each of the items regu-
larly and replace any whose expiration dates
have passed.
Roadside Assistance*
BMW Roadside Assistance offers you assis-
tance in the event of a breakdown around the
clock, including on weekends and public holi-
days.
The phone numbers of the Roadside Assis-
tance in your home country can be found in the
BMW Contact directory.
With BMW Assist you can contact the Roadside
Assistance of the BMW Group for assistance in
the event of a breakdown directly via iDrive,
refer to page200.
Jump starting
When your battery is discharged, you can use
two jumper cables to start your BMW with
power from the battery in a second vehicle. You
can also use the same method to help start
another vehicle. Use only jumper cables with
fully-insulated clamp handles.
To avoid the risk of potentially fatal injury,
always avoid all contact with electrical
components while the engine is running. Care-
fully adhere to the following sequence, both to
prevent damage to one or both vehicles, and to
guard against possible personal injuries.<
Preparing
1.Check whether the battery of the other
vehicle has a voltage of 12 Volts and
approximately the same capacitance in Ah.
This information can be found on the bat-
tery.
2.Switch off the engine of the vehicle provid-
ing assistance.
3.Switch off any electrical systems and com-
ponents in both vehicles.

Everything from A to Z
242
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
– indicator lamp88
ACC, refer to Active cruise
control66
Accepted calls192
Accessories6
Accident, refer to Emergency
request227
Activated-charcoal filter for
automatic climate
control112
Activating hour signal83
"Activation time" for parked-
car ventilation113
Active cruise control66
– indicator lamp70
– radar sensor71
– selecting distance69
– warning lamps70
Active front head restraints50
Active steering93
– warning lamp93
Adapter for spare key28
Adaptive brake assistant87
Adaptive brake lamps, refer to
Brake force display93
Adaptive Head Light104
"Add digits" for mobile
phone192
Additives
– coolant219
– engine oil, refer to Approved
engine oils219"Address book" for navigation
system142
Address for navigation
– deleting143
– entering134,137
– selecting142
– storing142
– storing current position142
"Add to address book"141
"Add to destination
list"137,139
Adjusting interior
temperature109
Adjusting thigh support48
Adjusting tone in audio mode,
refer to Tone control159
"After door opened"50
"After unlocking"50
Airbags94
– deactivating, refer to
Exception for front
passenger seat56
– indicator/warning lamp95
– indicator lamp for front
passenger airbags95
– sitting safely47
Air distribution
– automatic109
– manual110
Airing, refer to Ventilation112
Air outlets, refer to
Ventilation112
Air recirculation, refer to AUC
Automatic recirculated-air
control111
"Air recirculation on / off"55
Air supply, automatic climate
control108
Air volume110
AKI, refer to Fuel
specifications209Alarm system35
– avoiding unintentional
alarms36
– interior motion sensor36
– switching off alarm35
– switching off tilt alarm
sensor and interior motion
sensor36
– tilt alarm sensor36
"All channels"170
"All doors"30
All-season tires, refer to
Winter tires215
"All stations", calling up with
radio162,165
Alterations, technical, refer to
For your own safety6
"AM", reception
range158,162
Antenna, refer to Caring for
your vehicle brochure
Antenna for mobile phone184
Antifreeze
– coolant219
– washer fluid65
Antilock Brake System
ABS86
Anti-theft alarm system, refer
to Alarm system35
Anti-theft system, refer to
Central locking system30
Approved axle loads, refer to
Weights237
Approved engine oils219
Approved gross vehicle
weight, refer to Weights237
Armrest, refer to Center
armrest117
Around the center console14
Around the steering wheel10

Everything from A to Z
244 BMW Night Vision98
– activating99
– cleaning camera100
– cleaning camera, refer to
Wiper system65
– deactivating100
– making settings100
"BMW Service settings"203
BMW website4
Bottle holder, refer to Cup
holders118
Bracket for telephone or
mobile phone, refer to Snap-
in adapter197
Brake assistant87
– adaptive87
Brake force display93
Brake lamps
– replacing bulbs, refer to Tail
lamps224
– two-stage93
Brake rotors
– breaking-in124
– refer to Braking safely126
Brakes
– ABS Antilock Brake
System86
– brake force display93
– breaking-in124
– CBC Cornering Brake
Control86
– electronic brake-force
distribution87
– handbrake60
– refer to Braking safely126
Brake system124
– brake pads124
– brake rotors126
– breaking-in124
– warning lamp13,88
Braking safely126
Breakdown services, refer to
Roadside Assistance228
Breaking-in124
Breaking-in brake pads124
Breaking-in the clutch124Breaking-in the differential,
refer to Engine and
differential124
"Brightness"84,98
– with BMW Night Vision100
Brightness of Control
Display83
Button for starting engine,
refer to Start/Stop button58
Buttons on steering wheel11
Bypassing route sections
150
C
California Proposition 65
Warning6
"Call"192,203
Call
– accepting190
– displaying accepted193
– ending191
– in absence193
– rejecting191
– starting191
Calling
– by entering phone
number191
– from phone book192
– from Top 8 list193
– redialing193
Can holder, refer to Cup
holders118
Capacities237
Car battery, refer to Vehicle
battery225
Car care, refer to Caring for
your vehicle brochure
Car-care products, refer to
Caring for your vehicle
brochure
"Car Data"76
Care222
– refer to Caring for your
vehicle brochure
Cargo loading
– securing cargo128
– stowing cargo128
– vehicle127Caring for artificial leather,
refer to Caring for your
vehicle brochure
Caring for leather, refer to
Caring for your vehicle
brochure
Caring for light-alloy wheels,
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 key, refer to Keys/remote
control28
Car phone184
– installation location, refer to
Center armrest117
– refer to Mobile phone184
– refer to separate operating
instructions
Car radio, refer to Radio162
Car wash59,127
– refer to Before driving into a
car wash127
– refer to Caring for your
vehicle brochure
– with comfort access38
Catalytic converter, refer to
Hot exhaust system125
"Categories"170
CBC Cornering Brake
Control86
CBS Condition Based
Service221
"CD"158,172

Everything from A to Z
250
I
IBOC, refer to High Definition
Radio166
Ice, refer to Outside
temperature warning74
ID3-Tag, refer to Information
about track174
Identification mark
– recommended tire
brands215
– run-flat tires214
– tire coding212
iDrive16
– adjusting brightness83
– assistance window20
– changing date and time82
– changing language84
– changing menu page19
– changing settings82
– changing units of measure
and display form84
– controller16
– controls16
– displays, menus17
– operating principle17
– selecting menu item19
– selecting or confirming
entry19
– start menu17
– status information20
– symbols18
Ignition58
– switched off59
– switched on58
Ignition key, refer to Keys/
remote control28
Ignition key position 1, refer to
Radio readiness58
Ignition key position 2, refer to
Ignition on58
Ignition lock58
– starting engine with comfort
access38
i menu17
Imprint2Indicator/warning lamps
– ABS Antilock Brake
System88
– active steering93
– airbags95
– brake system88
– DSC13,87
– DTC13,88
– Flat Tire Monitor90
– fog lamps13,106
– handbrake13,60
– safety belt warning52
– TPM Tire Pressure
Monitor92
Indicator and warning lamps,
overview13
Inflation pressure, refer to Tire
inflation pressure210
Inflation pressure monitoring
– refer to Flat Tire Monitor89
– refer to Tire Pressure
Monitor90
Info menu17
Information
– on another location140
– on current position140
– on town/city of
destination140
"Information" for navigation
system140
Information menu, refer to
imenu17
"Information on
destination"141
"Info sources"77
Initializing
– Flat Tire Monitor89
– radio, refer to Storing
stations164
– refer to Power failure226
– seat, mirror and steering
wheel memory49
– time and date82
"Input map"139
Installation location
– CD changer176
– drive for navigation DVD132Instructions for navigation
system, refer to Voice
instructions149
Instrument cluster12
Instrument illumination, refer
to Instrument lighting106
Instrument lighting106
Instrument panel, refer to
Cockpit10
Instrument panel, refer to
Instrument cluster12
Integrated key28
Integrated universal remote
control115
Interesting destination for
navigation140
"Interim time"82
Interior lamps106
– switching on with remote
control31
Interior motion sensor36
– switching off36
Interior rearview mirror,
automatic dimming
feature54
Intermittent wiper mode64
J
Jacking points225
Joystick, refer to iDrive16
Jump starting228
K
Keyless-Go, refer to Comfort
access36
Keyless opening and closing,
refer to Comfort access36
Key Memory, refer to Personal
Profile29
"Keypad"194
Keys28
– key-related settings, refer to
Personal Profile29
– spare key28
Kick-down, Sport automatic
transmission61

Reference 255
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Retreaded tires214
Reverse, fast
– CD changer176
– CD player176
Reverse gear
– manual transmission60
– Sport automatic
transmission61
Road map148
"Roadside
Assistance"194,200
Roadside Assistance228
Roadside assistance200
Roadside parking lamps104
– replacing bulbs, refer to
Parking lamps224
Rollover protection system on
Convertible96
– lowering96
Rope, refer to Tow-starting
and towing229
Rotary/pushbutton, refer to
iDrive16
Route144
– bypassing sections150
– changing150
– changing criteria144
– display147
– displaying arrow display147
– displaying map view148
– displaying streets or towns/
cities149
– selecting144
Route information, refer to
Destination guidance with
voice instructions149
Route map, refer to Displaying
map view148
"Route preference",
changing144
Route selection144
RSC Run-flat System
Component, refer to Run-
flat tires214
Rubber parts, refer to Caring
for your vehicle brochure
Run-flat System Component
RSC, refer to Run-flat
tires214Run-flat tires214
– continuing driving with a
damaged tire90,92
– flat tire90,92
– Flat Tire Monitor89
– tire inflation pressure210
– Tire Pressure Monitor90
– tire replacement214,215
– winter tires215
S
Safety belts52
– damage53
– indicator lamp52
– refer to Caring for your
vehicle brochure
– reminder52
– sitting safely47
Safety belt tensioners, refer to
Safety belts52
Safety systems
– ABS Antilock Brake
System86
– airbags94
– driving stability control
systems86
– rollover protection system,
Convertible96
– safety belts52
Safety tires, refer to Run-flat
tires214
Satellite radio169
– enabling channels169
– selecting channel170
– storing channel170
"SAT" with radio158,169
"Save current
destination"144
"Scan"
– music tracks on CD174
– stations with radio163
Scan
– CD changer174
– CD player174
– radio163
"Scan all" in audio mode174
"Scan directory" in audio
mode174Screw thread for tow
fitting230
SDARS, refer to Satellite
radio169
Seats48
– adjusting48
– heating53
– lumbar support48
– memory, refer to Seat, mirror
and steering wheel
memory49
– sitting safely47
– sports seat48
– storing the setting49
– thigh support48
Securing cargo128
– ski bag120
"Select as
destination"140,203
"Select current speed"81
Selecting audio sources, refer
to Operating via iDrive158
Selecting distance with active
cruise control69
Selecting frequency
manually163
Selecting menu items19
Selecting route144
Selection options with
navigation system144
Selector lever, manual
transmission60
"Service"77,201,218
Service, refer to Roadside
Assistance228
Service and Warranty
Information Booklet for
US models221
Service Interval Display
– refer to CBS Condition
Based Service221
– refer to Service
requirements77
"Service notification"201
"Service Request"194,201
"Service
requirements"78,201,218