2009 BMW 128I COUPE light

Indicator and warning lamps
136Remote control malfunctioning or, in
cars with convenient access, not
presentThe engine cannot be started. Have the
remote control checked, if necessary.
Battery of remote control dischargedUse the remote control for a longer
journey or, in cars with convenient
access, replace the battery.
Belt tensioners and/or airbag system
failedHave the system checked immediately.
Active steering defective You can continue your journey.
Steering characteristics are modified
and steering wheel could be off-center.
Have the system checked as soon as
possible.
Steering assistance failed Markedly different steering response.
You can continue your journey, but
moderate your speed and exercise due
caution.
Have the system checked as soon as
possible.
Lights up:
Emergency Request system has failed
or is malfunctioningHave the system checked as soon as
possible.
Lights up in red:
Engine malfunction Stop the car and switch off the engine.
You cannot continue your journey.
Contact your BMW center.
Lights up in yellow:
Full engine power is no longer available You can continue your journey, but
moderate your speed and exercise due
caution. Have the engine checked as
soon as possible.
Indication in US models:
Warning lamp flashes:
Engine malfunction under high load.
High engine load will result in damage
to the catalytic converterYou can continue your journey, but
moderate your speed and exercise due
caution. Have the vehicle checked
without delay.
Warning lamp comes on:
Engine malfunction with adverse effect
on exhaust emissionsHave the car checked as soon as possi-
ble.
12Cause Special actions to be taken

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
137
Indication in Canadian models:
Warning lamp flashes:
Engine malfunction under high load.
High engine load will result in damage
to the catalytic converterYou can continue your journey, but
moderate your speed and exercise due
caution. Have the vehicle checked
without delay.
Warning lamp comes on:
Engine malfunction with adverse effect
on exhaust emissionsHave the car checked as soon as possi-
ble.
Lights up in red:
Engine overheating Carefully bring the car to a stop, switch
off the engine and allow it to cool down.
Do not open the hood, otherwise there
would be a risk of injury by scalding.
Contact your BMW center.
Lights up in yellow:
Engine too hot Continue driving at more moderate
speed so that the engine can cool
down. Have the engine checked with-
out delay if the situation reoccurs.
Lights up in red:
Battery is no longer being charged.
Alternator malfunctionSwitch off all unnecessary electrical
consumers. Have the vehicle's power
supply system checked immediately.
Lights up in yellow:
Battery charge level very low, battery
aged or not securely connectedHave the battery checked as soon as
possible.
Engine oil pressure too low Stop immediately and switch off the
engine. You cannot continue your jour-
ney. Contact your BMW center.
Engine oil level too low Add engine oil immediately; refer to
page115 for more information.
Indication in US models:
Parking brake applied
Indication in Canadian models:
Parking brake applied
12Cause Special actions to be taken

Indicator and warning lamps
138Indication in US models
Lights up in red:
Brake fluid level too low Reduced braking effect, stop the car
carefully. Contact your BMW center.
Lights up in yellow:
Drive-off assistant has failed. The car
will not be held in place after the brake
is releasedHave the system checked as soon as
possible.
Indication in Canadian models
Lights up in red:
Brake fluid level too low Reduced braking effect, stop the car
carefully. Contact your BMW center.
Lights up in yellow:
Drive-off assistant has failed. The car
will not be held in place after the brake
is releasedHave the system checked as soon as
possible.
Indication in US models:
Brake pads wornHave the condition of the brake pads
checked without delay.
Indication in Canadian models:
Brake pads wornHave the condition of the brake pads
checked without delay.
Lights up in red: Have the system in question checked
without delay.
>Starter failed or The engine cannot be restarted.
>ignition malfunctioning. Engine
restart only possible when brake is
depressed or
>lighting system failed. Low beams/
tail lamps and brake lamps still oper-
ational. All other lamps failedDepress the brake to restart the engine.
Lights up in yellow:
>Control of the brake lamps failed or
>fuel supply malfunctioning, or
>electrical system of trailer hitch
*
failedYou can continue your journey, but
moderate your speed and exercise due
caution. Have the system in question
checked without delay.
Flashing:
Dynamic Stability Control DSC or
Dynamic Traction Control DTC is con-
trolling drive and braking forces, refer
also to page65
12Cause Special actions to be taken

Indicator and warning lamps
140Indication
* in Canadian models:
Vehicle electronics failed You cannot continue your journey.
Contact your BMW center.
Vehicles with Flat Tire Monitor
*:
Light up in yellow and red:
>Tire is deflated Carefully bring the car to a stop. Com-
ply with the additional information
starting on page66.
>Flat Tire Monitor not initialized Initialize Flat Tire Monitor, refer to
page66.
Light up in yellow:
Flat Tire Monitor failed. Punctures are
not indicatedHave the system checked.
Vehicles with Tire Pressure Monitor
*:
Light up in yellow and red:
>There is a flat tire or substantial loss
of tire pressureCarefully bring the car to a stop. Com-
ply with the additional information
starting on page68.
Vehicles with Tire Pressure Monitor
*:
Light up in yellow:
>Tire Pressure Monitor not initialized Check the inflation pressure and reset
the system, refer to page68.
The small lamp flashes in yellow and
then lights up continuously; the larger
lamp comes on in yellow:
>Tire Pressure Monitor has failed.
Punctures are not indicatedHave the system checked. Comply with
the additional information starting on
page69.
12Cause Special actions to be taken

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
141
Lights up in red:
>Transmission limp-home program
active with restricted range of gears,
possibly with reduced acceleration. You can continue your journey, but
moderate your speed and exercise due
caution. Have the system checked
without delay.
Gears can be engaged without
depressing the brakeAlways depress the brake to engage a
gear.
Lights up in yellow: Have the system checked as soon as
possible.
>Automatic selector lever locked:
Selector lever locked in position P
with engine running and brake
depressed orOverride the selector lever lock, refer to
page51.
>Brake signal malfunctioning: gear
can be engaged without depressing
the brakeAlways depress the brake to engage a
gear. Before leaving the vehicle, move
the selector lever to position P and
switch off the engine.
Lights up in red:
Transmission overheating Bring the car to a stop and move the
selector lever to position P. Allow the
transmission to cool down. You can
continue your journey, but moderate
your speed and exercise due caution.
Have the system checked if the situa-
tion reoccurs.
Lights up in yellow:
Transmission too hot Avoid high engine loads. You can con-
tinue your journey, but moderate your
speed and exercise due caution.
Selector lever position P not engaged.
Vehicle not prevented from rolling
Selector lever position P not engaged.
Ignition cannot be switched offEngage selector lever position P when
you wish to switch off the ignition, refer
to page47.
Pinch protection system of the power
windows malfunctioningHave the system checked.
Pinch protection system of the electric
glass roof malfunctioningHave the system checked.
Cruise control system failed You can continue your journey. Have
the system checked.
12Cause Special actions to be taken

Indicator and warning lamps
142Park Distance Control failed Have the system checked.
Bulb of exterior lighting system failed Have the exterior lighting checked as
soon as possible.
Low-beam headlamp or fog lamp failed Have the low beams checked as soon
as possible.
High-beam headlamp failed Have the high-beam headlamps
checked.
Headlamp beam throw adjustment
system failedHave the headlamp beam throw adjust-
ment system checked.
Adaptive Head Light failed
Coolant level too low Add coolant immediately, refer to
page117.
Lights up in red:
Service appointment overdue Arrange a service appointment.
Check service requirements, refer to
page61.
Lights up in yellow:
Service due Arrange a service appointment.
Check service requirements, refer to
page61.
No service due
Set speed limit
* has been exceeded
Time and date no longer correct Set the time and date, refer to page62.
12Cause Special actions to be taken

Everything from A to Z
152
Everything from A to Z
Index
A
ABS Antilock Brake
System64
Accessories, refer to The
individual vehicle5
Accident, reporting, refer to
Emergency Request130
Activated-charcoal filter84
Active steering70
Adaptive Head Light76
Additives
– coolant117
– engine oil116
Airbags71
– sitting safely35
– warning lamp72
Air conditioner79
Air distribution
– automatic83
– individual80
Air flow rate80,83
Airing, refer to
Ventilation81,84
Air outlets, refer to Air
vents79
Air pressure, checking, refer
to Tire inflation
pressure106
Air recirculation, refer to
Recirculated-air
mode80,83
Air vents79
AKI, refer to Fuel
specifications104
Alarm system24
– avoiding unintentional
alarms25
– interior motion sensor25
– switching off an alarm25
– tilt alarm sensor25
All-season tires, refer to
Winter tires113Ambient air, refer to
Recirculated-air
mode80,83
Antifreeze
– coolant117
– washer fluid53
Antilock Brake System
ABS64
Anti-theft alarm system, refer
to Alarm system24
Anti-theft system19
Approved axle loads, refer to
Weights149
Approved gross vehicle
weight, refer to Weights149
Armrest, refer to Center
armrest
88
Ashtray90
Assistance systems, refer to
Dynamic Stability Control
DSC65
AUC Automatic recirculated-
air control83
Automatic
– air distribution83
– air flow rate83
– cruise control54
– headlamp control74
Automatic car wash, refer to
Car wash98
Automatic car washes120
Automatic climate control79
– automatic air distribution83
Automatic curb monitor42
Automatic lamps
– refer to Welcome lamps74
Automatic recirculated-air
control AUC83Automatic transmission with
Steptronic49
– interlock50
– selector lever lock50
– shiftlock50
– towing132
– tow-starting132
AUTO program for automatic
climate control83
Average fuel consumption58
– setting the units60
Average speed58
Avoiding unintentional
alarms25
Axle loads, refer to
Weights149
B
Backrests, refer to Seats36
Backrest width adjustment37
Back seats, refer to Rear seats
– adjusting head restraints38
Backup lamp, replacing
bulb127
Bag for skis, refer to Ski
bag92
Band-aids, refer to First-aid
pouch130
Bar, refer to Tow-starting,
towing away133
Battery128
– charging128
– disposal27,128
– jump starting131
– temporary power failure128
Battery renewal
– remote control for vehicle27
Being towed132
Belts, refer to Safety belts41
Belt tensioner, refer to Safety
belts41

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
153
Beverage holders, refer to
Cup holders89
Blower, refer to Air flow
rate80,83
BMW
– car shampoo123
BMW Maintenance
System118
Bottle holders, refer to Cup
holders89
Brake assist, refer to Dynamic
Brake Control65
Brake fluid
– service requirements61
Brake Force Display70
Brake lamps
– Brake Force Display70
– replacing bulb127
Brake pads, breaking in96
Brake rotors98
– brakes96
– breaking in96
Brakes
– ABS65
– BMW Maintenance
System118
– braking safely98
– breaking in96
– parking brake49
– service requirements61
Brake system96
– BMW Maintenance
System118
– breaking in96
– disc brakes98
Breakdown services, refer to
Roadside Assistance130
Breaking in the clutch96
Break-in period96
Bulb changing, refer to Lamps
and bulbs124
Bulbs, changing124
Button for starting the
engine47
Buttons on the steering
wheel11C
California Proposition 65
warning6
Can holders, refer to Cup
holders89
Capacities150
Capacity of the cargo bay149
Car battery, refer to Vehicle
battery128
Car care, refer to Care120
Care120
– automatic car washes120
– care products120
– carpets122
– CD/DVD drives123
– chrome parts122
– convertible top121
– displays123
– exterior120
– fine wood parts123
– headlamps121
– high-pressure washer120
– interior122
– leather122
– light-alloy wheels122
– paintwork121
– plastic parts123
– rubber seals122
– safety belts123
– sensors and cameras123
– upholstery and cloth
trim122
– washing the car
manually121
– windows121
– wiper blades121
Cargo, securing100
Cargo bay
– capacity149
– convenient access27
– enlarging, refer to Through-
loading system91
– lamp, refer to Interior
lamps77
– lid, refer to Luggage
compartment lid23
– opening from outside23Cargo bay lid, refer to
Luggage compartment
lid23
Cargo bay net, refer to
Securing cargo100
Cargo loading99
– securing cargo100
– stowing cargo99
– vehicle99
Car jack
– jacking points128
Car key, refer to Integrated
key/remote control
18
Car phone
– installation location, refer to
Center armrest88
– refer to separate Owner's
Manual
Car shampoo123
Car wash98
Catalytic converter, refer to
Hot exhaust system97
Center armrest88
Center brake lamp, replacing
bulb127
Center console, refer to
Around the center
console14
Central key, refer to Integrated
key/remote control18
Central locking
– from inside22
– from outside19
Central locking system19
– convenient access26
Changes, technical, refer to
For your own safety5
Changing wheels127
Chassis number, refer to
Engine compartment115
Check Control62
Checking oil level115
Child-restraint fixing system
LATCH45
Child-restraint systems44
Child seats44
Chrome parts123
Chrome polish123
Cigarette lighter90