Giving and receiving assistance
98 positive terminal of the battery or to an aux-
iliary jump-starting terminal of the vehicle to
be jump-started.
Your BMW is equipped with a special nut,
refer also to the engine compartment over-
view on page85
3.With the– jumper cable, connect the nega-
tive terminals of both vehicles.
To do this:
Attach one cable clamp to the negative bat-
tery terminal or to a suitable ground on the
engine or body work of the support vehicle.
Attach the second cable clamp to the nega-
tive battery terminal or to a suitable ground
on the engine or body work of the vehicle to
be jump-started.
Starting the engine
1.Start the engine of the support vehicle and
let it run for several minutes at a slightly ele-
vated engine idle speed
2.Start the engine of the other vehicle as
usual.
If the first start attempt is not successful,
wait a few minutes before another attempt
in order to allow the discharged battery to
recharge
3.Allow the engines to run for several minutes
4.Then disconnect the jumper cables in
reverse sequence
5.Depending on the cause of the fault, have
the battery checked and recharged.
Never use spray starter fluids to start the
engine.<
Towing and tow-starting the
vehicle
Using the towing eyelet
The screw-in towing eyelet is stored in the
onboard tool kit; be sure that it remains in the
vehicle at all times. It can be attached at the
front or rear of your BMW.
Observe the following instructions in
order to avoid damaging the towing eye-
let or the vehicle: use only the towing eyelet
supplied with the vehicle, and screw it in firmly
until it stops. Use the towing eyelet for towing
on paved roads only. Avoid subjecting the tow-
ing eyelet to lateral loads, e.g. do not lift the
vehicle using the towing eyelet.<
Access to the threaded socket
Press out the cover with a screwdriver inserted
in the recess at the top.
Being towed
Make sure that the ignition key is in posi-
tion 1, because the steering lock could
otherwise engage and the vehicle could no
longer be steered. There is no power assist
while the engine is off. Therefore, you will need
to exert more force to brake and steer the vehi-
cle.<
Turn on the hazard warning flashers, if required
by national regulations. If the electrical system
has failed, clearly identify the vehicle being
towed, e.g. by placing a sign or a warning trian-
gle in the rear window.
Vehicles with manual transmission
Gearshift lever in idling position.
Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
99
Vehicles with automatic transmission
Selector lever in position N.
Do not exceed a towing speed of 45 mph /
70 km/h or a towing distance of 90 miles/
150 km. Otherwise, the automatic transmission
could be damaged.<
Vehicles with sequential manual
gearbox SMG
To push or tow the vehicle, turn on the ignition
and move the selector lever to position N, then
turn the ignition off again.
Towing methods
In some countries, it is not permitted to tow the
vehicle with a tow bar or tow rope on public
roads.
Familiarize yourself with the applicable towing
regulations for the country in which you are
driving.
With a tow bar
The towing vehicle must not be lighter
than the vehicle being towed; otherwise,
vehicle handling can no longer be controlled.<
The towing eyelets of both vehicles should be
on the same side. If the tow bar can only be
used in a diagonal position, please note the fol-
lowing:
>Clearance is restricted while you are driving
around corners
>The inclination of the tow bar produces late-
ral force.
Only attach the tow bar to the towing eye-
lets. Other parts of the vehicle could oth-
erwise be damaged.<
With a tow rope
When the towing vehicle is driving off, make
sure that the tow rope is taut.
Use nylon ropes or straps for towing
because they prevent sudden jerking
movements. Attach tow ropes only to the tow-
ing eyelet. Other parts of the vehicle could oth-
erwise be damaged.<
With a tow truck
Have the BMW transported by a tow truck with
a lift sling, or on a flatbed.
Do not lift the vehicle by the towing eye-
let, or by parts of the body or chassis.
Otherwise damage could result.<
Tow-starting
Do not tow-start vehicles with automatic
transmission.
Jump-starting, refer to page97.<
Only tow-start vehicles with catalytic conver-
ters if the engine is cold. It is better to have the
vehicle jump-started, refer to page97.
1.Turn on the hazard warning flashers; com-
ply with national regulations
2.Turn the ignition key to position 2
3.Engage the 3rd gear. For vehicles with
SMG, refer to following column
4.Have the vehicle towed with the clutch
pedal completely depressed and then
slowly release the clutch pedal. After the
engine has started, immediately depress
the clutch pedal again completely
5.Pull over at a suitable location, remove the
tow bar or tow rope, and turn on the hazard
warning flashers
6.Have the vehicle checked.
Vehicles with sequential manual
gearbox SMG
>Have the vehicle towed with the selector
lever in position N
>Select sequential mode. The correct gear
will automatically be selected and engaged.
Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
107
Bandages, refer to First-aid
kit97
Bar, towing99
Battery94
– charging95
– disposal95
– indicator lamp12,94
– jump-starting97
– power supply interruption95
– remote control16
Belts, refer to Safety belts30
Belt tensioner, refer to Safety
belts30
Beverage holders64
Blower
– air conditioning59
– automatic climate control62
Blower, refer to Air
supply59,62
BMW5
BMW Maintenance
System89
Bottle holders, refer to
Beverage holders64
Brake fluid88
– filling88
– indicator/warning
lamp13,88
– level88
Brake force display52
Brake hydraulic system88
– indicator/warning
lamp13,88
Brake lamps
– brake force display52
– bulb replacement93
– indicator lamp, defective
lamp13
Brake pads88
– break-in procedures68
– warning lamp88
Brake pad wear indicator
– brake pads88
– warning lamp13
Brake rotors
– brake system69
– break-in procedures68Brakes
– ABS50
– brake fluid88
– brake pads88
– break-in procedures68
– indicator/warning
lamps13,51
– parking brake37
Brake system
– brake fluid88
– brake pads88
– break-in procedures68
– disc brakes69
– indicator lamp13
Breakdown
– Flat Tire Monitor52
Breakdown service, refer to
Mobile Service96
Breaking in the differential,
refer to Engine and
differential68
Break-in procedures68
Bridging, refer to Jump-
starting97
Bulb replacement, refer to
Lamps and bulbs91
Buttons in the multifunction
steering wheel10
C
California laws
– Event Data Recorders90
– Proposition 65 warning6
Can holders, refer to Beverage
holders64
Capacities105
Capacity
– luggage compartment, refer
to Weights103
Car battery94
Car care, refer to the Caring
for your vehicle brochure
Car-care products, refer to the
Caring for your vehicle
brochure
Care, refer to the Caring for
your vehicle brochure
Car keys, refer to Keys16Carpet care, refer to the
Caring for your vehicle
brochure
Car radio, refer to the separate
Owner's Manual
Car telephone, refer to the
separate Owner's Manual
Car wash, refer to the Caring
for your vehicle brochure
Catalytic converter, refer to
Hot exhaust system69
CD changer, refer to Owner's
Manual for Radio/Onboard
Computer
CD operation, refer to Owner's
Manual for Radio/Onboard
Computer
Center high-mount brake
lamp, bulb replacement93
Central locking system16
– interior18
Changes, technical, refer to
For your own safety6
Changing a wheel94
– Run Flat tires94
Charge indicator lamp12,94
Check gas cap, indicator
lamp13
Child-restraint mounting
system, LATCH35
Child-restraint systems33
Child seat, refer to
Installing child-restraint
systems34
Chrome parts, refer to the
Caring for your vehicle
brochure
Cigarette lighter65
Cigarette lighter socket65
Cleaning the rear window,
refer to the Caring for your
vehicle brochure
Cleaning the vehicle, refer to
the Caring for your vehicle
brochure