02-15-2012, 09:33 PM | #1 |
Private
29
Rep 96
Posts |
How to put the car in neutral ?
Hello everyone
How to put the car in neutral ? When you cannot start the engine, of course ! I understand that on the X5 there is a manual switch under the glove box to manually place the transmission on neutral, ie for towing. Where is that switch on the X3 ? Maybe there is none ? and the electronic shifter is rendered useless when the car runs out of battery, or malfunctions ? |
02-15-2012, 09:49 PM | #3 | |
Lieutenant Colonel
130
Rep 1,781
Posts |
Quote:
|
|
Appreciate
0
|
02-15-2012, 10:05 PM | #5 |
Captain
63
Rep 983
Posts |
Are you talking about a No Power situation? If so, BMW says that the procedure should only be done be BMW Service personnel. If you have no power, and your X3 is dead by the side of the road, the procedure just isn't going to happen. It requires that an underbody panel be removed, and then that a set screw be tightened to release the transmission. Without a jack and jackstands, that ain't safely happening. BMW Roadside Assistance typically doesn't have a clue what the procedure is, nor do they typically have the equipment to safely execute it.
The Google is your friend. "GA8HP Automatic Transmission" is a great keyword string to try. See what you find, and note that the X5 E70 uses the same GA8HP transmission. |
Appreciate
0
|
02-15-2012, 10:13 PM | #6 | |
Captain
63
Rep 983
Posts |
Quote:
If I were to ever use a standard carwash, one that moves my X3 through the pads, brushes and blowers via a motorized belt (and Gasp! actually touches it!), I would fold my mirrors, move forward until the attendant told me to stop, shift to Neutral, wait until I got to the end, engage Drive, and move forward. Oh yeah, I would also pay extra for Wheels, in the hope that they would actually wash off a layer of brake dust. |
|
Appreciate
0
|
02-15-2012, 10:16 PM | #7 | |
Private
1
Rep 79
Posts |
Quote:
|
|
Appreciate
0
|
02-16-2012, 12:24 AM | #8 | |
Lieutenant Colonel
130
Rep 1,781
Posts |
Quote:
|
|
Appreciate
0
|
02-16-2012, 03:16 AM | #9 |
Enlisted Member
0
Rep 30
Posts |
See (in german): http://www.motor-talk.de/forum/neutr...-t3745891.html
Quick translation to put a car in neutral when it doesn't start (we had some starting problems in europe with the diesel while -20 degrees. However it seems a problem with the fuel quality in low temparatures, not the car itself): With ignition on: Hold left button on the gear stick while doing - put gear stick one step forwards and hold 2 seconds, - then one step back again - then one step forwards again Then the car is in neutral for 15 minutes i haven't (could not) tried it for myself. this procedure is for when the car doesn't start.
__________________
X3 35d M-sport 2012 Carbon-Black
|
Appreciate
0
|
02-16-2012, 03:53 AM | #10 |
Lieutenant
54
Rep 554
Posts
Drives: 335D MSport 2016
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Ludlow
|
I guess you also should ask how to release the electronic handbrake. I know on the landrover discoveries there is a panel on the centre consol that can be removed to pull a cable and release manually. Once released it has to reset at the dealer but you can leave the transmission in park until it is fixed.
|
Appreciate
0
|
02-16-2012, 07:37 AM | #11 |
Private
11
Rep 59
Posts |
I thought there was a sensor that when the car is lifted to a certain angle the alarm (if going off) will turn off and put the car in neutral? I thought that was a US standard?
|
Appreciate
0
|
02-16-2012, 08:06 AM | #12 |
Second Lieutenant
12
Rep 208
Posts |
The X5 has emergency transmission release AND electric parking brake release. However I read somewhere (forgot which forum) that a BMW mechanic told customer that BMW is trying to save few dollar by making those emergency releases go away. Bad move.
|
Appreciate
0
|
02-16-2012, 08:40 PM | #13 |
Private
29
Rep 96
Posts |
so what I understand is that there is no way to manually put the car on neutral OR manually remove the handbrake in case of an accident or if stranded on the side of the road, waiting to be towed ?
WTF happened to the real BMW engineers for this car ??? |
Appreciate
0
|
02-17-2012, 12:59 AM | #14 | |
Enlisted Member
0
Rep 30
Posts |
Quote:
With ignition on (but no motor start): Hold left button on the gear stick while doing - put gear stick one step forwards and hold 2 seconds, - then one step back again - then one step forwards again Then the car is in neutral for 15 minutes
__________________
X3 35d M-sport 2012 Carbon-Black
|
|
Appreciate
0
|
02-17-2012, 04:33 AM | #15 |
Lieutenant Colonel
45
Rep 1,876
Posts |
When you do that, is there any indicator that lets you know it was done correctly? Other than the car rolling away . . .
__________________
|
Appreciate
0
|
02-17-2012, 11:25 AM | #16 | |
Private
29
Rep 96
Posts |
Quote:
and what about the handbrake ? |
|
Appreciate
0
|
02-17-2012, 02:45 PM | #18 | |
Private
1
Rep 79
Posts |
Quote:
http://x3.xbimmers.com/forums/showthread.php?p=10690120 Better not lose the battery... Also I think if one loses the battery/electric and engine simultaneously while moving - stopping would be quite difficult, not to mention the steering. |
|
Appreciate
0
|
02-17-2012, 11:39 PM | #19 | |
Second Lieutenant
17
Rep 233
Posts |
Quote:
While nearing home after an almost 200 mile trip I looked at the instruments and they were doing wierd things. Just as I commented to my wife about something being goofy, the car just died, everything. The ground strap between the alternator body and the engine block failed. The car ran with headlights and A/C on until there was no battery left to run the engine management computer. This 1988 technological wonder still had a manual transmission and mechanical steering so control of the car while coasting to the side of the street was not difficult. I used a jumper cable with one cable end clamped to the alternator and the other end to the body for a temporary fix. A good push on the door frame and a quick jump in the drivers seat to pop the clutch got us home. I doubt highly this type of failure on an X3 (or most modern cars) would be so easy to recover from or allow the car to be so well behaved after all the electrics shutdown. |
|
Appreciate
0
|
02-18-2012, 12:02 AM | #20 |
Private
1
Rep 79
Posts |
|
Appreciate
0
|
02-18-2012, 02:55 AM | #21 |
Private
7
Rep 90
Posts |
To summarise - here is how the 3 scenarios mentioned above can be handled:-
1) If the auto box is in gear (or park) and there is no power, it can be put in neutral using a lever and set screw under the gearbox - as mentioned by 02420X3 2) If the auto box is in gear (or park) and there is power, the gearbox can be put in neutral using the gear lever procedure mentioned by DEVM. Please note that this function only allows the vehicle to be maneuvered - NOT towed. The system then starts a 15 minute timer and will put the gearbox back into park once that timer expires. If the wheels start to move during the 15 minute period, the timer is reset. I understand that the vehicle is capable of telling if it is being towed (probably by its inclination whilst wheel motion is detected). Given that the vehicle should not be towed (i.e must be transported on a flat bad), breaking these 'rules' will be classed as 'misuse' by the vehicle electrical system. In the event of misuse, an entry is stored in the fault memory. So, like it or not, the car must only be transported on a flat bed truck. Although you can put the car in neutral and tow it, this will be classed as misuse and stored as a fault in memory. Indeed, the owner's manual clearly states that the vehicle must only be transported on a flat bed - towing it may result in damage. 3) An electromechanical parking brake (EMF) actuator is located in each of the rear brake calipers. The actuator is made up of an electric motor that drives a belt; that drives planetary gear train that pushes a spindle into the brake caliper to activate the brake function. Emergency release of the EMF parking brake by the customer is not provided for. However, it can be released by a service engineer by unscrewing the actuator and manually screwing back the EMF brake spindle. So, there is emergency provision for each of the above scenarios. Whether or not the roadside recovery crew or service engineer know how to do this (or are willing to) is another matter. I guess the most important thing to note is that towing the vehicle will result in damage and 'misuse' being logged in the fault memory. Like it or not, the car must only be transported on a flat bed as per the owner's manual. Hope that helps Last edited by plob; 02-18-2012 at 03:30 AM.. |
Appreciate
0
|
02-18-2012, 06:31 AM | #22 | |
Lieutenant Colonel
45
Rep 1,876
Posts |
Just plopping this text here from Lotus7 that was noted above for easier reference. Seemed handy.
Quote:
__________________
|
|
Appreciate
0
|
Post Reply |
Bookmarks |
|
|