2006 BMW M3 CONVERTIBLE wheel

120
Tire treadTread depth should not be allowed to
go below 1/8 in/3 mm, even though
European legislation, for example,
requires a mimimum tread depth of only
1/16 in/1.6 mm. Below 1/8 in/3 mm
tread depth, there is a great risk of
hydroplaning, even at relatively moder-
ate speeds and with only small amounts
of water on the road.
At tread depths below approx.
3/16 in/4 mm, tire performance under
winter driving conditions deteriorates
noticeably. Worn tires should therefore
be replaced for safety considerations.
Tread wear indicators in the tread-
groove base, see arrow, are distributed
around the wheel circumference and
are labeled on the tire sidewall with
TWI, Tread Wear Indicator. At a tread
depth of 1/16 in/1.6 mm, the indicators
signal that the legally permissible wear
limit has been reached.
New wheels and tires
Have new wheels and tires
mounted only by a BMW center or
specialized tire shop that works
according to BMW requirements with
appropriately trained personnel. Work
that is improperly carried out could
result in consequential damage and
pose safety hazards.<
Ask your BMW center for details con-
cerning the correct wheel and tire com-
bination. Have the wheels balanced
each time a wheel or tire has been
replaced.
The correct wheel and tire combination
also affects different systems such as
ABS or DSC. The function of these sys-
tems is impaired if improper wheel and
tire combinations are used.
BMW advises against using
retreaded tires, as driving safety
could otherwise be impaired. The rea-
son for this are the possibly different
tire casing structures involved, some of
which may be greatly aged, factors
which can lead to a decrease in durabil-
ity.<
Tire condition

121
The correct wheels and tires
BMW recommends using only
wheels and tires that have been
tested and approved by BMW for the
particular vehicle model, as otherwise
body contact and serious accidents can
result despite the use of the same nom-
inal size, e.g. due to manufacturing tol-
erances. If non-approved wheels and
tires are used, BMW cannot evaluate
their suitability, and therefore cannot be
held liable for driving safety.<
To maintain good handling characteris-
tics, only use a full set of tires of the
same brand and tread configuration.
After a flat tire, have the previous wheel
and tire combination restored as soon
as possible.
Recommended tire sizes and
brandsFor each tire size, certain tire brands
have been tested, classified as road-
safe and approved by BMW. You can
find out about these from a professional
tire center, preferably your BMW cen-
ter. Observe any country-specific regu-
lations, e.g. on making a corresponding
entry in the vehicle documents.
The factory-approved radial belt tires
are matched to your vehicle and pro-
vide optimum safety and driving com-
fort when used properly.Special characteristics of winter
tiresBMW recommends the use of winter
tires for operation under winter road
conditions. While all-season tires with
M+S designation provide better winter
traction than summer tires, they gener-
ally do not achieve the full performance
of winter tires.Observing speed ratings
Never exceed the maximum
speed for which the winter tires
are rated. Unprofessional attempts by
laymen to service tires can lead to dam-
age and accidents. Have this work per-
formed by skilled professionals only.
The technicians at your BMW center
will be glad to assist you with the
required professional knowledge and
specialized equipment.<
StorageAlways store tires in a cool, dry place.
Store them away from light whenever
possible. Protect the tires against con-
tact with oil, grease and fuel. Do not
exceed the maximum tire inflation pres-
sures specified on the tire sidewall.
New wheels and tires
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex

122
Snow chains*Only certain snow chains have been
tested by BMW and determined and
approved as roadworthy. Consult your
BMW center for more information.
BMW recommends using only these
approved fine-link snow chains. Use
them in pairs on winter tires, but only on
both rear wheels.
Comply with all manufacturer's safety
precautions when mounting the chains.
Do not exceed a speed of 30 mph /
50 km/h with snow chains.
After mounting or removing snow
chains, always reinitialize the sequential
M gearbox with Drivelogic, refer to
page 87.
It is not possible to mount snow
chains on tires with 18- and 19-
inch wheels.
Deactivate the Flat Tire Monitor when
using snow chains. Malfunction warn-
ings and undetected losses in pressure
are a possibility when driving with snow
chains.
When driving with snow chains, it may
be useful to deactivate DSC, refer to
page 86.<

141
Tire repair with the M Mobility system
Precautions in case of a flat tire:
Stop the vehicle as far as possible
from passing traffic and position it on a
firm surface. Turn on the hazard warn-
ing flashers.
Turn the steering wheel to the straight-
ahead position and engage the steering
lock. Engage the parking brake and
shift into 1st or reverse gear.
All passengers should be outside the
vehicle and well away from your imme-
diate working area – behind a guardrail,
for instance.
If necessary, set up your warning trian-
gle or portable hazard warning lamp on
the roadside at an appropriate distance
from the rear of the vehicle. Comply
with all safety guidelines and regula-
tions.<
You will find an M Mobility system in the
BMW M3 Convertible for repairing flat
tires. With this system you can apply a
sealant to the inside of the tire, thus
seal off the damaged point, then rein-
flate the tire and continue driving.
Preparing to repair a tireThe M Mobility system is located in the
luggage compartment under the floor
panel.
If possible, leave the foreign object in
the tire.
You will find corresponding
instructions for using the
M Mobility system on the device.<
Before using the M Mobility sys-
tem, read the warnings on the
sealant bottle.<
Pull the sticker showing the speed limit
from the sealant bottle and stick it onto
the steering wheel.
Please observe the expiration
date on the sealant bottle.<
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex

142
Components of the M Mobility
system1Sealant bottle and sticker showing
the speed limit
2Filler hose from the sealant bottle to
the wheel
System version with manometer
on the hose*3Plug and cable for the cigarette
lighter socket
4Connector for the sealant bottle
5Compressor
6On/Off switch
7Manometer for indicating the tire
pressure
8Screw for reducing the filling pres-
sure
9Hose connecting compressor and
sealant bottle, or compressor and
wheel
Plug, cable and connecting hose are
stored inside the compressor box.
System version with manometer
integrated in the box*3Plug and cable for the cigarette
lighter socket
4Connector for the sealant bottle
5Compressor
6On/Off switch
7Manometer for indicating the tire
pressure
8Screw for reducing the filling pres-
sure
9Hose connecting compressor and
sealant bottle, or compressor and
wheel
Plug, cable and connecting hose are
stored inside the compressor box.
Tire repair with the M Mobility system

143
Using the M Mobility systemTo repair a flat tire using the M Mobility
system, proceed as follows:
>Fill with sealant, refer to page 143
>Distribute the sealant, refer to
page 143
>Restore tire inflation pressure, refer
to page 143.
Filling with sealant1. Shake the bottle of sealant
2. Screw hose 9 onto the opening of
the sealant bottle
3. Twist the dust cap off of the valve on
the flat tire and screw filler hose 2
connected to the sealant bottle onto
the valve
4. Insert the sealant bottle into the con-
nector on the compressor so that it is
standing upright
5. Make sure that the system is
switched off, position 0
6. Insert connector 3 into the cigarette
lighter socket inside the vehicle, refer
to page 101
7. When using the version with the
manometer on the hose: make sure
that screw 8 on the manometer is
tightened down
8. With the ignition key in position 2:
Switch on the compressor and keep
it running for approx. 3 minutes to fill
in the sealant. It does not matter
afterward, what the tire's inflation
pressure is
9. Turn the system off and disconnect
the hose from the sealant bottle and
the wheel valve. Stow the M Mobility
system in the vehicle.Distributing the sealantRight afterward, drive at least about
2 miles / 3 km, so that the sealant is
distributed evenly in the tire.
Do not exceed a maximum speed
of 35 mph / 60 km/h. If possible,
keep the vehicle speed above 12 mph /
20 km/h. pull over at a suitable location
2. Screw hose 9 connected to the com-
pressor directly onto the tire valve
3. Insert connector 3 into the cigarette
lighter socket inside the vehicle
Tire repair with the M Mobility system
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex

Everything from A to Z
161
BMW sports seat 47
Bore, refer to Engine
data 154
Bottle holders, see Bever-
age holders 100
Brake fluid 129
indicator lamp 18, 129
level 129
Brake force display 89
Brake lamps
bulb replacement 139
indicator lamp, defective
lamp 81
Brake lamps, refer to Brake
force display 89
Brake pads
brake fluid level 18, 129
breaking in 110
Brake rotors
breaking in 110
Brake system
brake pads, indicator
lamp 19
Brake wear warning
indicator lamp 19Brakes
ABS 113
brake fluid 129
brake force display 89
brake pads 112
breaking in 110
driving notes 111
indicator/warning lamp
18, 19
parking brake 68
Break-in procedures 110
Bridging, refer to Jump-
starting 147
Bulb replacement 137
Bulb replacement, refer to
Lamps and bulbs 137
Buttons in steering wheel 22
C
California Proposition 65
warning 6
Can holders, see Beverage
holders 100
Capacities 157
Car battery 144
Car care, refer to the Caring
for your vehicle brochure
Car keys, refer to Keys 28
Car phone hookup
microphone 100
Car radio, refer to the
Owner's Manual for RadioCar telephone, refer to the
separate Owner's Manual
Car vacuum cleaner, con-
necting 101
Car wash, refer to the Caring
for your vehicle brochure
Carpet care, refer to the
Caring for your vehicle
brochure
Cassette operation, refer to
the Owner's Manual for
Radio/Onboard Computer
CBC Cornering Brake Con-
trol 113
warning lamp 19
CD changer, refer to the
Owner's Manual for
Radio/Onboard Computer
CD operation, refer to the
Owner's Manual for
Radio/Onboard Computer
Center armrest
front 99
Center high-mount brake
lamp
bulb replacement 140
Central locking system 28
button 32
passenger
compartment 32
Check Control 81Check Gas Cap
indicator lamp 19
Child seats, refer to Child-
restraint systems 58
Child-restraint mounting
system LATCH 60
Child-restraint systems 58
Cigarette lighter 100
Cleaning chrome parts, refer
to the Caring for your vehi-
cle brochure
Cleaning light alloy wheels,
refer to the Caring for your
vehicle brochure
Cleaning position, convert-
ible top 44
Cleaning the vehicle, refer to
the Caring for your vehicle
brochure
Cleaning windshield 77
Clock 82
12-/24-hour mode 82
setting, refer also to the
Owner's Manual for
Radio/Onboard Computer
Closing
from inside 32
from outside 29
Clutch
breaking in 110
Cockpit 14
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex

Everything from A to ZFuel reserve indicator, refer
to Fuel gauge 80
Fuel tank capacity 157
Fuses 145
G
Gasoline consumption, refer
to Average fuel consump-
tion 84
Gasoline, refer to Fuel spec-
ifications 25
Gear indicator 71
Gearbox
manual transmission 69
Gearbox malfunction
sequential M gearbox with
Drivelogic 74
Gearbox, sequential 70
Gearshift lever
manual transmission 69
sequential M gearbox with
Drivelogic 70
General driving notes 111
Glove compartment 99
Gradient assistance 73
Grills, refer to Ventilation 94
Gross weight, refer to
Weights 156
H
Handbrake, refer to Parking
brake 68Hands-free system 100
Hardtop 113
Hardtop preparation 113
Hardtop, refer to the sepa-
rate Owner's Manual 113
Hazard warning flashers 14
Hazard warning triangle 23
Head restraints 48
Headlamp cleaning system
cleaning headlamps 77
washer fluid 126, 157
Headlamp control, auto-
matic 90
Headlamp flasher 91
indicator lamp 21
Headlamps
bulb replacement 137
care, refer to the Caring
for your vehicle brochure
Heated mirrors 53
Heated rear window
automatic climate
control 97
Heated seats 52
Heating
exterior mirrors 53
rear window 97
seats 52
Heating and ventilation 94
Heavy loads, refer to Cargo
loading 105Height adjustment
seats 47
steering wheel 54
Height, refer to
Dimensions 155
High beams 75, 91
bulb replacement 137
headlamp flasher 91
indicator lamp 21
Holder for beverages 100
Hood release 123
Horn 14
Hydraulic brake assistant,
refer to DBC 113
Hydroplaning 111
I
Ice warning 83
Ignition 65
Ignition key 28
positions 65
Ignition lock 65
Imprint 4
Indicator lamps 18Indicator/warning lamp
airbags 18
alarm system 37
brakes 18, 19
Check Gas Cap 19
convertible top 41
coolant 19, 80
DSC 19
Flat Tire Monitor
18, 19, 88
fog lamps 20
Please fasten safety
belts 18
reserve 80
rollover protection
system 19
Service Engine Soon 19
Individual air distribution 96
Individual settings, refer to
Vehicle Memory, Key
Memory 64
Inflation pressure monitor-
ing, refer to Flat Tire Moni-
tor 87
Inflation pressure, tires 116
INSPECTION 81
Instrument cluster 16
Instrument lighting 91
Instrument panel 14
Interface socket for onboard
diagnostics (OBD) 132
event data recorders 132