2014 BMW I3 light

Manually unlocking charging port flapIn case of an electrical malfunction of the
charging cable lock, the charging port flap can
be manually unlocked.1.Open rear door on the side of the charging
port flap.2.Remove the cover.3. Pull the blue knob, arrow. This releases
the charging port flap.4.If necessary, press the knob back into the
initial position.
Manual unlocking of the charging
cable
In case of an electrical malfunction, the charg‐
ing cable can be manually unlocked.
When charging at a charging station, complete
the charging process at the charging station
before unlocking the charging cable.
1.Open rear door on the side of the charging
port flap.2.Remove the cover.3. Pull the blue knob, arrow. Charging ca‐
ble is manually unlocked.4.Grasp the charging cable at the gripping
areas.5.Remove charging cable.
Charging operation
Hints Following safety instructions of the
power mains connection
During the charging process, heed the safety
instructions of the respective power mains
connection. Otherwise, there could be a risk of
personal injury or property damage from high
voltage, e.g., from electrocution or fire.◀
Using a Level 1 charging cable at other
household sockets
Before charging at other household sockets,
adapt the charging current strength to the
mains. Otherwise, there is a risk of fire, e.g.,
from overheating of the household socket or
overloading of the power mains.◀
Starting charging process
1.Engage selector lever position P. Set the
parking brake if needed.2.Planning charging process, refer to
page 161.3.Switch off drive readiness.4.Connect either a Level 1 or Level 2 charg‐
ing cable to the household socket or the
port on the charging station.5.Open charging port flap.6.Connect charging cable to the vehicle, re‐
fer to page 159.
At high temperatures, initially the high-voltage
battery is cooled. The charging process can be
started with a delay.
Display of the charging status
The charging status is indicated by the indica‐
tor light at the charging port.
Seite 158MobilityCharging vehicle160

▷Lamp white: charging cable can be con‐
nected or removed.▷Lamp flashes yellow: charging process is
being initialized▷Lamp blue: charging process is started at a
set time.▷Lamp flashes blue: charging process ac‐
tive.▷Lamp flashes red: fault in the charging
process.▷Lamp green: charging process completed.
When the vehicle is locked, the indicator lamp
goes out after some time.
When the vehicle is unlocked, the blue indica‐
tor lamp flashes continuously. The other indi‐
cator lights go out after some time.
To check the charging process, press the

key on the remote control. The charging status
is indicated on the indicator lamp. In some
cases the vehicle is locked.
Additional messages regarding the charging
status, e.g., probable end of charging or the
planned departure time, can be displayed in
the instrument cluster, on the Control Display
and via the BMW i Remote App on the smart‐
phone.
Planning charging process The charging process can be adapted to con‐
straints, e.g., the cost of electricity. The vehicle
can control the charging process in such a way
that the charging process is completed at the
departure time. A departure time must be set
for this purpose, refer to page 163.
The following settings are available:▷Charge immediately.▷Set time window for favorable charging.▷Set charging via a Level 1 charging cable.▷Set charging via a Level 2 charging cable.
If drive readiness is switched off, changes can
be made on the Control Display. Departure
time can only be changed once. Scheduled de‐
parture times are not adjusted. Settings for
standing air conditioning and loading process
are accepted for planned departure times too.
Charging immediately
The charging process starts as soon as the
charging cable is connected.
1."Settings"2."Charging"3."Charge immediately"
Setting time window for favorable
charging
Level 1 or Level 2 charging:
When departure time is set, a time window for
charging with a favorable electricity rate can be
set.
1."Settings"2."Charging"3."Low cost charging"4.Set rate begin. Turn the controller until the
desired time is set and press the controller.5.Set rate end. Turn the controller until the
desired time is set and press the controller.
Setting charging via a
Level 1 charging cable
Depending on the electrical mains, the vehicle
must be charged with a different charging cur‐
rent strength, refer to page 156.
1."Settings"2."Charging"Seite 159Charging vehicleMobility161

3."AC charging power:"
Settings are stored. When you change charg‐
ing locations you also might need to change
the setting for charging.
Set the charge current strength at other
household sockets to "Low".
Setting charging via a
Level 2 charging cable
Depending on the electrical mains, the vehicle
must be charged with a different charging cur‐
rent strength, refer to page 156.
When charging with a Level 2 charging cable,
the charging process can be completed faster
at a Level 2 charging station.
1."Settings"2."Charging"3."Level 2:"
Settings are stored. When you change charg‐
ing locations you also might need to change
the setting for charging.
Stopping charging process The charging operation can be stopped at any
time by removing the charging cable and con‐
tinued at a later time by connecting the charg‐
ing cable in order to use other loads on the
power connection or to prevent simultaneous
high power from multiple loads.
The charging operation is interrupted when the
vehicle is unlocked and automatically resumed
after a brief time or when it is locked.
Continue charging operation If the charging operation is interrupted, e.g.,
through a temporary power failure, the charg‐
ing operation is automatically continued after
the interruption.
Terminating charging process1.Removing the charging cable from the ve‐
hicle, refer to page 159.2.Stow the charging cable as required.3.Close the charging port flap.4.Lock vehicle if it is unlocked.
Displays in the instrument
cluster
The charging state indicator light shows the
charging state of the high-voltage battery in
the instrument cluster, if operating readiness is
turned on. If all segments are filled, the high-
voltage battery is fully charged.
Even if no segments are filled, the high-voltage
system is still under high voltage.
DisplayMeaningPlug blue: charging operation active.
White plug: charging interruption.Running light: animated with active
charging operation.End of charging time or set depar‐
ture time.Charging progress bar.DC charging active on a DC charg‐
ing station.Indicator in blue: charged electrical
range.Indicator in white: maximum electri‐
cal range.Departure time set.Seite 160MobilityCharging vehicle162

With stationary climate control activated
and no charging cable connected, the
range is reduced.▷Planned climate control at the set depar‐
ture time, refer to page 133.
Discharged high-voltage and
vehicle battery
General information
In addition to the high-voltage battery, the ve‐
hicle has a 12 volt vehicle battery, which is re‐
quired for operation of the onboard electron‐
ics.
If the high-voltage battery and the vehicle bat‐
tery are discharged, it is not possible to oper‐
ate the vehicle.
Place vehicle in service To place the vehicle in service, charge as
usual.
If there is no possibility of charging on site,
contact the service center.
Charging vehicle with a discharged
vehicle battery
1.Unlock the vehicle, if needed, using the
integrated key, refer to page 36.2.Secure the vehicle against rolling.3.Manually unlock charging port flap if it is
locked, refer to page 159.4.Connect either a Level 1 or Level 2 charg‐
ing cable to the household socket or the
port on the charging station.5.Attach charging cable corresponding to
the charging socket connection.
Charging is started. The charging status is
not displayed. Do not open vehicle during
this time.
After several minutes, the vehicle is slightly
charged. The onboard electronics are ready
again. It is again possible to open the vehicle.
The charging status as well as the charging
state of the high-voltage battery can be dis‐
played again.
Continue charging vehicle until desired range
is possible.
If the vehicle battery cannot be charged, con‐
tact the service center.Seite 162MobilityCharging vehicle164

Recommended tire brands
For each tire size, the manufacturer of your ve‐
hicle recommends certain tire brands. These
can be identified by a star on the tire sidewall.
With proper use, these tires meet the highest
standards for safety and handling.
New tires Tire traction is not optimal due to manufactur‐
ing circumstances when tires are brand-new;
they achieve their full traction potential after a
break-in time.
Drive conservatively for the first
200 miles/300 km.
Retreaded tires
The manufacturer of your vehicle does not rec‐
ommend the use of retreaded tires.
Retreaded tires
Possibly substantial variations in the de‐
sign and age of the tire casing structures can
limit service life and have a negative impact on
road safety.◀
Winter tires
Winter tires are recommended for operating on
winter roads.
Although so-called all-season M+S tires pro‐
vide better winter traction than summer tires,
they do not provide the same level of perform‐
ance as winter tires.
Maximum speed of winter tires
If the maximum speed of the vehicle is higher
than the permissible speed for the winter tires,
then a respective symbol is displayed in your
field of vision. You can obtain this sign from the
tire specialist or from your service center.
Maximum speed for winter tires
Do not exceed the maximum speed for
the respective winter tires; otherwise, tire dam‐
age and accidents can occur.◀
Rotating wheels between axles Different wear patterns can occur on the front
and rear axles depending on individual driving
conditions. The tires can be rotated between
the axles to achieve even wear. Your service
center will be glad to advise you. After rotating,
check the tire pressure and correct if needed.
Rotating the tires is not permissible on vehi‐
cles with different tire sizes on the front and
rear axles, i.e. when using different types of
tires.
Storage
Store wheels and tires in a cool, dry place with
as little exposure to light as possible.
Always protect tires against all contact with oil,
grease and fuels.
Do not exceed the maximum tire inflation pres‐
sure indicated on the side wall of the tire.
Mobility System
The concept With the Mobility System, minor tire damage
can be sealed quickly to enable continued
travel. To accomplish this, sealant is pumped
into the tires, which seals the damage from the inside.
The compressor can be used to check the tire
inflation pressure.Seite 172MobilityWheels and tires174

Opening hood
Unlocking hood1. Press button on the remote con‐
trol or in the driver's footwell, refer to
page 42.
Opening hood
1.Press the release handle and open the
hood.
Indicator/warning lights
When the hood is opened, a Check Control
message is displayed.
Closing the hood
From approx. 16 in/40 cm height allow to fall
and press again to lock the hook completely.
Make sure you hear the hood engage.
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 jamming
Make sure that the closing path of the
hood is clear; otherwise, injuries may result.◀Seite 178MobilityUnder the hood180

CoolantVehicle features and optionsThis chapter describes all standard, country-
specific and optional features offered with the
series. It also describes features that are not
necessarily available in your car, e. g., due to
the selected options or country versions. This
also applies to safety-related functions and
systems.
Hints Danger of burns from hot engine
Do not open the cooling system while
the engine is hot; otherwise, esliding coolant
may cause burns.◀
Suitable additives
Only use suitable additives; otherwise,
engine damage may occur. The additives are
harmful to your health.◀
Coolant consists of water and additives.
The vehicle's cooling circuits are filled with dif‐
ferent types of coolant. Do not mix the differ‐
ent types of coolant.
Not all commercially available additives are
suitable for the vehicle. Information about the
suitable additives are available from the service
center.
Coolant reservoir The vehicle has two coolant reservoirs that are
located under the hood.
To ensure the operational reliability of the vehi‐
cle, always check the coolant level of both
coolant reservoirs.
Open hood, refer to page 180.1Coolant reservoir for climate control2Coolant reservoir for drive
Coolant level
Coolant reservoir for climate control
Checking
1.Allow the drive to cool down.2.Turn the lid of the coolant reservoir slightly
counterclockwise to allow any excess
pressure to dissipate, then open it.3.Check the coolant level.
The coolant level is correct if it lies be‐
tween the minimum and maximum marks
in the reservoir.
Adding
1.Slowly add coolant up to the specified
level; do not overfill.Seite 181CoolantMobility183

2.Close cap.3.Have the cause of the coolant loss elimi‐
nated by the service center as soon as
possible.
Coolant reservoir for drive
Checking
1.Allow the drive to cool down.2.Check the coolant level.
The marks are on the side of the coolant
reservoir. The coolant level is correct if it
lies between the minimum and maximum
marks.
Adding
1.Turn the lid of the coolant reservoir slightly
counterclockwise to allow any excess
pressure to dissipate, then open it.2.Slowly add coolant up to the specified
level; do not overfill.3.Close cap.4.Have the cause of the coolant loss elimi‐
nated by the service center as soon as
possible.
Disposal
Comply with the relevant environmen‐
tal protection regulations when dispos‐
ing of coolant and coolant additives.
Seite 182MobilityCoolant184