
Wheels and tires
82
Run Flat tires fitted
Run Flat tires are labeled on the sidewall with a 
circular symbol containing the letters RSC. 
Run Flat tires consist of self-supporting tires 
and special rims. The tire reinforcement 
ensures that driving remains possible to a 
restricted degree in the event of pressure drop 
or even if the tire is deflated.
Wheel and tire replacement
Have new wheels and tires mounted only 
by a BMW center or specialized tire shop 
that works according to BMW requirements 
with the appropriately trained personnel. Work 
that is improperly carried out could result in 
consequential damage and pose safety haz-
ards. Make sure that the new wheels are bal-
anced.<
BMW advises against using retreaded 
tires, since driving safety may be 
impaired. This is due to possible variations in 
casing structures and, in some cases, to their 
extreme age, factors which can lead to a 
decrease in their durability.<
The correct wheels and tires
BMW recommends using only wheels 
and tires that have been approved by 
BMW for your particular vehicle model, as oth-
erwise body contact and serious accidents can 
result despite the use of the same nominal size, 
e.g. due to manufacturing tolerances. If non-
approved wheels and tires are used, BMW can-
not evaluate their suitability, and therefore can-
not be held liable for driving safety.
nations for your vehicle.
The correct wheel and tire combination also 
affects other systems which would otherwise 
be impaired, for example ABS or DSC.
To maintain good handling and vehicle 
response, use only tires of a single brand and 
tread configuration. In the event of a flat tire, 
remount the previous wheel and tire combina-
tion as soon as possible.
Recommended tire brands
BMW tests certain tire brands for each tire size, 
classifies them as road-safe and approves 
them. You can best find out about these at a 
specialized shop, particularly your BMW center. 
Observe any country-specific regulations, e.g. 
on making a corresponding entry in the vehicle 
documents.
The factory-approved radial-ply tires are 
matched to your vehicle and have been 
selected to provide optimum safety and driving 
comfort when used properly.
Run Flat tires
When mounting new tires or replacing summer 
tires with winter tires, or vice versa, use Run Flat 
tires since no spare wheel is available in the 
event of a flat. Your BMW center will be glad to 
provide you with more information.
For safety reasons, BMW recommends to 
have Run Flat tires replaced, not repaired, 
if they are damaged.<
Special characteristics of winter tires
BMW recommends the use of winter tires for 
operation under winter road conditions. While 
all-season tires with M+S designation provide 
better winter traction than summer tires, they 
generally do not achieve the full performance of 
winter tires.
Observing speed ratings 
Never exceed the maximum speed for 
which the winter tires are rated. Unpro-
fessional attempts by laymen to service tires  

Replacement procedures
94 Please contact a BMW center in case of a mal-
function.
License plate lamps 
5 watt bulb
1.Push out the lamp with a suitable object and 
remove it
2.Replace the bulb.
Snap the lamp back into place.
Light-emitting diodes LEDs
Control elements, display units and other inte-
rior equipment in your vehicle use a light-emit-
ting diode behind a cover as a light source. 
These light-emitting diodes are similar to con-
ventional lasers.
Do not remove the covers, and do not 
look directly at the unfiltered light for sev-
eral hours. Otherwise, it can lead to retinal irrita-
tion of the eye.<
Changing a wheel
Run Flat tires
Your BMW is equipped with Run Flat tires. 
Therefore, the wheel no longer has to be 
changed immediately in the event of a loss in 
inflation pressure.
Run Flat tires are labeled on the sidewall with a 
circular symbol containing the letters RSC. 
Refer to page82.
BMW recommends that you consult your BMW 
center if you wish to replace the tires of your 
B MW , o r change  from  summe r to winter tire s o r 
vice versa. 
Your BMW center knows how to work with Run Flat tires and is equipped with the necessary 
special tools.
When mounting or replacing summer 
tires with winter tires, or vice versa, use 
only Run Flat tires since no spare wheel is avail-
able in the event of a flat.<
Jacking points
The jacking points are located at the positions 
indicated in the illustration.
Your BMW center can provide you with a 
suitable jack as an accessory.<
Vehicle battery
Maintenance
The battery is completely maintenance-free. 
This means that the original electrolyte will nor-
mally last for the service life of the battery under 
moderate climatic conditions. Your BMW cen-
ter will be happy to advise you if you have any 
questions concerning the battery.
Indicator lamp
The indicator lamp lights up:
The battery is no longer being charged. 
The alternator drive belt is defective or 
there is a malfunction in the charging circuit of 
the alternator. Please contact the nearest BMW 
center.
If the drive belt is defective, pull over and 
switch off the engine immediately to pre-
vent overheating and serious engine damage. 
If the onboard supply voltage drops to a very 
low level, increased steering effort may also be 
necessary.< 

Everything from A to Z
114 Selector lever
– automatic transmission with 
Steptronic38
– sequential manual gearbox 
SMG40
Selector lever lock, refer to 
Range selection38
Selector lever positions
– automatic transmission with 
Steptronic38
– sequential manual gearbox 
SMG40
Sequential manual gearbox 
SMG40
Service, refer to Mobile 
Service96
Service, refer to Service and 
Warranty Information 
Booklet for US models, 
Warranty and Service Guide 
Booklet for Canadian 
models89
Service and warranty7
Service interval display47,89
Shifting gears
– automatic transmission with 
Steptronic38
– manual transmission38
– sequential manual gearbox 
SMG41
Shiftlock, refer to Range 
selection38
Shift paddles41
Side airbags53
Side turn signal indicators, 
bulb replacement93
Signal horn, refer to Horn10
Slipstream deflector, refer to 
Wind deflector24
SMG Sequential manual 
gearbox40
Smokers' package, refer to 
Ashtray65
Snow chains83
Socket for Onboard 
Diagnostics90
SOS, refer to Emergency 
call96
Spare fuses95Spare key16
Spare wheel, refer to Run Flat 
tires82
Special oils, refer to 
Specified engine oils87
Special wash program, refer to 
the Caring for your vehicle 
brochure
Specified engine oils87
Speed
– winter tires82
Speedometer12
Sport program
– automatic transmission with 
Steptronic39
– Driving Dynamic 
Control41,42
Sports seat
29
Stability control, refer to 
Dynamic Stability Control 
DSC50
Standing lamps57
Starting, engine36
Starting, refer to Starting the 
engine36
Starting assistance, refer to 
Dynamic Stability Control 
DSC50
Starting difficulties
– jump-starting97
– temperature36
Starting with a flat battery, 
refer to Jump-starting97
Status at time of printing5
Steering lock36
Steering wheel10
– adjusting31
Steptronic, refer to Manual 
mode39
Storage compartments64
– electrical fault64
– opening manually64
Storage nets64
Storage space, refer to
– Luggage compartment19
– Storage compartments64
Storing desired speeds, refer 
to Cruise control44Storing seat position, refer to 
Seat memory29
Summer tires, refer to 
Wheels and tires78
Surface ice, refer to Ice 
warning48
Switches, refer to Cockpit10
Switch for passenger 
airbags33
Symbols4
T
Tachometer46
Tail lamps, refer to Rear 
lamps93
– bulb replacement93
Tank capacity, refer to Fuel 
tank capacity105
Tank indicator, refer to Fuel 
gauge46
Technical data102
Technical modifications, refer 
to For your own safety6
Telephone, refer to the 
separate Owner's Manual
Telephone preparation65
Temperature
– air conditioning59
– automatic climate control62
– engine46
Temperature display
– ice warning48
– outside temperature47,48
– setting unit of measure48
Tempomat, refer to Cruise
control44
Third brake lamp, refer to 
Center high-mount brake 
lamp93
– bulb replacement93
Three-point seat belt, refer to 
Safety belts30
Tilt alarm sensor
– deactivating26
– remote control26
Tire coding80