2003 BMW M5 SEDAN tires

109n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Information for your safetyThe factory-approved radial tires are
matched to the vehicle and have been
selected to provide optimum safety and
driving comfort on your vehicle.
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 main-
tenance of the specified tire inflation
pressure.
Incorrect inflation pressures are
a frequent cause of tire problems
and flat tires. Tire pressure also has a
major effect on your BMW's handling
response. Check tire inflation pressures
on a regular basis (refer to page 22), at
least every two weeks and before every
long trip. If you fail to observe these
precautions, incorrect tire pressures
can cause driving instability and tire
damage, ultimately resulting in an
accident.<
Tire tread Ð tire damageInspect 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), even though, for
example the legally specified minimum
tread depth in Europe is only 0.063 in
(1.6 mm). Below a tread depth of
0.12 in (3 mm) there is an increased risk
of hydroplaning, even at relatively mod-
erate speeds and with only small
amounts of water on the road.
Tread wear indicators, refer to arrow,
are embedded around the tire circum-
ference in the base of the tire tread.
Their locations are indicated on the tire
sidewall with TWI Ð Tread Wear Indi-
cator. At a tread depth of 0.063 in 390de331
(1.6 mm) these indicators, signal that
the tires have reached the legally per-
missible wear limit.
Do not drive on a deflated (flat) tire.
A flat tire greatly impairs steering
and braking response, and can lead to
complete loss of control over the
vehicle.
Avoid overloading the vehicle so that
the permitted load on the tires is not
exceeded. Overloading leads to over-
heating and causes 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 a
flat tire or some other vehicle malfunc-
tion. The type of problem can be caused
by contact with curbs, etc. This is also
true for irregularities in the vehicle's
handling characteristics, such as a pro-
nounced tendency to pull to the left or
right. Should this occur, respond by
immediately reducing your speed. Pro-
ceed carefully to the nearest BMW
center or professional tire center, or
have the vehicle towed in to have it, its
wheels and tires inspected.
Tire damage (up to and including blow-
outs) can endanger the lives of both the
vehicle occupants and other road
users.<
Tire inflation pressure Tire condition

110n
Tire replacementTo maintain good handling and vehicle
response, use only tires of a single
tread configuration from a single manu-
facturer. BMW tests wheel and tire
combinations and approves them.DOT 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 (1g) times as
well on the government course as a tire
graded 100. The relative performance
of tires depends upon the actual condi-
tions of their use, however, and may
depart significantly from the norm due
to variations in driving habits, service
practices and differences in road char-
acteristics 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 a sudden flat tire.
The grade C corresponds to a level of
performance which all passenger car
tires must meet under the Federal
Motor Car Safety Standard No. 109.
Grades B and A represent 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 combination, can cause heat buildup
and possible tire failure. applicable on the tire sidewall between
tread shoulder and maximum section
width. For example:
Treadwear 200
Traction AA
Temperature A

111n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Tire replacement Wheel and tire combinations
Do not use retreaded tires, since
driving safety may be impaired.
This is due to the possible variations in
casing structures and, in some cases,
to their extreme age, which can lead to
a decrease in their durability.<
Tire ageThe date on which the tire was manu-
factured is indicated by the code on the
sidewall:
DOT ... 3401 indicates that the tire was
manufactured in week 34 of the year
2001.
Although tires may have a theoretical
service life of up to 10 years, BMW
strongly recommends that you replace
all tires after an absolute maximum of
6 years.
The right choice
Never mount wheels and tires that
have not been specifically
approved by BMW for use on your par-
ticular model. Although other wheels
and tires may theoretically have the
same dimensions, variations in factors
such as manufacturing tolerances can
result in contact between tire and body-
work, ultimately leading to serious acci-
dents. If non-approved wheels and tires
are used, BMW cannot evaluate their
suitability, and therefore cannot be held
liable for driving safety.<
BMW has tested certain tires for each
tire size, rated them according to road
safety and approved them. Your BMW
center can inform you which tires have
been tested in this way. Observe pos-
sible national guidelines, e.g. regarding
entry into vehicle documents.
Because various systems on your
vehicle, such as ABS, DSC and
the Flat Tire Monitor, rely on the correct
combination of tires and wheels for
optimal operation, their operation may
be adversely affected if other tires and/
or wheels are mounted .
You should therefore ensure that tires
from a single manufacturer with the
same tread pattern are mounted at all
four wheels. After installing a spare tire
in response to a flat tire you should
always ensure that a tire of the original
specifications is remounted as soon as
possible.<
The use of rims and wheel bolts
that do not meet the specifica-
tions of the original factory-installed
equipment will affect the safe operation
of your vehicle and may cause an acci-
dent 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. tecting them against light whenever
possible. Protect the tires against con-
tact with oil, grease and fuel.

112n
Special characteristics of winter tires Snow chains
*
Choosing the right tireBMW recommends winter tires (M+S
radial tires) for driving in adverse winter
road conditions. While "all-season"
tires (M+S designation) provide better
winter traction than summer tires with
the load ratings H, V, W, Y and ZR, they
generally do not achieve the perfor-
mance 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.
Never exceed the maximum speed
approved for your speciÞc winter
tires.
Unprofessional attempts by laymen to
service tires can lead to damage and
accidents.
Have this work performed by skilled
professionals only. Any BMW center
has the required technical knowledge
and the proper equipment and will be
happy to assist you.<
Tire condition, tire inflation
pressureWhen the tread wears to a depth of less
than 0.16 in (4 mm) there is a substan-
tial reduction in the tire's ability to pro-
vide adequate traction under winter
driving conditions. To ensure continued
safety, tires with this amount of tread
wear should always be replaced.
Comply with the specified tire inflation
pressures Ð and be sure to have the
wheel and tire assemblies balanced
every time you change the wheels/tires.The use of BMW narrow-link snow
chains on winter tires is approved only
in pairs and only on the rear wheels.
Comply with all manufacturer's safety
precautions when mounting the chains.
Do not exceed a speed of 30 mph
(50 km/h) while driving with mounted
snow chains.
It is not possible to mount snow
chains with 18-inch wheels and
tires.<

Everything from A to ZA
ABS (Antilock Brake
System)17, 107
Activated-charcoal filter91
Active seat43
Adding
brake fluid118t
engine coolant118t
engine oil116t
washer fluid115t
Adjusting
backrest41
head restraints43
mirrors48
seats40
steering wheel47
temperature89
Air conditioning90
Air distribution89
Air pressure, tires22, 109
Air supply89
Airbags17, 49
Alarm system35
Anchorage points
child-restraint system with
tether strap52
Antifreeze118
Antilock Brake System
(ABS)17, 107
Aquaplaning107, 109 Ashtray
front97
rear98
Attach vacuum cleaner98
AUC (Automatic recircu-
lated-air control)90
Automatic climate
control87
removing condensation
from the windows89
Automatic cruise control61
Automatic curb monitor46
Automatic dimming
exterior mirror48
interior rearview mirror48
Automatic recirculated-air
control (AUC)90
Automatic steering wheel
adjustment47
Automatic windshield
washer60
Average fuel
consumption75
Average speed76
Avoiding unintentional
alarms36
Axle loads142
B
Backrest, adjusting41
Backup lamps59
bulb replacement126t
Battery131
care131
charging131
discharged133t
Belts44
Beverage holder97
Blower89
BMW active seat43
BMW comfort seat42
BMW High Performance
Synthetic Oil117
BMW M sport seat41
BMW Maintenance
System119
BMW Universal
Transmitter93
Bottle holder, refer to
Beverage holder97
Brake fluid118
disposal118
Brake hydraulic system,
brake pads16
Brake system108
brake fluid level108
brake linings108
malfunctions108t
Break-in procedures106 Bulbs and lamps124
C
California Proposition
65 Warning120
Capacities143
Car telephone97
Cargo loading102
Cellular phone97
refer also to the separate
Owner's Manual97
Center (high mount) brake
lamp127
Central locking system26
key31
Charging the battery132t
CHECK button66
Check Control66
Check engine oil
level115t
Check tire inflation
pressure22t, 109
Child seats51
Child-restraint
installation53
Child-restraint system with
tether strap52
Cigarette lighter98
Clock70
refer also to the "Owner's
Manual for Onboard
Computer"

Everything from A to ZF
Failure messages66
Filling capacities143
First-aid kit20
Fittings, tow starting and
towing135t
Flashlight96
Flat tire109
Flat Tire Monitor82
Flat tire, repairing128
Fog lamps85
bulb replacement126t
Folding rear backrest99
Follow me home lamps84
Frost protection,
radiator118
Fuel consumption75
average75
Fuel filler door20
manual operation20t
Fuel gauge64
Fuel quality22
Fuel specifications22
Fuel tank capacity143
Fuse replacement132t G
Gasoline gauge64
Gasoline quality22
Glove compartment96
Gross vehicle weight142
H
Handbrake17, 58
Hands-free system97
Hazard warning triangle20
Head protection airbags49
Head restraints43
adjusting43
Headlamp cover,
care125t
Headlamp flasher59
Headlamp washer
system115
Headlamp washers61
Headrests43
Heated seats46
Heating with vehicle
stopped90
Heavy cargo102
Height141
Height adjustment
seats41
steering wheel47
High beams18, 59, 85
High Performance Synthetic
Oil117
High-mount brake lamp127
Holder for canned
beverages97
Hood113
release113t
Horn14 Hydraulic Braking Assistant,
refer to DBC17, 80
Hydroplaning107, 109
I
Ice warning63
Identification, tires111
Ignition key26
Ignition lock56
Imprint4
Independent ventilation
system, refer to Parked-
car ventilation system92
Indicator lamps16
Inflation
pressure22t, 109
INSPECTION65
Instrument cluster15
Instrument lighting85
Intensive cleaning
system115
Interface socket for Onboard
Diagnostics (OBD)121
Interior lamps86
Interior mirrors48
Interior motion sensor36
deactivating29 J
Jump-starting133t
K
Key Memory55
Key with remote control26
Keys26 L
Lamps and bulbs124
Lashing eyes for attaching
cargo straps34, 102
Length141
License plate lamps, bulb
replacement127t
Lighter98
LIGHTS ON warning84
Locking and unlocking the
doors27
Low beams14, 84
Low-fuel warning lamp64
Luggage compartment34
capacity142
manual operation32t
opening from the
inside33
opening separately32
securing separately32

Everything from A to Z
149n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Luggage compartment
lid32
emergency release from
luggage compartment's
interior34
opening from the
inside33
opening from the
outside33
remote control29
securing separately32
unlocking in case of
electrical
malfunction32t
Luggage net34
Luggage straps34
Lumbar support41 M
M Dynamic Driving
Control81
M Mobility system128
M+S tires112
Maintenance65, 119t
Malfunction displays66
Manual operation
doors27t
fuel filler door20t
luggage compartment
lid32t
sliding/tilt sunroof39t Manual transmission58
Maximum cooling90
Memory, adjustment of seat,
mirror, steering wheel45
Microfilter91
MID (Multi-Information
Display)69
Mirrors48
adjusting48
heating48
position adjustment
memory45
self-defrosting48
Modifications,
technical120
Multifunction buttons,
steering wheel19
Multifunction switch59
Multi-Information Display
(MID)69
O
OBD interface socket121
Odometer63
Oil
additives116
checking level115
consumption115
grades117 Oil change interval, refer to
the Service and Warranty
Information Booklet (US
models) or the Warranty
and Service Guide Booklet
(Canadian models)
Oil pressure, indicator
lamp16
Oil specification117
OILSERVICE65
Onboard tool kit124t
Opening and closing
from inside31
from outside27
with the key27
Outside temperature
display63
P
Park Distance Control
(PDC)78
Parked-car ventilation
system92
activating72
refer also to the "Owner's
Manual for Onboard
Computer"
Parking brake17, 58
Parking lamps14, 84 Passenger-side mirror tilt
function46
PDC Park Distance
Control78
Performance Recognition for
M Dynamic Driving
Control81
Pocket flashlight96
Pollen filter91
Power seat41
Power windows36
safety switch37
Pressure monitor, tires82
Pressure, tires22t, 109
Q
Quality grades, tires110 R
Rain sensor60
Reading lamps86
Rear backrest, folding99
Rear window defroster90
Rearseat backrest,
folding99
Rearview mirrors48
Recirculated-air mode90
Refueling20

Everything from A to ZReleasing the fuel filler door
after an electrical
malfunction20t
Reminder signal (Memo)71
Remote control28, 77
Remote control key26
Removing condensation
from windows89t
Repairing flat tire128
Replacement key26t
Replacement of lamps and
bulbs124t
Replacement of windshield
wiper blades124t
Reporting safety defects10
Reservoir, washer
system115t
Residual heating mode90
Roller sun blinds92
Roof load capacity142
Roof-mounted luggage
rack103 S
Safety belts44
Safety buttons31
Safety defects, reporting10
Safety switch for power
windows37
Seat heating46 Seats40
adjusting40
heating46
position adjustment
memory45
Securing cargo34, 102
Service and Warranty10
Service and Warranty Infor-
mation Booklet (US
models)119
Service Interval
Display65, 119
Setting alarm in an
emergency77
Side airbags49
Side Impact Head Protection
System49
Side-marker lamps84
Sitting safely40
with airbags40
with safety belt40
Ski bag100
Sliding/tilt sunroof38
closing after an electrical
malfunction39t
convenience operation27
power loss or
malfunction39t
Snow chains112 Socket for attaching power
supplies98
Spare key26
Speakers97
Special characteristics of
winter tires112
Special oils117
Specified engine oils117
Speed76
average76
Speed limit73
Speedometer15
Sport seat41
Standing lamps14, 85
Starting the engine56
assistance133t
problems57, 133t
Starting, vehicle56
Steering wheel47
automatic adjustment47
lock56
position adjustment
memory45
Steering wheel with multi-
function buttons19
Stopwatch71
refer also to the "Owner's
Manual for Onboard
Computer"
Storage compartments96 Summer tires111
Switching off the engine57
Symbols8
T
Tachometer64
Tail lamps126
bulb replacement126t
Tank capacity143
Technical
modifications120
Telephone preparation97
Temperature display
engine coolant65
engine oil64
outside temperature63
Temperature gauge
coolant65
engine oil64
Temperature layering91
Tether strap52
child-restraint system52
Thigh support
adjustment41
Third brake light127
Through-loading system99
Tilt alarm sensor36
deactivate29
Tilt function, passenger-side
mirror46