
Technology for comfort, convenience and safety
96 the operational readiness of the entire airbag 
system and the safety belt tensioners.
Airbag system malfunction
>Warning lamp does not light up from radio 
ready state.
>Warning lamp lights up continuously.
Have the airbag system checked immedi-
ately in case of a malfunction; otherwise, 
there is a danger that the airbag system may not 
respond in the expected manner in an accident 
despite an impact of corresponding intensity.<
BMW Night Vision*
The concept
BMW Night Vision is a driver assistance system 
that is designed to provide enhanced vision for 
certain objects at night. This can be especially 
helpful for detecting people and larger animals. 
When objects are detected, the driver may be 
able to take appropriate action sooner. For 
example, the driver may identify and detect the 
presence of persons or animals in the road 
ahead or off to the sides and can be more alert, 
slow down or stop, blow the horn, etc. The 
driver can decide which actions are appropriate 
and then react accordingly.
A certain area in front of the vehicle is viewed by 
an infrared camera and a generated image is 
shown on the Control Display. The resulting 
thermal image shows the relative heat radiation 
of the objects present in the camera's field of 
view. Warmer objects appear brighter and 
cooler objects appear darker. Contrast is 
dependent on the temperature difference 
between the objects and the background and 
on the amount of heat radiation of the object 
itself. As a result, it is quite possible that a per-
son is not continually recognizable as a person 
in shape, since the thermal radiation can be 
affected by different clothing which blocks heat 
loss. Objects with little temperature difference 
to the surrounding area, or little heat radiation 
are less noticeable, for example in cold weather.Any improvement in detection depends on 
many factors such as the object size and tem-
perature compared to the surroundings, or 
other nearby objects, the visual recognition 
skills of the driver, weather conditions, and 
other factors.
Driving hints
With the system active, periodically but briefly, 
glance at the thermal image on the Control Dis-
play to notice objects that could be people or 
larger animals. The glance should be similar to 
glancing at the rear view mirror. Do not stare at 
the image for long periods while driving, as this 
will take your attention away from the road. If 
you notice an object of interest ahead, be pre-
pared to slow down or stop, blow the horn, or 
take other appropriate action.
System limits
The system is designed to supplement but not 
replace forward vision through the windshield. 
The driver is responsible for safe driving at 
night. BMW Night Vision is not designed to be 
used as a continuous viewing window for driv-
ing at night.
No system, no matter how sophisticated, can 
operate without limitations. BMW Night Vision 
operation is subject to physical and environ-
mental limitations that will reduce the ability of 
the system to detect and display a clear thermal 
image. Some of the situations in which these 
limitations can occur are:
>on steep hilltops or depressions and in tight 
curves
>in tunnels, as the contrast is inherently low
>when the camera lens is dirty 

Practical interior accessories
116 To extinguish a cigarette, tap off the ash and 
gently press the tip into the funnel.
Emptying
Press the button, refer to arrow. The ashtray 
lifts up and can be removed.
Cigarette lighter, front
Push down.
The lighter can be removed as soon as it pops 
back out.
Hold or touch the hot cigarette lighter by 
the knob only. Holding or touching it in 
other areas could result in burns. 
The cigarette lighter works even if the remote 
control has been removed from the ignition. For 
this reason, do not leave children unattended in 
the vehicle; otherwise, there is a chance they 
could injure themselves.<
Power socket
With the ignition switched on, the cigarette 
lighter socket can be used to plug in hand flash-
lights, car vacuum cleaners, etc. with power rat-
ings of up to approx. 200 W at 12 V. Avoid dam-
aging the socket by inserting plugs that are the 
wrong shape or size.
When the ignition is switched off, the 
power supply to all electrical sockets is 
switched off after approx. 1 hour.<
Power socket
An additional power socket is located in the 
front passenger's footwell.
To gain access, fold the cover cap up.
Ashtray, rear
Emptying
Press the cover entirely open. The ashtray lifts 
up and can be removed. 

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
 195Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Tire inflation pressures for 750i/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
245/55 R 17 102 H M+S 29/200 32/220 29/200 33/230 30/210 38/260
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 35/240 30/210 36/250 35/240 42/290
Front: 245/45 R 19 98 W 29/200 - 32/220 - 33/230 -
Rear: 275/40 R 19 101 W - 33/230 - 35/240 - 39/270
Front: 245/45 R 19 98 Y 29/200 - 29/200 - 30/210
Rear: 275/40 R 19 101 Y - 33/230 - 30/210 35/240
Front: 245/40 R 20 95 Y 30/210 - 32/220 - 33/230 -
Rear: 275/35 R 20 98 Y - 36/250 - 35/240 - 39/270
Front: 245/35 ZR 21 96 Y XL 33/230 - 35/240 - 36/250 -
Rear: 285/30 ZR 21 100 Y XL - 39/270 - 36/250 - 42/290
More details on the permitted load and weights can be found on page220. 

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. 

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 

Mobility
 199Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
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.<