2010 BMW 128I CONVERTIBLE tow bar

Controls
75Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Technology for driving comfort and safety
Park Distance Control PDC*
The concept
The PDC assists you with maneuvering in tight
parking spaces. Acoustic signals and a visual
indicator
warn you of the presence of an object
behind your vehicle. Four ultrasonic sensors in
the bumper measure the distance.
These sensors have a range of approx. 6.5 ft/
2 m. However, an acoustic warning does not
sound until an object is approx. 2 ft/60 cm from
the corner sensors, or approx. 5 ft/1.50 m from
the center sensors.
PDC is a parking aid that can indicate
objects when they are approached
slowly, as is usually the case when parking.
Avoid approaching an object at high speed; oth-
erwise, physical circumstances may lead to the
system warning being issued too late.<
Switching on automatically
With the engine running or the ignition switched
on, the system is activated after approx. 1 sec-
ond when you engage reverse gear or move the
automatic transmission selector lever to
position R. Wait this short period before driving.
Switching off automatically
After approx. 55 yd/50 m of driving or above
approx. 20 mph/30 km/h, the system switches
off and the LED goes out.
Signal tones
When nearing an object, its position is indicated
correspondingly by an interval tone. As the dis-
tance between vehicle and object decreases,
the intervals between the tones become
shorter. If the distance to the nearest object
falls to below roughly 1 ft/30 cm, then a contin-
uous tone sounds.
An interval tone is interrupted after approx.
3seconds:>If you stop in front of an object that has been
detected by only one of the corner sensors
>If you are driving parallel to a wall
Malfunction
The indicator lamp in the instrument
cluster comes on. PDC is malfunc-
tioning. A message appears on the
Control Display. Have the system checked.
To avoid this problem, keep the sensors clean
and free of ice or snow in order to ensure that
they will continue to operate effectively. When
using a high-pressure cleaner, do not spray the
sensors for extended periods of time and only
from a distance of at least 1 ft/30 cm.
PDC with visual warning
The approach of the vehicle to an object is
shown on the Control Display. Objects that are
farther away are displayed on the Control Dis-
play before a signal tone sounds. The display
appears on the Control Display as soon as PDC
is activated.
System limitations
Even with PDC, final responsibility for
estimating the distance between the
vehicle and any obstructions always remains
with the driver. Even when sensors are pro-
vided, there is a blind spot in which objects can
no longer be detected. The system is also sub-
ject to the physical limits that apply to all forms
of ultrasonic measurement, such as those
encountered with trailer towbars and hitches,
thin or wedge-shaped objects, etc. Low objects
that have already been displayed, e.g. curbs,
can disappear again from the detection area of
the sensors before or after a continuous tone
sounds. Higher, protruding objects, e.g. ledges,
cannot be detected. Loud sound sources out-
side or inside the car can drown out the PDC
signal. Therefore, always drive cautiously; oth-
erwise, there is a risk of personal injury or prop-
erty damage.<

Mobility
209Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Replacing components
Onboard vehicle tool kit
The onboard vehicle tool kit is stored below the
floor mat in the cargo area.
Wiper blades
1.Fold out the wiper arm and hold it.
2.Press together the locking spring, arrows1,
and fold out the wiper blade, arrow2.
3.Take the wiper blade out of the catch mech-
anism, pulling the blade toward the front.
To avoid damage, make sure that the
wiper arms are against the windshield
before you open the engine compartment.<
Lamps and bulbs
Lamps and bulbs make an essential contribu-
tion to vehicle safety. They should, therefore,
be handled carefully. BMW recommends hav-
ing your BMW center perform any work that you
do not feel competent to perform yourself or
that is not described here.
Never touch the glass of 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 tissue, cloth or something similar, or hold
the bulb by its base.<
You can obtain a selection of replacement bulbs
at your BMW center.When working on electrical systems,
always begin by switching off the con-
sumer in question; otherwise, short-circuits
could result. To avoid possible injury or equip-
ment damage when replacing bulbs, observe
any instructions provided by the bulb manufac-
turer.<
If the routine for changing a particular
bulb is not described here, please contact
your BMW center or a workshop that works
according to BMW repair procedures with cor-
respondingly trained personnel.<
Light-emitting diodes LED
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 or expose the
eyes directly to the unfiltered light source
for several hours; otherwise, this could cause
irritation of the retina.<
Xenon lamps*
These bulbs have a very long service life and are
highly unlikely to fail. If a xenon lamp fails never-
theless, switch on the fog lamps and continue
the journey with great care, provided that local
legislation does not prohibit this.
Have any work on the xenon lamp system,
including bulb replacements, performed
only by a BMW center or a workshop that works
according to BMW repair procedures with cor-
respondingly trained personnel. Otherwise, if
such work is carried out improperly, the high
voltage in the system presents the danger of
fatal injuries.<

Giving and receiving assistance
218 ing 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 the selector lever position, refer to
page58.
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
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.
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 flatbed.
Do not tow the vehicle with just the rear axle
raised as this may cause the steering to turn.
Tow-starting
Avoid tow-starting the vehicle whenever possi-
ble; instead, jump-start the engine, refer to
page216. 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 page55.
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.
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.

Everything from A - Z
232
Everything from A - Z
Index
A
ABS Antilock Brake
System76
Accessories, refer to The
individual vehicle5
Accident, reporting, refer to
Emergency Request215
Activated-charcoal filter94
Active steering81
Adaptive light control87
Additives
– coolant201
– engine oil201
Address, entering117,123
Address for navigation
– entering117
Airbags83
– sitting safely43
– warning lamp84
Air conditioner91
Air distribution
– automatic92
Airing, refer to Ventilation94
Air outlets, refer to Air
vents91
Air pressure, checking, refer
to Tire inflation
pressure190
Air recirculation, refer to
Recirculated-air mode93
Air vents91
Air volume93
AKI, refer to Fuel
specifications188
Alarm system32
– avoiding unintentional
alarms33
– interior motion sensor32
– switching off an alarm32
– tilt alarm sensor32
Albums of music
collection156ALL program93
All-season tires, refer to
Winter tires197
AM, waveband139
Ambient air, refer to
Recirculated-air mode93
Antenna for mobile phone166
Antifreeze
– coolant201
– washer fluid61
Antilock Brake System
ABS76
Anti-theft alarm system, refer
to Alarm system32
Anti-theft system27
Approved axle loads, refer to
Weights225
Approved gross vehicle
weight, refer to Weights225
Armrest, refer to Center
armrest
100
Arrival time
– computer65
Ashtray101
Assistance systems, refer to
Dynamic Stability Control
DSC76
AUC Automatic recirculated-
air control93
Audio136
– controls136
– switching on/off136
– tone control136
– volume136
Automatic
– air distribution92
– air volume92
– cruise control61
– headlamp control86
Automatic car washes205
Automatic climate control91
– automatic air distribution92
Automatic curb monitor50Automatic high beams and
low beams, refer to High-
beam assistant88
Automatic lamps
– refer to Welcome lamps86
Automatic recirculated-air
control AUC93
Automatic Service
Request184
Automatic transmission with
Steptronic57
– selector lever lock58
– shiftlock58
– towing217
– tow-starting217
AUTO program for automatic
climate control92
AUX-IN port159
Available services184
Average fuel consumption65
– setting the units67
Average speed65
Avoid highways in
navigation126
Avoiding unintentional
alarms33
Axle loads, refer to
Weights225
B
Backrests, refer to Seats44
Backrest width adjustment45
Back seats, refer to Rear seats
– adjusting head restraints46
Backup lamp, replacing
bulb212
Bag for skis, refer to Ski
bag103
Band-aids, refer to First aid
pouch215
Bar, refer to Tow-starting,
towing away218

Reference 243
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Switching on
– audio136
– CD changer136
– CD player136
– radio136
Switching the cooling function
on and off93
Switch-on times of parked car
ventilation, preselecting95
Symbols4
– status information19
T
Tachometer63
Tailgate, refer to Trunk lid30
Tail lamp, refer to Tail
lamps211
– replacing bulb212
Tail lamps211
– replacing bulb212
Tank contents, refer to
Capacities226
Technical changes5
Technical data222
Telephone166
– voice commands173
Telephone, installation
location, refer to Center
armrest100
Telephone, refer to separate
Owner's Manual
TeleService180
TeleService Diagnosis182
TeleService Help182
Temperature, setting for
automatic climate control92
Temperature display
– outside temperature63
– outside temperature
warning63
– setting the units67
Tempomat, refer to Cruise
control61
Thigh support44
Third brake lamp, refer to
Center brake lamp212
Three-point safety belt49
Through-loading system102Tilt alarm sensor32
Tilt function, passenger-side
mirror50
Timer, refer to Preselecting
switch-on times95
Tire inflation pressure190
– loss78,79
Tire pressure monitoring,
refer to Flat Tire Monitor77
Tire Pressure Monitor
TPM79
– resetting the system79
– system limitations79
– warning lamp80
Tire puncture, refer to Flat Tire
Monitor78
Tire Quality Grading194
Tires
– age194
– air loss80
– breaking in108
– changing, refer to Changing
wheels212
– condition195
– damage
195
– inflation pressure190
– labels194
– minimum tread depth195
– new tires196
– pressure monitoring, refer to
Flat Tire Monitor77
– pressure monitoring, refer to
Tire Pressure Monitor
TPM79
– puncture78
– retreaded196
– run-flat tires196
– size194
– wear indicators, refer to
Minimum tread depth195
– winter tires197
TMC station, refer to Traffic
bulletins129
Tone
– control136
– middle setting138
Tools, refer to Onboard
vehicle tool kit209Top 50 of music
collection156
Torque, refer to Engine
data222
Tow bar218
Tow fitting217
Tow fittings for tow-starting
and towing away217
Towing217
– car with automatic
transmission217
– methods218
Towing and tow-starting217
Town/city, for navigation117
Tow rope218
Tow-starting217
TPM, refer to Tire Pressure
Monitor79
Track
– selecting on CD147
Traction control, refer to
Dynamic Stability Control
DSC76
Traffic bulletins
– categories131
Traffic bulletins, filtering131
Traffic bulletins for
navigation129
– during destination
guidance131
– in map view131
Traffic jam
– displaying traffic
bulletins129
Transmission
– automatic transmission with
Steptronic57
– manual transmission57
Transporting children
safely52
Transport securing devices,
refer to Securing cargo112
Travel instructions, refer to
Voice instructions127
Tread depth, refer to Minimum
tire tread195
Trip, deleting125
Trip, storing124