2013 BMW ACTIVE HYBRID 7 ECU

Storage compartment under the cargofloor panel
Raise the cargo floor panel.
Lashing eyes To secure the cargo, refer to page 186, there
are lashing eyes in the cargo area.
Seite 176ControlsStorage compartments176
Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 909 774 - VI/13

Hydroplaning
On wet or slushy roads, a wedge of water can
form between the tires and road surface.
This phenomenon is referred to as hydroplan‐
ing. It is characterized by a partial or complete
loss of contact between the tires and the road
surface, ultimately undermining your ability to
steer and brake the vehicle.
Hydroplaning
When driving on wet or slushy roads, re‐
duce your speed to prevent hydroplaning.◀
Driving through water Drive though calm water only and only if it is
not deeper than. 9.8 inches/25 cm and at this
height, no faster than walking speed, up to 6 mph/10 km/h.
Adhere to water depth and speed limita‐
tions
Do not exceed this water depth and walking
speed; otherwise, the vehicle's engine, the
electrical systems and the transmission may
be damaged.◀
Braking safely
Your vehicle is equipped with ABS as a stand‐
ard feature.
Applying the brakes fully is the most effective
way of braking in situations when this is neces‐
sary.
The vehicle maintains steering responsive‐
ness. You can still avoid any obstacles with a
minimum of steering effort.
Pulsation of the brake pedal and sounds from
the hydraulic circuits indicate that ABS is in its
active mode.Objects in the area around the pedals
No objects in the area around the pedals
Keep floor mats, carpets, and any other
objects out of the area of motion of the pedals;
otherwise, the function of the pedals could be
impeded while driving
Do not place additional floor mats over existing
mats or other objects.
Only use floor mats that have been approved
for the vehicle and can be properly fixed in
place.
Ensure that the floor mats are securely fas‐
tened again after they were removed for clean‐
ing, for example.◀
Driving in wet conditions When roads are wet coated with road salt or
there is heavy rain, briefly exert gentle pres‐
sure on the brake pedal every few miles.
Ensure that this action does not endanger
other road users.
The heat generated in this process helps dry
the brake discs and pads.
In this way braking efficiency will be available
when you need it.
Hills
Drive long or steep downhill gradients in the
gear in which the least braking is required.
Otherwise, the brake system may overheat, re‐
sulting in a reduction in the brake system effi‐ ciency.
You can increase the engine's braking effect
by shifting down, going all the way to first gear,
if necessary.
Avoid load on the brakes
Avoid placing excessive load on the
brake system. Light but consistent brake pres‐
sure can lead to high temperatures, brake wear
and possibly even brake failure.◀Seite 183Things to remember when drivingDriving tips183
Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 909 774 - VI/13

Stowing cargo▷The cover of the high-voltage battery is lo‐
cated in the trunk. Do not remove the cover
to stow luggage.▷Cover sharp edges and corners on the
cargo.▷Heavy cargo: stow as far forward as possi‐
ble, directly behind and at the bottom of
the rear passenger seat backrests.▷Very heavy cargo: when the rear seat is not
occupied, secure each of the outer safety
belts in the opposite buckle.
Securing cargo
Lashing eyes in the cargo area To secure the cargo there are two lashing eyes
underneath the loading lip in the cargo area.
Securing cargo
▷Smaller and lighter items: secure with re‐
taining straps or with a cargo net or draw
straps.▷Larger and heavy objects: secure with
cargo straps.
Cargo straps, cargo netting, retaining straps or
draw straps on the lashing eyes in the cargo
area.
Securing cargo
Always position and secure the cargo as
described above; otherwise, it can endanger
the car's occupants if sudden braking or
swerving becomes necessary.
Heavy or hard objects should not be carried
loose inside the car; otherwise, they could be
thrown around as a result of hard braking, sud‐
den swerves, etc., and endanger the occu‐
pants.◀
Roof-mounted luggage rack
NoteInstallation only possible in roof drip molding
with flaps. Your service center will be glad to
advise you.
Roof racks are available as special accessories.
Securing Follow the installation instructions of the roof
rack.
Roof drip rail with flaps
On the roof drip rail, press on the outside of the
flap.
Mounting
The preparation for the mounting plate is lo‐
cated below the roof drip rail. Have the mount‐
ing plate installed by the service center before
installation of a roof rack.
Be sure that adequate clearance is maintained
for tilting and opening the glass sunroof.
Magnetic roof-mounted luggage rack Because of the aluminum roof, magnetic roof-
mounted luggage racks cannot be used.
Loading Because roof racks raise the vehicle's center
of gravity when loaded, they have a major ef‐
fect on vehicle handling and steering re‐
sponse.
Seite 186Driving tipsLoading186
Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 909 774 - VI/13

Therefore, note the following when loading
and driving:▷Do not exceed the approved roof/axle
loads and the approved gross vehicle
weight.▷Distribute the roof load uniformly.▷The roof load should not be too large in
area.▷Always place the heaviest pieces on the
bottom.▷Secure the roof luggage firmly, e.g., tie
with ratchet straps.▷Do not let objects project into the opening
path of the trunk lid.▷Drive cautiously and avoid sudden acceler‐
ation and braking maneuvers. Take corners
gently.Seite 187LoadingDriving tips187
Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 909 774 - VI/13

Never reach into the engine compart‐
ment
Never reach into the intermediate spaces or
gaps in the engine compartment. Otherwise,
there is risk of injury, e.g., from rotating or hot
parts.◀1.Pull the lever.2.Press the release handle and open the
hood.3.Be careful of protruding parts on the hood.
Danger of injury when the hood is open
There is a danger of injury from protrud‐
ing parts when the hood is open.◀
Closing the hood
Let the hood drop from a height of approx. 16
in/40 cm and push down on it to lock it fully.
The hood must audibly engage on both sides.
Hood open when driving
If you see any signs that the hood is not
completely closed while driving, pull over im‐
mediately and close it securely.◀
Danger of pinching
Make sure that the closing path of the
hood is clear; otherwise, injuries may result.◀
Seite 207Engine compartmentMobility207
Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 909 774 - VI/13

▷Navigation system: wait for the operability
of the navigation.
Disposing of old batteries
Have old batteries disposed of by your
service center or bring them to a recy‐
cling center.
Maintain the battery in an upright position for
transport and storage. Secure the battery so
that it does not tip over during transport.
Fuses Notes Replacing fuses
Never attempt to repair a blown fuse and
do not replace a defective fuse with a substi‐
tute of another color or amperage rating; this could lead to a circuit overload, ultimately re‐
sulting in a fire in the vehicle.◀
Plastic tweezers and information on the fuse
types and locations are stored in the fuse box
in the cargo area.
In the glove compartment
Push the handle up, arrow 1, and open the lid,
arrow 2.
In the cargo area
Open the cover on the right side trim.
Information on the fuse types and locations is
found on a separate sheet.
Seite 220MobilityReplacing components220
Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 909 774 - VI/13

Should it prove impossible to avoid mounting
the tow bar at an offset angle, please observe
the following:▷Maneuvering capability is limited during
cornering.▷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, al‐
ways 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
secured 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 located in the
container on the inside of the trunk lid.
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.▷Use the tow fitting screwed in at the front
for maneuvering the vehicle 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
vehicle can occur.◀
Screw thread
Push out the cover by pressing on the top
edge.
Tow-starting
Note:
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.
Safety of the hybrid system Hybrid system workYour vehicle's hybrid system is a self-con‐
tained system. Safety is ensured as long as no
work is performed on the technical compo‐
nents.
Thus, have work on the vehicle, for instance
retrofitting accessories, performed by the
service center or a workshop that works ac‐
cording to BMW specifications with appropri‐
ately trained personnel.
Seite 225Breakdown assistanceMobility225
Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 909 774 - VI/13

Maintenance and repairs
Have maintenance and repair work per‐
formed only by a service center or a workshop
that works according to BMW specifications
with appropriately trained personnel. Other‐
wise, there is the risk of fatal injury from elec‐
tric shock due to the hybrid system's high volt‐
age.◀
Hybrid system: contact with water The hybrid system is typically safe even in the
following example situations:▷Water in the footwell, for instance after a
rainstorm when the glass sunroof is open.▷Vehicle is in the water, such as in the event
of high water levels.▷Liquid escapes in the trunk.
In these cases there is no risk of injury from
electric shock. Other damages on the vehicle
are possible.
Hybrid system: automatic
deactivation
If an accident occurs, the hybrid system is
switched off automatically in order not to en‐
danger occupants and other road users.
Read the information on What to do after an
accident, refer to page 226.
What to do after an accident General information After an accident
After an accident, do not touch any high-
voltage components such as orange colored
high-voltage cables or parts that are in contact
with exposed high-voltage cables. Otherwise,
there is the risk of fatal injury from electric
shock due to the hybrid system's high volt‐
age.◀
Escaping fluids
Do not touch any fluids escaping from
the high-voltage battery, or the skin can sus‐
tain chemical burns.◀
If you are involved in an accident with your ve‐
hicle, compliance with the following additional
safety precautions is required with regard to
the hybrid system:▷Secure the crash site.▷Immediately notify rescue forces, police, or
firefighters of the fact that your vehicle is
equipped with a hybrid system.▷Engage transmission position P, apply the
parking brake, and switch off the ignition or
deactivate drive readiness.▷Lock the vehicle after exiting.▷Do not inhale any gases escaping from the
high-voltage battery, if necessary keep a
distance to the vehicle.Seite 226MobilityBreakdown assistance226
Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 909 774 - VI/13