Wheels and tires
86
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 page113.
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
Wheels and tires
88 the letters TWI, for Tread Wear Indicator, on the
tire's sidewalls identify tires that incorporate
these wear indicators. Once the tire tread has
worn down to the wear indicators, the tire has
worn to a depth of 1/16 in/1.6 mm.
Wheel/tire damage
Due to low-profile tires, please note that
wheels, tires and suspension parts are
more susceptible to road hazards and conse-
quential damages.<
Unusual vibrations encountered during normal
vehicle operation can indicate tire failure or
some other vehicle malfunction. This can, for
example, be caused by driving over curbs. The
same applies to any other abnormal road
behavior, such as pulling severely to the right or
left.
In these cases, reduce speed immedi-
ately and have wheels and tires thor-
oughly checked. To do so, drive carefully to the
nearest BMW center or tire shop that works
according to BMW repair procedures with cor-
respondingly trained personnel. If necessary,
have the vehicle towed there.
Tire damage can be extremely dangerous for
vehicle occupants and other road users.<
Tire age
For various reasons, such as the development
of brittleness, BMW recommends tire replace-
ment after no more than 6 years, regardless of
the actual wear of the tires.
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.
Run-Flat Tires
The symbol identifying Run-Flat Tires is a circle
with the letters RSC on the sidewall.
Run-Flat Tires comprise a conditionally self-
supporting tire and a special rim. The reinforce-
ment in the sidewalls ensures that the tire can
continue to be used subject to certain restric-
tions, even if depressurized.
To continue driving with a damaged tire:
>If the vehicle is equipped with the Flat Tire
Monitor, refer to Flat tire warning on
page53.
>If the vehicle is equipped with the Tire Pres-
sure Monitor, refer to Warning of low tire
inflation pressure on page54.
Wheel and tire replacement
Have new wheels and tires installed only
by your BMW center or tire shop that
works according to BMW repair procedures
with correspondingly trained personnel. Work
that is improperly carried out could result in
consequential damage and pose safety haz-
ards. Make sure that the new wheels are bal-
anced.<
Retreaded tires
BMW advises against using retreaded
tires, since driving safety may be
impaired. The causes for this include potentially
different tire casing structures and often wide
variations in tire age, which can result in a lim-
ited service life.<
Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
89
Correct wheels and tires
BMW recommends using only wheels
and tires that have been approved by
BMW for your particular vehicle model, other-
wise body contact and serious accidents can
result despite the use of the same nominal size,
e.g. due to manufacturing tolerances. If non-
approved wheels and tires are used, BMW can-
not evaluate their suitability, and therefore can-
not be held liable for driving safety.<
You can inquire about the correct wheel/tire
combination at your BMW center.
The correct combination of wheels and tires is
also necessary to ensure reliable operation of
various vehicle systems such as ABS and DSC.
To maintain good handling and vehicle
response, only use tires of a single brand and
tread configuration. After a tire has been dam-
aged, for instance, mount the original wheel and
tire combination again as soon as possible.
Wheels with electronics for the Tire
Pressure Monitor TPM
When mounting new tires or changing from
summer to winter tires or vice versa, only use
wheels with TPMS electronics; otherwise the
Tire Pressure Monitor would not be able to
detect a flat tire, refer to page54. Your BMW
center will be glad to provide you with more
information.
Recommended tire brands
Certain makes of tire are recommended by
BMW for each tire size. They are marked with a
clearly visible BMW designation on the sidewall
of the tire.When properly used, these tires meet the high-
est standards in terms of safety and handling
characteristics.
Run-Flat Tires
When mounting new tires or changing over
from summer to winter tires and vice versa,
mount Run-Flat Tires for your own safety. In the
event of a flat, moreover, no spare wheel is
available. Your BMW BMW center will be glad to
provide you with more information.
For safety reasons, BMW recommends
that damaged Run-Flat Tires be replaced
rather than repaired.<
Special characteristics of winter tires
BMW 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
generally do not achieve the full performance of
winter tires.
Pay attention to speed
Always comply with the speed limit for the
winter tires mounted on your car; failure
to do so could result in tire damage and acci-
dents.<
If the car is capable of speeds higher than that
permitted for the winter tires, a label stating the
maximum permitted speed for the mounted
tires must be displayed in your field of view.
Specialist tire dealers and your BMW center
can supply these labels.
Storage
Store tires in a cool, dry place, protecting them
against light whenever possible. Protect the
tires from contact with oil, grease and fuel. Do
not exceed the maximum tire inflation pressure
indicated on the sidewall of the tire.
Swapping wheels between the axles
BMW advises against moving the front wheels
to the rear wheel positions and vice versa, as
this may impair vehicle handling characteristics.
Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
101
Rear lamps
1Turn signal indicators, 21 watts, PY21W
Silver Vision
2Brake lamp, 21 watts, P21W
3Backup lamp, 16 watts, W16W
4Tail lamp, LED
5Brake lamp, 21 watts, H21W
In the event of a malfunction in lamp 4 or 5,
please contact your BMW center or a workshop
that works according to BMW repair proce-
dures with correspondingly trained personnel.
Changing bulbs
1.Remove the cover in the cargo bay by turn-
ing the lock, see arrow.
2.Apply gentle pressure to the bulb socket
while turning it to the left and remove it.
3.Remove and replace the bulb.
4.Insert bulb socket.
5.Reattach the cover.
Side marker lamps, rear
To change the bulbs, please contact your BMW
center or a workshop that works according to
BMW repair procedures with correspondingly
trained personnel.
Center high-mount brake lamp
This lamp uses LED technology for operation.
In the event of a malfunction, please contact
your BMW center or a workshop that works
according to BMW repair procedures with cor-
respondingly trained personnel.
License plate lamps
5-watt bulb, W5W
1.Push out the lamp with a screwdriver and
remove it.
2.Change the bulb and reinsert the lamp.
Changing a wheel
Run-Flat Tires
Your BMW is equipped with Run-Flat Tires as
standard. Therefore, no wheel has to be
changed immediately in the event of a loss in
inflation pressure.
Run-Flat Tires are labeled on the tire sidewall
with a circular symbol containing the letters
RSC. Also observe the information on page88.
When mounting new tires or changing over
from summer to winter tires and vice versa,
mount Run-Flat Tires for your own safety. In the
event of a flat, moreover, no spare wheel is
available. Your BMW center will be glad to
advise you. Refer also to Wheel and tire
replacement, page88.
The tools for changing wheels are avail-
able as optional accessories from your
BMW center.<
Everything from A to Z
116
Everything from A to Z
Index
A
ABS Antilock Brake
System51
– indicator lamp12
Accident, refer to Emergency
call103
Acknowledgment signal for
locking/unlocking vehicle19
Activated-charcoal filter for
automatic climate control67
Additives
– coolant94
– engine oil94
Adjusting
– seats30
Adjusting the thigh support32
Airbags56
– deactivating37
– indicator/warning lamp13
– passenger airbags indicator
lamp37
– reactivation37
– safe seating position30
Airbag switch, refer to Key
switch for passenger
airbags36
Air conditioning62
Air-conditioning operation,
refer to Cooling
function63,66
Air distribution
– air conditioning63
– automatic66
– automatic climate control66
– individual63,66
– manual66
Air flow rate
– air conditioning63
– automatic climate control66
Airing out, refer to
Ventilation63,67Air outlets, refer to
Ventilation63,67
Air pressure, refer to Tire
inflation pressure84
Air recirculation, refer to
Recirculated-air
mode63,67
AKI, refer to Fuel
specifications83
Alarm system23
– avoiding unintentional
alarms24
– interior motion sensor24
– switching off an alarm24
– tilt alarm sensor24
All-season tires, refer to
Winter tires87,89
Ambient air, refer to
Recirculated-air
mode63,67
Ambient temperature
display48
Antenna, refer to the Caring
for your vehicle brochure
Antifreeze46,94
– coolant94
– washer fluids46
Antilock Brake System
ABS51
– indicator/warning lamp12
– indicator lamp13
Anti-theft alarm system, refer
to Alarm system23
Anti-theft protection19,23
Approved engine oils94
Artificial leather, refer to the
Caring for your vehicle
brochure
Ashtray69
Assistance systems, refer to
Driving stability control
systems51AUC Automatic recirculated-
air control67
Audio device, external68
Automatic
– air distribution66
– air flow rate66
– cruise control46
– headlamp control59
– luggage compartment lid
operation22
– recirculated-air control
AUC67
– tailgate operation21
Automatic car wash, refer to
the Caring for your vehicle
brochure
Automatic climate control65
Automatic convertible top27
Automatic lamps59
Automatic transmission with
Steptronic42
– indicator lamp13
– interlock40,42
– selector lever43
– selector lever lock42
– shiftlock42
– shift paddles on steering
wheel43
– towing the vehicle106
– tow-starting106
AUTO program for automatic
climate control66
AUX-In jack68
Average fuel consumption50
– setting unit of measure50
Average speed50
– setting unit of measure50
Avoiding unintentional
alarms24
Axle loads, refer to
Weights113
Everything from A to Z
120 Equipment scope, refer to the
Service and Warranty
Information Booklet for US
models, Warranty and
Service Guide Booklet
ESP Electronic Stability
Program, refer to DSC
Dynamic Stability
Control51
Event Data Recorders97
Exhaust system, refer to Hot
exhaust system74
Exterior mirrors34
– adjusting34
– automatic dimming
feature34
– automatic heating34
– folding in and out34
External audio device68
Eyeglasses compartment69
Eyes, tow-starting and towing
away105
F
False alarm
– refer to Avoiding
unintentional alarms24
– refer to Switching off an
alarm24
Fasten safety belts, refer to
Safety belts33
Filter
– refer to Microfilter64
– refer to Microfilter/activated-
charcoal filter67
Fine wood, refer to the Caring
for your vehicle brochure
First aid, refer to First-aid
kit104
First-aid kit104
Flat tire
– Flat Tire Monitor53
– refer to Changing a
wheel101
– refer to Tire condition87
– Run-Flat Tires88
– Tire Pressure Monitor54Flat Tire Monitor FTM53
– flat tire warning53
– indicator/warning lamp53
– initializing the system53
– snow chains90
– system limits53
Floods, refer to Driving
through water75
Floor covers, carpets, refer to
the Caring for your vehicle
brochure
Floor mats, refer to the Caring
for your vehicle brochure
Fog lamps60
– indicator lamp13
Footbrake, refer to Braking
safely75
For your own safety5
Front airbags56
FTM, refer to Flat Tire
Monitor53
Fuel
– average consumption50
– capacity, refer to
Capacities114
– display48
– quality83
– refer to Average fuel
consumption50
– refer to Fuel
specifications83
– tank capacity83
Fuel display, refer to Fuel
gauge48
Fuel filler door, refer to Gas
cap82
Fuel level
– refer to Fuel tank capacity83
Fuel tank capacity, refer to
Capacities114
Fully automatic convertible
top
27
Fuses102
G
Gas cap82
Gasoline, refer to Fuel
specifications83Gasoline gauge, refer to Fuel
gauge48
Gear indicator, automatic
transmission with
Steptronic42
Gear lever
– automatic transmission with
Steptronic42
– manual transmission42
Gearshifts
– automatic transmission with
Steptronic42
– manual transmission42
Glove compartment68
Gross weight, refer to
Weights113
H
Halogen lamps
– replacing bulbs99
Handbrake, refer to Parking
brake41
Hands-free microphone71
Hardtop, refer to the separate
Owner's Manual
Hardtop preparation77
Hazard warning flashers14
Headlamp control,
automatic59
Headlamp flasher44
– indicator lamp12
Headlamps
– bulb replacement99
– care, refer to the Caring for
your vehicle brochure
– cleaning45
– cleaning system, washer
fluid46
– cover99
– glass, care, refer to the
Caring for your vehicle
brochure
– washer reservoir, refer to
Washer fluid reservoir46
– washer reservoir volume,
refer to Capacities114
Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
121
Head restraints32
– removing32
– safe seating position30
Heated
– mirrors34
– rear window63,67
– seats33
Heating
– mirrors34
– rear window63,67
– seats33
Heavy loads, refer to Cargo
loading76
Height, refer to
Dimensions111,112
Height adjustment
– seats31
– steering wheel35
High beams60
– bulb replacement99
– headlamp flasher44
– indicator lamp12
High temperatures74
Holders for beverages69
Homepage of BMW4
Hood91
Horn10
Hot exhaust system74
Hydraulic Brake Assistant,
refer to Dynamic Brake
Control DBC51
Hydraulics, brake95
Hydroplaning75
I
Ice warning, refer to Outside
temperature warning48
Identification mark
– Run-Flat Tires88
– tire coding86
– tires88,89
Ignition, refer to Ignition
switched on40
Ignition key positions, refer to
Ignition lock40
Ignition keys, refer to The key
set18
Ignition lock40Imprint2
Inclines75
Indicator/warning lamp12
– airbags57
– alarm system24
– automatic transmission with
Steptronic43
– brakes13
– coolant temperature49
– DSC51
– DTC52
– engine oil level92
– engine oil pressure92
– engine temperature49
– fasten safety belts33
– Flat Tire Monitor53
– passenger airbags37
– reserve48
– Tire Pressure Monitor55
Indicator and warning lamps,
overview12
Individual vehicle
– equipment, refer to Your
individual vehicle5
Inflation pressure, refer to Tire
inflation pressure84
Inflation pressure monitoring,
refer to
– Flat Tire Monitor53
– Tire Pressure Monitor54
Initializing
– after power supply
interruption102
– Flat Tire Monitor FTM53
– windows25
Inspection49
Instrument cluster12
Instrument lighting60
Instrument panel, refer to
Cockpit10
Instrument panel, refer to
Instrument cluster12
Interior lamps61
– remote control19
Interior motion sensor
24
Interior rearview mirror34
– automatic dimming
feature34Interior temperature
adjusting63,66
Interlock, refer to Steering
locked40,42
Intermittent
– operation of the wipers45
Interval
– display, service49
J
Jack101
Jacking points102
Jets, refer to
Ventilation63,67
Jump-starting104
K
Key Memory18
Keys18
Keys, refer to The key set18
Key switch for passenger
airbags36
Kickdown43
Knee airbags56
Knock control83
L
Lamps59
Lamps and bulbs98
LATCH, child-restraint
mounting system38
Leather care, refer to the
Caring for your vehicle
brochure
LEDs Light-emitting
diodes98
Length, refer to
Dimensions111,112
License plate lamps, bulb
replacement101
Light-alloy wheels, care, refer
to the Caring for your vehicle
brochure
Light-emitting diodes
LEDs98
Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
123
Oil, refer to Engine oil92
Oil level92
– checking93
Oil service49
Onboard computer, refer to
Computer50
Onboard tool kit98
On-call services, refer to
Roadside Assistance103
Opening
– from inside21
Opening and closing the
vehicle
– at the door lock20
– from inside21
– from outside19
– with the remote control19
Outlets, refer to
Ventilation63,67
Outside temperature display
– changing units of
measure50
– in the onboard computer50
Outside temperature
warning48
Overheated engine, refer to
Coolant temperature49
P
Paintwork, refer to the Caring
for your vehicle brochure
Parking brake41
– indicator lamp13,41
Parking lamps, refer to
Parking lamps/Low
beams59
Parking lamps/Low beams59
– bulb replacement99
Parking lock, refer to P
Parking42
Passenger airbags
– deactivation37
– reactivation37
Passenger-side mirror tilt
function34
Pathway lighting60
Permissible axle load, refer to
Weights113Permissible gross weight,
refer to Weights113
Pinch protection system
– windows25
Placing the vehicle in storage,
refer to the Caring for your
vehicle brochure
Plastic, refer to the Caring for
your vehicle brochure
Pollen
– refer to Microfilter64
– refer to Microfilter/activated-
charcoal filter67
Power
– windows, refer to
Windows24
Power convertible top27
Power failure102
Power output, refer to Engine
data110
Power steering, electric56
Power windows
– initializing25
Pressure, tires84
Pressure monitoring, tires,
refer to
– Flat Tire Monitor53
– Tire Pressure Monitor
TPM54
Protective function, refer to
Pinch protection system25
R
Radio, refer to the separate
Owner's Manual
Radio navigation, refer to the
separate Owner's Manual
Radio remote control key,
refer to Master keys with
remote control18
Rain sensor45
Reading lamps61
Rear lamps
– bulb replacement101
– indicator lamp, defective
bulb13
Rearview mirror, refer to
Mirrors34Rear window defroster
– air conditioning63
– automatic climate control67
Recirculated-air mode
– air conditioning63
– automatic climate control67
Recirculating the air, refer to
Recirculated-air
mode63,67
Reclining seat, refer to
Seats30
Refueling82
Releasing
– hood91
Remaining distance, refer to
Cruising range50
Remote control19
– luggage compartment lid19
– malfunction20
– tailgate19
Repairs
– refer to Maintenance
system96
Replacement key, refer to
New keys18
Replacement of tires88
Replacing lamps, refer to
Lamps and bulbs98
Replacing tires, refer to Wheel
and tire replacement88
Reserve
– indicator lamp, refer to Fuel
gauge48
Restraint systems
– for children37,38
– refer to Safety belts33
Reverse gear
– automatic transmission with
Steptronic43
– manual transmission42
Roadside Assistance103
Roadside parking lamps60
Rod antenna, refer to the
Caring for your vehicle
brochure
Roller-blind cover70
Rope, refer to Towing
methods106