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EnglishDRIVING TIPS for your BMW i3 2013-2022
Things to remember when driving
DRIVING TIPS
Things to remember when driving
full performance, are preset depending on the
system and take place automatically.
Vehicle features and options
This chapter describes all standard, country-spe‐
cific and optional features offered with the series.
It also describes features and functions that are
not necessarily available in your vehicle, e.g., due
to the selected options or country versions. This
also applies to safety-related functions and sys‐
tems. When using these functions and systems,
the applicable laws and regulations must be ob‐
served.
Tires
Tire traction is not optimal due to manufacturing
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.
Brake system
Brake discs and brake pads only reach their full
effectiveness after approx. 300 miles/500 km.
Drive moderately during this break-in period.
Breaking-in period
General information
Moving parts need to begin working together
smoothly.
Following part replacement
Observe the break-in procedures again, if com‐
ponents mentioned above are replaced.
The following instructions will help you to ach‐
ieve a long vehicle life and good efficiency.
Using eDRIVE efficiently
Safety information
Concept
Warning
eDRIVE operates automatically. Proactive driving
utilizes energy consumption and energy recovery
optimally. Energy recovery is used to charge the
high-voltage battery. Energy recovery is impor‐
tant for the supply of electrical components and
thus a prerequisite for a long range. Energy con‐
sumption and recovery depend very much,
among other things, on your driving style.
Due to new parts and components, safety and
driver assistance systems can react with a de‐
lay. There is a risk of accident. After installing
new parts or with a new vehicle, drive conser‐
vatively and intervene early if necessary. Ob‐
serve the break-in procedures of the respective
parts and components.
Range Extender
The full performance of the Range Extender is
available after a brief operating period and is only
minimally restricted during the run-in phase.
Optimizing driving style
Performance display
Your driving style can be optimized using the
performance display.
Control of the Range Extender during and after
the run-in phase, as well as the activation of the
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Things to remember when driving
DRIVING TIPS
the high-voltage battery is fully charged. During
the idle period, connect the vehicle to a charg‐
ing station at a compatible charging location. If
necessary, the high-voltage battery will be
charged automatically. Make sure that charging
is carried out. Regularly check the charge state.
Do not allow the vehicle to sit idle for longer
than four weeks with a charge state below ap‐
prox. 80 %.
The energy recovery occurs during coasting and
braking and is displayed in the performance dis‐
play by the accelerator pedal indicator.
General driving notes
The accelerator pedal indicator is within the
CHARGE range.
Closing the tailgate
Safety information
Efficient energy recovery:
▷ The accelerator pedal moves to the left within
the blue range of the CHARGE display, ar‐
row 1.
Warning
▷ The energy consumption while driving can be
optimized by efficient acceleration.
An open tailgate protrudes from the vehicle and
can endanger occupants and other traffic par‐
ticipants or damage the vehicle in the event of
an accident, braking or evasive maneuvers. In
addition, exhaust fumes may enter the vehicle
interior. There is a risk of injury or risk of dam‐
age to property. Do not drive with the tailgate
open.
Efficient acceleration:
▷ The accelerator pedal moves to the right
within the blue range of the ePOWER display,
arrow 2.
▷ Use deceleration by coasting as often as pos‐
sible for energy recovery.
Discharge of the high-voltage battery
General information
Longer idle periods, refer to page 260, can re‐
duce the charge state of the high-voltage bat‐
tery.
Driving with the tailgate open
If driving with the tailgate open cannot be
avoided:
▷ Close all windows and the glass sunroof.
▷ Greatly increase the air flow from the vents.
▷ Drive moderately.
Safety information
Ice on window glass
NOTICE
The high-voltage battery can be damaged if left
uncharged or with low charge for extended pe‐
riods. There is a risk of damage to property,
among other potential damage. Before storing
the vehicle for an extended period, ensure that
NOTICE
The window will be lowered slightly when pull‐
ing on the door handle. In the event of frost, the
window may freeze up and not be lowered.
There is a risk of damage to property, among
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Things to remember when driving
DRIVING TIPS
other potential damage. When pulling on the
door handle, make sure that the window is low‐
ered. If necessary, remove snow and ice from
the window. Do not open the door with force.
Hydroplaning
On wet or slushy roads, a wedge of water can
form between the tires and road surface.
This phenomenon is referred to as hydroplaning.
It is characterized by a partial or complete loss of
contact between the tires and the road surface,
ultimately undermining your ability to steer and
brake the vehicle.
Hot exhaust gas system
Warning
High temperatures can occur underneath the
body, for instance caused by the exhaust gas
system, while driving. Contact with the exhaust
gas system can cause burns. There is a risk of
injury. Do not touch the hot exhaust gas sys‐
tem, including the exhaust pipe.
Driving through water
General information
When driving through water, follow the following:
▷ Deactivate Auto Start/Stop function.
▷ Drive through calm water only.
▷ Drive through water only if it is not deeper
than a maximum of 9.8 inches/25 cm.
Warning
▷ Drive through water no faster than walking
speed, up to 3 mph/5 km/h.
If combustible materials, such as leaves or
grass, come in contact with hot parts of the ex‐
haust gas system, these materials can ignite.
There is a risk of fire and injuries. Do not re‐
move the heat shields installed and never apply
undercoating to them. Make sure that no com‐
bustible materials can come in contact with hot
vehicle parts in driving operation, idle or during
parking.
Safety information
NOTICE
When driving too quickly through too deep wa‐
ter, water can enter into the engine compart‐
ment, the electrical system or the transmission.
There is a risk of damage to property, among
other potential damage. When driving through
water, do not exceed the maximum indicated
water level and the maximum speed for driving
through water.
Mobile communication devices in the
vehicle
Warning
Vehicle electronics and mobile phones can in‐
fluence one another. There is radiation due to
the transmission operations of mobile phones.
There is a risk of injury or risk of damage to
property. If possible, in the car's interior use
only mobile phones with direct connections to
an exterior antenna in order to exclude mutual
interference and deflect the radiation from the
car's interior.
Braking safely
General information
The vehicle is equipped with an Antilock Braking
System ABS as a standard feature.
Perform an emergency stop in situations that re‐
quire such.
Steering is still responsive. You can still avoid any
obstacles with a minimum of steering effort.
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Pulsation of the brake pedal and sounds from the
hydraulic circuits indicate that the ABS is in its
active mode.
Warning
In idle state or with drive-ready state switched
off, safety-relevant functions, for instance en‐
gine braking effect, braking force boost and
steering assistance, are restricted or not availa‐
ble at all. There is a risk of accident. Do not
drive in idle state or with drive-ready state
switched off.
In certain situations, for instance when coasting,
the accelerator pedal can be used for decelerat‐
ing, refer to page 101.
In certain braking situations, the perforated brake
discs can emit functional noises. Functional
noises have no effect on the performance and
operational reliability of the brake.
In idle state or with drive-ready state switched
off, safety-relevant functions, for instance drive
system braking effect, braking force boost and
steering assistance, are restricted or not availa‐
ble at all. There is a risk of accident. Do not
drive in idle state or with drive-ready state
switched off.
Objects in the movement area around
pedals and floor area
Warning
Objects in the driver's floor area can limit the
pedal distance or block a depressed pedal.
There is a risk of accident. Stow objects in the
vehicle such that they are secured and cannot
enter into the driver's floor area. Use floor mats
that are suitable for the vehicle and can be
safely attached to the floor. Do not use loose
floor mats and do not layer several floor mats.
Make sure that there is sufficient clearance for
the pedals. Ensure that the floor mats are se‐
curely fastened again after they were removed,
for instance for cleaning.
Brake disc corrosion
Corrosion on the brake discs and contamination
on the brake pads are increased by the following
circumstances:
▷ Low mileage.
▷ Extended periods when the vehicle is not
used at all.
▷ Infrequent use of the brakes.
▷ Aggressive, acidic, or alkaline cleaning
agents.
Corrosion buildup on the brake discs will cause a
pulsating effect on the brakes in their response -
generally this cannot be corrected.
Hills
General information
On downhill sections, use energy recovery if
possible to decelerate the vehicle.
Condensation water under the parked
vehicle
Safety information
When using the automatic climate control, con‐
densation water develops and collects under‐
neath the vehicle.
Warning
Light but consistent brake pressure can lead to
high temperatures, brakes wearing out and
possibly even brake failure. There is a risk of
accident. Avoid placing excessive stress on the
brake system.
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Driving on racetracks
Warning
The vehicle is not designed for use in M Sport
or motor sport type competition. There is a risk
of accident. Do not use the vehicle for M Sport
or motor sport type competitions.
Higher mechanical and thermal loads during
racetrack operation lead to increased wear. Use
of the vehicle in M sport or motor sport type
competition is an improper use of the vehicle and
may affect your warranty coverage. See “New
Vehicle Limited Warranty” for more details.
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DRIVING TIPS
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Vehicle features and options
Warning
Unexpected movements of the rear seat back‐
rest while driving may occur due to uninten‐
tional unlocking of the rear seat backrests by
the straps. There is a risk of injury. Only use
straps for releasing the rear seat backrests. Do
not attach objects on the straps.
This chapter describes all standard, country-spe‐
cific and optional features offered with the series.
It also describes features and functions that are
not necessarily available in your vehicle, e.g., due
to the selected options or country versions. This
also applies to safety-related functions and sys‐
tems. When using these functions and systems,
the applicable laws and regulations must be ob‐
served.
Warning
Improperly stowed objects can shift and be
thrown into the car's interior, for instance in the
event of an accident or during braking and eva‐
sive maneuver. Vehicle occupants can be hit
and injured. There is a risk of injury. Stow and
secure objects and cargo properly.
Safety information
Warning
High gross weight can overheat the tires, dam‐
age them internally and cause a sudden drop in
tire inflation pressure. Driving characteristics
may be negatively impacted, reducing lane sta‐
bility, lengthening the braking distances and
changing the steering response. There is a risk
of accident. Pay attention to the permitted load
capacity of the tires and never exceed the per‐
mitted gross weight.
NOTICE
Fluids in the cargo area can cause damage.
There is a risk of damage to property, among
other potential damage. Make sure that no flu‐
ids leak in the cargo area.
NOTICE
When the cargo floor panel is not inserted,
there can be damage to the engine cover when
loading the cargo area. There is a risk of dam‐
age to property, among other potential dam‐
age. Only load the cargo area if the cargo floor
panel is inserted.
Warning
Loose objects or devices with a cable connec‐
tion to the vehicle, for instance mobile phones,
can be thrown about the car's interior while
driving, for instance in the event of an accident,
braking or evasive maneuver. There is a risk of
injury. Secure loose objects or devices with a
cable connection to the vehicle in the car's in‐
terior.
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DRIVING TIPS
The greater the weight of the occupants, the
less cargo that can be transported.
Steps for Determining Correct
Load Limit
1. Locate the statement “The combined weight
of occupants and cargo should never exceed
XXX kg or XXX lbs” on your vehicle’s placard.
Stowing and securing cargo
▷ Do not exceed permissible rear axle load.
▷ Cover sharp edges and corners on the cargo.
2. Determine the combined weight of the driver
and passengers that will be riding in your ve‐
hicle.
▷ Heavy cargo: stow as far forward as possible,
directly behind and at the bottom of the rear
passenger seat backrests.
3. Subtract the combined weight of the driver
and passengers from XXX kg or XXX lbs
▷ Very heavy cargo: when the rear seat is not
occupied, secure each of the safety belts in
the opposite buckle.
4. The resulting figure equals the available
amount of cargo and luggage load capacity.
For example, if the “XXX” amount equals
1,400 lbs and there will be five 150 lbs pas‐
sengers in your vehicle, the amount of availa‐
ble cargo and luggage load capacity is
▷ If necessary, fold down the rear backrests to
stow large cargo.
▷ Do not stack cargo above the top edge of the
backrests.
650 lbs (1,400 - 750 (5 x 150) = 650 lbs)
▷ Smaller and light cargo: secure with ratchet
straps or draw straps.
5. Determine the combined weight of luggage
and cargo being loaded on the vehicle. That
weight may not safely exceed the available
cargo and luggage load capacity calculated in
Step 4.
▷ Larger and heavy cargo: secure with cargo
straps.
6. If your vehicle will be towing a trailer, load
from your trailer will be transferred to your ve‐
hicle. Consult this manual to determine how
this reduces the available cargo and luggage
load capacity of your vehicle.
Lashing eyes in the cargo area
Load
There are four lashing eyes in the cargo area for
securing cargo.
Attach load securing aids, such as lashing straps,
tensioning straps, draw straps or cargo nets, to
the lashing eyes in the cargo area.
The maximum load is the sum of the weight of
the occupants and the cargo.
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Increasing the range
Check the tire inflation pressure
regularly
Check and, if needed, correct the tire inflation
pressure at least twice a month and before start‐
ing on a long trip.
General information
The vehicle contains comprehensive technolo‐
gies for reducing energy consumption and for
maximizing the range.
The range depends on a number of different fac‐
tors, refer to page 118.
Low tire inflation pressure increases rolling re‐
sistance and thus raises energy consumption
and tire wear.
The implementation of certain measures, driving
style and regular maintenance can increasing the
range and thereby also reduce the environmental
impact.
Stationary climate control
Run advance climate control, refer to page 176,
in the vehicle during charging before driving off.
Remove unnecessary cargo
Heating and cooling operations are very energy
intensive and substantially reduce the electric
range.
Additional weight reduces the range.
Remove attached parts
following use
Look well ahead when driving
Driving smoothly and proactively reduces energy
consumption.
Attached parts on the vehicle impair the aerody‐
namics and increase the energy consumption.
Avoid unnecessary acceleration and braking.
By maintaining a suitable distance to the vehicle
driving ahead of you.
Close the windows and glass
sunroof
Longer braking procedures result in more effi‐
cient charging of the high-voltage battery via en‐
ergy recovery from braking.
Driving with the glass sunroof and windows open
results in increased air resistance and thereby re‐
duces the range.
Use accelerator pedal for
deceleration and coasting
Tires
When approaching a red light, use accelerator
pedal for decelerating.
General information
Tires can affect energy consumption in various
ways, for instance energy consumption can be
influenced by tire size.
For going downhill use coasting function; for this
purpose, press accelerator pedal just enough
that the vehicle rolls.
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ECO PRO
Switch off any functions that are
not currently needed
▷ Reduction of the heating output and switch-
on duration for exterior mirrors, rear window,
and seat heating.
Functions such as the rear window defroster re‐
quire a lot of energy and reduce the range, espe‐
cially in city and stop-and-go traffic.
▷ Reduction of the cooling or heating output of
the air conditioner.
▷ The speed is limited to an adjustable maxi‐
mum value between 50 mph/80 km/h and
80 mph/130 km/h. To intentionally exceed
the speed limit, press the accelerator pedal all
the way down.
Switch off these functions if they are not needed.
The ECO PRO and ECO PRO+ drive modes
support the energy-conserving use of comfort
features. They automatically perform a partial or
complete deactivation of these functions.
ECO PRO+
Additionally, activating ECO PRO+ will limit the
following functions:
Have maintenance carried out
Have the vehicle maintained regularly to achieve
optimal vehicle efficiency and service life. BMW
recommends that maintenance work be per‐
formed by a BMW service center.
▷ The cooling and heater output of the heating
and air conditioning system will be deacti‐
vated.
▷ The seat heating is deactivated.
For information on the BMW Maintenance Sys‐
tem, refer to page 246.
▷ The maximum speed is limited to
55 mph/90 km/h. In special situations, the
speed limit can be consciously exceeded by
applying the accelerator pedal.
ECO PRO and ECO PRO+
Activating ECO PRO and ECO PRO+
Concept
Press the button repeatedly, until ECO
PRO or ECO PRO+ is displayed in the
instrument cluster.
ECO PRO and ECO PRO+ support an efficient
driving style. To this end, the control of the drive
is optimized for moderate acceleration, and
adapted to lighting and comfort features, such as
climate control output. Some vehicle functions
cannot be used during activated drive mode
ECO PRO and ECO PRO+.
Configuring ECO PRO
Via the Driving Dynamics Control
1. Activate ECO PRO.
In addition, context-sensitive instructions are dis‐
played to assist with an efficient driving style.
2. "Configure ECO PRO"
3. Select the desired setting.
General information
ECO PRO and ECO PRO+ drive modes each
have different settings.
Via iDrive
1. "My Vehicle"
2. "Vehicle settings"
3. "Configure ECO PRO"
4. Select the desired setting.
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Settings are stored for the profile currently used.
Display in the instrument cluster
Activating/deactivating the functions
ECO PRO efficiency display
The following functions can be activated/deacti‐
vated:
▷ "ECO PRO speed warning"
▷ "ECO PRO climate control"
Settings are stored for the driver profile currently
used.
ECO PRO limit speed
▷ "ECO PRO speed warning": activate ECO
PRO speed.
A mark in the performance display provides infor‐
mation about the current driving style.
An ECO PRO tip is displayed if the speed of
the set ECO PRO limit is exceeded.
Mark in the CHARGE range, arrow 1: indication
for energy recovery and braking.
▷ "Limit at:"
Mark in the ePOWER area, arrow 2: indicates ac‐
celeration.
Set the desired speed for the ECO PRO
speed.
The efficiency of your driving style is shown by
the bar's color:
ECO PRO climate control
To activate ECO PRO climate control:
"ECO PRO climate control"
▷ Blue display: efficient driving style as long as
the mark moves within the blue range.
▷ Gray display: modify driving style, for instance
by accelerating more moderately.
Climate control is set to be efficient.
This means, it is possible to deviate slightly from
the set temperature or to heat or cool the car's
interior more slowly, to economize on consump‐
tion.
The display turns blue as soon as all conditions
for efficient driving are met.
ECO PRO Tip
In addition, the power output of the seat and mir‐
ror heating is reduced.
Driving tip
As soon as one of the conditions for efficient
driving is no longer fulfilled, respective driving
tips are displayed as a icon in the instrument
cluster.
Coasting
With little pressure on the accelerator pedal, the
vehicle can coast without energy recovery. The
accelerator pedal indicator in the instrument dis‐
play is centered between CHARGE and ePO‐
WER during coasting.
Symbols
An additional icon and a delete text message are
displayed on the control display.
ECO PRO potential savings
Shows potential savings with the current settings
in percentages.
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Calling up ECO PRO Driving style
Icon
Measure
analysis
Via iDrive:
For efficient driving, accelerate more
moderately or decelerate proactively to
allow time to assess road conditions.
1. "My Vehicle"
2. "Technology in action"
3. "Driving style analysis"
Reduce speed to the selected ECO
PRO speed.
Display on the Control Display
Indications on the Control Display
General information
Information on consumption and technology can
be displayed while driving.
eDRIVE
Via iDrive:
1. "My Vehicle"
The display of the ECO PRO Driving style analy‐
sis consists of a symbolized route and a lookup
table.
2. "Technology in action"
3. "eDRIVE"
The road symbolizes the efficiency of the driving
style. The more efficient your driving style, the
smoother the depicted route becomes, arrow 1.
Driving style analysis
Concept
In this situation, the function helps develop an
especially efficient driving style and to save en‐
ergy.
The table of values contains stars, arrow 2. The
more efficient the driving style, the more stars
are displayed in the table.
If, on the other hand, the driving style is ineffi‐
cient, a more wavy road and a reduced number
of stars are displayed.
For this purpose, the driving style is analyzed.
The assessment is done in various categories
and is displayed on the Control Display.
To assist with an efficient driving style, ECO
PRO tips are displayed during driving.
This display will help you adjust your driving style
and save some energy.
Tips for an energy-saving driving style, Increas‐
ing the range, refer to page 203.
The last 15 minutes of a trip are evaluated.
The range of the vehicle can be extended by
adopting an efficient driving style.
Functional requirement
The function is available in ECO PRO drive mode
and in ECO PRO+ drive mode.
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