
Wheels and tires
82
Z4 Coupe 3.0si
Tire coding
Understanding the lettering on the tire sidewall 
makes it easier to identify and choose the cor-
rect tires.
Tire size
Speed code letter
Q = up to 100mph or 160km/h
T = up to 118mph or 190km/h
H = up to 131mph or 210km/h
V = up to 150mph or 240km/h
W = up to 167mph or 270km/h
Y = up to 186mph or 300km/h
Tire Identification Number
Tires with DOT codes meet the guidelines of 
the U.S. Department of Transportation.DOT code:
Tire age
The date on which the tire was manufactured is 
indicated by the code on the sidewall:
DOT … 5005 indicates that the tire was manu-
factured in week 50 of the year 2005.
BMW recommends the replacement of all tires 
every 6 years at the latest, even if a tire usage of 
10 years is possible.
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Quality grades can be found where applicable 
on the tire sidewall between tread shoulder and 
maximum section width. For example:
Treadwear 200 Traction AA
Temperature A
DOT Quality Grades
Tread wear
Traction AA A B C
Temperature A B C
Tire sizePressure specifications in psi/kPa
All pressure specifications in the table are 
indicated in psi/kilopascal with cold tires, 
cold = ambient temperature
225/45 R 17 91 W
225/45 R 17 91 H/V M+S33/230 39/270
Front: 225/45 R 17 91W
Rear: 255/40 R 17 94 W33/230
––
39/270
Front: 225/40 R 18 88 W
Rear: 255/35 R 18 90 W33/230
––
39/270
You will find more information about permissible loads and weights on page109.
e.g.
Nominal width in mm
Aspect ratio in Ξ 
Radial belt construction
Rim diameter in inches
Load rating,
not on ZR tires
Speed code letter, in
front of the R on ZR tires225/50 R1692 V
e.g.
Manufacturer's code 
for tire make
Tire size and 
tire design
Tire ageDOT xxxx xxx 5005 

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
 121
Starting assistance, refer to 
Dynamic Stability Control 
DSC49
Starting difficulties
– jump-starting99
– temperature39
Starting with a flat battery, 
refer to Jump-starting99
Status of this Owner's Manual 
at time of printing5
Steering wheel10
– adjusting34
– buttons on steering 
wheel11
– lock38
Steptronic, refer to Sport 
program and Manual 
operation41
Storage compartments64
– electrical fault64
– eyeglasses compartment65
– glove compartment64
– opening manually64
Storage nets64
Storage space, refer to
– Cargo bay23
Storage space, refer to
Storage compartments64
Storing seat position, refer to 
Seat memory32
Stowage, refer to Storage 
compartments64
Summer tires, refer to Wheels 
and tires80
Supply reservoir, refer to 
Washer fluid reservoir44
Switches, refer to Cockpit10
Switch for passenger 
airbags35
Switching cooling function on/
off manually59,62
Symbols4
T
Table of contents3
Tachometer46Tailgate21
– emergency operation22
– opening from inside the 
vehicle21
– opening from the outside21
– opening manually22
– remote control19
– roller-blind cover65
Tail lamps, refer to Rear 
lamps96
Tail lights, refer to Rear 
lamps96
Tank contents
– refer to Capacities110
Tank indicator, refer to Fuel 
gauge46
Technical data106
Technical modifications, refer 
to For your own safety5
Telephone, refer to the 
separate Owner's Manual
Telephone preparation 
package67
Temperature
– air conditioning59
– automatic climate control62
– coolant, refer to Coolant 
thermometer47
– engine47
Temperature display
– outside temperature46
– outside temperature 
warning46
– setting unit of measure48
Tempomat, refer to Cruise 
control44
Third brake lamp, refer to 
Center high-mount brake 
lamp96
Three-point safety belt, refer 
to Safety belts33
Tilt alarm sensor25
Tilt function, passenger-side 
mirror34
Tire inflation pressure80
– checking80
– loss51
– restoring80
Tire renewal84Tires
– age82,84
– break-in procedures70
– changing84
– coding82
– condition83
– damage84
– DOT quality grades82
– flat
51
– inflation pressure80
– pressure monitoring, refer to 
Flat Tire Monitor51
– replacement84
– size80
– storage85
– temperature83
– traction83
– tread83
– tread wear83
– Uniform Tire Quality 
Grading82
– wear indicators, refer to 
Minimum tread depth83
– wheel and tire 
replacement84
– winter tires85
– with emergency features, 
refer to Run-Flat Tires84
Tire storage85
Tool kit, refer to Onboard tool 
kit93
Torque, refer to Engine 
data106
Tow bar101
Towing eyelet100
Towing the vehicle100
– methods101
– with automatic 
transmission101
Tow rope101
Tow-starting101
Tow truck101
Track width, refer to 
Dimensions107,108
Traction control, refer to 
Dynamic Stability Control 
DSC49 

Everything from A to Z
122 Transmission
– automatic transmission with 
Steptronic40
– manual transmission40
Transmission detent, refer to 
Range selection40
Transmission malfunction, 
refer to Malfunction41
Transporting children 
safely35
Transport securing device, 
refer to Cargo loading73
Tread depth, refer to Minimum 
tread depth83
Trip distance recorder, refer to 
Trip odometer46
Triple turn signal42
Trip meter, refer to Trip 
odometer46
Trip odometer46
Trunk, refer to Cargo bay23
Turning circle, refer to 
Dimensions107,108
Turn signal indicators42
– bulb replacement95
– indicator lamp12,13
Turn signals
– triple turn signal42
TV function, refer to Owner's 
Manual for Onboard 
Computer
Tying down loads, refer to 
Cargo loading73
U
Undercoating, refer to the 
Caring for your vehicle 
brochure
Units
– average consumption48
– average speed48
– temperature48
– time48
Units of measure
– outside temperature 
display48
– time format48Unlatching, refer to 
Unlocking19
Unlocking
– from inside21
– from outside19
– luggage compartment 
lid19,22
– tailgate19,21
Used batteries, refer to 
Battery disposal97
V
Vehicle
– battery97
– break-in period70
– care, refer to the Caring for 
your vehicle brochure
– cargo loading72
– car wash, refer to the Caring 
for your vehicle brochure
– dimensions, refer to 
Dimensions107,108
– engine39
– leaving the vehicle39
– parked72
– placing in storage, refer to 
the Caring for your vehicle 
brochure
– weight109
Vehicle Memory18
Ventilation59,63
– air conditioning59
– automatic climate control63
Vents, refer to 
Ventilation59,63
Volume
– fuel tank, refer to 
Capacities110
W
Warning and indicator 
lamps12
Warning triangle99
Warranty, refer to Service and 
Warranty Information 
Booklet for US models, Warranty and Service Guide 
Booklet for Canadian 
models91
Warranty and service6
Washer/wiper system43
Washer fluid reservoir44
Washer fluids44
Washer reservoir, refer to
Washer fluid reservoir44
Washing systems44
Waste tray, refer to Ashtray65
Water on roads, refer to 
Driving through water71
Wear indicator in tires, refer to 
Minimum tread depth83
Weights109
Wheel/tire combination, refer 
to Correct wheels and 
tires84
Wheel/tire combinations84
Wheelbase, refer to 
Dimensions107,108
Wheels and tires80
Width, refer to 
Dimensions107,108
Wind deflector66
Window defrosting, refer to 
Defrosting windows
– automatic climate control62
– heating and ventilation59
Windows25
– convenience operation20
– opening/closing25
– pinch protection system25
Windshield
– cleaning43
– defrosting and removing 
condensation59,62
Windshield wipers
– blades, care, refer to the 
Caring for your vehicle 
brochure
– changing blades93
– refer to Washer/wiper 
system43