2006 BMW M3 COUPE tires

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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116
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 indica-
tors 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

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
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex

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.<
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex

Everything from A to ZA
ABS Antilock Brake
System 111
indicator lamp 19
Accessories, refer to For
your own safety 6
Accident, refer to Emer-
gency call 142
Activated-charcoal filter 94
Adaptive brake lamp, refer
to Brake force display 86
Adding brake fluid 125
Additional sources of infor-
mation 4
Air conditioning mode
automatic climate
control 92
Air distribution
automatic climate
control 92
individual 92
Air outlets, refer to Ventila-
tion 90
Air pressure, refer to Tire
inflation pressure 112
Air recirculation, refer to
Recirculated-air mode 93
Air supply
automatic climate
control 92
Air, drying, refer to Air con-
ditioning mode 92Airbags 52
deactivating 52
indicator lamp 18, 54
safe seating position 42
Airing out, refer to Ventila-
tion 90
AKI, refer to Fuel specifica-
tions 25
Alarm system 37
avoiding unintentional
alarms 38
All-season tires, refer to
Winter tires 116
Alternative oil types 123
Antifreeze 124
coolant 124
washer fluid 122
Antilock Brake System
(ABS) 111
indicator lamp 19
Anti-theft system 28
Anti-theft warning system,
refer to Alarm system 37
Approved axle loads, refer
to Weights 152
Approved gross weight,
refer to Weights 152
Armrest
front 96
rear 97Artificial leather, refer to the
Caring for your vehicle
brochure
Ashtray
front 98
rear 98
Assistant systems, refer to
Dynamic Stability Control
(DSC) 82
AUC Automatic recircu-
lated-air control 93
AUTO program 92
Automatic
cruise control 73
headlamp control 87
Automatic air distribution,
refer to AUTO program 92
Automatic air supply, refer
to AUTO program 92
Automatic car wash, refer to
the Caring for your vehicle
brochure
Automatic climate control 90
Automatic curb monitor 49
Automatic dimming, interior
rearview mirror 50
Automatic recirculated-air
control (AUC) 93
Automatic windshield
washer, refer to Rain sen-
sor 72Average fuel
consumption 80
Average speed 80
Avoiding unintentional
alarms 38
Axle loads, refer to
Weights 152
B
Backrest
adjusting 43
unlocking 46
width adjustment 45
Backrest, refer to Seat
adjustment 44
Backup lamps 65
bulb replacement 135
Bandages, refer to First-aid
kit 23
Bar, for towing 145
Battery 140
charge 140
disposal 141
indicator lamp 18
jump-starting 143
remote control 28, 29
Battery charge current 18
Belts, refer to Safety
belts 46
Beverage holders 96, 97

Everything from A to ZGearbox
manual transmission 65
Gearbox malfunction
sequential M gearbox with
Drivelogic 70
Gearbox, sequential 66
Gearshift lever
manual transmission 65
sequential M gearbox with
Drivelogic 66
General driving notes 109
Glass sunroof
closing following an elec-
trical malfunction 41
convenience operation
30, 32
remote control 29, 30
Glass sunroof, electric 40
Glove compartment 95
Gradient assistance 69
Grills, refer to Ventilation 90
Gross weight, refer to
Weights 152
H
Handbrake, refer to Parking
brake 64
Hands-free system 97
Harman Kardon premium
sound system 95
Hazard warning flashers 14
Hazard warning triangle 23Head airbags 52
Head restraints 45
Headlamp cleaning system
cleaning headlamps 73
washer fluid 122, 153
Headlamp control 87
Headlamp flasher 88
indicator lamp 21
Headlamps
bulb replacement 133
care, refer to the Caring
for your vehicle brochure
Heated mirror 50
Heated rear window
automatic climate
control 93
Heated seats 49
Heating
exterior mirrors 50
rear window 93
seats 49
Heating and ventilation 90
Heavy loads, refer to Cargo
loading 103
Height adjustment
seats 44
steering wheel 51
Height, refer to
Dimensions 151High beams 71, 88
bulb replacement 133
headlamp flasher 88
indicator lamp 21
Holder for
beverages 96, 97
litter bag 97
Hood release 119
Horn 14
Hydraulic brake assistant,
refer to DBC 111
Hydroplaning 109
I
Ice warning 79
Ignition 61
Ignition key 28
positions 61
Ignition lock 61
Imprint 4
Indicator lamps 18Indicator/warning lamp
airbags 18
alarm system 38
brakes 18, 19
Check Gas Cap 19
coolant 19, 76
DSC 19
Flat Tire Monitor
18, 19, 85
fog lamps 20
Please fasten safety
belts 18
reserve 76
Service Engine Soon 19
Individual air distribution 92
Individual settings, refer to
Vehicle Memory, Key
Memory 59
Inflation pressure monitor-
ing, refer to Flat Tire Moni-
tor 83
Inflation pressure, tires 112
INSPECTION 77
Instrument cluster 16
Instrument lighting 88
Instrument panel 14
Interface socket for onboard
diagnostics (OBD) 128
event data recorders 128
Interior lamps 89
remote control 30

Everything from A to Z
163
Power socket, cigarette
lighter 98
Pressure monitoring, tires
Flat Tire Monitor 83
Pressure, tires 112
inflating with M Mobility
system 139
Proposition 65 warning 6
Puncture
M Mobility system 137
R
Radio remote control key,
refer to Master key with
remote control 28
Radio, refer to the Owner's
Manual for Radio
Rain sensor 72
Range 80
Reading lamps
front 89
rear 89
Rear armrest, refer to Rear
center armrest 97
Rear backrest, folding 100
Rear center 3-point safety
belt 100
Rear lamps
bulb replacement 135
indicator lamp, defective
lamp 77Rear window heating
automatic climate
control 93
Rear-entry assist 46
Rearview mirror 50
Receiving assistance 142
Recirculated-air mode
automatic climate
control 93
Recirculating the air, refer to
Recirculated-air mode 93
Reclining seat, refer to Seat
adjustment 44
Refueling 24
fuel filler door 24
Releasing
hood 119
Remaining distance to ser-
vice 77
Remaining distance, refer to
Range 80
Remote control 29
luggage compartment
lid 30
malfunction 30
Replacing lamps, refer to
Lamps and bulbs 133
Reporting safety defects 7
Restraint systems
for children 55
Restraint systems, refer to
Safety belts 46Reverse gear
manual transmission 65
Roof load capacity 152
Roof-mounted luggage
rack 105
Rope, refer to Towing
and tow-starting the vehi-
cle 145
S
Safe seating position 42
airbags 42
safety belt 42
Safety belt
safe seating position 42
Safety belt height adjust-
ment 47
Safety belts 46
height adjustment 47
warning lamp 18
Safety feature
glass sunroof 40
power windows 39
Safety systems, refer to
Antilock Brake
System 111
Dynamic Stability Control
(DSC) 82
Screwdriver, refer to
Onboard tool kit 132Seat adjustment
backrest width adjust-
ment 45
BMW sports seat 44
height 43
lumbar support 44
manual 43
power 44
Seat belt tensioner, refer to
Safety belts 46
Seat heating 49
Seat memory, refer to Seat
and mirror memory 48
Seat positions, storing 48
Seats 43
Securing cargo 104
Securing child-restraint sys-
tem 57
Securing the vehicle
from inside 33
from outside 29, 32
Selector lever
sequential M gearbox with
Drivelogic 66
Selector lever positions
sequential M gearbox with
Drivelogic 66
Sequential M gearbox with
Drivelogic 66
indicator lamp 19, 70
tow-starting 146
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