
74n
Tire Pressure Monitor (RDC)
*
In the event of a flat tireIf there is a tire failure with loss of pres-
sure, the indicator lamp comes on with 
a red lamp. In addition, an acoustic 
signal is sounded.
If this occurs, reduce vehicle speed 
immediately and stop the vehicle in a 
safe location. Avoid hard brake applica-
tions. Do not oversteer. Replace the 
wheel and flat tire.
The space-saver spare tire is 
provided for temporary use only in 
the case of a tire failure. It does not 
have RDC electronics and is not moni-
tored. The spare tire
 that has the same 
dimensions as the tires already 
mounted on the vehicle is equipped 
with the necessary RDC electronics 
and will be also monitored once the 
tires have been mounted and the 
system activated.<
The RDC cannot alert you to 
severe and sudden tire damage 
caused by external factors.<
Have the tires changed by your 
BMW center.
Your BMW center has the information 
needed for working with RDC and is 
equipped with the necessary special 
tools.<
System interferenceLocal devices using the same radio 
frequency can interfere with the RDC.
The yellow indicator lamp will come on 
during the malfunction. 
The indicator lamp also comes on
>in the event of a system fault 
>if a wheel is mounted without the 
appropriate electronics 
>if, in addition to the spare tire, addi-
tional wheels with RDC electronics 
are on board.
Please contact your BMW center for 
additional information. 

75n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Flat Tire Monitor
*
The conceptAs you drive, the Flat Tire Monitor 
keeps track of pressure levels in all four 
tires in order to detect and warn of any 
substantial pressure loss. 
The system actually detects pressure 
loss by monitoring differences in the 
relative speeds of the four wheels. It 
interprets variations outside specified 
limits as severe pressure loss, and then 
responds by generating a warning.
Initializing the systemInitializing is necessary to familiarize the 
system with the correct inflation pres-
sure.
Repeat this process after any changes 
in tire inflation pressure, tire rotation or 
replacement. Do not carry out further 
system initialization after adjusting the 
inflation pressure and letting the system 
"learn" the correct pressures.
1. Check the tire inflation pressures in 
all the tires, comparing them with the 
inflation pressure chart on page 25 
and adjusting their pressure if neces-
sary
2. Turn the ignition key to position 2
3. Press the button as long as you need 
to until the indicator lamp on the 
instrument cluster lights up. After a 
little while, the indicator lamp will go 
out by itself
4. After a few minutes driving time, the 
Flat Tire Monitor adopts the current 
pressure levels as the reference, and 
from that point on, can detect and 
report a flat tire. 

105n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Winter tiresChoosing the right tireBMW recommends winter tires (M+S 
radial tires) for operation under 
inclement winter driving conditions. 
While all-season tires (M+S designa-
tion) 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 interest of safe tracking and 
steering response, install winter tires 
made by the same manufacturer having 
the same tread configuration on all four 
wheels.Never exceed the maximum 
speed for which the winter tires 
are rated.
Unprofessional attempts by laymen to 
service tires can lead to damage and 
accidents.
Have this work performed by trained 
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 below 0.16 in 
(4 mm), winter tires display a percep-
tible decrease in their ability to cope 
with winter driving conditions, and 
should be replaced in the interest of 
safety.
Comply with the specified tire inflation 
pressures Ð and be sure to have the 
wheel and tire assemblies balanced 
every time you change the tires.
StorageAlways store tires in a cool, dry place. 
Store them away from light whenever 
possible. Protect the tires against 
contact with oil, grease and fuel.Snow chains
*
BMW narrow-link snow chains are 
intended for mounting on summer or 
winter tires in pairs at the rear wheels 
only. Comply with all manufacturer's 
safety precautions when mounting the 
chains.
You cannot mount snow chains on the 
following tires:
225/50 R 16 92
225/45 R 17 91
245/40 ZR 17 

123n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Changing a wheel
Safety precautions in the event of 
a flat tire or wheel change:
Stop the vehicle as far as possible from 
passing traffic. Park on a firm support 
surface. Switch on the hazard warning 
flashers. Turn the steering wheel to the 
straight-ahead position, remove the key 
and engage the steering lock. Shift into 
1st or reverse (selector lever in Park 
with automatic transmission) and 
engage the parking brake.
All passengers should be outside the 
vehicle and well away from your imme-
diate working area (behind a guardrail, 
for example).
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 local safety guidelines and 
regulations.
Change the wheel only on a level, firm 
surface which is not slippery. Avoid 
jacking the vehicle on a soft or slippery 
support surface (snow, ice, loose 
gravel, etc.), as either the vehicle or the 
jack could slip sideways.
Position the jack on a firm support 
surface.
Do not place wooden blocks or similar 
objects under the jack. They could 
prevent the jack from extending to its 
full height and reduce its support 
capacity.
Do not lie under the vehicle or start the 
engine when the vehicle is supported 
by the jack Ð risk of fatal injury.<
Your BMW is equipped with a spare tire 
or a space-saver tire designed for 
temporary use in maintaining the 
vehicle's mobility in an emergency.
To remove the spare tire, lift the 
floor panel in the luggage 
compartment completely out, refer to 
page 35.<
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 done 
using them.
>Jack 1
Lift the floor panel within the luggage 
compartment, refer to page 35 and 
undo the red wingnut (arrow).
When you have completed work, 
screw the jack all the way back 
down. Fold the handle back and 
insert it in its holder
>Chock 2
Located behind the jack on the wall 
in the luggage compartment. Loosen 
the wing nut to remove it 

124n
Changing a wheel>Spare tire
 or space-saver spare tire
Located next to the jack.
Loosen the wing nut (arrow) by hand, 
remove the storage shelf and take the 
wheel out
>Lug wrench Ð in the onboard tool kit 
on the underside of the luggage 
compartment lid, refer to page 118.
Procedure1. Read and comply with the safety 
precautions provided on the previous 
page
2. Secure the vehicle from 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 downward 
slope, place the wedge securely in 
front of the tire. If the wheel must be 
changed on a surface with a more 
severe slope, take additional precau-
tions to secure the vehicle from 
rolling
3. Wheels with full wheel covers
*: 
Reach into the ventilation openings 
and pull the cover off4. Loosen the lug bolts by rotating half 
a turn
5. Position the jack at the jacking point 
closest to the flat tire (arrows) with 
the jack base 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 detail in the next 
illustration) 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 

126n
Changing a wheelAlways use BMW-approved balance 
weights on black-finished aluminum-
alloy wheels. Never allow anyone to 
attempt to balance these wheels using 
conventional rim-clip balance weights.Driving with the space-saver 
spare tireDrive cautiously. Do not exceed a 
speed of 50 mph (80 km/h).
You can anticipate changes in vehicle 
handling such as delayed braking 
response, longer braking distances and 
sacrifices in roadholding.
The changes in handling characteristics 
will be even more pronounced if winter 
tires are mounted.
Only one space-saver spare tire 
may be mounted at a time. Rein-
stall wheels and tires of the same size 
and specification as soon as possible. 
Maintain correct tire pressures. Refer to 
page 25.<
Safety tires
*
Safety tires consists of self-contained 
tires and special rims. The tire rein-
forcement ensures that the tire retains 
some residual safety in the event of 
pressure drop and driving remains 
possible to a restricted degree. The 
vehicle is equipped with Tire Pressure 
Monitor (RDC) or Flat Tire Monitor, 
which indicate a flat tire.Flat tireIf there is a tire failure, the red warning 
lamp symbol lights up. A supplemen-
tary gong is also heard.
For additional information on Tire Pres-
sure Monitor (RDC) or Flat Tire Monitor 
refer to pages 73 bzw. 75.
Reduce vehicle speed carefully to 
under 50 mph (80 km/h), avoiding hard 
brake applications and steering maneu-
vers.
With the safety tires, you can drive 
another approx. 155 miles (250 km) to 
reach a safe parking location, a service 
station or the nearest BMW center. 
With a low vehicle load, this can also be 
considerably more than 155 miles 
(250 km).Safety tires are only possible in 
conjunction with Tire Pressure 
Monitor (RDC) or Flat Tire Monitor.<
If the defective wheel can not be seen 
as such immediately from the outside, 
check the tire inflation pressure at all 
four wheels.
Have the tires changed by your 
BMW center. For safety reasons, 
do not have a safety tire repaired. Your 
BMW center has the information 
needed for working with safety tires 
and is equipped with the necessary 
special tools.<
If appropriate, please consult your 
BMW center to reequip your 
vehicle from summer to winter tires Ð or 
vice versa.< 

Everything from A to Z
143n
OverviewControlsMaintenancRepairsDataIndex
Selector lever, automatic 
transmission57 
Service and Warranty 
Information Booklet (US 
models)113 
Service Interval 
Display65, 113 
Setting temperature81 
Shiftlock57 
Side airbags48 
Side Impact Head Protection 
System48 
Ski bag92 
Sliding/tilt sunroof38 
electrical malfunction39 
manual operation39 
Snow chains105 
Socket89 
Sound system86 
Space-saver spare 
tire25, 123 
Spare key28 
Spare tire123 
Speedometer15 
Sport steering wheel21 
Sports seat 
manual adjustment41 
power adjustment42 Standing lamps78 
Starting the engine54 
Steering wheel46 
Steering wheel lock54 
Stopping the vehicle55 
Storage compartments87 
Stowing cargo93 
Stroke132 
Sun blind cover86 
Switching off the engine55 
Switching off the interior 
motion sensor37 
Switching off the tilt alarm 
sensor37 
Symbols8 
Synthetic oils110 
T 
Tachometer64 
Tail lamps 
bulb replacement121 
Tank capacity135 
Technical data132 
Technical 
modifications10, 114 
Telephone preparation89 
Temperature display 
outside temperature67 Temperature gauge 
engine coolant65 
Temperature 
layering82, 85 
Thigh support 
adjustment41 
Third brake light122 
Through-loading system91 
Tilt alarm sensor30, 37 
remote control30 
switching off37 
Tire change123 
Tire condition101 
Tire damage101 
Tire inflation 
pressures24, 101 
monitoring73 
table25 
Tire Pressure Monitor 
(RDC)73, 103, 126 
Tire pressure warning73 
Tire Quality Grading103 
Tire replacement102 
Tire tread101 
Tires and wheels101 
Tool kit118 
Torque132 
Towing fittings129 Towing the vehicle129 
Track133 
Transmission56 
Transmitter keys28 
Transporting children 
safely51 
Tread depth, tires101 
Tread Wear Indicator101 
Trip odometer64 
Trunk lid, refer to luggage 
compartment lid33 
Trunk, refer to luggage 
compartment35 
Turn signal 
indicator20, 59, 120 
bulb replacement120 
Turning radius133 
U 
Uniform Tire Quality 
Grading103