Imagine worse comes to worst — you’re driving in a rural area and your car breaks down. You’re not close enough to get your favorite mechanic’s assistance. So, how do you get your bimmer repaired as soon as possible?
Luckily, you can rely on BMW roadside assistance. Here’s a guide on this program and how to use these features.
How Does BMW Roadside Assistance Work?
When you need service, you have a few options available to get roadside assistance:
- Call: The first option is to call. Use your cell phone and dial 1-800-332-4BMW to connect with a representative.
- ConnectedDrive: If your phone isn’t available, you can use the ConnectedDrive feature and tap the roadside assistance button on your screen.
- SOS: Your third option is to press the BMW Assist SOS feature on your screen.
Any of these options let you contact a BMW roadside agent anytime during the 365 days of the year. The representatives will ensure your safety and service your bimmer quickly.
What Services Does Roadside Assistance Offer?
Having roadside assistance is crucial, whether you’re a few blocks or 100 miles from home. Here are six services you can take advantage of with this program.
Tire Service
Blowouts and flat tires can happen quickly. All it takes is running over a loose nail on the highway and your tire is in trouble. Roadside assistance sends a technician your way to change your tire.
If you’re on a time crunch, prepare the spare tire while waiting for the technician to arrive. Use a tire pressure gauge to inspect the spare’s tire pressure, and ensure it’s between 30 and 32 psi before installing.
Fuel Delivery
On road trips, you may be on the highway for many miles before you can stop at a gas station or a mechanic’s shop. Call BMW’s roadside assistance if you run out of fuel or need to change your oil. The representative will bring you the gasoline, oil, brake fluid or any operating fluid you need.
Battery Jumpstart
Another problem you could encounter on the road is a dead battery. The temperatures may be freezing or there was a mechanical malfunction. You may have just left your lights on too long. The BMW roadside assistance program will jumpstart your battery and get you back on the road again.
Towing
In the worst-case scenario, you’ve crashed your bimmer. Alternatively, someone may have crashed into you. Regardless, roadside assistance will send a tow truck to carry your vehicle to a certified BMW center.
When the professional comes, they’ll likely arrive in a flatbed or rollback tow truck. This vehicle removes pressure from your bimmer by adding it to the flatbed. There’s no risk of the car dragging the ground and taking further damage.
Trip Assistance
One of the most helpful aspects of the roadside assistance program is the trip interruption assistance. Suppose you’re traveling to the Grand Canyon in your beloved BMW i4 but break down in New Mexico.
You can use trip interruption assistance to mitigate your problems during vacation. BMW will send you a temporary vehicle and arrange a hotel room while you wait for technicians to service your vehicle. You’ll even get a reimbursement of up to $1,000 for your troubles.
Lockout Service
Your troubles may include a blown tire or an unfortunate accident — sometimes, they’re not as dire. Maybe you left your keys in your locked bimmer. Contact the roadside agents to unlock your car and allow access again.
How Do You Qualify for Roadside Assistance?
Knowing how to qualify for roadside assistance is essential because not all BMW owners have it. The automaker says you’re eligible for four years after buying a new BMW. Are you in the market for a BMW? New car prices are still nearly $50,000, so a used vehicle could better fit your budget. BMW says certified pre-owned models can use roadside assistance for six years.
Fortunately, you don’t have to be the owner to use roadside assistance. The program says you can still use the program even if you let someone borrow your vehicle. However, you or the borrower must be in the 50 states, Puerto Rico or Canada to receive service.
There is one stipulation to note about the trip interruption assistance — this feature requires you to be at least 100 miles away from home. Plus, you must use it within five days of your bimmer’s breakdown.
Can You Get Roadside Assistance After Your Warranty?
After your four or six years has completed, your roadside assistance will expire. Luckily, you can extend the program through BMW’s warranty coverage. Adding gold, platinum or powertrain plus coverage lets you take advantage of roadside assistance for an extended time.
Reaping the Rewards of Roadside Assistance
There’s nothing like driving a beautiful bimmer on the open highway. It’s all fun until an accident happens in the middle of nowhere. You can call BMW’s roadside assistance if your car qualifies for the program. You may have a flat tire or simply need lock services — regardless, help is on the way.