Page 74 of 106

Wheels and tires
74 one and one-half (1 γ) 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 significantly from 
the norm due to variations in driving habits, 
service practices and differences 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 brak-
ing traction tests, and does not include 
acceleration, cornering, hydroplaning, or 
peak traction characteristics.< 
Temperature
The temperature grades are A – the 
highest – 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, under-inflation, or excessive load-
ing, either separately or in combination, 
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:
Tread wear 200 Traction AA 
Temperature A
Wheel and tire combina-
tions
The right choice
Use wheels and tires approved by 
BMW for your particular vehicle. Vari-
ations in factors such as manufacturing tol-
erances mean that even wheels and tires 
with identical official size ratings could 
actually have dimensions different from the 
approved units. These differences 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 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 center 
for more information. Observe any country-
specific regulations, e.g. on making a cor-
responding entry in the vehicle documents.
The correct wheel and tire combina-
tion affects different systems such as 
ABS, DSC, DTC and DBC. The function of 
these systems is impaired if improper 
wheel and tire combinations are used.
For this reason, use tires of the same brand 
and tread configuration. In the event of a 
flat tire, for example, remount the approved 
wheel and tire combination as soon as pos-
sible.< 
     
        
        Page 102 of 106

Everything from A - Z
102 Speedometer 13
Sport program
– automatic transmission 
with Steptronic 41
– Drivelogic 42
Standing lamps, refer to 
Parking lamps 45, 46
Starting problems 89
Starting the engine 38
Steering lock 38
Steering wheel
– adjusting 32
Steptronic 40
Storage compartments 60
– electrical fault 60
– opening manually 60
Storage nets 60
Storage, tires 76
Storing the vehicle, refer to 
the Caring for your vehi-
cle brochure
Stroke 94
Switching gears, refer to 
Automatic transmission 
with Steptronic 40
Symbols 6
Synthetic oils 80
T
Tachometer 47
Tail lamps
– bulb replacement 86
– indicator lamp, defective 
bulb 14
Tank capacity 96
Technical data 94
– engine 94
– weight 94
Technical 
modifications 7
Telephone preparation 61
Telephone, refer to the 
Owner's Manual for the 
telephone
Temperature
– air conditioning 56
– automatic climate 
control 58
– tires 74Temperature display
– engine coolant 47
– outside temperature 48
– outside temperature in 
computer 49
Third brake lamp 87
Tilt alarm sensor 19, 28
– deactivating 28
– remote control 19
Tire change 87
Tire damage 73
Tire inflation pressure 71
– checking 71
Tire pressure monitor 53
Tires
– age 73
– approval 71
– break-in procedures 64
– condition 73
– damage 73
– DOT quality grades 73
– flat tire 75
– inflation pressure 71
– M+S tires 76
– replacement 73
– Run Flat tires 73, 75, 87
– temperature 74
– traction 74
– tread 73
– tread wear 73
– Uniform Tire Quality 
Grading 74
– wheel-tire 
combination 74
– winter tires 76
Tool kit, refer to Onboard 
tool kit 84
Torque 94
Towing 90
Towing eyelet 90
Tow-starting 90
Track width 95
Traction 74
Transmission, refer to 
Automatic transmission 
with Steptronic 40
Transporting children 
safely 34
Tread depth, tires 73
Tread wear 73
Tread wear indicator 73Trip odometer 47
Trunk lid, refer to Luggage 
compartment lid 21, 22
Trunk, refer to Luggage 
compartment 22
Turn signal indicators 42
– bulb replacement 86
– indicator lamps 14
Turning circle 95
U
Undercoating, refer to the 
Caring for your vehicle 
brochure
Uniform Tire Quality 
Grading 74
Unintentional alarm 28
Unlocking the vehicle 19
Used batteries, refer to 
Battery disposal 88
V
Vacuum cleaner, refer to 
Cigarette lighter 
socket 61
Vehicle
– battery 87
– break-in procedures 64
– data 94
Vehicle Memory 37
Vehicle storage, refer to the 
Caring for your vehicle 
brochure
Vehicle vacuum cleaner, 
refer to Cigarette lighter 
socket 61
Ventilation 56, 59
Vents, refer to 
Ventilation 56, 59
W
Warning and indicator 
lamps 14
Warning triangle 89
Warranty and service 7
Warranty and Service 
Guide Booklet 82 
     
        
        Page 103 of 106
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
Reference
 103
Washer fluids
– refilling 79
Washer reservoir 79, 96
– filling 79
Washer/wiper system 43
Washing fluids 96
Water on roads
– flooding 65
Wear indicator in tires 73
Weights 94
Wheel change 87
Wheel wrench 87
Wheelbase 95
Wheels and tires 74
Width 95
Wind deflector 26
Window condensation
– removing 56, 58
Windows
– convenience operation 20
– defrosting and removing 
condensation 56, 58
– power windows 22
Windshield washer 
nozzles 44
Windshield washer 
reservoir 79
– filling 96
Windshield wipers 43
– cleaning windshield 43
– intermittent operation 43
– rain sensor 43
– replacing 84
Winter tires 76
– changing 87
– condition 76
– pressure 76
– storage 76
Wipers
– replacing 84
Work in the engine 
compartment 77
X
Xenon lamps 85