Giving and receiving assistance
190 The first-aid kit is located in the luggage com-
partment lid.
Loosen the wingnut to open.
Roadside Assistance*
The Roadside Assistance of the BMW Group
offers you assistance in the event of a break-
down around the clock, also on weekends and
public holidays.
The phone numbers of the Roadside Assis-
tance in your home country can be found in the
Contact brochure.
In the case of vehicles with BMW Assist or
TeleService, you can contact the Roadside
Assistance of the BMW Group for assistance in
the event of a breakdown directly via the Con-
trol Center, refer to page163.
Jump starting
When your battery is discharged, you can use
two jumper cables to start your BMW with
power from the battery in a second vehicle. You
can also use the same method to help start
another vehicle. Use only jumper cables with
fully-insulated clamp handles.
To avoid the risk of potentially fatal injury,
always avoid all contact with electrical
components while the engine is running. Care-
fully adhere to the following sequence, both to
prevent damage to one or both vehicles, and to
guard against possible personal injuries.<
Preparation
1.Check whether the battery of the other
vehicle has a voltage of 12 Volts and
approximately the same capacitance in Ah.
This information can be found on the bat-
tery.
2.Switch off the engine of the assisting vehi-
cle.
3.Switch off any electrical accessories in both
vehicles.
There must not be any contact between
the bodies of the two vehicles, as other-
wise there is a danger of shorting.<
Connecting jumper cables
To avoid personal injury from sparks,
always observe this sequence when con-
necting jumper cables.<
On your BMW, the so-called starting-aid termi-
nal in the engine compartment serves as the
battery positive terminal, also refer to Engine
compartment essentials on page177. The
symbol + is embossed on the cover.
1.Fold open the cover of the BMW starting-
aid terminal. To do so, pull the tab.
2.Attach one end of the jumper cable plus/+
to the positive terminal of the battery or a
starting-aid terminal of the vehicle provid-
ing assistance.
3.Attach the second end of the cable to the
positive terminal of the battery or to a start-
ing-aid terminal of the vehicle to be started.
Your BMW has a special nut as body ground or
negative pole.
4.Attach one end of the jumper cable minus/–
to the negative terminal of the battery or to
Mobility
191Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communication
Navigation
Entertainment
an engine or body ground of the assisting
vehicle.
5.Attach the second end of the cable to the
negative terminal of the battery or to the
engine or body ground of the vehicle to be
started.
Starting engine
1.Start the engine on the assisting vehicle
and allow it to run for several minutes at
increased speed.
2.Start the engine on the other vehicle in the
usual way. If the first start attempt is not
successful, wait a few minutes before
another attempt in order to allow the dis-
charged battery to recharge.
3.Let the engines run for a few minutes.
4.Disconnect the jumper cables by reversing
the connection sequence.
Check the battery and recharge if necessary.
Never use spray fluids to start the
engine.<
Towing and tow-starting
Always observe all applicable towing laws
and regulations.<
Never allow passengers to ride in a towed
vehicle for any reason.<
Using tow fitting
The threaded tow fitting is stored in the
onboard tool kit and must always remain in the
vehicle. It can be screwed in at the front or rear
of the BMW.In order to avoid damaging the tow fitting
and the vehicle, please follow these
instructions: use only the tow fitting provided
with the vehicle and screw it all the way in. Use
the tow fitting for towing only on roads. Avoid
lateral loading of the tow fitting, e.g. do not lift
the vehicle by the tow fitting.<
Access to screw thread
Rectangular cover panel in bumper: press on
the arrow symbol on the cover panel.
Front
Rear
Being towed
Make sure that the ignition key is in posi-
tion 1, as otherwise the steering lock will
engage, making it impossible to steer the vehi-
cle. There is no power assist with the engine
stopped. This then requires increased effort for
braking and steering. Active steering is deacti-
vated and larger steering wheel movements are
required.<
Switch on the hazard warning flashers depend-
ing on the local regulations. If the electrical sys-
tem fails, mark the vehicle to be towed, e.g. with
a sign or warning triangle in the rear window.
