2008 BMW 760LI tires

Things to remember when driving
124
Cargo loading
To avoid loading the tires beyond their
approved carrying capacity, never over-
load the vehicle. Overloading can lead to over-
heating of the tires and increases the rate at
which damage develops inside them. The ulti-
mate result can come in the form of a sudden
blow-out.<
Determining loading limit
1.Locate the following statement on your
vehicle's placard
*:
The combined weight of occupants
and cargo should never exceed
XXX lbs. or YYY kg; otherwise, the vehicle
may be damaged and unstable driving con-
ditions may result.<
2.Determine the combined weight of the
driver and passengers that will be riding in
your vehicle.
3.Subtract the combined weight of the driver
and passenger from XXX lbs. or YYY kg.
4.The resulting figure equals the available
amount of cargo and luggage load capacity.
For example, if the XXX amount equals
1400 lbs. and there will be five 150-lb. pas-
sengers in your vehicle, the amount of avail-
able cargo and luggage load capacity is
650 lbs.:
1400 lbs. minus 750 lbs. = 650 lbs.
5.Determine the combined weight of luggage
and cargo being loaded into the vehicle.
This weight may not safely exceed the avail-
able cargo and luggage load capacity calcu-
lated in step 4.6.If your vehicle will be towing a trailer, part of
the load from your trailer will be transferred
to your vehicle. Consult the manual for
transporting a trailer to determine how this
may reduce the available cargo and luggage
load capacity of the vehicle.
Load
The permissible load is the total of the weight of
occupants and cargo/luggage. The greater the
weight of occupants, the less cargo/luggage
can be transported.
Stowing cargo
>Place heavy cargo as far forward and as low
as possible, placing it directly behind the
bulkhead behind the rear seats.
>Cover sharp edges and corners.
>For very heavy cargo when the rear seat is
not occupied, secure each outside rear
safety belt in the opposite buckle.

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.

Mobility
201Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Tire inflation pressures for 750i/Li
Tire size Pressure specifications in psi/kPa
Traveling speeds
up to a max. of
100 mph / 160 km/hAll traveling speeds
including those exceeding
100 mph/160 km/h
All pressure specifications in
the table are indicated in psi/
kilopascal with cold tires.
Cold = ambient temperature
245/55 R 17 102 H M+S 32/220 32/220 32/220 33/230 32/220 38/260
245/50 R 18 100 V M+S A/S
245/50 R 18 100 W
245/50 R 18 100 H M+S
245/50 R 18 104 V M+S XL32/220 35/240 32/220 36/250 35/240 42/290
Front: 245/45 R 19 98 W 32/220 - 32/220 - 33/230 -
Rear: 275/40 R 19 101 W - 33/230 - 35/240 - 39/270
Front: 245/45 R 19 98 Y 32/220 - 32/220 - 32/220
Rear: 275/40 R 19 101 Y - 33/230 - 32/220 35/240
Front: 245/40 R 20 95 Y 32/220 - 32/220 - 33/230 -
Rear: 275/35 R 20 98 Y - 36/250 - 35/240 - 39/270
Front: 245/35 ZR 21 96 Y XL 33/230 - 35/240 - 36/250 -
Rear: 285/30 ZR 21 100 Y XL - 39/270 - 36/250 - 42/290
More details on the permissible load and weights can be found on page228.

Wheels and tires
202
Tire inflation pressures for 760i/Li
Tire size Pressure specifications in psi/kPa
Traveling speeds
up to a max. of
100mph / 160km/hAll traveling speeds
including those exceeding
100 mph/160 km/h
All pressure specifications in
the table are indicated in psi/
kilopascal with cold tires.
Cold = ambient temperature
245/50 R 18 100 V M+S A/S
245/50 R 18 100 W
245/50 R 18 100 H M+S
245/50 R 18 104 V M+S XL32/220 33/230 33/230 38/260 35/240 41/280
Front: 245/45 R 19 98 Y 32/220 - 32/220 - 33/230 -
Rear: 275/40 R 19 101 Y - 32/220 - 32/220 - 33/230
Front: 245/40 R 20 95 Y 33/230 - 35/240 - 36/250 -
Rear: 275/35 R 20 98 Y - 35/240 - 35/240 - 38/260
Front: 245/35 ZR 21 96 Y XL 38/260 - 39/270 - 41/280 -
Rear: 285/30 ZR 21 100 Y XL - 38/260 - 39/270 - 41/280
More details on the permissible load and weights can be found on page228.

Mobility
203Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
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

Wheels and tires
204
Temperature
The temperature grades are A, B, and C, A
being highest, and represent the tire's resis-
tance to the generation of heat and its ability to
dissipate heat when tested under controlled
conditions 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 temperature 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 Vehi-
cle 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,
underinflation, or excessive loading, either sep-
arately or in combination, can cause heat
buildup and possible tire failure.<
RSC Run-flat tires
You will recognize run-flat tires by a circular
symbol containing the letters RSC on the side
of the tire, refer to page205.
M+S
Winter and all-season tires.
These have better winter properties than sum-
mer tires.
XL
Indicates specially reinforced tires.
Tire condition
Inspect your tires frequently for tread depth,
signs of damage and for foreign objects lodged
in the tread. Check the tread depth.
Minimum tread depth
The tread depth should not fall below 0.12 in/
3 mm, although, for example, European legisla-
tion only specifies a minimum tread depth of
0.063 in/1.6 mm.
At tread depths below 0.12 in/3 mm, there is an
increased risk of high-speed hydroplaning,
even when only small amounts of water are
present on the road surface.
Winter tires display a noticeable loss in their
ability to cope with cold-weather driving condi-
tions once the tread wears to below 0.16 in/
4 mm. To ensure continued safety, you should
always have such tires replaced.
Wear indicators at the tread-groove base, refer
to arrow, are distributed over the tire's circum-
ference and are marked on the side of the tire
with TWI – Tread Wear Indicator. If the tire tread
has been driven down to the wear indicators, a
tread depth of 0.063 in/1.6 mm has been
reached.
Wheel/tire damage
Please note that low profile tires make wheels,
tires, and suspension parts more susceptible to
road hazards and consequential damages.
Unusual vibrations encountered during normal
vehicle operation can indicate tire failure or
some other vehicle defect. This can, for exam-
ple, be caused by driving over curbs. These
kinds of problems may also be signaled by other
changes in vehicle response, such as a strong
tendency to pull to the left or right.
In these cases, reduce speed immedi-
ately and have wheels and tires thor-
oughly checked. Drive carefully to the nearest
BMW center or tire shop that works according
to BMW repair procedures with correspond-

Mobility
205Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
ingly trained personnel. If necessary, have the
vehicle towed there.
Tire damage can be extremely dangerous for
vehicle occupants and other road users.<
Run-flat tires*
You will recognize run-flat tires by a circular
symbol containing the letters RSC on the side
of the tire.
The run-flat tires consist of special rims and
tires that are self-supporting to a limited
degree. The tire reinforcement ensures that the
tire retains some residual safety in the event of
pressure drop and driving remains possible to a
restricted degree.
To continue driving with a damaged tire:
>When equipped with Flat Tire Monitor, refer
to Indication of a flat tire on page91.
>When equipped with Tire Pressure Monitor,
refer to Low tire pressure message on
page93.
New wheels and tires
Only have new wheels and tires mounted
by a BMW center or a tire specialist 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.<
Retreaded tires
BMW does not recommend the use of
retreaded tires; otherwise, driving safety
may be reduced. Possible variations in the
design and the age – which could be substantial
– of the tire casing structures can lead to unusu-
ally rapid wear.<
The right wheels and tires
BMW recommends that you use only
wheel and tire combinations that BMW
has tested and approved for your particular
vehicle. Variations in factors such as manufac-
turing tolerances mean that even wheels and
tires with identical official size ratings could
actually have different dimensions than the
approved units – these differences could lead to
body contact, and with it, the risk of severe acci-
dents. If non-approved wheels and tires are
used, BMW cannot evaluate their suitability,
and therefore cannot be held liable for driving
safety.<
You can ask your BMW center for the right
wheel and tire combination.
The correct wheel and tire combination affects
various systems whose function would other-
wise be impaired, such as ABS or DSC.
To maintain good handling and vehicle
response, use only tires of a single tread config-
uration from a single manufacturer. After a flat
tire, always remember to have the original
wheel and tire combination remounted on the
vehicle as soon as possible.
Wheels with electronics for
TPM Tire Pressure Monitor*
When mounting new tires or changing over
from summer to winter tires, or vice versa, only
use wheels with TPM electronics; otherwise the
Tire Pressure Monitor may not be able to detect
a flat tire, refer to page91. Your BMW center
will be glad to advise you.