BMW AG - Manual (Page 153)

153 Tow-starting, towing away
Using the towing eye
The screw-in towing eye is kept in the
toolkit and must always be carried on
the car. It screws into the threaded
socket at the front or rear of the car, as
applicable.
In order to avoid damage to the
towing eye and the vehicle, com-
ply with the following instructions: use
only the towing eye supplied with the
car and make sure it is screwed fully
into the threaded hole. Use the towing
eye only for towing on paved roads. Do
not apply severe shear loads to the
towing eye, for example do not attempt
to raise the vehicle by means of the
towing eye.
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Access to threaded hole
Press the cover out of the front or rear
bumper by inserting a screwdriver into
the cutout at the top.
On tow
Make sure that the ignition key is
turned to position 1 even if the
electrical system has failed, so that the
steering lock does not engage and
make the car impossible to steer.
When the engine is not running, there is
no power assistance and the brake
servo is out of action. The steering and
brakes will require extra effort to oper-
ate.
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Switch on the hazard warning flashers,
if required by local regulations. If the
vehicle's electrical system has failed,
the vehicle on tow must be made iden-
tifiable to following vehicles, for
instance by placing a notice or the
warning triangle in the rear window.
Manual-transmission cars: move the
gear lever to neutral.
Automatic transmission cars: set the
selector lever to N.
Cars with sequential manual gearbox
SMG: set the selector lever to N.
Do not exceed a maximum towing
speed of 70 km/h (approx.
40 mph) and do not tow further than
150 km (approx. 90 miles), as otherwise
the automatic transmission could be
damaged.
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Methods of towing
In some countries it is not permissible
to tow a vehicle with a rope or bar on
public roads.
Familiarise yourself with all regulations
concerning towing in the relevant coun-
try.
With tow bar
Make sure that the towing vehicle
does not weigh less than the
towed vehicle, as there is otherwise a
risk of losing control.
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The towing eyes of both vehicles
should be on the same side.
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