
Wheels and tires
184
Wheels and tires
Tire inflation pressure
Information for your safety
The condition of the tires and the maintenance 
of the specified tire pressure are crucial not only 
to the tire's service life, but also to driving com-
fort and most importantly, driving safety.
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 increases.
Check the tire inflation pressure regularly 
and correct it as needed: 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.<
After correcting the inflation pressure(s), 
always reinitialize the Flat Tire Monitor, 
refer to page88.<
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 and tire brands respectively 
approved and recommended by BMW; a list 
of these is available from your BMW center.<
For correct identification of the right tire infla-
tion pressure for your tires, observe the follow-
ing:
>Tire sizes for your vehicle
>Load conditions
>Maximum allowable driving speed
Tire inflation pressures for driving 
up to 100 mph/160 km/h
For normal driving up to 100 mph/160 km/h 
adjust pressures to the respective tire inflation 
pressures listed on the following pages in the 
column for traveling speeds up to a max. of 
100 mph/160 km/h to achieve optimum driving 
comfort.
These pressure specifications can be found on 
the door post when you open the driver's door.
The permissible top speed for these tire 
inflation pressures is 100 mph/160 km/h. 
Do not exceed this speed; otherwise, tire dam-
age and accidents may result.<
Tire inflation pressures for driving 
above 100 mph/160 km/h
In order to drive at maximum speeds in 
excess of 100 mph/160 km/h, please 
note the tire pressures for speeds exceeding 
100 mph/160 km/h listed in the relevant column 
of the table on the following pages and adjust 
your tire inflation pressures as needed. 
Otherwise tire damage and accidents could 
occur.<
Observe all national and local maximum speed 
limits, otherwise violations of the law could 
occur. 

Wheels and tires
186
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 letter
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 Transportation.
DOT code:
Tire age
The tire's date of manufacture is indicated on 
the sidewall:
DOT ... 3305 indicates that a tire was manufac-
tured in week 33 of the year 2005.
BMW recommends replacing all tires at least 
every 6 years, 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 govern-
ment 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 varia-
tions in driving habits, service practices and dif-
ferences in road characteristics and climate.
Traction
The traction grades, from highest to lowest, are 
AA, A, B, and C.
These 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 type
Rim diameter in inches
Load rating number
not on ZR tires
Speed code letter
before the R on ZR tires
245/45 R 18 96 W
e.g.
Manufacturer code 
for tire make 
Tire size and tire design
Tire ageDOT xxxx xxx 3305 

Wheels and tires
188
Run-flat tires
You will recognize run-flat tires by the circular 
symbol containing the letters RSC on the side 
of the tire.
Run-flat tires consist of self-contained tires and 
special rims. The sidewall reinforcement 
ensures that the tire retains some residual 
safety in the event of pressure drop and driving 
remains possible to a restricted degree.
For continued driving with damaged tires, refer 
to Indication of a flat tire, page89.
New wheels and tires
Only have new wheels and tires mounted 
by a BMW center or a repair shop that 
works in accordance with BMW guidelines and 
uses appropriately trained personnel. If this 
work is performed inexpertly, there is a danger 
of damage and associated safety risks. Make 
sure that the new wheels are balanced.<
Retreaded tires
BMW does not recommend the use of 
retreaded tires; otherwise, driving safety 
may be reduced. Potentially substantial varia-
tions in the design and the age of the carcasses 
can result in a reduced 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 factors such as manufac-
turing 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 acci-
dents.If non-approved wheels and tires are 
used, BMW cannot evaluate their suitability, 
and therefore cannot be held liable for driving 
safety.<
You can find out the right wheel-tire combina-
tion from your BMW center.
The right wheel-and-tire combination is 
another vital factor in ensuring reliable opera-
tion of various vehicle systems such as ABS 
and DSC.
To maintain good handling and vehicle 
response, use only tires of a single tread config-
uration from a single manufacturer. After a tire is 
damaged, always remember to have the original 
wheel and tire combination remounted on the 
vehicle as soon as possible.
Recommended tire brands
BMW recommends particular tire brands for 
each tire size. You can recognize these from the 
clearly visible BMW marking on the tire sidewall.
With proper use, these tires meet the highest 
standards for safety and handling characteris-
tics.
Run-flat tires
When installing new tires or when changing 
from summer tires to winter tires, for your own 
safety, use run-flat tires. No spare wheel is pro-
vided in the event of a flat. Your BMW center will 
be glad to advise you.
For safety reasons, BMW recommends 
that you do not have damaged run-flat 
tires repaired; they should be replaced.< 

Mobility
 189Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
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.
Watch speed
Always observe the maximum permissi-
ble speed for the winter tires, otherwise 
tire damage may occur, which can result in acci-
dents.<
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. Do not exceed the maximum 
tire inflation pressure indicated on the side wall 
of the tire.
Snow chains*
BMW only tests certain fine-link snow chains, 
classifies them as road-safe and recommends 
them. Consult your BMW center for more infor-
mation.
These snow chains are approved exclusively for 
use in pairs on the rear wheels with the tire size:
>245/50 R 17 Y
>245/45 R 18 Y
Follow the chain manufacturer's instructions 
when installing snow chains. Do not exceed a 
vehicle speed of 30 mph/50 km/h with the 
chains installed.
Do not initialize the Flat Tire Monitor after 
installing snow chains as this could cause 
the Flat Tire Monitor to malfunction.
When you are driving with snow chains, it can 
be beneficial to switch off DTC briefly, refer to 
page87.< 

Reference 231
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Switches, refer to Cockpit10
Switching between high 
beams and low beams, 
automatic, refer to High-
beam assistant97
Switching off engine59
Switching off the tilt alarm 
sensor36
Switching on
– audio140
– CD changer140
– CD player140
– radio140
Switching the cooling function 
on and off102
Swiveling headlamps, refer to 
Adaptive Head Light97
Symbols4
– indicator and warning 
lamps13
T
Tachometer74
Tail lamps199
– replacing bulbs199
Tank capacity
– also refer to Filling 
capacities212
– fuel tank capacity182
Target cursor for 
navigation126
Technical alterations, refer to 
For your own safety6
Technical data210
Telematic, refer to 
TeleService, BMW 
Assist174
Telephone
– refer to Mobile phone162
– refer to separate Owner’s 
Manual
"Telephone list"54
TeleService174
– enabling174
– services offered175Temperature
– adjusting in upper body 
region102
– adjusting with automatic 
climate control101
– of coolant, refer to Coolant 
temperature74
Temperature display
– changing units of 
measure83
– outside temperature74
– temperature warning74
Temperature gauge, engine 
oil75
Temperature warning74
Tempomat, refer to Cruise 
control66
"Terminate services"177
"Text language"84
"Theater", refer to Tone 
control142
The individual vehicle5
Tie-down points, refer to 
Securing cargo117
Tilting down passenger-side 
exterior mirror53
"Time"82
"Time format"83
Timer, refer to Preselecting 
activation time104
"Timer 1" for parked car 
ventilation105
"Timer 2" for parked car 
ventilation105
Tire Quality Grading186Tires
– age186
– air loss89
– breaking-in114
– condition187
– damage187
– inflation pressure184
– minimum tread depth187
– Monitoring inflation 
pressure, refer to Flat Tire 
Monitor88
– new wheels and tires188
– replacing188
– retreaded tires188
– run-flat tires188
– size185
– size, refer to The right 
wheels and tires188
– wear indicators187
– wheel/tire combination188
– winter tires189
Tires with run-flat properties, 
refer to Run-flat tires
– continuing to drive with a 
damaged tire89
– flat tire89
– new wheels and tires188
"Tone"141
Tone in audio mode
– adjusting141
– middle setting143
Tools, refer to Onboard tool 
kit197
top41
"Top 8" for mobile phone168
Torque, refer to Engine 
specifications210
Touch tone dialing169
Tow fitting204
Towing204
– tow fitting204
"Town / City" for destination 
entry122
Tow-starting204,206
Tracks
– finding155
– random play sequence156
– sample, Scan155