2010 BMW 3 SERIES tow bar

Controls
81Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Technology for driving comfort and safety
Park Distance Control PDC*
The concept
The PDC assists you with maneuvering in tight
parking spaces. Acoustic signals and a visual
indicator
warn you of the presence of an object
behind your vehicle. To measure the distance,
there are four ultrasonic sensors in either
bumper.
These sensors have a range of approx. 6.5 ft/
2 m. However, an acoustic warning does not
sound until an object is approx. 2 ft/60 cm from
the corner sensors, or approx. 5 ft/1.50 m from
the center sensors.
PDC is a parking aid that can indicate
objects when they are approached
slowly, as is usually the case when parking.
Avoid approaching an object at high speed; oth-
erwise, physical circumstances may lead to the
system warning being issued too late.<
Switching on automatically
With the engine running or the ignition switched
on, the system is activated after approx. 1 sec-
ond when you engage reverse gear or move the
automatic transmission selector lever to
position R. Wait this short period before driving.
Switching off automatically
After approx. 55 yd/50 m of driving or above
approx. 20 mph/approx. 30 km/h, the system
switches off and the LED goes out.
Signal tones
When nearing an object, its position is indicated
correspondingly by an interval tone. As the dis-
tance between vehicle and object decreases,
the intervals between the tones become
shorter. If the distance to the nearest object
falls to below roughly 1 ft/30 cm, then a contin-
uous tone sounds.
An interval tone is interrupted after approx.
3seconds>If you remain in front of an object that has
been detected by only one of the corner
sensors
>If you are driving parallel to a wall.
Malfunction
The indicator lamp in the instrument
cluster comes on. PDC is malfunc-
tioning. A message appears on the
Control Display. Have the system checked.
To avoid this problem, keep the sensors clean
and free of ice or snow in order to ensure that
they will continue to operate effectively. When
using a high-pressure cleaner, do not spray the
sensors for extended periods of time and only
from a distance of at least 1 ft/30 cm.
PDC with visual warning
The approach of the vehicle to an object is
shown on the Control Display. Objects that are
farther away are displayed on the Control Dis-
play before a signal tone sounds. The display
appears on the Control Display as soon as PDC
is activated.
System limitations
Even with PDC, final responsibility for
estimating the distance between the
vehicle and any obstructions always remains
with the driver. Even when sensors are pro-
vided, there is a blind spot in which objects can
no longer be detected. The system is also sub-
ject to the physical limits that apply to all forms
of ultrasonic measurement, such as those
encountered with trailer towbars and hitches,
thin or wedge-shaped objects, etc. Low objects
that have already been displayed, e.g. curbs,
can disappear again from the detection area of
the sensors before or after a continuous tone
sounds. Higher, protruding objects, e.g. ledges,
cannot be detected. Therefore, always drive
cautiously; otherwise, there is a risk of personal
injury or property damage.
Loud sound sources outside or inside the car

Giving and receiving assistance
240 the vehicle by the tow fitting. Otherwise, the
tow fitting and the vehicle could be damaged.<
Access to screw thread
Release the cover panel in the bumper:
Press on the upper part of the cover panel.
Front
Rear
Being towed
Make sure that the ignition is switched on,
refer to page54; otherwise, the low-beam
headlamps, tail lamps, turn signal indicators and
windshield wipers may be unavailable.
Power steering assistance is not available when
the engine is not running. Thus, braking and
steering will require increased effort. Active
steering is not active and it will be necessary to
turn the steering wheel further.<
Manual transmission
Gearshift lever in neutral position.
Automatic transmission
Selector lever in position N.
Changing selector lever positions, refer to
page57.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
Do not lift the vehicle by a tow fitting or
body and chassis parts; otherwise, dam-
age may result.<
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.<

Mobility
241Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
With a tow truck: vehicle without xDrive
Have the BMW transported with a tow truck
with a so-called lift bar, or on a flatbed.
Do not tow the vehicle with just the rear axle
raised as this may cause the steering to turn.
With a tow truck: vehicle with xDrive
Do not tow a BMW with xDrive with just
the front or rear axle raised; otherwise, the
wheels could lock up and the transfer case
could be damaged.<
Have the BMW transported on a flatbed surface
only.
Tow-starting
Avoid tow-starting the vehicle whenever possi-
ble; instead, jump-start the engine, refer to
page238. Vehicles with a catalytic converter
should only be tow-started when the engine is
cold, vehicles with an automatic transmission
cannot be tow-started at all.
1.Switch on hazard warning flashers, comply
with local regulations.
2.Switch on the ignition, refer to page54.
3.Shift into 3rd gear.
4.Have the vehicle tow-started with the clutch
depressed and slowly release the clutch. After the engine starts, immediately
depress the clutch completely again.
5.Stop at a suitable location, remove the tow
bar or rope and switch off the hazard warn-
ing flashers.
6.Have the vehicle checked.
With xDrive: do not activate Hill Descent
Control HDC when the vehicle is being
tow-started, page83.<

Reference 255
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Average fuel consumption71
– setting the units73
Average speed71
Avoid highways in
navigation134
Avoiding unintentional
alarms34
Axle loads, refer to
Weights247
B
Backrest contour, refer to
Lumbar support43
Backrests, refer to Seat
adjustment42
Backrest width adjustment43
Back seats
– refer to Rear seats44
Backup lamps
– replacing bulb233,234
Band-aids, refer to First aid
pouch237
Bar, refer to Towing
methods240
Base plate for telephone or
mobile phone
– refer to Snap-in adapter184
– refer to Snap-in adapter in
the center armrest storage
compartment106
Bass, tone setting144
Battery235
– charging235
– disposal35,236
– jump-starting238
– remote control26
– replacing235
– temporary power failure236
Battery for mobile phone185
Battery renewal
– remote control35
– remote control for vehicle35
Being towed240
Belts, refer to Safety belts46
Belt tensioner, refer to Safety
belts46
Beverage holders, refer to
Cupholders107Blower, refer to Air volume98
Bluetooth, activating/
deactivating176
BMW
– car shampoo227
BMW Advanced Diesel198
BMW Assist188
BMW Assist,
activating190,192
BMW Homepage4
BMW Maintenance
System223
BMW Search190
BMW webpage4
Bottle holders, refer to
Cupholders107
Brake Assist, refer to Dynamic
Brake Control DBC82
Brake fluid, refer to Service
requirements73
Brake Force Display89
Brake lamps
– Brake Force Display89
– replacing bulb233,234
Brake pads116
– breaking in116
Brake rotors118
– brakes116
– breaking in116
Brakes
– ABS82
– BMW Maintenance
System223
– Brake Force Display89
– breaking in116
– parking brake56
– service requirements73
Brakes, refer to Braking
safely118
Brake system116
– BMW Maintenance
System223
– breaking in116
– disc brakes118
Breakdown services, refer to
Roadside Assistance237
Breaking in the clutch116Breaking in the differential,
refer to Engine and
differential116
Break-in period116
Brightness of the Control
Display80
Bulb changing, refer to Lamps
and bulbs229
Button for starting the engine,
refer to Start/stop button54
Buttons on the steering
wheel11
C
California Proposition 65
warning5
Call
– accepting177
– ending178
– rejecting178
Calling, refer to Phone
numbers, dialing178
Can holders, refer to
Cupholders107
Capacities248
Capacity of the cargo area247
Car battery, refer to Vehicle
battery235
Car care, refer to Care225

Reference 267
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Tensioning straps, refer to
Securing cargo120
The individual vehicle5
Third brake lamp, refer to
Center brake lamp235
Through-loading system109
Through-loading system,
refer to Expanding the cargo
area110
Tilt alarm sensor33
Tilt function, passenger side
mirror48
Timer, refer to Preselecting
switch-on times101
Tire inflation pressure201
– loss85,86
Tire pressure monitoring,
refer to Flat Tire Monitor84
Tire Pressure Monitor
TPM86
– resetting the system86
– system limitations86
– warning lamp87
Tire puncture, refer to Flat Tire
Monitor85
Tire Quality Grading214Tires
– age214,215
– air loss87
– breaking in116
– changing, refer to Changing
wheels235
– condition215
– damage215
– inflation pressure201
– labels214
– minimum tread depth215
– new wheels and tires216
– pressure monitoring, refer to
Flat Tire Monitor84
– pressure monitoring, refer to
Tire Pressure Monitor
TPM86
– puncture85
– replacing216
– run-flat216
– size214
– storage217
– tread depth215
– wear indicators, refer to
Minimum tread depth215
– wheel/tire combination, refer
to Correct wheels and
tires216
– winter tires217
TMC station, refer to Traffic
bulletins137
Tone
– control144
– middle setting146
Tools, refer to Onboard
vehicle tool kit229
Top 50 of music
collection164
Torque, refer to Engine
data244
Tow bar240
Tow fitting239
– screw thread240
Tow fittings for tow-starting
and towing away239
Towing239
– car with automatic
transmission239
– methods240Towing and tow-starting239
Town/city, for navigation125
Tow rope240
Tow-starting239,241
TPM, refer to Tire Pressure
Monitor86
Track
– selecting on CD155
Traction control, refer to
Dynamic Stability Control
DSC82
Traffic bulletins
– categories139
Traffic bulletins, filtering139
Traffic bulletins for
navigation137
– during destination
guidance139
– in map view139
Traffic jam
– displaying traffic
bulletins137
Transmission
– automatic transmission with
Steptronic56
– manual transmission56
– overriding selector lever lock
for automatic transmission
with Steptronic58
Transmission interlock
– refer to Changing selector
lever position57
– refer to P Park57
Transporting children
safely50
Transport securing devices,
refer to Securing cargo120
Travel instructions, refer to
Voice instructions135
Tread depth, refer to Minimum
tire tread215
Trip, deleting133
Trip, storing132
Trip computer, refer to
Displays on the Control
Display71
Trip-distance counter, refer to
Trip odometer69
Triple turn signal activation59