2000 BMW 323Ci CONVERTIBLE flat tire

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IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Information for your safetyThe factory approved radial tires are
matched to the vehicle and have been
selected to provide optimum safety and
driving comfort.
It is not merely the tire's service life, but
also driving comfort and – above all else
– driving safety that depend on the con-
dition of the tires and the maintenance
of the specified tire pressure.
Incorrect inflation pressure is a frequent
cause of tire damage. It also signifi-
cantly influences the roadholding ability
of your BMW.
Check tire inflation pressures reg-
ularly – including the space-saver
spare tire – at least twice a month and
before beginning a longer trip (see
page 27). If this is not done, incorrect
tire pressures can cause driving insta-
bility and tire damage, ultimately result-
ing in accidents.<
Tire tread – tire damageInspect your tires frequently for tread
wear, signs of damage and for foreign
objects lodged in the tread. Check the
tread depth.
Tread depth should not be allowed to
go below 0.12 in (3 mm), even though
the legally specified minimum tread
depth is only 0.063 in (1.6 mm). At a
tread depth of 0.063 in (1.6 mm), tread
depth indicators (arrow) in the tread-
groove base indicate that the legally-
permissible wear limit has been
reached. Below 0.12 in (3 mm) tread
depth, there is an increased risk of
aquaplaning, even at relatively moder-
ate speeds and with only small amounts
of water on the road.390de331
Do not drive on a deflated (flat)
tire. A flat tire greatly impairs
steering and braking response, and can
lead to complete loss of control over
the vehicle.
Avoid overloading the vehicle so that
the permitted load on the tires is not ex-
ceeded. Overloading can lead to over-
heating and increases the rate at which
damage develops inside the tires. You
could have a blowout as a result.
Unusual vibrations encountered during
normal vehicle operation can indicate
tire failure or some other vehicle defect.
This is also true for irregularities in the
vehicle's handling characteristics, such
as a pronounced tendency to pull to the
left or right. Should this occur, respond
by immediately reducing your speed.
Proceed carefully to the nearest BMW
center or professional tire center, or
have the vehicle towed in to have it and
its tires inspected.
Tire damage (up to and including sud-
den and complete air loss) can endan-
ger the lives of both the vehicle occu-
pants and other drivers on the road.<
Tire inflation pressure Tire condition

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To maintain good handling and vehicle
response, use only tires of a single
tread configuration from a single manu-
facturer. BMW tests and approves
wheel/tire combinations. Refer to
page 128.
DOT Quality GradesTreadwear
Traction AA A B C
Temperature A B C
In addition to the tire grades listed
above, all passenger car tires must
conform to Federal Safety Require-
ments as well.< TreadwearThe treadwear grade is a comparative
rating based on the wear rate of the tire
when tested under controlled condi-
tions on a specified government test
course.
For example, a tire graded 150 would
wear one and one-half (1-1/2) times as
well on the government course as a tire
graded 100. The relative performance
of tires depends upon the actual condi-
tions of their use, however, and may
depart significantly from the norm due
to variations in driving habits, service
practices and differences in road
characteristics and climate.TractionThe traction grades, from highest to
lowest, are AA, A, B, and C.
Those grades represent the tire's ability
to stop on wet pavement as measured
under controlled conditions on speci-
fied government test surfaces of as-
phalt and concrete. A tire marked C
may have poor traction performance.
The traction grade assigned to
this tire is based on straight-
ahead braking traction tests, and
does not include acceleration, corner-
ing, hydroplaning, or peak traction
characteristics.< TemperatureThe temperature grades are A (the high-
est), B, and C, representing the tire's re-
sistance to the generation of heat and
its ability to dissipate heat when tested
under controlled conditions on a speci-
fied indoor laboratory test wheel.
Sustained high temperature can cause
the tire material to degenerate and re-
duce tire life, and excessive tempera-
ture can lead to sudden tire failure. The
Grade C corresponds to a level of per-
formance which all passenger car tires
must meet under the Federal Motor
Vehicle Safety Standard No. 109.
Grades B and A represent higher levels
of performance on the laboratory test
wheel than the minimum required by law.
The temperature grade for this tire
is established for a tire that is prop-
erly inflated and not overloaded. Exces-
sive speed, underinflation, or excessive
loading, either separately or in combina-
tion, can cause heat buildup and possi-
ble tire failure.< Uniform Tire Quality Grading Quality grades can be found where
applicable on the tire sidewall between
tread shoulder and maximum section
width. For example:
Tread wear 200 Traction AA
Temperature A
Do not use retreaded tires ("caps").
Driving safety may be impaired by
their use. This due to the possible varia-
tions in casing structures and, in some
cases, to their extreme age, factors
which can lead to a decrease in their
durability.<
Tire replacement

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IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Tire replacement Tire rotationTire ageThe date on which the tire was manu-
factured is indicated by the code on the
sidewall:
DOT ... 150 indicates that the tire was
manufactured during week 15 of the
year 2000.
BMW recommends the replacement of
all tires when the tires are no more than
6 years old, even if a tire life of 10 years
is possible.
Spare tires over 6 years old should be
used only in case of emergency. A tire
in this condition should be replaced by
a new tire immediately, and should not
be mounted together with new tires.
Between the axlesThe tread wear patterns at the front
end differ from those at the rear – the
actual patterns will vary according to
individual driving conditions. In the
interests of safety and maintaining opti-
mal handling characteristics, tire rota-
tion is not recommended.
If a proposed interaxle rotation of tires
is based on economic considerations,
one should consider whether the costs
for the rotation are likely to be recap-
tured by any increase in the service life
of the tires that might be realized. Rota-
tion should always be carried out at
short intervals, with a maximum of
3,000 miles (5,000 km). Consult your
BMW center for more information.
Should you decide to rotate the tires, it
is essential to comply with the following:
Rotate tires on the same side only, since
braking characteristics and road grip
could otherwise be adversely affected.
Following rotation, the tire inflation
pressure should always be corrected.If different tire sizes are mounted
on the front and rear axles (refer
to page 12 8), the wheels may not be
rotated from one axle to the other.<

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Wheel and tire combinations The right choice Use only tires approved by BMW.
Refer to the information beginning on
page 128.
Due to the high speeds this vehicle can
reach, the use of specific brands, spec-
ifications and sizes is mandatory. Con-
sult any BMW center for details.
Comply with local/national regulations.
The correct wheel-tire combina-
tion affects different systems, e.g.
ABS, ATC
* and DSC, whose function
would otherwise be impaired if im-
proper wheel-tire combinations are
used.
For this reason, use only tires of the
same brand and tread pattern. In the
event of a flat tire, for example, remount
the approved wheel-tire combination as
soon as possible.<
Codes on tires and wheels The tire codes will aid you in selecting
the correct tire.
The codes on radial tires:
The speed rating indicates the ap-
proved maximum speed for the tire.
Summer tires:
S = up to 112 mph (180 km/h)
T = up to 118 mph (190 km/h)
H = up to 130 mph (210 km/h)
V = up to 150 mph (240 km/h)
W = up to 167 mph (270 km/h)
Y = over 167 mph (270 km/h)
ZR = over 150 mph (240 km/h) For example:
Nominal width
in mm
Aspect ratio in X
Radial tire code
Rim diameter in inches
Load rating
(not on ZR tires)
Speed rating
(before R on ZR tires)
225/50 R
1692W
Winter tires:
Q M+S = up to 100 mph (160 km/h)
T M+S = up to 118 mph (190 km/h)
H M+S = up to 130 mph (210 km/h)
Codes stamped on light-alloy wheels:
Protect tire valves from dirt by using
screw-on valve stem caps. Dirt in the
valves frequently leads to slow leaks. For example:
Rim width
in inches
Code letter for
flange type
Symbol for full-drop
center rim
Rim diameter in inches
Hump on the 2 rim shoulders
7 x 16 H 2
J

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IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Do not exceed specified
maximum speeds
Never exceed the maximum speed
for which winter tires are rated.
Unprofessional attempts by laymen to
service tires can lead to damage and
accidents.
Have this work performed by skilled
professionals only. Any BMW center
has the required technical knowledge
and the proper equipment and will be
happy to assist you.<
Tire condition, tire pressureOnce the tire wears to a tread depth
below 0.16 in (4 mm), winter tires dis-
play a perceptible decrease in their
ability to cope with winter driving condi-
tions, and should be replaced in the
interest of safety.
Comply with the specified tire inflation
pressures – and be sure to have the
wheel and tire assemblies balanced
every time you change the tires.
Winter tiresChoosing the right tireBMW recommends winter tires (M+S
radial tires) for driving in adverse winter
road conditions. Although all-season
tires with the M+S identification provide
better winter traction than summer tires
with H, V, W Y and ZR speed ratings,
they generally fail to provide the same
levels of performance as standard
winter tires.
In the interests of safe tracking and
steering response, install winter tires
made by the same manufacturer having
the same tread configuration on all four
wheels.
Mount only winter tires which have
been approved by BMW. Any BMW
center will be glad to provide you with
information on the best winter tires for
your particular driving conditions.
StorageAlways store tires in a cool, dry place.
Store them away from light whenever
possible. Protect the tires against con-
tact with oil, grease and fuel.Snow chains
*
The use of narrow-link BMW snow
chains on summer or winter tires is
approved only in pairs and only on the
rear wheels. Comply with all manufac-
turer's safety precautions when mount-
ing the chains.

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IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Vehicle storage
If you intend to store the vehicle
for more than three months, have
the maintenance operations described
on this page performed.<
Preparations for storageHave your BMW center perform the fol-
lowing procedures:
1 Clean and apply a rustproofing agent
or other treatment to the engine,
engine compartment, undercarriage,
axles and major components in ac-
cordance with approved repair pro-
cedures. Washing the vehicle, any in-
terior cleaning and subsequent paint-
and chrome care, and cleaning any
rubber seals for the hood and doors,
should be carried out in compliance
with approved procedures as well
2 Change engine oil and oil filter at op-
erating temperature. As an additional
corrosion protection measure, an an-
ticorrosive agent can be added to the
engine when refueling in accordance
with the manufacturer's instructions
3 Check the coolant level and concen-
tration and top off if necessary
4 Fill the fuel tank completely to pre-
vent the formation of condensation
5 Increase the tire inflation pressure to
51 psi (350 kPa).
Before parking the vehicle1 Dry the parking brake and footbrakes
completely to keep the brake discs
and drums from corroding
2 Park the vehicle in a covered, dry,
and well-ventilated space. Place the
transmission in first gear or set the
selector lever to the "P" position.
Chock the wheels to prevent the ve-
hicle from rolling if necessary. Do not
apply the parking brake
3 Remove the battery, charge it com-
pletely and store it in a cool (but
frost-free) room
4 Remove the hardtop
* and store it
separately. Refer to page 121
5 Close the convertible top.
During storageRecharge the battery every six months.
If it is not recharged, it will not be ser-
viceable. Every time the battery drains,
especially over extended periods, its
service life is reduced.
Removing the vehicle from
storageRecharge the battery if the "Magic
Eye"
* turns black. Refer to page 162.
Then have Inspection I performed by
your BMW center, including a brake
fluid replacement if necessary. Refer to
the Service and Warranty Information
Booklet (US models) or the Warranty
and Service Guide (Canadian models).

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IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Changing a wheel
Safety measures in the event of a
flat tire or wheel change:
Stop the vehicle as far as possible from
passing traffic. Park on a firm, flat sur-
face. Switch on the hazard flashers.
Turn the steering wheel to the straight-
ahead position, remove the key and en-
gage the steering lock. Shift into 1st or
reverse (selector lever in "Park" with au-
tomatic transmission) and engage the
parking brake.
Have all passengers leave the vehicle
and remain well away from your immedi-
ate working area (behind a guardrail, for
instance).
If a warning triangle
* or portable hazard
warning lamp is available, set it up on
the roadside at an appropriate distance
from the rear of the vehicle. Comply with
all safety guidelines and regulations.
Change the wheel only on a level, firm
surface that is not slippery. Avoid jack-
ing the vehicle on a soft or slippery sup-
port surface (snow, ice, loose gravel,
etc.), as it could slide sideways.
Position the jack on a firm support sur-
face.
Do not place wooden blocks or similar
objects under the jack, otherwise, the
jack might not be able to reach its full
support capacity because of the limited
height.
Do not lie under the vehicle or start the
engine when the vehicle is supported by
the jack. Failure to comply with this cre-
ates a risk of fatal injury.<
Your BMW has a space-saver spare
tire for temporary use to ensure your
mobility.
To remove the space-saver spare
tire, lift the floor panel in the lug-
gage compartment completely out
(refer to page 41).<
What you will needIn order to avoid rattling noises later,
note the position of the tools when you
remove them and return them to their
original position when you are through
using them.
>Jack (1)
Raise the floor panel in the luggage
compartment (refer to page 41) and
unscrew the red wing nut (arrow).
When you have completed your work,
screw the jack all the way back down.
Fold the handle back and insert it into
its holder
>Wedge (2)
The wedge, or wheel chock, is lo-
cated behind the jack on the luggage
compartment's rear wall. Loosen the
wing nut to remove it46cde038

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Changing a wheel>Space-saver spare tire
Located next to the jack.
Loosen the wing nut (arrow) by hand,
remove the storage tray and take out
the spare wheel
>Lug wrench – is in the onboard tool
kit on the underside of the luggage
compartment lid (refer to page 152).46cde039
Procedure1 Read and comply with the safety
precautions provided on the previ-
ous page
2 Secure the vehicle against rolling:
Place the wedge against the rear
surface of the front tire on the side
opposite the side being raised. If
the vehicle is parked on a down-
ward slope, place the wedge se-
curely in front of the tire. If the
wheel must be changed on a sur-
face with a more severe slope, take
additional precautions to secure the
vehicle against rolling
3 If your wheels are equipped with full
wheel covers
*, reach into the venti-
lation openings and pull the cover
off
46cde055
4 Loosen the lug bolts 1/2 turn
5 Position the jack at the jacking point
closest to the flat tire (refer to the
center illustration) so that the jack
base is vertically below the jacking
point and the entire surface of the
head of the jack will move into the
square recess of the jacking point
(refer to the illustration detail) when
the jack is cranked
6 Jack the vehicle up until the wheel
you are changing is raised from the
ground
7 Unscrew the lug bolts and remove
the wheel
8 Remove mud or dirt accumulations
from the mounting surfaces of the
wheel and hub. Clean the lug bolts462de252