Wheels and tires
194
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, including the
spare wheel: at least twice a month and before
starting long trips. If you fail to observe this pre-
caution, you may be driving on tires with incor-
rect tire pressures, a condition that can not only
compromise your vehicle's driving stability, but
also lead to tire damage and the risk of an acci-
dent. Do not drive with deflated, i.e. flat tires,
except 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.<
After correcting the tire inflation pressure,
reinitialize the Flat Tire Monitor, refer to
page90, or reset the Tire Pressure Monitor,
refer to page92.<
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.
>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
observe, and, if necessary, adjust tire pressures
for speeds exceeding 100 mph/160 km/h from
the relevant table on the following pages.
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
196
Tire inflation pressures for 760i/Li
Tire size Pressure specifications in psi/kPa
Traveling speeds
up to max. of
100 mph/160 km/hAll traveling 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
245/50 R 18 100 V M+S A/S
245/50 R 18 100 W
245/50 R 18 100 H M+S
245/50 R 18 104 V M+S XL29/200 33/230 33/230 38/260 35/240 41/280
Front: 245/45 R 19 98 Y 30/210 - 32/220 - 33/230 -
Rear: 275/40 R 19 101 Y - 32/220 - 32/220 - 33/230
Front: 245/40 R 20 95 Y 33/230 - 35/240 - 36/250 -
Rear: 275/35 R 20 98 Y - 35/240 - 35/240 - 38/260
Front: 245/35 ZR 21 96 Y XL 38/260 - 39/270 - 41/280 -
Rear: 285/30 ZR 21 100 Y XL - 38/260 - 39/270 - 41/280
More details on the permitted load and weights can be found on page220.
Wheels and tires
198
Temperature
The temperature grades are A, B, and C, A
being highest, and represent the tire's resis-
tance 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 page199.
M+S
Winter and all-season tires.
These have better winter properties than sum-
mer tires.
XL
Indicates specially reinforced tires.
Tire condition
Inspect your tires frequently for tread depth,
signs of damage and for foreign objects lodged
in the tread. Check the tread depth.
Minimum tread depth
The tread depth should not fall below 0.12 in/
3 mm, although, for example, European legisla-
tion only specifies 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.
Winter tires display a noticeable loss in their
ability to cope with cold-weather driving condi-
tions once the tread wears to below 0.16 in/
4 mm. To ensure continued safety, you should
always have such tires replaced.
Wear indicators at the tread-groove base, refer
to arrow, are distributed over the tire's circum-
ference and are marked on the side of the tire
with TWI – Tread Wear Indicator. If the tire tread
has been driven down to the wear indicators, a
tread depth of 0.063 in/1.6 mm has been
reached.
Wheel/tire damage
Please note that low profile tires make wheels,
tires, and suspension parts more susceptible to
road hazards and consequential damages.
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. These
kinds of problems may also be signaled by other
changes in vehicle response, such as a strong
tendency to pull to the left or right.
In these cases, reduce speed immedi-
ately and have wheels and tires thor-
oughly checked. Drive carefully to the nearest
BMW center or tire shop that works according
to BMW repair procedures with correspond-
ingly 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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199Reference
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Run-flat tires*
You will recognize run-flat tires by a circular
symbol containing the letters RSC on the side
of the tire.
The run-flat tires consist of special rims and
tires that are self-supporting to a limited
degree. The tire reinforcement ensures that the
tire retains some residual safety in the event of
pressure drop and driving remains possible to a
restricted degree.
To continue driving with a damaged tire:
>When equipped with Flat Tire Monitor, refer
to Indication of a flat tire on page91.
>When equipped with Tire Pressure Monitor,
refer to Low tire pressure message on
page93.
New wheels and tires
Only have new wheels and tires mounted
by a BMW center or a tire specialist that
works in accordance with BMW guidelines and
uses appropriately trained personnel. If this
work is not carried out properly, there is a dan-
ger of subsequent damage and related safety
hazards.<
Retreaded tires
BMW does not recommend the use of
retreaded tires; otherwise, driving safety
may be reduced. Possible variations in the
design and the age – which could be substan-
tial – of the tire casing structures can lead to
unusually rapid wear.<
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 ask your BMW center for the right
wheel and tire combination.
The correct wheel and tire combination affects
various systems whose function would other-
wise be impaired, such as ABS or DSC.
To maintain good handling and vehicle
response, use only tires of a single tread config-
uration from a single manufacturer. After a flat
tire, always remember to have the original
wheel and tire combination remounted on the
vehicle as soon as possible.
Wheels with electronics for
TPM Tire Pressure Monitor*
When mounting new tires or converting from
summer to winter tires or vice versa, only use
wheels with TPM electronics; otherwise, the
Tire Pressure Monitor cannot detect a flat tire,
refer to page91. Your BMW center will be
happy to advise you on this subject.
Wheels and tires
200
Recommended tire sizes and brands
BMW recommends particular tire brands for
each tire size. You will recognize them by the
clearly visible BMW identification 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 or vice versa,
for your own safety, use run-flat tires. No spare
wheel is provided in the event of a flat. Your
BMW center will be glad to advise you.
For safety reasons, BMW recommends
that you not have damaged run-flat tires
repaired; they should be replaced.<
Special characteristics of winter tires
BMW recommends winter tires for use in cold
winter driving conditions. Although so-called
all-season M+S tires provide better winter trac-
tion than summer tires, they generally fail to
provide the same levels of cold-weather perfor-
mance as winter tires.
Observing speed ratings
Never exceed the maximum speed for
which the winter tires are rated.<
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 pres-
sure indicated on the side wall of the tire.
Snow chains*
Only certain fine-link snow chains are tested,
classified as road-safe, and recommended by
BMW. Consult your BMW center for more infor-
mation. Use on winter tires is only permissible in
pairs on the rear wheels. Follow the manufac-
turer's instructions when installing snow
chains. Do not exceed a vehicle speed of
30 mph/50 km/h with the chains mounted.
Do not initialize the Flat Tire Monitor after
mounting snow chains. When you are
driving with snow chains, it can be beneficial to
activate DTC briefly, refer to page88.<
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Lamps in luggage compartment lid
1Backup lamps
The illustration shows the left luggage com-
partment lid cutout.
Remove the trim panel from the luggage com-
partment lid.
Backup lamp
Backup lamp:
Bulb 16 watts, W 16 W
1.Pull the bulb holder out.
2.Extract the bulb for replacement.
Changing wheels
Safety precautions to observe in the
event of a flat and during all tire changes:
Park the vehicle as far as possible from passing
traffic. Park on a firm, flat, surface. Switch on the
hazard warning flashers.
Engage the parking brake and shift the trans-
mission selector lever into P.
Have all vehicle occupants get out of the vehicle
and ensure that they remain outside the imme-
diate area in a safe place, such as behind a
guardrail.
If a warning triangle or portable hazard warning
lamp is required, set it up on the roadside at an
appropriate distance from the rear of the vehi-
cle. Comply with all safety guidelines and regu-
lations.
Change the wheel only on a level, firm surface
which is not slippery. The vehicle or the jack
could slip to the side if you attempt to raise the
vehicle on a soft or slippery surface such as
snow, ice, tile, etc.
Position the jack on a firm support surface. Do not use a wooden block or similar object as a
support base for the jack, as this would prevent
it from extending to its full support height and
reduce its load-carrying capacity.
To avoid serious or fatal injury, never lie under
the vehicle and never start the engine while it is
supported by the jack.<
What you will need
To avoid rattling noises, note the positions of
the tools before removing them, then return
them to their initial positions after completing
work.
>Lug wrench
Located beside the spare wheel.
>Wheel chock
Located next to the spare wheel, or behind
the trim panel on the left side of the luggage
compartment on vehicles equipped with a
trailer coupling.
Remove the floor mat and the cover above
the spare tire.
Unscrew the wingnut and remove the wheel
chock.
Replacing components
210 >Vehicle jack
Located in the luggage compartment
behind the right-hand side panel.
Grasp the handle in the upper panel and fold
it down.
Loosen the wingnut and remove the jack.
After use, screw the jack all the way back
down and snap the handle back into place.
Spare tire
1.Loosen the wing nut 1.
2.Remove the washer 2 from the side.
3.Completely unscrew the threaded rod 3.
4.Remove the spare tire.
Preparing for a wheel change
1.Read carefully and comply with the safety
precautions on page209.
2.Secure the vehicle to prevent it from rolling:
Place the wheel chock against the rear sur-
face of the front tire on the side opposite the
side being raised. If the vehicle is parked on
a downward slope, place the wheel chock
securely in front of the tire. On a steep
grade, also secure the vehicle against roll-
ing.
3.Loosen the lug bolts a half turn.
Lifting vehicle
1.Position the jack at the jacking point closest
to the wheel so that the entire jack base
makes contact vertically under the jacking
point.
The vehicle jack is designed for
changing wheels only. Do not attempt
to raise another vehicle model with it or to
raise any load of any kind. To do so could
cause accidents and personal injury.<
2.Guide the jack head into the rectangular
recess of the jacking point when cranking
up the jack, refer to section of illustration.
3.Jack the vehicle up until the wheel you are
changing is raised from the ground.
Mounting a wheel
1.Unscrew the lug bolts and remove the
wheel.
2.Remove accumulations of mud or dirt from
the mounting surfaces of the wheel and
hub. Clean the lug bolts.
3.Position the new wheel or spare tire on the
hub and screw in at least two bolts diago-
nally.
When you mount wheels other than Genu-
ine BMW light-alloy wheels, different lug
bolts may also be required.
4.Screw in the remaining lug bolts. Tighten all
the bolts securely in a diagonal pattern.
5.Lower the vehicle and remove the jack from
beneath the vehicle.
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After mounting
1.Tighten the lug bolts in a diagonal pattern.
To ensure safety, always have the
lug bolts checked with a calibrated
torque wrench as soon as possible to
ensure that they are tightened to the speci-
fied torque. The tightening torque is
100lbft/140Nm.<
2.Reverse the removal sequence when stor-
ing the wheel and tools in the vehicle.
3.Check and correct the tire inflation pressure
at the earliest opportunity.
Protect valve stems and valve stem
seal caps from dirt and contamina-
tion. Dirt in valve stems is a frequent source
of gradual air loss.<
4.Reinitialize the Flat Tire Monitor, refer to
page90, or reset the Tire Pressure Monitor,
refer to page92.
5.Replace the damaged tire as soon as possi-
ble and have the new wheel/tire balanced.
Driving with spare tire
On certain wheel-tire combinations, the
size of the spare tire differs from that of
the rest of the tires. The spare tire is fully capa-
ble of running in all load and speed ranges.
However, to recreate the original conditions,
the tire should be replaced as soon as possi-
ble.<
Vehicle battery
Maintenance
The battery is 100 % maintenance-free, i.e., 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 happy to advise
you on all questions concerning the battery.
Charging battery
Charge the battery in the vehicle only via the
terminals in the engine compartment and with
the engine off. Connections, refer to Jump
starting on page213.
Battery switch
Before storing the vehicle for an extended
period of several weeks or more, slide the bat-
tery switch located behind the trim panel on the
right side of the luggage compartment to OFF.
This reduces the current flow from the battery
for the period during which the vehicle remains
parked. A message is shown on the Info Dis-
play. Please take note of the supplementary
information provided on the Control Display.
Disposal
Have old batteries disposed of following
replacement at your BMW center or bring
them to a collection point. Maintain the battery
in an upright position for transport and storage.
Always secure the battery to prevent it from tip-
ping over during transport.<
Power failure
After a temporary interruption in electrical
power, the functioning of some equipment may
be limited and must be reinitialized. Individual
settings are also lost and must be updated
again:
>Seat, mirror, and steering wheel memory
The positions must be stored again, refer to
page46.
>Time and date
These must be reset, refer to page84.
>Radio
Stations must be stored again, refer to
page158.
>Navigation system
You must wait until it becomes operational
again, refer to Inserting navigation CDs/
DVDs on page130.