
Tow-starting and towingTransporting your vehicle
Note
Your vehicle is not permitted to be towed.
Therefore, contact a service center in the
event of a breakdown.
Do not have the vehicle towed
Have your vehicle transported on a load‐
ing platform only; otherwise, damage may oc‐
cur.◀
Tow truck
The vehicle should only be transported on a
loading platform.
Do not lift the vehicle
Do not lift the vehicle by the tow fitting or
body and chassis parts; otherwise, damage
may result.◀
Use tow fitting located in the front only for po‐
sitioning the vehicle.
Pushing vehicle To remove a disabled vehicle from the danger
area, push it for a short distance at a speed of
no more than 6 mph/10 km/h.
The vehicle can only be pushed in selector
lever position N.
In order to ensure that the vehicle can roll, pro‐
ceed as follows:1.Switch on drive readiness, refer to
page 61.2.Depress brake pedal.3.Engage selector lever position N.
If there are electrical malfunctions, it may hap‐
pen that you can't change the selector lever
position.
Towing other vehicles The tow-starting or towing of other vehicles
with the BMW i8 is not possible.
Tow fitting The screw-in tow fitting should always be car‐
ried in the vehicle.
The tow fitting can be screwed in at the front
of your BMW.
The tow fitting is located under the first aid kit
behind the left folding cover in the trunk.
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 tow fitting located in the front only for
positioning the vehicle.▷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.◀
Seite 185Breakdown assistanceMobility185
Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 960 891 - II/15

Use leather care products; otherwise, dirt and
grease will gradually break down the protective
layer of the leather surface.
Suitable care products are available from the
service center.
Upholstery material care Vacuum regularly with a vacuum cleaner.
If upholstery is very dirty, e.g., with beverage
stains, use a soft sponge or microfiber cloth
with a suitable interior cleaner.
Clean the upholstery down to the seams using
large sweeping motions. Avoid rubbing the
material vigorously.
Damage from Velcro® fasteners
Open Velcro® fasteners on pants or
other articles of clothing can damage the seat
covers. Ensure that any Velcro® fasteners are
closed.◀
Caring for special components
Light-alloy wheels When cleaning the vehicle, use only neutral
wheel cleaners having a pH value from 5 to 9.
Do not use abrasive cleaning agents or steam
jets above 140 ℉/60 ℃. Follow the manufac‐
turer's instructions.
Aggressive, acidic or alkaline cleaning agents
can destroy the protective layer of adjacent
components, such as the brake disk.
Chrome surfaces Carefully clean components such as the radia‐
tor grille or door handles with an ample supply of water, possibly with shampoo added, partic‐
ularly when they have been exposed to road
salt.
Rubber components Aside from water, treat only with rubber
cleansers.When cleaning rubber seals, do not use any
silicon-containing car care products in order to
avoid damage or noises.
Plastic components
These include:▷Imitation leather surfaces.▷Roofliner.▷Lamp lenses.▷Instrument cluster cover.▷Matt black spray-coated components.▷Painted parts in the interior.▷Carbon parts in the interior.
Clean with a microfiber cloth.
Dampen cloth lightly with water.
Do not soak the roofliner.
No cleansers that contain alcohol or sol‐
vents
Do not use cleansers that contain alcohol or
solvents, such as lacquer thinners, heavy-duty
grease removers, fuel, or such; this could lead
to surface damage.◀
Safety belts
Dirty belt straps impede the reeling action and
thus have a negative impact on safety.
Chemical cleaning
Do not clean chemically; this can destroy
the webbing.◀
Use only a mild soapy solution, with the safety
belts clipped into their buckles.
Do not allow the reels to retract the safety
belts until they are dry.
Carpets and floor mats No objects in the area around the pedals
Keep floor mats, carpets, and any other
objects out of the pedal area; otherwise, the
function of the pedals could be impeded while
driving and create the risk of an accident.
Seite 189CareMobility189
Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 960 891 - II/15

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 attached to
floor.
Ensure that the floor mats are securely fas‐
tened again after they were removed for clean‐
ing, e.g.◀
Floor mats can be removed from the car's inte‐
rior for cleaning.
If the floor carpets are very dirty, clean with a
microfiber cloth and water or a textile cleaner.
To prevent matting of the carpet, rub back and
forth in the direction of travel only.
Sensor/camera lenses To clean sensors and camera lenses, use a
cloth moistened with a small amount of glass
detergent.
Displays/monitors Cleaning displays and screens
Do not use any chemical or household
cleaning agents; otherwise, surfaces can be af‐
fected.◀
Keeping out moisture
Keep all fluids and moisture away from
the unit; otherwise, electrical components can
be damaged.◀
Avoid pressure
Avoid pressing too hard when cleaning
and do not use abrasive materials; otherwise,
damage can result.◀
Clean with a clean, antistatic microfiber cloth.
Long idle times and long-term vehicle
storage
Do not allow the vehicle to sit idle for ex‐
tended periods with a low charging state
Before storing the vehicle for an extended pe‐
riod, check the battery charge indicator to en‐sure that the high-voltage battery is fully
charged. For longer idle times, park the vehicle
with a charging plug plugged into a suitable
power source. Regularly check charging state.
Otherwise, the high-voltage battery can be
damaged when there is excessive discharge.◀
For idle phases that last several weeks, park
the vehicle with a fully charged battery if possi‐
ble.
Do not park the vehicle for longer than 14 days
if the electric range is less than 6 mls, approx.
10 km.
With storage times of up to three months, if
possible plug the vehicle into a suitable power
source or park it in a nearly fully charged state.
Note The service center can advise you on what to
consider when storing the vehicle for longer
than three months.Seite 190MobilityCare190
Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 960 891 - II/15

Technical dataVehicle 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 tothe selected options or country versions. This
also applies to safety-related functions and
systems. The respectively applicable country
provisions must be observed when using the
respective features and systems.
Note
The technical data and specifications in this
Owner's Manual are used as guidance values.
The vehicle-specific data can deviate from this,
for example, due to the selected special equip‐
ment, country version or country-specific
measurement method. Detailed values can befound in the approval documents, on informa‐
tion signs on the vehicle or can be obtained
from the service center.
The information in the vehicle documents al‐
ways has priority.
Dimensions
The dimensions can vary depending on the
model version, equipment or country-specific
measurement method.
The specified heights do not take into account
attached parts, for example, a roof antenna,roof racks or spoiler. The heights can deviate,
for example, due to the selected special equip‐
ment, tires, load and chassis version. BMW i8Width with mirrorsinches/mm87.3/2,218Width without mirrorsinches/mm76.5/1,942Heightinches/mm50.8/1,291Lengthinches/mm184.9/4,697Wheelbaseinches/mm110.2/2,800Smallest turning radius diam.ft/m40.4/12.3Seite 194ReferenceTechnical data194
Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 960 891 - II/15

Braking, hints 140
Breakdown assistance 183
Break-in 138
Brightness of Control Dis‐ play 90
Bulb replacement 180
Bulbs and lamps 180
Button, Start/Stop 61
Bypassing, refer to Jump- starting 184
C
California Proposition 65 Warning 8
Camera lenses, care 190
Camera, rearview cam‐ era 118
Camera, Side View 122
Camera, Top View 121
Car battery 181
Car care products 188
Care, displays 190
Care, vehicle 188
Cargo 142
Cargo area 132
Cargo cover 132
Car key, refer to Remote con‐ trol 38
Carpet, care 189
Car wash 187
Catalytic converter, refer to Hot exhaust system 140
CBS Condition Based Serv‐ ice 178
Center armrest 134
Center console 16
Central locking system 44
Central screen, refer to Con‐ trol Display 18
Changes, technical, refer to Safety 7
Changing wheels 181
Changing wheels/tires 167
CHARGE, energy recov‐ ery 66 Charging battery, see Vehicle
charging 150
Charging, refer to Charging vehicle 150
Charging, refer to Vehicle charging 150
Charging screen 76
Charging state indicator, high-voltage battery 77
Charging status, see display of the charging status 154
Charging vehicle 150
Charging vehicle, refer to Ve‐ hicle charging 150
Chassis number, see vehicle identification number 10
Check Control 79
Checking the engine oil level electronically 173
Checking the oil level elec‐ tronically 173
Children, seating position 57
Children, transporting safely 57
Child restraint fixing sys‐ tem 57
Child restraint fixing system LATCH 58
Child restraint fixing systems, mounting 57
Child seat, mounting 57
Child seats 57
Chrome parts, care 189
Cleaning displays 190
Climate control 124
Clock 83
Closing/opening via door lock 43
Closing/opening with remote control 41
Combination reel, refer to Turn signals 67
Combination switch, refer to Wiper system 68
Combustion engine, start‐ ing 63 Comfort Access 45
COMFORT program, Dy‐ namic Driving Control 111
Compressor 168
Computer, refer to On-board computer 87
Condensation on win‐ dows 127
Condensation under the vehi‐ cle 141
Condition Based Service CBS 178
Confirmation signal 47
ConnectedDrive 6
ConnectedDrive Services 6
Connecting electrical devi‐ ces 131
Contact with water, high-volt‐ age system 34
Control Display 18
Control Display, settings 89
Controller 18
Control systems, driving sta‐ bility 109
Convenient opening with the remote control 42
Coolant 177
Coolant temperature 83
Cooling function 125
Cooling, maximum 125
Cooling system 177
Corrosion on brake discs 141
Cosmetic mirror 131
Courtesy lamps during un‐ locking 41
Courtesy lamps with the vehi‐ cle locked 42
Cruise control 113
Cruising range 83
Current fuel consumption 87
D
Damage, tires 166
Data, technical 194
Date 83 Seite 199Everything from A to ZReference199
Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 960 891 - II/15

Identification number, see ve‐hicle identification num‐
ber 10
iDrive 18
Ignition key, refer to Remote control 38
Increase range 144
Indication of a flat tire 100
Indicator and alarm lamps, see Check Control 79
Indicator lamp, see Check Control 79
Individual air distribution 126
Individual settings, refer to Personal Profile 39
Inflation pressure, tires 163
Info display, refer to On- Board computer 87
Initialize, Tire Pressure Moni‐ tor TPM 100
Instrument cluster 75
Instrument lighting 95
Integrated key 38
Integrated Owner's Manual in the vehicle 29
Intelligent Emergency Re‐ quest 183
Intelligent Safety 102
Intensity, AUTO pro‐ gram 126
Interior equipment 129
Interior lights 95
Interior lights during unlock‐ ing 41
Interior lights with the vehicle locked 42
Interior motion sensor 48
Interior rearview mirror, auto‐ matic dimming feature 55
Interior rearview mirror, man‐ ually dimmable 55
Internet page 6
Interval display, service re‐ quirements 84
Interval mode 69 J
Jacking points for the vehicle jack 181
Joystick, Steptronic Sport transmission 71
Jump-starting 184
Jump starting, refer to Backup charging 156
K Key/remote control 38
Keyless Go, refer to Comfort Access 45
Key Memory, refer to Per‐ sonal Profile 39
Kickdown, Steptronic Sport transmission 71
Knee airbag 97
L
Lamp replacement, see Bulb replacement 180
Language on Control Dis‐ play 90
LATCH child restraint sys‐ tem 58
Launch Control 73
Leather, care 188
LED in the driver's door 41
LEDs, light-emitting di‐ odes 180
Length, vehicle 194
Letters and numbers, enter‐ ing 24
Level 1 Charging 155
Level 1 charging cable 152
Level 2 charging cable 152
Light alloy wheels, care 189
Light-emitting diodes, LEDs 180
Lighting 92
Lights 92
Light switch 92 Load 143
Loading 142
Lock, door 43
Locking/unlocking via door lock 43
Locking/unlocking with re‐ mote control 41
Locking, automatic 47
Locking, settings 46
Locking via tailgate 45
Longer idle phases 190
Long idle times and long-term vehicle storage 190
Long-term vehicle stor‐ age 190
Low beams 92
Low beams, automatic, refer to High-beam Assistant 94
M
Maintaining charging state 64
Maintenance 178
Maintenance require‐ ments 178
Maintenance, service require‐ ments 84
Maintenance system, BMW 178
Make-up mirror 131
Malfunction displays, see Check Control 79
Manual air distribution 126
Manual air flow 126
Manual mode, transmis‐ sion 72
Manual operation, door lock 43
Manual operation, exterior mirrors 54
Manual operation, fuel filler flap 159
Manual operation, Park Dis‐ tance Control PDC 116 Seite 202ReferenceEverything from A to Z202
Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 960 891 - II/15

Manual operation, rearviewcamera 118
Manual operation, Top View 121
Marking on approved tires 167
Master key, refer to Remote control 38
Max eDRIVE, electric driv‐ ing 64
Maximum cooling 125
Maximum speed, display 85
Maximum speed, winter tires 168
Measure, units of 90
Medical kit 184
Menu, EfficientDynamics 146
Menu in instrument clus‐ ter 86
Menus, operating, iDrive 18
Menus, refer to iDrive operat‐ ing concept 19
Messages, see Check Con‐ trol 79
Microfilter 127
Minimum tread, tires 166
Mirrors 54
Mobile communication devi‐ ces in the vehicle 140
Mobility System 168
Modifications, technical, refer to Safety 7
Moisture in headlight 180
Monitor, refer to Control Dis‐ play 18
Mounting of child restraint systems 57
Multifunction steering wheel, buttons 14
Multimedia 6
N
Navigation 6
Neck restraints, front, refer to Head restraints 54 Neutral cleaner, see wheel
cleaner 189
New wheels and tires 167
O OBD Onboard Diagnosis 179
OBD, see OBD Onboard Di‐ agnosis 179
Obstacle marking, rearview camera 119
Octane rating, refer to Rec‐ ommended fuel grade 161
Odometer 83
Office 6
Oil 173
Oil, adding 175
Oil additives 175
Oil change 176
Oil change interval, service requirements 84
Oil filler neck 175
Oil types, alternative 176
Oil types, approved 175
Old batteries, disposal 182
On-board computer 87
Onboard monitor, refer to Control Display 18
Opening/closing via door lock 43
Opening and closing 38
Opening and closing, without remote control 43
Opening and closing, with re‐ mote control 41
Operating concept, iDrive 18
Operating readiness 61
Operating readiness off 62
Operating readiness on 61
Optional equipment, standard equipment 6
Outside air, refer to Auto‐ matic recirculated-air con‐
trol 125
Overheating of engine, refer to Coolant temperature 83 P
Paint, vehicle 188
Park Distance Control PDC 115
Parked car ventilation, refer to Stationary climate con‐
trol 127
Parked vehicle, condensa‐ tion 141
Parking aid, refer to PDC 115
Parking brake 66
Parking lights 92
Parts and accessories 7
Passenger side mirror, tilting downward 54
Pathway lines, rearview cam‐ era 119
PDC Park Distance Con‐ trol 115
Pedestrian protection 65
Pedestrian warning with city braking function 105
Performance Control 111
Personal Profile 39
Personal Profile, exporting profiles 40
Pinch protection system, win‐ dows 49
Plastic, care 189
POWER, driving with com‐ bustion engine 65
Power failure 181
Power windows 49
Pressure, tire air pres‐ sure 163
Profile, refer to Personal Pro‐ file 39
Programmable memory but‐ tons, iDrive 23
Protective function, win‐ dows 49
Push-and-turn switch, refer to Controller 18 Seite 203Everything from A to ZReference203
Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 960 891 - II/15

QQuick charging cable, see Level 2 charging cable 152
R Radiator fluid 177
Radio 6
Radio-operated key, refer to Remote control 38
Radio ready state 61
Rain sensor 69
Rear beverage holder, rear cup holder 135
Rear bottle holder, refer to Rear cup holder 135
Rear can holder, refer to Rear Cup holder 135
Rear cup holder 135
Rear holder for bever‐ ages 135
Rearview camera 117
Rearview mirror 54
Rear window defroster 127
Recirculated-air filter 127
Recirculated-air mode 125
Recommended fuel grade 161
Recommended tire brands 167
Refueling 158
Remaining range 83
Remote control/key 38
Remote control, malfunc‐ tion 43
Remote control, univer‐ sal 129
Replacement fuse 182
Replacing wheels/tires 167
Reporting safety defects 10
RES button, see Cruise con‐ trol 113
Reserve warning, refer to Range 83 Reset, Tire Pressure Monitor
TPM 100
Retreaded tires 167
Roadside parking lights 93
RON recommended fuel grade 161
Roofliner 17
Rubber components, care 189
S
Safe braking 140
Safety 7
Safety belt reminder for driv‐ er's seat and front passen‐
ger seat 53
Safety belts 53
Safety belts, care 189
Safety of the high-voltage system 34
Safety systems, airbags 96
SAVE Battery, maintaining charging state 64
Screen, refer to Control Dis‐ play 18
Screw thread, see screw thread for tow fitting, screw
thread for tow fitting 186
Sealant 168
Seat belts, refer to Safety belts 53
Seat heating, front 52
Seating position for chil‐ dren 57
Seats 51
Selection list in instrument cluster 86
Selector lever, Steptronic Sport transmission 71
Sensors, care 190
Service and warranty 8
Service requirements, Condi‐ tion Based Service
CBS 178 Service requirements, dis‐
play 84
Services, ConnectedDrive 6
SET button, see Cruise con‐ trol 113
Settings, locking/unlock‐ ing 46
Settings, mirrors 54
Settings on Control Dis‐ play 89
Shift paddles on the steering wheel 73
Side airbags 96
Side View 122
Signaling, horn 14
Signals when unlocking 47
Silent Start, electric drive readiness 63
Sitting safely 51
Size 194
Smallest turning radius 194
Snow chains 171
Socket 131
Socket, OBD Onboard Diag‐ nostics 179
SOS button 183
Spare fuse 182
Specified engine oil types 175
Speed, average 88
Speed limit detection, on- board computer 88
Speed limiter, display 85
Speed Limit Information 85
Speed warning 88
Split screen 23
Sport program, transmis‐ sion 72
Stability control systems 109
Standard charging cable, see Level 1 charging cable 152
Standard charging, see Level 1 Charging 155
Standing air conditioning, re‐ mote control 47
Start/Stop button 61 Seite 204ReferenceEverything from A to Z204
Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 960 891 - II/15