As a follow-up to my initial article, I’m choosing to let the dealer handle my dead 12v battery. I don’t have time to deal with it, and it’s not a huge scam ($375).
When I inquired about towing, the dealer advised me to contact AAA. What about getting in the car, shifting into neutral, etc., I questioned. I don’t think it will be healthy for the i3 to just drag it out of my garage and onto a flatbed.
Is there a method to manually put the car in neutral and unlock the steering in preparation for a tow?
I watched a YouTube video on how to pop the frunk to obtain the tow eye and used the key to unlock and enter the driver-side door.
Even if the 12V is damaged, there is a process to put the i3 in neutral. Although it is in the handbook, keep this screenshot nearby for future use.
That didn’t work with the dead 12v system when I tested it. According to the page’s description, these are general towing instructions (which, by the way, are useful right now), but they won’t function if you can’t turn the head unit on.
The only way that is permitted is a flatbed tow truck. Since there is no way to manually put it in neutral, it must be hauled onto the flatbed. Leave the logistics in the tow operator’s hands.
Why can’t you use jumper cables to temporarily connect a second 12 volt battery in parallel with the first one. You would then be able to start the automobile and shift into neutral. The tow truck driver should be able to perform it.
I intended to research that (either throw a battery charger on it overnight, or parallel another one).
After getting in touch with a more competent individual by phoning back BMW Service, he advised calling BMW Roadside Assistance because towing the i3 with a dead battery required a lengthy process. He said the BMW tow should be covered since my CPO warranty is still in effect. I’ll keep you updated on the outcome.
I spoke with the BMW service advisor about this with the tow truck driver. The ECM will attempt to energize as soon as the car goes on, and the feedback if the jump box is still present may burn out the ECM, which would be a $20k part that is not covered.
All four wheels must be lifted off the ground. I recently experienced this with the Hyundai. When a wrecker arrives, they can lift the bar to whatever end it can reach and then attach small dolly wheels to the other two wheels to take the object out. Rather than dragging it up on a flat bed, do this instead. Inform the dispatcher that you require a repo truck because that is how autos are repossessed.
In This Article...
A BMW i3 can it be towed?
There is no denying the growing popularity of electric vehicles, and for good reason. They are economical, enjoyable to drive, and environmentally beneficial. However, what if you need to tow a boat or trailer? Can a BMW i3 be towed?
Yes, it is possible to tow a BMW i3. The i3 is really one of the market’s most easily towed electric vehicles. It can tow 1,500 pounds, which is sufficient for small boats and trailers. The i3 is stable and simple to tow because to its low center of gravity.
The range of a BMW i3 will be lowered when towing, so bear that in mind. According to BMW, you can tow the i3 for roughly 30 miles, which implies that for every 100 pounds of trailer weight, your range will be reduced by about 10% (12 miles).
The i3 has an all-electric range of 81 miles (130 km), therefore towing will result in a quicker than typical battery discharge. Deceleration and brake reaction are also considerably impacted when the battery level drops below 5%, but fortunately, there is still enough energy to continue driving without incident. Before embarking on a journey with a large boat or trailer hitched to your car, it is crucial to ensure that your load is secure. Towing a BMW i3 is a fantastic way to take advantage of the advantages of electric driving while still being able to transport your gear as long as you are aware of these restrictions.
Can you pull a BMW i3 then? The answer is yes, but when doing so, be sure to consider the shortened range and altered handling. Gratitude for reading!
The BMW i3 is a fantastic choice if you’re looking for an eco-friendly car that can manage light towing needs. The i3 is stable and simple to tow thanks to its low center of gravity and 1,500-pound towing capacity. Just remember to account for the shortened range and handling modifications when pulling a large trailer or boat.
With the back wheels in the tow dolly, I can tow an i3 vehicle.
I’m sorry to hear that your car is giving you difficulties. I’ll try my best to assist you in solving them. Please keep in mind that since I don’t know your knowledge or skills, I might need to ask you some questions to get some fundamental information that will help me solve your particular problem.
My goal is to assist you and provide the best service I can. Do not hesitate to contact me if you have any queries or worries. Sometimes I might have to look for information regarding your issue before I can react, so please be patient. I’m grateful for your patience and will get back to you as soon as I can.
The I3 can only be pulled by a flatbed. Both the front and back wheels must be off the ground before towing, or otherwise the electric motor and transmission will be harmed.
I appreciate you utilizing Just Answer and allowing me to assist you. I hope I was able to meet your needs. If you feel that you still need more assistance, please let me know by outlining any further concerns you may have. I hope you have a good rest of your day.
Can a BMW be towed while in neutral?
Whatever the reason, shifting your car into neutral is a rather simple process. Turn off the engine and shift into neutral on your BMW to prepare it for towing. As an alternative, you could shut off the engine, engage park, depress the throttle, and then shift into neutral.
In order to reduce the chance of damage to both your automobile and the truck pulling it, it is crucial to put your car into neutral when it is being towed. Your transmission will work less hard and other car components will last longer if you put your BMW in neutral.
Prior to having your BMW hauled, you should also take the following safety precautions:
- Put the parking brake on.
- Ensure that your wheels are in correct alignment.
- Make sure your BMW’s signals and lights are working properly.
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When towing, how do I put my car in neutral?
- Put your parking brake on.
- Start the engine.
- Apply the brake.
- Put the transmission in neutral.
- You must disable the shift lock if you are still unable to change gears.
- A friend can now assist in pushing the automobile into the garage.
Can a BMW i3 be towed?
A COUPLE OF ADVICE TO HELP YOU PROVIDE ON-SITE ASSISTANCE
- You can start the vehicle rolling if the 12-volt onboard electrical system is still functional by switching
- In the event of a failure, jump-starting or charging the vehicle using the 12-volt onboard electrical system
- Since the electric motor might supply current to the axles, the car might not be hauled by them.
- You can pull the car out of danger by moving it very slowly over a short distance.
not to exceed 500 meters. Make it rollable first if you can by moving the selector lever to N.
- In order to secure the car during transit, tension belts can be pulled through the wheel rims.
Can a trailer hitch be attached to a BMW i3?
The 2014–2021 model year compatible with our trailer hitch for the BMW i3 by EcoHitchTM. With this BMW i3 trailer hitch’s Hidden Design, just the receiver will be visible after installation; there won’t be a big, obtrusive metal hitch protruding down under your car. The tongue weight limit for this BMW i3 trailer hitch is 200 pounds at the trailer ball. **
A BMW X3 can it be flat towed?
Enjoy your family’s vacation! Unfortunately, attempting to flat tow a BMW X3 is typically not a good idea. Although some customers claim to have flat towed their BMW 3 Series with success, BMWs are not designed for towing and may face some issues with their iDrive feature as a result.
You could choose to tow your BMW on a trailer if you wish to bring it with you. Your car’s wheels won’t be on the ground that way. Although it requires a bit more setup work than a standard flat tow, this will better safeguard your car.
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Can you pull an i3 behind a camper?
Re: Flat towing i3 behind rv with “4 wheels down” Only flatbed vehicles are permitted to transfer the automobile. You may pull the vehicle very gently across a short distance of up to 500 meters in order to remove it from a dangerous situation. Make it rollable initially if at all possible by setting the selector lever to N
Can a BMW be towed behind an RV?
You’ll receive five different opinions on towing if you ask five car owners. Some people believe there is no issue and no damage to the car, while others, regardless of experience, wouldn’t let anyone near their baby with a tow truck. BMW owners often take their time causing alignment issues and front-end damage, and for good reason.
There is a knowledgeable group of BMW owners in the middle who are aware that towing a BMW is indeed possible. There is a proper method to accomplish it, even though it might not be as straightforward as towing dad’s 1970 Chevy. Knowing how something is done will at least enable you to make an informed choice.
If you’ve ever had the unfortunate experience of having a tow due to an incident that happened while you were driving, such as locking your keys in the car or being in an accident, you may have observed that experts utilize special equipment to complete the task.
They can avoid dragging the car by using their equipment to slide dollies underneath the front wheels. A BWM would drag if being towed by its front wheels when those wheels were on the ground. Avoiding a hefty front end repair charge is something you want to do for obvious reasons.
The ignition must be turned on and the vehicle must be in neutral when you decide to hitch your BMW. This security measure is intended to prevent would-be thieves from taking your car and driving off with it without first obtaining your keys, which, ideally, are always with you.
A tow bar is an essential piece of gear you’ll need if you want your BMW to travel with you on a road trip in an RV. It evenly distributes loads between your car and the RV and attaches to the tow hook on your BMW. Make sure the one you pick can support more weight than your BMW.
Without a tow bar that has been correctly placed, towing can be dangerous and should never be tried. Even with your BMW’s built-in steering lock, you run the risk of having the vehicle veer in one or the other directions due to slack in the chain that transmits forces as your RV corners. It can possibly obstruct your RV’s travel path.
Even though it’s a little trickier than some cars, traveling with a second car instead of just your toad can open up a whole new world of possibilities for you.
Instead of trying to squeeze your RV through congested city streets, you can park it in a convenient location and then hop in the BMW to explore the area. Heck, along the way, you could even come upon a few pleasant driving highways. At least no BMW owner ever relates tales of carving canyons in a Winnebago.