{"id":22647,"date":"2024-11-11T03:59:55","date_gmt":"2024-11-11T11:59:55","guid":{"rendered":"\/wp-site\/?p=22647"},"modified":"2024-11-18T13:43:35","modified_gmt":"2024-11-18T21:43:35","slug":"how-do-you-put-a-bmw-in-neutral-with-a-dead-battery","status":"publish","type":"car-repair","link":"https:\/\/jerry.ai\/car-repair\/how-do-you-put-a-bmw-in-neutral-with-a-dead-battery\/","title":{"rendered":"How Do You Put a BMW into Neutral With a Dead Battery?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Question:
<\/strong>While I was out shopping the other day, the battery died on my BMW. I called a tow truck to get it home, but we couldn\u2019t figure out how to get it in Neutral. Is it possible to put a BMW into Neutral without starting it?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Answer:<\/strong> Although you normally have to turn your car on to move the gear shifter out of Park, it may still be possible to put your BMW into Neutral without starting it. That said, the exact process may vary depending on the year and model of your BMW.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Use the emergency transmission release near your gear shifter<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In some BMWs, you may be able to pry up the casing around the gear shifter to release the transmission and manually move the vehicle into Neutral.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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  • Reach into the casing around the base of your gear shifter and pull up firmly\u2014it should come free without much force. Set the cover aside.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Use a flathead screwdriver to rotate the round cap that\u2019s covering the emergency transmission release. Set the cap and the wire attached to it aside.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Push the screwdriver down into the hole, then pull it backward. Your BMW should shift into Neutral.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

    Manually release the parking lock from under your transmission<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    If you can\u2019t override the transmission from the gear shifter, you may need to go underneath the car go manually release the parking lock. Here\u2019s what to do:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    • Lift the driver\u2019s side of the car onto jack stands.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Remove the screws attaching the plastic panel that covers the transmission.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Once it\u2019s uncovered, look on the right side of the transmission for a lever. On older models, the lever will have a screw.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • If you have an older model BMW:<\/strong> Tighten the screw to lift the lever, which will put the transmission into Neutral. To move the car back into Park, loosen the screw and lower the lever.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • If you have a newer model BMW: <\/strong>You\u2019ll need a special tool from BMW to pull the parking lock release lever. If you don\u2019t have that tool, you may be able to pry it down with a screwdriver, then wedge the screwdriver behind the lever to keep it from springing back\u2014but it will likely be difficult.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
      WARNING:<\/span>If you\u2019re not comfortable lifting or jacking a car up, don\u2019t attempt to do this yourself. If you\u2019re trying to put your BMW into Neutral so you can tow it, you may be able to ask the tow truck driver for assistance\u2014but you should never get underneath a car unless you\u2019re 100% certain it\u2019s lifted securely.<\/span><\/div>
      <\/div><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

      Get your BMW to stay in Neutral after you turn it off<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

      Normally, when you turn off the ignition in a newer BMW, it will automatically shift into Park. If you need it to stay in Neutral, here\u2019s what to do:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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      • Press and hold the brake<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • Press and hold the Start\/Stop (ignition) button<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • Without letting go of the Start\/Stop button, press the gear shift unlock button<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • Shift into Neutral<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • Hold the gear shifter in Neutral for five seconds<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • Release the Start\/Stop and unlock buttons<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • To take it out of Neutral, you can press the Park button or press the Start\/Stop button again<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
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