Get MOBILITY -> Breakdown assistance Guide for BMW 4 Series 4 Door First Generation (2013-2020)

Breakdown assistance

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Breakdown assistance

Vehicle features and

options

Warning triangle

This chapter describes all standard, country-spe‐

cific and optional features offered with the series.

It also describes features that are not necessarily

available in your vehicle, e. g., due to the selected

options or country versions. This also applies to

safety-related functions and systems. When us‐

ing these functions and systems, the applicable

laws and regulations must be observed.

The warning triangle is located on the inside of

the tailgate.

Hazard warning flashers

To remove, loosen the bracket.

First-aid kit

General information

Some of the articles have a limited service life.

Check the expiration dates of the contents regu‐

larly and replace any expired items promptly.

The button is located in the center console.

Storage

The red light in the button flashes when the haz‐

ard warning flashers are activated.

The first-aid kit is located in the cargo area in a

storage compartment.

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fication is not affected by pressing the SOS but‐

ton.

Emergency Request

Intelligent emergency call

Manual triggering

1. Touch the cover.

Concept

2. Press and hold the SOS button until the LED

on the button illuminates green.

In case of an emergency, an Emergency Re‐

quest can be triggered automatically by the sys‐

tem or manually.

▷ The LED is illuminated green when an Emer‐

gency Request has been initiated.

Intelligent emergency call establishes a connec‐

tion with the BMW Response Center.

If a cancel prompt appears on the Control

Display, the Emergency Request can be

aborted.

General information

Only press the SOS button in an emergency.

If the situation allows, wait in your vehicle until

the voice connection has been established.

For technical reasons, the Emergency Request

cannot be guaranteed under unfavorable condi‐

tions.

▷ The LED flashes green when a connection to

the BMW Response Center has been estab‐

lished.

The BMW Response Center then makes

contact with you and takes further steps to

help you.

Overview

Even if you are unable to respond, the BMW

Response Center can take further steps to

help you under certain circumstances.

For this, data is transmitted to the BMW Re‐

sponse Center which serves to determine the

necessary rescue measures. E.g., the current

position of the vehicle, if it can be established.

Even if you can no longer hear the BMW Re‐

sponse Center through the loudspeakers, the

BMW Response Center may still be able to

hear you.

SOS button in the roofliner.

Functional requirements

▷ The Assist system is functional.

▷ The ignition is switched on.

The BMW Response Center ends the Emer‐

gency Request.

▷ If the vehicle is equipped with intelligent

emergency call: the SIM card integrated in

the vehicle has been activated.

Jump-starting

General information

Automatic triggering

Under certain conditions, for instance if the air‐

bags trigger, an Emergency Request is automati‐

cally initiated immediately after an accident of

corresponding severity. Automatic Collision Noti‐

If the battery is discharged, the engine can be

started using the battery of another vehicle and

two jumper cables. Only use jumper cables with

fully insulated clamp handles.

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Safety information

Starting aid terminals

DANGER

Contact with live components can lead to an

electric shock. There is a risk of injuries or dan‐

ger to life. Do not touch any components that

are under voltage.

WARNING

The starting aid terminal in the engine compart‐

ment acts as the battery's positive terminal.

If the jumper cables are connected in the incor‐

rect order, sparking may occur. There is a risk

of injury. Pay attention to the correct order dur‐

ing connection.

Open the cover of the starting aid terminal.

NOTE

In the case of body contact between the two

vehicles, a short circuit can occur during jump-

starting. There is a risk of damage to property.

Make sure that no body contact occurs.

The body ground or a special nut acts as the bat‐

tery negative terminal.

Preparation

1. Check whether the battery of the other vehi‐

cle has a voltage of 12 volts. The voltage in‐

formation can be found on the battery.

Connecting the cables

To prevent personal injury or damage to both ve‐

hicles, adhere strictly to the following procedure.

2. Switch off the engine of the assisting vehicle.

3. Switch off any electronic systems/power con‐

sumers in both vehicles.

1. Open the cover of the BMW starting aid ter‐

minal.

2. Attach one terminal clamp of the positive

jumper cable to the positive terminal of the

battery, or to the corresponding starting aid

terminal of the vehicle providing assistance.

3. Attach the terminal clamp on the other end of

the cable to the positive terminal of the bat‐

tery, or to the corresponding starting aid ter‐

minal of the vehicle to be started.

4. Attach one terminal clamp of the negative

jumper cable to the negative terminal of the

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battery, or to the corresponding engine or

body ground of assisting vehicle.

▷ Make sure that the ignition is switched on;

otherwise, the low beams, tail lights, turn sig‐

nals, and wipers may be unavailable.

5. Attach the second terminal clamp to the neg‐

ative terminal of the battery, or to the corre‐

sponding engine or body ground of the vehi‐

cle to be started.

▷ 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.

Starting the engine

Never use spray fluids to start the engine.

▷ Larger steering wheel movements are re‐

quired.

1. Start the engine of the assisting vehicle and

let it run for several minutes at an increased

idle speed.

▷ The towing vehicle must not be lighter than

the vehicle being towed; otherwise, it will not

be possible to control the vehicle's response.

2. Start the engine of the vehicle that is to be

started in the usual way.

▷ Do not exceed a towing speed of

30 mph/50 km/h.

If the first starting attempt is not successful,

wait a few minutes before making another at‐

tempt in order to allow the discharged battery

to recharge.

▷ Do not exceed a towing distance of

30 miles/50 km.

3. Let both engines run for several minutes.

Tow truck

4. Disconnect the jumper cables in the reverse

order.

With rear-wheel drive

Check the battery and recharge, if needed.

Tow-starting and towing

Safety information

WARNING

Due to system limits, individual functions can

malfunction during tow-starting/towing with the

Intelligent Safety systems activated. There is a

risk of an accident. Switch all Intelligent Safety

systems off prior to tow-starting/towing.

Your vehicle should be transported with a tow

truck with a so-called lift bar or on a flat bed.

NOTE

The vehicle can become damaged when lifting

and securing it.

Manual transmission

There is a risk of damage to property.

▷ Lift the vehicle using suitable means.

Towing or pushing the vehicle

A broken-down vehicle can be towed or pushed.

Roll or push, refer to page 116, the vehicle.

Follow the following instructions:

▷ Do not lift or secure the vehicle by its tow

fitting, body parts, or suspension parts.

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With xDrive

Safety information

NOTE

The vehicle can be damaged when towing the

vehicle with a single lifted axle. There is a risk of

damage to property. The vehicle should only be

transported on a loading platform.

Pushing the vehicle

To remove a broken-down vehicle from the dan‐

ger area, it can be pushed for a short distance.

The vehicle should only be transported on a

loading platform.

Roll or push, refer to page 117, the vehicle.

NOTE

Tow truck

The vehicle can be damaged when towing the

vehicle with a single lifted axle. There is a risk of

damage to property. The vehicle should only be

transported on a loading platform.

NOTE

The vehicle can become damaged when lifting

and securing it.

There is a risk of damage to property.

▷ Lift the vehicle using suitable means.

The vehicle should only be transported on a

loading platform.

▷ Do not lift or secure the vehicle by its tow

fitting, body parts, or suspension parts.

NOTE

The vehicle can become damaged when lifting

and securing it.

Steptronic transmission:

transporting the vehicle

There is a risk of damage to property.

▷ Lift the vehicle using suitable means.

General information

The vehicle is not permitted to be towed.

▷ Do not lift or secure the vehicle by its tow

fitting, body parts, or suspension parts.

Towing other vehicles

General information

Switch on the hazard warning system, depend‐

ing on local regulations.

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If the electrical system has failed, clearly identify

the vehicle being towed by placing a sign or a

warning triangle in the rear window.

Tow fitting

General information

Safety information

WARNING

If the approved gross vehicle weight of the tow‐

ing vehicle is lighter than the vehicle to be

towed, the tow fitting can tear off or it will not

be possible to control the vehicle's response.

There is a risk of an accident! Make sure that

the gross vehicle weight of the towing vehicle is

heavier than the vehicle to be towed.

The screw-in tow fitting should always be carried

in the vehicle.

The tow fitting can be screwed in at the front or

rear of the vehicle.

NOTE

The tow fitting and the onboard vehicle tool kit,

refer to page 276, are together in the cargo area.

If the tow bar or tow rope is attached incor‐

rectly, damage to other vehicle parts can occur.

There is a risk of damage to property. Correctly

attach the tow bar or tow rope to the tow fitting.

Use of the tow fitting:

▷ Use only the tow fitting provided with the ve‐

hicle and screw it all the way in.

▷ Use the tow fitting for towing on paved roads

only.

Tow bar

The tow fittings used should be on the same

side on both vehicles.

▷ Avoid lateral loading of the tow fitting, for in‐

stance do not lift the vehicle by the tow fit‐

ting.

Should it prove impossible to avoid mounting the

tow bar at an offset angle, please follow the fol‐

lowing:

Safety information

▷ Maneuvering capability is limited going

around corners.

NOTE

▷ The tow bar will generate lateral forces if it is

secured with an offset.

If the tow fitting is not used as intended, there

may be damage to the vehicle or to the tow fit‐

ting. There is a risk of damage to property. Fol‐

low the notes on using the tow fitting.

Tow rope

When starting to tow the vehicle, make sure that

the tow rope is taut.

Use nylon ropes or straps, which will enable the

vehicle to be towed without jerking.

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Screw thread for tow fitting

Press on the mark on the edge of the cover to

push it out.

Tow-starting

Steptronic transmission

Do not tow-start the vehicle.

Tow-starting the engine is not possible due to

the Steptronic transmission.

Have the reasons for the starting difficulties cor‐

rected by a dealer’s service center or another

qualified service center or repair shop.

Manual transmission

If possible, do not tow-start the vehicle but start

the engine by jump-starting, refer to page 281. If

the vehicle is equipped with a catalytic converter,

only tow-start while the engine is cold.

1. Switch on the hazard warning system and

comply with local regulations.

2. Switch on the ignition, refer to page 105.

3. Engage third gear.

4. Have the vehicle tow-started with the clutch

pedal pressed and slowly release the pedal.

After the engine starts, immediately press on

the clutch pedal again.

5. Stop at a suitable location, remove the tow

bar or rope, and switch off the hazard warning

system.

6. Have the vehicle checked by a dealer’s serv‐

ice center or another qualified service center

or repair shop.

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MOBILITY -> Breakdown assistance for Your BMW 4 Series 4 Door First Generation (2013-2020)

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