BMW 5 Series: Towing other vehicles
General information
Light towing vehicle
Your vehicle must not be lighter than the
vehicle being towed; otherwise, it will not be
possible to control vehicle 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 during cornering.
▷ 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.
Attaching the tow rope correctly
Only secure the tow rope on the tow fitting;
otherwise, damage can occur when it is secured
on other parts of the vehicle.◀
Manual transmission
Observe before towing your vehicle The parking brake is blocked The parking brake cannot be released manually. When the parking brake is blocked, do not tow with the front axle lifted or the v ...Tow fitting
The screw-in tow fitting should always be carried in the vehicle. It can be screwed in at the front or rear of the BMW. It is located in the container on the inside of the trunk lid. Tow fit ...See also:
Locking the vehicle (mechanical key)
If the vehicle can no longer be locked with the
SmartKey, use the mechanical key.
•► Open the driver's door.•► Close the front-passenger door, the rear
doors and the trunk lid/tai ...
Airbags
1. Front airbag, driver
2. Front airbag, front passenger
3. Head airbag
4. Side airbag
5. Knee airbags
Front airbags
Front airbags help protect the driver and front
passenger by responding t ...
Torque Converter Clutch
A feature designed to improve fuel economy has been
included in the automatic transmission on your vehicle.
A clutch within the torque converter engages automatically
at calibrated speeds. This m ...