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OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Tire identification marksKnowledge of the labeling on the side
of the tire makes it easier to identify and
choose the right tires.Tire sizeSpeed code letter:
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/hTire Identification Number Tires with DOT codes meet the guide-
lines of the U.S. Department of Trans-
port. e.g.
Nominal width
in mm
Cross-sectional ratio
in Ξ
Belted construction radial
Rim diameter in inches
Load index,
not with ZR tires
Speed code letter,
with ZR tires before the R
235/65 R
17104H
DOT code:Tire age The manufacturer of your BMW recom-
mends that all tires, i.e. including the
spare wheel, be replaced regardless of
the actual wear after 6 years at the lat-
est.
The tire's date of manufacture is indi-
cated on the sidewall:
DOT... 3603 indicates that the tire was
manufactured in week 36 of 2003. Uniform Tire Quality Grading Quality grades can be found where
applicable on the tire sidewall between
tread shoulder and maximum section
width. For example: e.g.
Manufacturer's code
for tire brand
Tire size and tire model
Tire age
DOT xxxx xxx 3603
DOT Quality Grades Tread wear
Traction AA A B C
Temperature A B C
All passenger car tires must con-
form to Federal Safety Require-
ments 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 condi-
tions 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 condi-
tions of their use, however, and may
depart significantly from the norm due
to variations in driving habits, service
practices and differences in road char-
acteristics and climate.
144n
Tire identification marks Wheel/tire condition 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 speci-
fied government 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
braking traction tests, and does not
include acceleration, cornering, hydro-
planing, or peak traction characteris-
tics.< TemperatureThe 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 condi-
tions 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 tem-
perature can lead to a sudden flat tire.
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 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 separately or
in combination, can cause heat buildup
and possible a tire failure.< M+SWinter and all-season tires.
These have better winter properties
than summer tires.
Wheel/tire damage Inspect your wheels and tires frequently
for tread wear, signs of damage and for
foreign objects lodged in the tread.
Check the tread pattern depth.
Please note that low-profile tires
make your wheels, tires and sus-
pension parts 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. This is also true for
irregularities in the vehicle's handling
characteristics, such as a pronounced
tendency to pull to the left or right.
Should this occur, respond by immedi-
ately reducing your speed. Carefully
proceed – or have your vehicle towed –
to the nearest BMW Sports Activity
Vehicle center or tire dealer to have the
wheels or tires inspected.
Tire damage, extending to sudden and
complete loss of pressure in extreme
cases, can pose a potentially lethal
safety hazard for the vehicle's occu-
pants and other road users alike.<
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OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Wheel/tire conditionTire tread The tread depth should not fall below
0.12 in/3 mm although, for example,
European regulations only require 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.
As winter tires display a noticeable loss
in their ability to cope with cold-
weather driving conditions once the
tread wears to below 0.16 in/4 mm, you
should always have such tires replaced
to ensure continued safety.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 indica-
tors signal at a tread depth of 0.063 in/
1.6 mm that the legally permitted wear
limit has been reached.
390de331
146n
Replacing wheels/tires
Have new wheels and tires
installed only by your BMW Sports
Activity Vehicle center or a tire special-
ist workshop that works according to
BMW guidelines with appropriately
trained personnel. If this work is not
carried out properly, there is a danger
of subsequent damage and related
safety hazards.<
Retreaded tires
BMW does not recommend the
use of retread tires, as otherwise
driving safety may be reduced. The rea-
son for this is that possible variations in
the design and aging – which could be
substantial – of the tire casing can
result in a limited service life.<
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 fac-
tors such as manufacturing tolerances
mean that even wheels and tires with
identical official size ratings could actu-
ally 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 therefore cannot be held liable for
driving safety.<
You can ask your BMW Sports Activity
Vehicle center for the correct wheel/tire
combination.
The correct wheel/tire combination also
affects various systems whose function
would otherwise be impaired, e.g. ABS,
DSC, xDrive.
To maintain good handling and vehicle
response, use only tires of a single
tread configuration from a single manu-
facturer. After a flat tire, always remem-
ber to have the original wheel and tire
combination remounted on the vehicle
as soon as possible.
Recommended tire sizes and makes:
For each tire size, certain tire makes
have been tested by BMW and classi-
fied and approved as safe. You can find
out about them at a specialized store,
preferably your BMW Sports Activity
Vehicle center. Follow any national reg-
ulations, e. g. listed in the vehicle docu-
ments.
The factory-approved radial ply tires are
matched to your vehicle and with
proper use, offer both optimal driving
safety and the desired driving comfort.
Special features 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 perfor-
mance as winter tires.
When switching to winter tires, observe
the description under Tire condition,
page144, and Replacing wheels/tires.
Observing speed ratings:
Never exceed the maximum
speed for which the winter tires
are rated. Unprofessional attempts by
laymen to service tires can lead to dam-
age and accidents. Have this work per-
formed by skilled professionals only.
The technicians at your BMW Sports
Activity Vehicle center will be glad to
assist you with the required profes-
sional knowledge and specialized
equipment.<
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OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Replacing wheels/tires Snow chains
*
Storage Store wheels or tires in a cool, dry
place, protecting them against light
whenever possible. Always protect tires
against all contact with oil, grease and
fuels.
Do not exceed the maximum tire infla-
tion pressure indicated on the side wall
of the tire.Only certain snow chains have been
tested by BMW and classified and
approved as safe. Consult your BMW
Sports Activity Vehicle center for
details. BMW recommends only using
these approved, narrow-link snow
chains. Use is only permitted in pairs on
the rear wheels with the following tire
sizes:
X5 4.8is: 255/55 R 18
All other models: 235/65 R 17
Observe the manufacturer's instruc-
tions when installing snow chains.
Do not exceed a maximum speed of
30 mph/50 km/h.
After mounting snow chains, do
not initialize the Flat Tire Monitor.
When you are driving with snow chains,
it can be beneficial to switch off DSC
briefly, refer to page96.<
Everything from A to ZA
Ability to climb, refer to
Driving on poor roads138
ABS Antilock Brake
System94
warning lamp20
Accessories, refer to For
your own safety9
Accident, refer to
Emergency call170
Roadside Assistance170
Activated-charcoal filter115
Adaptive Head Light104
Adjusting cooling capacity of
rear climate control115
Adjusting seats44
electric46
electric comfort seat46
mechanical45
mechanical sports seat45
Air circulation, refer to
Recirculated-air mode108
Air conditioner107
Air conditioning
air conditioner108
automatic climate
control113
Air distribution
air conditioner108
automatic climate
control112
individual112Air outlets, refer to
Ventilation109,114
Air pressure, refer to Tire
inflation pressure141
Air recirculation, refer to
Automatic recirculated-air
control AUC113
Air supply
air conditioner108
automatic climate
control112
rear climate control114
Air vents, refer to
Ventilation107,110
Air, drying, refer to Air
conditioning108,113
Airbags57
sitting safely43
warning lamp21
Airing, refer to
Ventilation109,114
Alarm system38
avoiding unintentional
alarms39
All-season tires, refer to
Special features of winter
tires146
Antenna, refer to Caring for
your vehicle brochure
Antifreeze
coolant152
washer fluid150Antilock Brake System
ABS94
warning lamp20
Anti-theft alarm system30
refer to Alarm system38
Anti-trapping mechanism
panorama glass
sunroof42
power windows40
Armrest, refer to Storage
compartments120
Artificial leather, refer to
Caring for your vehicle
brochure
Artificial wood trim, refer to
Caring for your vehicle
brochure
Ashtray
front122
rear122
AUC Automatic recirculated-
air control113
AUTO program, refer to
Automatic air distribution
and air flow112
Automatic
air distribution112
air supply112
cruise control74
headlamp control103
steering wheel
adjustment53Automatic car wash, refer to
Caring for your vehicle
brochure
Automatic climate
control110
Automatic cruise control74
Automatic curb monitor51
Automatic headlamp
control103
Automatic rear window
washer73
Automatic recirculated-air
control AUC113
Automatic Soft Close
function, liftgate36
Automatic speed reduction
for descents, refer to HDC
Hill Descent Control97
Automatic transmission with
Steptronic67
interlock64
selector lever interlock68
shiftlock68
towing173
tow-starting173
warning lamp20,21
Average fuel
consumption83,90
Average speed83,91
Avoiding alarms39
Axle loads, refer to
Weights180
Everything from A to ZCargo loading131
Cargo-area partition net127
Caring for leather, refer to
Caring for your vehicle
brochure
Caring for the carpet, refer to
Caring for your vehicle
brochure
Cassette operation, refer to
Owner's Manual for Radio/
Onboard Computer
Catalytic converter, refer to
Hot exhaust system137
CD changer, refer to Owner's
Manual for Radio/Onboard
Computer
CD operation, refer to
Owner's Manual for Radio/
Onboard Computer
Center armrest, refer to
Storage
compartments120
Center brake lamp, replacing
bulbs162
Central locking system30
interior34
Changes, technical, refer to
For your own safety9
Changing a wheel163
Changing gears with
automatic transmission
with Steptronic68Changing tires143
Charge-current indicator
lamp19
Charging battery168
CHECK button80
Check Control80
Checking oil level150
Child's seat, refer to Child-
restraint systems59
Child-restraint fixing system
LATCH62
Child-restraint systems59
Child-safety locks62
Chocks164
Chrome parts, care, refer to
Caring for your vehicle
brochure
Chrome parts, refer to
Caring for your vehicle
brochure
Cigarette lighter122,123
Cigarette lighter socket, refer
to Power socket122
Circulation of air, refer to
Recirculated-air
mode108,113
Cleaning rear window73
Cleaning, vehicle, refer to
Caring for your vehicle
brochure
Climate control in the rear
passenger area114Clock85
12 or 24-hour mode85
hour signal86
setting85
setting time and date85
setting, also refer to
Owner's Manual for Radio/
Onboard Computer
Closing
from inside34
from outside31
Clothes hooks121
Clutch136
breaking-in136
Cockpit14
Code
activating91
deactivating92
establishing91
Cold starting, refer to
Starting engine65
Combination of wheels/
tires146
Comfort seat46
Comfort starting, refer to
Starting engine65
Compact Disc operation,
refer to Owner's Manual
for Radio/Onboard
ComputerCompartments, refer to
Storage
compartments120
Compass interior rearview
mirror55
Computer82,88
also refer to Owner's
Manual for Onboard
Computer
Condensation, refer to
Air conditioning108,113
Connecting vacuum cleaner,
refer to Power sockets129
Consumption display, refer
to Energy control77
Consumption indicator, refer
to Fuel gage78
Consumption, refer to
Average consumption83
Fuel consumption90
Contents4
Controls, refer to Cockpit14
Convenience opening mode
panorama glass
sunroof31
windows31
Convenience operation
from outside33
panorama glass
sunroof33
windows33
Everything from A to Z
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OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Coolant152
level152
temperature gage79
warning lamp79
Coolant temperature
gage79
Cooling, maximum113
Cooling, refer to
Air conditioning108,113
Temperature108,112
Copyright4
Cornering light, refer to
Adaptive Head Light104
Correct tires
wheel/tire
replacement146
winter tires146
Courtesy lighting106
Cruise control74
buttons on steering
wheel23
indicator lamp22
Cruising range83,90
Cup holders121
Curb weight, refer to
Weights180
Current consumption, refer
to Energy control77
Cylinders, refer to Engine
data178D
Dashboard lighting, refer to
Instrument lighting105
Dashboard, refer to
Cockpit14
Data, technical178
dimensions179
engine178
filling capacities181
weights180
Date
also refer to Owner's
Manual for Onboard
Computer
calling up85
changing85
Daytime driving lamps103
DBC Dynamic Brake
Control94
indicator lamp21
Deactivating the alarm in an
emergency92
Defective lamp159
Defrost position, refer to
Defrosting
windows109,112
Defrosting
windows109,112
air conditioner109
automatic climate
control112Defrosting windows and
removing condensation
air conditioner109
automatic climate
control112
Defrosting windshield, refer
to Defrosting
windows109,112
Digital clock85
also refer to Owner's
Manual for Onboard
Computer
Dimensions179
Dipstick, engine oil150
Directional indicators, refer
to Turn signals70
Disc brakes140
Displacement, refer to
Engine specifications178
Display lighting, refer to
Instrument lighting105
Display, refer to Instrument
cluster15,17,18
Disposal, vehicle battery168
Distance to destination89
Distance warning, refer to
PDC Park Distance
Control93
Divided rear seat backrest,
refer to Folding rear seat
back126
Door keys30Door lock33
DOT Quality Grades143
Draft-free
ventilation109,114
Driving lamps, refer to
Parking lamps/low
beams103
Driving notes
breaking-in136
driving hints137,138
Driving on poor roads138
Driving stability control95
Driving your X5138
Dry air, refer to Air
conditioning108,113
DSC Dynamic Stability
Control95
warning lamp22
DVD changer, refer to
Owner's Manual for Radio/
Onboard Computer
Dynamic Brake Control
DBC94
indicator lamp21
Dynamic Stability Control
DSC95
warning lamp22