BMW X3 (F25) Owners Manual: Breakdown assistance

• Vehicle features and options
• Intelligent Emergency Request
• First aid kit
• Jump-starting
• Tow-starting and towing

Vehicle features and options

This chapter describes all standard, country-specific and optional features offered with the series. It also describes features that are not necessarily available in your car, e. g., due to the selected options or country versions. This also applies to safety-related functions and systems. The respectively applicable country provisions must be observed when using the respective features and systems.

Hazard warning flashers

The button is located in the center console.

Intelligent Emergency Request

The concept

In case of an emergency, an Emergency Request can be made through this system.

General information

Only press the SOS button in an emergency.

Hints

Emergency Request not guaranteed

For technical reasons, the Emergency Request cannot be guaranteed under unfavorable conditions.

Overview

SOS button in the roofliner

Requirements

• The SIM card integrated in the vehicle has been activated.
• The radio-ready state is switched on.
• The Assist system is functional.

Initiating an Emergency Request

1. Press the cover briefly to open it.

2. Press the SOS button until the LED at the button lights up green.

• The LED lights up green: an Emergency Request was initiated.

  If a cancel prompt appears on the display, the Emergency Request can be aborted.

  If the situation allows, wait in your vehicle until the voice connection has been established.

• The LED flashes green when a connection to the BMW Response Center has been established.
  When the emergency request is received at the BMW Response Center, the BMW Response Center contacts you and takes further steps to help you.

  Even if you are unable to respond, the BMW Response Center can take further steps to help you under certain circumstances.

  For this, data are transmitted to the BMW Response Center which serve to determine the necessary rescue measures. E. g.

  the current position of the vehicle, if it can be established.

• If the LED is flashing green, but the BMW Response Center can no longer be heard via the speaker, you can nevertheless still be heard at the BMW Response Center.

Initiating an Emergency Request automatically Under certain conditions, an Emergency Request is automatically initiated immediately after a severe accident. Automatic Collision Notification is not affected by pressing the SOS button.

Warning triangle

The warning triangle is located behind the lefthand cover in the trunk.

To remove, loosen the bracket.

First aid kit

Note

Some of the articles have a limited service life.

Check the expiration dates of the contents regularly and replace any expired items promptly.

Storage

The first aid kit is located behind the left-hand cover in the trunk.

Jump-starting

General information

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.

Hints

Do not touch live parts

To avoid the risk of potentially fatal injury, always avoid all contact with electrical components while the engine is running.

To prevent personal injury or damage to both vehicles, adhere strictly to the following procedure.

Preparation

Bodywork contact between vehicles

Make sure that there is no contact between the bodywork of the two vehicles; otherwise, there is a danger of short circuits.

1. Check whether the battery of the other vehicle has a voltage of 12 volts. This information can be found on the battery.

2. Switch off the engine of the assisting vehicle.

3. Switch off any electronic systems/power consumers in both vehicles.

Starting aid terminals

Connecting order

Connect the jumper cables in the correct order to prevent risk of injury from arcing.

The so-called starting aid terminal in the engine compartment acts as the battery's positive terminal.

The body ground or a special nut acts as the battery negative terminal.

Connecting the cables

1. Pull off the lid of the BMW starting aid terminal.

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 battery, or to the corresponding starting aid terminal of the vehicle to be started.

4. Attach one terminal clamp of the negative jumper cable to the negative terminal of the battery, or to the corresponding engine or body ground of assisting vehicle.

5. Attach the second terminal clamp to the negative terminal of the battery, or to the corresponding engine or body ground of the vehicle to be started.

Starting the engine

Never use spray fluids to start the engine.

1. Start the engine of the assisting vehicle and let it run for several minutes at an increased idle speed.

If the vehicle to be started has a diesel engine: let the engine of the assisting vehicle run for approx. 10 minutes.

2. Start the engine of the vehicle that is to be started in the usual way.

If the first starting attempt is not successful, wait a few minutes before making another attempt in order to allow the discharged battery to recharge.

3. Let both engines run for several minutes.

4. Disconnect the jumper cables in the reverse order.

Check the battery and recharge if needed.

Tow-starting and towing

Note

Tow-starting and towing

For tow-starting or towing, switch off the Intelligent Safety systems; otherwise malfunctions of the individual braking systems might lead to accidents.

Steptronic transmission: transporting your vehicle

Note Your vehicle is not permitted to be towed.

Therefore, contact a service center in the event of a breakdown.

Do not have the vehicle towed

Have your vehicle transported on a loading platform only; otherwise, damage may occur.

Tow truck

The vehicle should only be transported on a loading platform.

Do not lift the vehicle

Do not lift the vehicle by the tow fitting or body and chassis parts; otherwise, damage may result.

Use tow fitting located in the front only for positioning the vehicle.

Towing other vehicles

Hints

Light towing vehicle

The towing vehicle must not be lighter than the vehicle being towed; otherwise, it will not be possible to control the vehicle's response.

Attaching the tow bar/tow rope correctly

Attach the tow bar or tow rope to the tow fitting; connecting it to other vehicle parts may cause damage.

• Switch on the hazard warning system, depending on local regulations.
• 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 bar 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 following:

• Maneuvering capability is limited going around corners.
• The tow bar will generate lateral forces if it is secured with an offset.

Tow rope When starting to tow the vehicle, make sure that the tow rope is taut.

To avoid jerking and the associated stresses on the vehicle components when towing, always use nylon ropes or nylon straps.

Tow fitting

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 BMW.

The tow fitting is located in the onboard vehicle tool kit behind the left folding cover in the trunk.

Tow fitting, information on use

• 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, damage to the tow fitting and the vehicle can occur.

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 cause of the starting problems fixed.