Index
Data
Technology
Repairs
Car care
Controls
Overview
147nTire replacement Tire rotation
Tire age
The date on which the tire was manu-
factured is indicated by the code on the
sidewall:
DOT ... 4100 indicates that the tire was
manufactured in week 41 of 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.
Although tires may have a theoretical
service life of up to 10 years, BMW
strongly recommends that you replace
all tires after an absolute maximum of
6 years.
Between the axles
The tread wear patterns at the front-
and rear axle are different and will vary
according to individual driving condi-
tions. In the interests of safety and
maintaining optimal handling character-
istics, tire rotation is not recommended.
When considering the potential
economic benefits of interaxle tire rota-
tion, you must decide whether the
expense of having the tires rotated is
likely to be amortized during the antici-
pated extension in tire life. In principle,
interaxle tire rotation should be
performed 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 that you comply with the
following:
Rotate tires on the same side only,
since braking characteristics and road
grip could otherwise be adversely
affected.
Following tire rotation, correct the tire
inflation pressure. If different tire sizes are mounted
on the front and rear axles (refer to
page 150), the wheels may not be
rotated from one axle to the other. <
148n
Wheel and tire combinationsThe right choice
Use only wheels and tires
approved by BMW for the corre-
sponding vehicle model, as otherwise
the tires may make contact with the
body as the result of tolerances despite
the same nominal size being used,
resulting in serious accidents. If non-
approved wheels and tires are used,
BMW cannot evaluate their suitability,
and therefore cannot be held liable for
driving safety.<
For wheel and tire specifications
approved by BMW, refer to page 150.
The correct wheel-tire combina-
tion affects different systems such
as ABS, ATC and DSC. The function of
these systems is impaired if improper
wheel-tire combinations are used.
For this reason, use only tires of the
same brand and tread pattern on the
vehicle and, for example, restore the
approved wheel-tire combination
following a flat tire as soon as
possible.<
Codes on the tires and wheels The code on tires has the following
meaning.
Codes on radial tires:
The speed rating indicates the
approved 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 = up to 186 mph (300 km/h)
ZR= over 150 mph (240 km/h) Example:
Nominal width
in mm
Aspect ratio in X
Belt rating code for
radial tires
Rim diameter in inches
Load rating
(not on ZR tires)
Speed rating
(before R on ZR tires)
235/65 R 17 104 H
All-season, all-terrain and 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 on light-alloy wheels:
Protect valve stems and valves from dirt
using screw-on valve stem caps. Dirt in
the valves frequently leads to slow
leaks. Storage Store tires in a cool, dry place,
protecting them against light when-
ever possible. Protect the tires against
contact with oil, grease and fuel. Example:
Rim width
in inches
Code letter for
flange type
Symbol for full-drop
center rim
Rim diameter in inches
Special extended hump
on the 2 rim shoulders
7.5 x 17 SEH 2
J
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
149n
Special features of winter tires Snow chains
*
Choosing the right tireBMW recommends winter tires (M+S
radial tires) for operation under inclem-
ent winter driving conditions. While
so-called all-season tires (M+S desig-
nation) provide better winter traction
than summer tires with the load ratings
H, V, W, Y and ZR, they generally do
not achieve the performance of winter
tires.
In the interests of safe tracking and
steering response, install radial tires
made by the same manufacturer and
with the same tread configuration on all
four wheels if you elect to mount winter
tires.
Do not exceed specified
maximum speeds
Never exceed the maximum speed
for which the tires are rated.
Unprofessional attempts by laymen to
service tires can lead to damage and
accidents.
Have this work performed by skilled
professionals only. Your BMW center
will be glad to assist you with both their
expertise and the proper equipment for
your vehicle.<
Tire condition, tire pressureWinter tires display a perceptible loss in
their ability to cope with winter driving
conditions once the tread wears to
below 0.16 in (4 mm), and should thus
be replaced.
Comply with the specified tire inflation
pressures — and be sure to have the
wheel and tire assemblies balanced
every time you change the tires.
The use of narrow-link BMW snow
chains is approved only in pairs on the
rear wheels and only with tire size
235/65 R 17. Comply with all manufac-
turer's safety precautions when
mounting the chains.
184n
Changing a wheel5 Position the jack at the jacking point
closest to the flat tire 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 accumulations of mud or
dirt from the mounting surfaces of
the wheel and hub. Clean the lug
bolts.
9 Position the spare wheel. Secure
the wheel by turning at least two lug
bolts into opposite bolt holes.530us203
10 Screw in the remaining lug bolts.
Tighten all the bolts securely.
11 Lower the jack and remove it from
beneath the vehicle.
12 Tighten the lug bolts in a diagonal
pattern.
13 Check and correct the tire inflation
pressure at the earliest opportunity.
The vehicle jack is designed for
changing wheels only. Do not
attempt to raise another vehicle model
with it or to raise any load of any kind.
To do so could cause accidents and
personal injury.
To ensure continued safety, have the
tightness of the lug bolts checked with
a calibrated lug wrench [torque specifi-
cation: 101 ft-lb (140 Nm)] at the
earliest opportunity.<
Store the wheel and the tools in the
order opposite that for removal.
Before removing the support rod,
be sure that the tailgate is held
down firmly. If you fail to do so, it could
retract sharply upward and cause
personal injury and vehicle damage.
After you remove the rod, close the tail-
gate carefully. Continue to hold it firmly
until it is completely closed.<
If light-alloy wheels other than original
BMW light-alloy wheels have been
mounted, it may be necessary to use
different lug bolts for those wheels.
Replace the defective tire as soon as
possible and have the new wheel/tire
balanced.
The spare wheel has a size
235/65 R 17 tire. If you have
mounted tires on your vehicle with a
different size, have wheels and tires of
the same size and specification rein-
stalled as soon as possible.
When the spare wheel is mounted, the
maximum speed rating is 130 mph
(210 km/h).<
196n
Deceleration sensors continuously
monitor the physical forces acting upon
the vehicle. If, as the result of a frontal
impact, vehicle deceleration is reached
at which the protection of the safety
belts alone is no longer adequate, the
gas generators of the driver-side and
passenger-side airbags are ignited
simultaneously. However, the
passenger-side airbag is only triggered
if an additional sensor has recognized
that the passenger seat is occupied.
Depending on which side the of vehicle
is involved in a side collision, the head
protection and side airbags in the front
and rear
* on that side are triggered if
necessary.
390de319
The airbags located under the marked
covers inflate and unfold in a matter of
a few milliseconds. In this process, they
tear through the designed separation
points of the upholstered covers or
press them out.
Because the inflation process must be
virtually instantaneous, it is necessarily
accompanied by a certain amount of
ignition and inflation noise. The gas
required to inflate the airbags is not
dangerous, and the associated smoke
then dissipates.
The entire process is completed within
fractions of a second. On vehicles with an automatic trans-
mission, Adaptive Transmission Control
(ATC) uses a number of factors to
calculate the gear which provides the
maximum efficiency. In this process,
the system monitors your personal
driving style, the driving situation, the
condition of the road, and the traffic
conditions.
ATC recognizes your personal driving
style from the positions and movements
of the accelerator pedal, deceleration
when braking, and lateral acceleration
through curves. Four different shift
characteristics – from comfort-oriented
to performance-oriented – are available
for selection by ATC.
530us130
Airbags ATC
*
Everything from A to Z
E
EBV (Electronic Brake Force Distribution) 138
Electric power windows 45
Electrical malfunction fuel filler door 188t
liftgate 188t
sliding/tilt sunroof 188t
tailgate 189t
Electrical system 210
Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBV) 138
Electronic immobilizer 35
Elements of operation 16
Emergency operation doors 36t
fuel filler door 188t
liftgate 188t
sliding/tilt sunroof 188t
tailgate 189t
Energy Control 77
Engine 24
Engine compartment 152
Engine coolant 160
Engine oil 157
consumption 157
grades 158
level 24
pressure 22
Engine output 206
Engine specifications 206Error indicators
79
Estimated time of arrival 90
Exterior finish 164
Exterior mirrors 53
Exterior rearview mirrors, automatic dimming
feature 54
F
Failure messages 79t
Failure of an electrical accessory 187t
Filling the windshield washer reservoir 156t
First-aid kit 28
Fittings, tow-starting and towing 191t
Flashlight 118
Flat tire 145, 180 t
Fog lamps 98
bulb replacement 176t
Folding rear backrest 124
Footbrake 140
Footwell lamps 99
bulb replacement 178t
Four-wheel drive 197
Front area lighting 99
Front axle 200
Front fog lamps 98
Front seat adjustment 48Frost protection,
radiator 160
Fuel 30
capacity 209
display 77
gauge 77
quality 30
specifications 30
Fuel consumption 90
average 90
Fuel filler door 29
Fuses 187t
G
Garage-door opener 115
Gasoline 30
General driving notes 136
Glasses compartment 119
Glove compartment 117
bulb replacement 179t
Gross vehicle weight 208
Ground clearance 135
H
Handbrake66
Handsfree system 118
Hazard warning flashers 28
Hazard warning triangle 28
HDC (Hill Descent Control) 95
Head restraints 49Headlamp covers,
care 163t, 175 t
Headlamp flasher 70
Headlamp washer system 156
Headlamp washers 72
Heated seats 112
Heated steering wheel 113
Heating and ventilation 100, 106
Heating while stopped 110
Heating, rapid 105
Heavy cargo 129
Height 207
Height adjustment seats 48
steering wheel 52
HiFi system 199
High beams 25, 98
bulb replacement 175t
High-mount brake lamp 177
Hill Descent Control (HDC) 95
Holder for cans, refer to cup holder 119
Hood release 151t
Horn 26, 27
Hydraulic Brake Assistant refer to DBC 24, 138
Everything from A to Z217n
Index
Data
Technology
Repairs
Car care
Controls
Overview
I
Ice warning 76
Identification number 161
Identification, tires 148
Ignition key 34
Ignition lock 64
Independent ventilation 87
Independent ventilation system 114
Indicator lamps 22
Inflation pressure 31, 145
INSPECTION 78
Instrument cluster 18, 20
Instrument lighting 97
Instrument panel 18, 20
Integrated rear suspension 201
Intensive cleaning system 72
Interference indicators 79
Interference, cellular phone 144
Interior lamps 98
bulb replacement 178t
remote control 38
Interior mirror 54
Interior motion sensor 44
Interior rearview mirror, automatic dimming
feature 199
Interlock 64
Intermittent wipe 71
J
Jack181, 183
Jump-starting 190t
K
Key Memory 56
Keys 34
Keys with radio remote control 34
Kickdown 69
L
Lamps and bulbs 175
Lashing eyes 129
LATCH attachment of the child seat 63
Leather care 167
Length 207
Level control system 24, 201
inactive 143t
License plate lamps, bulb replacement 178t
Liftgate 41, 42
release following an
electrical
malfunction 188t
Light switch 97
Light-alloy wheel 150
Lighter 120
LIGHTS ON warning 97LIMIT
88
Load-securing devices 129
Louvers 100, 106
Low beams 97
bulb replacement 175t
Low-fuel warning lamp 77
Lug bolts 183
Lug wrench 180t
Luggage compartment, refer to cargo area 124
Luggage net 42
Luggage straps 42
Lumbar support 50
M
M+S radial tires149
Maintenance 78t , 162 t
Malfunction displays 79t
Manual operation doors 36t
liftgate 188t
sliding/tilt sunroof 188t
tailgate 189t
Manual transmission 67
Master key 34
Maximum cooling 109
Mechanical seat 49
Memo 86
Memory 55
Microfilter 104, 112
MID (Multi-Information Display) 84 Mirror defrosting
53
Mirror memory 55
Mirrors 53
Mobile phone 144
Modifications, technical 6, 169
Moonroof 46
Motion sensor, interior 44
Multifunction steering wheel 26
Multi-Information Display (MID) 84
N
Navigation system, refer to
the separate Owner's
Manual
O
OBD interface socket 170
Odometer 76
Oil additives 157
consumption 157t
dipstick 157t
grades 158
Oil change interval, refer to
the Service and Warranty
Information Booklet (US
models) or to the Warranty
and Service Guide Booklet
(Canadian models)
Everything from A to Z219n
Index
Data
Technology
Repairs
Car care
Controls
Overview
Safety defects, reporting 7
Safety lock buttons 40
Seat adjustment 48
Seat belts 57
Seat heating 112
Seat memory 55
Seat, mechanical 49
Seat, power 48
Securing cargo 42, 129
Selector lever, automatic transmission 68
Service and Warranty Information Booklet (US
models) 162
Service Interval Display 78, 162
Servotronic 143
Shiftlock 68
Shoulder support 50
Shutting off the engine 65
Side airbags 58
Side Impact Head Protection System 58
Side lamps 97
bulb replacement 176t
Ski bag 122
Skid control 143
Sliding 188 Sliding/tilt sunroof
46
closing following an
electrical
malfunction 188t
convenience operation 36
power loss 47t
remote control 38
Slippery roads 142
Snow chains 142, 149 t
Socket power supplies 121t
vacuum cleaner 121t
Sound system 199
Spare key 34
Spare tire 181t
Spare wheel 181
removal aid 182t
Spark plugs 210
Speaker 118
Special features of winter tires 149
Special wash program 72
Speed 91
Speed control 74
Speed limit 88, 89
Speedometer 18, 20
Sports seat 51
Starting assistance 190t
Starting problems 65t , 136 t, 190 t
Starting the engine 64, 65
Steering 143 Steering wheel
adjustment 52
heating 113
lock 64
memory 55
Steering wheel, refer also to Multifunction steering
wheel 26
Steptronic 68
Stopwatch 86
Storage compartments 118
in the cargo area 126
Storing the vehicle 168
Summer tires 148
Sun visors 54
Sunroof 46
Switching off the vehicle 65
Switch-on times input 87
Symbols 4
Synthetic oils 158
T
Tachometer77
Tail lamps 177t
bulb replacement 177t
Tailgate 41, 189
opening from the
inside 41
opening from the
outside 41
radio control operation 39release following an
electrical
malfunction
189t
Tank capacity 209
Technical modifications 6, 169
Telephone hookup 118
Telephone, refer to the separate Owner's Manual
Temperature display, outside
temperature 76, 82
Temperature gauge 78
Temperature layering 103, 111
Thigh support adjustment 51
Third brake lamp 177
Tilt alarm 38, 44
Tilt function, passenger side mirror 55
Time calling up 85
changing 85
of arrival, estimated 90
Timer 86
refer also to the onboard
monitor Owner's Manual
Tire 145
code 148
damage 145t
inflation
pressure 30t , 145 t