Get Driving hints -> Towing a trailer Guide for BMW X3 SUV Second Generation (2011-2017)

Towing a trailer

Driving hints

Towing a trailer

approved. Use only the genuine BMW towball

mount assembly.

Vehicle equipment

This chapter describes all standard, national

and special equipment provided in the model

series. Equipment not available in the vehicle is

therefore also described, for example the se‐

lected special equipment or national version.

This also applies to safety-relevant functions

and systems. Comply with the relevant na‐

tional regulations when using the correspond‐

ing functions and systems.

BMW Group Australia does not recommend or

support the installation and use of a Weight

Distribution Hitch or Load Levelling Device on

any BMW Group vehicles. The use of such de‐

vices may affect the vehicle's warranty status.

We recommend you consult your Authorised

BMW Dealer for any further advice or clarifica‐

tion.

Before a journey

General

The permitted trailer loads, axle loads, trailer

nose weights and gross vehicle weight rating

are specified in the technical data.

Trailer nose weight

If possible, the trailer should not have a trailer

nose weight less than the minimum of 25 kg,

approximately 55 lb, and also try to use the

maximum trailer nose weight to the full extent.

The vehicle is equipped with reinforced

springs on the rear axle and, depending on the

type, with a more powerful cooling system.

The weight of the trailer tow hitch and the nose

weight reduce the maximum load of the towing

vehicle. The nose weight increases the vehicle

weight. The total permitted weight of the tow‐

ing vehicle must not be exceeded.

For Australia/New Zealand:

note

Towing

Loads

Australian standard AS 4177.1-2004 Caravan

and light trailer towing components – towbars

and towing brackets contains the following

statement, which is hereby accepted by the

BMW Group Australia: FOR TOWING ONLY.

The trailer tow hitch supplied with your BMW

vehicle should only be used for towing and not

in connection with any kind of transport device

attached to the trailer tow hitch, i.e. bicycle

carriers or similar.

Distribute the load as evenly as possible over

the loadbed.

Stow the load as low as possible and as close

as possible to the trailer axle. A low centre of

trailer gravity makes the vehicle combination

much more stable and safe to drive.

The permitted total weight of the trailer and

the permitted trailer load of the vehicle must

not be exceeded. The smaller value is the limit

which should be adhered to.

As all BMW Group towbar assemblies are de‐

signed, tested and approved as a single unit,

the practice of modifying or replacing the

BMW supplied towball mount assembly is not

Tyre pressures

Check the vehicle's and the trailer's tyre pres‐

sures carefully.

187

Driving hints

Towing a trailer

On the vehicle, the tyre inflation pressure, see

page 204, for higher loads applies.

Towing a trailer

For the trailer, the regulations of the manufac‐

turer apply.

Information

Appropriate speed when towing a trailer

Keep to an appropriate speed when tow‐

ing a trailer. Speeds in excess of approximately

80 km/h, 50 mph can be enough to produce a

swaying or fishtailing motion, depending on

the design of the trailer and the load it is carry‐

ing.◀

Runflat indicator

Reinitialise the runflat indicator after a trailer

has been attached or detached or the inflation

pressure has been corrected.

Tyre Pressure Monitor

Maximum speed when towing a trailer

Reinitialise the Tyre Pressure Monitor after a

trailer has been attached or detached or the in‐

flation pressure has been corrected.

If you are towing a trailer, increase tyre

inflation pressures by 0.2 bar all round and do

not exceed a top speed of 100 km/h / 60 mph,

as the higher axle load could result in damage

to the tyres if the vehicle is driven at higher

speeds. Note the maximum possible tyre pres‐

sures stated on the tyres.◀

Exterior mirrors

Two exterior mirrors which bring both rear cor‐

ners of the trailer into your field of view are re‐

quired by law. Mirrors of this kind can be ob‐

tained from your Service centre as optional

accessories.

Counteracting snaking

If the trailer begins to snake, the vehicle com‐

bination can only be stabilised by braking hard

immediately.

Power consumption

Function of the rear lights

Make sure that the necessary steering correc‐

tions are carried out as cautiously as possible,

taking other road users into consideration.

Before beginning your journey, check the

function of the rear lights of the trailer, as oth‐

erwise this might endanger other road users.◀

The power output of the trailer's rear lights

must not exceed the following values:

Uphill gradients

In the interest of safety and to avoid holding up

other traffic, do not attempt to climb gradients

steeper than 12 % when towing a trailer.

▷

Turn indicators: 42 Watts per side.

Tail lights: 50 Watts per side.

Brake lights: 84 Watts total.

If higher trailer loads are permitted later, the

limit is 8 %.

Rear fog lights: 42 Watts total.

Reversing lights: 42 Watts total.

Driving off on upward inclines

Keep the switch-on times of the current con‐

sumer units in the caravan mode short in order

not to place an excessive load on the vehicle

battery.

With Steptronic transmission: The parking

brake is automatically released when the ac‐

celerator pedal is pressed.

188

Towing a trailer

Driving hints

To prevent the vehicle from rolling back when

driving off, use the parking brake.

Operating requirements

The system is operational when towing a trailer

and when using the trailer socket as of approx‐

imately 65 km/h, 40 mph.

Shortly before driving off, pull and

hold the switch.

System limits

The parking brake remains held as long as

the switch is pulled.

▷

The system cannot intervene if the trailer

veers instantly, for example on slippery or

loose road surfaces.

2. To drive off, apply the gas and release the

switch.

▷

Trailers with a high centre of gravity can tip

over before a swinging motion is detected.

Downhill gradients

On downward inclines, a vehicle combination

has tendency to snake at an earlier stage.

The system is not operational if Dynamic

Stability Control DSC is deactivated or has

failed.

Before the downward incline, shift down man‐

ually to the next-lowest gear and drive down‐

wards slowly.

Not for Australia/New

Zealand: Trailer coupling

with electrically swivellable

trailer hitch

High loads and high outside

temperature

Long journeys with a high load and out‐

side temperature

General

On long journeys with a high trailer load and

high outside temperature, make sure that the

fuel tank is more than 1/4 full, as otherwise the

engine output can decrease or engine damage

can occur.◀

The swivel-mounted ball head for the trailer

tow hitch is located on the underside of the ve‐

hicle.

The LED illuminates green if the system is op‐

erational.

Trailer Stability Control

Principle

The system helps you to neutralise a trailer's

tendency to swing from side to side.

It detects snaking movements and promptly

brakes the vehicle so that road speeds fall to

below the critical range and the vehicle combi‐

nation is stabilised.

The button for swinging the swivel-mounted

ball head in and out is behind the rear side trim

in the boot.

If the power socket for the trailer is in use but

no trailer is attached, for example during use of

a bicycle carrier with lights, the system may

become active in extreme driving situations.

189

Driving hints

Towing a trailer

LED in the button illuminates in green:

Start engine using start/stop button.

Swivelling out the ball head

1. Open the boot.

2. Step out of the swivelling area of the ball

head behind the vehicle.

Press the button in the boot.

The ball head swivels outwards. The LED

in the button flashes in green.

Press the button in the boot.

The ball head swivels outwards. The LED

in the button flashes in green.

Trailer socket

4. Wait until the ball head has reached the

end position.

Checking the interlock

Before driving with a trailer or load car‐

rier, make sure that the ball head is properly

locked, as unstable driving conditions and/or

accidents can otherwise result.

If the ball head is not properly locked, the LED

in the button illuminates in red.◀

The trailer socket is located on the trailer tow

hitch.

Swivelling in the ball head

Fold the cover downwards.

1. Uncouple the trailer or load carrier, remove

the fittings for the track-stabilising devices,

pull out the connector for the trailer's

power supply and, if applicable, pull the

adapter out of the socket.

Eye for securing cable

Press the button in the boot.

The ball head swivels inwards. The LED in

the button flashes in green.

3. Wait until the ball head has reached the

end position.

There is an eye on the trailer tow hitch for at‐

taching the trailer securing cable.

Automatic interrupt of the swivel

movement

The swivel movement is interrupted automati‐

cally or is not performed if the current limit val‐

ues are exceeded, for example at very low tem‐

peratures or in the case of mechanical

resistance.

For increased safety when towing a trailer, at‐

tach the trailer securing cable to the eye.

LED in the button illuminates in red:

Press the button until the ball head has

reached the end position.

190

Driving hints -> Towing a trailer for Your BMW X3 SUV Second Generation (2011-2017)

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