2012 BMW 528I tow

Replacing componentsVehicle equipment
All standard, country-specific and optional
equipment that is offered in the model series is
described in this chapter. Therefore, equipment
is also described that is not available in a vehicle,
e. g., because of the selected optional equip‐
ment or country variant. This also applies for
safety-related functions and systems.
Onboard vehicle tool kit
The onboard vehicle tool kit is located in a fold-
down cover in the trunk lid.
Unscrew the wing nut to open.
Wiper blade replacement
General information Do not fold down the wipers without wiper
blades
Do not fold down the wipers if wiper blades have
not been installed; this may damage the wind‐
shield.◀
Replacing the wiper blades1.To change the wiper blades, fold up, refer to
page 71, the wiper arms.2.Fold up the wipers.3.Position the wiper blade in a horizontal po‐
sition.4.Remove the wiper blade toward one side.
Lamp and bulb replacement
General information
Lamps and bulbs make an essential contribution
to vehicle safety.
The manufacturer of the vehicle recommends
that you entrust corresponding procedures to
the service center if you are unfamiliar with them
or they are not described here.
You can obtain a selection of replacement bulbs
at the service center.
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55-watt bulb, H71.Fold open the cover in the engine compart‐
ment.2.Unscrew the cap and remove it.3.Unscrew the bulb holder counterclockwise.4.Remove the bulb and replace it.5.Insert the new bulb and attach the cover in
the reverse order.
Front fog lamps
Follow the general instructions on lamps and
bulbs, refer to page 290.
35-watt bulb, H81.Carefully pull out the grill toward the front.2.Remove the screws.3.Pull the lamp out toward the front.4.Remove the bulb and replace it.5.Insert the new bulb and attach the cover in
the reverse order.
Tail lamps, bulb replacement
At a glance
1Turn signal2Reversing lamp3Inside brake lamp4Tail lampSeite 294MobilityReplacing components294
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attempt in order to allow the discharged bat‐
tery to recharge.3.Let both engines run for several minutes.4.Disconnect the jumper cables in the reverse
order.
Check the battery and recharge if necessary.
Tow-starting and towing
Automatic transmission: transporting
your vehicle
Note
Your vehicle is not permitted to be towed.
Therefore, contact a service center in the event
of a breakdown.
Do not have the vehicle towed
Have your vehicle transported on a loading
platform only; otherwise, damage may occur.◀
Tow truck
Do not lift the vehicle
Do not lift the vehicle by the tow fitting or
body and chassis parts; otherwise, damage may
result.◀
Use the tow fitting screwed in at the front for
maneuvering the vehicle only.
Manual transmission
Observe before towing your vehicle The parking brake is blocked
The parking brake cannot be released
manually.
When the parking brake is blocked, do not tow
with the front axle lifted or the vehicle can be
damaged.
Contact your service center.◀
Gearshift lever in neutral position.
Towing Follow the towing instructions
Follow all towing instructions; otherwise,
vehicle damage or accidents may occur.◀▷Make sure that the ignition is switched on;
otherwise, the low beams, tail lamps, turn
signals, and windshield wipers may be un‐
available.▷Do not tow the vehicle with the rear axle
tilted, as the front wheels could turn.▷When the engine is stopped, there is no
power assist. Consequently, more force
needs to be applied when braking and steer‐
ing.▷Larger steering wheel movements are re‐
quired.
Tow truck
Have your vehicle transported with a tow truck
with a so-called lift bar or on a flat bed.
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Do not lift the vehicle
Do not lift the vehicle by the tow fitting or
body and chassis parts; otherwise, damage may
result.◀
Towing other vehicles
General information Light towing vehicle
Your vehicle must not be lighter than the
vehicle being towed; otherwise, it will not be
possible to control vehicle response.◀
Attaching the tow bar/tow rope correctly
Attach the tow bar or tow rope to the tow
fitting; connecting it to other vehicle parts may
cause damage.◀▷Switch on the hazard warning system, de‐
pending on local regulations.▷If the electrical system has failed, clearly
identify the vehicle being towed by placing
a sign or a warning triangle in the rear win‐
dow.
Tow bar
The tow fittings used should be on the same
side on both vehicles.
Should it prove impossible to avoid mounting
the tow bar at an offset angle, please observe
the following:
▷Maneuvering capability is limited during cor‐
nering.▷The tow bar will generate lateral forces if it
is secured with an offset.
Tow rope
When starting to tow the vehicle, make sure that
the tow rope is taut.
To avoid jerking and the associated stresses on
the vehicle components when towing, always
use nylon ropes or nylon straps.
Attaching the tow rope correctly
Only secure the tow rope on the tow fit‐
ting; otherwise, damage can occur when it is se‐
cured on other parts of the vehicle.◀
Tow fitting
The screw-in tow fitting should always be car‐
ried in the vehicle. It can be screwed in at the
front or rear of the BMW. It is located in the con‐
tainer on the inside of the trunk lid.
Tow fitting, information on use
▷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, damage to the tow fitting and the ve‐
hicle can occur.◀
Screw thread
Push out the cover by pressing on the top edge.
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Tow-starting
Automatic transmission
Do not tow-start the vehicle.
Due to the automatic transmission, the engine
cannot be started by tow-starting.
Have the cause of the starting difficulties rem‐
edied.
Manual transmission
If possible, do not tow-start the vehicle but start
the engine by jump-starting, refer to page 299.
If the vehicle is equipped with a catalytic con‐
verter, only tow-start while the engine is cold.1.Switch on the hazard warning system and
comply with local regulations.2.Ignition, refer to page 62, on.3.Engage third gear.4.Have the vehicle tow-started with the clutch
pressed and slowly release the clutch. After
the engine starts, immediately press on the
clutch again.5.Stop at a suitable location, remove the tow
bar or rope, and switch off the hazard warn‐
ing system.6.Have the vehicle checked.Seite 303Breakdown assistanceMobility303
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FunctionCommandOpen EfficientDynamics menu.›Efficient Dynamics‹EfficientDynamics split screen.›Split screen Efficient Dynamics‹
Navigation
General information

FunctionCommandOpens the Navigation menu.›Navigation‹Open the destination entry.›Enter address‹Enter the address.›Enter address‹Enter a town/city.›City‹Enter a state/province.›State‹Enter the postal code.›Postal Code‹Open destination guidance.›Guidance‹Start destination guidance.›Start guidance‹Terminate destination guidance.›Stop guidance‹Open the home address.›Home address‹Open the route criteria.›Route preference‹Open the route.›Route information‹Turn on spoken instructions.›Switch on voice instructions‹Repeat the spoken instruction.›Repeat voice instructions‹Turn off spoken instructions.›Switch off voice instructions‹Display the address book.›Address book‹Display the most recent destinations.›Last destinations‹Open the traffic bulletins.›Traffic Info‹Special destinations.›Points of interest‹Seite 316ReferenceShort commands of the voice activation system316
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Bar for tow-starting/tow‐ing 302
Bass 190
Battery replacement, remote control, rear entertain‐
ment 222
Battery replacement, vehicle battery 296
Battery replacement, vehicle remote control 30
Battery, vehicle 296
Belts, safety belts 51
Beverage holder, cu‐ pholder 155
Blinds, sun protection 44
Bluetooth audio 216
BMW Assist 253
BMW homepage 6
BMW Internet page 6
BMW Maintenance Sys‐ tem 288
BMW Search 255
Bottle holder, refer to Cu‐ pholder 155
Brake assistant 107
Brake assistant, adaptive 107
Brake discs, breaking in 160
Brake force display 105
Brake lamps, brake force dis‐ play 105
Brake lamps, bulb replace‐ ment 295
Brake lights, adaptive 105
Brake pads, breaking in 160
Braking, notes 161
Breakdown assis‐ tance 298, 299
Breaking in 160
Brightness of Control Dis‐ play 87
Bulb replacement 290
Bulb replacement, front 291
Bulb replacement, rear 294
Bulbs and lamps 290
Button, RES 116
Button, Start/Stop 62 Bypassing, refer to starting
aid 299
C
Calendar 248
California Proposition 65 Warning 7
Camera, backup camera 128
Camera, care 307
Camera, Side View 131
Camera, Top View 130
Can holder, refer to Cu‐ pholder 155
Car battery 296
Car care products 305
Care, displays 307
Care, vehicle 305
Cargo 163
Cargo area, enlarging 150
Cargo area lid 38
Cargo area, storage compart‐ ments 156
Cargo straps, securing cargo 164
Car key, refer to Remote con‐ trol 30
Carpet, care 306
Car wash 304
Catalytic converter, refer to Hot exhaust system 161
CBS Condition Based Serv‐ ice 288
CD/DVD 200
CD/DVD player, rear 221
CDs, storing 207
Cell phone 230
Center armrest 154
Center console 14
Central locking system 33
Central screen, refer to Control Display 16
Changes, technical, refer to Safety 6
Changing parts 290
Changing wheels 296 Changing wheels/tires 278
Check Control 78
Checking the oil level 284
Children, seating position 58
Children, transporting safely 58
Child restraint fixing sys‐ tem 58
Child restraint fixing system LATCH 59
Child restraint fixing systems, mounting 58
Child safety locks 61
Child seat, mounting 58
Child seats 58
Chrome parts, care 306
Cigarette lighter 148
Cleaning, displays 307
Climate control 139
Climate control wind‐ shield 161
Clock 81
Closing/opening from in‐ side 37
Closing/opening via door lock 36
Closing/opening with remote control 34
Clothes hooks 156
Collision warning 120
Combination switch, refer to Turn signals 69
Combination switch, refer to Wiper system 69
COMFORT+ program, Driving Experience Switch 113
Comfort Access 40
COMFORT program, Driving Experience Switch 112
Computer 84
Concierge service 254
Condensation on win‐ dows 140
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Engine coolant 286
Engine oil 284
Engine oil, adding 285
Engine oil additives 285
Engine oil change 286
Engine oil filler neck 285
Engine oil temperature 80
Engine oil types, alterna‐ tive 286
Engine oil types, ap‐ proved 285
Engine start during malfunc‐ tion 31
Engine start, refer to Starting the engine 63
Engine start, Starting aid 299
Engine stop 63
Engine temperature 80
Entering a car wash 304
Equalizer 190
Equipment, interior 146
ESP Electronic Stability Pro‐ gram, refer to DSC 107
Exchanging wheels/tires 278
Exhaust system 161
Exterior mirror, automatic dim‐ ming feature 56
Exterior mirrors 55
External devices 212
External start 299
External temperature dis‐ play 81
External temperature warn‐ ing 81
Eyes for securing cargo 164
F
Fader 190
Failure message, refer to Check Control 78
False alarm, refer to Uninten‐ tional alarm 43
Fan, refer to Air volume 140
Fault displays, refer to Check Control 78 Filler neck for engine oil 285
Fine wood, care 306
First aid kit 299
Fitting for towing, refer to Tow fitting 302
Flat tire, changing wheels 296
Flat Tire Monitor FTM 100
Flat tire, Tire Pressure Monitor TPM 97
Flat tire, warning lamp 98, 101
Flooding 161
Floor carpet, care 306
Floor mats, care 306
FM/AM station 192
Fold-out position, windshield wipers 71
Foot brake 161
Front airbags 94
Front fog lamps 93
Front fog lamps, front, bulb re‐ placement 294
Front lamps 291
Front passenger airbags, au‐ tomatic deactivation 96
Front passenger airbags, indi‐ cator lamp 96
FTM Flat Tire Monitor 100
Fuel cap 262
Fuel consumption, current 82
Fuel consumption, refer to Average fuel consump‐
tion 84
Fuel filler flap 262
Fuel gauge 80
Fuel quality 264
Fuel, tank capacity 313
Fuse 297
G
Garage door opener, refer to Integrated universal remote
control 146
Gas station recommenda‐ tion 182 Gear change, automatic trans‐
mission 72
Gear shift indicator 83
General driving notes 160
Glass sunroof, powered 45
Glove compartment 153
Gong, volume equaliza‐ tion 191
GPS navigation, refer to Navi‐ gation system 172
Gray display of the map 185
Gross vehicle weight, ap‐ proved 311
Gross weight, permissible for trailer towing 311
H
Hand brake, refer to Parking brake 66
Hand-held transmitter, alter‐ nating code 147
Hazard warning flashers 298
HDC Hill Descent Control 109
HD Radio 193
Head airbags 94
Headlamp control, auto‐ matic 90
Headlamp courtesy delay fea‐ ture 90
Headlamp courtesy delay fea‐ ture via remote control 35
Headlamp flasher 69
Headlamp glass 291
Headlamps 291
Headlamps, care 305
Headlamp washer system 69
Headliner 15
Headphones, rear entertain‐ ment 225
Head restraints 47
Head restraints, front 52
Head restraints, rear 53
Head-up Display 137
Head-up Display, care 307
Heavy cargo, stowing 164 Seite 327Everything from A to ZReference327
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