
Wheels and tires
188
Wheels and tires
Tire inflation pressures
Information for your safety
It is not merely the tires' 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.
Check the tire inflation pressure regularly 
and correct it, if necessary: at least twice a 
month and before starting long trips. If you fail 
to observe this precaution you may be driving 
on tires with incorrect tire pressures, a condi-
tion that can not only compromise your vehi-
cle's driving stability, but also lead to tire dam-
age and the risk of an accident. Do not drive 
with deflated, i.e. flat tires, except when using 
Run-Flat Tires. A flat tire will seriously impair 
your vehicle's handling and braking response. 
Attempts to drive on a flat tire can lead to loss of 
control over the vehicle.<
Checking 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 is higher.
After correcting tire inflation pressures, 
always reinitialize the Flat Tire Monitor, 
refer to page88.<
Inflation pressure specifications
The tables below provide all the correct inflation 
pressures for the specified tire sizes at ambient 
temperature.
The inflation pressures apply to the tire 
sizes approved and tire brands recom-
mended by BMW; a list of these is available 
from your BMW Center.<
For correct identification of the right tire infla-
tion pressures, observe the following:
>Tire sizes for your vehicle>Load conditions
>Maximum allowable driving speed
Tire inflation pressures for driving up to 
100 mph or 160 km/h
For normal driving up to 100 mph or 160 km/h 
and to achieve optimum driving comfort, adjust 
pressures to the respective tire inflation pres-
sures listed on the following pages in the col-
umns for traveling speeds up to a maximum of 
100mph or 160km/h.
These tire inflation pressures can also be found 
on the driver's-side door post when the driver's 
door is open.
The maximum permissible speed for 
these tire pressures is 100 mph or 
160 km/h. Do not exceed this speed, otherwise 
tire damage and accidents could occur.<
Tire inflation pressures for driving 
above 100 mph or 160 km/h
In order to drive at maximum speeds in 
excess of 100 mph or 160 km/h, adjust 
pressures to the respective tire inflation pres-
sures listed on the following pages in the col-
umns for traveling speeds including those 
exceeding 100 mph or 160 km/h. Otherwise tire 
damage and accidents could occur.<
Observe all national and local maximum speed 
limits, otherwise violations of the laws could 
occur. 

Mobility
 189Reference
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Tire inflation pressures for the 323i, for Canada only
Tire size Pressure specifications in psi/kPa 
Traveling speeds
up to a max. of
100 mph / 160 km/hTraveling speeds
including those exceeding
100mph / 160km/h
All pressure specifications in 
the table are indicated in 
psi/kilopascal with cold tires. 
Cold = ambient temperature
without Sports package
225/50 R 16 92 V 
225/50 R 16 92 H M+S 
205/55 R 16 91 H M+S
225/45 R 17 91 H M+S29/200 33/230 29/200 33/230 30/210 38/260
225/45 R 17 94 V M+S XL 29/200 35/240 29/200 35/240 32/220 39/270
Front: 225/35 R 19 88 Y XL 35/240 - 30/210 - 35/240 -
Rear: 255/30 R 19 91 Y XL - 39/270 - 33/230 - 39/270
with Sports package
225/50 R 16 92 V 
225/50 R 16 92 H M+S 
205/55 R 16 91 H M+S
225/45 R 17 91 H M+S29/200 33/230 29/200 35/240 35/240 42/290
225/45 R 17 94 V M+S XL 29/200 35/240 30/210 38/260 36/250 45/310
Front: 225/35 R 19 88 Y XL 35/240 - 33/230 - 38/260 -
Rear: 255/30 R 19 91 Y_XL - 39/270 - 36/250 - 42/290
More details on the permissible load and weights can be found on page220. 

Wheels and tires
190
Tire inflation pressures for the 325i
Tire size Pressure specifications in psi/kPa 
Traveling speeds
up to a max. of
100mph / 160km/hTraveling speeds
including those exceeding
100 mph / 160 km/h
All pressure specifications in 
the table are indicated in 
psi/kilopascal with cold tires. 
Cold = ambient temperature
without Sports package
225/50 R 16 92 H M+S 
205/55 R 16 91 H M+S
225/45 R 17 91 H M+S
225/45 R 17 94 V M+S XL33/230 41/280 - - 33/230 41/280
Front: 225/45 R 17 91 V 29/200 - 29/200 - 32/220 -
Rear: 255/40 R 17 94 V - 32/220 - 32/220 - 35/240
Front: 225/35 R 19 88 Y XL 35/240 - 32/220 - 35/240 -
Rear: 255/30 R 19 91 Y XL - 41/280 - 35/240 - 41/280
with Sports package
225/50 R 16 92 H M+S 
225/45 R 17 91 H M+S
205/55 R 16 91 H M+S33/230 41/280 - - 35/240 42/290
225/45 R 17 94 V M+S XL 33/230 41/280 - - 38/260 45/310
Front: 225/45 R 17 91 V 29/200 - 29/200 - 35/240 -
Rear: 255/40 R 17 94 V - 32/220 - 33/230 - 39/270
Front: 225/35 R 19 88 Y XL 35/240 - 33/230 - 38/260 -
Rear: 255/30 R 19 91 Y XL - 41/280 - 36/250 - 42/290
More details on the permissible load and weights can be found on page220. 

Mobility
 191Reference
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Tire inflation pressures for the 325xi
Tire size Pressure specifications in psi/kPa 
Traveling speeds
up to a max. of
100 mph / 160 km/hTraveling speeds
including those exceeding
100mph / 160km/h
All pressure specifications in 
the table are indicated in 
psi/kilopascal with cold tires. 
Cold = ambient temperature
without Sports package:
205/55 R 16 91 H M+S 
225/45 R 17 91 H M+S 
225/50 R 16 92 H M+S
225/45 R 17 94 V M+S XL30/210 36/250 30/210 33/230 35/240 41/280
Front: 225/45 R 17 91 V 30/210 - 30/210 - 35/240 -
Rear: 255/40 R 17 94 V - 32/220 32/220 - 35/240
Front: 225/35 R 19 88 Y XL 39/270 - 35/240 - 39/270 -
Rear: 255/30 R 19 91 Y XL - 41/280 - 35/240 - 41/280
with Sports package:
205/55 R 16 91 H M+S 
225/50 R 16 92 H M+S 
225/45 R 17 91 H M+S30/210 36/250 30/210 33/230 35/240 41/280
225/45 R 17 94 V M+S XL 30/210 36/250 35/240 38/260 39/270 45/310
Front: 225/45 R 17 91 V 30/210 - 33/230 - 38/260 -
Rear: 255/40 R 17 94 V - 32/220 - 33/230 - 39/270
Front: 225/35 R 19 88 Y XL 39/270 - 38/260 - 42/290 -
Rear: 255/30 R 19 91 Y XL - 41/280 - 38/260 - 44/300
More details on the permissible load and weights can be found on page220. 

Wheels and tires
192
Tire inflation pressures for the 330i
Tire size Pressure specifications in psi/kPa 
Traveling speeds
up to a max. of
100mph / 160km/hTraveling speeds
including those exceeding
100 mph / 160 km/h
All pressure specifications in 
the table are indicated in 
psi/kilopascal with cold tires. 
Cold = ambient temperature
without Sports package:
225/45 R 17 91 H M+S
225/45 R 17 94 V M+S XL33/230 41/280 - - 33/230 41/280
Front: 225/45 R 17 91 V 29/200 - 29/200 - 33/230 -
Rear: 255/40 R 17 94 V - 32/220 - 32/220 - 36/250
Front: 225/40 R 18 88 W 32/220 - 32/220 - 36/250 -
Rear: 255/35 R 18 90 W - 36/250 - 36/250 - 41/280
Front: 225/40 R 18 88 Y - - 29/200 - 30/210 -
Rear: 255/35 R 18 90 Y - - - 32/220 - 36/250
Front: 225/35 R 19 88 Y XL 36/250 - 32/220 - 36/250 -
Rear: 255/30 R 19 91 Y XL - 41/280 - 36/250 - 41/280
with Sports package:
225/45 R 17 91 H M+S
225/45 R 17 94 V M+S XL33/230 41/280 - - 38/260 45/310
Front: 225/45 R 17 91 V 29/200 - 32/220 - 38/260 -
Rear: 255/40 R 17 94 V - 32/220 - 35/240 - 41/280
Front: 225/40 R 18 88 W 32/220 - 35/240 - 38/260 -
Rear: 255/35 R 18 90 W - 36/250 - 38/260 - 45/310
Front: 225/40 R 18 88 Y - - 30/210 - 33/230 -
Rear: 255/35 R 18 90 Y - - - 33/230 - 39/270
Front: 225/35 R 19 88 Y XL 36/250 - 35/240 - 38/260
Rear: 255/30 R 19 91 Y XL - 41/280 - 38/260 - 45/310
More details on the permissible load and weights can be found on page220. 

Mobility
 193Reference
At a glance
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Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Tire inflation pressures for the 330xi
Tire size Pressure specifications in psi/kPa 
Traveling speeds
up to a max. of
100 mph / 160 km/hTraveling speeds
including those exceeding
100mph / 160km/h
All pressure specifications in 
the table are indicated in 
psi/kilopascal with cold tires. 
Cold = ambient temperature
without Sports package:
225/45 R 17 91 H M+S
225/45 R 17 94 V M+S XL32/220 36/250 32/220 35/240 35/240 41/280
Front: 225/45 R 17 91 V 32/220 - 32/220 - 35/240 -
Rear: 255/40 R 17 94 V - 32/220 - 32/220 - 36/250
Front: 225/40 R 18 88 W 35/240 - 33/230 - 36/250 -
Rear: 255/35 R 18 90 W - 36/250 - 33/230 - 39/270
Front: 225/40 R 18 88 Y 35/240 - 32/220 - 35/240 -
Rear: 255/35 R 18 90 Y - 36/250 - 32/220 - 36/250
Front: 225/35 R 19 88 Y XL 39/270 - 35/240 - 39/270 -
Rear: 255/30 R 19 91 Y XL - 41/280 - 35/240 - 41/280
with Sports package:
225/45 R 17 91 H M+S 32/220 36/250 32/220 35/240 35/240 41/280
225/45 R 17 94 V M+S XL 32/220 36/250 35/240 39/270 39/270 45/310
Front: 225/45 R 17 91 V 32/220 - 35/240 - 39/270 -
Rear: 255/40 R 17 94 V - 32/220 - 35/240 - 41/280
Front: 225/40 R 18 88 W 35/240 - 38/260 - 42/290 -
Rear: 255/35 R 18 90 W - 36/250 - 38/260 - 44/300
Front: 225/40 R 18 88 Y 35/240 - 33/230 - 36/250 -
Rear: 255/35 R 18 90 Y - 36/250 - 33/230 - 39/270
Front: 225/35 R 19 88 Y XL 39/270 - 38/260 - 42/290 -
Rear: 255/30 R 19 91 Y XL - 41/280 - 38/260 - 44/300
More details on the permissible load and weights can be found on page220. 

Wheels and tires
194
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 code letter
Q = up to 100 mph or 160 km/h
T = up to 118 mph or 190 km/h
H = up to 131 mph or 210 km/h
V = up to 150 mph or 240 km/h
W = up to 167 mph or 270 km/h
Y = up to 186 mph or 300 km/h
Tire Identification Number
Tires with DOT codes meet the guidelines of 
the US Department of Transport.
DOT code:
Tire age
The manufacturing date of tires is contained in 
the tire coding: DOT … 0705 means that the 
tire was manufactured in week 7 of 2005.
BMW recommends that you replace all tires 
after 6 years at most, even if some tires may last 
for 10 years.
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Quality grades can be found where applicable 
on the tire sidewall between tread shoulder and 
maximum section width. For example:
Tread wear 200 Traction AA 
Temperature A
DOT Quality Grades
Tread wear 
Traction AA A B C 
Temperature A B C
All passenger car tires must conform to 
Federal Safety Requirements 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 conditions on a specified gov-
ernment 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, how-
ever, and may depart significantly from the 
norm due to variations in driving habits, service 
practices and differences in road characteris-
tics 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 government test sur-
faces 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, cor-
nering, hydroplaning, or peak traction charac-
teristics.< e.g.
Nominal width in mm
Aspect ratio in Ξ 
Radial belt construction
Rim diameter in inches
Load rating,
not on ZR tires
Speed code letter, in
front of the R on ZR tires
225/45 R1791 V
e.g.
Manufacturer's code 
for tire make
Tire size and 
tire design
Tire ageDOT xxxx xxx 0705 

Wheels and tires
196
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, page89.
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 
h a z a r d s .  M a k e s u re  t h a t  t h e  n e w  w h ee l s  a r e  b a l-
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
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.
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.