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Fuel specifications  Tire inflation pressures The engine uses lead-free gasoline 
only. 
Required fuel: 
>Premium Unleaded Gasoline, 
min. 91 AKI. 
AKI = Anti Knock Index
Do not use leaded fuels. The use 
of leaded fuels will cause perma-
nent damage to the system's oxygen 
sensor and the catalytic converter.< 
Check tire pressures All pressure specifications are indicated 
in psi/kilopascal for tires at ambient 
temperature, refer also to the table on 
the next page. 
Vehicles with Tire Pressure Monitor 
RDC:
After correcting the inflation pressures, 
reactivate the system, refer to page 97.530de225
Check tire inflation pressures 
regularly Ñ at least every two 
weeks and before beginning a longer 
trip. Incorrect tire pressure can other-
wise lead to poor handling, tire damage 
and accidents.
Check the tire inflation pressure of the 
spare tire. Inflate the spare tire to 
the highest inflation pressure of any tire 
on your vehicle.< 
Comply with tire approval 
specificationsThe inflation pressures in the table 
apply to tire sizes and tires from BMW-
approved manufacturers. Your 
BMW Sports Activity Vehicle center is 
familiar with these pressures. A 
different inflation pressure may be 
required for tire makes not approved by 
BMW.
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.  
     
        
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OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Tire inflation pressures BMW Tires
All pressure specifications in 
the table are indicated in psi/
kilopascal with cold tires, 
cold = ambient temperature
X5 All sizes 32/220 32/220 32/220 39/270 
     
        
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OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Wheel and tire combinations The right choice 
Use only wheels and tires 
approved by BMW for the corre-
sponding vehicle model, as otherwise 
the tires may make contact with the 
body as the result of tolerances despite 
the same nominal size being used, 
resulting in serious 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 Sports Activity Vehicle center for 
more information. Observe any regula-
tions applicable in the country of use, 
e.g. requiring entry in the vehicle docu-
ments.
The correct wheel and tire combi-
nation affects different systems 
such as ABS, ATC and DSC. The func-
tion of these systems is impaired if 
improper wheel and tire combinations 
are used.
For this reason, use only tires of the 
same brand and tread pattern on the 
vehicle and, for example, restore the 
approved wheel and tire combination 
following a flat tire as soon as 
possible.< 
The use of rims and lug bolts that 
do not meet the specifications of 
the original factory-installed equipment 
will affect the safe operation of your 
vehicle and may cause an accident 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.<
Storage Store wheels or tires in a cool, dry 
place, protecting them against light 
whenever possible. Protect the tires 
against contact with oil, grease and 
fuel.  
     
        
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Winter tires  Snow chains
*
Choosing the right tire BMW recommends winter tires Ð M+S 
radial tires Ð for operation under 
inclement winter driving conditions. 
While so-called all-season tires with 
M+S designation provide better winter 
traction than summer tires with the load 
ratings H, V, W, Y and ZR, they gener-
ally do not achieve the performance 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. 
Do not exceed specified 
maximum speeds 
Never exceed the maximum speed 
for which the tires are rated. 
Unprofessional attempts by laymen to 
service tires can lead to damage and 
accidents.
Have this work performed by skilled 
professionals only. Your BMW Sports 
Activity Vehicle center will be glad to 
assist you with both their expertise and 
the proper equipment for your vehicle.< 
Tire condition, tire pressureWinter tires display a perceptible loss in 
their ability to cope with winter driving 
conditions once the tread wears to 
below 0.16 in/4 mm, and should thus 
be replaced.
Comply with the specified tire inflation 
pressures Ñ and be sure to have the 
wheel and tire assemblies balanced 
every time you change the tires. 
Only certain snow chains have been 
tested by BMW and classified and 
approved as safe. Consult your BMW 
Sports Activity Vehicle center for 
details. The use of narrow-link BMW 
snow chains is approved only in pairs 
on the rear wheels and only with the 
following tire sizes.
BMW X5 4.6is: 255/55 R18
All other models: 235/65 R 17. 
Comply with all manufacturer's safety 
precautions when mounting the chains. 
Do not exceed a maximum speed of 
30 mph/50 km/h.  
     
        
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Changing a wheel9. Position the spare wheel. Secure 
the wheel by turning at least two 
lug bolts into opposite bolt holes 
10. Screw in the remaining lug bolts. 
Tighten all the bolts securely 
11. Lower the jack and remove it from 
beneath the vehicle 
12. Tighten the lug bolts in a diagonal 
pattern 
13. Check and correct the tire inflation 
pressure at the earliest opportunity. 
Vehicles with Tire Pressure Monitor 
RDC
*:
After mounting the spare wheel or 
correcting the tire inflation pres-
sure, reactivate the system, refer to 
page 97.
Protect valve stems and valves from dirt 
using screw-on valve stem caps. Dirt in 
the valve stems frequently leads to slow 
leaks.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 lug bolts checked with 
a calibrated lug wrench Ð torque speci-
fication: 101 lb-ft/140 Nm Ð at the 
earliest opportunity.< 
Store the wheel and the tools in the 
order opposite that for removal. 
Before removing the support rod, 
be sure that the tailgate is held 
down firmly. If you fail to do so, it could 
retract sharply upward and cause per-
sonal injury and vehicle damage.
After you remove the rod, close the tail-
gate carefully. Continue to hold it firmly 
until it is completely closed.< 
If light-alloy wheels other than original 
BMW light-alloy wheels have been 
mounted, it may be necessary to use 
different lug bolts for those wheels.
Replace the defective tire as soon as 
possible and have the new wheel/tire 
balanced. Driving with spare wheel
With certain wheel-and-tire com-
binations the size of the spare 
wheel differs from that of the other 
wheels. The spare wheel is equivalent 
to these in all speed and load ranges. 
However, to restore the original state, 
the normal wheel should be remounted 
as soon as possible.
When the spare wheel is mounted, the 
maximum speed rating is 130 mph/
210 km/h.<