Page 74 of 106

Wheels and tires
74 one and one-half (1 γ) times as well on the
government course as a tire graded 100.
The relative performance of tires depends
upon the actual conditions 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.
Traction
The 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 specified govern-
ment test surfaces of asphalt and concrete.
A tire marked C may have poor traction
performance.
The traction grade assigned to this
tire is based on straight-ahead brak-
ing traction tests, and does not include
acceleration, cornering, hydroplaning, or
peak traction characteristics.<
Temperature
The temperature grades are A – the
highest – B, and C, representing the tire's
resistance to the generation of heat and its
ability to dissipate heat when tested under
controlled conditions on a specified indoor
laboratory test wheel.
Sustained high temperature can cause the
material of the tire to degenerate and
reduce tire life, and excessive temperature
can lead to sudden tire failure. The grade C
corresponds to a level of performance
which all passenger car tires must meet
under the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety
Standard No. 109. Grades B and A repre-
sent 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 properly
inflated and not overloaded. Excessive
speed, under-inflation, or excessive load-
ing, either separately or in combination,
can cause heat buildup and possible tire
failure.<
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Quality grades can be found where appli-
cable on the tire sidewall between tread
shoulder and maximum section width. For
example:
Tread wear 200 Traction AA
Temperature A
Wheel and tire combina-
tions
The right choice
Use wheels and tires approved by
BMW for your particular vehicle. Vari-
ations in factors such as manufacturing tol-
erances mean that even wheels and tires
with identical official size ratings could
actually have dimensions different from the
approved units. These differences could
lead to body contact, and with it the risk of
severe 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 center
for more information. Observe any country-
specific regulations, e.g. on making a cor-
responding entry in the vehicle documents.
The correct wheel and tire combina-
tion affects different systems such as
ABS, DSC, DTC and DBC. The function of
these systems is impaired if improper
wheel and tire combinations are used.
For this reason, use tires of the same brand
and tread configuration. In the event of a
flat tire, for example, remount the approved
wheel and tire combination as soon as pos-
sible.<
Page 102 of 106

Everything from A - Z
102 Speedometer 13
Sport program
– automatic transmission
with Steptronic 41
– Drivelogic 42
Standing lamps, refer to
Parking lamps 45, 46
Starting problems 89
Starting the engine 38
Steering lock 38
Steering wheel
– adjusting 32
Steptronic 40
Storage compartments 60
– electrical fault 60
– opening manually 60
Storage nets 60
Storage, tires 76
Storing the vehicle, refer to
the Caring for your vehi-
cle brochure
Stroke 94
Switching gears, refer to
Automatic transmission
with Steptronic 40
Symbols 6
Synthetic oils 80
T
Tachometer 47
Tail lamps
– bulb replacement 86
– indicator lamp, defective
bulb 14
Tank capacity 96
Technical data 94
– engine 94
– weight 94
Technical
modifications 7
Telephone preparation 61
Telephone, refer to the
Owner's Manual for the
telephone
Temperature
– air conditioning 56
– automatic climate
control 58
– tires 74Temperature display
– engine coolant 47
– outside temperature 48
– outside temperature in
computer 49
Third brake lamp 87
Tilt alarm sensor 19, 28
– deactivating 28
– remote control 19
Tire change 87
Tire damage 73
Tire inflation pressure 71
– checking 71
Tire pressure monitor 53
Tires
– age 73
– approval 71
– break-in procedures 64
– condition 73
– damage 73
– DOT quality grades 73
– flat tire 75
– inflation pressure 71
– M+S tires 76
– replacement 73
– Run Flat tires 73, 75, 87
– temperature 74
– traction 74
– tread 73
– tread wear 73
– Uniform Tire Quality
Grading 74
– wheel-tire
combination 74
– winter tires 76
Tool kit, refer to Onboard
tool kit 84
Torque 94
Towing 90
Towing eyelet 90
Tow-starting 90
Track width 95
Traction 74
Transmission, refer to
Automatic transmission
with Steptronic 40
Transporting children
safely 34
Tread depth, tires 73
Tread wear 73
Tread wear indicator 73Trip odometer 47
Trunk lid, refer to Luggage
compartment lid 21, 22
Trunk, refer to Luggage
compartment 22
Turn signal indicators 42
– bulb replacement 86
– indicator lamps 14
Turning circle 95
U
Undercoating, refer to the
Caring for your vehicle
brochure
Uniform Tire Quality
Grading 74
Unintentional alarm 28
Unlocking the vehicle 19
Used batteries, refer to
Battery disposal 88
V
Vacuum cleaner, refer to
Cigarette lighter
socket 61
Vehicle
– battery 87
– break-in procedures 64
– data 94
Vehicle Memory 37
Vehicle storage, refer to the
Caring for your vehicle
brochure
Vehicle vacuum cleaner,
refer to Cigarette lighter
socket 61
Ventilation 56, 59
Vents, refer to
Ventilation 56, 59
W
Warning and indicator
lamps 14
Warning triangle 89
Warranty and service 7
Warranty and Service
Guide Booklet 82
Page 103 of 106
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
Reference
103
Washer fluids
– refilling 79
Washer reservoir 79, 96
– filling 79
Washer/wiper system 43
Washing fluids 96
Water on roads
– flooding 65
Wear indicator in tires 73
Weights 94
Wheel change 87
Wheel wrench 87
Wheelbase 95
Wheels and tires 74
Width 95
Wind deflector 26
Window condensation
– removing 56, 58
Windows
– convenience operation 20
– defrosting and removing
condensation 56, 58
– power windows 22
Windshield washer
nozzles 44
Windshield washer
reservoir 79
– filling 96
Windshield wipers 43
– cleaning windshield 43
– intermittent operation 43
– rain sensor 43
– replacing 84
Winter tires 76
– changing 87
– condition 76
– pressure 76
– storage 76
Wipers
– replacing 84
Work in the engine
compartment 77
X
Xenon lamps 85