2009 BMW 328I CONVERTIBLE towing

Opening and closing
32
Unlocking separately
Push the switch in the direction of arrow 2.
Emergency release
Pull the lever in the cargo bay. The luggage
compartment lid is unlocked.
Closing
The handle recesses on the interior trim of the
luggage compartment lid make it easier to pull
down.
Make sure that the closing path of the
luggage compartment lid is clear, other-
wise injuries may result.<
Coupe
Convertible
To close the luggage compartment lid,
press it down lightly. The lid is closed
automatically.<
Alarm system*
The concept
The vehicle alarm system responds:
>When a door, the hood or the luggage com-
partment lid is opened
>To movements inside the vehicle: Interior
motion sensor, refer to page33
>When the car's inclination changes, for
instance if an attempt is made to jack it up
and steal the wheels or to raise it prior to
towing away
>When there is an interruption in the power
supply from the battery
The alarm system signals unauthorized entry
attempts for a short time by means of:
>An acoustic alarm
>Switching on the hazard warning flashers
>Flashing the high beams

Driving tips
119Reference
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 page213.
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.

Giving and receiving assistance
226
Preparation
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 assisting vehi-
cle.
3.Switch off any consumers in both vehicles.
There must not be any contact between
the bodies of the two vehicles, otherwise
there is a danger of shorting.<
Connecting jumper cables
Connect the jumper cables in the correct
order, so that no sparks which could
cause injury occur.<
Your BMW has a jump-starting connection in
the engine compartment which acts as the bat-
tery's positive terminal, refer also to the Engine
compartment overview on page207. The cap is
marked with +.
1.Pull the cap of the BMW jump-starting con-
nection up to remove.
2.Attach one terminal clamp of the plus/+
jumper cable to the positive terminal of the
battery or a starting-aid terminal of the vehi-
cle providing assistance.
3.Attach the second terminal clamp of the
plus/+ jumper cable to the positive terminal
of the battery or a starting-aid terminal of
the vehicle to be started.
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.<
Do not transport any passengers other
than the driver in a vehicle that is being
towed.<

Mobility
227Reference
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 stored in the onboard tool kit under-
neath the cover on the right-hand side of the
cargo bay, refer to page217.
Convertible: it is stored in the onboard tool kit
underneath the cargo bay floor, refer to
page217.
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
Release the cover panel in the bumper:
Press on the upper part of the cover panel.
Front
Rear
Being towed
Make sure that the ignition is switched on,
refer to page55, 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.<
Manual transmission
Gearshift lever in neutral position.
Automatic transmission
Selector lever in position N.
Changing selector lever positions, refer to
page58.
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
Do not lift the vehicle by a tow fitting or
body and chassis parts, otherwise dam-
age may result.<
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.

Giving and receiving assistance
228 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: vehicle without xDrive
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.
With a tow truck: vehicle with xDrive
Do not tow a BMW with xDrive with just
the front or rear axle raised, otherwise the
wheels could lock up and the transfer case
could be damaged.<
Have the BMW transported on a flatbed surface
only.
Tow-starting
Avoid tow-starting the vehicle whenever possi-
ble; instead, jump-start the engine, refer to
page225. 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 hazard warning flashers, comply
with local regulations.
2.Switch on the ignition, refer to page55.
3.Shift into 3rd gear.
4.Have the vehicle tow-started with the clutch
depressed and slowly release the clutch.
After the engine starts, immediately
depress the clutch completely again.
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.
With xDrive: do not activate Hill Descent
Control HDC when the vehicle is being
tow-started, page84.<

Everything from A - Z
242
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
System83
ACC, refer to Active cruise
control63
Accident, refer to Sending an
Emergency Request224
Activated-charcoal filter for
automatic climate
control100
Active cruise control63
– indicator lamps66
– malfunction67
– selecting distance65
– sensor66
Active steering89
Adaptive brake light
– brake force display89
Adaptive Head Light94
Additives
– coolant209
Address, entering125,131
Address for navigation
– entering125,131
Adjusting temperature inside
the car, refer to Automatic
climate control98
Adjusting the thigh support43
Adjusting the tone during
audio operation, refer to
Tone control144
Airbags90
– indicator/warning lamp91
– sitting safely42Air conditioning mode
– automatic climate control98
– ventilation100
Air distribution
– automatic98
Air flow rate99
Airing, refer to Ventilation100
Air pressure, refer to Tire
inflation pressure194
Air recirculation, refer to
Recirculated-air mode99
Air supply
– automatic climate control98
– ventilation100
Air vents97
AKI, refer to Fuel
specifications193
Alarm system32
– avoiding unintentional
alarms33
– interior motion sensor33
– switching off an alarm33
– tilt alarm sensor33
Albums of music
collection161
All-season tires, refer to
Winter tires205
All-wheel drive, refer to
xDrive84
AM, waveband147
Ambient air, refer to
Recirculated-air mode99
Antenna for mobile phone170
Antifreeze
– coolant209
– washer fluid61
Antilock Brake System
ABS83
Anti-theft alarm system, refer
to Alarm system32
Anti-theft system27
Approved axle loads, refer to
Weights235Approved gross vehicle
weight, refer to Weights235
Armrest, refer to Center
armrest106
Arrival time, refer to
Computer71
Ashtray
– front108
– rear108
Assistance systems, refer to
Driving stability control
systems83
AUC Automatic recirculated-
air control99
Audio144
– controls144
– switching on/off144
– tone control144
– volume144
Audio device, external106
Automatic
– air distribution98
– air flow rate98
– cruise control61,63
– headlamp control93
Automatic car washes213
Automatic climate control97
– automatic air distribution98
Automatic curb monitor50
Automatic recirculated-air
control AUC99
Automatic Service
Request187
Automatic transmission with
Steptronic57
– interlock57,58
– overriding selector lever
lock59
– shiftlock, refer to Changing
selector lever position58
– sport program58
– towing
226
– tow-starting226

Reference 243
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
AUTO program for automatic
climate control98
AUX-IN
– port106
AUX-IN port163
Average fuel consumption71
– setting the units72
Average speed71
Avoid highways in
navigation135
Avoiding unintentional
alarms33
Axle loads, refer to
Weights235
B
Backrest contour, refer to
Lumbar support44
Backrests, refer to Seat
adjustment43
Backrest width adjustment44
Back seats
– refer to Rear seats45
Backup lamps
– replacing bulb220,221
Backup lamps, refer to Tail
lamps220
Bag holder110
Band-aids, refer to First-aid
pouch225
Bar, refer to Towing
methods227
Base plate for telephone or
mobile phone
– refer to Snap-in adapter179
– refer to Snap-in adapter in
the center armrest storage
compartment106
Bass, tone setting144
Battery222
– charging222
– disposal35,222
– jump starting225
– remote control26
– temporary power failure222
Battery for mobile phone179Battery renewal
– remote control35
– remote control for vehicle35
Being towed227
Belt hand-over49
– pinch protection system49
Belts, refer to Safety belts48
Belt tensioner, refer to Safety
belts48
Beverage holders, refer to
Cup holders107
Blinds, refer to Roller sun
blinds105
Blower, refer to Air flow
rate99
Bluetooth, activating/
deactivating172
Bluetooth, refer to separate
Owner's Manual
BMW
– car shampoo215
BMW Assist, activating184
BMW Assist183
BMW center188
BMW Homepage4
BMW Maintenance
System211
BMW Search184
BMW webpage
4
Bottle holders, refer to Cup
holders107
Brake assist, refer to Dynamic
Brake Control DBC83
Brake fluid, refer to Service
requirements73
Brake force display89
Brake lamps
– brake force display89
– replacing bulb220,221
Brake pads116
– breaking in116
Brake rotors118
– brakes116
– breaking in116Brakes
– ABS83
– BMW Maintenance
System211
– brake force display89
– breaking in116
– parking brake56
– service requirements73
Brakes, refer to Braking
safely118
Brake system116
– BMW Maintenance
System211
– breaking in116
– disc brakes118
Breakdown services, refer to
Roadside Assistance224
Breaking in the clutch116
Breaking in the differential,
refer to Engine and
differential116
Break-in period116
Brightness of Control
Display80
Bulb changing, refer to Lamps
and bulbs218
Button for starting the engine,
refer to Start/stop button55
Buttons on the steering
wheel11
C
California Proposition 65
warning6
Call
– accepting173
– ending174
– rejecting174
Calling, refer to Phone
numbers, dialing174
Can holders, refer to Cup
holders107
Capacities235
Capacity of the cargo bay235
Car battery, refer to Vehicle
battery222
Car care, refer to Care213

Everything from A - Z
244 Care213
– automatic car washes213
– care products213
– carpets215
– CD/DVD drives216
– chrome parts214
– displays215
– exterior213
– fine wood parts215
– headlamps214
– high-pressure washer213
– interior215
– leather215
– light-alloy wheels215
– paintwork214
– plastic parts215
– retractable hardtop214
– rubber seals214
– safety belts215
– sensors and cameras215
– upholstery and cloth
trim215
– washing the car
manually214
– windows214
– wiper blades214
Cargo, securing120
Cargo bay
– capacity235
– convenient access34
– folding up the floor
panel111
– lamp, refer to Interior
lamps96
– opening from inside31
– opening from outside31
Cargo loading119
– securing cargo120
– stowing cargo119
– vehicle119
Car jack
– jacking points222
Car key, refer to Integrated
key/remote control26
Car phone
– installation location, refer to
Center armrest106
– refer to separate Owner's
ManualCar phone, refer to
Telephone170
Car radio, refer to Radio147
Car shampoo215
Car wash118
Catalytic converter, refer to
Hot exhaust system117
CBS Condition Based
Service
211
CD, audio playback152
CD changer152
– controls144
– fast forward/reverse154
– installation location156
– random play sequence153
– selecting a track152
– switching on/off144
– tone control144
– volume144
CD player152
– controls144
– fast forward/reverse154
– random play sequence153
– selecting a track152
– switching on/off144
– tone control144
– volume144
Center armrest106
Center brake lamp
– replacing bulb222
Center console, refer to
Around the center
console14
Central locking
– from inside30
– from outside27
Central locking system27
– convenient access34
– hotel function31
– setting unlocking
characteristics27
Changes, technical, refer to
For your own safety5
Changing bulbs, refer to
Lamps and bulbs218
Changing the measurement
units on the Control
Display72
Changing wheels222Chassis number, refer to
Engine compartment207
Check Control77
Child-restraint fixing system
LATCH53
Child-restraint systems52
Child seats, refer to
Transporting children
safely52
Chrome parts215
Chrome polish215
Cigarette lighter, refer to
Lighter108
Cleaning headlamps60
– washer fluid61
Cleaning your BMW, refer to
Care213
Clock
69
– 12h/24h mode76
– setting the time and date76
– setting time75
Closing
– from inside30
– from outside27
Clothes hooks107
Cockpit10
Cold start, refer to Starting the
engine55
Combined instrument, refer to
Instrument cluster12
Comfort access, refer to
Convenient access34
Comfort area, refer to Around
the center console14
Compartment for remote
control, refer to Ignition
lock55
Compass104
Computer70
– displays on Control
Display71
Computer, refer to iDrive16
Concierge service183
Condensation, refer to When
the vehicle is parked118
Condition Based Service
CBS211
Configuring settings, refer to
Personal Profile26