2005 BMW 645CI COUPE&CONVERTIBLE flat tire

Technology for comfort, convenience and safety
84
Flat Tire Monitor
The concept
The Flat Tire Monitor keeps track of the infla-
tion pressures in the four tires as you drive. The
system provides an alert whenever the inflation
pressure drops significantly in relation to the
pressure in another tire.
When a loss of pressure occurs, the rolling
radius changes and with it, the rotational speed
of the wheels. This change is detected and sig-
naled as a flat tire.
Functional requirement
To ensure the reliable signaling of a flat tire, the
system must be initialized at the correct tire
inflation pressure.
The initialization must be repeated after
every correction of the tire inflation pres-
sure and after every tire or wheel change.<
System limits
The Flat Tire Monitor cannot indicate
sudden severe tire damage caused by
outside factors and does not detect a natural,
even pressure drop in all four tires.<
In the following situations, the system could be
delayed or malfunction:
>System has not been initialized
>Driving on snow-covered or slippery roads
>Sporty driving style: slip in the drive wheels,
high lateral acceleration
>When driving with snow chains
*
Initializing system
The initialization is completed during driv-
ing, which can be interrupted at any time.
When driving continues, the initialization is also
automatically continued.
Do not initialize the system when driving with
snow chains
*.<
Control Center, for principle details, refer to
page16.1.Press the button
This opens the start menu.
2.Press the controller to open the menu.
3.Select "Vehicle settings" and press the
controller.
4.Select "FTM" and press the controller.
5.Start engine, but do not start driving.
6.Select "Set tire pressure" and press the
controller.
7.Select "Yes" and press the controller.
8.Release.
The message "Initializing" is displayed.
The initialization is completed during driv-
ing. Then "Status: Active" appears on the
Control Display again.

Controls
85Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Report of a flat tire
The warning lamp lights up in red. A
message appears on the Control Dis-
play. In addition, an acoustic signal
sounds. There is a flat tire or extensive inflation
pressure loss.
1.Cautiously reduce the vehicle speed to
below 50 mph/80 km/h. Avoid sudden brak-
ing and steering maneuvers. Do not exceed
a vehicle speed of 50 mph/80 km/h.
If the vehicle is not, as provided at the
factory, equipped with run-flat tires,
refer to page172, stop driving. Continued
driving after a flat tire can result in serious
accidents.<
2.Check the air pressure in all four tires at the
next opportunity.
If the tire inflation pressure in all four
tires is correct, the Flat Tire Monitor
may not have been initialized. The system
must then be initialized.<
3.In case of a complete loss of the tire inflation
pressure or obvious tire damage, you can
estimate the possible driving distance for
continued driving base on the following ref-
erence values:
>With low load:
1 to 2 persons without luggage:
approx. 155 miles/250 km.
>With medium load:
2 persons, luggage compartment full, or
4 persons without luggage:
approx. 94 miles/150 km.
>With full load:
4 persons, luggage compartment full:
approx. 30 miles/50 km.
Drive reservedly and do not exceed
a speed of 50 mph/80 km/h. In the
event of pressure loss, vehicle handling
changes. This includes reduced tracking
stability in braking, extended braking dis-
tance and altered natural steering charac-
teristics.
If unusual vibrations occur while the vehicle
is being driven, this can indicate final failure
of the damaged tire. Reduce speed and stop as soon as possible. Do not continue
driving. Contact your BMW center.<
Malfunction
The warning lamp lights up in yellow. A
message appears on the Control Dis-
play. The Flat Tire Monitor has a mal-
function or has failed. Have the system checked
as soon as possible.
Active steering*
The concept
The active steering is a system that actively var-
ies the steering angle of the front wheels in rela-
tion to the steering wheel movements.
A t l o w s p e e d , e . g . i n a t o w n o r w h e n p a r k i n g , t h e
steering angle of the wheels is reinforced, i.e.
the steering becomes very direct.
In the higher speed range, on the other hand,
the steering angle is reduced more and more.
This improves the handling capability of your
BMW over the entire speed range.
In critical situations, the system can make tar-
geted corrections to the steering angle pro-
vided by the driver and thus stabilize the vehicle
before the driver intervenes. This stability-pro-
moting intervention is deactivated when DSC is
switched off, refer to page82.
Malfunction
The warning lamp lights up. The active
steering is no longer operational. At low
speed, larger steering wheel move-
ments are required, while the vehicle reacts
more sensitively to steering wheel movements
in the higher road-speed range. Have the sys-
tem checked.
If the warning lamp lights up during the first
engine starting following a power supply inter-
ruption, the system must be activated by being
initialized.

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.

Mobility
171Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
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 page172.
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 foreign objects lodged in
the tread, and 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.
Winter tires noticeably loose their suitability for
winter use below a tread depth of 0.16 in/4 mm. New tires should be mounted in the interest of
safety.
Wear indicators at the tread-groove base, refer
to arrow, are distributed over the tire's circum-
ference and are marked on the side of the tire
with TWI – Tread Wear Indicator. If the indica-
tors are at the level of the profile, the legal per-
missible tread depth of 0.063 in/1.6 mm has
been reached.
Tire damage
Due to low-profile tires, please note that
wheels, tires and suspension parts are
more susceptible to road hazard and conse-
quential damages.
Unusual vibrations encountered during normal
vehicle operation can indicate tire failure or
some other vehicle defect. This can, for exam-
ple, be caused by driving over curbs. These
kinds of problems may also be signaled by other
changes in vehicle response, such as a strong
tendency to pull to the left or right.
In these cases reduce your speed immediately
and have the wheels and tires inspected imme-
diately. To do this, carefully drive to the next
BMW center or a specialized tire dealer which
works with personnel trained in accordance
with BMW specifications. Have the vehicle
towed to the workshop if necessary.
Tire damage can be extremely dangerous to
vehicle occupants and other road users.<
Unprofessional attempts by laymen to
service tires can lead to damage and acci-
dents. 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 special-
ized equipment.<

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. wheel and tire combinations that BMW
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.<

Mobility
183Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
1.Push a screwdriver from the left under the
lamp and lever up the lamp to the right.
2.Turn the bulb holder 905 to the left and
remove.
3.Remove and replace the bulb.
LEDs Light-emitting diodes
Light-emitting diodes installed behind translu-
cent lenses serve as the light source for many of
the controls and displays in your vehicle. These
light-emitting diodes, which operate using a
concept similar to that applied in conventional
lasers, are officially designated as Class 1 light-
emitting diodes.
Do not remove the covers, and never
stare into the unfiltered light several
hours, as irritation of the retina could result.<
Changing a wheel
Your BMW is equipped with run-flat tires as
standard. An immediate wheel change in the
event of a flat tire is therefore no longer
required.
You will recognize run-flat tires by a circular
symbol containing the letters RSC on the side
of the tire, refer to Run-flat tires on page171.
If you have new tires mounted or 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.
Also refer to New wheels and tires, page172.
Car jacking points
The jacking points for the car jack are located in
the positions shown.
The suitable tools for changing tires are
available as accessories from your BMW
center.<
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 switched off. For the connections, refer
to Jump starting on page186.
Disposal
After replacement, have old batteries dis-
posed of by your BMW center or deposit
them at a recycling center. Maintain the battery
in an upright position for transport and storage.
Always secure the battery to prevent it from tip-
ping over during transport.<

Reference 201
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
C
California law
– Event Data Recorders179
California Proposition 65
Warning6
"Call"153
Call
– accepting152
– display accepted153
– ending152
– in absence153
– starting152
Calling
– from phone book153
– from the Top 8 list153
– redialing153
"Call sender"156
Can holder, refer to Cup
holders103
Capacities195
Capacity of the luggage
compartment192
Car battery, refer to Vehicle
battery183
Car care, refer to the Caring
for your vehicle brochure
Car-care products, refer to the
Caring for your vehicle
brochure
"Car data"74
Care, refer to the Caring for
your vehicle brochure
Cargo loading
– securing cargo111
– stowing cargo111
– vehicle110
Caring for artificial leather,
refer to the Caring for your
vehicle brochure
Caring for leather, refer to the
Caring for your vehicle
brochure
Caring for light-alloy wheels,
refer to the Caring for your
vehicle brochure
Caring for plastic, refer to the
Caring for your vehicle
brochureCaring for the carpet, refer to
the Caring for your vehicle
brochure
Caring for the vehicle finish,
refer to the Caring for your
vehicle brochure
Car keys, refer to Key set28
Car phone151
– installation location, refer to
Center armrest102
– refer to Portable phone150
– refer to separate Owner's
Manual
Car radio, refer to Radio136
Car wash110
– also refer to the Caring for
your vehicle brochure
– refer to Before driving into a
car wash110
Catalytic converter, refer to
Hot exhaust system108
"Categories"141
CBC Cornering Brake
Control81
CBS Condition Based
Service178
"CD"133,143
CD changer143
– controls132
– fast forward/reverse145
– installation location145
– playing a track145
– random play sequence145
– repeating a track144
– selecting a CD144
– selecting a track144
– switching on/off132
– tone control133
– volume133
CD player143
– controls132
– fast forward/reverse145
– playing a track145
– random play sequence145
– repeating a track144
– selecting a track144
– switching on/off132
– tone control133
– volume133Center armrest
– adjusting the height102
– front102
Center console14
"Central locking"29
Central locking system29
– from inside vehicle31
Changes, technical, refer to
For your own safety6
Changing a wheel183
Changing gear
– automatic transmission with
Steptronic58
Changing language on
Control Display78
Changing measurement units
on Control Display77
Changing wheels183
CHECK button73
Check Control71
"Check Control
messages"73
Check Gas Cap166
Checking the air pressure,
refer to Tire inflation
pressure168
Child's seats, refer to Child-
restraint systems52
Child-restraint fixing system
LATCH53
Child restraints52
Child-restraint systems52
Chrome parts, care, refer to
the Caring for your vehicle
brochure
Cigarette lighter103
Cleaning, refer to the Caring
for your vehicle brochure
Cleaning the windshield, refer
to Wiper system61
"Climate"96
Clock69
– 12h/24h mode78
– setting time and date78
Closing
– from inside31
– from outside29
Clothes hooks, Coupe102
Cockpit10