Towing and towing-starting (BMW X3 E83)

Towing eye

The towing eye is included in the driver's tool kit. Always carry it with you. The eye is screwed into threaded sockets designed for it at the front and rear of the vehicle.

Caution: When towing, use only the supplied towing eye. Screw it into the socket until it stops. Use the towing eye only for towing on paved roads. The eye is not designed to be subjected to lateral forces (for example, you can't lift a car by its eye). Otherwise, damage to the eye or the car body may occur.

Access to the threaded socket

From the front

Remove the cover in the bumper by prying it from the recess with a screwdriver.

Behind

Press on the marked area of the cover.

Towing

Caution: The ignition key must be in position 1, otherwise the steering may lock and the vehicle will become uncontrollable. When the engine is off, the amplifiers do not work. Therefore, increased effort is required when braking and turning the steering wheel.

Turn on the hazard warning lights (taking into account the rules of the host country). If electrical equipment fails, make the towed vehicle visible, for example by using a warning sign or a warning triangle on the rear window.

Cars with manual transmission

Place the gear shift lever in neutral position.

Cars with automatic transmission

Set the selector lever to position N.

Caution: To avoid damage to the automatic transmission, do not exceed the maximum towing speed and distance (70 km/h and 150 km respectively).

Towing methods

Caution: To avoid damage, do not lift the vehicle by the towing eye, body parts, or chassis.

In some countries, towing with a rope or rigid hitch is prohibited. Please check the rules in your host country regarding this matter.

Towing with a rigid hitch

Caution: The tow truck must be heavier than the vehicle being towed, otherwise it will lose control.

The towing eyes of both vehicles must be located on the same side. If diagonal towing eye placement is unavoidable, keep the following in mind:

• freedom of maneuver when cornering is limited;
• when a rigid coupling is positioned diagonally, a force acting in the lateral direction arises.

Caution: Attach the rigid hitch to the towing eye only. Do not tow the vehicle by other parts.

Towing with a tow rope

Make sure that the rope is taut before the tow vehicle starts moving.

Caution: When towing, use nylon tow ropes to absorb sudden jerks. Attach towing cables to the towing eye only. Do not tow the vehicle by other parts.

Evacuation

Caution: To avoid wheel lockup and damage to the transfer case, do not tow the vehicle with the front or rear axle raised.



Carry out the evacuation of the vehicle using a tow truck with a loading platform.

Towing Start

It is preferable to start the engine not by towing, but from an external power source. If the vehicle is equipped with a catalytic converter, tow-start only when the engine is cold. It is prohibited to tow-start the engine of a vehicle equipped with an automatic transmission.

1. Turn on the hazard warning lights (taking into account the rules of the host country).

2. Turn on the ignition.

3. Engage third gear.

4. Start towing with the clutch pedal depressed. Then slowly release the pedal. After starting the engine, immediately depress the clutch pedal.

5. Stop in a safe place, disconnect the towing hitch or cable, and turn off the hazard warning lights.

6. Have your car checked at a BMW service station.

Caution: Do not engage the Hill Descent Control (HDC) system while towing.