BMW E87 2009 Owner's Handbook Manual page 105

Before a journey
Nose weight
It is important to ensure that the nose weight is
never less than a minimum of 25 kg or 55 lbs.
The nose weight limit is given on page 216. The
nose weight should be kept close to this limit.
The trailer's nose weight affects the towing
vehicle and thus increases its weight. The
weight of the trailer tow hitch and the nose
weight reduce the maximum payload of your
BMW. Please ensure that these do not cause
the gross weight limit of the towing vehicle to be
exceeded if a trailer is being towed.
Load
When loading the trailer, make sure that the
cargo is stowed as low and as close to the axle
as possible.
A low centre of trailer gravity makes the outfit
much more stable and safe to drive.
Do not exceed the trailer's permitted gross
weight nor the specified permitted towing load
for the vehicle. The respective smaller value is
the limit which should be adhered to.
Tyre pressures
Check the vehicle's and the trailer's tyre pres-
sures most carefully. For the car, the tyre infla-
tion pressures for heavy loads apply, see
page 182. After each correction of the tyre
pressures, reinitialise the Run Flat Indicator,
see page 74. For the trailer, comply with the
manufacturer's specifications.
Run Flat Indicator
Reinitialise the Run Flat Indicator after a trailer
has been attached or detached, see page 74.
Outside mirrors
Two outside mirrors which bring both rear cor-
ners of the trailer into your field of view are
required by law. Mirrors of this kind can be
obtained from BMW Service as optional acces-
sories.
Online Edition for Part no. 01 41 2 602 816 - © 08/09 BMW AG Online Edition for Part no. 01 41 2 602 816 - © 08/09 BMW AG
Electrical consumers
When towing a caravan, try to avoid operating
electrical equipment for too long at a time, in
order to limit the drain on the car's battery.
The power output of the trailer's rear lights
must not exceed the following values:
Flashing turn indicators: 42 W each side
Tail lights: 60 W each side
Brake lights: 42 W total
Rear fog lights: 42 W total
Reversing lights: 42 W total.
Before starting a journey, check that the
trailer's rear lights are operating correctly.
Driving without functioning rear lights could
endanger other road users.<
Towing a trailer
Observe the speed limit in the country in
which you are driving, but do not exceed
80 km/h or 50 mph when towing a trailer, other-
wise the outfit may become
In the event of a flat tyre in conjunction with run-
flat tyres, comply with the instructions on
page 74.
Counteracting snaking
If the trailer nevertheless begins to snake, the
outfit can only be stabilised by braking hard
immediately. Only attempt to steer out of the
situation if this is absolutely essential, and make
any steering movements as cautiously as pos-
sible and without endangering other road users.
Trailer Stability Control*
The system helps you to neutralise a trailer's
tendency to swing from side to side. It detects
snaking movements and promptly brakes the
vehicle so that road speeds fall to below the
critical range and the outfit is stabilised.
The system functions whenever a trailer is
towed and connected to the corresponding
power socket, at road speeds of at least approx.
65 km/h, approx. 40 mph.
If the power socket for the trailer is in use but no
trailer is attached, for example during use of a
unstable.<
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