Owner service procedures -> Jump-starting for Your BMW Z3 SUV First Generation (1995-2002)

158nJump-starting  
Never use spray starter fluids to start  
the engine.  
When your battery is discharged you can  
used two jumper cables to start your  
vehicle with power from the battery in a  
second vehicle. You can also use the  
same method to help start another  
vehicle. Always use jumper cables with  
fully insulated handles on the terminal  
clamps.  
Do not touch components  
carrying high-voltage on a running  
engine. Contact with components  
carrying high voltage can cause fatal  
injury. Carefully observe the following  
instructions to avoid personal injury  
and/or damage to one or both vehi-  
cles.<  
4. Start the engine on the support  
vehicle and allow it to run  
6. Then connect the negative terminals.  
Connect one end of the other jumper  
cable (–) to either the support  
5. Use the jumper cable (+) to connect  
the positive terminal of the battery in  
the support vehicle with the auxiliary  
positive terminal provided in the  
engine compartment of your BMW  
specifically for jump-starting. The  
cover on this auxiliary terminal is  
identified by a "+" symbol, refer to  
the illustration. Pull up to open the  
cover  
vehicle's negative battery terminal or  
a suitable ground on its engine or  
bodywork. Connect the other end to  
the negative battery terminal or a  
suitable ground on the vehicle being  
started. There is a special nut on the  
strut dome of your BMW; refer to the  
arrow in the illustration  
1. Ensure that the battery in the support  
vehicle is also rated at 12 volts. This  
information is provided on the top of  
the battery casing  
2. Do not disconnect the battery from  
your vehicle's electrical system.  
Switch off all electrical accessories in  
both vehicles  
Always adhere to this sequence  
when connecting jumper cables;  
failure to observe this procedure can  
lead to sparks at the battery terminals  
and pose an injury hazard.<  
3. Make absolutely certain that there is  
no contact between the bodywork of  
the two vehicles – short circuit  
hazard  
 
Jump-starting  
Towing the vehicle  
159n  
7. Start the support vehicle's engine  
and let it run at an increased idling  
speed for a few minutes. Start the  
engine on the vehicle needing the  
jump-start, and allow it to run as  
usual. If the first start attempt is not  
successful, wait a few minutes  
before another attempt in order to  
allow the discharged battery to  
recharge  
8. Before disconnecting the jumper  
cables let the engines run for a few  
minutes  
Tow fitting  
Rear:  
Use a screwdriver to press the cover  
out.  
9. Then disconnect the jumper cables  
in reverse sequence.  
The screw-in tow fitting is stored in the  
onboard tool kit; be sure that it remains  
in the vehicle at all times. This fitting  
is designed for installation in the tow  
sockets located at the front and rear of  
the vehicle, and is intended for towing  
on paved road surfaces only.  
Depending on the cause of the fault,  
have the battery recharged by your  
BMW center.  
Screw the tow fitting in until it is  
tight against the stop. If you do  
not, the threads can be damaged.  
Do not tow the vehicle by any compo-  
nents of the running gear, or lash them  
down in any way. If you do so, the  
components could be damaged,  
leading to possible accidents.<  
It should not be used to pull a vehicle  
out of deep snow, mud, sand, etc.  
Comply with all applicable towing laws  
and regulations at all times.  
Use only a nylon towing strap to tow  
the vehicle, since the inherent resil-  
ience of this material helps protect both  
vehicles from sudden jerking move-  
ments.  
Access to tow sockets  
Front:  
Use a screwdriver to press the cover  
out.