
Mobility
 233Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Care
Care products
Regular cleaning and care contributes signifi-
cantly to the value retention of your BMW.
BMW recommends cleaning and caring for your 
vehicle with products that are approved by 
BMW for this purpose.
Your BMW center will be happy to advise you on 
the products and services available for cleaning 
and caring for your BMW.
Original BMW Care Products have been 
material tested, laboratory checked and 
proven in the field, and offer optimal care and 
protection for your vehicle.<
Do not use cleaners that contain alcohol 
or solvents as these may result in dam-
age.<
Cleaning agents can contain substances 
that are dangerous or hazardous to your 
health. Therefore, follow the warning and safety 
instructions on the packaging. When cleaning 
inside the vehicle, always open the doors or 
windows of the vehicle. In enclosed areas, pro-
vide for sufficient ventilation. Only use products 
designed for cleaning vehicles.<
Exterior care
Washing the vehicle
Especially during the winter months, 
ensure that the vehicle is washed more 
frequently. Heavy soiling and road salt can lead 
to vehicle damage.<
After washing the vehicle, apply the 
brakes briefly to dry them; otherwise, 
water can reduce braking efficiency over the 
short term and the brake discs can corrode.<
Automatic car washes
Preference should be given to cloth car washes.
Before driving into a car wash, ensure that it is 
suitable for your BMW. Check the following:
>Dimensions of your vehicle, refer to 
page255.
>If necessary: fold in the exterior mirrors, 
refer to page48.
>Maximum permissible tire width.
Avoid car washes with guide rail heights 
over 4 in/10 cm; otherwise, there is the 
danger of damaging chassis parts.<
Preparations before driving into an automatic 
car wash:
>Unscrew the rod antenna
*.
>Deactivate the rain sensor
* to prevent unin-
tentional wiping.
>Sports Wagon: deactivate the rear window 
wiper and protect it against damage. If nec-
essary, ask the operator of the car wash 
about protective measures you should take.
>Remove additional add-on parts, e.g. spoil-
ers or phone antennas, if they could be 
damaged.
Automatic transmission
Before driving into an automatic car wash, per-
form the following steps to ensure that the vehi-
cle can roll:
1.Insert the remote control into the ignition 
lock, even with Comfort Access.
2.Move the selector lever to position N.
3.Release the parking brake.
4.Switch off the engine.
5.Leave the remote control in the ignition lock 
so that the vehicle can roll. 

Mobility
 237Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Replacing components
Onboard vehicle tool kit
Sedan
The onboard vehicle tool kit is stored in a com-
partment on the right-hand side of the cargo 
area. Remove the cover.
Sports Wagon
The onboard vehicle tool kit is stored in a com-
partment on the left-hand side underneath the 
cargo area floor panel.
Wiper blades
1.Fold out the wiper arm and hold it.
2.Press together the locking spring, arrows1, 
and fold out the wiper blade, arrow2.
3.Take the wiper blade out of the catch mech-
anism, pulling the blade toward the front.
To avoid damage, make sure that the 
wiper arms are against the windshield 
before you open the engine compartment.<
Sports Wagon: changing rear wiper 
blade
1.Fold up the wiper arm.
2.Pull off the wiper blade, see arrow.
3.Insert the new wiper blade and press it on 
until it audibly engages. 

Replacing components
240
Access to the lamps
The high-beam headlamp can be accessed 
from the engine compartment, whereas the 
low-beam headlamp is accessed through a flap 
in the wheel well.
1Cover for high-beam headlamp
2Cover for low-beam headlamp
3Turn signal bulb socket
To remove the covers:
1.Fold the respective wire bracket to the side, 
see arrows.
2.Flip open the cover and take it out of the 
guide.
Follow the same steps in reverse order to reat-
tach the covers.
Access through the wheel well
Only for low-beam headlamps and turn signals:
1.Turn the wheel inwards.
2.Open the flap in the wheel well. To do so, 
turn the fastener counterclockwise using a 
coin, for example.
Changing low-beam and high-beam 
bulbs
1.Remove the relevant cover for the head-
lamp.
2.Disconnect the plug from the lamp.
3.Push the wire bracket to the side out of the 
mounting, arrow1, and fold it down, 
arrow2.
4.Remove the bulb.
5.Insert new bulb as shown in the detail of the 
illustration above.
6.Fold up the wire bracket and engage it.
7.Connect the plug.
8.Reattach the cover.
Parking lamps, roadside parking lamps
W5W bulb, 5 watts
1.Remove the cover for the high-beam head-
lamp.
2.Pull out the bulb socket, see arrow.
3.Remove and replace the bulb.
4.Insert bulb socket.
5.Reattach the cover. 

Replacing components
244
Changing wheels
Your BMW is equipped with run-flat tires as 
standard. This eliminates the need to change a 
wheel immediately in the event of a puncture.
For information on continuing to drive with a 
damaged tire, refer to Indication of a flat tire on 
page89.
The symbol identifying run-flat tires is a circle 
with the letters RSC on the sidewall, refer to 
Run-flat tires, page223.
When mounting new tires or changing over 
from summer to winter tires and vice versa, 
mount run-flat tires for your own safety. In the 
event of a flat, no spare wheel is available. Your 
BMW center will be glad to advise you. Refer 
also to New wheels and tires, page223.
The tools for changing wheels are avail-
able as optional accessories from your 
BMW center.<
Jack mounting points
The jacking points are at the positions shown in 
the illustration.
Vehicle battery
Battery care
The battery is 100 % maintenance-free, the 
electrolyte will last for the life of the battery 
when the vehicle is operated in a temperate cli-
mate. Your BMW center will be glad to advise in 
all matters concerning the battery.
Battery replacing
Only use vehicle batteries that have been 
approved for your vehicle by the manu-
facturer; otherwise, the vehicle could be dam-
aged and systems or functions may not be fully 
available.<
After a battery replacement, have the battery 
registered on the vehicle by your service center 
to ensure that all comfort functions are fully 
available.
Charging the battery
Only charge the battery in the vehicle via the 
terminals in the engine compartment with the 
engine off. Connections, refer to Jump-starting 
on page247.
Disposal
Have old batteries disposed of by your 
BMW center or bring them to a recycling 
center. Maintain the battery in an upright posi-
tion for transport and storage. Always secure 
the battery against tipping over during trans-
port.< 

Mobility
 247Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
First aid pouch*
Some of the articles contained in the first aid 
pouch have a limited service life. Therefore, 
check the expiration dates of the contents reg-
ularly and replace any items in good time, if nec-
essary.
Sedan
The first aid pouch is located on the right-hand 
side of the cargo area in a storage area.
Sports Wagon
The first aid pouch is located in the cargo area 
behind the left-hand trim panel.
Warning triangle*
Sedan
The warning triangle is located in a holder in the 
trunk lid. Press the tabs to take it out.
Sports Wagon
The warning triangle is located behind the left-
hand trim panel in the cargo area. Press the tab 
to take it out.
Jump-starting
If the car's own battery is flat, your BMW's 
engine can be started by connecting two 
jumper cables to another vehicle's battery. 
You can also use the same method to help start 
another vehicle. Only use jumper cables with 
fully-insulated clamp handles.
Do not touch any electrically live parts 
when the engine is running, or a fatal acci-
dent may occur. Carefully adhere to the follow-
ing sequence, both to prevent damage to one or 
both vehicles, and to guard against possible 
personal injuries.< 

Giving and receiving assistance
248
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 consumers 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
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 page226. 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.< 

Mobility
 249Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
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 vehicle tool kit 
underneath the cover on the right-hand side of 
the cargo area, refer to page237.
Sports Wagon: it is stored in the onboard vehi-
cle tool kit underneath the cover on the left-
hand side of the cargo area, refer to page237.
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 
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
RearBeing towed
Make sure that the ignition is switched on, 
refer to page55; 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 
page58.
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.< 

Giving and receiving assistance
250
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.<
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 
page247. 
1.Switch on hazard warning flashers, comply 
with local regulations.
2.Switch on the ignition, refer to page55.
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, page87.<