Mobility -> Giving and receiving assistance for your BMW 6 Series 2003-2010
Giving and receiving assistance
Initiating an emergency call
Emergency call*
1. To open the protective cover of the
emergency call button:
Briefly press the protective cover
Conditions for an emergency call:
> Ignition key as of position 1
> The car phone is logged on to a
portable telephone network
2. Press the emergency call switch for
at least 2 seconds.
> The emergency call system is operable.
The indicator lamp in the button lights
up. As soon as the voice connection to
the BMW Assist response center has
been established, the indicator lamp
flashes.
Coupe: emergency call button.
If conditions allow, remain in the vehicle
until the connection has been established.
You will then be able to provide a detailed
description of the situation.
If the current location of your vehicle can be
determined with vehicles with an activated
BMW Assist, it will be transmitted to the
BMW Assist response center.
Convertible: emergency call button.
Activating BMW Assist, refer to page 155.
If the indicator lamp flashes, but you are
unable to hear the BMW Assist response
center through the hands-free system, this
could indicate, for instance, that the hands-
free system is no longer operational. How-
ever, the BMW Assist response center may
then still be able to hear you.
Under certain conditions, an emergency
call is started automatically immediately
after a severe accident. The automatic
emergency call is not affected by the but-
ton being pressed.
For technical reasons, the emergency
call cannot be guaranteed under
unfavorable conditions.<
183
To refit the filler element, insert the
two steps in the strip and press back
the filler element. Make sure that you do
not damage the rear seat upholstery.<
Warning triangle*
Some of the articles contained in the
first-aid kit have a limited service life.
For this reason, check the expiration dates
of each of the items regularly and replace
any whose expiration dates have passed.
You can find replacements in any phar-
macy.
Comply with legal requirements requiring
you to carry a first-aid kit in the vehicle.<
The warning triangle can be found in the
luggage compartment on the left side.
Comply with legal requirements
requiring you to carry a hazard warn-
ing triangle in the vehicle.<
Roadside Assistance*
The Roadside Assistance of the BMW
Group offers you breakdown assistance
around the clock, including on weekends
and public holidays.
First-aid kit*
The first-aid kit is located in the filler ele-
ment of the rear seat backrest.
The phone numbers of the Roadside Assis-
tance in your home country can be found in
the BMW Dealer Directory.
1. Press the button downwards
In the case of vehicles with BMW Assist or
TeleService, you can call the Roadside
Assistance of the BMW Group directly for
breakdown assistance via the Control Cen-
ter, refer to page 156.
2. Remove the filler element in a forward
direction
Jump-starting
When your battery is discharged, you can
use two jumper cables to start your BMW
with power from the battery in a second
vehicle. You can also use the same method
to help start another vehicle. Use only
jumper cables with fully-insulated clamp
handles.
3. Remove the first-aid kit.
To avoid the risk of potentially fatal
injury, always avoid all contact with
electrical components while the engine is
running. Carefully adhere to the following
sequence, both to prevent damage to one
or both vehicles, and to guard against pos-
sible personal injuries.<
184
Preparing
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 battery
2. Switch off the engine of the vehicle pro-
viding assistance
3. Switch off any consumer units in both
vehicles.
Your BMW has a special nut as body
ground or negative pole.
There must not be any contact
between the bodies of the two vehi-
cles, as otherwise there is a danger of
shorting.<
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 vehicle providing assistance
Connecting jumper cables
5. Attach the second end of the cable to
the negative terminal of the battery or to
the engine or body ground of the vehi-
cle to be started.
To avoid personal injury from sparks,
always observe this sequence when
connecting jumper cables.<
Starting engine
1. Start the engine on the support vehicle
and allow it to run for several minutes at
increased speed
2. Start the engine on the other vehicle in
the usual way.
If the first start attempt is not success-
ful, wait a few minutes before another
attempt in order to allow the discharged
battery to recharge
On your BMW, the so-called starting-aid
terminal in the engine compartment serves
as the battery positive terminal, also refer
to engine compartment essentials on
page 171. The symbol + is embossed on
the cover.
3. Let the engines run for a few minutes
4. Disconnect the jumper cables by
reversing the connection sequence
If required, have the battery inspected and
recharged at your BMW center.
1. Fold open the cover of the BMW start-
ing-aid terminal. To do so, pull the tab
Never use spray fluids to start the
engine.<
2. Attach one end of the jumper cable
plus/+ to the positive terminal of the
battery or a starting-aid terminal of the
vehicle providing assistance
Towing and tow-starting
3. Attach the second end of the cable to
the positive terminal of the battery or to
a starting-aid terminal of the vehicle to
be started
Always observe all applicable towing
laws and regulations.<
Never allow passengers to ride in a
towed vehicle for any reason.<
185
then requires increased effort for braking
and steering. The active steering is deacti-
vated; when stopped and in the low speed
range greater steering wheel movements
are required.<
Using tow fitting
The threaded tow fitting is stored in the tool
kit mounted on the inside of the luggage
compartment under the floor mat, refer to
page 178, and should always remain in the
vehicle. It can be screwed in at the front or
rear of the BMW.
Switch on the hazard warning flashers
depending on the local regulations. If the
electrical system fails, mark the vehicle to
be towed, e.g. with a sign or warning trian-
gle in the rear window.
To avoid damage to the tow fitting
and the vehicle, observe the follow-
ing: only use the tow fitting that comes with
the vehicle and screw it in as far as possi-
ble. Only use the tow fitting to tow on the
roadway. Avoid heavy lateral loading of the
tow fitting, e.g. do not lift the vehicle by the
tow fitting.<
Vehicles with manual transmission
Gearshift lever in idle position
Vehicles with automatic
transmission
Access to screw thread
Selector lever in position N.
Rectangular cover in bumper:
Press the arrow symbol of the cover.
Do not exceed a towing speed of
45 mph/70 km/h and a towing dis-
tance of 90 miles/150 km, as otherwise the
automatic transmission may be dam-
aged.<
Front
Vehicles with SMG Sequential
manual transmission
With the ignition switched on, engage
selector-lever position N, then switch off
the ignition.
Towing methods
Rear
In some countries, towing with tow bars or
ropes in public traffic is not permitted.
Familiarize yourself with all regulations on
towing in the respective country.
With tow bar
The towing vehicle may not be lighter
than the vehicle to be towed, as oth-
erwise it will not be possible to control
vehicle response.<
The tow fittings used should be on the
same side on both vehicles. Should it prove
impossible to avoid mounting the tow bar
at an offset angle, please observe the fol-
lowing:
Being towed
Even if there is a failure in the electri-
cal system, make sure that the igni-
tion key is in position 1, as otherwise the
steering wheel could lock and it would be
impossible to steer the vehicle. There is no
power assist with the engine stopped. This
> Clearance and maneuvering capability
will be strictly limited in corners
186
> When mounted at an angle, the tow bar
will exert lateral forces, tending to push
the vehicle sideways.
3. Engage the 3rd gear, vehicles with
SMG, see below
4. Have the vehicle tow-started with the
clutch pedal completely depressed and
slowly release the clutch. After the
engine starts, depress the clutch pedal
completely again
Secure the tow bar on the tow fitting
only. Otherwise damage could result
on other vehicle parts.<
With tow-rope
5. Stop at a suitable location, remove the
tow bar or rope and switch off the haz-
ard warning flashers
When starting off in the towing vehicle,
make sure that the tow-rope is taut.
To avoid jerking and the associated
stresses on vehicle components
when towing, always use nylon ropes or
nylon straps. Secure the tow rope on the
tow fitting only. Otherwise damage could
result on other vehicle parts.<
6. Have the vehicle checked.
Vehicles with SMG Sequential manual
transmission:
1. Tow-start in selector lever position N
2. Select sequential mode. The correct
gear will be selected and engaged
automatically.
With tow truck
Have the BMW transported with a tow
truck with a so-called lift bar or on a load
bed.
Do not lift vehicle by tow fitting or
body and chassis parts, as otherwise
damage may result.<
Tow-starting
Do not tow-start vehicles with an
automatic transmission.
Jump-starting, refer to page 184.<
Only tow-start vehicles with a catalytic
converter with the engine cold. It is better
to jump-start the engine, refer to page 184.
1. Switch on the hazard warning flashers,
comply with country-specific regula-
tions
2. Turn the ignition key to position 2
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