Tow-starting, towing away – BMW 2012 3 Series M3 Сoupe User Manual

Page 280

279

Giving and receiving assistance

Mobility

Attach the second terminal clamp of the
minus/– jumper cable to the negative termi-
nal of the battery or to the engine or body
ground of the vehicle to be started.

Starting the engine

Start the engine of the donor vehicle and
allow it to run for a few minutes at slightly
increased idle speed.

Start the engine on the other vehicle in the
usual way.
If the first start attempt is not successful,
wait a few minutes before another attempt
in order to allow the discharged battery to
recharge.

Let the engines run for a few minutes.

Disconnect the jumper cables by reversing
the above connecting sequence.

If necessary, have the battery checked and
recharged.

Never use spray fluids to start the
engine.

Tow-starting, towing away

Observe the applicable laws and regula-
tions for tow-starting and towing vehi-

cles.

Do not transport any passengers other
than the driver in a vehicle that is being

towed.

Using a tow fitting

The screw-in tow fitting must always be carried
in the car. It can be screwed in at the front or
rear of the BMW.
Coupe: it is stored in the onboard vehicle tool kit
underneath the cover on the right-hand side of
the cargo area, refer to page

270

Convertible: it is stored in the onboard vehicle
tool kit underneath the cargo area floor, refer to
page

270

Use only the tow fitting provided with the
vehicle and screw it all the way in. Use the

tow fitting for towing on paved roads only. Avoid
lateral loading of the tow fitting, e.g. do not lift
the vehicle by the tow fitting. Otherwise, the
tow fitting and the vehicle could be damaged.

Access to screw thread

Release the cover panel in the bumper:
Press on the upper part of the cover panel.

Front

Rear

Being towed

Make sure that the ignition is switched on,
refer to page

; otherwise, the low-beam

headlamps, tail lamps, turn signal indicators and
windshield wipers may be unavailable.
Power steering assistance is not available when
the engine is not running. Thus, braking and
steering will require increased effort. Active
steering is not active and it will be necessary to
turn the steering wheel further.