Tow-starting and towing – BMW 550i Sedan 2008 User Manual
Page 251
249
Preparation
1.
Check whether the battery of the other
vehicle has a voltage of 12 Volts and
approximately the same capacitance in Ah.
This information can be found on the bat-
tery.
2.
Switch off the engine of the assisting vehi-
cle.
3.
Switch off any electrical systems and com-
ponents in both vehicles.
There must not be any contact between
the bodies of the two vehicles, otherwise
there is a danger of shorting.
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Connecting jumper cables
To avoid personal injury from sparks,
follow this sequence when connecting
jumper cables.
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In your BMW, the so-called jump-starting termi-
nal in the engine compartment serves as a pos-
itive terminal for the battery, also refer to engine
compartment overview on page
. The cover
cap is marked with a +.
1.
Fold open the cover of the BMW jump-
starting terminal. To do so, pull the tab.
2.
Attach one end of the jumper cable plus/+
to the positive terminal of the battery or a
jump-starting terminal of the vehicle provid-
ing assistance.
3.
Attach the second end of the cable to the
positive terminal of the battery or to a start-
ing-aid terminal of the vehicle to be started.
4.
Attach one end of the jumper cable minus/–
to the negative terminal of the battery or to
an engine or body ground of the assisting
vehicle.
Your BMW has a special nut as body ground
or negative terminal.
5.
Attach the second end of the cable to the
negative terminal of the battery or to the
engine or body ground of the vehicle to be
started.
Starting engine
1.
Start the engine on the assisting vehicle
and allow it to run at idle for several minutes
at slightly increased speed.
2.
Start the engine on the other vehicle in the
usual way.
If the first starting attempt is not successful,
wait a few minutes before another attempt
in order to allow the discharged battery to
recharge.
3.
Let the engines run for a few minutes.
4.
Disconnect the jumper cables by reversing
the connection sequence.
Check the battery and recharge if necessary.
Never use spray fluids to start the
engine.
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Tow-starting and towing
Observe applicable laws and regulations
for tow-starting and towing.
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Do not transport any passengers other
than the driver in a vehicle that is being
towed.
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Using tow fitting
Always keep the screw-in tow fitting with the
vehicle. It can be screwed in at the front or rear
of the BMW.
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