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OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Wheel and tire combinations The 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.<
BMW tests certain tire brands for each
tire size, classifies them as road-safe
and approves them. Consult your
BMW Sports Activity Vehicle center for
more information. Observe any regula-
tions applicable in the country of use,
e.g. requiring entry in the vehicle docu-
ments.
The correct wheel and tire combi-
nation affects different systems
such as ABS, ATC and DSC. The func-
tion of these systems is impaired if
improper wheel and 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 and tire combination
following a flat tire as soon as
possible.<
The use of rims and lug bolts that
do not meet the specifications of
the original factory-installed equipment
will affect the safe operation of your
vehicle and may cause an accident and
personal injury.
Never mix tires of different design, such
as steel-belted radials with radial bias
belted or bias-ply tires, etc. Mixing tire
types will adversely affect roadholding
and can lead to loss of vehicle
control.<
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.
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Winter tires Snow chains
*
Choosing the right tire BMW recommends winter tires (M+S
radial tires) for operation under
inclement winter driving conditions.
While so-called all-season tires (M+S
designation) provide better winter trac-
tion than summer tires with the load
ratings H, V, W, Y and ZR, they gener-
ally 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 Sports
Activity Vehicle 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 Ñ 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. Do not exceed a
maximum speed of 30 mph (50 km/h).
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156n
Lamps and bulbs Changing a wheel Lamps in the tailgate:
1. Unclip the trim panel in the tailgate
with a screwdriver
2. Press gently on the bulb holder and
turn it to the left to remove it
3. Remove the bulb. Center (high-mount) brake lamp LED strip in the rear spoiler: please
contact a BMW Sports Activity Vehicle
center in case of a malfunction. 530de306
License plate lamps 5 watt bulb
1. Press the lamp out to the side with a
screwdriver
2. Remove the lamp and replace the
bulb. 530de307
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, 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 instance).
If a warning triangle or portable hazard
warning lamp is required, 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 which is not slippery. Avoid
jacking the vehicle up on a soft or slip-
pery surface (snow, ice, very smooth
surfaces, etc.), since it could slide side-
ways.
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157n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Changing a wheel Position the jack on a firm support
surface.
Do not place wooden blocks or similar
objects under the jack. If this is done,
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
creates a risk of fatal injury.<
What you will need In 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.
>Two wedges (wheel chocks)
Open the liftgate and tailgate.
In the cargo area, fold up the floor
cover or pull-out cargo floor, refer to
page 125 or 126.
Take out the wedges (arrow) next to
the spare wheel 530us117
>Lug wrench
Is located next to the spare wheel 530us120
Page 158 of 185
158n
Changing a wheel >Handle for the jack
Remove from its holder530de213
>Jack
Remove the rubber band from the
holder (arrow) and take out the jack.
When you have completed work,
screw the jack all the way back
down, remove the handle and insert it
into its holder. 530de333
Spare wheel1. Loosen the wing nut 1
2. Remove the plate 2 to the side
3. Unscrew the threaded rod 3
completely. 530us118
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OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Changing a wheel Removal aid for the spare wheelBy using this device, you do not have to
lift the spare wheel out of the recess by
hand.
Its task is to help you to move the wheel
onto the tailgate, from where you can
easily lift it off.
1. Close the tailgate again
2. Grasp the handle of the removal aid
behind the spare wheel with both
hands and pull upward over the
tailgate (arrow) 530de310
3. Hook both buckles into the latch of
the tailgate (arrow); the tailgate is
released530de311
4. Remove the support rod from the
bracket 530de312
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160n
Changing a wheel 5. Press the tailgate down and hold it
there. The spare wheel is now pulled
by means of the removal aid onto the
tailgate
Hold the tailgate in the opened
position and do not allow it to
retract sharply upward. If you do so,
there is a risk of personal injury and
vehicle damage.< 530de313
6. Insert the support rod in the tailgate
lock and press down until it engages
(arrow 1); then lock hook of rod in
striker (arrow 2)
Be sure that the support rod is
locked firmly in place. If you fail to
do so, it could retract sharply upward
and cause personal injury and vehicle
damage.<
7. You can now release the locked tail-
gate and take the spare wheel down
from the tailgate. It is recommended
that you leave the tailgate locked into
place until you have completed the
wheel change and placed the wheel
with the defective tire into the
removal aid. 530de314
Procedure1. Read carefully and comply with the
safety precautions on page 156
2. Secure the vehicle to prevent it from
rolling:
Place the wedges (chocks) behind
the wheels on the side opposite the
side you are lifting. If the vehicle is
parked on a downward slope, place
the wedges securely in front of the
wheels. 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. Loosen the lug bolts 1/2-turn
4. Insert the jack handle into the jack
(refer to the illustration in the next
column)
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161n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
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 530de236
9. Position the spare wheel. Secure
the wheel by turning at least two
lug bolts into opposite bolt holes
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.
Vehicles with Tire Pressure Monitor
(RDC):
After mounting the spare tire or
correcting the tire inflation pres-
sure, reactivate the system, refer to
page 98.
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 lb-ft (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.