tion. For this reason, check the expiration dates
of each of the items regularly, and replace any
with passed dates. These items can be pur-
chased in any drugstore or pharmacy.
Always observe all legal regulations requiring a
first-aid kit to be carried in the vehicle.

Jump-starting

When your battery is discharged you can use
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 cur-
rent on a running engine. Contact with

these components can cause fatal injury. Care-

fully observe the following instructions to avoid
personal injury and/or damage to one or both
vehicles.

Preparations

Check whether the battery of the support
vehicle has 12 volts and approximately the
same capacity – measured in Ah. This infor-
mation is provided on the battery

Stop the engine of the support vehicle

Switch off all electrical accessories in both
vehicles.

Make absolutely certain that there is no
contact between the bodywork of the two

vehicles: short circuit hazard.

Connecting jumper cables

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.

The auxiliary jump-starting terminal located in
your BMW's engine compartment acts as the
positive battery terminal. Refer to the engine
compartment overview on page

. The cover

is marked with a

Open the cover of the BMW auxiliary jump-
starting terminal. Do so by pulling the tab

With the

+ jumper cable, connect the posi-

tive terminal of the drained battery and the
positive terminal of the support battery.
To do this:
Connect one terminal clamp to the positive
terminal of the battery or to an auxiliary
jump-starting terminal of the support vehi-
cle.
Connect the second terminal clamp to the

Giving and receiving assistance

positive terminal of the battery or to an aux-
iliary jump-starting terminal of the vehicle to
be jump-started.

Your BMW is equipped with a special nut,
refer also to the engine compartment over-
view on page

With the

– jumper cable, connect the nega-

tive terminals of both vehicles.
To do this:
Attach one cable clamp to the negative bat-
tery terminal or to a suitable ground on the
engine or body work of the support vehicle.
Attach the second cable clamp to the nega-
tive battery terminal or to a suitable ground
on the engine or body work of the vehicle to
be jump-started.

Starting the engine

Start the engine of the support vehicle and
let it run for several minutes at a slightly ele-
vated engine idle speed

Start the engine of the other vehicle 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

Allow the engines to run for several minutes

Then disconnect the jumper cables in
reverse sequence

Depending on the cause of the fault, have
the battery checked and recharged.

Never use spray starter fluids to start the
engine.

Towing and tow-starting the

vehicle

Using the towing eyelet

The screw-in towing eyelet is stored in the
onboard tool kit; be sure that it remains in the
vehicle at all times. It can be attached at the
front or rear of your BMW.

Observe the following instructions in
order to avoid damaging the towing eye-

let or the vehicle: use only the towing eyelet
supplied with the vehicle, and screw it in firmly
until it stops. Use the towing eyelet for towing
on paved roads only. Avoid subjecting the tow-
ing eyelet to lateral loads, e.g. do not lift the
vehicle using the towing eyelet.

Access to the threaded socket

Press out the cover with a screwdriver inserted
in the recess at the top.

Being towed

Make sure that the ignition key is in posi-
tion 1, because the steering lock could

otherwise engage and the vehicle could no
longer be steered. There is no power assist
while the engine is off. Therefore, you will need
to exert more force to brake and steer the vehi-
cle.

Turn on the hazard warning flashers, if required
by national regulations. If the electrical system
has failed, clearly identify the vehicle being
towed, e.g. by placing a sign or a warning trian-
gle in the rear window.

Vehicles with manual transmission

Gearshift lever in idling position.

Vehicles with automatic transmission

Selector lever in position N.

Do not exceed a towing speed of 45 mph /
70 km/h or a towing distance of 90 miles/

150 km. Otherwise, the automatic transmission
could be damaged.

Vehicles with sequential manual

gearbox SMG

To push or tow the vehicle, turn on the ignition
and move the selector lever to position N, then
turn the ignition off again.

Towing methods

In some countries, it is not permitted to tow the
vehicle with a tow bar or tow rope on public
roads.
Familiarize yourself with the applicable towing
regulations for the country in which you are
driving.

With a tow bar

The towing vehicle must not be lighter
than the vehicle being towed; otherwise,

vehicle handling can no longer be controlled.

The towing eyelets of both vehicles should be
on the same side. If the tow bar can only be
used in a diagonal position, please note the fol-
lowing:

Clearance is restricted while you are driving
around corners

The inclination of the tow bar produces late-
ral force.

Only attach the tow bar to the towing eye-
lets. Other parts of the vehicle could oth-

erwise be damaged.

With a tow rope

When the towing vehicle is driving off, make
sure that the tow rope is taut.

Use nylon ropes or straps for towing
because they prevent sudden jerking

movements. Attach tow ropes only to the tow-
ing eyelet. Other parts of the vehicle could oth-
erwise be damaged.

With a tow truck

Have the BMW transported by a tow truck with
a lift sling, or on a flatbed.

Do not lift the vehicle by the towing eye-
let, or by parts of the body or chassis.

Otherwise damage could result.

Tow-starting

Do not tow-start vehicles with automatic
transmission.

Jump-starting, refer to page

Only tow-start vehicles with catalytic conver-
ters if the engine is cold. It is better to have the
vehicle jump-started, refer to page

Turn on the hazard warning flashers; com-
ply with national regulations

Turn the ignition key to position 2

Engage the 3rd gear. For vehicles with
SMG, refer to following column

Have the vehicle towed with the clutch
pedal completely depressed and then
slowly release the clutch pedal. After the
engine has started, immediately depress
the clutch pedal again completely

Pull over at a suitable location, remove the
tow bar or tow rope, and turn on the hazard
warning flashers

Have the vehicle checked.

Vehicles with sequential manual
gearbox SMG

Have the vehicle towed with the selector
lever in position N

Select sequential mode. The correct gear
will automatically be selected and engaged.

Technical data

102

Technical data

Engine data

Z4 2.5i

Z4 3.0i

Displacement
Number of cylinders