Controls
61Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
1.If necessary, start by releasing the parking
brake manually.
2.Then release the automatic transmission's
transmission lock manually, refer to
page64.
Jump starting and tow starting, refer to
pages213 and214.
What you will need
1Screwdriver handle
2Unlocking tool
310 mm open-end wrench
You will find the required tools in the onboard
tool kit mounted on the inside of the luggage
compartment lid, refer to page207.
Insert the release tool into the screwdriver han-
dle as shown in the illustration.
Releasing
1.Remove the floor mat and the cover above
the spare tire.
2.With the attached screwdriver handle,
insert the release tool into the opening,
arrow1.
3.Fit the open-end wrench onto the hexago-
nal section of the release tool.
Insert the release tool counter to the spring force until the stop is reached, press and
rotate in the arrow direction2 until it notice-
ably engages and meets a perceptible
resistance.
4.Without releasing, continue to turn counter
to the mechanical resistance of the drive
unit in the arrow direction 2 until you can
feel a significant increase in the force of the
resistance.
To prevent possible damage to the
rear brakes, always make sure that
the parking brake is completely released
before driving the vehicle.<
5.Return the tools to their places.
6.Return the spare tire cover and the floor mat
to their original locations.
Have a malfunction corrected only by a
BMW center or a repair shop that works in
accordance with BMW guidelines and uses
appropriately trained personnel. Only techni-
cians can return the parking brake to normal
operational status after it has been released
manually in response to a malfunction.<
Following manual release, the actual sta-
tus of the parking brake may deviate from
that displayed by the indicator lamp.<
Operation after interruptions in power
supply
The parking brake can only be used again
if it was manually released due to an inter-
ruption in the supply of electrical power. Other-
wise, the function of the parking brake is not
guaranteed and there is a danger of the vehicle
rolling despite the parking brake being
engaged.<
Once the electrical power supply has been
restored, you can again use the parking brake:
With the ignition on and the vehicle
stationary, briefly press the button
three times at intervals of approx.
5 seconds. This executes the fol-
lowing initialization sequence:
>Initializing the disengaged setting.
>Engaging: the system registers the new
status and the brake setting is initialized.
Controls
93Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Low tire pressure message
The warning lamp lights up yellow. A
message appears on the Control Dis-
play. In addition, a signal sounds. A flat
tire or a major air loss has occurred.
1.Reduce speed and stop the vehicle care-
fully. Avoid sudden braking and steering
maneuvers.
2.Check whether your vehicle is equipped
with standard tires or 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.<
Standard tires
1.If all four wheels are shown in yellow, iden-
tify the damaged tire on the vehicle.
2.Replace the damaged wheel or wheels,
refer to Changing wheels on page209.
The spare wheel is equipped with the neces-
sary TPM electronics and when mounted, will
also be monitored once the system has been
reset.
Have the tire replaced by a BMW center or a
workshop that is familiar with handling TPM and
works according to BMW repair procedures
with correspondingly trained personnel.
Run-flat tires*
1.Cautiously reduce speed to below 50 mph/
80 km/h. Avoid sudden braking and steer-
ing maneuvers. Do not exceed a speed of
50 mph/80 km/h.
If the vehicle is not equipped with run-
flat tires, refer to page199, do not
continue to drive. Continued driving after a
flat tire can result in serious accidents.<
2.In the event of complete tire pressure loss,
0 psi/0 kPa, you can estimate the possible
distance for continued driving on the basis
of the following guide values:
>With a light load:
1 to 2 persons without luggage:
approx. 155 miles/250 km>With a medium load:
2 persons, luggage compartment full, or
4 persons without luggage:
approx. 95 miles/150 km
>With a full load:
More than 4 persons, luggage compart-
ment full:
approx. 30 miles/50 km
Drive reservedly and do not exceed a
speed of 50 mph/80 km/h. In the event of
pressure loss, vehicle handling changes. This
includes reduced tracking stability in braking,
extended braking distance and altered natural
steering characteristics.
If unusual vibrations occur while the vehicle is
being driven, this can indicate final failure of the
damaged tire. Reduce speed and stop as soon
as possible; otherwise, pieces of the tire could
come loose and cause an accident. Do not con-
tinue driving, but instead contact your BMW
center.<
Malfunction
The yellow warning light flashes and
then lights up continuously. The tires
are shown in gray on the Control Dis-
play and a message is displayed. No flat tire can
be detected. Have system checked.
A message like this is displayed in the following
situations:
>When a malfunction is occurring.
Have the system checked.
>If a wheel without TPM electronics is
mounted.
>If TPM is temporarily interfered with by
other systems or devices which use the
same radio frequency.
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.
Mobility
197Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Tire coding
Knowledge of the labeling on the side of the tire
makes it easier to identify and choose the right
tires.
Tire size
Speed rating
Q = up to 105 mph/160 km/h
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...1006 means that the tire was manufac-
tured in the 10th week of 2006.
BMW recommends that you replace all tires –
including the spare – after a maximum of 6 years, even though the tires may have a theo-
retical service life of up to 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 devi-
ate significantly from the norm due to variations
in driving habits, service practices and differ-
ences in road characteristics 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 tire code
Rim diameter in inches
Load rating,
not for ZR tires
Speed rating,
before R on ZR tires
245/50 R18100 V
e.g.
Manufacturer code
for tire makes
Tire size and tire design
Tire ageDOT xxxx xxx 1006
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.<
Mobility
209Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
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.
Mobility
211Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
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.