
132
Wheel and tire combinationsThe right choice
BMW recommends using only 
wheels and tires that have been 
approved by BMW for your particular 
vehicle model, as otherwise body con-
tact and serious accidents can result 
despite the use of the same nominal 
size, e.g. due to manufacturing toler-
ances. BMW cannot evaluate all tires 
and wheels on the market, and is thus 
unable to guarantee that the vehicle will 
continue to perform safely if unap-
proved tires and/or wheels are 
mounted.<
For each tire size, BMW has assessed 
the safe performance of specific tire 
brands and approved them for use. 
Consult any BMW center for details. 
Comply with any local/national regula-
tions, for example by recording the tire 
type in the vehicle documents.
The correct wheel and tire combi-
nation affects various systems 
that would otherwise be impaired, for 
example ABS, DSC and DBC.
For this reason, use only tires of the 
same manufacture and tread configura-
tion. In the event of a flat tire, for exam-
ple, remount the approved wheel and 
tire combination as soon as possible.<
StorageAlways store tires in a cool, dry place. 
Store them away from light whenever 
possible. Protect the tires against con-
tact with oil, grease and fuel.
Do not exceed the maximum tire infla-
tion pressures specified on the tire 
sidewall.
Winter tiresChoosing the right tireBMW recommends the use of winter 
tires for operation under winter road 
conditions. While all-season tires – with 
M+S designation – provide better winter 
traction than the corresponding sum-
mer tires, they generally do not achieve 
the performance of winter tires.
In the interest of safe tracking and 
steering response, install winter tires 
made by the same manufacturer and 
with the same tread configuration on all 
four wheels.
Never exceed the maximum 
speed for which the winter tires 
are rated.
Unprofessional attempts by laymen to 
service tires can lead to damage and 
accidents.
Have this work performed by trained 
professionals only. Any BMW center 
has the required technical knowledge 
and the proper equipment and will be 
happy to assist you.
tires. These are indicated by a circular 
symbol containing the letters RSC on  

156
The vehicle jack is designed for 
changing wheels only. Do not 
attempt to raise another vehicle model 
with it or to raise any other type of load. 
To do so could cause accidents and 
personal injury.
To ensure continued safety, have the 
tightness of the torque bolts checked 
with a calibrated lug wrench – torque 
specification: 88.5 lb ft/120 Nm – at the 
earliest opportunity.<
When storing a wheel in the spare tire 
recess, take care to avoid bending the 
threaded rod.
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 the space-saver 
spare tireDrive cautiously. Do not exceed a 
speed of 45 mph / 80 km/h.
Be aware that vehicle handling may be 
altered. Anticipate, e.g., reduced track-
ing during braking, longer braking dis-
tances and changed steering charac-
teristics when approaching limit 
conditions. These handling characteris-
tics will be even more pronounced if 
winter tires are mounted.
Only one space-saver spare tire 
may be mounted at one time. 
Mount a wheel and tire of the original 
size at the earliest possible opportu-
nity.<
Run Flat tires*Run Flat tires are labeled on the side-
wall with a circular symbol containing 
the letters RSC. Run Flat tires consist of 
self-supporting tires and special rims. 
The tire reinforcement ensures that 
driving remains possible to a restricted 
degree in the event of pressure drop or 
even if the tire is deflated. 
When mounting or replacing sum-
mer tires with winter tires, or vice 
versa, use Run Flat tires since no spare 
wheel is available in the event of a flat. 
In this event, BMW recommends con-
sulting your BMW center. Your BMW 
center has the information needed for 
working with Run Flat tires and is 
equipped with the necessary special 
tools.<
Changing a wheel 

Everything from A to ZRollover protection 
system 68
indicator lamp 19
lowering 68
Roof load capacity 168
Roof-mounted luggage
rack 121
Rope, refer to Towing the 
vehicle 161
Run Flat tires 131, 156
S
Safe seating position 52
Safety belt height adjust-
ment 56
Safety belts 56
seat-integrated safety belt 
system 55
sitting safely 52
warning lamp 18
Safety systems, refer to
Antilock Brake 
System 125
Dynamic Stability Control 
(DSC) 93
Screwdriver, refer to 
Onboard tool kit 148
Seat adjustment 53
BMW sports seat 53
power 53
Seat belt tensioner, refer to 
Safety belts 56Seat heating 58
Seat memory, refer to Seat 
and mirror memory 57
Seat positions, storing 57
Seats 53
Securing cargo 120
Securing child-restraint sys-
tem 66
Securing the vehicle
from inside 34
from outside 31, 33
Selector lever
automatic transmission 79
sequential manual gear-
box SMG 75
Selector lever lock, refer to 
Shiftlock 75, 79
Selector lever positions
automatic transmission 79
sequential manual gear-
box SMG 75
Sequential manual gearbox 
SMG 75
indicator lamp 19
Service and Warranty Infor-
mation Booklet 142
Service Engine Soon
warning lamp 19
Service interval display
88, 142
Shift paddles 76Shifting gears
automatic transmission 
with Steptronic 79
sequential manual gear-
box SMG 76
Shiftlock 75
Shiftlock, refer to Range 
selection 79
Side airbags 61
Side turn signal indicators
bulb replacement 151
Sitting safely
with airbags 52
with safety belts 52
Size 167
Ski bag 117
Slipstream deflector, refer to 
Wind deflector 50
SMG sequential manual 
gearbox 75
indicator lamp 19
Smokers' package, refer to 
Ashtray 115
Snow chains 133
SOS, refer to Emergency 
call 158
Space-saver spare tire
changing a wheel 153
Spare key 30
Spare tire 153
Spare wheel 156
Special oils 139Specified oils 139
Speed gauge, refer to 
Speedometer 16
Speedometer 16
SPORT button 78
Sport program
automatic transmission 
with Steptronic 80
Sports seat 53
Stability control, refer to 
Dynamic Stability Control 
(DSC) 93
Standing lamps 99
Starting difficulties
jump-starting 159
temperature 71
Starting help DSC 93
Starting the engine 71
Starting, refer to Starting the 
engine 71
Status of the Owner's Man-
ual 5
Steering wheel lock 71
Steering wheel, adjusting 59
Steptronic, refer to Manual 
operation 80
Storage compartments 114
Storage nets 114
Storing seat positions, 
refer to Seat and mirror 
memory 57
Storing tires 132 

Everything from A to Z
181
Stroke, refer to Engine 
data 166
Surface ice, refer to Ice 
warning 90
Switches, refer to 
Cockpit 14
Switching off
engine 73
vehicle 73
Symbols 4
Synthetic oils 139
T
Tachometer 86
Tail lamps
bulb replacement 151
Tail lamps, refer to Rear 
lamps 151
Tank capacity, refer to Fuel 
tank capacity 169
Tank indicator, refer to Fuel 
gauge 87
Technical data 166
Technical modifications 5
Technical modifications, 
refer to For your own 
safety 5
Telephone hookup 115
Telephone, refer to the sep-
arate Owner's ManualTelevision, refer to the 
Owner's Manual for 
Onboard Computer
Temperature
air conditioning 104
automatic climate 
control 108
Temperature adjustment 
104, 108
Temperature display
engine coolant 87
ice warning 90
outside temperature 90
setting units 90
Temperature layering
105, 109
Tempomat, refer to Cruise 
control 84
Thigh support area, adjust-
ing 53
Third brake lamp, refer to 
Center high-mount brake 
lamp 152
Three-point safety belt 56
Tilt alarm sensor 32
remote control 32
switching off 32, 39
Tilting passenger-side exte-
rior mirror 58
Time 89Tire pressure monitoring, 
refer to Flat Tire 
Monitor 94
Tire replacement 130, 153
Tires
age 131
breaking in 124
changing 153
damage 129
flat 153
inflation pressure 25, 129
replacing 130
size, refer to Wheel and 
tire combinations 132
storing 132
tread 129
tread wear indicator, 
refer to Tire tread – tire 
damage 129
winter tires 132
Tools, refer to Onboard tool 
kit 148
Torque
engine 166
lug bolts 154
Tow sockets for towing eye-
let 161
Towing bar 161
Towing eyelet 161
Towing rope 161
Towing the vehicle 161Track width, refer to Dimen-
sions 167
Transmission
automatic transmission 
with Steptronic 79
sequential manual gear-
box SMG 75
Transmission lock, refer to P 
Park 79
Transmission malfunction
automatic transmission 
with Steptronic 81
sequential manual gear-
box SMG 77
Transport securing devices, 
refer to Securing 
cargo 120
Transporting children 
safely 64
Trap protection
electric power windows 41
Tread depth, refer to Tire 
tread 129
Tread depth, tires 129
Tread wear indicator in the 
tires, refer to Tire tread – 
tire damage 129
Trip distance recorder, refer 
to Trip odometer 86
Trip meter, refer to Trip 
odometer 86
Trip odometer 86
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex