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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
policy to include roadside assistance or
towing and labor coverage
is a good idea. Not only does it save you money, but it also saves you the hassle!
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MORE: Are BMWs expensive to maintain?
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