Page 3 of 256
128i
135iOwner's Manual for Vehicle
Congratulations, and thank you for choosing a BMW.
Thorough familiarity with your vehicle will provide you with 
enhanced control and security when you drive it. We therefore 
have this request:
Please take the time to read this Owner's Manual and familiarize 
yourself with the information that we have compiled for you 
before starting off in your new vehicle. It contains important data 
and instructions intended to assist you in gaining maximum use 
and satisfaction from your BMW's unique range of technical fea-
tures. The manual also contains information on maintenance 
designed to enhance operating safety and contribute to main-
taining the value of your BMW throughout an extended service 
life.
This manual is supplemented by a Service and Warranty Informa-
tion Booklet for US models or a Warranty and Service Guide 
Booklet for Canadian models.
We wish you an enjoyable driving experience.
BMW AG 
     
        
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Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Contents
The quickest way to find special topics is to 
consult the index, refer to page238.
Using this Owner's Manual
4Notes
7Reporting safety defects
At a glance
10Dashboard
16iDrive
21Letters and numbers
22Voice activation system
Controls
26Opening and closing
43Adjustments
52Transporting children safely
55Driving
68Controls overview
80Technology for driving comfort and 
safety
91Lamps
96Climate
101Practical interior accessories
Driving tips
112Things to remember when driving
Navigation
120Navigation system
121Destination entry
130Destination guidance
137What to do if …
Entertainment
140On/off and tone
143Radio
146Satellite radio
151CD/DVD player and CD changer
158Music collection
163External devices
Communications
170Telephone
182Contacts
184BMW Assist
Mobility
192Refueling
194Wheels and tires
202Under the hood
207Maintenance
209Care
213Replacing components
219Giving and receiving assistance
Reference
226Technical data
231Short commands for the voice activation 
system
238Everything from A to Z 
     
        
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Mobility
 219Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Giving and receiving assistance
Emergency Request*
Conditions for an Emergency Request:
>Full preparation package mobile phone: this 
equipment makes it possible to send an 
Emergency Request even if no mobile 
phone is paired with the vehicle.
>BMW Assist is activated. Activating BMW 
Assist, refer to page186.
>Radio readiness is on.
>The BMW Assist system is logged on to a 
mobile phone network.
>The Emergency Request system is opera-
ble.
Once your service contract for BMW Assist 
expires, the BMW Assist system can be deacti-
vated by a BMW center without you having to 
visit a workshop. Once the BMW Assist system 
has been deactivated, Emergency Requests 
are not possible. The BMW Assist system can 
be reactivated by a BMW center after a new 
contract has been signed.
Sending an Emergency Request
1.Briefly press the cover flap to open.
2.Press the SOS button until the LED in the 
button lights up.
As soon as the voice connection to the BMW 
Assist Response Center has been established, 
the LED flashes.
Once the BMW Assist Response Center has 
received your Emergency Request, the 
BMW Assist Response Center contacts you and takes further steps to help you. Even if you 
are unable to respond, the BMW Assist 
Response Center will be able to initiate further 
steps to assist you under certain conditions.
If the circumstances allow this, remain in the 
vehicle until the connection has been estab-
lished. You will then be able to provide a 
detailed description of the situation.
Data for determining the necessary rescue 
measures are transmitted to the BMW Assist 
Response Center, e.g. the current position of 
your vehicle, if it can be determined.
If the LED is flashing but the BMW Assist 
Response Center cannot be heard over the 
hands-free system, it is possible that the 
hands-free system is malfunctioning. You may 
still be heard by the BMW Assist Response 
Center, however.
Under certain conditions, an Emergency 
Request is sent automatically immediately after 
a severe accident. This Automatic Collision 
Notification is not affected by the button being 
pressed.
For technical reasons, the Emergency 
Request service cannot be guaranteed 
for the most unfavorable conditions.<
Roadside Assistance
BMW Roadside Assistance is available by 
phone around the clock in many countries. You 
can obtain support there in the event of a break-
down.
Phone numbers for BMW Roadside Assistance 
can be found in the Contact brochure.
First aid pouch*
Some of the articles contained in the first aid 
pouch have a limited service life. Therefore, 
check the expiration dates of the contents reg-
ularly and replace any items in good time, if nec-
essary. 
     
        
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Reference
This chapter contains technical data, short
commands for the voice activation system and
an index that will help you find information most
quickly.
Reference 
     
        
        Page 228 of 256
Technical data
226
Technical data
Engine data
128i135i
Displacement cu in/cmμ182.8/2,996 181.8/2,979
Number of cylinders 6 6
Maximum power output hp 230 300
at engine speed  rpm 6,500 5,800
Maximum torque lb ft/Nm 200/270 300/407
at engine speed  rpm 2,750 1,200-5,000 
     
        
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Technical data
228
Convertible
All dimensions given in inches/mm. 
Smallest turning circle dia.: 35.1 ft/10.7 m
135i: height 54.8 in/1,392 mm 
     
        
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Technical data
230
Capacities
Notes
Fuel tank:  US gal/liters approx. 14.0/53 Fuel grade: page193
including reserve of US gal/liters approx. 2.1/8.0
Window washer system For more details: page66
including headlamp washers US qt/liters approx. 6.3/6.0 
     
        
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Reference 241
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Corner-illuminating lamps, 
refer to Adaptive light 
control92
Cornering lamps, refer to 
Adaptive light control92
Country codes DVD153
Courtesy lamps95
Criteria for route130
Cross-hairs in navigation126
Cruise control66
Cruising range70
Cupholders105
Curb weight, refer to 
Weights229
Current fuel consumption70
Current playback
– external devices165
– of music collection160
Customer Relations187
D
Dashboard, refer to 
Dashboard10
Dashboard lighting, refer to 
Instrument lighting95
Data, technical226
– capacities230
– dimensions227
– engine226
– sizes227
– weights229
Data memory208
Data transfer188
Date
– setting75
– setting format76
Daytime running lights, switch 
positions92
DBC Dynamic Brake 
Control81
Deactivating front passenger 
airbags88
Deadlocking, refer to 
Locking28
Defect
– door lock30
– fuel filler flap192
– glass roof37Defogging windows98
Defrosting the windows98
Defrosting windows and 
removing condensation98
Defrosting windshield, refer to 
Defrosting windows98
Defrost position, refer to 
Defrosting windows98
Destination, entering by town/
city name121
Destination address
– entering121,127
Destination entry via BMW 
Assist125
Destination for navigation
– entering by voice127
– entering via map126
– entry121
– home address124
– manual entry121
Destination guidance130
– bypassing a route 
section131
– changing specified 
route130
– continuing130
– starting130
– voice instructions132
– volume of voice 
instructions132
Differential, breaking in112
Digital clock68,
74
Digital compass103
Digital radio, refer to HD 
Radio144
Dimensions227
Directional indicators, refer to 
Turn signals64
Direction instructions, refer to 
Voice instructions132
Directory for navigation, refer 
to Address book123
Displacement, refer to Engine 
data226
Display, refer to Control 
Display16
Display lighting, refer to 
Instrument lighting95Displays, refer to Instrument 
cluster12
Displays and controls10
Disposal
– of coolant205
– remote control battery35
– vehicle battery218
Distance, refer to 
Computer70
Distance remaining to service, 
refer to Service 
requirements72
Distance to destination, refer 
to Computer70
Distance warning, refer to 
Park Distance Control 
PDC80
Door key, refer to Integrated 
key/remote control26
Door lock29
Door lock, confirmation 
signals28
Doors, emergency 
operation30
DOT Quality Grades198
Draft-free ventilation99
Drinks holders, refer to 
Cupholders105
Drive mode61
Drive-off assistance, refer to 
DSC81
Drive-off assistant82
Driving dynamics control62
Driving lamps, refer to Parking 
lamps/low beams91
Driving notes112
Driving off on hills, refer to 
Drive-off assistant82
Driving stability control 
systems81
Driving through water114
Driving tips, refer to Driving 
notes112
Dry air, refer to Cooling 
function98
DSC Dynamic Stability 
Control81