Towing Information: Service Precautions

00 09 03 (014) Towing

E53, E70, E71, E72, E83, E60, E61, E90, E91, E92, E84, F01, F02, F07

Situation:
The "xDrive" four-wheel drive system is a feature of vehicles in the above-mentioned model series. This system has a servo motor in the electronically controlled transfer case to split drive torque between the front and rear axles. Under certain conditions, torque is still split between front and rear axles even if the servo motor is de-energised. This has to be taken into account, particularly if a car has to be towed.

Effect:
If an axle is lifted clear of the ground and its wheels are in pockets or on dollies, drive from the wheels still on the ground could cause the wheels of the other axle to rotate and shift out of position on the carrier.

If the wheels of the raised axle are held in position by means of straps, the transfer case will suffer damage.

Affected vehicles:
- X1 (E84) with four-wheel drive
- X3 (E83)
- X5 (E53) as from production October 2003
- X5, X6 (E70, E71, E72)
- 3 Series (E9X) with four-wheel drive
- 5 Series (E60, E61) with four-wheel drive
- 5 Series GT (F07) with four-wheel drive
- 7 Series (F01, F02) with four-wheel drive

Procedure:

IMPORTANT:
Observe towing stickers and information in the operating instructions. The towing sticker is affixed to the vehicle at the position described below:
- X3, X5, F01, F02, F07 at the B-pillar.
- E60, E61, E84, E9X at the front end on the driver's door near the rotary striker lock.

Do not attempt to tow the car with the wheels of one axle lifted off the ground (this applies equally to the front or rear axle).

Refer to changed procedure for emergency release of automatic gearbox (see repair instructions).

If they have to be recovered, the cars listed above must be raised so that all four wheels are clear, in other words none of the wheels should be in contact with the ground. The cars can also be towed with all four wheels on the ground but, in this case, the following restrictions apply:
- Maximum speed: 70 km/h
- Maximum distance on tow: 150 km