2003 BMW 325Ci COUPE tire size

25
Another instruction plate regarding
inflation pressures on the door pillar
indicates which system your vehicle is
equipped with.
Check the tire pressures on a reg-
ular basis – at least twice a month
– and before every extended journey. If
this is not done, incorrect tire pressures
can cause driving instability and tire
damage, ultimately resulting in acci-
dents.
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 specified for your vehi-
cle. specificationsThe inflation pressures in the table
apply to BMW approved tire sizes and
tire manufacturers. Your BMW center
can provide you with more information
about these. Higher pressures may be
required for tires made by other manu-
facturers.
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.
Tire inflation pressure
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114
Wheel and tire combinationsThe right choice
BMW recommends using only
wheels and tires that have been
approved by BMW for your particular
vehicle model, as otherwise body con-
tact and serious accidents can result
despite the use of the same nominal
size, e.g. due to manufacturing toler-
ances. BMW cannot evaluate all tires
and wheels on the market, and is thus
unable to guarantee that the vehicle will
continue to perform safely if unap-
proved tires and/or wheels are
mounted.<
For each tire size, BMW has assessed
the safe performance of specific tire
brands and approved them for use.
Consult any BMW center for details.
Comply with any local/national regula-
tions, for example by recording the tire
type in the vehicle documents.
The correct wheel and tire combi-
nation affects various systems
that would otherwise be impaired, for
example ABS, ASC+T/DSC and
ADB/DBC.
For this reason, use only tires of the
same manufacture and tread configura-
tion. In the event of a flat tire, for exam-
ple, remount the approved wheel and
tire combination as soon as possible.<
StorageAlways store tires in a cool, dry place.
Store them away from light whenever
possible. Protect the tires against con-
tact with oil, grease and fuel.
Winter tiresChoosing the right tireBMW recommends winter tires – M+S
tires – for operation under inclement
winter driving conditions. While all-sea-
son tires – M+S designation – provide
better winter traction than the corre-
sponding summer tires, they generally
do not achieve the performance of win-
ter tires.
In the interest of safe tracking and
steering response, install winter tires
made by the same manufacturer and
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.<
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138
13. Wheels with full wheel covers*:
place the wheel cover with the
valve opening – see arrow – over
the valve. Use both hands to press
the cover securely onto the rim
14. Check and correct the tire inflation
pressure at the earliest opportunity.
Vehicles with Tire Pressure Monitor
(TPM)/Flat Tire Monitor: after
mounting the spare tire or correct-
ing the tire inflation pressure, reini-
tialize the system, refer to
pages 81, 82.
Protect valve stems and valves from dirt
using screw-on valve stem caps. Dirty
valve stems frequently lead to slow
pressure loss.
Do not attempt to install the full
wheel cover on the space-saver
spare tire, since this could damage the
cover.<
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 torque bolts checked
with a calibrated lug wrench – torque
specification: 88.5 lb ft/120 Nm – at the
earliest opportunity.<
When storing a wheel in the spare tire
recess, take care to avoid bending the
threaded rod.
If the original BMW light-alloy wheels
have been replaced with other light-
alloy wheels, different lug bolts may be
required.
Replace the defective tire as soon as
possible and have the new wheel/tire
balanced.
Driving with the space-saver
spare tireDrive cautiously. Do not exceed a
speed of 50 mph / 80 km/h.
Be aware that vehicle handling may be
altered. Anticipate, e.g., reduced track-
ing during braking, longer braking dis-
tances and changed steering charac-
teristics when approaching limit
conditions. These handling characteris-
tics will be even more pronounced if
winter tires are mounted.
Only one space-saver spare tire
may be mounted at one time.
Mount a wheel and tire of the original
size at the earliest possible opportu-
nity. For certain wheel/tire combina-
tions, the size of the spare tire will
differ from that of the remaining tires.
The spare tire is fully functional at all
loads and speeds. However, the spare
tire should be replaced at the earliest
possible opportunity in order to achieve
the original operating conditions.<
Changing a wheel
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Everything from A to Z
155
N
Navigation System, refer to
the separate Owner's
Manual
Neckrest 46
O
OBD interface socket 126
Obstruction protection 40
Odometer 70
Oil
capacity 149
quality 121
viscosity 121
Oil additives 121
Oil change intervals, refer to
the Service and Warranty
Information Booklet for US
models/Warranty and Ser-
vice Guide Booklet for
Canadian models
Oil consumption 120
Oil dipstick 120
Oil filter change 149
Oil level
checking 120
indicator lamp 18
Oil pressure
indicator lamp 18
OIL SERVICE 72
Oil types 121Onboard computer, refer to
the Owner's Manual for
Onboard Computer
Onboard tool kit 130
Operating elements 14
Outlets, ventilation 88, 92
Outside temperature dis-
play 74
P
Panic mode – trigger
alarm 32
Park Distance Control
(PDC) 76
Parking aid 76
Parking brake 61
Parking lamps 85
replacing bulb 132
PDC Park Distance
Control 76
Pocket flashlight 98
Pollen 91, 96
Power output 146
Power seat 45
Pressure, tires 24, 81, 111
monitoring 81
R
Radiator 149
Radio
refer to the Owner's Man-
ual for RadioRain sensor 67
Range 75
Reading lamps
front 87
rear 87
Rear backrest, folding 102
Rear center 3-point safety
belt 102
Rear lamps 133
Rear window defroster
90, 95
Rearview mirror 50
Recirculated-air mode
90, 95
Reclining seat 43
Refueling 23
Remote control 31
Remote control keys 30
Replacement key 30
Reporting safety defects 6
Reserve indicator lamp 71
Reverse 62
Roof load capacity 148
Roof-mounted luggage
rack 105
Run Flat tires 113, 139
S
Safe seating position 43
Safety belt height adjust-
ment 47
Safety feature 40Seat adjustment 43
mechanical 44
power 45
Seat heating 49
Seat memory 48
Securing cargo 105
Securing devices 105
Selector lever, automatic
transmission 63
Service and Warranty Infor-
mation Booklet 124
Service interval display
72, 124
Shiftlock 63
Side airbags 52
Size 147
Ski bag 103
Sliding/tilt sunroof 41
closing following an elec-
trical malfunction 42
convenience operation 31
remote control 32
Snow chains 115
Socket 100
Spare key 30
Spare tire 135
Speedometer 16
Sports seat 44
Standing lamps 86
Starting problems 59
Starting the engine 59
Steering wheel lock 59
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