
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
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
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 

Reference 225
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Side marker lamps 99
Side window blind, refer to 
Sun blinds 112
Sitting safely 44
Ð with airbags 44
Ð with safety belts 44
Ski bag 117
Sliding/tilt sunroof, refer to 
Glass roof, electric 42
Snow chains 193, 193
Soft Close Automatic
Ð doors 37
Ð luggage compartment 
lid 38
SOS 177
Sound system adjustments
Ð midrange setting 151
Spare fuses 206
Spare key 32
Ð adapter 32
Spare tire 203
"Spark plugs" 81, 198
Speed limit
Ð "Limit" 86
Speedometer 12
"Speed Vol." for audio 
mode 150
"Sport"
Ð "EDC" 94
Sport program with the 
automatic 
transmission 67
Sports seat 45
Stability control, refer to 
Driving stability control 92
Standard during 
TV mode 164
Standing lamps 100
Ð replacing bulbs 201
Start/Stop button 60
Starting 61
Starting assistance 207
Starting problems 61, 208
Starting the destination 
guidance 139
Starting the engine 61
"State inspection" 82
Station, refer to Radio 152"Stationary" 106, 109
Status lines in Control 
Center 23
Steering wheel 16
Ð adjustment 52
Ð adjustment, automatic 52
Ð heater 52
Ð individual button 
assignment options 52
Ð memory 53
Steptronic 66
Stopwatch 87
Storage, refer to the Caring 
for your vehicle brochure
Storage 
compartments 114, 115
Storing desired speeds, 
refer to Programmable 
cruise control 73
Storing destination per 
voice 142
Storing seating position, 
refer to Seat, mirror and 
steering wheel 
memory 53
Straps, refer to 
Loading 125
"SUBTITLE" for 
DVD mode 168
Summer tires 192
Sun blinds 112
Supply reservoir, washer 
system 71
Switch for battery 205
Switching air conditioner 
mode on and off 
manually 104
Switching off rear air 
conditioner 108
Switching off the engine 61
Switching off the portable 
phone 178
Switching off the tilt alarm 
sensor 34, 40Switching on
Ð audio 149
Ð CD changer 160
Ð CD player 158
Ð DVD changer 166
Ð portable phone 178
Ð radio 152
Ð TV 163
Symbols 4
Ð Control Center 19
T
Tachometer 80
Tail lamps 202
Target cursor for 
navigation 134, 135
Technical data 212
Technical modifications 6
Telephone
Ð operation with the 
telephone keypad, 
folding 176
Ð refer to Portable phone
Telephone keypad, 
folding 176
Television, refer to TV 163
Temperature 
adjustment 104
Temperature display, 
outside temperature 80
Temperature 
distribution 50
Third brake lamp, refer to 
Brake lamps 202
Tilt function, passenger-
side mirror 54
Time of arrival 85
Timing 87
"Tint" for TV mode 164
Tire inflation pressure 188
Tire pressure monitoring, 
refer to Flat Tire 
Monitor 95
Tire Quality Grading 190