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110
ceed carefully to the nearest BMW cen-
ter or professional tire center, or have
the vehicle towed in to have it, its
wheels or its tires inspected.
Tire damage, up to and including blow-
outs, can endanger the lives of both the
vehicle occupants and other road
users.<
Tire replacementDOT quality gradesTreadwear
Traction AA A B C
Temperature A B C
All passenger car tires must con-
form to Federal Safety Require-
ments in addition to these grades.
rating based on the wear rate of the tire
when tested under controlled condi-
tions on a specified government test
course.
For example, a tire graded 150 would
wear one and one-half – 1 1/2 – times
as well on the government course as a
tire graded 100. The relative perfor-
mance of tires depends upon the actual
conditions of their use, however, and
may depart significantly from the norm
due to variations in driving habits, ser-
vice practices and differences in road
characteristics and climate.TractionThe 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 speci-
fied government 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 charac-
teristics.
highest – B and C, representing the
tire's resistance to the generation of
heat and its ability to dissipate heat
when tested under controlled condi-
tions 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 tem-
perature 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.
Tire condition
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Page 137 of 158

137
You will find corresponding
instructions for using the
M Mobility system on the device.
Replace the defective tire as soon as
possible and have the new wheel bal-
anced. Reinitialize the Flat Tire Monitor,
and refer to page 83 for further informa-
tion. Have the M Mobility system
refilled. Contact your BMW center for
this.<
Protect valve stems against dirt using
screw-on dust caps. Dirty valve stems
frequently lead to slow pressure loss.
Battery
Battery posts, terminals, and
related accessories contain lead
and lead compounds. Wash hands after
handling.<
MaintenanceThe battery is completely maintenance-
free. That means that the original bat-
tery acid will normally last for the ser-
vice life of the battery under moderate
climate conditions.
Please consult your BMW center
whenever you have any questions
concerning the battery. Since the bat-
tery is absolutely maintenance-free, the
following statements are for your infor-
mation only.<
Never disconnect the battery
when the engine is running; the
ensuing voltage surge would seriously
damage the vehicle's onboard elec-
tronic systems.
when the engine is not running. Use the
connections provided in the engine
compartment. For information on the
connections, see Jump-Starting,
page 139.
Return used batteries to a recy-
cling point or your BMW center.
Maintain the battery in an upright posi-
tion for transport and storage. Secure
the battery against tilting in transit.<
Repairing a flat tire
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
handbook.book Page 137 Saturday, July 27, 2002 1:12 PM
Page 150 of 158

Everything from A to ZA
ABS Antilock Brake
System 107
indicator lamp 19
Accessories 5
Activated-charcoal filter 94
Adding brake fluid 116, 121
Air conditioning 92
Air distribution
automatic 92
individual 92
Air nozzles 90
Air outlets 90
Air pressure 109
checking 25
Air supply 92
Air supply vents
recirculated-air mode 93
Airbags 53
warning lamp 18
Alarm system 38
avoiding unintentional
alarms 39
indicator lamp 39
interior motion sensor 38
tilt alarm sensor 38
Antifreeze 120
Antilock Brake System
(ABS) 107
indicator lamp 19
Anti-theft system 30, 38
Armrest 96Ashtray
front 98
rear 98
AUC Automatic recircu-
lated-air control 93
Automatic car wash, refer to
the Caring for your vehicle
brochure
Automatic climate control 90
Automatic cruise control 72
Automatic dimming, interior
rearview mirror 52
Automatic headlamp
control 86
Automatic recirculated-air
control (AUC) 93
Auxiliary terminal for jump-
starting 116, 139
Average fuel
consumption 79
Average speed 79
Avoiding unintentional
alarms 39
Axle loads 146
B
Backrests
adjusting 44
unlocking 47
width adjustment 46
Backup lamps 64
replacing bulb 131Battery 137
charge 137
charge current 18
current warning lamp 18
Belts 47
3-point safety belt 100
height adjustment 48
Beverage holder 96
Blind, sun protection 94
Blower 92
BMW Maintenance
System 122
Bore 144
Bottle holder, see Beverage
holder 96
Brake fluid level 108
warning lamp 18, 121
Brake hydraulic system
warning lamps 18
Brake lamps
replacing bulb 131
Brake pads 108
Brake system
brake fluid level, warning
lamp 18
brake pads, indicator
lamp 19
Brakes
malfunctions 108
parking brake 63
Braking
driving notes 107Break-in procedures 106
Bulb replacement 129
C
California Proposition
65 warning 124
Can holder, see Beverage
holder 96
Capacities 147
Car care, refer to the Caring
for your vehicle brochure
Car vacuum cleaner, con-
necting 98
Car wash, refer to the Caring
for your vehicle brochure
Care, refer to the Caring for
your vehicle brochure
Cargo loading 102
Caring for headlamp cov-
ers, refer to the Caring for
your vehicle brochure 129
CBC Cornering Brake Con-
trol 107
indicator lamp 19
Cellular phone 97
Center armrest 96
Center high-mount brake
lamp 132
Central locking system 30
button 34
Check Control 76
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