2006 BMW M3 COUPE flat tire

112Wheels and tires
Tire inflation pressureInformation for your safetyIt is not merely the tire's service life, but
also driving comfort and, above all else,
driving safety that depend on the condi-
tion of the tires and the maintenance of
the specified tire pressure.Checking tire pressuresOnly check the tire inflation pressures
of cold tires. This means after driving a
maximum of 1.25 miles/2 km or after
the vehicle has been parked for at least
2 hours. Warm tires have higher infla-
tion pressures.
Check tire inflation pressures reg-
ularly and correct them if neces-
sary: at least twice a month and before
beginning a longer trip. Otherwise,
incorrect tire pressures can cause driv-
ing instability or tire damage, ultimately
resulting in accidents. Do not drive on a
deflated, i.e. flat, tire. A flat tire greatly
impairs steering and braking response,
and can lead to complete loss of con-
trol over the vehicle.<
After correcting the tire inflation pres-
sure, reinitialize the Flat Tire Monitor,
refer to page 84.
Inflation pressures for original
tiresTire pressures for the standard tires of
your vehicle are shown on the driver's
door post, visible when the door is
open.
The inflation pressures apply to BMW-
approved tire sizes and recommended
tire brands. Your BMW center will be
glad to supply this information.Inflation pressures for other tire
sizesThe following tire pressure table shows
all tire pressures for the given tire sizes
at ambient temperature.

113
BMW Tires
All pressure specifications in
the table are indicated in psi/
kilopascal with cold tires –
cold = ambient temperature
M3 225/45 ZR 18 33/230 – 41/280 –
255/40 ZR 18 – 35/240 – 48/330
225/45 ZR 18
225/40 ZR 1933/230 – 41/280 –
255/35 ZR 19 – 35/240 – 48/330
225/45 R 17 91 H M+S 33/230 38/260 36/250 46/320
225/40 R 18 92 V M+S 36/250 38/260 39/270 51/350Tire inflation pressure
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115
Those grades represent the tire's ability
to stop on wet pavement as measured
under controlled conditions on speci-
fied government test surfaces 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, cornering,
hydroplaning, or peak traction charac-
teristics. highest, B, and C, representing the
tire's resistance to the generation of
heat and its ability to dissipate heat
when tested under controlled condi-
tions 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 tem-
perature 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 Vehicle 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, under-inflation, or
excessive loading, either separately or
in combination, can cause heat buildup
and possible tire failure. better winter driving properties than
summer tires.
Tire conditionWheel/tire damageInspect your tires frequently for signs of
damage, foreign objects and tread
wear, and check tread depth.
Due to low-profile tires, please
note that wheels, tires and sus-
pension parts are more susceptible to
road hazard and consequential dam-
ages.
Unusual vibrations encountered during
normal vehicle operation can indicate
tire failure or some other vehicle defect.
This type of problem can be caused by
contact with curbs, etc. This is also true
for irregularities in the vehicle's han-
dling characteristics, such as a pro-
nounced tendency to pull to the left or
right.
Should this occur, respond by immedi-
ately reducing your speed. Proceed
carefully to the nearest BMW center or
professional tire center, or have the
vehicle towed there. Tire damage, up to
and including blowouts, can endanger
the lives of both the vehicle occupants
and other road users.<
Tire code
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117
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 and vehicle
response, use only tires of a single
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
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118
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 maximum speed of
30 mph / 50 km/h when using snow
chains.
After mounting or removing snow
chains, always reinitialize the sequential
M gearbox with Drivelogic, refer to
page 70.
It is not possible to mount snow
chains on tires with 18-inch 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 83.<

137
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 local safety guidelines and reg-
ulations.<
You will find an M Mobility system in the
BMW M3 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 reinflate 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.<
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139
Using the M Mobility systemTo repair a flat tire using the M Mobility
system, proceed as follows:
>Fill with sealant, refer to page 139
>Distribute the sealant, refer to
page 139
>Restore tire inflation pressure, refer
to page 139.
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 98
7. When using the version with the
manometer on the hose: make sure
that screw 8 on the pressure gauge
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
what the tire's inflation pressure is
afterward
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
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140
4. Adjust the tire inflation pressure to
29 psi / 200 kilopascal. For this pur-
pose, with the ignition key in
position 2:
>Increase the tire pressure: switch
on the compressor, position I. To
check the current inflation pres-
sure, turn off the device briefly
>Reduce the tire pressure: press
button 8, or turn screw 8 on the
manometer.
Do not run the compressor for
longer than 10 minutes, otherwise
the unit may overheat and be dam-
aged.<
If the tire fails to hold the pres-
sure, drive the vehicle again, see
Distributing the sealant. Then repeat
Steps 1 through 4 once.
The use of the M Mobility system may
be ineffective if the damaged area in
the tire is larger than approx. 1/8 in /
4 mm. If the tire cannot be temporarily
repaired with the M Mobility system,
please consult the nearest BMW cen-
ter, or a workshop that has appropri-
ately trained personnel working in
accordance with BMW specifications,<
The tire pressure must be at least
29 psi / 200 kilopascal. Otherwise,
do not continue driving.<
Driving on
Do not exceed the maximum
speed limit of 45 mph / 80 km/h;
otherwise, accidents may occur.<
Have the damaged tire replaced
as soon as possible. Reinitialize
the Flat Tire Monitor, and refer to
page 84 for further information.
Have the sealant bottle of the M Mobil-
ity system replaced.<
Battery
Battery posts, terminals, and
related accessories contain lead
and lead compounds. Wash hands after
handling.<
MaintenanceThe battery is completely maintenance-
free. This means that the original bat-
tery acid will normally last for the ser-
vice life of the battery under moderate
climate conditions. Your BMW center
will be glad to advise you if you have
any questions concerning the battery.
Please consult your BMW center
whenever you have any questions
concerning the battery. when the engine is not running. Use the
connections provided in the engine
compartment. Terminals, refer to Jump-
starting, page 143.
Tire repair with the M Mobility system