[kwal24]

Last night I had to have my car (2018 530i xdrive) towed home. I was unaware that this car should only be towed on a flatbed and made the huge mistake of towing it with the rear wheels on the ground. I had to keep the car engine running during the tow as it was the only way to keep it in Neutral. However, after reaching home I tried to park the car but noticed a lot of error messages on the iDrive screen and the steering wheel was extremely stiff (can barely turn it). I am now really concerned that the car is messed up because of the improper towing. I cannot consult with the dealership until Tuesday as it's a long weekend here so I thought I would get some advice here in the meantime in case anyone experienced the same issue. (Pictures of the errors attached below)

I would really like to know what level of damage is possible with improper towing?

[alexc93]

How long was it towed for like that?

EDIT: And what towing company towed it? Nearly all towing companies should know that an AWD BMW should be on a flatbed or on dollies..

[kwal24]

It was towed for approximately 20 mins (9.5 km).

[DBO]

Ouch.. time to visit the dealer and get it checked out before things get worse. I'm surprised the tow operator didn't raise it as an issue. He must not have known your car was a permanent AWD. The problem with doing that is the front to rear differential split. Immobilizing the front wheels from turning and then spinning the back will force huge loads through the transfer mechanism. They're not built to slip like an LSD for example. I'm not sure what kind of coupling BMW uses in the XDrive, but since it's permanent all wheel drive, it probably doesn't have a disconnect (i.e. neutral in the transfer), and that means it will really suffer with that kind of action.

[steve090619]

Originally Posted by DBO

Ouch.. time to visit the dealer and get it checked out before things get worse. I'm surprised the tow operator didn't raise it as an issue. He must not have known your car was a permanent AWD. The problem with doing that is the front to rear differential split. Immobilizing the front wheels from turning and then spinning the back will force huge loads through the transfer mechanism. They're not built to slip like an LSD for example. I'm not sure what kind of coupling BMW uses in the XDrive, but since it's permanent all wheel drive, it probably doesn't have a disconnect (i.e. neutral in the transfer), and that means it will really suffer with that kind of action.

Originally Posted by DBO

Ouch.. time to visit the dealer and get it checked out before things get worse. I'm surprised the tow operator didn't raise it as an issue. He must not have known your car was a permanent AWD. The problem with doing that is the front to rear differential split. Immobilizing the front wheels from turning and then spinning the back will force huge loads through the transfer mechanism. They're not built to slip like an LSD for example. I'm not sure what kind of coupling BMW uses in the XDrive, but since it's permanent all wheel drive, it probably doesn't have a disconnect (i.e. neutral in the transfer), and that means it will really suffer with that kind of action.

Why did it need to be towed home?

[kwal24]

Originally Posted by steve090619

Why did it need to be towed home?

Roadside 3-day license suspension

[TK - 421]

And this vehicle is an xdrive right?
Problem is you can wind up the transfer box which isn’t good.
As the Vehicle is still under warranty..... saying nothing

[magbarn]

Originally Posted by TK - 421

And this vehicle is an xdrive right?
Problem is you can wind up the transfer box which isn’t good.
As the Vehicle is still under warranty..... saying nothing

He left the engine running so most likely the car's computer logged that the rear wheels were spinning only while the fronts were not. Most likely they'll download the logs (yes, even battery usage is logged in these G30's) which show the drivetrain abuse and will deny warranty. You're probably going to have it repaired via a car insurance claim

[CLABRO]

To be honest, you're most likely fine. Yeah, ideally, you want to use a flatbed if it's AWD especially if planning on having it towed more than 5-10+ miles. However, it was only 6 miles, right? You should be fine.

When it comes to this subject from a towing company, you'll get many different responses. Some companies will only tow BMW AWD via flatbed (less risk obviously as that is how it should be done, but isn't the easiest/cheapest way), some will say it's fine to put it in neutral with wheels up as long as it's under 25-50 miles, etc.

The documented correct way from BMW is a flat bed and should be the preferred way, but again, I think your situation is okay because it was such a short distance.

There is a serious risk of damage that can occur especially when done over long distances so the risk is real. Hope everything turns out to be okay.

[Crysis21]

Put a diagnosis on it and clear it's fault memory. most likely there will be no permanent error stored so you don't have to take it to the dealer and let them see the errors. Either way, I don't see this a reason to void the warranty

[kwal24]

Originally Posted by CLABRO

To be honest, you're most likely fine. Yeah, ideally, you want to use a flatbed if it's AWD especially if planning on having it towed more than 5-10+ miles. However, it was only 6 miles, right? You should be fine.

When it comes to this subject from a towing company, you'll get many different responses. Some companies will only tow BMW AWD via flatbed (less risk obviously as that is how it should be done, but isn't the easiest/cheapest way), some will say it's fine to put it in neutral with wheels up as long as it's under 25-50 miles, etc.

The documented correct way from BMW is a flat bed and should be the preferred way, but again, I think your situation is okay because it was such a short distance.

There is a serious risk of damage that can occur especially when done over long distances so the risk is real. Hope everything turns out to be okay.

I hope so but I can feel the vibrations when I tried to drive and I lost power to the power steering. I sent the car to the dealership with the help of BMW roadside assistance today and will get an update tomorrow when the dealership opens. Fingers crossed.

[VirtualGuitars]

I've always found that giving your service advisor free tickets to one of the local sports teams or an upcoming concert that his daughter wants to go to is very helpful in situations like this. I am still friends with some of the service advisors from years ago because of this.

A small gesture can go a long way. Just sayin'.

[wknddrivr]

Your transfer case is probably screwed.

[MontyP]

Originally Posted by kwal24

I hope so but I can feel the vibrations when I tried to drive and I lost power to the power steering. I sent the car to the dealership with the help of BMW roadside assistance today and will get an update tomorrow when the dealership opens. Fingers crossed.

Any update Kwal24? I am curious to know what the dealer said.

[kwal24]

Originally Posted by MontyP

Any update Kwal24? I am curious to know what the dealer said.

Got it fixed within a day. The dealer said that they just had to reprogram the DSC module and nothing else was wrong. They didn't charge me anything for that (I guess because of warranty). They never asked me how it happened so I didn't bother telling them.

The car seems to work fine at the moment.

[modthispny]

Originally Posted by kwal24

Got it fixed within a day. The dealer said that they just had to reprogram the DSC module and nothing else was wrong. They didn't charge me anything for that (I guess because of warranty). They never asked me how it happened so I didn't bother telling them.

The car seems to work fine at the moment.

good to hear!

[saporitj]

On the subject, what happens to these cars if there towed for illegal parking or something. The car is in park and no engine running.

[magbarn]

Originally Posted by kwal24

Got it fixed within a day. The dealer said that they just had to reprogram the DSC module and nothing else was wrong. They didn't charge me anything for that (I guess because of warranty). They never asked me how it happened so I didn't bother telling them.

The car seems to work fine at the moment.

Wow that's awesome!