2007 BMW 3 SEDAN towing

Controls
35Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Closing
Sedan
Sports Wagon
The handle recesses on the interior trim of the
luggage compartment lid/tailgate make it easier
to pull down.
Make sure that the closing path of the
luggage compartment lid/tailgate is clear,
otherwise injuries may result.<
Sports Wagon: opening and closing the
rear window
Small items can be loaded and unloaded
quickly when the rear window is opened sepa-
rately.
The roll-up cover is raised when the rear
window is opened. Before closing the rear
window, press the roll-up cover downward until
it engages. slightly. It can now be swung upwards.
Press the window shut to close it.
Make sure that the corners of any pointed
or sharp-edged cargo are padded if they
could bump against the rear window while the
vehicle is in motion, otherwise the heating ele-
ments of the rear window could be damaged.<
Alarm system*
The concept
The vehicle alarm system responds:
>When a door, the hood or the luggage com-
partment lid/tailgate is opened
>To movements inside the vehicle: Interior
motion sensor, refer to page36
>When the car's inclination changes, for
instance if an attempt is made to jack it up
and steal the wheels or to raise it prior to
towing away
>When there is an interruption in the power
supply from the battery
The alarm system signals unauthorized entry
attempts for a short time by means of:
>An acoustic alarm
>Switching on the hazard warning flashers
>Flashing the high beams
Arming and disarming
When you lock or unlock the vehicle, either with
the remote control or at the door lock, the alarm
system is armed or disarmed at the same time.
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Controls
91Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Indication of a flat tire
The warning lamps come on in yellow
and red. A message appears on the
Control Display. In addition, an
acoustic signal sounds. There is a flat
tire or substantial loss of tire pressure.
1.Cautiously reduce speed to below 50 mph
or 80 km/h. Avoid sudden braking and
steering maneuvers. Do not exceed a speed
of 50 mph or 80 km/h.
If the car is not equipped with Run-
Flat Tires, refer to page212, the stan-
dard equipment by design, do not continue
driving. Otherwise a severe accident could
result after a tire puncture if you continue
driving.<
2.At the next opportunity, check the air pres-
sure in all four tires.
If all four tires are inflated to the cor-
rect pressures, the Flat Tire Monitor
might not have been initialized. The system
must then be initialized.<
3.In the event of complete tire pressure loss,
0 psi/0 kPa, you can estimate the possible
distance for continued driving on the basis
of the following guidelines:
>With a light load:
1 to 2 persons without luggage:
approx. 155 miles/250 km
>With a medium load:
2 persons, cargo bay full, or 4 persons
without luggage:
approx. 90 miles/150 km
>With a full load or when towing a trailer:
4 or more persons, cargo bay full:
approx. 30 miles/50 km
Drive cautiously and do not exceed a
speed of 50 mph or 80 km/h. In the event
of pressure loss, vehicle handling changes. This
includes reduced tracking stability in braking,
extended braking distance and altered natural
steering characteristics.
If unusual vibration or loud noises occur during
the journey, this may be an indication that the
damaged tire has finally failed. Reduce your
speed and pull over as soon as possible at a suitable location. Otherwise parts of the tire
could come loose, resulting in an accident. Do
not continue driving. Instead, contact your
BMW center.<
Malfunction
The warning lamps come on in yel-
low. A message appears on the Con-
trol Display. The Flat Tire Monitor has
a malfunction or has failed. Have the
system checked as soon as possible.
Tire Pressure Monitor TPM*
The concept
TPM checks the inflation pressures of the four
mounted tires. The system notifies you if there
is a significant loss of pressure in one or more
tires.
Functional requirement
In order to assure the reliable reporting of a flat
tire, the system must be reset while all tire infla-
tion pressures are correct.
Always use wheels with TPM electronics. Oth-
erwise, the system may malfunction.
Each time a tire inflation pressure has
been corrected or a wheel or tire has been
changed, reset the system.<
System limitations
TPM cannot warn you in advance of sud-
den severe tire damage caused by out-
side influences.<
The system does not work correctly if it has not
been reset; for example, a flat tire may be indi-
cated even though the tire inflation pressures
are correct.
The system is inactive and cannot indicate a flat
tire if a wheel without TPM electronics, such as
a compact spare wheel, has been mounted, or if
TPM is temporarily malfunctioning due to other
systems or devices using the same radio fre-
quency.
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Things to remember when driving
124
When the vehicle is parked
Condensation forms while the automatic cli-
mate control is in operation, and then exits
under the vehicle. Traces of condensed water
under the vehicle are therefore normal.
Before driving into a car wash
For general information about taking care of
your BMW, refer to the Caring for your vehicle
brochure.
Sports Wagon: rear window wiper
Driving through an automatic car wash can
result in damage to the rear window wiper. If
necessary, ask the operator of the car wash
about protective measures you should take.
With convenient access and automatic
transmission
Insert the remote control into the ignition
switch.
The engine can be switched off when the selec-
tor lever is in position N. Refer also to page38.
Cargo loading
To avoid loading the tires beyond their
approved carrying capacity, never over-
load the vehicle. Overloading can lead to over-
heating and increases the rate at which damage
develops inside the tires. The ultimate result
can assume the form of a sudden blow-out.<
Determining loading limit
1.Locate the following statement on your
vehicle's placard
*:
The combined weight of occupants
and cargo should never exceed
XXX kg or YYY lbs. Otherwise, overloading
can result in damage to the vehicle and
unstable driving conditions.<
2.Determine the combined weight of the
driver and passengers that will be riding in
your vehicle.
3.Subtract the combined weight of the driver
and passengers from XXX kilograms or YYY
pounds.
4.The resulting figure equals the available
amount of cargo and luggage load capacity.
For example, if the YYY amount equals
1,400 lbs. and there will be five 150-lb. pas-
sengers in your vehicle, the amount of avail-
able cargo and luggage load capacity is
650 lbs:
1,400 lbs. minus 750 lbs. = 650 lbs.
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.
6.If your vehicle will be towing a trailer, part of
the load from your trailer will be transferred
to your vehicle. Consult the manual for
transporting a trailer to determine how this
may reduce the available cargo and luggage
load capacity of your vehicle.
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Driving tips
125Reference
At a glance
Controls
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Load
The permissible load is the total of the weight of
occupants and cargo/luggage. The greater the
weight of the occupants, the less cargo/lug-
gage can be transported.
Stowing cargo
>Position heavy objects as low and as far for-
ward as possible, ideally directly behind the
respective seat backrests.
>Cover sharp edges and corners.
>For very heavy cargo when the rear seat is
not occupied, secure each safety belt in the
opposite buckle.
Sedan
Sports Wagon
>Use the partition net to protect passengers,
refer to page115. Make sure that objects
cannot penetrate the partition net.
>Do not stack cargo higher than the upper
edge of the backrests.
>Place protective material around any
objects which could bump against the rear
window while the vehicle is in motion.
Securing cargo
>Secure smaller and lighter items using
retaining straps, a cargo-bay net
* or draw
straps
*.
>Heavy-duty cargo straps
* for securing
larger and heavier objects are available at
your BMW center. Four lashing eyes are
provided for attaching the cargo straps.
Two are located on the cargo-bay sidewalls
1, two more are on the rear cargo-bay panel
2.
Please comply with the information sup-
plied with the cargo straps.
Always position and secure the cargo as
described above, so that it cannot endan-
ger the car's occupants, for example if sudden
braking or swerves are necessary.
Never exceed either the approved gross vehicle
weight or either of the approved axle loads, refer
to page239, as excessive loads can pose a
safety hazard, and may also place you in viola-
tion of traffic safety laws.
Heavy or hard objects should not be carried
loose inside the car, since they could be thrown
around, for example as a result of heavy braking,
sudden swerves, etc., and endanger the occu-
pants.<
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Mobility
231Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Connecting jumper cables
Connect the jumper cables in the correct
order, so that no sparks which could
cause injury occur.<
Your BMW has a jump-starting connection in
the engine compartment which acts as the bat-
tery's positive terminal, refer also to the Engine
compartment overview on page215. The cap is
marked with +.
1.Pull the cap of the BMW jump-starting con-
nection up to remove.
2.Attach one terminal clamp of the plus/+
jumper cable to the positive terminal of the
battery or a starting-aid terminal of the vehi-
cle providing assistance.
3.Attach the second terminal clamp of the
plus/+ jumper cable to the positive terminal
of the battery or a starting-aid terminal of
the vehicle to be started.
4.Attach one terminal clamp of the minus/–
jumper cable to the negative terminal of the
battery or to an engine or body ground of
the assisting vehicle.
Your BMW has a special nut as body ground
or negative pole.
5.Attach the second terminal clamp of the
minus/– jumper cable to the negative termi-nal of the battery or to the engine or body
ground of the vehicle to be started.
Starting the engine
1.Start the engine of the donor vehicle and
allow it to run for a few minutes at slightly
increased idle 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 discharged battery to
recharge.
3.Let the engines run for a few minutes.
4.Disconnect the jumper cables by reversing
the above connecting sequence.
If necessary, have the battery checked and
recharged.
Never use spray fluids to start the
engine.<
Tow-starting, towing away
Observe the applicable laws and regula-
tions for tow-starting and towing vehi-
cles.<
Do not transport any passengers other
than the driver in a vehicle that is being
towed.<
Using a tow fitting
The screw-in tow fitting must always be carried
in the car. It can be screwed in at the front or
rear of the BMW.
Sedan: it is stored in the onboard tool kit under-
neath the cover on the right-hand side of the
cargo bay, refer to page221.
Sports Wagon: it is stored in the onboard tool kit
underneath the cover on the left-hand side of
the cargo bay, refer to page221.
Use only the tow fitting provided with the
vehicle and screw it all the way in. Use the
tow fitting for towing on paved roads only. Avoid
lateral loading of the tow fitting, e.g. do not lift
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Giving and receiving assistance
232 the vehicle by the tow fitting. Otherwise the tow
fitting and the vehicle could be damaged.<
Access to screw thread
Rectangular cover panel in bumper:
Press on the upper edges of the cover panel.
Front
Rear
Being towed
Make sure that the ignition is switched on,
refer to page57, otherwise the low-beam
headlamps, tail lamps, turn signal indicators and
windshield wipers may be unavailable. If the
electrical system fails, do not attempt to tow-
start or tow away the car. The electric steering
wheel lock cannot be disengaged and the car is
not steerable. Jump starting, refer to page230.
Power steering assistance is not available when
the engine is not running. Thus, braking and
steering will require increased effort.<
Switch on the hazard warning flashers, depend-
ing on local regulations.
Manual transmission
Gearshift lever in idle position.
Automatic transmission
Selector lever in position N.
Changing selector lever positions, refer to
page60.
Do not exceed a towing speed of 45 mph
or 70 km/h and a towing distance of
90 miles/150 km, otherwise the automatic
transmission may be damaged.<
Towing methods
In come countries, it is illegal to tow your vehicle
with a tow bar or tow rope on public highways.
Please familiarize yourself with the relevant
towing regulations for the country in which you
are driving.
With a tow bar
The towing vehicle must not be lighter
than the towed vehicle, otherwise it may
be impossible to maintain control.<
The tow fittings used should be on the same
side on both vehicles. Should it prove impossi-
ble to avoid mounting the tow bar at an angle,
please observe the following:
>Clearance and maneuvering capability will
be sharply limited during cornering.
>The tow bar will generate lateral forces if it is
attached offset.
Attach the tow bar to the tow fittings only,
as attaching it to other parts of the vehicle
could result in damage.<
With a tow rope
When starting off in the towing vehicle, make
sure that the tow rope is taut.
To avoid jerking and the associated
stresses on vehicle components when
towing, always use nylon ropes or nylon straps.
Attach the tow rope to the tow fittings only, as
attaching it to other parts of the vehicle could
result in damage.<
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Reference 247
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Audio156
– controls156
– switching on/off156
– tone control157
– volume157
"Audio", refer to Tone
control157
Audio device, external111
"Auto. headlamps"98
Automatic
– air distribution103
– air flow rate103
– cruise control64,66
– headlamp control97
– service notification192
– storing of stations161
Automatic climate control101
– automatic air
distribution103
– settings via iDrive102
Automatic curb monitor50
"Automatic programs" with
automatic climate
control103
Automatic recirculated-air
control AUC103
Automatic station search161
Automatic transmission with
Steptronic59
– interlock59,60
– overriding selector lever
lock61
– shiftlock, refer to Changing
selector lever position60
– sport program60
– towing231
– tow-starting231
"Automatic ventilation"105
AUTO program for automatic
climate control103
"Autostore"
– on the radio162
"AUX"156,173
"AUX" for external audio
device173
AUX-IN
– port111
AUX-In, refer to External audio
device173Average fuel consumption74
– setting the units77
Average speed74
"Avoid ferries" in
navigation142
"Avoid highways" in
navigation141
Avoid highways in
navigation141
Avoiding unintentional
alarms36
"Avoid tollroads" in
navigation142
Axle loads, refer to
Weights239
"A - Z"182
B
Backrest contour, refer to
Lumbar support46
Backrests, refer to Seat
adjustment45
Backrest width adjustment46
Back seats
– refer to Rear seats47
Backup lamps
– replacing bulbs225,226
Backup lamps, refer to Tail
lamps224
Balance, tone control157
Band-aids, refer to First-aid
pouch229
Bar, refer to Towing
methods232
Bass, tone control157
Bass sounds, refer to Tone
control157
Bass sounds, refer to Treble
and bass157
Battery227
– charging227
– disposal38,227
– jump starting230
– remote control28
– temporary power failure227
Battery renewal
– remote control38
– remote control for vehicle38Being towed232
Belts, refer to Safety belts49
Belt tensioner, refer to Safety
belts49
Beverage holders, refer to
Cup holders111
Blower, refer to Air flow
rate103
Bluetooth, refer to separate
Owner's Manual
"BMW Assist"191,192,193
BMW Assist
– activating195
– Concierge service193
– contacting BMW Customer
Relations193
– Roadside Assistance191
– services offered190
– TeleService192
"BMW Contact"184
"BMW Contact
Numbers"184
BMW Homepage4
BMW Maintenance
System219
"BMW
Services"194
,195,196
BMW webpage4
Bottle holders, refer to Cup
holders111
Bracket for telephone or
mobile phone
– refer to Snap-in adapter in
the center armrest storage
compartment110
Brake assist, refer to Dynamic
Brake Control DBC87
Brake fluid, refer to Service
requirements77
Brake Force Display94
Brake lamps
– replacing bulbs225,226
– two-stage94
Brake pads122
– breaking in122
Brake rotors123
– brakes122
– breaking in122
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Everything from A - Z
248 Brakes
– ABS87
– BMW Maintenance
System219
– breaking in122
– parking brake59
– service requirements77
Brakes, refer to Braking
safely123
Brake system122
– BMW Maintenance
System219
– breaking in122
– disc brakes123
Breakdown services, refer to
Roadside Assistance229
Breaking in the clutch122
Breaking in the differential,
refer to Engine and
differential122
Break-in period122
Brightness of the Control
Display85
"Brightness"on the control
display85
Bulb changing, refer to Lamps
and bulbs222
Burned fuel
– refer to Average
consumption74
Button for starting the engine,
refer to Start/stop button57
Buttons on the steering
wheel11
C
California Proposition 65
warning6
"Call"183,194
Call
– accepting181
– displaying accepted183
– ending182
– in absence183
– starting181Calling
– from phone book182
– from Top 8 list183
– redialing183
Can holders, refer to Cup
holders111
Capacities241
Capacity of the cargo bay239
Car battery, refer to Vehicle
battery227
Car care, refer to Caring for
your vehicle brochure
Car-care products, refer to
Caring for your vehicle
brochure
"Car Data"74
Care, refer to Caring for your
vehicle brochure
Cargo, securing125
Cargo bay114
– capacity239
– convenient access37
– folding up the floor
panel117
– lamp, refer to Interior
lamps100
– opening from inside33
– opening from outside33
– partition net115
– roll-up cover114
Cargo bay lid, refer to
Luggage compartment lid/
tailgate32
Cargo bay net, refer to
Partition net115
Cargo loading
– securing cargo125
– stowing cargo125
– vehicle124
Caring for artificial leather,
refer to Caring for your
vehicle brochure
Caring for leather, refer to
Caring for your vehicle
brochure
Caring for plastic, refer to
Caring for your vehicle
brochureCaring for the carpet, refer to
Caring for your vehicle
brochure
Caring for the vehicle finish,
refer to Caring for your
vehicle brochure
Car jack
– jacking points227
Car key, refer to Integrated
key/remote control28
Car phone176
– installation location, refer to
Center armrest110
– refer to Mobile phone176
– refer to separate Owner's
Manual
Car radio, refer to Radio160
Car wash124
– also refer to Caring for your
vehicle brochure
– with convenient access38
Catalytic converter, refer to
Hot exhaust system122
"Categories" for satellite
radio164
CBS Condition Based
Service219
"CD"156,166
CD changer166
– compressed audio files166
– controls156
– fast forward/reverse170
– installation location170
– playing a track168
– random order169
– repeating a track169
– selecting a CD166
– selecting a track167
– switching on/off156
– tone control157
– volume157
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