
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 ... 0904 indicates that the tire was 
manufactured in the 9th week of 2004. 
BMW recommends that you replace all 
tires – including the spare – after a maxi-mum of 6 years, even though the tires may 
have a theoretical 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, 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, 
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
Cross-sectional 
relationship in Ξ
Radial tire code
Rim diameter in inches
Load rating,
not for ZR tires
Speed rating,
before R on ZR tires
245/45 R19104H
e.g.
Manufacturer code
for tire makes
Tire size and tire design
Tire ageDOT xxxx xxx 0904 

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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 con-
trolled conditions on a specified indoor lab-
oratory 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 Vehicle Safety 
Standard No. 109. Grades B and A repre-
sent 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 load-
ing, either separately 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 page192.
M+S
Winter and all-season tires.
These have better winter properties than 
summer tires.
Tire condition 
Inspect your tires frequently for treadwear, 
signs of damage and for foreign objects 
lodged in the tread. Check the tread depth. 
Tire tread 
The tread depth should not drop below 
εin/3 mm, although, for example, Euro-
pean legislation only specifies a minimum 
tread depth of κ/ΦΚin/1.6 mm. At tread 
depths below εin/3 mm, there is an 
increased risk of high-speed hydroplaning, even when only small amounts of water are 
present on the road surface.
As winter tires display a noticeable loss in 
their ability to cope with cold-weather driv-
ing conditions once the tread wears to 
below κ/Κin/4 mm, to ensure continued 
safety you should always have such tires 
replaced.
Wear indicators at the tread-groove base, 
refer to arrow, are distributed over the tire's 
circumference and are marked on the side 
of the tire with TWI – Tread Wear Indicator. 
These indicators signal at a tread depth of 
κ/ΦΚin/1.6 mm that the legally permitted 
wear limit has been reached. 
Wheel/tire damage 
Due to low-profile tires, please note 
that wheels, tires and suspension 
parts are more susceptible to road hazard 
and consequential damages. 
Unusual vibrations encountered during 
normal vehicle operation can indicate tire 
failure or some other vehicle defect. This 
can, for example, 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 speed immediately. 
Drive carefully to the next BMW center or 
tire dealer, or have the vehicle towed to one 
of these locations if necessary. 
Tire damage, extending to sudden and 
complete loss of pressure in extreme 
cases, can pose a potentially lethal safety 
hazard for the vehicle's occupants and 
other road users alike.<  

Wheels and tires
192
Run-flat tires* 
You will recognize run-flat tires by a circular 
symbol containing the letters RSC on the 
side of the tire. 
The run-flat tires consist of self-supporting 
tires and special rims. The tire reinforce-
ment ensures that the tire retains some 
residual safety in the event of pressure 
drop and driving remains possible to a 
restricted degree. 
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. 155 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 infla-
tion pressure loss, the driving characteris-
tics change, for example reduced track 
stability on braking, extended braking dis-tance, and altered self-steering character-
istics.
For safety reasons BMW recommends that 
you do not have damaged run-flat tires 
repaired, and that you go to a BMW center 
in this case.< 
New wheels and tires 
Only have new wheels and tires 
mounted by a specialist. If this work is 
not carried out properly, there is a danger 
of subsequent damage and related safety 
hazards.< 
You can ask your BMW center for the right 
wheel and tire combination. Have the 
wheel and tire assemblies balanced every 
time either a wheel or a tire is replaced.
The correct wheel and tire combination 
affects various systems whose function 
would otherwise be impaired, e.g. ABS 
or DSC.
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 
substantial – 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 – 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  

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remounted on the vehicle as soon as pos-
sible. 
Recommended tire sizes and 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 tire 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 better 
winter traction than summer tires, they 
generally fail to provide the same levels of 
cold-weather performance as winter tires. 
Run-flat tires 
When mounting new tires or switching from 
summer to winter tires, or vice versa, use 
run-flat tires, as in the event of a break-
down there is no spare wheel available. 
Your BMW center will be glad to advise 
you.
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.< 
Storage 
Always store wheels and tires in a cool, dry 
pl ace  w it h  as l itt le  exp osu r e t o li gh t a s po s-
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.
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. 
Use on summer or winter tires is only per-
missible in pairs on the rear wheels. 
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 page94.<  

Replacing components
204
Light-emitting diodes LEDs 
Light-emitting diodes installed behind 
translucent 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 offi-
cially designated as Class 1 light-emitting 
diodes. 
Do not remove the covers, and never 
stare into the unfiltered light for sev-
eral hours, as irritation of the iris could 
result.< 
Changing wheels 
Safety precautions to observe in the 
event of a flat and during all tire 
changes: 
Park the vehicle as far as possible from 
passing traffic. Park on a firm, flat, surface. 
Switch on the hazard warning flashers.
Engage the parking brake and move the 
transmission's selector lever to P. 
Have all vehicle occupants get out of the 
vehicle and ensure that they remain outside 
the immediate area in a safe place, such as 
behind a guardrail. 
If a warning triangle or portable hazard 
warning lamp is required, set it up on the 
roadside at an appropriate distance from 
the rear of the vehicle. Comply with all 
safety guidelines and regulations.
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-
carrying 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 
>Vehicle jack 
Located in the luggage compartment 
behind the right-hand side panel.  

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Grasp the handle in the upper panel and 
fold it down. 
Undo 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 the wing nut 1 
2.Remove the disc 2 to the side 
3.Completely unscrew the threaded rod 3 
4.Remove the spare tire. 
Preparing wheel change
1.Read carefully and comply with the 
safety precautions on page204 
2.Secure the vehicle to prevent it from 
rolling: 
Place the wheel chock against the rear 
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. On a steep grade, also 
secure the vehicle against rolling
3.Loosen the lug bolts 1/2 a turn. 
Lifting vehicle
1.Position the jack at the jacking point 
closes to the wheel so that the entire 
jack base makes contact vertically 
under the jacking point 
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.<2.Guide the jack head into the rectangular 
recess of the jacking point when crank-
ing up the jack, refer to section of illus-
tration 
3.Jack the vehicle up until the wheel you 
are changing is raised from the ground. 
Mounting a wheel
1.Unscrew the lug bolts and remove the 
wheel 
2.Remove accumulations of mud or dirt 
from the mounting surfaces of the 
wheel and hub. Clean the lug bolts 
3.Position the wheel or spare tire on the 
hub and screw in at least two bolts 
diagonally. 
When you mount wheels other than 
Genuine BMW light-alloy wheels, differ-
ent lug bolts may also be required 
4.Screw in the remaining lug bolts. 
Tighten all the bolts securely in a diag-
onal pattern 
5.Lower the vehicle and remove the jack 
from beneath the vehicle. 
Following installation
1.Tighten the lug bolts in a diagonal pat-
tern 
To ensure safety, always have the 
lug bolts checked with a cali-
brated torque wrench as soon as possi-
ble to ensure that they are tightened to 
the specified torque. The tightening 
torque is 140 Nm.< 
2.Reverse the removal sequence when 
storing the wheel and tools in the vehi-
cle 

Replacing components
206 3.Check and correct the tire inflation 
pressure at the earliest opportunity 
Protect valve stems and valve 
stem seal caps against dirt and 
contamination. Dirt in valve stems is a 
frequent source of gradual air loss.<
4.Reinitialize the Flat Tire Monitor, refer 
to page 96 
5.Replace the damaged tire with a new 
one as soon as possible and have the 
new wheel balanced. 
Driving with 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.< 
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. The vehicle is equipped 
with a Flat Tire Monitor which indicates 
punctures. 
The reinforcement on the flanks of the 
tires means that it is usually not pos-
sible to detect an air loss from outside.< 
Flat tire 
If you have a flat tire, the indicator lamp 
symbol in the Check Control will light up in 
red, and a message will appear. In addition, 
a gong sounds. 
You can find more detailed information on 
the Flat Tire Monitor on page96. 
Reduce vehicle speed carefully to under 
50 mph/80 km/h, avoiding hard brake 
applications and steering maneuvers. 
If the defective wheel is not recognizable as 
such immediately, check the inflation pres-
sure in all four tires. 
For reasons of safety, do not arrange 
for run-flat tires to be repaired. Your 
BMW center has the information needed 
for working with these tires and is 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. You can deter-
mine the possible mileage for continued 
driving on the basis of the following general 
indications: 
>Tire inflation pressure 0 psi/kPa: 
With empty vehicle approx. 90 miles/
150 km 
With full payload approx. 30 miles/
50 km 
>Tire inflation pressure 7 psi/50 kPa to 
15 psi/100 kPa: 
Approx. 300 miles/500 km 
>Tire inflation pressure greater than 
15 psi/100 kPa: 
Approx. 600 miles/1,000 km. 
Drive reservedly and do not exceed a 
speed of 50 mph/80 km/h. In the case 
of air loss, you can expect changes in vehi-
cle handling such as reduce lane stability, 
longer braking distances, and changes in 
self-steering properties.<  

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Battery 
Battery care 
The battery is 100 % maintenance-free, i.e., 
the electrolyte will last for the life of the bat-
tery when the vehicle is operated in a tem-
perate climate. Your BMW center will be 
happy to advise you on all questions con-
cerning 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 page210. 
Battery switch 
Before storing the vehicle for an extended 
period of several weeks or more, slide the 
battery switch located behind the trim 
panel on the right side of the luggage com-
partment to OFF. This reduces the current 
flow from the battery for the period during 
which the vehicle remains parked. A mes-
sage appears in the Check Control. Please 
take note of the supplementary information 
provided on the Control Display. 
Disposal 
Have old batteries disposed of follow-
ing replacement at your BMW center 
or bring them to a collection point. Maintain 
the battery in an upright position for trans-
port and storage. Always secure the battery 
to prevent it from tipping over during trans-
port.<
Power failure 
Following a temporary power failure, e.g. in 
the case of a flat battery, some equipment 
is subject to restricted use and must be 
reinitialized. Individual settings are also lost 
and must be updated again:
>Seat, mirror and steering wheel memory
The positions must be stored again, 
refer to page55
>Time and date
Must be updated again, refer to 
page90
>Radio
Stations must be stored again, refer to 
page 154
>Navigation system
The operability must be waited for, refer 
to page130.
Fuses 
Never attempt to repair a blown fuse, 
and do not replace a defective fuse 
with a substitute of another color or amper-
age rating, as this could lead to a circuit 
overload, ultimately resulting in a fire in the 
vehicle.< 
Spare fuses are located on the fuse strip in 
the glove compartment; plastic tweezers 
can be found at the fuse holder in the lug-
gage compartment.
In glove compartment 
Press the tab on the cover to the front, then 
fold up the cover.