Page 162 of 190

162Giving and receiving assistance
Receiving assistanceThe BMW Group's Mobile Service
offers you 24-hour assistance in the
event of a breakdown, even on week-
ends and holidays.
The telephone numbers of the Mobile
Service control center in your country
are listed in the BMW Dealer Directory.
If your vehicle has the necessary equip-
ment, you can contact the Mobile Ser-
vice or issue an emergency call using
buttons in the interior rearview mirror.
When an emergency call is initiated, a
telephone connection is established
with the BMW Assist response center.Fold down the cover.
1Emergency call
2Mobile Service
Requirements for initiating an emer-
gency call or contacting Mobile Service:
>Ignition key in position 1 or higher
>The car phone must be registered
with a mobile network
>The emergency call system must be
operational.
Initiating an emergency call*Press button 1 for at least 2 seconds.
The indicator lamp above the buttons
lights up. As soon as a telephone con-
nection has been set up to the BMW
Assist response center, the indicator
lamp flashes.
If the situation permits you to do so,
wait in the vehicle until the voice con-
nection is established. You can then
provide detailed information to the
response center.
If your vehicle is equipped with an acti-
vated BMW Assist and the current loca-
tion of the vehicle can be determined,
this location is transmitted to the BMW
Assist response center.
If the navigation system has failed,
the current location of the vehicle
is not transmitted.<
If the indicator lamp is flashing but you
cannot hear the BMW Assist response
center over the hands-free system, it is
possible that e.g. the hands-free sys-
tem is malfunctioning. The BMW Assist
response center can still hear you,
however.
If certain requirements are met, an
emergency call is automatically initiated
after a serious accident. The automatic
emergency call will not be hindered by
pressing the button.
For technical reasons, the emer-
gency call function cannot be
guaranteed in certain unfavorable con-
ditions.<
Page 165 of 190

165
Towing and tow-starting the vehicle
Always comply with all applicable
towing laws and regulations.<
Using the towing eyeletThe screw-in towing eyelet is located in
the luggage compartment under the
floor panel; be sure that it remains with
the vehicle at all times. It can be
attached at the front or rear of your
BMW.
Observe the following instruc-
tions in order to avoid damaging
the towing eyelet 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 towing eyelet to lateral loads, e.g.
do not lift the vehicle using the towing
eyelet.<
Access to the threaded socketPress out the cover in the front or rear
bumper with a screwdriver at the top of
the recess.Being towed
Make sure that the ignition key is
in position 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
vehicle.<
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 triangle in
the rear window.
Vehicles with manual transmission:
gearshift lever in idling position.
Vehicles with automatic transmission:
selector lever in position N.
Do not exceed a towing speed of
45 mph / 70 km/h, nor a towing
distance of 90 miles/150 km, because
the automatic transmission could other-
wise be damaged.<
Vehicles with sequential manual gear-
box SMG: selector lever in position N.Towing methodsIn 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.
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
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166
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 pro-
duces lateral force.
Only attach the tow bar to the
towing eyelets. Other parts of the
vehicles could otherwise be dam-
aged.<
With a tow ropeWhen the towing vehicle is driving off,
make sure that the tow rope is taut.
Use nylon ropes or straps for tow-
ing because they prevent sudden
jerking movements. Attach the tow rope
only to the towing eyelets. Other parts
of the vehicles could otherwise be
damaged.<
With a tow truckHave the BMW transported by a tow
truck with a lift sling, or on a flatbed.
Never allow passengers to ride in
a towed vehicle for any reason.<
Do not lift the vehicle by the tow-
ing eyelet, nor by parts of the
body or chassis. Otherwise damage
could result.
Do not tow-start vehicles with
automatic transmissions. Jump-
starting, refer to page 163.<
Only tow-start vehicles with catalytic
converters if the engine is cold. It is
better to have the engine jump-started,
refer to page 163.
1. Turn on hazard warning flashers;
comply with national regulations
2. Turn the ignition key to position 2
3. Engage the 3rd gear
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 gear-
box SMG:
>Have the vehicle towed with the
selector lever in position N
>Select sequential mode. The correct
gear will automatically be selected
and engaged.
Towing and tow-starting the vehicle
Page 180 of 190

Everything from A to ZFlat tire 157
Flat Tire Monitor 92
space-saver spare tire 157
Flat Tire Monitor 92
indicator lamp 18, 19, 93
Fluid reservoir for washer
systems 142
Fog lamps
indicator lamp 20
Follow me home lamps 95
Footbrake, refer to Braking
safely 125
Front airbags 59
Front fog lamps 97
Front seat adjustment 51
Fuel
display 85
quality 24
volume 173
Fuel consumption
display 89
Fuel display, refer to Fuel
gauge 85
Fuel economy, refer to
Energy control 84
Fuel filler door 23
release following an elec-
trical malfunction 23
Fuel level indicator, refer to
Fuel gauge 85
Fuel reserve indicator, refer
to Fuel gauge 85Fuel tank capacity 173
Fully-automatic convertible
top 44
activation 44
convenience operation
30, 31
opening, closing 45
remote control 30
Fuses 161
G
Garage door opener, refer to
Integrated universal
remote control 110
Gasoline consumption, refer
to Average fuel consump-
tion 89
Gasoline, refer to Fuel spec-
ifications 24
Gear indicator 75, 79
Gear lever
automatic transmission
with Steptronic 77
sequential manual gear-
box SMG 73
Gearbox
manual transmission 72
Gearshift lever
manual transmission 72
General driving notes 125
Glove compartment 109Grills, refer to Ventilation
100, 104
Gross weight, refer to
Weights 172
H
Handbrake, refer to Parking
brake 71
Hands-free system 113
Hardtop 127
Hardtop preparation 127
Hardtop, refer to the sepa-
rate Owner's Manual 127
Hazard warning flashers 14
Hazard warning triangle 22
Head restraints 52
Headlamp cleaning system
cleaning headlamps 82
washer fluid 142, 173
Headlamp control, auto-
matic 95
Headlamp flasher 97
indicator lamp 20
Headlamps
bulb replacement 153
care, refer to the Caring
for your vehicle brochure
Heated mirrors 57
Heated rear window
air conditioning 102
automatic climate
control 107Heated seats 57
Heating
exterior mirrors 57
rear window 102, 107
seats 57
Heating and ventilation
100, 104
Heavy loads, refer to Cargo
loading 118
Height adjustment
seats 51
steering wheel 58
Height, refer to
Dimensions 171
High beams 80, 81, 97
bulb replacement 154
headlamp flasher 97
indicator lamp 20
Holder for beverages 113
Hood release 138
Horn 14
Hub cap 158
Hydraulic brake assistant,
refer to DBC 127
Hydroplaning 125
I
Ice warning 88
Ignition 69
Ignition key 28
positions 69
Ignition lock 69