2012 BMW 640I CONVERTIBLE tow bar

Measurement
Measurements
are made by ultrasound sensors
in the bumpers.
The range is approx. 6 ft/2 m.
An acoustic warning is first given:
▷ By the front* sensors and the two rear cor‐
ner sensors at approx. 24 in/60 cm.
▷ By the rear middle sensors at approx. 5 ft/
1.50 m.
System limits Check the traffic situation as well
PDC cannot serve as a substitute for the
driver's personal judgment of the traffic situa‐
tion.

Check the traffic situation around the vehi‐
cle with your own eyes. Otherwise, an accident
could result from road users or objects located
outside of the PDC detection range.
Loud noises from outside and inside the vehicle
may prevent you from hearing the PDC's signal
tone.◀
Avoid driving quickly with PDC
Avoid approaching an object quickly.
Avoid driving away quickly while PDC is not yet
active.
For technical reasons, the system may other‐
wise be too late in issuing a warning.◀
Limits of ultrasonic measurement
The detection of objects can reach the physical
limits of ultrasonic measurement, for instance:
▷ With tow bars and trailer hitches.
▷ With thin or wedge-shaped objects.
▷ With low objects.
▷ With objects with corners and sharp edges.
Low objects already displayed, e.g., curbs, can
move
into the blind area of the sensors before or
after a continuous tone sounds.
High, protruding objects such as ledges may not
be detected. False warnings
PDC may issue a warning under the following
conditions even though there is no obstacle
within the detection range:
▷
In heavy rain.
▷ When sensors are very dirty or covered in
ice.
▷ When sensors are covered in snow.
▷ On rough road surfaces.
▷ In large buildings with right angles and
smooth

walls, e.g., in underground garages.
▷ In heavy exhaust.
▷ Due to other ultrasound sources, e.g.,
sweeping machines, high pressure steam
cleaners or neon lights.
Switching on automatically
Select transmission position R with the engine
running.
Switching off automatically
The

system switches off and the LED goes out:
▷ After approx. 160 ft/50 m when driving for‐
ward.
▷ Above approx. 22 mph/36 km/h when driv‐
ing forward.
Switch on the system again if necessary.
Switching on/off manually Press the button.
▷ On: the LED lights up.
▷ Off: the LED goes out. Seite 108
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Driving comfort

Limits of ultrasonic measurement
The
detection of objects can reach the physical
limits of ultrasonic measurement, for instance:
▷ With tow bars and trailer hitches.
▷ With thin or wedge-shaped objects.
▷ With elevated, protruding objects such as
ledges or cargo.
▷ With objects with corners and sharp edges.
▷ With objects with a fine surface structure,
such as fences.
The parking assistant may identify parking
spaces that are not suitable for parking.
Ultrasound sensors The ultrasounds sensors used to measure park‐
ing spaces are located in the side turn signals.
To ensure full operability:
▷
Keep the sensors clean and free of ice.
▷ When using a pressure washer, keep the
sprayer moving and maintain a distance of
at least 12 in/30 cm from the sensors.
Night Vision with pedestrian
detection*
The concept
Night

Vision with pedestrian detection is a night
vision system.
An infrared camera records the area in front of
the vehicle and displays the image on the Con‐
trol Display.
The picture is a heat image. The system has an
integrated pedestrian detection function that
detects pedestrians and cyclists. Warm objects that are similar in shape to human beings are
detected by the system.
Personal responsibility
Night Vision cannot replace the driver's
personal judgment of the visibility conditions
and

the traffic situation. The view ahead and the
actual visibility conditions must always be the
basis on which the vehicle speed is adjusted;
otherwise, there is a risk to road safety.◀
Heat image The image shows the heat radiated by objects
in the field of view of the camera.
Warm objects have a light appearance and cold
objects, a dark appearance.
The ability to detect an object depends on the
temperature

difference between the object and
the background and on the level of heat radiation
emitted by the object. Objects that are similar in
temperature to the environment or that radiate
very little heat are difficult to detect.
For safety reasons, when driving at speeds
above approx. 3 mph/5 km/h and in low ambient
light, the image is only displayed when the low
beams are switched on.
A still image is displayed at regular intervals for
a fraction of a second. Seite 118
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Driving comfort

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

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