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EnglishDriving for your BMW i4 2021-2025
Driving
CONTROLS
Driving
Overview
Vehicle features and options
This chapter describes model-specific equip-
ment, systems, and functions that are currently
available, or may become available in the fu-
ture, even if they are not present in the vehicle.
Additional information:
Vehicle equipment, refer to page 8.
Start/Stop button
Start/Stop button
Principle
Pressing the Start/Stop button turns drive-
ready state on/off.
Driving off
1. Close the driver's door.
2. Depress brake pedal.
General information
Drive-ready state turns on when the brake
pedal is pressed while pushing the Start/Stop
button.
3. Press the Start/Stop button.
4. Engage the desired selector lever position,
e.g., D or R.
Pressing the Start/Stop button again turns
drive-ready state back off and turns standby
state back on.
5. Release the parking brake.
6. To drive off, release the brake pedal and
press the accelerator pedal.
Drive-ready state cannot be turned on as long
as the charging cable is connected or the
charging socket cover is open.
Acoustic pedestrian protection
Depending on vehicle equipment and national-
market version, Acoustic Pedestrian Protection
generates a continuous driving noise in vehi-
cles with electric or electrically assisted drives.
Additional information:
▷
▷
▷
Drive-ready state, refer to page 47.
Standby state, refer to page 47.
Charging cable, refer to page 288.
▷
With a stationary vehicle and drive-ready
state turned on, as soon as the selector
lever position P is exited.
▷
With electric drive up to approx.
20 mph/30 km/h.
A speaker system broadcasts the noise to the
environment. As a result, other road users,
for instance pedestrians or cyclists, can better
perceive the vehicle.
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Driving off
Drive-ready state in detail
Safety information
Warning
Functional requirements
Driving is possible when the following prereq-
uisites are met:
▷
The state of high-voltage battery charge is
sufficient.
An unsecured vehicle can begin to move and
possibly roll away. There is a risk of accident,
injury, and property damage. Before leaving
the vehicle, secure the vehicle against rolling
away.
▷
▷
▷
The driver's door is closed.
Charging cable is detached.
The charging socket cover is closed.
In order to ensure that the vehicle is secured
against rolling away, follow the following:
Driving
1. Turn on drive-ready state.
▷
▷
Set the parking brake.
2. Apply the brake and engage selector lever
position D, B, or R.
Automatic transmission: Make sure that
selector lever position P is engaged.
3. Release the parking brake.
▷
▷
On uphill grades or on downhill slopes,
turn the front wheels in the direction of
the curb.
4. Depress the accelerator pedal to drive.
State of charge in strong temperature
fluctuations
On uphill grades or on downhill slopes,
also secure the vehicle, for instance with
a wheel chock.
In the case of strong temperature fluctuations
and a low state of charge of the high-voltage
battery, it may not be possible to start the ve-
hicle again at the beginning of the next trip.
Recharge vehicle with a low state of charge in
time.
Turning on the drive-ready state
1. Close the driver's door.
2. Depress the brake pedal.
3. Press the Start/Stop button.
Selector lever positions
A signal tone sounds. Drive-ready state is
switched on.
Display
The engaged selector lever position is dis-
played in the instrument cluster and on the
selector lever.
Display in the instrument cluster
The READY display indicates
that the vehicle is ready for driv-
ing.
Gear position D
Selector lever position for normal driving.
The vehicle drives off slowly when the brake
pedal is released.
R reverse gear
Engage selector lever position R only when the
vehicle is stationary.
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▷
▷
▷
High level of energy recovery when the ac-
celerator pedal is released.
N Neutral
The vehicle may be pushed or roll without
drive, for instance in car washes, in selector
lever position N.
Major deceleration when releasing the ac-
celerator pedal to a standstill of the vehicle.
The vehicle does not drive off when the
brake pedal is released.
Parking position P
Selector lever position for parking the vehicle.
In selector lever position P, the drive is blocked.
Engaging selector lever positions
Engage selector lever position P only when the
vehicle is stationary.
General information
To prevent the vehicle from creeping after you
select a gear position or reverse gear, main-
tain pressure on the brake pedal until you are
ready to drive off.
Selector lever position P is engaged automati-
cally in situations such as the following:
▷
After the drive-ready state is switched off
and selector lever position D, R or B is en-
gaged.
Functional requirements
▷
If the driver's seat belt is unbuckled and the
driver's door is opened while the vehicle is
stationary and selector lever position D, R,
or B is engaged.
▷
Only when the drive-ready state is switched
on and the brake pedal is depressed is it
possible to change from selector lever posi-
tion P to another selector lever position.
▷
After standby state is switched off, if selec-
tor lever position N is engaged.
▷
▷
The selection lever position P cannot be
changed until all technical prerequisites are
met.
Before leaving the vehicle, make sure to en-
gage selector lever position P and apply the
parking brake. Otherwise, the vehicle may be-
gin to move.
Before shifting out of selector lever position
P, remove the charging cable from the vehi-
cle; otherwise, the gearshift request will not
be executed.
Additional information:
Parking brake, refer to page 132.
Engage selector lever position R, N, D,
B
1. Fasten driver's seat belt.
B, gear position with highest energy
recovery
2. Tilt or pull the selector lever into the desired
direction, past a resistance point, if needed.
The selector lever automatically returns to
the center position when released.
Principle
Selector lever position B is the gear position
with the highest energy recovery.
General information
Selector lever position B offers the following
characteristics:
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Changing between selector lever position D
and B: pull selector lever to D/B.
1. Switch on drive-ready state while pressing
on the brake pedal.
2. If necessary, release the parking brake.
3. If necessary, switch off Automatic Hold.
4. Depress the brake pedal.
5. Touch the selector lever lock and engage
selector lever position N.
6. Switch off drive-ready state.
In this way, standby state remains switched
on, and a Check Control message is dis-
played.
Engaging selector lever position P
The vehicle can roll.
Irrespective of standby state, the selector lever
position P is automatically engaged after ap-
prox. 35 minutes.
If the system is not operational, you may not
be able to change the selector lever position.
Electronically unlock the transmission lock, if
needed.
Electronic unlocking of the
transmission lock
Press button P.
Rolling or pushing the vehicle
General information
Unlock the transmission lock electroni-
cally, e.g., to maneuver the vehicle out of a
hazardous area in the event of a malfunction.
General information
In some situations, the vehicle is supposed to
roll without its own drive for a short distance,
for instance in a car wash or to be pushed.
Before unlocking the transmission lock, secure
the vehicle against rolling away, for instance
with a wheel chock.
Engaging selector lever position N
Engaging selector lever position N
NOTICE
1. Quickly press the Start/Stop button three
times without pressing the brake.
Selector lever position P is automatically en-
gaged when standby state is switched off.
The wheels are blocked. There is a risk of
property damage. Do not switch off standby
if the vehicle is meant to coast, e.g., in a car
wash.
2. Depress the brake pedal.
3. Press the selector lever to position N until
position N is shown on the selector lever.
An appropriate Check Control message is
displayed.
4. Maneuver the vehicle from the hazardous
area and secure it against rolling away.
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Turning off drive-ready state
Park the vehicle. Noises from the electrical sys-
tem such as for cooling the high-voltage sys-
tem might still be audible.
Warning
When driving in electric mode, pedestrians
and other road users might pay less attention
to the vehicle due to the lack of engine noise.
There is a risk of accident, injury, and prop-
erty damage. Adjust driving style to traffic
conditions. Watch surrounding traffic closely
and actively intervene where appropriate
After stopping the vehicle:
1. Apply brake and engage the selector lever
in position P.
2. Set the parking brake.
3. Press the Start/Stop button.
The READY indicator goes out and a signal
tone sounds.
Warning
Without energy recovery, the braking effect of
the electric motor is unavailable. The vehicle
could roll further than anticipated. There is
a risk of accident, injury, and property dam-
age. Adjust driving style to traffic conditions.
Watch surrounding traffic closely and actively
intervene where appropriate
The drive-ready state is switched off automat-
ically if the driver's seat belt is not buckled
when the driver's door is opened.
If leaving the vehicle stationary for longer pe-
riods, follow the instructions in the Mobility
chapter.
Additional information:
Service life of the high-voltage battery, long
stationary periods, and taking the vehicle out
of service, refer to page 299.
Accelerator pedal positions,
displays
Driving in detail: eDRIVE
Safety information
Warning
The braking effect of the electric motor can
be stronger than for a vehicle with combus-
tion engine. Abrupt braking and slow-down
may confuse other road users. There is a
risk of accident, injury, and property damage.
Carefully release the accelerator pedal. Ad-
just driving style to traffic conditions. Watch
surrounding traffic closely and actively inter-
vene where appropriate
1
Deceleration and recuperative braking
Rolling
2
3
Acceleration or constant speed: ePOWER
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▷
▷
▷
The vehicle is moving.
Deceleration and recuperative
braking
Selector lever position B, D or R is set.
The accelerator pedal is not depressed or
only slightly depressed.
Deceleration
The degree of the deceleration depends on
the selector lever position, the energy recovery
setting and the driving situation.
The energy recovery is displayed in the instru-
ment cluster.
Additional information:
Depending on the degree of the deceleration,
the brake lights will come on without depress-
ing the brake pedal.
Power gauge, refer to page 148.
Energy cannot be recovered in the following
situations, for instance:
Deceleration is very pronounced in selector
lever position B.
▷
▷
Selector lever position N is engaged.
While drive stability control systems are ac-
tive or adjusting the vehicle, even though
this is not indicated by an indicator light.
During the deceleration, energy is recovered
and the high-voltage battery is charged.
▷
▷
The high-voltage battery is fully charged.
Reduced deceleration
When temperature of the high-voltage bat-
tery is very low or very high.
Warning
▷
The drive's operating temperature is too
high.
Without energy recovery, the braking effect of
the electric motor is unavailable. The vehicle
could roll further than anticipated. There is
a risk of accident, injury, and property dam-
age. Adjust driving style to traffic conditions.
Watch surrounding traffic closely and actively
intervene where appropriate
In winter the energy recovery may be tempora-
rily unavailable after startup.
Driving situations for energy recovery
If deceleration is foreseeable while driving, this
can be used for energy recovery.
In the event of danger such as with locked
wheels, energy recovery and thus deceleration
is reduced in order to prevent unstable driving
situations.
The following driving situations may be suita-
ble for this:
▷
▷
Decelerating downhill.
Deceleration before a red traffic light.
Energy recovery
Energy recovery is also called recuperation.
Avoid late or strong braking. Instead, deceler-
ate the vehicle using energy recovery.
With energy recovery, the electric motors act
as alternators when decelerating and convert
the kinetic energy of the vehicle to electrical
energy.
Strength of recuperative braking
In selector lever position B, the energy recov-
ery is high and the deceleration is pronounced.
For driving in selector lever position D, the
strength of recuperative braking can be ad-
justed via iDrive.
The high-voltage battery is recharged in part
through energy recovery.
Energy can be recovered if the following condi-
tions are met:
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▷
▷
Adaptive energy recovery: energy recovery
and deceleration are automatically adapted
to the respective driving situation.
Heavily discharged high-voltage
battery
If the high-voltage battery is heavily dis-
charged while driving, the drive power and
some comfort features are reduced incremen-
tally in order to extend the range.
High energy recovery: the vehicle deceler-
ates fast, and more energy is returned to
the high-voltage battery.
▷
▷
Average energy recovery.
Heated high-voltage battery
Low energy recovery: the vehicle deceler-
ates more slowly, and less energy is re-
turned to the high-voltage battery.
With a stationary vehicle
Additional information:
In isolated cases, when the vehicle is station-
ary, it is possible for the high-voltage battery to
overheat, for instance at extreme outside tem-
peratures and in direct sunlight. Drive-ready
state cannot be turned on if the high-voltage
battery is overheated.
Adaptive recuperation, recuperative braking,
refer to page 283.
Setting the strength of energy recovery
1.
Apps menu
A Check Control message is displayed.
2. "Vehicle"
Another message will indicate when drive-
ready state is available again.
3. "Driving settings"
4. "Drivetrain and chassis"
5. "Energy recovery in D"
6. Select the desired setting.
While driving
If the high-voltage battery overheats while
driving, the drive power is reduced incremen-
tally in order to cool down the high-voltage
battery. The ePOWER power gauge in the in-
strument cluster decreases.
What to do if high-voltage battery is
fully charged
If the high-voltage battery is fully charged, the
electric motor will be unable to recover addi-
tional energy when driving off. To maintain the
usual level of deceleration from energy recov-
ery, the vehicle is decelerated by its normal
brake when the accelerator pedal is released.
This can cause the brake to overheat in certain
situations, e.g., when driving downhill or apply-
ing continuous, gentle braking.
If the temperature increases further, park
the vehicle until the high-voltage battery has
cooled down.
If the power gauge falls to 0, the drive-ready
state is switched off and the vehicle comes to a
stop.
i4 M50: Launch Control
A Check Control message is displayed.
As such, the driver must apply the brake when
driving on long downhill stretches with a fully
charged high-voltage battery.
Principle
Launch Control enables optimum acceleration
on roads with good traction under dry sur-
rounding conditions.
If necessary, adjust your charging strategy,
e.g., do not fully charge the high-voltage bat-
tery before driving downhill.
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General information
Using Launch Control causes premature com-
ponent wear since this function represents a
very heavy load for the vehicle.
General information
The following systems may be affected, for in-
stance:
▷
▷
▷
▷
▷
Drivetrain.
Do not turn the steering wheel when driving off
with Launch Control.
Chassis.
Steering.
Do not use Launch Control when breaking in
the vehicle.
Display in the instrument cluster.
Cruise control.
Additional information:
Break-in, refer to page 276.
Overview
Driving off with Launch Control
1. Turn on drive-ready state.
Buttons in the vehicle
2. Activate SPORT, SPORT BOOST or
SPORT INDIVIDUAL with the Driving Expe-
rience Control.
3. With the left foot, press down forcefully on
the brake.
4. Press the accelerator pedal all the way
down and hold.
A destination flag is displayed in the instru-
ment cluster.
Button
Driving mode
5. Release the brake within a few seconds of
the destination flag illuminating.
SPORT
SPORT INDIVIDUAL
SPORT BOOST
The vehicle accelerates.
Launch Control stays on as long as the
destination flag is displayed and the accel-
erator pedal is not released.
COMFORT
ECO PRO
Driving Experience Control
ECO PRO INDIVIDUAL
Principle
The Driving Experience Control influences,
among other things, the vehicle's driving dy-
namics.
Displays in the instrument cluster
The selected driving mode is
displayed in the instrument clus-
ter.
The vehicle can be adjusted depending on the
situation using various driving modes.
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Configuring and resetting
E.g., ECO PRO INDIVIDUAL drive mode:
Activating/deactivating drive modes
Press the button for the desired drive mode
repeatedly until the desired drive mode is dis-
played in the instrument cluster.
1.
Apps menu
2. "Vehicle"
When changing the drive mode, the current
drive mode is deactivated.
3. "Driving settings"
4. "Drivetrain and chassis"
5. "ECO PRO INDIVIDUAL"
6. Select the desired setting.
Driving modes in detail
COMFORT
The COMFORT driving mode is a balanced
setting between sporty and energy-saving
driving.
Reset ECO PRO INDIVIDUAL to the standard
settings:
"Reset to ECO PRO STANDARD"
Enabling INDIVIDUAL
Press the button for the desired driving mode
several times.
Depending on equipment: SPORT
The SPORT driving mode is a dynamic setting
for more agility with an optimized suspension.
Depending on vehicle equipment:
SPORT BOOST
Drive-off assistant
Depending on availability, the electric motor
provides additional power in SPORT BOOST
drive mode. Dynamic setting for maximum
agility with an adjusted drive.
Principle
On inclines, in selector lever position D or R,
this system prevents the vehicle from rolling
opposite the set driving direction and provides
drive-off support.
Use the accelerator pedal to utilize the addi-
tional power with SPORT BOOST active. A
display in the instrument cluster shows the
availability of the BOOST power.
Selector lever position B
The system prevents the vehicle from rolling
away when the vehicle has come to a standstill
and the accelerator pedal is not pressed.
ECO PRO
In ECO PRO driving mode, power consumption
is optimized.
Driving off
Engage a gear position and step on the accel-
erator pedal to drive off.
INDIVIDUAL configuration
General information
The parking brake is released automatically.
For some driving modes, there is another
mode that can be adjusted individually.
Depending on the vehicle load or driving situa-
tion, the vehicle may roll back slightly.
The individual configuration set last is acti-
vated directly when the driving mode is called
up again.
If necessary, activate Automatic Hold.
Additional information:
Automatic Hold, refer to page 133.
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There is a risk of accident, injury, and prop-
erty damage. Do not leave children or ani-
mals unattended in the vehicle. Take the ve-
hicle key with you when exiting and lock the
vehicle.
Parking brake
Principle
The parking brake is used to prevent the vehi-
cle from rolling away when it is parked.
Overview
Safety information
Warning
An unsecured vehicle can begin to move and
possibly roll away. There is a risk of accident,
injury, and property damage. Before leaving
the vehicle, secure the vehicle against rolling
away.
In order to ensure that the vehicle is secured
against rolling away, follow the following:
Parking brake
▷
▷
Set the parking brake.
Automatic transmission: Make sure that
selector lever position P is engaged.
Setting the parking brake
▷
▷
On uphill grades or on downhill slopes,
turn the front wheels in the direction of
the curb.
With a stationary vehicle
Pull the switch.
On uphill grades or on downhill slopes,
also secure the vehicle, for instance with
a wheel chock.
The LED illuminates.
The indicator light in the instrument
cluster illuminates red.
Warning
The parking brake is set.
Unattended children or animals in the vehicle
can cause the vehicle to move and endanger
themselves and traffic, for example, due to
the following actions:
While driving
Use while driving serves as an emergency
braking function.
▷
▷
▷
Establishing standby.
Pull the switch and hold it. The vehicle
brakes hard while the switch is pulled.
Releasing the parking brake.
Opening and closing the doors or win-
dows.
The indicator light in the instrument
cluster illuminates red, a signal sounds,
and the brake lights illuminate.
▷
▷
Engaging selector lever position N.
Using vehicle equipment.
A Check Control message is displayed.
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The parking brake is engaged when the vehi-
cle is stationary.
1. Turn on standby state.
2.
Pull the switch while stepping on the
brake pedal or selector lever position P is
set and then push.
With Emergency Stop Assistant
Briefly pull the switch to trigger the
Emergency Stop Assistant.
This process may take a few seconds. Some
mechanical sounds associated with this proc-
ess are normal.
Additional information:
Emergency Stop Assistant, refer to page 189.
The indicator light is no longer illumi-
nated as soon as the parking brake is
ready for operation again.
Releasing the parking brake
Releasing the parking brake manually
1. Turn on drive-ready state.
Automatic Hold
2.
Press the switch while stepping on
the brake pedal or selector lever position P
is set.
Principle
Automatic Hold provides assistance by auto-
matically applying and releasing the brake,
e.g., when driving off on inclines or in stop-
and-go traffic.
The LED and the indicator light go out.
The parking brake is released.
The vehicle is automatically held in place when
it is stationary.
Releasing the parking brake
automatically
The parking brake is released automatically
when you drive off.
General information
The parking brake is automatically engaged
under the following conditions:
The LED and the indicator light go out.
▷
▷
If drive-ready state is turned off.
Malfunction
If the parking brake fails or malfunctions, se-
cure the vehicle so that it does not roll away
before you exit.
If the driver’s door is opened while the vehi-
cle is stationary.
▷
If the parking brake is used to brake the
vehicle to a stop while driving.
A Check Control message is displayed.
Secure the vehicle against rolling away, for in-
stance with a wheel chock, after getting out of
the vehicle.
Safety information
Warning
After a power interruption
To reestablish parking brake operability after
a power interruption, an initialization may be
required.
An unsecured vehicle can begin to move and
possibly roll away. There is a risk of accident,
injury, and property damage. Before leaving
the vehicle, secure the vehicle against rolling
away.
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In order to ensure that the vehicle is secured
against rolling away, follow the following:
Overview
▷
▷
Set the parking brake.
Automatic transmission: Make sure that
selector lever position P is engaged.
▷
▷
On uphill grades or on downhill slopes,
turn the front wheels in the direction of
the curb.
On uphill grades or on downhill slopes,
also secure the vehicle, for instance with
a wheel chock.
Automatic Hold
Warning
Activating Automatic Hold
1. Turn on drive-ready state.
Unattended children or animals in the vehicle
can cause the vehicle to move and endanger
themselves and traffic, for example, due to
the following actions:
2.
Press the button.
▷
▷
▷
Establishing standby.
The LED illuminates.
Releasing the parking brake.
The indicator light illuminates green.
Automatic Hold is activated.
Opening and closing the doors or win-
dows.
▷
▷
Engaging selector lever position N.
Using vehicle equipment.
Automatic Hold holding the vehicle
Automatic Hold is activated and the driver’s
door is closed.
There is a risk of accident, injury, and prop-
erty damage. Do not leave children or ani-
mals unattended in the vehicle. Take the ve-
hicle key with you when exiting and lock the
vehicle.
After stopping, the vehicle is automat-
ically secured against rolling away as
soon as the indicator light illuminates
green.
NOTICE
Automatic parking brake application
If the vehicle is stationary, Automatic Hold
engages the parking brake and prevents the
vehicle from rolling in a car wash. There is
a risk of property damage. Deactivate Auto-
matic Hold prior to entering the car wash.
The parking brake is automatically set if drive-
ready state is switched off while the vehicle is
being held by Automatic Hold or if the vehicle
is exited.
The indicator light changes from green
to red.
The parking brake is not set automatically if
the drive-ready state was switched off while
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the vehicle was coasting. Automatic Hold is
temporarily deactivated in this case.
Driving off
Press the accelerator pedal to drive off.
The brake is released automatically and the
indicator light of the parking brake is no longer
illuminated.
The vehicle may roll back slightly when driving
off, depending on the load.
Use the parking brake as needed to prevent
the vehicle from rolling back when driving off.
Deactivate Automatic Hold
Press the button.
The LED goes out.
The indicator light goes out.
Automatic Hold is deactivated.
If the vehicle is being held by Automatic Hold,
also press the brake pedal when deactivating.
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