Wheels and tires
188
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 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 page189.
M+S
Winter and all-season tires.
These have better winter properties than sum-
mer tires.
XL
Designation for specially reinforced tires.
Tire condition
Inspect your tires frequently for tread wear,
signs of damage and for foreign objects lodged
in the tread. Check the tread depth.
Minimum tread depth
The tread depth should not drop below 1/8 in/
3 mm, although, for example, European legisla-
tion only specifies a minimum tread depth of 1/16 in/1.6 mm. At tread depths below 1/8 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.
When winter tires wear down past a tread depth
of 1/6 in/4 mm, they become perceptibly less
suitable for winter conditions. In the interest of
safety, new tires should be installed.
Wear indicators in the base of the tread groove
are distributed around the tire's circumference;
the letters TWI, for Tread Wear Indicator, on the
tire's sidewalls identify tires that incorporate
these wear indicators. Once the tire tread has
worn down to the wear indicators, the tire has
worn to a depth of 1/16 in/1.6 mm.
Wheel/tire damage
Please note that low-profile tires cause wheels,
tires and suspension parts to be more suscep-
tible to road hazard and consequential dam-
ages.
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. The same
applies to any other abnormal road behavior,
such as pulling severely to the right or left.
In these cases, reduce speed immedi-
ately and have wheels and tires thor-
oughly checked. To do so, drive carefully to the
nearest BMW center or tire shop that works
according to BMW repair procedures with cor-
respondingly trained personnel. If necessary,
have the vehicle towed there.
Tire damage can be extremely dangerous for
vehicle occupants and other road users.<
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Mobility
189Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Tire age
For various reasons, such as the development
of brittleness, BMW recommends tire replace-
ment after no more than 6 years, regardless of
the actual wear of the tires.
The manufacturing date of tires is contained in
the tire coding:
DOT ... 0705 means that the tire was manufac-
tured in week 07 of 2005.
Run-Flat Tires
The symbol identifying Run-Flat Tires is a circle
with the letters RSC on the sidewall.
Run-Flat Tires comprise a conditionally self-
supporting tire and a special rim. The reinforce-
ment in the sidewalls ensures that the tire can
continue to be used subject to certain restric-
tions, even if depressurized.
For information on continuing to drive with a flat
tire, refer to Indication of a flat tire, page83.
New wheels and tires
Have new wheels and tires installed only
by your BMW center or tire shop that
works according to BMW repair procedures
with correspondingly trained personnel. If this
work is not carried out properly, there is a dan-
ger of subsequent damage and related safety
hazards. Make sure that the new wheels are bal-
anced.<
Retreaded tires
BMW recommends that you do not use
retreaded tires, since driving safety may be impaired. The causes for this include poten-
tially different tire casing structures and often
wide variations in tire age, which can result in a
limited service life.<
Correct wheels and tires
When mounting new tires or changing over
from summer to winter tires or vice versa,
mount Run-Flat Tires for your own safety. In the
event of a flat, moreover, no spare wheel is
available. Your BMW center will be glad to
advise you.
For safety reasons, BMW recommends
that damaged Run-Flat Tires be replaced
rather than repaired.<
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 manufac-
turing tolerances mean that even wheels and
tires with identical official size ratings could
actually have different dimensions, which could
lead to body contact and thus to severe acci-
dents. If non-approved wheels and tires are
used, BMW cannot evaluate their suitability,
and therefore cannot guarantee their driving
safety.<
You can inquire about the right wheel/tire com-
bination at your BMW center.
The correct combination of wheels and tires is
also necessary to ensure reliable operation of
various vehicle systems such as ABS and DSC.
To maintain good handling and vehicle
response, use only tires of a single brand and
tread configuration. After a tire has been dam-
aged, mount the previous wheel and tire combi-
nation again as soon as possible.
Wheels with Tire Pressure Monitor
TPM electronics
When mounting new tires or changing over
from summer to winter tires or vice versa, only
use wheels with TPM electronics; otherwise the
Tire Pressure Monitor may not be able to detect
a puncture, refer to page84. Your BMW center
will be glad to advise you.
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Wheels and tires
190
Recommended tire brands
Certain makes of tire are recommended by
BMW for each tire size. They are marked with a
clearly visible BMW designation on the sidewall
of the tire.
When properly used, these tires meet the high-
est standards in terms of safety and handling
characteristics.
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.
Pay attention to speed
Always comply with the speed limit for the
winter tires mounted on your car; failure
to do so could result in tire damage and acci-
dents.<
If the car is capable of speeds higher than that
permitted for the winter tires, a label stating the
maximum permitted speed for the mounted
tires must be displayed in your field of view.
Specialist tire dealers and your BMW center
can supply these labels.
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.
Snow chains*
Only certain fine-link snow chains have been
tested by BMW, classified as safe for use and
recommended. Consult your BMW center for
more information. Attach snow chains in pairs
and only to the rear wheels. Observe the manu-
facturer's instructions when mounting snow
chains. Do not exceed a speed of 30 mph or
50 km/h.
You are not permitted to mount snow chains to
tires of the following sizes:
>255/40 R 17
>255/35 R 18
>255/30 R 19
Do not initialize the Flat Tire Monitor if
snow chains are mounted, otherwise the
instrument might issue an incorrect reading.
When driving with snow chains, you may find it
helpful to activate DTC temporarily, refer to
page81.<
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Mobility
201Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Changing wheels
Your BMW is equipped with Run-Flat Tires as
standard. This removes the need to change a
wheel immediately in the event of a puncture.
For information on continuing to drive with a
damaged tire, refer to Indication of a flat tire on
page83.
The symbol identifying Run-Flat Tires is a circle
with the letters RSC on the sidewall, refer to
Run-Flat Tires, page189.
When mounting new tires or changing over
from summer to winter tires and vice versa,
mount Run-Flat Tires for your own safety. In the
event of a flat, no spare wheel is available. Your
BMW center will be glad to advise you. Refer
also to New wheels and tires, page189.
The tools for changing wheels are avail-
able as optional accessories from your
BMW center.<
Jack mounting points
The jacking points are at the positions shown in
the illustration.
Vehicle battery
Battery care
The battery is 100 % maintenance-free, 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 the 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 page204.
Disposal
Have old batteries disposed of by your
BMW center or hand them in to a recy-
cling center. Maintain the battery in an upright
position for transport and storage. Always
secure the battery against tipping over during
transport.<
Power failure
After a temporary power loss, the functioning of
some equipment may be limited and require
reinitialization. Individual settings may likewise
have been lost and will have to be programmed:
>Time and date
These values must be updated, refer to
page73.
>Radio
In some cases, stations may have to be
stored again, refer to page146.
>Navigation system
Operability must be waited for, refer to
page120.
>Seat and mirror memory
The positions must be stored again, refer to
page44.
>Inside rearview mirror with digital compass
The system must be calibrated, refer to
page103.
Fuses
Never attempt to repair a blown fuse and
do not replace a defective fuse with a sub-
stitute of another color or amperage rating, oth-
erwise this could lead to a circuit overload, ulti-
mately resulting in a fire in the vehicle.<
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Everything from A - Z
218
Everything from A - Z
Index
"..." Identifies Control Display
texts used to select
individual functions and
refers you to the page where
these texts can be found.
A
ABS Antilock Brake
System81
ACC, refer to Active cruise
control60
Accident, refer to Initiating an
emergency call203
Activated-charcoal filter for
automatic climate control99
"Activation time"99
Active cruise control60
– indicator lamps63
– malfunction64
– selecting distance62
– sensor64
Active steering87
– warning lamp87
Adaptive Head Light92
"Add digits" for mobile
phone168
Additives
– coolant194
"Address book" in
navigation128
Address for navigation
– deleting129
– entering121,124,128
– selecting129
– storing128
– storing current position128
"Add to destination
list"124,125
Adjusting temperature inside
the car, refer to Automatic
climate control96
Adjusting the thigh support41Adjusting the tone during
audio operation, refer to
Tone control141
Adjustment in audio mode
– front-to-rear141
– right/left balance141
Airbags87
– indicator/warning lamp89
– sitting safely40
Air conditioning mode
– automatic climate control96
– ventilation98
Air distribution
– automatic97
– individual96
Air flow rate97
Airing, refer to Ventilation98
Air pressure, refer to Tire
inflation pressure184
Air recirculation, refer to
Recirculated-air mode97
"Air recirculation on / off"48
Air supply
– automatic climate control96
– ventilation98
Air vents95
AKI, refer to Fuel
specifications182
Alarm system34
– avoiding unintentional
alarms35
– interior motion sensor35
– switching off an alarm34
– tilt alarm sensor34
"All channels" for satellite
radio150
All-season tires, refer to
Winter tires190
"All stations" displaying with
the radio144
"AM", waveband140,144
Ambient air, refer to
Recirculated-air mode97Antenna for mobile phone162
Antifreeze
– coolant194
– washer fluid58
Anti-theft alarm system, refer
to Alarm system34
Anti-theft system29
Approved axle loads, refer to
Weights212
Approved gross vehicle
weight, refer to Weights212
Armrest, refer to Center
armrest104
Arrival time, refer to
Computer68
Arrival time, refer to Starting
destination guidance132
"Arrow display" in
navigation133
Arrow view for navigation133
Ashtray
– front106
– rear107
Assist, refer to BMW
Assist175
Assistance window20
– refer to iDrive20
Assistant systems, refer to
Driving stability control
systems81
AUC Automatic recirculated-
air control97
Audio140
– controls140
– switching on/off140
– tone control141
– volume141
"Audio", refer to Tone
control141
"Audio Aux"140,
158
"Audio Aux" for external audio
device158
Audio device, external105
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Everything from A - Z
224 Filter
– refer to Microfilter/activated-
charcoal filter for automatic
climate control99
Fine wood, refer to Caring for
your vehicle brochure
First aid pouch203
Fixture for remote control,
refer to Ignition lock52
Flashlight, refer to
Rechargeable flashlight104
Flash when locking/
unlocking30
Flat
– Flat Tire Monitor82
– Run-Flat Tires189
– Tire Pressure Monitor
TPM84
Flat tire
– Tire Pressure Monitor84
Flat Tire Monitor FTM82
– indicating a flat tire83
– indicator/warning lamp83
– initializing the system83
– malfunction84
– snow chains83,190
– system limits83
Flat tires, refer to Tire
condition188
Floor mats, carpets, refer to
Caring for your vehicle
brochure
Fluid reservoir, refer to
Washer fluid reservoir58
"FM", waveband140,144
FM, waveband144
Fog lamps93
– indicator lamp13,93
Folding in the mirrors, before
driving into a car wash114
Folding up the floor panel108
Footbrake, refer to Braking
safely113
Footwell lamp, refer to Interior
lamps93
For your own safety5
Front airbags87
"FTM"83FTM, refer to Flat Tire
Monitor82
Fuel182
– average consumption68
– display67
– high-quality brands182
– quality182
– specifications182
– tank contents, refer to
Capacities213
Fuel clock, refer to Fuel
gauge67
Fuel display, refer to Fuel
gauge67
Fuel filler door182
– releasing in the event of
electrical malfunction182
Fuses201
G
Garage door opener, refer to
Integrated universal remote
control101
Gasoline, refer to Required
fuel182
Gasoline display, refer to Fuel
gauge67
Gasoline engine, checking oil
level192
Gear indicator
– automatic transmission with
Steptronic54
Gearshift lever
– automatic transmission with
Steptronic55
– manual transmission54
Gearshifts
– automatic transmission with
Steptronic55
– manual transmission54
General driving notes112Glass sunroof, electric37
– closing after electrical
malfunction38
– convenient operation31
– initializing38
– opening, closing38
– operation with convenient
access36
– pinch protection system38
– power failure38
– raising38
Glove compartment104
– rechargeable flashlight104
GPS navigation, refer to
Navigation system120
Grills95
Gross vehicle weight, refer to
Weights212
H
Handbrake54
– indicator lamp54
Hand lamp, refer to
Rechargeable flashlight104
Hands-free system14
Hazard warning flashers14
HD, refer to Digital radio147
Head airbags87
Headlamp control,
automatic90
Headlamp flasher56
– indicator lamp11,13
Headlamps
– care, refer to Caring for your
vehicle brochure
Head restraints42
– front, removing43
– rear, removing43
– sitting safely40
Heated
– mirrors47
– rear window98
– seats44
Heating
– mirrors47
– rear window98
– residual heat98
– seats44
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Reference 225
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Heating and ventilation, refer
to Climate95
Heating while at a standstill,
refer to Using residual
heat98
Heavy loads, refer to Stowing
cargo115
Height, refer to
Dimensions211
Height adjustment
– seats41
– steering wheel48
High beams92
– headlamp flasher92
– indicator lamp13
High Definition Radio, refer to
Digital radio147
High water, refer to Driving
through water113
Highways, refer to Route
criteria131
Hills113
Holders for cups105
Home address130
"Home address" in
navigation130
Homepage BMW4
Hood191
Hooks for shopping bags108
Horn10,11
Hotel function33
Hot exhaust system112
"Hour memo"74
"House number" in
destination entry124
Hydraulic brake assist, refer to
Dynamic Brake Control
DBC81
Hydroplaning113
I
IBOC, refer to Digital
radio147
Ice warning, refer to Outside
temperature warning66
ID3 tag, refer to Information
about the track154Identification marks
– Run-Flat Tires189
– tire coding187
iDrive16
– adjusting brightness79
– assistance window20
– automatic climate control96
– changing language78
– changing units of measure
and display format70
– confirming selection or
entry19
– controls16
– displays, menus17
– menu guidance17
– operating principle16
– overview16
– selecting a menu item19
– setting the date and time73
– start menu17
– status information20
– switching menu pages19
– symbols18
iDrive operating principle16
Ignition52
– switched off52
– switched on52
Ignition key, refer to Remote
control with integrated
key28
Ignition key position 1, refer to
Radio readiness52
Ignition key position 2, refer to
Ignition on52
Ignition lock52
i menu18
Indicator and warning
lamps13
– Tire Pressure Monitor
TPM85
Individual air distribution96
Inflation pressure, refer to Tire
inflation pressure184
Inflation pressure monitoring,
refer to Tire Pressure
Monitor TPM84Information
– on another location126
– on country126
– on current position126
– on destination location126
"Information" in
navigation127
Information menu, refer to
imenu18
"Information on
destination"128
Initializing
– active steering87
– after power failure201
– compass, refer to
Calibrating103
– Flat Tire Monitor FTM83
– glass sunroof38
"Input map"126
Installation location
– CD changer156
– telephone104
Instructions for navigation
system, refer to Voice
instructions135
Instrument cluster12
Instrument lighting93
Instrument panel, refer to
Cockpit10
Integrated key28
Integrated universal remote
control101
Interesting destination for
navigation126
"Interim time"78
Interior lamps93
– remote control30
Interior motion sensor35
Interior rearview mirror47
– automatic dimming
feature113
– compass102
Interlock, refer to Disengaging
the remote control54
Intermittent mode of the
wipers57
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Reference 227
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Master key, refer to Remote
control with integrated
key28
Maximum cooling97
Maximum speed
– with winter tires190
Measurements, refer to
Dimensions211
Memory, refer to Seat and
mirror memory44
MENU button16
Menus
– Control Display17
Menus, refer to iDrive16
Microfilter
– BMW Maintenance
System196
– for automatic climate
control99
Microfilter/activated-charcoal
filter
– BMW Maintenance
System196
Microphone
– telephone14
– voice input14
Mirror dimming feature113
Mirrors47
– automatic curb monitor47
– exterior mirrors47
– heating47
– interior rearview mirror47
– memory, refer to Seat and
mirror memory44
"Missed calls"168
Missed calls168Mobile phone
– accepted calls168
– adjusting volume166
– calling167
– ending call167
– installation location, refer to
Center armrest104
– missed calls168
– operation via iDrive166
– redialing168
– refer to separate Owner's
Manual
– Top 8168
– touch tone dialing170
Mobile phone, installation
location, refer to Center
armrest104
Mobile phone, refer to the
separate Owner's Manual
Mobile phone in the
vehicle112
Mobile phones, use inside the
car, refer to Mobile phone in
the vehicle112
Modifications, technical, refer
to For your own safety5
Monitor, refer to iDrive
controls16
Monitoring system for tire
pressures, refer to Flat Tire
Monitor
82
"Monitor on / off"48
Most recent mobile phone
numbers168
MP3, refer to Compressed
audio files152
Multifunctional steering
wheel, refer to Buttons on
the steering wheel11
Multifunction switch
– refer to Turn signals/
headlamp flasher56
– refer to Wiper system57
Multimedia screen, refer to
iDrive16
Music tracks, refer to
Tracks153
"Mute on / off"48
N
"Navigation"121
Navigation address
– home address130
Navigation announcements,
refer to Switching voice
instructions on/off135
Navigation destination
– manual entry121,124
– selecting via language124
– selecting via map125
Navigation drive, location120
Navigation DVD120
Navigation system120
– address book128
– changing a route136
– destination entry121
– destination guidance in
assistance window120
– destination list127
– displaying current
position136
– entering a destination
manually121,124
– last destinations127
– navigation DVD120
– opening121
– route display133
– route list135
– searching for a special
destination126
– selecting destination using
information126
– selecting destination via
map125
– selecting route criteria130
– starting destination
guidance132
– switching off, refer to
Terminating/continuing
destination guidance132
– terminating/continuing
destination guidance132
– voice instructions135
– volume adjustment135
"Navigation voice
instructions" via buttons on
the steering wheel48
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