Giving and receiving assistance
232
Sedan
Loosen the wing nut to open.
Sports Wagon
Release the two quick-release fasteners and 
fold down the trim piece.
First aid kit*
Some of the articles contained in the first aid kit 
have a limited service life. Therefore, check the 
expiration dates of the contents regularly and 
replace the contents concerned in good time if 
necessary.
Sedan
The first aid kit is located in the luggage com-
partment lid.Loosen the wing nut to open.
Sports Wagon
The first aid kit is located in the right side panel 
of the cargo bay. Before opening the side panel, 
pull the retaining strap
* toward the rear by its 
rear end and unhook it.
Roadside Assistance*
Roadside Assistance of the BMW Group offers 
you assistance in the event of a breakdown 
around the clock, including on weekends and 
public holidays.
The phone numbers of Roadside Assistance in 
your home country can be found in the Contact 
brochure.
With BMW Assist you can contact Roadside 
Assistance of the BMW Group for assistance in 
the event of a breakdown directly via iDrive, 
refer to page192.
Jump starting
When your battery is discharged, you can use 
two jumper cables to start your BMW with 
power from the battery in a second vehicle. You 
can also use the same method to help start 
another vehicle. Use only jumper cables with 
fully-insulated clamp handles.
To avoid the risk of potentially fatal injury, 
always avoid all contact with electrical 
components while the engine is running. Care-
fully adhere to the following sequence, both to 
prevent damage to one or both vehicles, and to 
guard against possible personal injuries.< 
Mobility
 233Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Preparation
1.Check whether the battery of the other 
vehicle has a voltage of 12 Volts and 
approximately the same capacitance in Ah. 
This information can be found on the bat-
tery.
2.Switch off the engine of the assisting vehi-
cle.
3.Switch off any electrical systems and com-
ponents in both vehicles.
There must not be any contact between 
the bodies of the two vehicles, otherwise 
there is a danger of shorting.<
Connecting jumper cables
To avoid personal injury from sparks, fol-
low this sequence when connecting 
jumper cables.<
In your BMW, the so-called jump-starting termi-
nal in the engine compartment serves as a pos-
itive terminal for the battery, also refer to engine 
compartment overview on page212. The cover 
cap is marked with a +.
1.Fold open the cover of the BMW jump-
starting terminal. To do so, pull the tab.
2.Attach one end of the jumper cable plus/+ 
to the positive terminal of the battery or a 
jump-starting terminal of the vehicle provid-
ing assistance.
3.Attach the second end of the cable to the 
positive terminal of the battery or to a start-
ing-aid terminal of the vehicle to be started.
4.Attach one end of the jumper cable minus/– 
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 terminal.
5.Attach the second end of the cable to the 
negative terminal of the battery or to the 
engine or body ground of the vehicle to be 
started.Starting engine
1.Start the engine on the assisting vehicle 
and allow it to run at idle for several minutes 
at slightly increased speed.
2.Start the engine on the other vehicle in the 
usual way.
If the first starting 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 connection sequence.
Check the battery and recharge if necessary.
Never use spray fluids to start the 
engine.<
Tow-starting and towing
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
Always keep the screw-in tow fitting with the 
vehicle. It can be screwed in at the front or rear 
of the BMW.