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65Reference
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Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
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Mobility
What you will need
1Screwdriver handle
2Emergency-release tool
30.4 in/10 mm open-end wrench
You will find the required tools in the
onboard tool kit mounted on the inside of
the luggage compartment lid, refer to
page 200.
Insert the emergency-release tool in the
screwdriver handle as shown in the illustra-
tion.
Releasing
1.Remove the floor mat and the cover on
the spare tire
2.Guide the emergency-release tool with
the screwdriver handle into the open-
ing, arrow 1
3.Apply the open-end wrench to the
hexagon on the emergency-release
tool.
Press against the resistance from the
spring to guide the emergency-release
tool all the way in, then hold it in place.
Turn the emergency-release tool in the
direction indicated by arrow 2, continu-
ing until you hear the mechanism snap
into place and feel resistance; maintain pressure on the tool after the mecha-
nism engages
4.Use the open-end wrench to turn the
emergency-release tool against the
drive unit's mechanical resistance, con-
tinuing to rotate it in arrow direction 2
until you feel a substantial increase in
turning effort
To prevent possible damage to the
rear brakes, always make sure that
the parking brake is completely released
before driving the vehicle.<
5.Return the tools to their places
6.Return the spare tire cover and the floor
mat to their original locations.
Have any defects repaired at the
nearest BMW center. The technicians
can also return the parking brake to normal
operational status after it has been
released manually in response to malfunc-
tion.<
Following manual release, the actual
status of the parking brake may vary
from that displayed by the indicator lamp.<
Operation after interruptions in
power supply
The parking brake may only be used
again, if it was released manually after
an interruption in power supply, i.e. as a
result of a discharged or disconnected bat-
tery. If this is not done, the parking brake
may fail to operate correctly. Even with the
parking brake engaged, there would be a
danger of the vehicle rolling on steep
hills.<
Once the electrical power supply has been
restored you can again use the parking
brake:
With the ignition on and the
vehicle stationary, briefly press
the button three times at inter-
vals of approx. 5 seconds. This
initializes the system as follows:
>Initializing the disengaged setting
>Engaging: the system registers the new
status and the brake setting is initial-
Wheels and tires
188
Wheels and tires
Tire inflation pressure
Information for your safety
It is not merely the tire's service life, but
also driving comfort and Ð to a great extent
Ð driving safety that depend on the condi-
tion of the tires and the maintenance of the
specified tire pressure.
Check the tire inflation pressure regu-
larly and correct it if necessary,
including the spare wheel: at least every
two weeks and before beginning a longer
trip. If you fail to observe this precaution
you may be driving on tires with incorrect
tire pressures, a condition that can not only
compromise your vehicle's stability, but
also lead to tire damage and the risk of an
accident.
Do not drive with deflated, i.e. flat tires,
except run-flat tires. A flat tire will seriously
impair your vehicle's handling and braking
response. Attempts to drive on a flat tire
can lead to loss of control over the vehi-
cle.<
Checking inflation pressure
Only check tire inflation pressure when
the tires are cold. i.e. after a maximum of
2 hours' driving or when the vehicle has
been parked for at least 2 hours. When tires
are warm, the tire inflation pressure
increases.
After correcting the inflation pressure(s),
always reinitialize the Flat Tire Monitor,
refer to page 95.
Inflation pressure for original tires
The inflation pressures for your standard
tires can be found on the door pillar when
you open the driver's door.
Inflation pressure for other tire sizes
The table below provides all the correct
inflation pressures for the specified tire
sizes at ambient temperature.
For correct identification of the right
tire inflation pressure for your tires,
observe the specifications for the corre-
sponding tire size.<
Wheels and tires
190
Tire identification marks
Knowledge of the labeling on the side of
the tire makes it easier to identify and
choose the right tires.
Tire size
Speed rating
Q = up to 105 mph/160 km/h
T = up to 118 mph/190 km/h
H = up to 131 mph/210 km/h
V = up to 150 mph/240 km/h
W = up to 167 mph/270 km/h
Y = up to 186 mph/300 km/h
Tire Identification Number
Tires with DOT codes meet the guidelines
of the U.S. Department of Transport.
DOT code:
Tire age
The tire's date of manufacture is indicated
on the sidewall:
DOT ... 3603 indicates that the tire was
manufactured in the 36th week of 2003.
Regardless of mileage or wear, BMW rec-
ommends that you replace all tires Ð includ-
ing the spare Ð after a maximum of 6 years, even though the tires may have a theoreti-
cal service life of up to 10 years.
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:
Treadwear 200 Traction AA
Temperature A
DOT Quality Grades
Treadwear
Traction AA A B C
Temperature A B C
All passenger car tires must conform
to Federal Safety Requirements in
addition to these grades.<
Treadwear
The treadwear grade is a comparative rat-
ing based on the wear rate of the tire when
tested under controlled conditions on a
specified government test course.
For example, a tire graded 150 would wear
one and one-half Ð 1g Ð 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.< e.g.
Nominal width
in mm
Aspect ratio in X
Radial tire code
Rim diameter in inches
Load rating,
not for ZR tires
Speed rating,
before R on ZR tires
245/45 R19 104 H
e.g.
Manufacturer code
for tire makes
Tire size and tire design
Tire ageDOT xxxx xxx 3603
Wheels and tires
192
Replacing wheels/tires
Unprofessional attempts by laymen to
service tires can lead to damage and
accidents.
Have this work performed by skilled pro-
fessionals only. The technicians at your
BMW center will be glad to assist you with
the required professional knowledge and
specialized equipment.<
The correct wheel and tire combination
affects various systems whose function
would otherwise be impaired, e.g. ABS or
DSC.
Have the wheel and tire assemblies bal-
anced every time either a wheel or a tire is
replaced.
BMW does not recommend the use
of retreaded tires, as otherwise driv-
ing safety may be reduced. Possible varia-
tions in the design and the age Ð which
could be substantial Ð of the carcasses can
lead to unusually rapid wear.<
The right wheels and tires
BMW recommends that you use only
wheel and tire combinations that
BMW has tested and approved for your
particular vehicle. Variations in factors such
as manufacturing tolerances mean that
even wheels and tires with identical official
size ratings could actually have different
dimensions than the approved units Ð 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 there-
fore cannot be held liable for driving
safety.<
To maintain good handling and vehicle
response, use only tires of a single tread
configuration from a single manufacturer.
After a flat tire, always remember to have
the original wheel and tire combination
remounted on the vehicle as soon as pos-
sible.
Recommended tire brands
BMW tests certain tire brands for each tire
size, classifies them as road-safe and
approves them. You can find out about
these at specialized dealers or at your
BMW center. Observe any country-specific
regulations, e.g. on making a correspond-
ing entry in the vehicle documents.
The factory-mounted tires have been spe-
cially selected to provide optimized perfor-
mance when installed on your vehicle; if
properly cared for, they will provide a com-
bination of safety and excellent ride com-
fort.
Run-flat tires
If your BMW is equipped with run-flat tires,
refer to Run-flat tires, only use these tires,
as in the event of a breakdown there is no
spare wheel available.
Special characteristics of winter
tires
BMW recommends winter tires for use in
cold winter driving conditions. Although
so-called all-season M+S tires provide bet-
ter winter traction than summer tires, they
generally fail to provide the same levels of
cold-weather performance as winter tires.
When switching to winter tires, observe the
description at Tire condition, and Replac-
ing wheels/tires, refer to page 191.
Run-flat tires
If your BMW is equipped with run-flat tires,
refer to Run-flat tires, only use these tires,
as in the event of a breakdown there is no
spare wheel available.
Observing speed ratings
Never exceed the maximum speed
for which the winter tires are rated.
Unprofessional attempts by laymen to ser-
vice tires can lead to damage and acci-
dents. Have this work performed by skilled
professionals only. The technicians at your
BMW center will be glad to assist you with
the required professional knowledge and
specialized equipment.<
Mobility
193Reference
At a glance
Controls
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Storage
Always store wheels and tires in a cool, dry
place with as little exposure to light as pos-
sible. Always protect tires against all con-
tact with oil, grease and fuels.
Do not exceed the maximum tire inflation
pressure indicated on the side wall of the
tire.
Run-flat tires*
You will recognize run-flat tires by a circular
symbol containing the letters RSC on the
side of the tire. They consist of self-con-
tained tires and special rims. The tire rein-
forcement ensures that the tire retains
some residual safety in the event of pres-
sure drop and driving remains possible to
a restricted degree.
If you switch from summer to winter
tires, or vice versa, use run-flat tires,
as in the event of a breakdown there is no
spare wheel available. In this case, BMW
recommends that you consult your BMW
center. Your BMW center is qualified to
handle run-flat tires and equipped with the
necessary special tools.<
Continuing driving with a damaged
tire
Driving on run-flat tires can continue,
depending on the vehicle load and the
severity of the tire damage, at a maximum
speed of 50 mph/80 km/h.
In the case of complete inflation pressure
loss, 0 psi/kPa, or obvious tire damage,
you can estimate the possible distance for continued driving on the basis of the fol-
lowing guide values:
>With low load:
1 to 2 persons without luggage:
Approx. 150 miles/250 km
>With medium load:
2 persons, luggage compartment full, or
4 persons without luggage:
Approx. 90 miles/150 km
>With full load:
More than 4 persons, luggage compart-
ment full:
Approx. 30 miles/50 km.
Drive reservedly and do not exceed
a speed of 50 mph/80 km/h. With
inflation pressure loss, the driving charac-
teristics change, for example reduced track
stability on braking, extended braking dis-
tance, and altered self-steering character-
istics.<
Snow chains*
BMW only tests certain snow chains, clas-
sifies them as road-safe and approves
them. Consult your BMW center for more
information. BMW recommends only using
these approved, narrow-link snow chains.
These snow chains are approved exclu-
sively for use in pairs on the rear wheels,
and should only be mounted on tires
with the dimensions 245/50 R 18. Observe
the manufacturer's instructions when
installing snow chains.Do not exceed a
vehicle speed of 30 mph/50 km/h with the
chains mounted.
After mounting snow chains, do not
activate the Flat Tire Monitor.
When you are driving with snow chains, it
can be beneficial to switch off DSC briefly,
refer to page 93.<
Mobility
203Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Change the wheel only on a level, firm sur-
face which is not slippery. The vehicle or
the jack could slip to the side if you attempt
to raise the vehicle on a soft or slippery sur-
face such as snow, ice, tiles, etc.
Position the jack on a firm support surface.
Do not use a wooden block or similar
object as a support base for the jack, as
this would prevent it from extending to its
full support height and reduce its load-car-
rying capacity.
To avoid serious or fatal injury: never lie
under the vehicle, and never start the
engine while it is supported by the jack.<
What you will need
To avoid rattling noises, note the positions
of the tools before removing them, then
return them to their initial positions after
completing work.
>Lug wrench
Located beside the spare tire
>Wheel chock
The chock is located next to the spare
tire, or behind the trim panel on the left
side of the luggage compartment on
vehicles equipped with a trailer cou-
pling. Remove the floor mat and the cover
above the spare tire.
Unscrew the wingnut and remove the
wheel chock
>Jack
The jack is located behind the side trim
panel on the right side of the luggage
compartment.
Grasp the handle in the upper panel
and fold it down.
Unscrew the wingnut and remove the
jack.
After use, screw the jack all the way
back down and snap the handle back
into place.
Spare tire
1.Unscrew wing nut 1
2.Remove disk 2 to the side
3.Completely unscrew threaded rod 3
4.Remove the wheel.
Procedure
1.Read carefully and comply with the
safety precautions on page 203
2.Secure the vehicle to prevent it from
rolling:
Place the wheel chock against the rear
Replacing components
204 surface of the front tire on the side
opposite the side being raised. If the
vehicle is parked on a downward slope,
place the wheel chock securely in front
of the tire. If the wheel must be changed
on a surface with a more severe slope,
take additional precautions to secure
the vehicle from rolling
3.Loosen the lug bolts 1/2 a turn
4.Set up the jack beneath the jacking
point closest to the flat tire. Ensure that
the entire surface of the jack's base is in
firm contact with the ground and that
the jack itself is standing completely
vertical, not tilted, and that the fitting on
the top of the jack will align with the
rectangular recess on the vehicle when
you raise it, refer to illustration
5.Jack the vehicle up until the wheel you
are changing is raised from the ground
6.Unscrew the lug bolts and remove the
wheel
7.Remove accumulations of mud or dirt
from the mounting surfaces of the
wheel and hub. Clean the lug bolts
8.Position the spare wheel. Secure the
wheel by turning at least two lug bolts
into opposite bolt holes
9.Screw in the remaining lug bolts.
Tighten all the bolts securely in a diag-
onal pattern
10.Lower the jack and remove it from
beneath the vehicle
11.Tighten the lug bolts in a diagonal pat-
tern
12.Check and correct the tire inflation
pressure at the earliest opportunity. Protect valve stems and valve stem
seal caps against dirt and contamina-
tion. Dirt in valve stems is a frequent source
of gradual air loss.<
After mounting the spare wheel or correct-
ing the inflation pressure, reinitialize the
Flat Tire Monitor, refer to page 95.
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 safety, always have the lug bolts
checked with a calibrated torque wrench
as soon as possible to ensure that they are
tightened to the specified torque.
The tightening torque is 101 ft-lb/
140 Nm.<
Reverse the removal sequence to store the
wheel and tools in the vehicle.
When you mount wheels other than Genu-
ine BMW light-alloy wheels, different lug
bolts may also be required.
Always have damaged tires replaced and
the wheel and tire assembly rebalanced at
the earliest possible opportunity.
Driving with the spare tire
On certain wheel-tire combinations,
the size of the spare tire deviates from
that of the rest of the tires. The spare tire is
fully capable of running in all load and
speed ranges. However, to recreate the
original conditions, the tire should be
replaced as soon as possible.<
Everything from A to Z
216
A
"ABC..." for
navigation 132, 133
ABS Antilock Braking
System 91
ACC, refer to Active cruise
control 73
"ACCEPT" for
navigation 136, 143
Accessories 6
Activated-charcoal
filter 108
"Activation time" 109
Active cruise control 73
Ð malfunctions 79
Ð selecting distance 76
Active head restraints,
front 47
Active seat 51
Active seat ventilation 50
Adapter for spare key 32
Adaptive Head Light 99
Adding engine oil 195
"Address book" 142
Adjusting cooling capacity
of rear air conditioner 108
Airbags 97
Air conditioner in the
rear 108
Air distribution 103, 106
Airing, refer to
Ventilation 105
Air pressure, refer to Tire
inflation pressure 188
Air supply 104
Ð rear air conditioner 108
Air vent outlets 102
AKI, refer to Fuel
specifications 187
Alarm system 39
Ð avoiding unintentional
alarms 40All-season tires 192
"AM..." 148, 152, 154
AM waveband 152
Anchorages 125
"ANGLE" for DVD
mode 168
Antifreeze 196
Ð washer fluid 71
Antifreeze protection
Ð coolant 196
Ð radiator 196
Antilock Braking System
ABS 91
Anti-theft alarm
system 33, 39
Approved gross vehicle
weight 214
Aquaplaning, refer to
Hydroplaning 122
"Arrow display" for
navigation 140
"AS ADDRESS"
Ð creating a directory 142
Ð current position 143
Ð destination
entry 132, 134, 135
Ð destination list 136
Ð home address 142
Ð last destinations 136
"AS DEST."
Ð creating a directory 142
Ð destination
entry 134, 135
Ð home address 142
Ð last destinations 136
"AS DESTINATION"
Ð creating a directory 142
Ashtray 115
Assistance window, refer to
Control Center 22
Ð help texts 22
Ð status lines 23AUC Automatic
recirculated-air
control 104
"Audio" 148, 152
Audio 148
Ð adjusting the tone 149
Ð controls 148
Ð switching on/off 149
Ð volume 149
"AUDIO" for DVD
mode 168
"AUTO", automatic climate
control 106
Automatic
Ð air distribution 103
Ð cruise control 71
Ð curb monitor 54
Ð headlamp control 99
Ð luggage compartment lid
control 34, 38
Ð steering wheel
adjustment 52
Automatic car wash, refer
to the Caring for your
vehicle brochure
Automatic climate
control 102
Ð automatic air
distribution 103
Ð rear air conditioner 108
Ð rear cooler 113
Ð settings in Control
Center 106
Automatic Hold
Ð parking 63
Ð parking brake 63
Automatic recirculated-air
control AUC 104
Automatic transmission
with Steptronic 66
Ð manual operation 67
Ð sport program 67
"AUTO P" 53, 63
Everything from A to Z
Index