2008 BMW 750I towing

At a glance
21Reference
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Showing/hiding help texts
You can display help texts and supplementary
information on selected menu items in the
assistance window.
1.Press the button to open the start
menu.
2.Move the controller toward "Help".
3.Select "Help text" and press the controller.
The symbol indicates the menu that is cur-
rently activated.
Status lines
1Outside temperature or town/city of desti-
nation of the navigation system
2Time
3Date
Rear seat screen*
Some of the functions of iDrive can also be
operated via the rear seat screen. Certain func-
tions are only available via iDrive. These func-
tions can only be operated to a limited degree
on the rear screen, e.g. the speed limit can only
be displayed. The settings are made via iDrive.
Deploying rear seat screen
1.Swing pivoting arm upward until it engages.
2.Fold rear seat screen upward.
The rear seat screen is ready for operation.
Stowing rear seat screen
1.Align rear seat screen so that it is straight.
2.Fold rear seat screen downward until pivot-
ing arm unlocks.
Pivoting arm swings downward.
The rear seat screen is switched off.
Pivot the rear seat screen completely
downward when the ski bag is being
used; otherwise, it could be damaged.
Do not pivot the rear seat screen up or down
with the cup holders open, as this can damage
it.<
Switching off rear seat screen
1.Press the button to open the start
menu.
2.Press the controller.
Press the controller again to switch the screen
back on.

Opening and closing
38
Tilt alarm sensor
The tilt of the vehicle is monitored. The alarm
system reacts, e.g. in case of an attempted
wheel theft or towing.
Interior motion sensor
In order for the interior motion sensor to func-
tion properly, the windows and glass sunroof
must be completely closed.
Avoiding unintentional alarms
The tilt alarm sensor and interior motion sensor
may be switched off at the same time. This pre-
vents unintentional alarms, e.g. in the following
situations:
>In duplex garages
>During transport on car-carrying trains,
boats/ships or on a trailer
>When animals are to remain in the vehicle
Switching off tilt alarm sensor and
interior motion sensor
Press the button on the remote control
again as soon as the vehicle is locked.
The indicator lamp lights up briefly and then
flashes continuously. The tilt alarm sensor and
the interior motion sensor are switched off until
the next time the vehicle is unlocked and subse-
quently locked again.
Comfort Access*
With Comfort Access, you can have access to
your vehicle without having to hold the remote
control in your hand. It is sufficient to carry the
remote control on your person, e.g. in a jacket
pocket. The vehicle automatically detects the
associated remote control inside the vehicle or
in its immediate vicinity.
Comfort Access supports the following func-
tions:
>Locking/unlocking the vehicle
>Unlocking the luggage compartment lid
separately
>Starting the engine
Functional requirements
>The vehicle can only be locked if the remote
control is outside the vehicle.
>The next unlocking and locking cycle is not
possible until after approx. 2 seconds.
>The engine can only be started if the remote
control is inside the vehicle.
Comparison to conventional remote
control
You can control the functions mentioned previ-
ously with the Comfort Access or by pressing
the buttons on the remote control. Therefore
please first familiarize yourself with the instruc-
tions for opening and closing, starting on
page32.
The specific features involved in the use of
Comfort Access are described below.
If a short delay occurs when opening or
closing the windows and the glass sun-
roof, then this indicates that the system is
checking whether a remote control is located in
the vehicle. Please repeat opening or closing if
necessary.<
Unlocking
Pull a door handle. This corresponds to press-
ing the button.
Only the door of the door handle you have
pulled is unlocked.
You unlock the other doors from the inside,
using the central locking system button, refer to
page34.<
Locking
Push a door handle. This corresponds to press-
ing the button.
Before locking, make sure that the igni-
tion and all current-consuming devices
are switched off in order to minimized the drain
on the battery.
If a remote control is detected in the interior, the
vehicle is unlocked again or not locked in the
first place.<

Driving
64
Manually unlocking and locking the
transmission lock
In the event of a power supply interruption, e.g.
when the battery is dead or disconnected or
when there is an electrical malfunction, the
transmission lock must be released manually;
otherwise, the rear wheels are locked and the
vehicle cannot be towed.
Step on the brake when manually unlock-
ing the transmission lock; otherwise,
there is a danger of the vehicle rolling.<
The transmission lock should only be released
for towing. Reengage the transmission lock
after parking the vehicle at its destination.
If it also becomes necessary to manually
release the parking brake, follow this sequence:
1.Start by manually releasing the parking
brake, refer to page60.
2.Then proceed to manually releasing the
transmission lock.
Releasing
1.Use the vehicle key to release the cover
panel beneath the instrument panel by turn-
ing the lock counterclockwise, then fold
down the cover.2.Pull out the release lever with the loop1
until it locks into place: the transmission
lock is unlocked.
Reengage the transmission lock after
parking the vehicle at its destination. Oth-
erwise, there is a danger of the vehicle rolling.<
Engaging locks
1.Disengage the release lever by pressing it
together with the red locking lever, refer to
arrow.
2.Guide the release lever all the way back into
its original position – the transmission lock
is engaged once more.
3.Fold up and lock the cover panel again. Now
– and not before – the key may be removed.
Jump starting and tow starting information,
refer to section starting on page220.

Controls
65Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Turn signals/
headlamp flasher
1High beams
2Headlamp flasher
3Turn signals
Using turn signals
Move the lever beyond the resistance point.
If you wish to manually control the shut-off of
the turn signal, then only push the lever to the
resistance point.
Atypically rapid flashing of the indicator
lamps signals the failure of a turn signal
lamp, possibly in the trailer when towing.<
Temporarily signaling
Push the lever to the resistance point and hold it
there for as long as you wish to signal.
Triple turn signal activation
Press the lever to the resistance point and
release; the turn signal flashes three times.
Wiper system
1Switching on wipers
2Switching off wipers or for brief wipe
3Activating/deactivating rain sensor
4Cleaning windshield, headlamps and
BMW Night Vision camera
*
5Adjusting rain sensor sensitivity level
Switching on wipers
The lever automatically returns to its initial posi-
tion when released.
Normal wiper speed
Press once.
The system reverts to operation in the intermit-
tent mode when the vehicle is stationary.
Fast wiper speed
Press twice or press beyond the resistance
point.
The system reverts to normal speed when the
vehicle is stationary.
Rain sensor
The rain sensor controls the wiper operation as
a function of the rain intensity. It is located on
the windshield, directly in front of the inside
rearview mirror.

Practical interior accessories
118
Loading
1.Fold down the center armrest in the rear
backrest.
2.Pull on the handle and open the cover panel.
3.Remove the cover panel
* and place it on
the controller in the rear.
4.To open the cover panel in the luggage
compartment:
Press the handle and slide it to the right.
5.Place the ski bag between the front seats
and load it. The zipper gives you easy
access to the stowed items and facilitates
drying of the ski bag.
Only place clean skis in the ski bag. Wrap sharp
edges so that no damage occurs.
Securing cargo
After loading, secure the ski bag and its con-
tents. Tighten the retaining strap on the ten-
sioning buckle for this purpose.
Failure to secure the ski bag with the
retaining strap could endanger occupants
during braking or evasive maneuvers.<
Stowing ski bag
1.To close the cover panel in the luggage
compartment:
Press the handle and slide it to the left.
2.Fold the ski bag and store it in the compart-
ment.
3.Snap the cover into place as shown.
4.Close the cover panel.

Things to remember when driving
124
Cargo loading
To avoid loading the tires beyond their
approved carrying capacity, never over-
load the vehicle. Overloading can lead to over-
heating of the tires and increases the rate at
which damage develops inside them. The ulti-
mate result can come in 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 lbs. or YYY kg; otherwise, the vehicle
may be damaged and unstable driving con-
ditions may result.<
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 passenger from XXX lbs. or YYY kg.
4.The resulting figure equals the available
amount of cargo and luggage load capacity.
For example, if the XXX amount equals
1400 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.:
1400 lbs. minus 750 lbs. = 650 lbs.
5.Determine the combined weight of luggage
and cargo being loaded into the vehicle.
This weight may not safely exceed the avail-
able cargo and luggage load capacity calcu-
lated 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 the vehicle.
Load
The permissible load is the total of the weight of
occupants and cargo/luggage. The greater the
weight of occupants, the less cargo/luggage
can be transported.
Stowing cargo
>Place heavy cargo as far forward and as low
as possible, placing it directly behind the
bulkhead behind the rear seats.
>Cover sharp edges and corners.
>For very heavy cargo when the rear seat is
not occupied, secure each outside rear
safety belt in the opposite buckle.

Mobility
221Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Your BMW has a special nut that serves as a
body ground or negative terminal, refer to
arrow2.
5.Attach the second negative/– clamp of the
jumper cable to the negative battery termi-
nal or to an engine or body ground on the
vehicle to be started.
Starting engine
1.Start the engine of the assisting vehicle and
allow it to run for several minutes at a fast
idle.
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.Allow the engines to run for several min-
utes.
4.Disconnect the jumper cables again in the
reverse sequence.
If need be, have the battery checked and
recharged.
Never use spray fluids to start the
engine.<
Towing and tow starting
Observe applicable laws and regulations
for tow starting and towing.<
Do not transport any passengers other
than the driver in a vehicle that is being
towed.<
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.
Only use the tow fitting that comes with
the vehicle and screw it in as far as it will
go. 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. Otherwise,
damage to the tow fitting and the vehicle can
occur.<
Access to screw thread
Press the arrow symbol to push out the cover.
Being towed
Do not tow the vehicle by the rear axle;
because there is no steering lock, the
wheels could turn to an extreme angle during
towing. There is no power assist with the
engine stopped. This then requires increased
effort for braking and steering.<
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.
Selector lever in position N. Releasing
shiftlock manually, refer to page64. To
avoid damaging the automatic transmission, do
not exceed a towing speed of 45 mph/70 km/h
and a towing distance of 95 miles/150 km.<
Towing methods
In some countries, towing with tow bars or
ropes in public traffic is not permitted.
Familiarize yourself with the regulations on tow-
ing in the respective country.
With tow bar
The towing vehicle must not be lighter
than the vehicle to be towed; otherwise,
it will no longer be possible to control vehicle
response.<

Giving and receiving assistance
222 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 offset
angle, please be aware of the following:
>Clearance and maneuvering capability will
be strictly limited in corners.
>When mounted at an angle, the tow bar will
exert lateral forces, tending to push the
vehicle sideways.
Only secure the tow bar to the tow fitting;
otherwise, damage can occur when it is
secured to other parts of the vehicle.<
With tow rope
When starting off in the towing vehicle, make
sure that the towrope is taut.
To avoid jerking and the associated
stresses on vehicle components when
towing, always use nylon ropes or nylon straps.
Only secure the tow rope on the tow fitting; oth-
erwise, damage can occur when it is secured on
other parts of the vehicle.<
With tow truck
Have the BMW transported with a tow truck
with a so-called lift bar or on a flat bed.
Do not lift vehicle by tow fitting or body
and chassis parts; otherwise, damage
may result.<
Tow starting
It is not possible to start the motor by tow start-
ing.
Starting assistance, refer to page220.
Have the cause of the starting difficulties reme-
died.