2005 BMW 545I SEDAN winter tires

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Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Quality grades can be found where applicable
on the tire sidewall between tread shoulder and
maximum section width. For example:
Tread wear 200 Traction AA
Temperature A
DOT Quality Grades
Tread wear
Traction AA A B C
Temperature A B C
All passenger car tires must conform to
Federal Safety Requirements in addition
to these grades.<
Tread wear
The tread wear grade is a comparative rating
based on the wear rate of the tire when tested
under controlled conditions on a specified gov-
ernment test course. For example, a tire graded
150 would wear one and one-half, 1γ, 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, how-
ever, and may depart significantly from the
norm due to variations in driving habits, service
practices and differences in road characteris-
tics 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 government test sur-
faces 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 braking traction
tests, and does not include acceleration, cor-
nering, hydroplaning, or peak traction charac-
teristics.<
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 Vehi-
cle Safety Standard No. 109. Grades B and A
represent 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,
underinflation, or excessive loading, either sep-
arately or in combination, can cause heat
buildup and possible tire failure.<
RSC – run-flat tires
You will recognize run-flat tires by a circular
symbol containing the letters RSC on the side
of the tire, refer to page174.
M+S
Winter and all-season tires.
These have better winter properties than sum-
mer tires.
Tire condition
Inspect your tires frequently for tread wear,
signs of damage and for foreign objects lodged
in the tread. Check the tread depth.
Minimum tread depth
The tread depth should not drop below 0.12 in/
3 mm, although, for example, European legisla-
tion only specifies a minimum tread depth of
0.063 in/1.6 mm. At tread depths below 0.12 in/
3 mm there is an increased risk of high-speed
hydroplaning, even when only small amounts of
water are present on the road surface.
When winter tires wear down past a tread depth
of 0.16 in/4 mm, they become perceptibly less
suitable for winter conditions. For the sake of
safety, new tires should be installed.

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approved units – these differences could lead to
body contact, and with it the risk of severe acci-
dents. If non-approved wheels and tires are
used, BMW cannot evaluate their suitability,
and therefore cannot be held liable for driving
safety.<
You can inquire about the right wheel/tire com-
bination at your BMW center.
The correct combination of wheels and tires is
another vital factor in ensuring reliable opera-
tion of various vehicle systems such as ABS
and DSC.
To maintain good handling and vehicle
response, use only tires of a single tread config-
uration from a single manufacturer. After a flat
tire, have the original wheel and tire combina-
tion remounted on the vehicle as soon as possi-
ble.
Recommended tire brands
BMW tests certain tire brands for each tire size,
classifies them as road-safe and approves
them. Consult your BMW center for more infor-
mation.
Observe any country-specific regulations, e.g.
on making a corresponding entry in the vehicle
documents.
The factory-mounted tires have been specially
selected to provide optimized performance
when installed on yo ur vehicle; if pro perly cared
for, they will provide a combination of safety and
excellent ride comfort.
Run-flat tires
When mounting new tires or changing from
summer tires to winter tires or vice versa, use
run-flat tires because there is no spare tire in
case of a flat. Your BMW center will be glad to
advise you.
For safety reasons, BMW recommends
that you do not have damaged run-flat
tires repaired; they should be replaced.<
Special characteristics of winter tires
BMW recommends winter tires for use in cold
winter driving conditions. Although all-season
M+S tires provide better winter traction than
summer tires, they generally fail to provide the
same levels of cold-weather performance as
winter tires.
Pay attention to speed
Do not exceed the maximum permissible
speed for the winter tires, otherwise tire
damage may occur, which can result in acci-
dents.<
Storage
Always store wheels and tires in a cool, dry
place with as little exposure to light as possible.
Always protect tires against all contact with oil,
grease and fuels. Do not exceed the maximum
tire inflation pressure indicated on the side wall
of the tire.
Snow chains*
BMW only tests certain fine-link snow chains,
classifies them as road-safe and approves
them. Consult your BMW center for more infor-
mation. BMW recommends using these
approved, fine-link snow chains.
Use is only permitted in pairs, with winter tires
on the rear wheels.
Observe the manufacturer's instructions when
mounting snow chains. Do not exceed a speed
of 30 mph/50 km/h with the chains mounted.
After snow chains are mounted, do not
initialize the Flat Tire Monitor.
When driving with snow chains, it can be useful
to activate the DTC temporarily, refer to
page78.<

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3.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.<
4.Reinitialize the Flat Tire Monitor, refer to
page80.
5.Replace the damaged tire with a new one as
soon as possible and have the new wheel
balanced.
Driving with compact wheel
Drive reservedly and do not exceed a speed of
50 mph/80 km/h.
The driving characteristics change, for example
reduced track stability on braking, extended
braking distance, and altered self-steering
characteristics in the limit range. In conjunction
with winter tires, these characteristics are more
pronounced.
Only one compact wheel may be
mounted. You should re-equip with
wheels and tires of the original size as quickly as
possible.<
Vehicle battery
Battery care
The battery is 100 % maintenance-free, i.e., the
electrolyte will last for the life of the battery
when the vehicle is operated in a temperate cli-
mate . Your BMW center will be glad to advise in
all matters concerning the battery.
Charging battery
Only charge the battery in the vehicle via the
terminals in the engine compartment with the
engine off. Connections, refer to Jump starting
on page190.
Disposal
Have old batteries disposed of by your
BMW center or hand them in to a recy-
cling center. Maintain the battery in an upright
position for transport and storage. Always
restrain the battery to prevent it from tipping
over during transport.<
Power failure
After a temporary power loss, the functioning of
some equipment may be limited and require
reinitialization. Individual settings are also lost
and must be updated again:
>Active steering
The system is deactivated and must be ini-
tialized, refer to page81. Until then, the
steering will react differently than usual.
>Seat, mirror and steering wheel memory
The positions must be stored again, refer to
page40.
>Time and Date
The settings must be updated, refer to
page74.
>Radio
Stations must be stored again, refer to
page140.
>Navigation system
You must wait until it becomes operational
again, refer to page128.
Fuses
Never attempt to repair a blown fuse and
do not replace a defective fuse with a sub-
stitute of another color or amperage rating, as
this could lead to a circuit overload, ultimately
resulting in a fire in the vehicle.<
Spare fuses, plastic tweezers and fuse alloca-
tion diagram are located in the compartment for
the onboard tool kit, refer to page182.

Everything from A to Z
202
Everything from A to Z
Index
"..." Identifies Control Display
texts used to select
individual functions,
pointing out where these are
located.
A
ABS Antilock Brake
System77
– indicator lamp79
– malfunction79
ACC, refer to Active cruise
control59
Acceleration assistant for
SMG Sequential manual
transmission55
Accessories6
Acoustic Signal, refer to
Check Control67
Activated-charcoal filter94
"Activation time" for
independent ventilation94
Active cruise control59
– indicator lamp60
– malfunction64
– selecting distance62
– sensor, refer to
Malfunction64
Active head restraints,
front42
Active roll stabilization79
Active seat44
Active seat ventilation44
Active steering81
– initializing system81
– warning lamp81
Adaptive Head Light88
"Add digits" for portable
phone155
"Address book" for
navigation120Address for navigation
– deleting121
– entering115
– selecting121
– storing current position120
"Add to destination list"117
Adhesive bandages, refer to
First-aid kit189
Adjusting active backrest
width40
Adjusting temperature in
upper body region93
Adjusting the temperature
with automatic climate
control91
Adjusting the thigh support39
Adjusting the tone during
audio operation, refer to
Tone control133
Adjustment in audio mode
– front-to-rear134
– right/left balance134
"After opening door"41
"After unlocking"41
Airbags83
– sitting safely38
– warning lamp84
Air circulation, refer to Air
recirculation91
Air distribution
– automatic91
– manual92
Airing, refer to Ventilation93
Air recirculation
– AUC Automatic recircu-
lated-air control91
– recirculated-air mode91
"Air recirculation on / off"46
Air vent outlets of automatic
climate control90
Air vents90
– refer to Ventilation93
Air volume91AKI, refer to Fuel
specifications169
Alarm system33
– avoiding unintentional
alarms34
– interior motion sensor34
– switching off the alarm34
– switching off the tilt alarm
sensor and interior motion
sensor34
– tilt alarm sensor34
All around the center
console14
All around the steering
wheel10
"All channels"143
"All doors"29
All-season tires, refer to
Winter tires175
Altering stretch of road127
"AM", reception
range133,138
Antenna for portable
phone152
Antifreeze
– coolant178
– washer fluid58
Antilock Brake System
ABS77
– indicator lamp79
Anti-theft alarm system, refer
to Alarm system33
Anti-theft system29
Anti-trapping mechanism
– glass sunroof, electric36
– power windows35
Approved axle loads, refer to
Weights198
Approved gross vehicle
weight, refer to Weights198
Armrest, refer to Center
armrest
– rear100

Everything from A to Z
210 Locking and unlocking doors
– from inside31
– from outside29
– setting confirmation
signals30
"LOGIC7", refer to Tone
control135
Low beams87
– automatic87
– replacing bulbs183
Lower back support, refer to
Lumbar support39
Lug bolts186
– tightening torque, refer to
After mounting186
– wrench185
Luggage compartment
– capacity198
– opening/closing, refer to
Luggage compartment
lid32
– opening from inside32
– opening from outside32
– opening separately33
– opening with remote
control30
– socket100
Luggage compartment lid32
– emergency operation33
– locking and unlocking from
inside31
– locking separately33
– opening from inside32
– opening from outside32
– securing separately33
– unlocking manually33
Luggage rack, refer to Roof-
mounted luggage rack110
Lumbar support39
LW, waveband138
M
M+S tires, refer to Winter
tires175
Maintenance, refer to Service
and Warranty Information
Booklet for US models or
Warranty and Service Guide
Booklet for Canadian
models180
Maintenance system180
Malfunction warnings, refer to
Check Control67
Manual air distribution92
Manually controlled recircu-
lated air91
Manual mode
– automatic transmission with
Steptronic56
– SMG Sequential manual
transmission54
"Manual" on the radio139
Manual operation
– door lock31
– driver's door31
– glass sunroof37
Manual release
– fuel filler door168
– luggage compartment lid33
Manual transmission53
Map
– changing scale127
– destination entry117
"Map, direction of travel"127
"Map, facing north"127
Map facing north126
Master key with remote
control28
Maximum cooling91
Maximum roof weight198
Maximum speed
– for winter tires175
– with compact wheel187
Memory
– refer to Key Memory28
– refer to Seat, mirror and
steering wheel memory40Menus, refer to Control
Center16
Menu selection19
Microfilter94
Microphone
– for hands-free system153
– for portable phone14
– for voice command
system14
Mirrors45
– automatic curb monitor41
– dimming feature107
– folding in and out45
– heating45
– memory, refer to Seat, mirror
and steering wheel
memory40
"Missed calls"156
Missed calls156
Monitor, refer to Control
Center16
"Monitor display on"77
"Monitor on / off"46
Most recent portable phone
numbers156
Multi-function steering wheel,
refer to Buttons on steering
wheel11
Multifunction switch
– refer to Turn signals/
headlamp flasher56
– refer to Wiper/washer
system57
Music track, finding147
"Mute on / off"46
MW, waveband138
N
Navigation destination
– home address122
– manual entry115
– selecting via map117
Navigation drive, location114
Navigation DVD114

Everything from A to Z
214 Sequential manual trans-
mission SMG53
"Service"66,162
Service, refer to Roadside
Assistance190
Service and Warranty Infor-
mation Booklet for US
models and Warranty and
Service Guide Booklet for
Canadian models180
Service car, refer to Roadside
Assistance190
Service interval indicator, refer
to Service requirements66
"Service notification"163
"Service Request"164
"Service
requirements"66,162
Service requirements66
– also refer to CBS Condition
Based Service180
"Service Status"162
"Set date"74
"Set" in audio mode133
"Set service date"67
"Set time"74
Settings, configuring, refer to
Key Memory28
Setting speed limit72
Setting the time, refer to
Preselecting switch-on
times94
"Set tire pressure"80
Shifting gears
– automatic transmission with
Steptronic56
– SMG Sequential manual
transmission54
Shiftlock
– automatic transmission with
Steptronic55
– SMG Sequential manual
transmission54
Shift paddles54
Short commands of voice
command system199Shortest route for
navigation122
"Short route" for
navigation122
Shoulder support39
"Show current position"118
"Show destination
position"118
Shuffled, refer to Random
– CD changer147
– CD player147
Side airbags83
Side marker lamps, replacing
bulbs184
Side turn signals, replacing
bulbs184
Side window blind, refer to
Sun blinds97
Sitting safely38
– with airbags38
– with safety belts38
Ski bag101
Ski sack, refer to Ski bag101
Sliding/tilt sunroof, refer to
Glass sunroof, electric35
SMG Sequential manual
transmission53
– acceleration assistant55
– breaking-in106
– convenience start52
– Dynamic Driving Control54
– gear display53
– kick-down54
– shiftlock54
– towing192
– tow-starting192
"SMS"157
Snow chains175
Socket for Onboard
Diagnostics interface181
Socket outlet
– cigarette lighter socket100
Sockets100
SOS, refer to Initiating an
emergency call189
Sound output for Enter-
tainment on/off133
Spare fuses187Spare key28
Spare wheel
– refer to Changing
wheels185
– refer to Compact wheel186
Special oils, refer to Specified
engine oils178
Specified engine oils178
Speed
– with compact wheel187
– with winter tires175
Speed-dependent
volume134
Speed limit warning, refer to
Speed limit72
Speedometer12
"Speed volume", refer to
Tone control134
"Sport", active backrest width
adjustment40
Sport program, refer to
Dynamic Driving Control54
Sports seat39
Stability control, refer to
Driving stability control
systems77
"Star button"46
Star button46
"Start destination
guidance"118
"Start" for stopwatch73
"Start guid-
ance"117,119,121,124
Starting, refer to Starting
engine51
Starting assistance, refer to
Jump-starting190
Starting difficulties
– jump starting190
– refer to Special starting
conditions51
Start menu in Control
Display17
"Start service"163
"State / Province" for desti-
nation entry116
"State inspection"67
Station, refer to Radio138

Reference 215
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communica-
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
"Status"66
Status of this Owner's Manual
at time of printing5
Steering wheel
– adjustment45
– buttons on steering
wheel11
– easy entry/exit45
– heating46
– memory40
– programmable buttons46
"Steering wheel buttons"46
Steering with variable ratio,
refer to Active steering81
Steptronic, refer to Automatic
transmission with
Steptronic55
"Stop" for stopwatch73
"Stopwatch"72
Stopwatch72
Storage compartments99
"Store current
destination"122
"Store current position"122
"Store in address book" for
navigation120
"Store" on the radio140,143
Storing current position120
Storing sitting position, refer
to Seat, mirror and steering
wheel memory40
Storing tires175
Straps, refer to Loading109
"Street" for destination
entry117
Summer tires, refer to Wheels
and tires170
Sun blinds97
SW, waveband138
Switches, refer to Cockpit10
Switching navigation voice
instructions on/off125
Switching off engine52
Switching off the tilt alarm
sensor34Switching on
– audio132
– CD changer132
– CD player132
– radio132
Switching on hour signal74
Switching the cooling function
on and off91
Swiveling headlamps, refer to
Adaptive Head Light88
Symbols4
– Control Display20
T
Tachometer65
Tail lamps184
– replacing bulbs184
Tank contents, refer to
Capacities198
Target cursor for
navigation118
Technical data196
Telematik, refer to
TeleService, BMW
Assist161
Telephone, refer to Portable
phone152
"Telephone list"46
TeleService161
– enabling161
– services offered162
Temperature display
– ice warning65
– outside temperature65
– setting the units73
Tempomat, refer to Cruise
control58
"Terminate services"164
"Text language"74
"Theater"135
The individual vehicle5
Third brake lamp, refer to
Center brake lamp184
Tightening torque of the lug
bolts, refer to After
mounting186
Tilt function, passenger-side
mirror41"Time"74
"Time 1" for independent
ventilation94
"Time 2" for independent
ventilation94
"Time format"74
Timer, refer to Preselecting
activation time94
Tire inflation pressures170
Tire pressure, loss80
Tire pressure monitoring,
refer to Flat Tire Monitor79
Tire Quality Grading173
Tire replacement
– new wheels and tires174
Tires
– age172
– air loss80
– breaking-in106
– changing174
– condition173
– damage174
– flat tire, refer to Changing
wheels185
– inflation pressure170
– new wheels and tires174
– pressure monitoring79
– replacing185
– retreaded tires174
– run-flat tires174
– size172
– tread173
– wear indicators173
– wheel/tire combination174
– winter tires175
"Tone"134
Tone in audio mode
– adjusting133
– middle setting135
Tone on locking/unlocking30
Tools, refer to Onboard tool
kit182
"Top 8" for portable
phone156
Torque
– engine196
– lug bolts, refer to After
mounting186

Reference 217
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communica-
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Wheelbase, refer to
Dimensions197
Wheel replacement174
Wheels and tires170
Width, refer to
Dimensions197
Windows34
– auto-remote operation from
outside31
– convenience operation30
– safety switch35
Windshield displays, refer to
Head-Up Display84
Windshield washer nozzles58
Windshield washer system
– refer to Wiper system57
– windshield washer
nozzles58
Windshield wipers, refer to
Wiper system57
Winter tires175
– speed limit selection72
– storage175
Wiper blade replacement182
Wiper system57
– rain sensor57
– washer fluid58
– windshield washer
nozzles58
– wiper blade
replacement182
"With highways" for
navigation122
Word matching principle for
navigation123
Working in the engine
compartment176
Wrenches/screwdrivers, refer
to Onboard tool kit182
X
Xenon lamps183
– replacing bulbs183