49
Adjustments
Controls
injure your abdomen in the event of a frontal
collision.
Avoid wearing bulky clothing and regularly pull
the belt in the upper-body area taut; otherwise,
its restraining effect could be impaired.
<
Safety belts, refer to page 54.
Seats
Note before adjusting
Never attempt to adjust your seat while
the vehicle is moving. The seat could
respond with unexpected movement, and the
ensuing loss of vehicle co ntrol could lead to an
accident.
On the front passenger seat as well, do not
incline the backrest too fa r to the rear while the
vehicle is being driven; otherwise, there is a
danger in the event of an accident of sliding
under the safety belt, eliminating the protection
normally provided by the belt. <
Comply with the instruct ions on head restraint
height on page 51, and on damaged safety
belts on page 54.
Manual adjustment
Observe the adjustment instructions on
page49 to ensure the best possible
personal protection. <
Longitudinal direction
Pull lever1 and slide the seat to the desired
position.
After releasing the lever, move the seat gently
forward or back to make sure it engages
properly.
Height
Pull lever 2 and apply your weight to the seat or
lift it off, as necessary.
Backrest
Pull lever 3 and apply your weight to the back-
rest or lift it off, as necessary.
Angle
Pull the lever and apply yo ur weight to the seat
or lift it off, as necessary.
Thigh support
Pull the lever and move the thigh support
forward or back.
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ControlsTransporting children safely
Transporting children safely
Vehicle equipment
In this chapter, all pr oduction, country, and
optional equipment that is offered in the model
range is described. As a result, some equip-
ment described may not be available in a partic-
ular vehicle, for example due to the options or
national-market version selected. This also
applies to safety related functions and systems.
The right place for children
Do not leave children unattended in the
vehicle; otherwise, they could endanger
themselves and/or other persons by opening
the doors, for example. <
Children should always sit in the rear
Accident research has shown that the safest
place for children is on the rear seat.
Children under the age of 13 or smaller
than 5 ft/150 cm may be transported only
in the rear in suitable child restraint systems
appropriate for their age, weight and size. Oth-
erwise, there is an increase d risk of injury in the
event of an accident. <
Children 13 years of age or older must be buck-
led in with a safety belt as soon as there no
longer is any child rest raint system that is
appropriate for their age, size and weight.
Children in the front passenger seat
Should it be necessa ry to use a child
restraint system on the front passenger
seat, the front and side airbags for the front pas-
senger must be deactivated. Otherwise, a child
traveling on that seat will face a significant risk
of injury if the airbags are triggered off, even
with a child restraint system.
of the front passenger airbags refer to
page 107.
Convertible: key switch for
passenger belt
The passenger safety belt can be locked with a
key switch so that it is prevented from being
pulled out.
The key switch is situated on the side surface of
the passenger-side dashboard.
Locking the passenger belt
Lock the passenger belt to install a child
restraint system.
Insert key and push in.
Keep key pushed in and turn it until reaching the
stop at the position. Pull key out at this stop.
After removing the key, make sure that
the switch is in the position; otherwise,
the locking action on th e safety belt is not
guaranteed. <
Unlocking the passenger belt
If no child restraint syst em is fastened to the
front passenger seat, unlock the passenger
belt; otherwise, the freedom of movement of
the upper body is limited.
Insert key and push in.
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60
ControlsTransporting children safely
Mounts for lower LATCH anchors
Before installing the child seat, pull the belt out
of the area for the child restraint fixing system.
The lower anchors may be used to attach the
CRS to the vehicle seat up to a combined child
and CRS weight of 65 lb/30 kg when the child is
restrained by the internal harnesses.
Ensure that both lower LATCH anchors
are correctly engaged and that the child
restraint system is resting firmly against the
backrest; otherwise, the protective function of
the seat may be compromised. <
The mounts for the lower LATCH anchors are
located behind the labe led protective caps.
Installing LATCH child restraint
systems
1Installing child restraint system, refer to the
system operating instructions.
2 Make sure that both LATCH anchors are
correctly locked in position.
Child restraint system with tether strap
Convertible
For Canadian Customers Only.
The following statement is required by
Transport Canada.
This vehicle is not equipped with user-ready
tether anchorages. As such neither a child
restraint system, nor a booster cushion, requir-
ing the use of a tether strap can be properly
secured in the vehicle.
Coupe
Use the tether strap anchors to secure
child restraint systems only; otherwise,
the anchors could be damaged. <
For child restraint systems with tether straps
there are two additional anchors, see arrows.
Placement of the tether strap
Coupe
Make sure the upper retaining strap does
not run over sharp edges and is not
twisted as it passes to the top anchor. Other-
wise, the strap will not pr operly secure the child
restraint system in the event of an accident. <
1 Direction of travel
2 Head restraint
3 Hook for upper retaining strap
4 Anchor
5 Rear window shelf
6 Seat backrest
7 Upper retaining strap of child restraint
system
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125
Practical interior accessories
Controls
Adjustments
Slide the center armrest on the driver's side into
the desired position.
Connection for external audio device
You can connect an external audio device such
as a CD or MP3 player and play audio tracks
over the vehicle speakers:
>
AUX-IN port, refer to page 189.
> USB audio interface/extended connectivity
of the music player in the mobile phone,
refer to page 190.
Storage compartments inside
the vehicle
Depending on your vehicle's equipment, you
will find compartments beside the steering
column, in the front doors and in the center
console.
Nets are provided on the front-seat backrests.
Do not place unsecured objects in them;
otherwise, they could endanger the car's
occupants, e.g. in the event of braking or eva-
sive maneuvers. <
Do not place non-slip pads, e.g. anti-slip
mats, on the dashboard; the materials of
these pads may damage it. <
Storage compartments in the rear
console
Depending on your vehicle's equipment ver-
sion, the following storage compartments can
be found in the rear console:
> Storage tray
> Storage compartment with cover
> Cupholders
Coupe: clothes hooks
Press the upper edge to flip open.
Items of clothing hung from the hooks
must not obstruct the driver's view. Do
not hang heavy objects from the hooks; other-
wise, they could endanger the car's occupants,
e.g. in case of heav y braking or sudden
swerving.<
Cupholders
Use lightweight and sh atterproof contain-
ers and do not transport hot beverages;
otherwise, there is an incr eased risk of injury in
the event of the accident. Do not force contain-
ers that are too large in to the cupholders; other-
wise, damage could result. <
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136
Driving tipsThings to remember when driving
Things to remember when driving
Vehicle equipment
In this chapter, all pr oduction, country, and
optional equipment that is offered in the model
range is described. For this reason, descrip-
tions will be given of some equipment that may
not be available in a vehi cle, for example due to
the special options or national-market version
selected. This also app lies to safety related
functions and systems.
Break-in period
Moving parts need breaking-in time to adjust to
each other. Please follo w the instructions below
in order to achieve the optimal service life and
economy of operation for your vehicle.
Engine and differential
Always obey all official speed limits.
Up to 1,200 miles/2,000 km
Drive at varying engine and road speeds, but do
not exceed an engine speed of 4,500 rpm or a
road speed of 100 mph/160 km/h.
Avoid full-throttle operation and use of the
transmission's kickdown mode.
After driving 1,200 miles/2,000 km
Engine and vehicle speeds can be gradually
increased.
Tires
Due to technical factors associated with their
manufacture, tires do not achieve their full
traction potential until af ter an initial break-in
period. Therefore, drive cautiously during the
first 200 miles/300 km.
Brake system
Brakes require an initial break-in period of
approx. 300 miles/500 km to achieve optimized
contact and wear patterns between brake pads
and rotors. Drive cautiously during this break-in
period.
Clutch
The function of the clut ch reaches its optimal
level only after a distance driven of approx.
300 miles/500 km. During this break-in period,
engage the clutch gently.
Following part replacement
The same break-in procedures should be
observed if any of the components mentioned
above have to be renewe d in the course of the
vehicle's operating life.
Saving fuel
The fuel consumption of your vehicle depends
on several factors. You can lower fuel consump-
tion and the environmental impact by taking
certain measures, adjusting your driving style
and having the vehicl e serviced regularly.
Remove any unneeded cargo
Additional weight increases fuel consumption.
Remove any mounted parts after you
have finished using them
Remove unneeded additional mirrors, the roof
rack and the rear luggage rack after use.
Mounted parts affect th e vehicle's aerodynam-
ics and increase fuel consumption.
Close the windows and glass roof
An open glass roof or window causes higher
air resistance and thus increases fuel
consumption.
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139
Things to remember when driving
Driving tips
Hills
To prevent overheating and the resulting
reduced efficiency of the brake system,
drive long or steep downhill gradients in the
gear in which the least br aking is required. Even
light but consistent brak e pressure can lead to
high temperatures, brake wear and possibly
even brake failure. <
You can increase the engine's braking effect by
shifting down, all the way to first gear if neces-
sary. This strategy he lps you avoid placing
excessive loads on the brake system. Down-
shifting in manual mo de of the automatic
transmission, refer to page 66.
Sport automatic transm ission with double
clutch: never drive with the transmission
in neutral or with the en gine switched off; other-
wise, there will be no en gine braking action and
no power assistance to the brakes and steering.
Manual transmission: never drive with the
clutch held down, with the transmission in neu-
tral or with the engine switched off; otherwise,
there will be no engine braking action and no
power assistance to the brakes and steering. <
Corrosion on brake rotors
When the vehicle is driven only occasionally,
during extended periods when the vehicle is not
used at all, and in operating conditions where
brake applications are le ss frequent, there is an
increased tendency for corrosion to form on
rotors, while contaminan ts accumulate on the
brake pads. This occurs because the minimum
pressure which must be exerted by the pads
during brake applications to clean the rotors is
not reached.
Should corrosion form on the brake rotors, the
brakes will tend to respond with a pulsating
effect that even extended application will fail to
cure.
When the vehicle is parked
Condensation forms while the automatic
climate control is in operation, and then exits
under the vehicle. Traces of condensed water
under the vehicle are therefore normal.
Cargo loading
To avoid loading the tires beyond their
approved carrying ca pacity, never over-
load the vehicle. Overlo ading can lead to over-
heating and increases the rate at which damage
develops inside the tires. In some situations,
this can result in sudden loss of tire pressure. <
Make sure that no liquids are spilled or
leak from their containers in the trunk, as
this could result in damage to the vehicle.<
Determining loading limit
1. Locate the following statement on your
vehicle's placard:
The combined weight of occupants
and cargo should never exceed
XXX kg or YYY lbs. Otherwise damage to
the vehicle may occur and unstable driving
conditions may result.<
2. Determine the combined weight of the
driver and passengers that will be riding in
your vehicle.
3. Subtract the combined weight of the driver
and passengers from XXX kilograms or YYY
pounds.
4. The resulting figure equals the available
amount of cargo and luggage load capacity.
For example, if the YYY amount equals
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140
Driving tipsThings to remember when driving
1,400 lbs and there will be five 150-lb
passengers in your vehicle, the amount of
available cargo and lugga ge load capacity is
650 lbs:
1,400 lbs minus 750 lbs = 650 lbs.
5. Determine the combined weight of luggage
and cargo being loaded on the vehicle. That
weight may not safely exceed the available
cargo and luggage load capacity calculated
in step 4.
6. If your vehicle will be towing a trailer, part of
the load from your tra iler will be transferred
to your vehicle. Co nsult the manual for
transporting a trailer to determine how this
may reduce the available cargo and luggage
load capacity of your vehicle.
Load
The permissible load is the total of the weight of
occupants and cargo/luggage. The greater the
weight of the occupants, the less cargo/
luggage can be transported.
Stowing cargo
Coupe Convertible
Stowing cargo
>
Position heavy objects as low and as far
forward as possible, ideally directly behind
the respective seat backrests.
> Cover sharp edges and corners.
> For very heavy cargo when the rear seat is
not occupied, secure each safety belt in the
opposite buckle.
Securing cargo
Coupe
Convertible
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Things to remember when driving
Driving tips
Securing cargo
>
Secure smaller and lighter items using
retaining straps, a trunk net, or draw straps.
> Heavy-duty cargo straps for securing larger
and heavier objects are available at your
BMW center. Four lashing eyes are pro-
vided for attaching the cargo straps. Two
are located on the side walls of the trunk 1
and two additional ones are located on the
inside wall of the trunk 2.
Comply with the information enclosed with
the load-securing devices.
Convertible: before opening the hardtop,
fold down the trunk pa rtition. Make sure
the trunk is loaded corre ctly; otherwise parts of
the hardtop can be damaged, refer to
page 128.<
Always position and secure the cargo as
described above, so that it cannot endan-
ger the car's occupants, for example if sudden
braking or swerving is necessary.
Never exceed either the approved gross vehicle
weight or either of the approved axle loads, refer
to page 281, as excessive loads can pose a
safety hazard, and may also place you in viola-
tion of traffic safety laws.
Heavy or hard objects should not be carried
loose inside the car, sinc e they could be thrown
around, for example as a result of heavy braking,
sudden swerves, etc., and endanger the
occupants.
Only attach the cargo st raps using the lashing
eyes shown in the illust ration. Do not secure
cargo with the anchors fo r tether straps, refer
to page 60, ; otherwise, these could be
damaged. <
Coupe: roof-mounted
luggage rack
A special rack system is available as an option
f o r y o u r B M W . C o m p l y w i t h t h e d i r e c t i o n s g i v e n
in the installation instructions.
Mounting points
The mounting points are located in the roof.
Loading roof-mounted luggage rack
Because roof racks raise the vehicle's center of
gravity when loaded, they have a major effect on
vehicle handling and steering response.
You should therefore always remember not to
exceed the approved roof load capacity, the
approved gross vehicle we ight or the axle loads
when loading the rack.
You can find the applicable data under Weights
on page 281.
The roof load must be distributed uniformly and
should not be too larg e in area. Heavy items
should always be placed at the bottom. Be sure
that adequate clearance is maintained for tilting
the glass roof, and that objects do not project
into the opening path of the trunk lid.
Fasten roof-mounted cargo correctly and
securely to prevent it fr om shifting or falling off
during the trip.
Drive smoothly. Avoid sudden acceleration and
braking maneuvers. Take corners gently.
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