
Wheels and tires
168
Wheels and tires
Tire inflation pressure
Information for your safety
It is not merely the tire's service life, but also 
driving comfort and – to a great extent – driving 
safety that depend on the condition of the tires 
and the maintenance of the specified tire pres-
sure.
Checking tire inflation pressure
Only check tire inflation pressure when the tires 
are cold. This means after a maximum of 
1.25 miles/2 km driving or when the vehicle has 
been parked for at least 2 hours. When tires are 
warm, the tire inflation pressure increases.
Check the tire inflation pressure regularly 
and correct it if necessary: 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.<
After correcting the inflation pressure(s), 
always reinitialize the Flat Tire Monitor, 
refer to page84.<
Pressure specifications for factory-
installed tires
The tire inflation pressures with the ambient 
temperature are visible on the door pillar with 
the driver's door open.
Pressure specifications for other tire 
sizes
The tables below provide 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 corresponding tire 
size.<
Tire size
The specified pressures apply to tire sizes 
approved by BMW and recommended tire 
m a k e s ;  y o u r  B M W  c en t e r  w i ll  b e  g l a d  t o  p ro v id e  
information. 

Wheels and tires
170
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 letter
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 ... 3604 indicates that a tire was manufac-
tured in week 36 of the year 2004.
BMW recommends replacing all tires at least 
every 6 years, even if some tires may last for 
10 years.
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 govern-
ment 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 varia-
tions in driving habits, service practices and dif-
ferences 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 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  e.g.
Nominal width 
in mm
Aspect ratio in Ξ
Radial type
Rim diameter in inches
Load rating
not on ZR tires
Speed rating
before R on ZR tires
205/60 R 15 91 W
e.g.
Manufacturer code 
for tire make
Tire size and tire design
Tire ageDOT xxxx xxx 3604 

Wheels and tires
172
Run-flat tires
You will recognize run-flat tires by the circular 
symbol containing the letters RSC on the side-
wall.
Run-flat tires consist of self-contained tires and 
special rims. The sidewall reinforcement 
ensures that the tire retains some residual 
safety in the event of pressure drop and driving 
remains possible to a restricted degree.
New wheels and tires
Only have new wheels and tires mounted 
by a BMW center or a specialized tire 
dealer which works with personnel trained in 
accordance with BMW specifications. If this 
work is performed inexpertly, there is a danger 
of damage and associated safety risks. Make 
sure that the new wheels are balanced.<
Retreaded tires
BMW does not recommend the use of 
retread tires, as otherwise driving safety 
may be reduced. Possible variations in the 
design and the age – which could be substan-
tial – of the carcasses can lead to more rapid 
wear.<
The right wheels and tires
If you switch from summer to winter tires, or 
vice versa, use run-flat tires, as in the event of a 
flat tire there is no spare tire available. 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.
has tested and approved for your particular 
vehicle. Variations in factors such as manufac-
turing tolerances mean that even wheels and 
tires with identical official size ratings could 
actually have different dimensions than the 
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 find out the right wheel-tire combina-
tion from your BMW center.
The right wheel-and-tire combination 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, always remember to have the specified 
wheel and tire combination remounted on the 
vehicle as soon as possible.
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 regula-
tions, 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 your vehicle; if properly cared 
for, they will provide a combination of safety and 
excellent ride comfort.
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. 

Mobility
 173Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Run-flat tires
If you switch from summer to winter tires, or 
vice versa, use run-flat tires, refer to page172, 
as in the event of a flat tire there is no spare tire 
available. Your BMW center will be glad to 
advise you.
Watch speed
Observe the permissible maximum speed 
for the respective winter tires, as other-
wise tire damage and occur and cause 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 snow chains. These snow chains are 
approved exclusively for use in pairs on the rear 
wheels with the tire size:
>245/50 R 17 Y
>245/45 R 18 Y
Observe the chain manufacturer's instructions 
when mounting snow chains. Do not exceed a 
vehicle speed of 30 mph/50 km/h with the 
chains mounted.
Do not initialize the Flat Tire Monitor after 
mounting snow chains.
When you are driving with snow chains, it can 
be beneficial to switch off DTC briefly, refer to 
page82.< 

Everything from A to Z
212 TeleService159
– enabling159
– services offered160
Temperature display
– ice warning69
– outside temperature69
– setting measurement 
units69
Temperature gage
– engine oil70
Tempomat, refer to Cruise 
control61
"Terminate services"162
"Text language"78
"Theater"135
The individual vehicle5
Tilt function, passenger-side 
mirror47
"Time"78
"Time 1" for independent 
ventilation98
"Time 2" for independent 
ventilation98
"Time format"78
Timer, refer to Preselecting 
activation time98
Tire pressure monitoring, 
refer to Flat Tire Monitor84
Tire Quality Grading170
Tires
– age170
– air loss85
– breaking-in108
– changing172
– condition171
– damage171
– flat tire85
– inflation pressure168
– new wheels and tires172
– pressure monitoring, refer to 
Flat Tire Monitor84
– replacing172
– retreaded tires172
– run-flat tires172
– size169
– tread171
– wear indicators171
– wheel/tire combination172
– winter tires172"Tone"134
Tone in audio mode
– adjusting133
– middle setting135
Tools, refer to Onboard tool 
kit180
"Top 8" for portable 
phone154
Torque, refer to Engine 
specifications192
Touch tone dialing155
Tow fitting188
Towing188
– tow fitting188
"Town / City" for destination 
entry116
Tow-starting189
Tracks
– random play sequence145
– sample, Scan145
Track width, refer to 
Dimensions193
Traction control, refer to DSC 
Dynamic Stability 
Control82
Traffic congestion, refer to 
Bypassing route 
sections128
Transmission
– automatic transmission with 
Steptronic58
– manual transmission56
– SMG Sequential manual 
transmission56
Transporting children 
safely52
Transport securing device, 
refer to Securing load111
Tread depth, refer to Minimum 
tread depth171
"Treble", refer to Tone 
control134
"Trip computer"75
Trip computer75
Trip-distance counter, refer to 
Trip odometer69
"Triple turn signal 
activation"60Trip odometer69
Trunk, refer to Luggage 
compartment34
Trunk lid, refer to Luggage 
compartment lid32
Turning circle, refer to 
Dimensions193
Turn signals60
– indicator lamp13
– replacing bulbs181
U
Undercarriage protection, 
refer to the Caring for your 
vehicle brochure
Uniform Tire Quality Grading/
UTQR170
"Units"78
Units
– average fuel 
consumption77
– temperature77
Universal garage-door 
opener, refer to Integrated 
universal remote 
control100
Universal remote control, refer 
to Integrated universal 
remote control100
"Unlock button"29
Unlocking
– from inside32
– from outside29
Unlocking and locking doors, 
setting confirmation 
signals30
"Update services"162
"Use current location as 
address"122