[nub340]

Just wondering, usually with a manual transmission you have the ability to start your car by popping the clutch when rolling w/the ignition on. I tried it on a hill last night but just popping the clutch in 2nd w/the FOB inserted doesn't do it. I figured you might also have to press the start/stop button for it to work but I really didn't feel like disconnecting my battery just to verify. Anyone know if it's possible?

[!Xoible]

very good question.. fortunately i never *had* to start a manual car that way (yet)

[CleanAudi]

Hmm.. Traditionally it's possible but maybe not with this car due to the push button start.

[UncleWede]

With your old beater, you didn't leave the key cranked and then pop the clutch, should be able to get in and push the start button to get to the "On" postition and then pop her into motion.

[!Xoible]

well the car's electricity should be on, which is the equivalent of pushing the start button without the clutch depressed, correct?
so once you have everything on (except engine) roll the car.
Putting the fob in alone shouldnt be enough.

[ward]

Originally Posted by mantisG35

well the car's electricity should be on, which is the equivalent of pushing the start button without the clutch depressed, correct?
so once you have everything on (except engine) roll the car.
Putting the fob in alone shouldnt be enough.

+1

I'd bet that with all the electronics and stuff on these cars it's probably safer for the car to push start than to jump it from another car

[raleedy]

Lots of comments in response to this question,and no useful information in any of them!. Owner's manual, p. 206 will tell you what you need to know.

[ward]

Originally Posted by raleedy

Lots of comments in response to this question,and no useful information in any of them!. Owner's manual, p. 206 will tell you what you need to know.

Thanks for turning the tide and finally posting something useful

[!Xoible]

sorry for not being too useful, but i tried to post all thoughts that occur to me. as i said, i havent tried it, and dont yet have the bimmer. that's all i could come up with

[pacman]

Originally Posted by mantisG35

sorry for not being too useful, but i tried to post all thoughts that occur to me. as i said, i havent tried it, and dont yet have the bimmer. that's all i could come up with

u dont have to b sorry... some of the guys out here will always be pricks

[SteveMD]

Originally Posted by raleedy

Lots of comments in response to this question,and no useful information in any of them!. Owner's manual, p. 206 will tell you what you need to know.

So what does the manual say. Do you expect the 3000 people reading this to go out to their car and look to satisfy their curiosity?

This is a forum. One of the uses of said forum is to solicit help from other members. If, in the near future, someone with the same question searches and finds this thread, what fucking help will it be if you don't answer the OP's question?

[wrickem]

Originally Posted by raleedy

Lots of comments in response to this question,and no useful information in any of them!. Owner's manual, p. 206 will tell you what you need to know.

Well, how about sharing it with us then? You've already looked it up for us all. Instead of being a wise-ass, just post the answer that you found so we don't all have to run to the manual.

[nusevad]

good question...anyone know the answer?

[!Xoible]

Originally Posted by FifthStreetz

good question...anyone know the answer?

are you for real?!

[nub340]

Ok, guys I just went down to my car and read page 206 which raleedy was kind enough to point out. The answer is YES. They call it "Tow Start" though. Anyway, it says to use 3rd gear and make sure the ignition is set to "ON".

[nub340]

The question now is can you even put the ignition in the "ON" position if the battery is dead considering it's a button and buttons require electricity to work..?

[bronco]

Originally Posted by nub340

The question now is can you even put the ignition in the "ON" position if the battery is dead considering it's a button and buttons require electricity to work..?

hahahahah Good question....

[742]

Originally Posted by nub340

The question now is can you even put the ignition in the "ON" position if the battery is dead considering it's a button and buttons require electricity to work..?

The assumption is that there is some power in the battery, but not enough to turn the starter. You can not bump start any modern car without some battery power to the ignition system.

But it does not take much, and letting a flat battery sit for a few hours will often give you enough.

[nub340]

Interesting. I drove my 2001 Civic for a week once with absolutely no battery in the car whatsoever... I was flat broke and had to wait for my next paycheck. Luckily I lived & worked on a hill. I just really had to make sure I didn't stall it in traffic

[BK]

Here it is in the manual:

[combatcarry]

It might not be a big deal to some people, but push starting a vehicle is another great reason to have a manual transmission. If you live in a cold climate (weak batteries), and a rural area this could save your butt!

I like taking my old 1979 pickup hunting because I can park it on a hill, and if my battery goes dead I'm not stranded for days in the middle of nowhere.

Its nice to know that BMW actually put this in the owner's manual. I would be curious to know if any modern American car manufacturer has the kahoonahs to recommend a procedure for push starting. For liability reasons they probably say you should call for a tow.

[John 070]

I learned something from this post.....I doubt I'd ever want to push start, but I did learn that the steering column has an electric lock. Lots of electrical devices on our cars....