2012 BMW 640I CONVERTIBLE tow

attempt in order to allow the discharged bat‐
tery to recharge.
3. Let both engines run for several minutes.
4. Disconnect the jumper cables in the reverse
order.
Check the battery and recharge if necessary.
Tow-starting and towing
Manual transmission
Observe before towing your vehicle
The parking brake is blocked
The parking brake cannot be released
manually.
When the parking brake is blocked, do not tow
with the front axle lifted or the vehicle can be
damaged.
Contact your service center.◀
Gearshift lever in neutral position.
Towing
Follow the towing instructions
Follow all towing instructions; otherwise,
vehicle damage or accidents may occur.◀
▷ Make sure that the ignition is switched on;
otherwise, the low beams, tail lamps, turn
signals, and windshield wipers may be un‐
available.
▷ Do not tow the vehicle with the rear axle
tilted, as the front wheels could turn.
▷ When the engine is stopped, there is no
power assist. Consequently, more force
needs
to be applied when braking and steer‐
ing.
▷ Larger steering wheel movements are re‐
quired. Tow truck
Have your vehicle transported with a tow truck
with a so-called lift bar or on a flat bed.
Do not lift the vehicle
Do not lift the vehicle by the tow fitting or
body

and chassis parts; otherwise, damage may
result.◀
Automatic transmission*: transporting
your vehicle
Note
Your vehicle is not permitted to be towed.
Therefore, contact a service center in the event
of a breakdown.
Do not have the vehicle towed
Have your vehicle transported on a loading
platform only; otherwise, damage may occur.◀
Tow truck Do not lift the vehicle
Do not lift the vehicle by the tow fitting or
body

and chassis parts; otherwise, damage may
result.◀
Use the tow fitting screwed in at the front for
maneuvering the vehicle only. Seite 251
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Reference
Mobility Communication Entertainment Navigation Driving tips Controls At a glance

Towing other vehicles
General information
Light towing vehicle
Your vehicle must not be lighter than the
vehicle being towed; otherwise, it will not be
possible to control vehicle response.◀
Attaching the tow bar/tow rope correctly
Attach the tow bar or tow rope to the tow
fitting; connecting it to other vehicle parts may
cause damage.◀
▷ Switch on the hazard warning system, de‐
pending on local regulations.
▷ If the electrical system has failed, clearly
identify the vehicle being towed by placing
a sign or a warning triangle in the rear win‐
dow.
Tow bar
The tow fittings used should be on the same
side on both vehicles.
Should it prove impossible to avoid mounting
the tow bar at an offset angle, please observe
the following:
▷ Maneuvering capability is limited during cor‐
nering.
▷ The tow bar will generate lateral forces if it
is secured with an offset.
Tow rope
When starting to tow the vehicle, make sure that
the tow rope is taut.
To avoid jerking and the associated stresses on
the vehicle components when towing, always
use nylon ropes or nylon straps.
Attaching the tow rope correctly
Only secure the tow rope on the tow fit‐
ting; otherwise, damage can occur when it is se‐
cured on other parts of the vehicle.◀ Tow fitting
The screw-in tow fitting should always be car‐
ried in the vehicle. It can be screwed in at the
front or rear of the BMW. It is contained in the
tool kit under the cargo floor cover.
Tow fitting, information on use
▷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, damage to the tow fitting and the ve‐
hicle can occur.◀
Screw thread Push out the cover by pressing on the top edge.
Tow-starting
Automatic transmission

*
Do not tow-start the vehicle.
Due to the automatic transmission, the engine
cannot be started by tow-starting.
Have the cause of the starting difficulties rem‐
edied. Seite 252
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Breakdown assistance

Manual transmission
If
possible, do not tow-start the vehicle but start
the engine by jump-starting, refer to page 249.
If the vehicle is equipped with a catalytic con‐
verter, only tow-start while the engine is cold.
1. Switch on the hazard warning system and
comply with local regulations.
2. Ignition, refer to page 65, on.
3. Engage third gear.
4. Have the vehicle tow-started with the clutch
pressed

and slowly release the clutch. After
the engine starts, immediately press on the
clutch again.
5. Stop at a suitable location, remove the tow
bar or rope, and switch off the hazard warn‐
ing system.
6. Have the vehicle checked.
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Reference
Mobility Communication Entertainment Navigation Driving tips Controls At a glance

A signal is sounded when an attempt is made to
lock the vehicle.
Transmission position
Transmission position P is engaged automati‐
cally:
▷
When the ignition is switched off.
▷ After approx. 15 minutes.
Headlamps
▷ Do not rub dry and do not use abrasive or
caustic cleansers.
▷ Soak areas that have been soiled e.g. due to
insects, with shampoo and wash off with
water.
▷ Thaw ice with de-icing spray; do not use an
ice scraper.
After washing the vehicle
After washing the vehicle, apply the brakes
briefly
to dry them; otherwise, braking action can
be reduced and corrosion of the brake discs can
occur.
Vehicle care
Car care products
BMW recommends using cleaning and care
products from BMW, since these have been
tested and approved.
Car care and cleaning products
Follow the instructions on the container.
When cleaning the interior, open the doors or
windows.
Only use products intended for cleaning vehi‐
cles.
Cleansers can contain substances that are dan‐
gerous and harmful to your health.◀
Vehicle paint
Regular care contributes to driving safety and
value retention. Environmental influences can act on the vehicle
paint.

Tailor the frequency and extent of your car
care to these influences.
Caring for the convertible top
The appearance and life of the convertible top
depend on correct care and operation.
Note the following instructions:
▷ To avoid water stains, mildew spots, and
chafe marks, do not fold and stow the con‐
vertible top in the convertible top well while
the top is wet or frozen.
▷ Remove water stains that may nevertheless
have appeared on the headliner using a mi‐
crofiber cloth and an interior cleaner.
▷ When the vehicle is parked in enclosed
areas for lengthy periods, ensure that the
area is well ventilated.
▷ Remove bird droppings immediately as their
corrosive effect will otherwise attack the
convertible top and damage the rubber
seals.
Do not use spot remover, paint thinner,
solvent,
benzine, or similar products to re‐
move spots on the convertible top. These prod‐
ucts may destroy the rubber coating. Incorrect
care and cleaning may cause the convertible top
and its seams to become leaky.◀
To remove heavy soiling, use a special conver‐
tible top cleaner.
Follow the instructions for use from the manu‐
facturer.
Treat the convertible top with an impregnating
agent after it has been washed three to five
times.
Leather care
Remove dust from the leather often, using a
cloth or vacuum cleaner.
Otherwise, particles of dust and road grime
chafe in pores and folds, and lead to increased
wear and premature degradation of the leather
surface. Seite 255
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Reference
Mobility Communication Entertainment Navigation Driving tips Controls At a glance

Everything from A to Z
Index
A
ABS, Antilock Brake Sys‐
tem 101
Activated-charcoal filter 126
Active Blind Spot Detec‐ tion 98
Active seat, front 55
Active seat ventilation, front 55
Active Steering, integral 102
Adaptive brake lights, refer to Brake force display 100
Adaptive drive 102
Adaptive light control 85
Additional telephone 196
Additives, oil 239
Adjustments, seats/head re‐ straints 53
Airbags 88
Airbags, indicator/warning light 89
Air circulation, refer to Recir‐ culated-air mode 125
Air distribution, manual 123
Air drying, refer to Cooling function 125
Air pressure, tires 229
Air vents, refer to Ventila‐ tion 126
Air volume, automatic climate control 124
Alarm system 42
Alarm, unintentional 43
All around the center con‐ sole 17
All
around the interior rearview
mirror 18
All around the steering wheel 12
ALL program, automatic cli‐ mate control 125 All-season tires, refer to Win‐
ter tires 233
Alternating-code hand-held transmitter 129
Alternative oil types 239
AM/FM station 166
Announcement, navigation, refer to Spoken instruc‐
tions 155
Antifreeze, washer fluid 71
Antilock Brake System, ABS 101
Anti-slip control, refer to DSC 101
Appointments 212
Approved engine oils 239
Apps 222
Armrest, refer to Center arm‐ rest 132
Arrival time 78
Ashtray 129
Assist 218
Assistance, Roadside Assis‐ tance 249
Assistance when driving off 101
Audio playback 173
Audio playback, Blue‐ tooth 188
AUTO intensity 124
Automatic car wash 254
Automatic Curb Monitor 59
Automatic deactivation, front passenger airbags 89
Automatic headlamp con‐ trol 85
Automatic Hold 67
Automatic locking 39
Automatic recirculated-air control 125
Automatic Soft Closing, doors 40 Automatic transmission with
Steptronic 72
AUTO program, automatic cli‐ mate control 124
AUTO program, intensity 124
AUX-IN port 184
Average fuel consumption 77
Average speed 77
Axle loads, weights 261
B
Backrest curvature, refer to Lumbar support 54
Backrest, seats 53
Backrest, width 54
Backup camera 110
Backup lamps, bulb replace‐ ment 245
Balance 164
Band-Aids, refer to First aid kit 249
Bar for tow-starting/tow‐ ing 252
Bass 164
Battery replacement, vehicle battery 247
Battery replacement, vehicle remote control 32
Battery, vehicle 247
Before entering the car wash 254
Belts, safety belts 56
Beverage holder, cu‐ pholder 133
Bluetooth audio 188
BMW Apps 222
BMW Apps, video play‐ back 187
BMW Assist 218
BMW EfficientDynamics, refer to Saving fuel 141
BMW homepage 6
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Everything from A to Z

External temperature warn‐
ing 75
Eyes for securing cargo 141
F
Fader 164
Failure message, refer to Check Control 82
False alarm, refer to Uninten‐ tional alarm 43
Fan, refer to Air volume 124
Fault displays, refer to Check Control 82
Filler neck for engine oil 238
Fine wood, care 256
First aid kit 249
Fitting
for towing, refer to Tow
fitting 252
Flat Tire Monitor FTM 95
Flat tire, Tire Pressure Monitor TPM 91
Flat tire, warning lamp 93, 95
Flat tire, wheel change 246
Flooding 139
Floor carpet, care 256
Floor mats, care 256
FM/AM station 166
Fold-out position, windshield wipers 71
Foot brake 139
Front airbags 88
Front fog lamps 87
Front lamps 244
Front passenger airbags, au‐ tomatic deactivation 89
Front passenger airbags, indi‐ cator lamp 90
Front seats 53
FTM Flat Tire Monitor 95
Fuel cap 226
Fuel consumption, current 75
Fuel consumption, refer to Average fuel consump‐
tion 77
Fuel filler flap 226
Fuel gauge 74
Fuel quality 228 Fuel, tank capacity
262
Fuse 247
G
Garage door opener, refer to Integrated universal remote
control 128
Gas station recommenda‐ tion 155
Gear
change, automatic trans‐
mission 72
Gear shift indicator 79
General driving notes 138
Glove compartment 132
GPS navigation, refer to Navi‐ gation system 146
Gross vehicle weight, ap‐ proved 261
Gross weight, permissible for trailer towing 261
H
Hand brake, refer to Parking brake 67
Hand-held transmitter, alter‐ nating code 129
Hazard warning flashers 248
HD Radio 167
Headlamp control, auto‐ matic 85
Headlamp courtesy delay fea‐ ture 84
Headlamp courtesy delay fea‐ ture via remote control 37
Headlamp flasher 69
Headlamp glass 244
Headlamps 244
Headlamps, care 255
Headlamp washer system 69
Head restraints 53
Head restraints, front 57
Head-up Display 121
Head-up Display, care 257
Heavy cargo, stowing 141
Height, seats 53
Height, vehicle 260 High-beam Assistant
86
High beams 69
High beams/low beams, refer to High-beam Assistant 86
Hills 140
Hill start assistant, refer to Drive-off assistant 101
Hints 6
Holder for beverages 133
Homepage 6
Hood 236
Horn 12
Hotel function 39
Hot exhaust system 138
House number, entering for navigation 147
Hydroplaning 139
I
Ice warning, refer to External temperature warning 75
Icy roads, refer to External temperature warning 75
Identification marks, tires 231
Identification number, refer to Engine compartment 236
iDrive 19
Ignition key, refer to Remote control 32
Ignition off 65
Ignition on 65
Indication of a flat tire 93, 95
Indicator and warning mes‐ sages 14
Indicator lamps 14
Individual air distribution 123
Individual settings, refer to Personal Profile 33
Inflation pressure, tires 229
Inflation pressure warning FTM, tires 95
Info display, refer to Com‐ puter 76
Information on the navigation data 160
Initialization, Integral Active Steering 103
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Reference Mobility Communication Entertainment Navigation Driving tips Controls At a glance

Menu in instrument cluster
76
Menus, operating, iDrive 19
Menus, refer to iDrive operat‐ ing concept 20
Message list, traffic bulle‐ tins 157
Messages 210
Messages, refer to Check Control 82
Microfilter 126
Minimum tread, tires 232
Mirror 59
Mirror memory 58
Mobile communication devi‐ ces in the vehicle 139
Mobile phone 196
Modifications, technical, refer to Safety 7
Moisture in headlamp 244
Monitor, refer to Control Dis‐ play 19
Mounting of child restraint fix‐ ing systems 62
MP3 player 184
Multifunction steering wheel, buttons 12
Multimedia 173
Music collection 180
Music search 181
Music, storing 180
N
Navigation 146
Navigation data 160
Neck restraints, front, refer to Head restraints 57
New wheels and tires 233
Night Vision with pedestrian detection 118
NORMAL program, Dynamic Driving Control 105
Notes 213
Nylon rope for tow-starting/ towing 252 O
OBD Onboard Diagnos‐
tics 241
Obstacle marking, backup camera 111
Odometer 76
Office 207
Oil 238
Oil, adding 238
Oil additives 239
Oil
change interval, service re‐
quirements 81
Oil filler neck 238
Oil level check 238
Oil types, alternative 239
Oil types, approved 239
Old batteries, disposal 247
Onboard Diagnostics OBD 241
Onboard monitor, refer to Control Display 19
Online, refer to BMW On‐ line 220
Opening/closing from in‐ side 39
Opening/closing via door lock 38
Opening/closing with remote control 36
Operating concept, iDrive 19
Outside air, refer to Automatic recirculated-air control 125
Overheating of engine, refer to Coolant temperature 75
P
Paint, vehicle 255
Panic mode 37
Parallel parking assistant 115
Park Distance Control PDC 107
Parked-car ventilation 126
Parked vehicle, condensa‐ tion 140
Parking aid, refer to PDC 107
Parking assistant 115 Parking brake
67
Parking lamps 84
Parking with Auto Hold 67
Passenger side mirror, tilting downward 59
Pathway lines, backup cam‐ era 110
PDC Park Distance Con‐ trol 107
Pedestrian detection, refer to Night Vision 118
People detection, refer to Night Vision 118
Permissible axle load 261
Personal information 207
Personal Profile 33
Phone 196
Pinch protection system, win‐ dows 44
Plastic, care 256
PlugIn 223
Position, storing 148
Postal code, entering in navi‐ gation 146
Power failure 247
Power windows 43
Pressure, tire air pres‐ sure 229
Pressure warning FTM, tires 95
Profile, refer to Personal Pro‐ file 33
Programmable memory but‐ tons, iDrive 23
Protective function, win‐ dows 44
Push-and-turn switch, refer to Controller 19
R
Radiator fluid 239
Radio 166
Radio-operated key, refer to Remote control 32
Radio ready state 65
Rain sensor 70
Random 174
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Reference Mobility Communication Entertainment Navigation Driving tips Controls At a glance

Random playback
174
RDS 167
Reading out loud 214
Rear axle steering 102
Rear lamps 245
Rearview mirror 59
Rear window defroster 125
Recirculated-air mode 125
Recommended tire brands 233
Refueling 226
Remaining range 74
Reminders 213
Remote control/key 32
Remote control, malfunc‐ tion 38
Remote
control, universal 128
Replacement fuse 247
Replacing parts 243
Replacing wheels/tires 233
Reporting safety defects 8
Reserve warning, refer to Range 74
Resetting, Tire Pressure Mon‐ itor TPM 92
Residual heat, automatic cli‐ mate control 125
Retaining straps, securing cargo 141
Retreaded tires 233
Roadside Assistance 219
Roadside parking lamps 85
Rollover protection system 91
Roll stabilization, refer to Adaptive Drive 102
Roll stabilization, refer to Dy‐ namic Drive 102
Roof load capacity 261
Rope for tow-starting/tow‐ ing 252
Route 154
Route criteria, route 153
Route, displaying 154
Routes, avoiding 154
Route section, bypassing 155
RSC Runflat System Compo‐ nent, refer to Run-flat
tires 234 Rubber components,
care 256
Run-flat tires 234
S
Safe braking 139
Safety 7
Safety belt reminder 56
Safety belts 56
Safety belts, care 256
Safety systems, airbags 88
Satellite radio 168
Saving fuel 141
Scale, changing during navi‐ gation 156
Screen, refer to Control Dis‐ play 19
Screwdriver 243
Screw thread for tow fit‐ ting 252
Seat belts, refer to Safety belts 56
Seat heating, front 55
Seating position for chil‐ dren 62
Seat, mirror, and steering wheel memory 58
Seats 53
Seat ventilation, front 55
Selection list in instrument cluster 76
Selector lever, automatic transmission 72
Sensors, care 257
Service and warranty 7
Service requirements, CBS Condition Based Serv‐
ice 241
Service requirements, dis‐ play 81
Service, Roadside Assis‐ tance 249
Settings on Control Dis‐ play 79
Settings, storing for seat, mir‐ rors, steering wheel 58 Shifting, automatic transmis‐
sion 72
Shifting, manual transmis‐ sion 71
Shift paddles on steering wheel 73
Short commands 263
Shoulder support 54
Side airbags 88
Side View 114
Signaling, horn 12
Signals when unlocking 37
Sitting safely 53
Size 260
Ski bag 131
Smallest turning circle 261
Smoker's package 129
Snap-in adapter, mobile phone 205
Snow chains 234
Socket 130
Socket, OBD Onboard Diag‐ nostics 241
Software applications, iPhone 222
Software update 191
Spare fuse 247
Special destinations, naviga‐ tion 149
Specified engine oil types 239
Speed, average 77
Speed limit, setting 78
Speedometer 14
Split screen 23
Split
screen map settings 157
Spoken instructions, naviga‐ tion 155
SPORT+ program, Dynamic Driving Control 104
Sport automatic transmis‐ sion 73
SPORT program, Dynamic Driving Control 104
Sport program, transmis‐ sion 73
Stability control systems 101
Start/Stop button 65
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Everything from A to Z