2002 BMW 325XI tires

5n

OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex

Controls and features
Operation, maintenance

Hill Descent Control (HDC)77
Tire Pressure Monitor (RDC)78
Flat Tire Monitor80

Lamps:

Parking lamps/Low beams82
Instrument lighting83
High beams/Standing lamps83
Fog lamps83
Interior lamps84

Controlling the climate for
pleasant driving:

Air conditioning85
Automatic climate control88
Roller sun blind91

Interior conveniences:

Premium sound system91
Glove compartment92
Storage compartments92
Cellular phone94
Ashtray, front95
Ashtray, rear95

Loading and transporting:

Through-loading system96
Ski bag97
Cargo loading99
Roof-mounted luggage rack100

Special operating instructions:

Break-in procedures104
Driving notes105
Antilock Brake System
(ABS)105
Brake system106

Wheels and tires:

Tire inflation pressures107
Tire condition107
Tire replacement108
Wheel and tire
combinations110
Winter tires111

In the engine compartment:

Hood112
Engine compartment
essentials113
Washer fluids114
Engine oil115
Coolant117
Brake fluid118

Maintenance:

The BMW Maintenance
System119

Laws and regulations:

Technical modifications120
California Proposition
65 Warning120
OBD interface socket121

24n
Tire inflation pressures The specified inflation pressures are
provided on a sticker attached to the
B-pillar and visible with the driver's
door open.Checking tire pressuresAll tire pressure and ambient air
temperature specifications are stated in
the units usually used in your country
(psi; kilopascal) (refer also the following
tire inflation pressures table).
Vehicles with Tire Pressure Monitor
(RDC)/Flat Tire Monitor:
After correcting the inflation pressures,
reactivate the system, refer to
pages 78, 80.
Another instruction plate regarding
inflation pressures on the door pillar
indicates which system is equipped on
your vehicle.
Check tire pressures on a regular
basis Ð at least twice a month Ð
and before every extended journey.
Otherwise, incorrect tire pressure can
lead to poor handling, to tire damage
and accidents.
Remember to check the inflation pres-
sure in the space-saver or standard
spare tire.

Inflate the spare tire to the highest infla-
tion pressure of any tire on your
vehicle.<
Comply with tire approval
specificationsThe inflation pressures in the table
apply to BMW approved tire sizes and
tire manufacturers. Your BMW center is
familiar with these pressures. Higher
pressures may be specified for tires
made by other manufacturers.
Your vehicle is equipped with tires that
not only meet US standards, but also
European standards. We recommend
the exclusive use of BMW approved
tires.

25n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Tire inflation pressuresBMW Tires
All pressure specifications in the table are indicated in ps i (kilo-
pascal) with cold tires (cold = ambient temperature)
320i205/55 R 16 91 H M+S, 205/55 R 16 91 H,
225/50 R 16 92 W, 225/45 R 17 91 W29 (200) 33 (230) 33 (230) 41 (280)
225/45 ZR 17
245/40 ZR 1729 (200)
ÐÐ
33 (230)33 (230)
ÐÐ
41 (280)
205/50 R 17 93 V M+S extra load, 205/50 R 17 93 W extra load,
195/65 R 15 91 Q M+S, 205/60 R 15 91 Q M+S
205/55 R 16 91 Q M+S, 225/50 R 16 92 Q M+S,
205/50 R 17 93 Q M+S extra load, 225/45 R 17 91 Q M+S32 (220) 36 (250) 36 (250) 44 (300)
325i
325xi205/55 R 16 91 H M+S, 205/55 R 16 91 H,
225/50 R 16 92 W (not 325xi), 225/45 R 17 91 W30 (210) 35 (240) 35 (240) 42 (290)
225/45 ZR 17
245/40 ZR 1730 (210)
ÐÐ
35 (240)35 (240)
ÐÐ
42 (290)
205/50 R 17 93 V M+S extra load, 205/50 R 17 93 W extra load,
205/55 R 16 91 Q M+S, 225/50 R 16 92 Q M+S (not 325xi),
205/50 R 17 93 Q M+S extra load, 225/45 R 17 91 Q M+S33 (230) 38 (260) 38 (260) 45 (310)
330i
330xi225/45 R 17 91 W 30 (210) 35 (240) 35 (240) 42 (290)
225/45 ZR 17
245/40 ZR 1730 (210)
ÐÐ
35 (240)35 (240)
ÐÐ
42 (290)
205/50 R 17 93 V M+S extra load, 205/50 R 17 93 W extra load,
205/50 R 17 93 Q M+S extra load, 225/45 R 17 91 Q M+S33 (230) 38 (260) 38 (260) 45 (310)
All Space-saver spare tire 61 (420)

78n
Tire Pressure Monitor (RDC)
*
The conceptRDC monitors the tire pressures at all
four wheels while the vehicle is moving.
The system provides an alert whenever
the inflation pressure drops significantly
below the specified pressure in one or
more tires.
In order for the system to "learn" the
correct tire inflation pressure, check the
inflation pressure in all tires according
to the inflation pressures table on
page 25 and make corrections as
necessary. Then activate the system.
This indicator lamp in the instru-
ment cluster will inform you if
the tire pressure is not correct.
To activate the system1 Turn ignition key to position 2 (do not
start the engine)
2 Press the button long enough for the
yellow indicator lamp in the instru-
ment cluster to light up for a few
seconds
3 After a few minutes driving time, RDC
sets the current inflation pressures in
the tires as the target values to be
monitored.
You will only have to repeat this proce-
dure following a correction of the tire
inflation pressure. Otherwise, RDC
functions automatically when the igni-
tion key is in position 2, and thus oper-
ates whenever the vehicle is driven.
In the event of loss in inflation
pressureIf the inflation pressure has dropped
significantly over a long period of time
(which is normal for any tire), the yellow
indicator lamp will come on.
This alerts you to have the tires inflated
to the specified pressures as soon as
possible.
If you are prompted to check the
tire pressure shortly after a
correction has been made, this indi-
cates that the corrected values were
not accurate. Please check the inflation
pressure again and make corrections
according to the inflation pressure
table. Then activate the system once
again.<

79n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Tire Pressure Monitor (RDC)
*
In the event of a flat tireIf there is a tire failure with loss of pres-
sure, a red light will appear in the indi-
cator 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.<
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 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.

80n
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 pressure in all
the tires, comparing them with the
inflation pressure table on page 25
and adjust their pressure if necessary
2 Turn the ignition key to position 2
3 Press button as long as you need to
until the yellow 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.

81n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Flat Tire Monitor
*
To activate/deactivate the systemThe Flat Tire Monitor automatically
assumes operation whenever you turn
the ignition key to position 2. Unless
manually deactivated, it is always on
during normal vehicle operation.
To deactivate the system: press the
button, the yellow indicator lamp comes
on.
To activate the system: press the
button again, the indicator lamp goes
out.
You should deactivate the system
before driving with snow chains, as the
chains can generate spurious warnings
and/or prevent the system from
detecting actual pressure loss.
Flat tire warning
The red warning lamp in the
instrument cluster lights up to
warn of pressure loss and tire
failure. This visual alert is accompanied
by an acoustic warning signal. Reduce
your speed immediately, and steer and
brake gently as you bring the vehicle to
a stop.
To reset the warning lamp: after
replacing the damaged tire you will
need to reset the red warning lamp
manually: maintain pressure on the Flat
Tire Monitor button until the warning
lamp goes out. Then reinitialize the
system.
The Flat Tire Monitor cannot
provide you with advance warning
of sudden and severe tire damage
caused by external factors.
The system also does not detect the
gradual and minor loss of pressure that
all tires display over extended periods
of time.<
Check tire inflation pressures on a
regular basis, correcting them as
necessary, refer to page 24.
The system may respond to operation
on slippery or snow-covered road
surfaces with false warnings or delays
in detecting actual pressure loss.
Performance-oriented driving (slip at
the drive wheels, high rates of lateral
acceleration) can also increase the time
that the Flat Tire Monitor requires to
detect a flat.<
System malfunctionsThe yellow indicator lamp in the instru-
ment cluster lights up and remains on
until the problem is corrected.
Please refer the problem to your BMW
center.

104n
To ensure that your vehicle continues to
provide maximum economy throughout
an extended service life, we request
that you devote careful attention to the
following instructions.
Engine and differentialThe first 1,200 miles (2,000 km):
Attempt to constantly vary both vehicle
and engine speed during these initial
miles while remembering to avoid
engine speeds in excess of 4,500 rpm
and/or vehicle speeds of over 100 mph
(160 km/h):
Always obey all official speed limits.
Refrain from using full throttle and avoid
pressing the accelerator beyond the
kickdown point.
After the initial 1,200 miles (2,000 km)
you can gradually increase both engine
and vehicle speeds.
Please remember to observe these
same break-in procedures if either the
engine or the differential is replaced
later in the course of the vehicle's
service life.
TiresOwing to technical factors associated
with their manufacture, tires do not
achieve their full traction potential until
an initial break-in period has elapsed.
We thus ask you to drive with extra care
during the first 200 miles (300 km).
Always obey all official speed limits.
When the vehicle is operated on
wet or slushy roads, a wedge of
water may form between the tire and
the road surface. This phenomenon is
referred to as aquaplaning, or hydro-
planing, and can lead to partial or
complete loss of traction, vehicle
control and braking effectiveness.
Reduce your speed on wet roads. elapse before the brake pads and
rotors achieve the optimal pad-surface
and wear patterns required for trouble-
free operation and an extended service
life later on.
To break in the separate parking brake
drums, apply the parking brake lightly
when coasting to a standstill (at a traffic
signal, for instance); use caution to
avoid posing a danger to other road
users. You can prevent corrosion in the
drums by periodically repeating this
procedure.
The rear brake lamps do not come
on when you apply the parking
brake.
Vacuum for the brake system servo unit
on your BMW is available only when the
engine is running. When you move the
vehicle with the engine off Ð when
towing, for example Ð substantially
higher levels of pedal force will be
required to brake the vehicle. elapse before the clutch starts to
operate at optimum efficiency.
Remember to engage the clutch care-
fully during this initial period.
Break-in procedures