AWR-fix: E70 facelift force neutral for short tow

[andrewwynn]

(eg pulling into a flatbed).

I've done this "the hard way" with a 5mm hex under the car at the transmission.

I just found this in the TIS how to put into neutral for 15 minutes if the car will crank but not start.

(If for some reason the car will start but you need it to not run eg. broken axle, pull the fuel pump fuse).





The perfect example of when this is needed; fuel pump failed and you need a tow back to the shop.

As of 2010 or so BMW removed the manual neutral access from under the gear shift suggestion knob and made it a bolt under the transmission.

This will be much more convenient especially in inclement weather!

The basic jist is:

Go through the motions of starting the car (foot on brake and tap start button) but as soon as the starter begins to crank push the gear request knob one position forward (N position) for exactly two seconds then release and push back to neutral again (with thumb on the release button the whole time).

Timing is key it may take a few tries. TIS says to rest the starter ten minutes if you can't get into neutral after unsuccessful attempts (but they didn't say how many).

I was very annoyed that even in "key on engine off" you can suggest neutral but your request will be denied. That's why I always call it the gear suggestion knob. The computer decides if you get the gear you suggest.

I'm sure there are people out there that could have and will be able to use this new info. I'd have been very happy to know when wife's E70 died on my in 2022. The car was on an incline and though I had the wheels blocked it was still scary when the car rolled back onto the tire chocks when I was half under the car to put into neutral.

To put the car back into park poke the start button.