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EnglishDriving hints -> Towing a trailer for your BMW X3 2011-2017
Towing a trailer
Driving hints
Towing a trailer
approved. Use only the genuine BMW towball
mount assembly.
Vehicle equipment
This chapter describes all standard, national
and special equipment provided in the model
series. Equipment not available in the vehicle is
therefore also described, for example the se‐
lected special equipment or national version.
This also applies to safety-relevant functions
and systems. Comply with the relevant na‐
tional regulations when using the correspond‐
ing functions and systems.
BMW Group Australia does not recommend or
support the installation and use of a Weight
Distribution Hitch or Load Levelling Device on
any BMW Group vehicles. The use of such de‐
vices may affect the vehicle's warranty status.
We recommend you consult your Authorised
BMW Dealer for any further advice or clarifica‐
tion.
Before a journey
General
The permitted trailer loads, axle loads, trailer
nose weights and gross vehicle weight rating
are specified in the technical data.
Trailer nose weight
If possible, the trailer should not have a trailer
nose weight less than the minimum of 25 kg,
approximately 55 lb, and also try to use the
maximum trailer nose weight to the full extent.
The vehicle is equipped with reinforced
springs on the rear axle and, depending on the
type, with a more powerful cooling system.
The weight of the trailer tow hitch and the nose
weight reduce the maximum load of the towing
vehicle. The nose weight increases the vehicle
weight. The total permitted weight of the tow‐
ing vehicle must not be exceeded.
For Australia/New Zealand:
note
Towing
Loads
Australian standard AS 4177.1-2004 Caravan
and light trailer towing components – towbars
and towing brackets contains the following
statement, which is hereby accepted by the
BMW Group Australia: FOR TOWING ONLY.
The trailer tow hitch supplied with your BMW
vehicle should only be used for towing and not
in connection with any kind of transport device
attached to the trailer tow hitch, i.e. bicycle
carriers or similar.
Distribute the load as evenly as possible over
the loadbed.
Stow the load as low as possible and as close
as possible to the trailer axle. A low centre of
trailer gravity makes the vehicle combination
much more stable and safe to drive.
The permitted total weight of the trailer and
the permitted trailer load of the vehicle must
not be exceeded. The smaller value is the limit
which should be adhered to.
As all BMW Group towbar assemblies are de‐
signed, tested and approved as a single unit,
the practice of modifying or replacing the
BMW supplied towball mount assembly is not
Tyre pressures
Check the vehicle's and the trailer's tyre pres‐
sures carefully.
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Driving hints
Towing a trailer
On the vehicle, the tyre inflation pressure, see
page 204, for higher loads applies.
Towing a trailer
For the trailer, the regulations of the manufac‐
turer apply.
Information
Appropriate speed when towing a trailer
Keep to an appropriate speed when tow‐
ing a trailer. Speeds in excess of approximately
80 km/h, 50 mph can be enough to produce a
swaying or fishtailing motion, depending on
the design of the trailer and the load it is carry‐
ing.◀
Runflat indicator
Reinitialise the runflat indicator after a trailer
has been attached or detached or the inflation
pressure has been corrected.
Tyre Pressure Monitor
Maximum speed when towing a trailer
Reinitialise the Tyre Pressure Monitor after a
trailer has been attached or detached or the in‐
flation pressure has been corrected.
If you are towing a trailer, increase tyre
inflation pressures by 0.2 bar all round and do
not exceed a top speed of 100 km/h / 60 mph,
as the higher axle load could result in damage
to the tyres if the vehicle is driven at higher
speeds. Note the maximum possible tyre pres‐
sures stated on the tyres.◀
Exterior mirrors
Two exterior mirrors which bring both rear cor‐
ners of the trailer into your field of view are re‐
quired by law. Mirrors of this kind can be ob‐
tained from your Service centre as optional
accessories.
Counteracting snaking
If the trailer begins to snake, the vehicle com‐
bination can only be stabilised by braking hard
immediately.
Power consumption
Function of the rear lights
Make sure that the necessary steering correc‐
tions are carried out as cautiously as possible,
taking other road users into consideration.
Before beginning your journey, check the
function of the rear lights of the trailer, as oth‐
erwise this might endanger other road users.◀
The power output of the trailer's rear lights
must not exceed the following values:
Uphill gradients
In the interest of safety and to avoid holding up
other traffic, do not attempt to climb gradients
steeper than 12 % when towing a trailer.
▷
▷
▷
▷
▷
Turn indicators: 42 Watts per side.
Tail lights: 50 Watts per side.
Brake lights: 84 Watts total.
If higher trailer loads are permitted later, the
limit is 8 %.
Rear fog lights: 42 Watts total.
Reversing lights: 42 Watts total.
Driving off on upward inclines
Keep the switch-on times of the current con‐
sumer units in the caravan mode short in order
not to place an excessive load on the vehicle
battery.
With Steptronic transmission: The parking
brake is automatically released when the ac‐
celerator pedal is pressed.
188
Towing a trailer
Driving hints
To prevent the vehicle from rolling back when
driving off, use the parking brake.
Operating requirements
The system is operational when towing a trailer
and when using the trailer socket as of approx‐
imately 65 km/h, 40 mph.
1.
Shortly before driving off, pull and
hold the switch.
System limits
The parking brake remains held as long as
the switch is pulled.
▷
The system cannot intervene if the trailer
veers instantly, for example on slippery or
loose road surfaces.
2. To drive off, apply the gas and release the
switch.
▷
▷
Trailers with a high centre of gravity can tip
over before a swinging motion is detected.
Downhill gradients
On downward inclines, a vehicle combination
has tendency to snake at an earlier stage.
The system is not operational if Dynamic
Stability Control DSC is deactivated or has
failed.
Before the downward incline, shift down man‐
ually to the next-lowest gear and drive down‐
wards slowly.
Not for Australia/New
Zealand: Trailer coupling
with electrically swivellable
trailer hitch
High loads and high outside
temperature
Long journeys with a high load and out‐
side temperature
General
On long journeys with a high trailer load and
high outside temperature, make sure that the
fuel tank is more than 1/4 full, as otherwise the
engine output can decrease or engine damage
can occur.◀
The swivel-mounted ball head for the trailer
tow hitch is located on the underside of the ve‐
hicle.
The LED illuminates green if the system is op‐
erational.
Trailer Stability Control
Principle
The system helps you to neutralise a trailer's
tendency to swing from side to side.
It detects snaking movements and promptly
brakes the vehicle so that road speeds fall to
below the critical range and the vehicle combi‐
nation is stabilised.
The button for swinging the swivel-mounted
ball head in and out is behind the rear side trim
in the boot.
If the power socket for the trailer is in use but
no trailer is attached, for example during use of
a bicycle carrier with lights, the system may
become active in extreme driving situations.
189
Driving hints
Towing a trailer
LED in the button illuminates in green:
Start engine using start/stop button.
Swivelling out the ball head
1. Open the boot.
2. Step out of the swivelling area of the ball
head behind the vehicle.
Press the button in the boot.
The ball head swivels outwards. The LED
in the button flashes in green.
3.
Press the button in the boot.
The ball head swivels outwards. The LED
in the button flashes in green.
Trailer socket
4. Wait until the ball head has reached the
end position.
Checking the interlock
Before driving with a trailer or load car‐
rier, make sure that the ball head is properly
locked, as unstable driving conditions and/or
accidents can otherwise result.
If the ball head is not properly locked, the LED
in the button illuminates in red.◀
The trailer socket is located on the trailer tow
hitch.
Swivelling in the ball head
Fold the cover downwards.
1. Uncouple the trailer or load carrier, remove
the fittings for the track-stabilising devices,
pull out the connector for the trailer's
power supply and, if applicable, pull the
adapter out of the socket.
Eye for securing cable
2.
Press the button in the boot.
The ball head swivels inwards. The LED in
the button flashes in green.
3. Wait until the ball head has reached the
end position.
There is an eye on the trailer tow hitch for at‐
taching the trailer securing cable.
Automatic interrupt of the swivel
movement
The swivel movement is interrupted automati‐
cally or is not performed if the current limit val‐
ues are exceeded, for example at very low tem‐
peratures or in the case of mechanical
resistance.
For increased safety when towing a trailer, at‐
tach the trailer securing cable to the eye.
LED in the button illuminates in red:
Press the button until the ball head has
reached the end position.
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