Mobility
This section helps you maintain your mobility
by supplying important information on vital
topics including fuels and lubricants,
wheels and tires, service, maintenance
and Roadside Assistance.
Mobility
Wheels and tires
200
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 take this precau-
tion, you may be driving on tires with incorrect
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.<
For correct identification of the right inflation
pressure for your tires, pay attention to the fol-
lowing:>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
consult the relevant table on the following
pages and adjust tire pressures as necessary to
the specified pressures for speeds exceeding
100 mph/150 km/h. Otherwise, tire damage
and accidents could occur.<
Observe all national and local maximum speed
limits; otherwise, violations of the law could
occur.
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203Reference
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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...1007 means that the tire was manufac-
tured in the 10th week of 2007.
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 1007
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Under the hood
Never attempt to perform any service or
repair operations on your vehicle without
the required, professional technical training.
If you are unfamiliar with the regulations to be
observed, only have work on your vehicle car-
ried out by a BMW center or a repair shop 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.<
Hood
Unlocking
Pull the lever located under the left side of the
instrument panel.
Opening
Pull the release handle and open the hood.
Closing
Close the hood with force. It must be clearly
heard to engage.
Take the same precautions that apply to
all closing operations by ensuring that the
hood's travel range is clear and unobstructed
before allowing the hood to fall into position.
If you see any signs that the hood is not com-
pletely closed while you are driving your vehicle,
you should stop at once and close it securely.<
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Possible displays
>"Update of engine oil level in process".
>"Engine oil level O.K.".
>"Oil level at minimum! Add 1 quart engine
oil": add a maximum of 1 quart/1 liter of
engine oil at the earliest opportunity, refer
to Adding engine oil.
>"Oil level under min.! Add 1 quart engine
oil": add a maximum of 1 quart/1 liter of
engine oil at the earliest opportunity, refer
to Adding engine oil.
>"Engine oil level too high".
Have vehicle checked immediately;
otherwise, overfilled oil can lead to
engine damage.<
>"No measurement possible at this time".
Adding engine oil
Do not add oil until a Check Control message
appears.
Add oil within the next 125 miles/200 km;
otherwise, the engine could be dam-
aged.<
Keep oil, grease, etc. out of reach of chil-
dren and heed warnings on the contain-
ers to avoid health risks.<
Oil changing
Only have an oil change carried out by a BMW
center or a repair shop that works in accordance
with BMW guidelines and uses appropriately
trained personnel.
Approved engine oils
The quality of the engine oil selected has critical
significance for the operation and service life of
an engine. BMW continuously approves spe-
cific engine oils after confirming their suitability
for use in its vehicles with extensive testing.
Use only approved BMW High Performance
Synthetic Oil.
If BMW High Performance Synthetic Oil is
unavailable, you can add small quantities of
other synthetic oils between oil changes. Use
only oils of the specification API SH or higher.
Your BMW center will be happy to answer
detailed questions on BMW High Perfor-
mance Synthetic Oil or approved synthetic
oils.<
You can also call BMW of North America at
1-800-831-1117 or visit the website at
www.bmwusa.com to obtain this information.
Never use oil additives as they can dam-
age your engine under some circum-
stances.<
Viscosity grades
The viscosity is a measure of the thickness of
the oil and is specified in SAE grades.
The choice of the right SAE grade is based on
the climatic conditions in the region in which
you normally drive your BMW.
Approved oils belong to the SAE grades
5W-40 and 5W-30.<
These oils can be used for driving at all outside
temperatures.
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Maintenance
BMW Maintenance System
The BMW Maintenance System serves to
retain the operating and road safety of your
BMW. The service schedule also includes oper-
ations related to the vehicle's comfort and con-
venience features, such as replacement of the
filters for the inside air. The aim is to optimize
maintenance procedures with a view to reduc-
ing the cost of running the vehicle.
Should the day come when you decide to sell
your BMW, you will find that a complete dealer
service history is an asset of inestimable value.
CBS Condition Based Service
Sensors and special algorithms take the differ-
ent driving conditions of your BMW into
account. As a result, Condition Based Service
determines the current and future maintenance
requirements. By letting you define a service
and maintenance regimen that reflects your
own individual requirements, the system forms
the basis for trouble-free driving.
On the Control Display, you can have the
remaining times and distances for selected
maintenance procedures and any legally man-
dated deadlines displayed, refer to page78:
>Engine oil
>Brakes, separate for front and rear
>Microfilter
>Brake fluid
>Spark plugs>Vehicle check
>Legally prescribed inspections depending
on national regulations
Service data in the remote control
Your vehicle continuously stores service-
requirement information in the remote control
while you are driving. After accessing the data
stored in the vehicle key, your BMW Service
Advisor can suggest precisely the right array of
service procedures for your own individual vehi-
cle. This is why it is important when you take
your vehicle in for service to give the BMW Ser-
vice Advisor the last remote control you used
for driving.
Storage periods with the battery discon-
nected are not taken into account by the
CBS maintenance system. If this occurs, have a
BMW center update the time-dependent main-
tenance procedures, such as checking brake
fluid and if necessary engine oil and the micro/
activated charcoal filter.<
Service and Warranty Information
Booklet for US models and
Warranty and Service Guide Booklet
for Canadian models
Please consult your Service and Warranty Infor-
mation Booklet for US models and Warranty
and Service Guide Booklet for Canadian models
for additional information on service require-
ments.
BMW recommends that you have service
and repair operations performed at your
BMW center.
Take the time to ensure that these service pro-
cedures are confirmed by entries in your vehi-
cle's Service and Warranty Information Booklet
for US models and Warranty and Service Guide
Booklet for Canadian models. These entries
verify that your vehicle has received the speci-
fied regular maintenance.<
Maintenance
212
Socket for OBD Onboard
Diagnostics
Components which are decisive for the
exhaust-gas composition can be checked via
the OBD socket with a device.
This socket is located to the left on the driver's
side, on the underside of the instrument panel
under a cover.
Emissions values
The warning lamp lights up. The emis-
sions values are deteriorating. Have the
vehicle checked as soon as possible.
Display of the previously described
malfunction on Canadian models.
Under certain circumstances, the warning lamp
will flash. This is a sign of excessive misfiring of
the engine. In this case you should reduce
speed and drive to the nearest BMW center as
soon as possible. Serious engine misfiring,
even for only a short period of time, can seri-
ously damage emission control components,
especially the catalytic converter.
If the fuel filler cap is not properly tight-
ened, the OBD system can detect the
vapor leak and the indicator lamp will light up. If
the cap is then tightened, the display should go
out within a few days.<
Event Data Recorders
Your vehicle may be equipped with one or sev-
eral measuring and diagnosis modules, or with a
device for recording or transmitting certain
vehicle data or information. If you have also
signed a contract of participation for BMW
Assist, certain vehicle data can be transmitted
or recorded to enable corresponding services.
Care
You can find useful information on caring for
your BMW in the Caring for your vehicle bro-
chure.
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Replacing components
Onboard tool kit
The onboard toolkit is located in the luggage
compartment lid.
Loosen the wingnut to open.
The adapter for the spare key can be stored
beneath the open-ended wrenches.
Windshield wiper blades
To replace the blades, start by folding the wip-
ers out and away from the windshield, refer to
page66.
Lamps and bulbs
Lamps and lights contribute significantly to
road safety. Therefore, comply fully with the fol-
lowing instructions during bulb replacement.
BMW recommends that you entrust corre-
sponding procedures to your BMW center if
you are unfamiliar with them or they are not
described here.
Never touch the glass of new bulbs with
your bare fingers, as even minute traces
of contamination will burn into the bulb's sur-
face and reduce its service life. Use a clean
cloth, napkin, etc., or hold the bulb by its metal
socket.<
You can obtain a selection of replacement bulbs
at your BMW center.When working on the lighting system, you
should always switch off the lights
affected to prevent short circuits.
To avoid possible injury or equipment damage
when replacing bulbs, follow any instructions
provided by the bulb manufacturer.<
When maintaining the headlamps, please follow
the instructions in the separate Caring for your
vehicle brochure.
Light-emitting diodes LEDs
Light-emitting diodes installed behind translu-
cent lenses serve as the light source for many of
the controls and displays in your vehicle. These
light-emitting diodes, which operate using a
concept similar to that applied in conventional
lasers, are officially designated as Class 1 light-
emitting diodes.
Do not remove the covers, and never
stare into the unfiltered light for several
hours, as irritation of the retina could result.<
Xenon lamp*
The service life of these bulbs is very long and
the probability of a failure is very low, provided
that they are not switched on and off an unusual
number of times. In the unlikely event that one
of these lamps should fail, you can respond by
switching on your fog lamps and proceeding
carefully, where allowed by law.
Only have work on the xenon lighting sys-
tem including bulb changes carried out by
a BMW center or a repair shop that works in
accordance with BMW guidelines and uses
appropriately trained personnel. Due to the high
voltage involved, there is a danger to life and
limb when work is carried out improperly.<
For checking and adjusting headlamp
aim, please contact your BMW center.<