2014 BMW I3 Owner's Manual

RefuelingVehicle features and options
This 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
A sufficient amount of fuel must be added to
operate the Range Extender. When the Range
Extender is activated, the current charging
state is maintained. The vehicle has a greater
range.
Do not refuel unless the engine is at a
standstill and the selector lever is in posi‐
tion P/N
Do not refuel unless the engine is at a standstill
and the selector lever is in position P/N, other‐
wise the buildup of pressure may cause the
fuel nozzle to shut off prematurely.◀
Tank ventThe concept
The vehicle is equipped with a special fuel
tank. It is designed for special requirements
that arise in operation with the Range Ex‐
tender.
General information
In the fuel tank, excess pressure can build up
due to gasoline vapors which are dissipated
before the tank lid is opened.
At a glance The button is located on the driver's footwell.Tank venting1.Switch off drive readiness.2.
Press button to start the pressure
equalization.
The status of the tank venting is displayed
in the instrument cluster. In rare cases, the
tank venting can last several seconds.
If the tank venting has been completed, a
message is displayed in the instrument
cluster. The tank lid is released for open‐
ing.
3.Open the fuel filler flap.
If the fuel filler flap is not opened within 10
minutes after the fuel filler flap was re‐
leased, the fuel filler flap relocks. Press
button again.
Fuel lid
Opening
Before opening , vent the tank, refer to
page 165.
1.Briefly press the rear edge of the fuel filler
flap.Seite 163RefuelingMobility165

2.Turn the tank lid counterclockwise.3.Place the tank lid in the bracket attached to
the fuel filler flap.
Closing
1.Fit the lid and turn it clockwise until you
clearly hear a click.2.Close the fuel filler flap.
Do not pinch the retaining strap
Do not pinch the retaining strap attached
to the lid; otherwise, the lid cannot be closed
properly and fuel vapors can escape.◀
Manually unlocking fuel filler flap In the event of an electrical malfunction, e.g.
The release is located in the cargo area.1.Open hood, refer to page 180.2.Pull the green knob with the fuel pump
symbol. This releases the fuel filler flap.3.Open the fuel filler flap.4.Carefully open the fuel filler flap. Excess
pressure can build up in the fuel tank from
gasoline vapor.5.Fuel the vehicle as usual. This may be diffi‐
cult due to the residue pressure in the
tank, caused by frequent stopping of the
fuel pump nozzle, e.g.
Observe the following when
refueling
The fuel tank is full when the filler nozzle clicks
off the first time.
Do not overfill the fuel tank
Do not overfill the fuel tank; otherwise
fuel may eslide, causing harm to the environ‐
ment and damaging the vehicle.◀
Seite 164MobilityRefueling166

Handling fuels
Observe safety regulations posted at the
gas station.◀
No simultaneous charging and refueling
Do not refuel while a charging cable is
plugged in, and maintain an adequate safety
distance from highly flammable materials. Oth‐
erwise, there is a danger of personal injury and
property damage from burning fuel vapors,
e.g., if the charging cable is improperly plug‐
ged in or unplugged.◀Seite 165RefuelingMobility167

FuelVehicle 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.
Fuel recommendation
Note General fuel quality
Even fuels that conform to the specifica‐
tions can be of low quality. This may cause en‐
gine problems, for instance poor engine start-
up behavior, poor handling and/or poor
performance. Switch gas stations or use a
brand name fuel with a higher octane rating.◀
Gasoline
For the best fuel efficiency, the gasoline
should be sulfur-free or very low in sulfur con‐
tent.
Fuels that are marked on the gas pump as con‐
taining metal must not be used.
Refuel only with unleaded gasoline with‐
out metallic additives.
Do not refuel with any leaded gasoline or gaso‐
line with metallic additives, e. g. manganese or
iron, as this can cause permanent damage to
the catalytic converter and other compo‐
nents.◀
Fuels with a maximum ethanol content of
10 %, i. e., E10, may be used for refueling.
Ethanol should satisfy the following quality
standards:
US: ASTM 4806–xxCAN: CGSB-3.511–xx
xx: comply with the current standard in each
case.
Do not use a fuel with a higher percent‐
age of ethanol
Do not use a fuel with a higher ethanol per‐
centage than recommended or one with other
types of alcohol, e.g. M5 to M100; otherwise
this could damage the engine and fuel supply
system.◀
Recommended fuel grade BMW recommends AKI 91.
Minimum fuel grade
BMW recommends AKI 89.
Minimum fuel grade
Do not use any gasoline below the mini‐
mum fuel grade as this may impair engine per‐
formance.◀
Fuel supply in winter Depending on the region, many gas stations
sell fuel that has been customized to winter or
summer conditions.
Fuel that is available in winter helps make a
cold start easier, e. g.
The manufacturer of the vehicle recommends
filling the tank with the corresponding fuel at
the start of winter to ensure the operational re‐
liability of the Range Extender at low tempera‐
tures.Seite 166MobilityFuel168

Seite 167FuelMobility169

Wheels and tiresVehicle features and options
This 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.
Tire inflation pressure
Safety information
The tire characteristics and tire inflation pres‐
sure influence the following:▷The service life of the tires.▷Road safety.▷Driving comfort.
Checking the tire inflation pressure
Check the tire inflation pressure regularly
Regularly check the tire inflation pres‐
sure, and correct it as needed: at least twice a
month and before a long trip. If you fail to ob‐
serve this precaution, you may be driving on
tires with incorrect tire pressures, a condition
that may not only compromise your vehicle's
driving stability, but also lead to tire damage
and the risk of an accident.◀
Tires have a natural, consistent loss of tire in‐
flation pressure.
Tires heat up while driving, and the tire infla‐
tion pressure increases along with the tire's
temperature. The tire inflation pressure speci‐
fications relate to cold tires or tires with the
ambient temperature.
Only check the tire inflation pressure when the
tires are cold. This means after driving no more
than 1.25 miles/2 km or when the vehicle has
been parked for at least 2 hours.
The displays of inflation devices may under-
read by up to 1.45 psi/0.1 bar.
For Flat Tire Monitor: after correcting the tire
inflation pressure, reinitialize the Flat Tire
Monitor.
For Tire Pressure Monitor: after correcting the
tire inflation pressure, reset the Tire Pressure
Monitor.
Tire inflation pressure specifications
The tire inflation pressure table, refer to
page 171, contains all tire inflation pressure
specifications for the specified tire sizes at the
ambient temperature. Tire inflation pressure
specifications apply to approved tire sizes and
recommended tire brands. This information
can be obtained from your service center.
To identify the correct tire inflation pressure,
please note the following:▷Tire sizes of your vehicle.
Tire fill pressures
To achieve optimum driving comfort, note the
pressure specifications in the Tire inflation
pressure table, refer to page 171, and adjust
as needed.
These pressure values can also be found on
the tire inflation pressure label on the driver's
side on the rear door.
Seite 168MobilityWheels and tires170

Maximum permissible speed
Do not exceed 100 mph/160 km/h; other‐
wise, tire damage and accidents may result.◀
Tire inflation pressure values
i3Tire sizePressure specifications
in bar/PSISpecifications in
bar/PSI with cold
tires155/70 R 19 84 Q
M+S A/S Std
155/70 R 19 84 Q
M+S Std2.3 / 332.8 / 41Front: 155/70 R
19 84 Q M+S A/S
Std
Rear: 175/60 R 19
86 Q M+S A/S Std2.3 / 33
--
2.8 / 41Front: 155/60 R
20 80 Q Std
Rear: 175/55 R 20
85 Q Std2.3 / 33
--
2.8 / 41
Tire identification marks
Tire size 245/45 R 18 96 Y
245: nominal width in mm
45: aspect ratio in %
R: radial tire code
18: rim diameter in inches
96: load rating, not for ZR tires
Y: speed rating, before the R on ZR tires
Speed letter
Q = up to 100 mph, 160 km/h
R = up to 106 mph, 170 km/h
S = up to 112 mph, 180 km/h
T = up to 118 mph, 190 km/h
H = up to 131 mph, 210 km/h
V = up to 150 mph, 240 km/h
W = up to 167 mph, 270 km/h
Y = up to 186 mph, 300 km/h
Tire Identification NumberDOT code: DOT xxxx xxx 4314
xxxx: manufacturer code for the tire brand
xxx: tire size and tire design
4314: tire age
Tires with DOT codes meet the guidelines of
the U.S. Department of Transportation.
Tire age DOT … 4314: the tire was manufactured in the
43th week of 2014.
Recommendation
Regardless of wear and tear, replace tires at
least every 6 years.
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Quality grades can be found where applicable
on the tire sidewall between tread shoulder
and maximum section width.
For example: Treadwear 200; Traction AA;
Temperature A
DOT Quality Grades Treadwear
Traction AA A B C
Temperature A B C
All passenger car tires must conform to Fed‐
eral Safety Requirements in addition to these
grades.Seite 169Wheels and tiresMobility171

TreadwearThe treadwear grade is a comparative rating
based on the wear rate of the tire when tested
under controlled conditions on a specified gov‐
ernment test course. For example, a tire graded 150 would wear one and one-half, 1 g,
times as well on the government course as a
tire graded 100. The relative performance of
tires depends upon the actual conditions of
their use, however, and may depart signifi‐
cantly from the norm due to variations in driv‐
ing habits, service practices and differences in
road characteristics and climate.
Traction
The traction grades, from highest to lowest,
are AA, A, B, and C.
Those grades represent the tire's ability to
stop on wet pavement as measured under
controlled conditions on specified government
test surfaces of asphalt and concrete. A tire
marked C may have poor traction performance.
The traction grade assigned to this tire is
based on straight-ahead braking traction tests,
and does not include acceleration, cornering,
hydroplaning, or peak traction characteristics.
Temperature
The temperature grades are A, the highest, B,
and C, representing the tire's resistance to the
generation of heat and its ability to dissipate
heat when tested under controlled conditions
on a specified indoor laboratory test wheel.
Sustained high temperature can cause the ma‐
terial of the tire to degenerate and reduce tire
life, and excessive temperature can lead to
sudden tire failure. The grade C corresponds
to a level of performance which all passenger
car tires must meet under the Federal Motor
Vehicle Safety Standard No. 109. Grades Band
A represent higher levels of performance on
the laboratory test wheel than the minimum re‐
quired by law.Temperature grade for this tire
The temperature grade for this tire is es‐
tablished for a tire that is properly inflated and
not overloaded. Excessive speed, underinfla‐
tion, or excessive loading, either separately or
in combination, can cause heat buildup and
possible tire failure.
If necessary, have the vehicle towed.◀
M+S
Winter and all-season tires with better cold
weather performance than summer tires.
Tire tread Summer tires
Do not drive with a tire tread depth of less than
0.12 in/3 mm.
There is an increased danger of hydroplaning if
the tire tread depth is less than 0.12 in/3 mm.
Winter tires
Do not drive with a tire tread depth of less than
0.16 in/4 mm.
Below a tread depth of 0.16 in/4 mm, tires are
less suitable for winter operation.
Minimum tread depth
Wear indicators are distributed around the
tire's circumference and have the legally re‐
quired minimum height of 0.063 in/1.6 mm.
They are marked on the side of the tire with
TWI, Tread Wear Indicator.
Seite 170MobilityWheels and tires172