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.
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eNate
I want to take back what I said in my earlier post after some fooling around with the actuator.
Only when changing out of or into Park did the actuator operate, as opposed to moving into and out of Neutral. If I switch from Neutral to Drive (or Reverse) afterward, the actuator is not used once more. So, Slash, you’re right; it can only be used to engage Park (does this suggest that the i3’s Neutral position merely permits the electric motor to freewheel)?
I asked if you could help me find a gearbox exploded view schematic. I discovered a large one! On the manufacturing floor, behind the worker, it can be seen at around the 1:00 minute in the film.
Anyhow, I rewatched the video I linked to and took the images below.
This, I think, is the main pinion drive’s input shaft. The Park Lock Ring is positioned in-between the gear wheel and the bearing. This Park Lock Ring’s detents can be engaged to immobilize the powertrain at the motor input shaft.
The gearbox case can be seen here before the reduction gears are installed. A “Park Bar” and a Key that operate the Park Lock Ring in the image above are indicated by the yellow arrow. The pivot that this bar is attached to is indicated by the orange arrow. The Park Actuator’s rotating shaft is parallel to and lined up with the red arrow. This shaft pulls the Park Bar in the direction of the red arrow when it is spun, allowing the Key to engage the Park Lock Ring.
The Park Bar and Key are shown adjacent to the Park Lock Ring in the last image, which was taken after the reduction gears had been fitted.
So my concern is still, if I mistakenly let the car “slide into park” when I forget to engage the parking brake, am I doing any harm?
How can I start my BMW’s f30 without shifting into neutral?
Hello, my name is and I have an automatic 2014 BMW 328i. I’ve been wondering if it’s feasible to put the car in neutral without the battery still being charged. I’ve seen numerous articles showing how to shift an F30 manually beneath the car, however this manual shows how to release the transmission lock electronically. There is a list of model names at the foot of the text, with F30 among them. I gave it a shot, but it didn’t appear to work. Any thoughts?
With your foot off the brake, you merely need to start the vehicle. While doing so, your car’s engine does not start.
Double-shift into Neutral after that. After that, keep the shifter in neutral for five seconds. For 15 minutes, this will put neutral in action. If you don’t change back into P or gear after 15 minutes, the automobile will do it for you.
I’ve attempted this numerous times, even when the brake was applied and the engine was running. Without starting the engine, the automobile won’t shift into N. Does this process require the engine to be started in order to function?
I saw instructions to disconnect the fuel pump fuse in a document. If my engine was acting up, I would do that because my car won’t shift into N unless my foot is on the gas pedal. The vehicle will then automatically shift back to P, thus I cannot turn it off altogether.
Just wondering as to why you would choose to do this. Please understand that I’m not picking on you. I’m curious as to what you hope to achieve by driving the car to N.
either winch it or push it onto a flatbed. Pulling the fuel pump fuse is generally not a cause for concern because the engine won’t start is the typical trigger for doing so.
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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How is a 2016 BMW m3 put into park?
There isn’t a specific park lever or button. Put your foot on the brake, select drive, neutral, or reverse, and press the ignition or off button to park the vehicle.
Can a car be pushed into neutral without the automatic key?
My parents will be away this weekend. My father’s automobile was left parked behind me. I’m missing my automobile tonight, but I don’t have the keys. Without a key, how can I put his car in neutral? Just get the car far enough out of the way so I can get around it.
In less than two minutes, find out if your auto insurance is being overcharged.
Without a key, you can put a car in neutral, but I want to warn you that it can be risky if this is your first time doing it. Find a spare key or try to obtain a ride with a buddy tonight are your best options.
Follow these four instructions carefully if you need to relocate his car:
- Get wheel blocks, then position them in front of or behind each of the four wheels. Check out any YouTube videos for directions if you’ve never done this before. Since you must slide under the car, safety is of the utmost importance here.
- Crawl underneath the car: On your back, crawl underneath the vehicle while holding a flashlight. The transmission should be found; it is next to the engine.
- Locate the cable: You must locate the cable next to the transmission that is attached to a switch and a lever. Push the lever in the direction of the car’s rear and disconnect the cable. You know you’ve done it right when you hear it click twice and can climb out from under the car.
- Push: Ensure that the car is in neutral and push it away from your car. To be safe, leave the wheel blocks in place.
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Tell your parents how you moved the car when they return to town so they can check that everything is connected properly before they need to drive it again.