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How do you put a BMW in neutral with a dead battery?

I was out shopping the other day, and the battery died on my BMW. I called a tow truck to get it home, but we couldn’t figure out how to get it in neutral. Is it possible to put a BMW into neutral with a dead battery?

avatar
Andrea Barrett · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
You can put a BMW in neutral with a dead battery using two methods: get under the car and disengage the latch or disengage the transmission from inside the vehicle.
To disengage the transmission from inside the vehicle, follow these steps:
  1. Push the start button
  2. Push the lever twice into N (neutral)
  3. Push the lever to N and hold for 5 seconds
At this point, the transmission is disengaged for 15 minutes, after which it will re-lock. If you need to keep the vehicle in neutral, you may have to physically disengage the transmission by going under the car and turning a screw until it disengages.
If you’re unsure how to disengage your transmission, it may be best to call for help. That’s why upgrading your
car insurance
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towing and labor coverage
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MORE: Are BMWs expensive to maintain?
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