
Giving and receiving assistance
158 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 page46; 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
page49.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.<

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
159
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
page156. 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 page46.
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, page71.<

Indicator and warning lamps
164Indication in US models
Brake pads worn Have the condition of the brake pads
checked without delay.
Indication in Canadian models
Brake pads worn Have the condition of the brake pads
checked without delay.
Lights up in red: Have the system in question checked
without delay.
>Starter failed or The engine cannot be restarted.
>Ignition malfunctioning. Engine
restart only possible when brake is
depressed or
>Lighting system failed. Low beams/
tail lamps and brake lamps still
operational. All other lamps failedDepress the brake to restart the engine.
Lights up in yellow:
>Control of the brake lamps failed or
>fuel supply malfunctioning You can continue your journey, but
moderate your speed and exercise due
caution. Have the system in question
checked without delay.
Flashing:
Dynamic Stability Control DSC or
Dynamic Traction Control DTC is con-
trolling drive and braking forces, refer
also to page71
Dynamic Traction Control DTC acti-
vated, refer also to page71
Dynamic Stability Control DSC and
Dynamic Traction Control DTC deacti-
vated, refer also to page71Driving stability limited during accelera-
tion and cornering.
Driving style must be readjusted.
Suspension control system failed, refer
also to page70Driving stability limited during accelera-
tion and cornering.
You can continue your journey, but
moderate your speed and exercise due
caution. Have the system checked as
soon as possible.
xDrive has failed, refer also to page72You can continue your journey. Drive
cautiously and think well ahead. Avoid
driving on rough tracks, full-throttle
operation and use of the transmission's
kickdown mode. Have the system
checked immediately.
12Cause What to do

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
165
xDrive and DSC have failed, refer also
to page72You can continue your journey. Drive
cautiously and think well ahead. Avoid
driving on rough tracks, full-throttle
operation and use of the transmission's
kickdown mode. Have the system
checked immediately.
Indication in US models
The driving stability control systems,
including ABS and the Tire Pressure
Monitor, have failed, refer also to
page70You can continue your journey.
Reduced braking and driving stability.
Drive at moderate speed, avoid sudden
braking if possible. Have the system
checked as soon as possible.
Indication
* in Canadian models
The driving stability control systems,
including ABS and the Flat Tire Monitor
or Tire Pressure Monitor
*, have failed,
refer also to page70You can continue your journey.
Reduced braking and driving stability.
Drive at moderate speed, avoid sudden
braking if possible. Have the system
checked as soon as possible.
Indication
* in Canadian models
The driving stability control systems,
including ABS and the Flat Tire Monitor
or Tire Pressure Monitor
*, have failed,
refer also to page70You can continue your journey.
Reduced braking and driving stability.
Drive at moderate speed, avoid sudden
braking if possible. Have the system
checked as soon as possible.
Indication in US models
The driving stability control systems,
including ABS, xDrive and the Flat Tire
Monitor, have failedYou can continue your journey.
Reduced braking and driving stability.
Drive at moderate speed, avoid sudden
braking if possible. Avoid driving on
rough tracks, full-throttle operation and
use of the transmission's kickdown
mode. Have the system checked imme-
diately.
Indication
* in Canadian models
The driving stability control systems,
including ABS, xDrive and the Flat Tire
Monitor, have failedYou can continue your journey.
Reduced braking and driving stability.
Drive at moderate speed, avoid sudden
braking if possible. Avoid driving on
rough tracks, full-throttle operation and
use of the transmission's kickdown
mode. Have the system checked imme-
diately.
12Cause What to do

Indicator and warning lamps
166Indication
* in Canadian models
The driving stability control systems,
including ABS, xDrive and the Flat Tire
Monitor, have failedYou can continue your journey.
Reduced braking and driving stability.
Drive at moderate speed, avoid sudden
braking if possible. Avoid driving on
rough tracks, full-throttle operation and
use of the transmission's kickdown
mode. Have the system checked imme-
diately.
Indication in US models
Vehicle electronics failed You cannot continue your journey. Con-
tact your BMW center.
Indication
* in Canadian models
Vehicle electronics failed You cannot continue your journey. Con-
tact your BMW center.
Indication
* in Canadian models
Vehicle electronics failed You cannot continue your journey. Con-
tact your BMW center.
Vehicles with Flat Tire Monitor
*
Light up in yellow and red:
>Tire is deflated Carefully bring the car to a stop. Comply
with the additional information starting
on page72.
>Flat Tire Monitor not initialized Initialize Flat Tire Monitor, refer to
page72.
Light up in yellow:
Flat Tire Monitor failed. Punctures are
not indicatedHave the system checked.
Vehicles with Tire Pressure Monitor
*
Light up in yellow and red:
There is a flat tire or substantial loss of
tire pressureCarefully bring the car to a stop. Comply
with the additional information starting
on page73.
12Cause What to do

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
167
Vehicles with Tire Pressure Monitor*
Light up in yellow:
Tire Pressure Monitor not initialized Check the inflation pressure and reset
the system, refer to page74
The small lamp flashes in yellow and
then lights up continuously; the larger
lamp comes on in yellow:
>Tire Pressure Monitor has failed.
Punctures are not indicatedHave the system checked.
>A wheel without TPM electronics
has been mountedHave the system checked.
>Interference from systems or
devices that use the same radio fre-
quency. The system automatically
reactivates once it is outside of the
field of interference
Lights up in red:
>Transmission limp-home program
active with restricted range of
gears, possibly with reduced accel-
eration.You can continue your journey, but
moderate your speed and exercise due
caution. Have the system checked
without delay.
Gears can be engaged without
depressing the brakeAlways depress the brake to engage a
gear.
Lights up in yellow:
>Automatic selector lever locked:
Selector lever locked in position P
with engine running or ignition
switched on and brake depressedOverriding selector lever lock, refer to
page50.
>Brake signal malfunctioning: gear
can be engaged without depress-
ing the brakeTo engage a gear while the vehicle is at
a standstill, always step on the brake.
Before leaving the vehicle, engage P
and switch off the engine.
12Cause What to do

Indicator and warning lamps
168Lights up in red:
Transmission overheating Bring the car to a stop and engage P.
Allow the transmission to cool down.
You can continue your journey, but
moderate your speed and exercise due
caution. Have the system checked if the
situation reoccurs.
Lights up in yellow:
Transmission too hot Avoid high engine loads. You can con-
tinue your journey, but moderate your
speed and exercise due caution.
P is not engaged. Vehicle not pre-
vented from rolling
Selector lever position P not engaged.
Ignition cannot be switched offEngage selector lever position P when
you wish to switch off the ignition, refer
to page46.
Pinch protection system of the power
windows malfunctioningHave the system checked.
Pinch protection system of the electric
glass roof/panorama glass roof mal-
functioningHave the system checked.
Cruise control deactivated:
>Driving stability control systems are
active or
>parking brake is applied or
>the vehicle has not achieved a
speed of 20 mph or 30 km/h or
>engaged gear not suitable for the
speed being driven
Cruise control system failed You can continue your journey. Have
the system checked.
Active cruise control deactivated:
>Driving stability control systems are
active or
>parking brake is applied or
>the vehicle has not achieved a
speed of 20 mph or 30 km/h or
>engaged gear not suitable for the
speed being driven orKeep a safe distance.
12Cause What to do

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
177
Weights
Sedan
Never exceed either the approved axle loads or
the gross vehicle weight.
323i
(Canada)328i328i
xDrive
Approved gross weight
>with manual transmission lbs/kg 4,365/1,980 4,420/2,005 4,663/2,115
>with automatic transmission lbs/kg 4,431/2,010 4,486/2,035 4,707/2,135
Load lbs/kg 1,014/460 1,014/460 1,014/460
Approved front axle load lbs/kg 2,105/955 2,127/965 2,304/1,045
Approved rear axle load lbs/kg 2,425/1,100 2,469/1,120 2,513/1,140
Approved roof load capacity lbs/kg 165/75 165/75 165/75
Cargo area capacity cu ft/liters 16.2/460 16.2/460 16.2/460
335i335i
xDrive335d
Approved gross weight
>with manual transmission lbs/kg 4,652/2,110 4,872/2,210 -
>with automatic transmission lbs/kg 4,663/2,115 4,883/2,215 4,883/2,215
Load lbs/kg 1,014/460 1,014/460 1,014/460
Approved front axle load lbs/kg 2,238/1,015 2,436/1,105 2,381/1,080
Approved rear axle load lbs/kg 2,546/1,155 2,546/1,155 2,646/1,200
Approved roof load capacity lbs/kg 165/75 165/75 165/75
Cargo area capacity cu ft/liters 15.9/450 15.9/450 15.9/450