2014 BMW I3 page 156

ContentsThe fastest way to find information on a partic‐
ular topic or item is by using the index, refer to
page 208.6Notes
At a glance
14Cockpit18iDrive26Voice activation system29Integrated Owner's Manual in the vehicle31BMW eDRIVE
Controls
36Opening and closing51Adjusting58Transporting children safely62Driving74Displays89Lights92Safety106Driving stability control systems109Driving comfort127Climate control134Interior equipment138Storage compartments
Driving tips
144Things to remember when driving148Loading150Increase rangeMobility156Charging vehicle165Refueling168Fuel170Wheels and tires179Under the hood181Engine oil183Coolant185Maintenance187Replacing components193Breakdown assistance198Care
Reference
204Technical data206Appendix208Everything from A to Z

The electric motor acts as a generator and
converts the kinetic energy of the vehicle into
electric current.
Charging can take place in various situations
while the vehicle is in motion:▷As soon as the gas pedal is only slightly
depressed.▷During vehicle braking.
The mark in the instrument cluster is located
within the CHARGE range.
Sensible driving and early speed reduction are
important to make full use of the energy recov‐
ery feature.
Display The eDRIVE displays, refer to page 74, pro‐
vide information about the current state of the
drive and visualize the system's use in a dia‐
gram.
Maximize energy-saving driving and
range
Energy-saving driving is the basic prerequisite
for as large a range as possible. eDRIVE pro‐
vides various functions that assist with an en‐
ergy-saving driving style and in the process
help to monitor the range and if needed to in‐
crease it. The following instructions provide an
overview of the available functions and the per‐
sonal measures.
Before driving eDRIVE allows using the air conditioner even
before driving off. The stationary climate con‐
trol, refer to page 132, provides more range
than full air conditioning while driving.
Parked car ventilation during the charging
process can provide maximum range when
driving off.
Trip planning and special functions of
the navigation system
Enter your destination and the following func‐
tions will be available:
▷ECO PRO routing for efficient route plan‐
ning.▷ECO PRO+ mode for economical driving
with limited comfort features.▷Charging assistant helps to find and in‐
clude public charging stations.▷Range assistant automatically checks the
radius of action, see Integrated Owner's
Manual.▷Intermodal routing for trip planning using
public transportation, refer to Integrated
Owner's Manual.▷Monitoring of a charging station, whose
reachability is automatically checked, see
Integrated Owner's Manual.
During driving
▷General driving tips, refer to page 150, for
increasing the range.▷Use the eDRIVE system efficiently, refer to
page 144, for an optimized driving style.▷ECO PRO driving style analysis, refer to
page 153, for driving style analysis.▷ECO PRO and ECO PRO+ mode, refer to
page 151, for increasing the range.▷Display of the Fuel consumption history,
refer to page 76.▷Display of secondary functions and the po‐
tential range, refer to page 77.
After the trip
▷Charge vehicle, refer to page 156, and
plan next trip.▷Prepare for long downtimes, refer to
page 201.
BMW i Remote app
A special BMW i Remote App allows to control
and display certain vehicle functions using a
smartphone.
Seite 30At a glanceBMW eDRIVE32

Charging vehicleVehicle 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.
The concept
The vehicle can be charged using various
charging cables at charging stations or hous‐
hold sockets. Control and monitoring of the
charging process are handled completely au‐
tomatically. The charge current strength can
be set by means of the Control Display.
General information
High-voltage battery The high-voltage battery is used as an energy
accumulator. The high-voltage battery can be
charged by energy recovery during the trip or
via the power grid.
When charging via the power grid, you can
chose between the following variants.▷Level 1 charging via a household socket.▷Level 2 charging via a Level 2 charging sta‐
tion.▷Charging via a DC charging station.
Level 1 charging is possible via a household
socket within a voltage range of 100 volts to
240 volts.
For optimal use of the energy from the power
grid, charging at a Level 2 charging station,
such as BMW i Wallbox, is recommended.
Charge current
The charge current strength is indicated in am‐
peres.
The vehicle cannot automatically detect the
maximum permissible charge current strength
during charging via a household socket or
charging station.
Level 1 charging
Prior to the first Level 1 charging at your own
household socket, as well as when charging at
external electrical power sockets in Level 1,
the allowed charge current strength must be
determined, e.g. by a qualified electrician.
The charge current strength for Level 1 charg‐
ing, refer to page 161, can be adjusted in the
vehicle in three steps.
At delivery, the charge current for
Level 1 charging is set to "Low".
Depending on the country-specific version,
one of four ampere ratings is printed on the
Level 1 charging cable. This ampere rating is
the limit which must be adhered to for the vehi‐
cle if the charge current is set to "Maximum".
According to the market-specific version, the
charge current strength changes differently if
the setting "Reduced" or "Low" is selected."Maximum""Reduced""Low"8 A6 A6 A10 A7.5 A6 A12 A9 A6 A15 A11.25 A7.5 A
Charging at a Level 2 charging station
The permitted charge current strength must
be determined prior to charging at a
Level 2 charging station, e.g. from the operator
Seite 154MobilityCharging vehicle156

When a Level 1 charging cable is used, this
may produce efficiency values other than indi‐
cated on the energy label.
Level 2 charging cable
The Level 2 charging cable makes it possible
to recharge at sockets of designated
Level 2 charging stations using a special plug.
Charging is performed with alternating current
at designated Level 2 charging stations. The
charging process can be completed faster than
at household sockets.
If necessary, the charging cable is attached to
the charging station.
If a Level 2 charging cable is used, apply the
corresponding setting on the Control Display,
refer to page 162.
DC charging cable The DC charging cable that is permanently in‐
stalled at the charging station makes is possi‐
ble to charge at DC charging stations. Charg‐
ing is performed with direct current at
designated DC charging stations. At the higher
lidacity current connection of a DC charger
station the charging time is significantly lower
than with a household socket or a level 2
charging station.
During charging at a DC charging station, an
indication in the instrument cluster, refer to
page 162, is displayed.
Hints Use approved charging cables only
Use only approved charging cables or
charging stations for charging. Otherwise,
there is a danger of property damage or per‐
sonal injury, e.g., from burning cables. Informa‐
tion about the approved charging cables can
be obtained from the service center.◀Use the charging cable only for charging
the vehicle, and do not extend it
Use the charging cable only for charging the
vehicle and do not extend it with cables or
adapters. Otherwise, it may not be possible to
complete the charging process or property
damage might occur, e.g., due to a cable fire.◀
Do not use any damaged charging cables
Do not use any damaged charging ca‐
bles. Otherwise, there is a risk of injury from
high voltage.◀
Storage The Level 1 charging cable is located in the ca‐
ble compartment under the hood.
The Level 2 charging cable can be stored in
the same place.
Moisture can penetrate into the occasional use
cable compartment, e.g. in a car wash.
If required, store the charging cable with the
installed plug cover to prevent moisture in the
charging cable plug.Seite 156MobilityCharging vehicle158

▷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

Changing wheels
Hints
Which is why no spare tire is available.
The tools for changing wheels are available as
accessories from your service center.
Jacking points for the vehicle jack
The jacking points for the vehicle jack are lo‐
cated at the positions shown.
Vehicle battery The vehicle battery has 12 volts. The battery
supplies the onboard electronics with energy.
Information about the high-voltage system, re‐
fer to page 156.
Maintenance
The battery is maintenance-free.
The added amount of acid is sufficient for the
service life of the battery.
Further information about the battery can be
obtained from your service center.
Battery replacement Use approved vehicle batteries only
Only use vehicle batteries that have been
approved for your vehicle by the manufacturer;
otherwise, the vehicle could be damaged and
systems or functions may not be fully availa‐
ble.◀
After a battery replacement, have the battery
registered on the vehicle by your service cen‐
ter to ensure that all comfort features are fully
available and that any Check Control mes‐
sages of these comfort features are no longer
displayed.
Charge vehicle battery Do not use any charging devices
Do not charge the vehicle battery with an
external charging device; otherwise, there is a
risk of property damage, e. g., to the vehicle's
electronics.◀
Charging a discharged battery, refer to
page 164.
Power failure
After a temporary power loss, some equipment
needs to be newly initialized or individual set‐
tings updated, e.g.:▷Seat and mirror memory: store the posi‐
tions again.▷Time: update.▷Date: update.▷Glass sunroof and sliding visor: initialize
the system, refer to page 50.
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.
Seite 189Replacing componentsMobility191