A SUSTAINABLE COMBINATION:
INTELLIGENT ENERGY MANAGEMENT
FOR INSPIRING PERFORMANCE AND
OPTIMUM EFFICIENCY.
BMW has been pursuing its EfficientDynamics strategy for more than
a decade. However, no other vehicle combines driving pleasure and
sustainability like the BMW i8. Equipped with innovative BMW eDrive
technology that intelligently combines an internal combustion engine
with an electric drive system, the BMW i8 offers maximum perfor-
mance and sustainable efficiency.
In an urban environment, the BMW i8 offers a range of up to 37 kilo-
meters when traveling on electric power only. For longer distances,
support is provided by the BMW TwinPower Turbo engine – with an
especially intense boost feature in SPORT mode or maximum efficiency
in ECO PRO mode. A predictive power management system developed
specifically for the BMW i8 ensures optimal settings for the two drive
units at all times.
Additionally, every driver can also help to optimize sustainability when
recharging the car: if renewable energy is used to charge the battery,
CO² emissions are reduced even further. Therefore, BMW i recom-
mends green electricity suppliers to make an even greater contributi-
on to environmental protection.
03. UTILIZATION
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Door lock and armed alarm systemThe alarm system is triggered when the door is
opened, when the vehicle is unlocked via the
door lock.
Tailgate and armed alarm system
The tailgate can be opened even when the alarm system is armed.
After the tailgate is closed, it is locked and
monitored again when the doors are locked.
The hazard warning system flashes once.
Panic mode
You can trigger the alarm system if you find
yourself in a dangerous situation.
Press button on the remote control for
at least 3 seconds.
To switch off the alarm: press any button.
Indicator lamp on the interior rearview
mirror▷The indicator lamp flashes briefly every
2 seconds:
The system is armed.▷The indicator lamp flashes after locking:
The doors, hood or tailgate is not closed
properly, but the rest of the vehicle is se‐
cured.
After 10 seconds, the indicator lamp
flashes continuously. Interior motion sen‐
sor and tilt alarm sensor are not active.When the still open access is closed, inte‐
rior motion sensor and tilt alarm sensor will
be switched on.▷The indicator lamp goes out after unlock‐
ing:
The vehicle has not been tampered with.▷The indicator lamp flashes after unlocking
until the radio-ready state is switched on,
but no longer than approx. 5 minutes:
An alarm has been triggered.
Tilt alarm sensor The tilt of the vehicle is monitored.
The alarm system responds in situations such
as attempts to steal a wheel.
Interior motion sensor The windows must be closed for the system to
function properly.
Avoiding unintentional alarms
The tilt alarm sensor and interior motion sen‐
sor can be switched off together, such as in
the following situations:
▷In automatic car washes.▷In duplex garages.▷During transport on trains carrying vehi‐
cles, at sea or on a trailer.▷With animals in the vehicle.
Switching off the tilt alarm sensor and
interior motion sensor
Press the remote control button again
within 10 seconds as soon as the vehicle
is locked.
The indicator lamp lights up for approx. 2 sec‐
onds and then continues to flash.
The tilt alarm sensor and interior motion sen‐
sor are turned off, until the vehicle is locked again.
Seite 48ControlsOpening and closing48
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activated and switched into AUTO eDRIVE
mode.
Overview
Activating Max eDRIVE Press button.
▷LED lights up: max eDRIVE is activated.▷LED goes out: max eDRIVE is deactivated.
Acoustic pedestrian protection
Depending on the country-specific version, the
system generates a continuous driving noise
during electric driving up to approx.
20 mph/30 km/h.
A speaker system broadcasts the noise to the
surroundings.
As a result, other traffic participants, e.g. pe‐
destrians or cyclists, can better perceive the
vehicle.
Switching on/off
Depending on the country-specific version, the
system is automatically active after every driv‐
ing-off or the system can be set on the Control
Display.
1."Settings"2."Pedestr. Protection"3."Activate"Driving with the combustion
engine: POWER
Depending on the operating state, the com‐
bustion engine is automatically switched on:▷Selector lever position Sport is set.▷Speed for electric driving is exceeded.▷The high-voltage battery has an insuffi‐
cient charge.▷High-voltage battery is completely
charged, e.g., when driving downhill.▷For improved traction, e.g., on slippery
roads.▷During intense accelerations or on inclines.▷System-related requirement for hybrid
components.▷Adapting to the course of the road when
destination guidance is activated.
When reducing speed, the combustion engine
is switched off when the conditions for electric
driving, refer to page 64, are met.
Assistance for the
combustion engine
Depending on the operating state, the electric
motor provides assistance with additional pro‐
pulsive power.
ASSIST
During normal vehicle operation, the electric
motor assists the combustion engine, depend‐
ing on the situation.
eBOOST Accelerating quickly, such as when passing,
requires the maximum available power from
the electric motor. To do this, apply extra force
to the accelerator pedal.
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Engaging P
Press button P.Sport program and manual mode
Activating the sport program By activating the Sport program, the vehicle is
tuned for sporty driving.
Press the selector lever to the left out of selec‐
tor lever position D.
The SPORT indication is dis‐
played in the instrument cluster.
The sport program of the vehicle
is activated.
Activate manual mode
1.Press the selector lever to the left out of
selector lever position D.2.Push the selector lever forward or pull it
backward.
Manual mode becomes active and the selector
lever position is changed.
The engaged selector lever position is dis‐
played in the instrument cluster, for instance
M1.
Once maximum engine speed is attained, or if
the engine is getting too hot, manual mode is
automatically upshifted as needed.
Switching to manual mode▷To shift down: press the selector lever for‐
ward.▷To shift up: pull the selector lever rear‐
wards.
The selector lever position will only be shifted
at appropriate engine and road speeds and
when necessary due to the temperature of the
drivetrain, for example downshifting is not pos‐
sible if the engine speed is too high.
The selected gear is briefly displayed in the in‐
strument cluster, followed by the currently se‐
lected gear.
Ending the sport program/manual
mode
Push the selector lever to the right.
D is displayed in the instrument cluster.
Automatic termination
Pressing the Driving Dynamics Control, refer to
page 111, or the eDRIVE button, refer to
page 65, terminates the Sport program of the
vehicle.
The selector lever automatically tips back into
the original position.
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DisplaysVehicle 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 andsystems. The respectively applicable country
provisions must be observed when using the
respective features and systems.
Instrument cluster
The concept
The instrument cluster is a variable display.
Some of the displays in the instrument cluster
may differ from the way they are shown in this
Owner's Handbook.If the program is changed or the Sport program
activated via the Driving Dynamics Control, the
display rendition adapts to the respective pro‐
gram.
Overview, instrument cluster
1Speedometer2External temperature 833Time 834Messages, e.g. Check Control
Navigation display5Driving Dynamics Control 111Selection list, e.g., radio 866Performance display 138
Variable drive mode displays 767Trip odometer 838Selector lever position display 709READY indicator 63Seite 75DisplaysControls75
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10Overall range 8311Battery charge indicator 7712Fuel gauge 8213Computer 87Variable drive mode displays
ECO PRO displays In ECO PRO, the instrument cluster switches
to the ECO PRO displays. These displays sup‐
port a driving style that saves on fuel con‐
sumption with more prominent representation
of the efficiency display and various ECO PRO
tips. ECO PRO, refer to page 145.Sport program displays
In the Sport program, the instrument cluster
switches the instrument cluster to the Sport
displays. These displays support a sporty driv‐
ing style with more prominent representation
of the tachometer and a clearer representation
of the eBOOST performance in the form of a
blue illuminated ring.
Charging screen
1Charging status 1552End of charging time 155
Departure time with timer 1563Maximum electrical range 1554Stationary climate control 1565Range for electric driving 1556Charging state 77Seite 76ControlsDisplays76
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DSC OFF button
Indicator/warning lights The indicator lamp flashes: DSC con‐
trols the drive and braking forces.
The indicator lamp lights up: DSC has
failed.
Deactivating DSC: DSC OFF Automatic switching of the drive type
Depending on the operating state of the
high-voltage system, the drive of the vehicle
automatically switches between front-wheel,
rear-wheel and four-wheel drive.
If DSC is deactivated, this may result in auto‐
matic change of the drive type for unstable driving situations.
To increase vehicle stability, activate DSC
again as soon as possible.◀
When DSC is deactivated, driving stability is
reduced during acceleration and when driving
in curves.
To increase vehicle stability, activate DSC
again as soon as possible.
Deactivating DSC Press and hold this button but not lon‐
ger than approx. 10 seconds, until the
indicator lamp for DSC OFF lights up in the in‐
strument cluster and displays DSC OFF.
The DSC system is switched off.
The steering and, depending on the equip‐
ment, suspension are tuned for sporty driving.
Activating DSC Press button.
DSC OFF and the DSC OFF indicator
lamp go out.Indicator/warning lights
When DSC is deactivated, DSC OFF is dis‐
played in the instrument cluster.
The indicator lamp lights up: DSC is
deactivated.
Automatic activation When DSC is deactivated, automatic activation
occurs in the following situations:▷The high-voltage battery has an insuffi‐
cient charge.▷The vehicle has a flat tire.▷When activating cruise control in TRAC‐
TION or DSC OFF mode.
DTC Dynamic Traction
Control
The concept The DTC system is a version of the DSC where
forward momentum is optimized.
The system ensures maximum headway on
special road conditions or loose road surfaces,
e.g., unplowed snowy roads, but with some‐
what limited driving stability.
Activating the Dynamic Traction Control DTC
provides maximum traction. Driving stability is
limited during acceleration and when driving in
curves.
Therefore drive with appropriate caution.
You may find it useful to briefly activate DTC
under the following special circumstances:
▷When driving in slush or on uncleared,
snow-covered roads.▷When freeing vehicle from deep snow or
driving off from loose grounds.▷When driving with snow chains.Seite 110ControlsDriving stability control systems110
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Everything from A to Z
IndexA ABS, Antilock Brake Sys‐ tem 109
Acceleration Assistant, refer to Launch Control 73
Accessories and parts 7
Acoustic pedestrian protec‐ tion 65
AC quick charging cable, see Level 2 charging cable 152
Activated-charcoal filter 127
Activate drive readiness 63
Adapting to the course of the road, hybrid system 79
Adaptive brake lights, refer to Brake force display 108
Additives, oil 175
Adjustments, seats/head re‐ straints 51
Adjustments, steering wheel 56
Advance climate control, refer to Stationary climate con‐
trol 127
After washing vehicle 188
Airbags 96
Airbags, indicator/warning light 97
Air circulation, refer to Recir‐ culated-air mode 125
Air, dehumidifying, refer to Cooling function 125
Air distribution, manual 126
Air flow, automatic climate control 126
Air pressure, tires 163
Air vents, refer to Ventila‐ tion 127
Alarm system 47
Alarm, unintentional 48 All around the center con‐
sole 16
All around the roofliner 17
All around the steering wheel 14
All-season tires, refer to Win‐ ter tires 168
Alternating-code hand-held transmitter 130
Alternative oil types 176
Ambient light 95
Antifreeze, washer fluid 70
Antilock Brake System, ABS 109
Anti-slip control, refer to DSC 109
Approved axle load 195
Approved engine oils, see Suitable engine oil
types 175
Arrival time 88
Artificial engine noise 65
Assistance for the combus‐ tion engine 65
Assistance when driving off 112
ASSIST, Hybrid system 65
Assist system, refer to Intelli‐ gent Safety 102
AUTO intensity 126
Automatic car wash 187
Automatic climate con‐ trol 124
Automatic Curb Monitor 54
Automatic deactivation, front- seat passenger airbags 98
Automatic deactivation of the high-voltage system 34
Automatic headlight con‐ trol 93
Automatic locking 47 Automatic recirculated-air
control 125
Automatic transmission, see Steptronic Sport transmis‐
sion 70
AUTO program, automatic cli‐ mate control 126
AUTO program, intensity 126
Average fuel consumption 87
Average speed 88
Axle loads, weights 195
B Backup charging 156
Band-aids, refer to First aid kit 184
Battery, 12 volt 181
Battery replacement, vehicle battery 181
Battery replacement, vehicle remote control 39
Battery state indicator 77
Battery, vehicle 181
Belts, safety belts 53
BMW Assist 6
BMW eDRIVE 31
BMW Homepage 6
BMW i Driver’s Guide App 6
BMW Internet page 6
BMW maintenance sys‐ tem 178
Body work, see Working on the vehicle 34
Brake assistant 109
Brake discs, break-in 138
Brake force display 108
Brake lights, adaptive 108
Brake lights, brake force dis‐ play 108
Brake pads, break-in 138 Seite 198ReferenceEverything from A to Z198
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