BMW Assist
178
BMW Assist
To avoid posing an unnecessary
hazard, both to your own vehicle's
occupants and to other road users: never
attempt to use the controls or make adjust-
ments while operating the vehicle.<
Requirements
If the following requirements are met, you
can call up BMW Assist:
>Telephone is connected and switched
on
>The lock code has been entered
>The mobile communications network is
available
>GPS reception is assured.
The position of the vehicle can influ-
ence the mobile communications/
GPS reception. As a rule, mobile communi-
cations/GPS reception is only possible
under a clear sky.
When vehicle data is exchanged with the
BMW Service Center, a corresponding
message appears in the Control Display.<
Roadside Assistance of the
BMW Group
Here, you automatically dial the number of
the Roadside Assistance of the BMW
Group, your BMW center or BMW Cus-
tomer Relations.
To contact Roadside Assistance, for
example in the event of a breakdown:
1.Select "BMW Assist" and confirm
2.Select "BMW Services" and confirm3.Select "Roadside Assistance" and con-
firm.
The vehicle's current location is dis-
played
4.Select "ACTIVATE" and confirm.
The data of your vehicle is transmitted
to BMW center.
BMW center forwards the current vehicle
location and the customer profile, the
vehicle data, to the relevant Roadside
Assistance service. Voice communication
to the Roadside Assistance service is set
up.
*
Wheels and tires
184
Wheels and tires
Tire inflation pressure
Information for your safety
The factory-mounted tires have been spe-
cially selected to provide optimal perfor-
mance when installed on your vehicle; if
properly cared for they will furnish a combi-
nation of tremendous safety and excellent
ride comfort.
It is not merely the tire's service life, but
also driving comfort and Ð above all else Ð
driving safety that depend on the condition
of the tires and the maintenance of the spe-
cified tire pressure.
Incorrect inflation pressure is a frequent
cause of tire damage. Tire inflation pres-
sures also have a substantial effect on your
BMW's handling response.
Check tire inflation pressures regu-
larly Ð at least every two weeks and
before beginning a longer trip. If you fail to
observe this precaution you may be driving
on tires with incorrect tire pressures, a con-
dition that can not only compromise your
vehicle's stability, but also lead to tire
damage and the risk of an accident.
Remember to check the inflation pressure
in your spare tire. Inflate the spare to the
highest pressure specified for any tire on
the vehicle.<
The inflation pressures, provided on a label
affixed to the B-pillar, are visible when the
driver's door is open.
Checking inflation pressure
The table on the next page provides the
correct inflation pressures for cool tires,
ambient temperature, in psi/kilopascal.
Vehicles with Flat Tire Monitor or TPM Tire
Pressure Monitor:
After mounting a spare tire or correcting
the inflation pressure(s) always reinitialize
the system, refer to page 98 or 99.
Complying with tire approval
specifications
The inflation pressures in the table apply to
tire sizes and tires from BMW approved
manufacturers. Your BMW center is familiar
with these pressures. Different pressures
may be specified for tires from other
manufacturers.
Wheels and tires
186
Tire condition
Tire tread Ð tire damage
Inspect your tires frequently for tread wear,
signs of damage and for foreign objects
lodged in the tread. Check the tread depth.
The tread depth should not drop below
0.12 in (3 mm), although, for example,
European legislation only specifies a
minimum tread depth of 0.06 in (1.6 mm).
At tread depths below 0.12 in (3 mm) there
is an increased risk of high-speed hydro-
planing, even when only small amounts of
water are present on the road surface.
Wear indicators at the tread-groove base,
see arrow, are distributed over the tire's
circumference and are marked on the tire
sidewall with TWI Ð Tread Wear Indicator.
These indicators signal at a tread depth of
0.06 in (1.6 mm) that the legal wear limit
has been reached.
Never attempt to continue driving on
a flat tire. Because a flat tire will
seriously impair your vehicle's handling
and braking response, attempts to drive on
a flat tire can lead to loss of control over the
vehicle.
To avoid loading the tires beyond their
approved carrying capacity, never overload
the vehicle. Overloading can lead to over-
heating and damage inside the tires. The
ultimate result can assume the form of a
sudden air loss.
Unusual vibrations encountered during
normal vehicle operation can indicate tire
failure or some other vehicle defect. This
can, for example, be caused by driving over
curbs. These kinds of problems may also
be signaled by other changes in vehicle response, such as a strong tendency to pull
to the left or right. Should this occur,
respond by immediately reducing your
speed. Carefully proceed Ð or have your
vehicle towed Ð to the nearest BMW center
or tire dealer to have the wheels or tires
inspected.
Tire damage, extending to sudden and
complete loss of pressure in extreme
cases, can pose a potentially lethal safety
hazard for the vehicle's occupants and
other road users alike.<
Run-flat tires*
Run-flat tires consist of self-contained tires
and special rims. The tire reinforcement
ensures that the tire retains some residual
safety in the event of pressure drop and
driving remains possible to a restricted
degree, refer to page 200.
The vehicle is equipped with a Flat Tire
Monitor or TPM Tire Pressure Monitor
which indicates flat tires.
Tire replacement
To maintain good handling and vehicle
response, use only tires of a single tread
configuration from a single manufacturer.
BMW tests and approves specific wheel
and tire combinations.
DOT Quality Grades
Treadwear
Traction AA A B C
Temperature A B C
All passenger car tires must conform
to Federal Safety Requirements in
addition to these grades.<
Treadwear
The treadwear grade is a comparative
rating based on the wear rate of the tire
when tested under controlled conditions
on a specified government test course.
For example, a tire graded 150 would
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Reference
187
wear one and one-half Ð 1g Ð 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 signifi-
cantly from the norm due to variations in
driving habits, service practices and differ-
ences 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
braking traction tests, and does not include
acceleration, cornering, hydroplaning, or
peak traction characteristics.<
Temperature
The temperature grades are A Ð the
highest Ð, 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, underinflation, or excessive
loading, either separately or in combina-
tion, 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:
Treadwear 200 Traction AA
Temperature A
Do not use retreaded tires, since dri-
ving safety may be impaired. Possible
variations in the design and the age Ð which
could be substantial Ð of the carcasses can
lead to unusually rapid wear.<
Tire age
The tire's date of manufacture is indicated
on the sidewall:
DOT ... 3402 indicates that a tire was
manufactured in week 34 of the year 2002.
Regardless of mileage or wear, BMW
recommends that you replace all tires Ð
including the spare Ð after a maximum of
6 years, even though the tires may have a
theoretical service life of up to 10 years.
Wheel and tire
combinations
The right choice
Use only wheel and tire combinations
that BMW has approved for your par-
ticular vehicle. Variations in factors such as
manufacturing tolerances mean that even
wheels and tires with identical official size
ratings could actually have different dimen-
sions than the approved units Ð these diffe-
rences 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 there-
fore 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.
Wheels and tires
188 The correct combination of wheels
and tires is a vital factor in ensuring
reliable operation of various vehicle sys-
tems such as ABS and DSC.
It is therefore important to ensure that tires
from a single manufacturer with a single
tread configuration are always mounted on
all vehicle wheels; after a flat tire, always
remember to have the specified wheel and
tire combination remounted on the vehicle
as soon as possible.<
Storage
Always store wheels and tires in a cool, dry
place with as little exposure to light as pos-
sible. Always protect tires against all con-
tact with oil, grease and fuels.
Special characteristics of
winter tires
Choosing the right tire
BMW recommends winter tires Ð M+S tires
for use in cold winter driving conditions.
Although all-season M+S tires provide
better winter traction than standard
summer tires with H, V, W and ZR speed
ratings, they generally fail to provide the
same levels of cold-weather performance
as winter tires.
When mounting, always install winter tires
of a single tread configuration and from a
single manufacturer on all four wheels to
ensure safe tracking and secure steering
response.
Observing speed ratings
Never exceed the maximum speed for
which the winter tires are rated.
Unprofessional attempts by laymen to ser-
vice tires can lead to damage and acci-
dents.
Have this work performed by skilled pro-
fessionals only. The technicians at your
BMW center will be glad to assist you with
the required professional knowledge and
specialized equipment.<
Tire condition, tire pressure
Because winter tires display a noticeable
loss in their ability to cope with cold-wea-
ther driving conditions once the tread
wears to below 0.16 in (4 mm), to ensure
continued safety you should always have
such tires replaced.
Always maintain the specified inflation
pressures in all tires, and remember to
have the wheel and tire assemblies bal-
anced every time either a wheel or a tire is
replaced.
Snow chains*
BMW only tests certain snow chains, clas-
sifies them as road-safe and approves
them. Consult your BMW center for more
information. BMW recommends only using
these approved, narrow-link snow chains.
These snow chains are approved exclusi-
vely for use in pairs on the rear wheels, and
should only be mounted on tires with the
dimensions 245/50 R 18. Observe the
manufacturer's instructions when installing
snow chains. Do not exceed a vehicle
speed of 30 mph (50 km/h) with the chains
mounted.
Rules and regulations
194
Rules and regulations
California Proposition 65
Warning
California laws require us to state the fol-
lowing warning:
Engine exhaust, some of its constitu-
ents, and certain vehicle components
contain or emit chemicals known to the
State of California to cause cancer and
birth defects and reproductive harm. In
addition, certain fluids contained in
vehicles and certain products of compo-
nent wear contain or emit chemicals known
to the State of California to cause cancer
and birth defects or other reproductive
harm.
Battery posts, terminals and related acces-
sories contain lead and lead compounds.
Wash your hands after handling.
Used engine oil contains chemicals that
have caused cancer in laboratory animals.
Always protect your skin by washing tho-
roughly with soap and water.<
OBD connector
The Onboard Diagnostic Ð OBD Ð interface
socket is located on the left of the driver's
side under the instrument panel and under
a cover.
The cover has the letters OBD on it.
The purpose of the OBD system is to
ensure proper operation of the emission
control system for the vehicle's lifetime.
The system monitors emission-related components and systems for deterioration
and malfunction.
An illuminated lamp informs you of
the need for service, not of the need
to stop the vehicle. However, the
systems should be checked by your BMW
center at the earliest possible opportunity.
Under certain conditions, the indicator will
blink or flash. This indicates a rather severe
level of engine misfire. When this occurs,
you should reduce speed and consult the
nearest BMW center as soon as possible.
Severe engine misfire over only a short
period of time can seriously damage emis-
sions control components, especially the
catalytic converter.
When the fuel filler cap is not properly
tightened, the OBD system can
detect the vapor leak and the indicator will
light up. If the filler cap is subsequently
tightened, the indicator should go out
within a few days.<
Replacing components
196
Releasing the lamp cover
The illustration shows the left-hand side of
the engine compartment.
1High beams
Press the tab down, see arrow.
Always wear gloves and eye protec-
tion Ð the atmosphere within the bulb
is pressurized. Failure to observe this pre-
caution can lead to personal injury should
the bulb be damaged.<
1 High beams
H7 bulb, 55 watts
1.Remove the cover
2.Turn the bulb holder to the left and
remove
3.Remove and replace the bulb.
Xenon lamps
The service life of these bulbs is very long
and the probability of a failure is very low,
provided that they are not switched on and
off an unusual number of times. In the
unlikely event that one of these lamps
should fail, you can respond by switching
on your fog lamps and proceeding care-
fully, where allowed by law. To avoid risk of potentially fatal inju-
ries: owing to the extremely high vol-
tages at which these units operate, service
work should always be entrusted to quali-
fied personnel.<
Parking and standing lamps
In the event of a malfunction, please con-
tact your BMW center.
Turn signal indicator, front
Two bulbs 21 watts Ð P 21 W
1.Turn the bulb holder to the left and
remove
2.Apply gentle pressure to the bulb while
turning it to the left for removal and
replacement.
Side-mounted turn signal indicators
Bulb 5 watts Ð W 5 W
1.Press against the front edge of the lamp
with the tip of your finger, then push it to
the rear and release the detent at the
front
2.Turn the lamp 903 and remove
3.Turn the bulb holder to the left and
remove
Everything from A to Z
216 "DTC" 95
DTC Dynamic Traction
Control 15, 95
"DVD" 146, 164
DVD changer 162
Ð adjusting picture 166
Ð adjusting the tone 147
Ð chapter search 166
Ð controls 146
Ð copy protection 162
Ð country codes 163
Ð DVD controller 164
Ð fast forward 165
Ð fast reverse 165
Ð freezing frame 166
Ð humidity 163
Ð media formats 162
Ð operating
temperatures 163
Ð safety 162
Ð searching for chapter 166
Ð selecting a track 165
Ð selecting camera
angle 167
Ð selecting DVD 165
Ð selecting language 167
Ð selecting picture
format 166
Ð selecting subtitles 167
Ð specific menu 167
Ð switching on 164
Ð temperature range 163
Ð volume 147
DVD Multimedia changer,
refer to DVD changer 162
Dynamic Brake Control
DBC 96
Dynamic Drive 97
Dynamic Stability Control
DSC 94
Dynamic Traction Control
DTC 15, 95
E
EBV Electronic brake-force
distribution 96
"EDC" 97
Ð "Comfort" 97
Ð "Sport" 97EDC Electronic Damping
Control 97
Electrical malfunction
Ð automatic transmission
lockout 70
Ð fuel filler door 182
Ð parking brake, emergency
use 65
Ð sliding/tilt sunroof 44
Electric power seats 46
Electric power windows 42
Electric seats 46
Electric steering wheel
adjustment 53
Electronic brake-force
distribution EBV 96
Electronic Damping Control
EDC 97
Electronic toll collection
device, refer to Entry/
pass tags 127
Emergency operation
Ð automatic transmission
lockout 70
Ð doors 37
Ð fuel filler door 182
Ð luggage compartment
lid 40
Ð parking brake 65
Ð sliding/tilt sunroof 44
Emergency SOS call 173
"Emissions inspection" 84
Energy Control 88
Engine compartment 190
"Engine coolant" 193
Engine coolant 190
"Engine oil" 193
Engine oil
Ð consumption 190
Ð grades 191
Engine oils 191
Engine output 208
Engine specifications 208
"Entertainment"
19, 22, 146
Entry/pass tags 127
Equalizer 147, 148
ESP, refer to DSC 94
Estimated time of arrival 88Extended vehicle storage,
refer to separate Care
manual
Exterior mirrors 52
Ð automatic dimming 52
"Extra"
Ð with rear air
conditioner 112
Ð with rear cooler 116
"Extra" in "Climate"
menu 109
F
Fader 147
"Fader" in sound system
operation 148
Failure of an electrical
accessory 201
"Fastest route" 137
Fastest route 137
Fault displays 85
Filler door 182
Filling the washer
reservoir 73
First-aid kit 202
Fittings, tow-starting and
towing 204
Flashlight 117
Flat Tire Monitor 98
Flat tires 186
"FM..." 146, 149, 151
FM waveband 149
Fog lamps 103
"Footwell" 110
Footwell lamps 104
Forward lamps 104
Front armrest 117
Front seat adjustment 45
Fuel 183
Fuel capacity 182
Fuel consumption
display 88
Fuel economy 88
Fuel filler door 182
Ð releasing in the event of
electrical defect 182
Fuel gauge 87
Fuel level display 87, 88
"Fuel reserve" 87
Fuel specifications 183