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EnglishMOBILITY -> Breakdown assistance for your BMW 4 Series 2013-2020
Breakdown assistance
MOBILITY
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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