2008 BMW M3 winter tires

Mobility
209Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Temperature
The temperature grades are A, the highest, B,
and C, representing the tire's resistance 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.<
M+S
Winter and all-season tires.
These have better winter properties than sum-
mer tires.
XL
Designation for specially reinforced tires.
Tire condition
Inspect your tires frequently for tread wear,
signs of damage and for foreign objects lodged
in the tread. Check the tread depth.
Minimum tread depth
The tread depth should not drop below 1/8 in/
3 mm, although, for example, European legisla-
tion only specifies a minimum tread depth of
1/16 in/1.6 mm. At tread depths below 1/8 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.
When winter tires wear down past a tread depth
of 1/6 in/4 mm, they become perceptibly less suitable for winter conditions. In the interest of
safety, new tires should be installed.
Wear indicators in the base of the tread groove
are distributed around the tire's circumference;
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
Please note that low-profile tires cause wheels,
tires and suspension parts to be more suscep-
tible to road hazard and consequential dam-
ages.
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. 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.
Otherwise, tire damage can pose a lethal hazard
to vehicle occupants and other road users.<
New wheels and tires
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. If this

Wheels and tires
210 work is not carried out properly, there is a dan-
ger of subsequent damage and related safety
h a z a r d s . M a k e s u re t h a t t h e n e w w h ee l s a r e b a l-
anced.<
Retreaded tires
BMW recommends that you do not use
retreaded tires, since driving safety may
be impaired. The causes for this include poten-
tially different tire casing structures and often
wide variations in tire age, which can result in a
limited service life.<
Correct 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, which could
lead to body contact and thus to severe acci-
dents. When selecting tires, also take their load
capacity into account. If non-approved wheels
and tires are used, BMW cannot evaluate their
suitability, and therefore cannot guarantee their
driving safety.<
You can inquire about the right wheel/tire com-
bination 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 or DSC.
To maintain good handling and vehicle
response, use only tires of a single brand and
tread configuration. After a tire has been dam-
aged, mount the previous wheel and tire combi-
nation again as soon as possible.
Wheels with Tire Pressure Monitor
TPM electronics
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 puncture, refer to page86. Your BMW center
will be glad to advise you.
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.
Special characteristics of winter tires
BMW recommends winter tires for use in cold
winter driving conditions. Although all-season
M+S tires provide better winter traction than
summer tires, they generally fail to provide the
same levels of cold-weather performance as
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.<
Storage
Store wheels and tires in a cool, dry place with
as little exposure to light as possible. Always
protect tires against all contact with oil, grease
and fuels. Do not exceed the maximum tire
inflation pressure indicated on the sidewall of
the tire.
Swapping wheels between axles
BMW advises against swapping wheels
between the front and rear axles, even if all tires
have the same size, as this could impair driving
characteristics. With standard-equipment tires

Everything from A - Z
246
Everything from A - Z
Index
"..." Identifies Control Display
texts used to select
individual functions and
refers you to the page where
these texts can be found.
A
ABS Antilock Brake
System82
Acceleration assistant, refer to
Launch Control62
Accident, refer to Sending an
Emergency Request230
Activated-charcoal filter for
automatic climate
control100
"Activation time"100
Adaptive Head Light94
"Add digits" on the mobile
phone186
Additives
– coolant222
"Address book" in
navigation134
Address for navigation
– deleting136
– entering126,134
– selecting135
– storing134
– storing current position135
"Add to destination list"129
Adjusting temperature inside
the car, refer to Automatic
climate control97
Adjusting the thigh support41
Adjusting the tone during
audio operation, refer to
Tone control153
Airbags89
– indicator/warning lamp91
– sitting safely40Air conditioning mode
– automatic climate control97
– ventilation99
Air distribution
– automatic98
– individual97
Air flow rate98
Airing, refer to Ventilation99
Air pressure, refer to Tire
inflation pressure206
Air recirculation, refer to
Recirculated-air mode98
"Air recirculation on / off"47
Air supply
– automatic climate control97
– ventilation99
Air vents96
AKI, refer to Fuel
specifications204
Alarm system34
– avoiding unintentional
alarms35
– interior motion sensor35
– switching off an alarm34
– tilt alarm sensor35
"All channels" for satellite
radio163
All-season tires, refer to
Winter tires
210
"All stations", displaying with
the radio156
"AM", waveband152,156
Ambient air, refer to
Recirculated-air mode98
Antenna for mobile phone178
Antifreeze
– coolant222
– washer fluid65
Antilock Brake System
ABS82
Anti-theft alarm system, refer
to Alarm system34
Anti-theft system29Approved axle loads, refer to
Weights240
Approved gross vehicle
weight, refer to Weights240
Armrest, refer to Center
armrest106
Arrival time, refer to
Computer69
Arrival time, refer to Starting
destination guidance139
Arrow display for
navigation140
"Arrow display" in
navigation140
Ashtray
– front107
– rear108
Assist193
Assistance systems, refer to
Driving stability control
systems82
Assistance window20
– refer to iDrive20
"Assist profile"199
AUC Automatic recirculated-
air control98
"Audio"155,159
Audio152
– controls152
– switching on/off152
– tone control153
– volume153
"Audio", refer to Tone
control153
Audio device, external106
Automatic
– air distribution98
– air flow rate98
– BMW Teleservice Call195
– cruise control65
– headlamp control92
– storing of stations157
Automatic car washes214

Everything from A - Z
254
J
Jacking points228
Joystick, refer to iDrive16
Jumpering, refer to Jump
starting231
Jump starting231
K
Key, refer to Remote
control28
Keyless go, refer to
Convenient access35
Keyless opening and closing,
refer to Convenient
access35
Key Memory, refer to Personal
Profile28
Knock control204
L
Lamps
– automatic headlamp
control92
– parking lamps/low beams92
Lamps and bulbs, replacing
bulbs223
"Language / Units"71
"Language / Units" in
navigation125,142
"Language" on the Control
Display79
"Languages" in
navigation125,142
Lap-and-shoulder belt, refer
to Safety belts44
Lashing eyes, refer to
Securing cargo117
Last destinations, refer to
Destination list133
"Last seat pos."44
LATCH child-restraint fixing
system52
Launch Control62
Leather care216
LED hand lamp106
LED light-emitting diodes223Length, refer to
Dimensions239
License plate lamp, replacing
bulb226
Light-alloy wheels215
Light-emitting diodes
LED223
Lighter107
– connecting electrical
appliances108
"Lighting"63
Lighting
– instruments94
– lamps and bulbs223
– vehicle, refer to Lamps92
Light switch92
"Limit"79
Limit, refer to Speed limit78
Load securing equipment,
refer to Securing cargo117
Lock buttons, doors, refer to
Locking32
Locking
– adjusting confirmation
signal31
– from inside32
– from outside30
– without remote control, refer
to Convenient access35
Locking and unlocking doors
– confirmation signals31
– from inside32
– from outside29
Low-beam headlamps
92
– automatic92
Lower back support, refer to
Lumbar support41
Luggage compartment lid33
– convenient access36
– emergency operation, refer
to Opening manually33
– emergency release34
– locking or unlocking
separately33
– opening from inside33
– opening from outside33
– opening manually33
– remote control30Luggage rack, refer to Roof-
mounted luggage rack117
Lumbar support41
M
M+S tires, refer to Winter
tires210
Maintenance, refer to Service
Booklet
Maintenance system212
Malfunction
– luggage compartment lid33
– tires86
Malfunction warnings, refer to
Check Control77
Manual
– BMW Teleservice Call195
Manual car wash215
"Manual" on the radio157
Manual operation
– door lock32
– driver's door32
– fuel filler door204
– glass roof39
– luggage compartment lid33
– transmission lock59
Manual transmission56
– tow-starting234
Map
– changing scale141
– destination entry131
"Map direction of travel"141
"Map facing north"141
Master key, refer to Remote
control28
Maximum cooling98
Maximum speed
– with winter tires210
"M DKG Drivelogic"48
MDM, refer to M Dynamic
Mode82
MDrive48

Reference 259
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Shock absorber control, refer
to Electronic Damper
Control EDC84
Short commands for the voice
command system242
Shortest route in navigation,
refer to Selecting route137
"Short route" in
navigation137
"Show current position"132
"Show destination
position"132
Shuffled, refer to Random
– CD changer168
– CD player168
Side airbags89
Side window blind, refer to
Roller sun blinds105
Side windows, refer to
Windows37
Signal horn, refer to
Horn10,11
Sitting safely40
– with airbags40
– with head restraint40
– with safety belts40
Ski bag110
Sliding/tilt sunroof, refer to
Glass roof, electric38
Slot for remote control54
Smokers' package, refer to
Ashtray107
Snap-in adapter191
Snap-in adapter, refer to
Center armrest storage
compartment106
Snow chains211
Socket, On-Board Diagnosis
OBD213
Socket, refer to Connecting
electrical appliances108
Song search, refer to Playing a
track167
SOS, refer to Sending an
Emergency Request230
Sound output for
entertainment on/off152
Spare fuses,229Spare fuses, refer to
Fuses229
Speaking, refer to Voice
instructions from navigation
system142
Speed
– with winter tires210
Speed-dependent volume
control153
Speed limit78
Speed limit warning, refer to
Speed limit78
Speedometer12
"Speed volume", refer to Tone
control154
"Sport"
63
"Sport Plus"63
"Sport" with EDC84
Spray nozzles, refer to
Cleaning windshield and
headlamps64
Stability control, refer to
Driving stability control
systems82
Start/stop button54
– starting the engine55
– switching off the engine55
"Start guidance"129
Starting, refer to Starting the
engine55
Starting assistance, refer to
Jump starting231
Starting difficulties
– jump starting231
Starting the engine
– start/stop button54
Start menu17
"Start service"194
"Start service" for BMW
Assist197
"State / Province" in
destination entry127
Station
– refer to Radio156
"Status"73
Status of this Owner's Manual
at time of printing5
Steam jet214,215Steering wheel46
– adjustment46
– buttons on steering
wheel11
– freely programmable
buttons47
– lock54
– locking with convenient
access36
– MDrive button48
– programmable buttons47
– shift paddles59
"Steering wheel buttons"47
Steering wheel buttons, refer
to Shift paddles59
"Stopwatch"79
Stopwatch79
Storage217
Storage compartments106
Storage nets109
"Store" for satellite radio164
"Store in address book" in
navigation135
"Store" on the radio158
Storing current position135
Storing radio stations158
Storing seat positions, refer to
Seat and mirror memory
43
Storing tires210
Stowage, refer to Storage
compartments106
"Street" in destination
entry129
Summer tires, refer to Wheels
and tires206
Sun blinds105
Surface ice, refer to Outside
temperature warning67
"Surround Settings", refer to
Tone control154
Switches, refer to Cockpit10
Switching off
– engine55
Switching on
– audio152
– CD changer152
– CD player152
– radio152

Everything from A - Z
260 Switching on the hour
signal75
Switching the cooling function
on and off99
Switch-on times of parked car
ventilation, preselecting100
Symbols4
– navigation system146
– status information20
– traffic info for navigation
system143
T
Tachometer67
Tail lamps225
– replacing bulb225
Tank contents, refer to
Capacities241
Technical data238
– capacities241
– dimensions239
Technical modifications, refer
to For your own safety5
Telematics, refer to BMW
TeleServices, BMW
Assist193
Telephone
– installation location, refer to
Center armrest106
– refer to separate Owner's
Manual
Telephone, refer to Mobile
phone178
"Telephone list"47
Temperature
– automatic climate control97
– changing unit of measure71
– coolant, refer to Coolant
temperature68
Temperature display
– outside temperature67
– outside temperature
warning67
– setting the units71
Tempomat, refer to Cruise
control65
Tensioning straps, refer to
Securing cargo117"Text language"80
"Theater" for Tone
control154
The individual vehicle5
Third brake lamp, refer to
Center brake lamp226
Through-loading system108
Tilt alarm sensor35
Tilt function, passenger-side
mirror46
"Time"75
"Time / Date"75,76
"Time format"76
Timer, refer to Preselecting
switch-on times100
"Timer 2" for parked car
ventilation101
"Timer 1" for parked car
ventilation101
Tire inflation pressure206
– loss86
Tire pressure monitoring,
refer to Flat Tire Monitor84
Tire Pressure Monitor
TPM86
– resetting the system87
– system limitations86
– warning lamp88
Tire puncture, refer to Flat Tire
Monitor86
Tire Quality Grading208Tires
– age208
– air loss88
– breaking in114
– changing, refer to Changing
wheels228
– condition209
– damage209
– inflation pressure206
– labels208
– minimum tread depth209
– new wheels and tires209
– pressure monitoring, refer to
Flat Tire Monitor84
– pressure monitoring, refer to
Tire Pressure Monitor
TPM86
– puncture86
– replacing209
– size208
– storage210
– tread depth209
– wear indicators, refer to
Minimum tread depth209
– wheel/tire combination, refer
to Correct wheels and
tires210
– winter tires210
TMC station, refer to Traffic
information143
"Tone"153
Tone in audio mode
– adjusting153
– middle setting155
Tools, refer to Onboard tool
kit223
"Top 8" for mobile phone186
Torque, refer to Engine
data238
Touch tone dialing188
Tow bar233
Tow fitting232
– screw thread232
Tow fittings for tow-starting
and towing away232

Everything from A - Z
262 Volume distribution
– front/rear153
– left/right153
W
Warning and indicator
lamps13
Warning messages, refer to
Check Control77
Warning triangle231
Washer fluid65
– content of the reservoir65
Washer fluid reservoir65
Waste tray, refer to
Ashtray107
Water on roads, refer to
Driving through water115
Water penetration214,215
Waveband with the radio156
Wear indicators in tires, refer
to Minimum tread depth209
Weights240
Welcome lamps92
"Welcome light"93
Wheel/tire combination, refer
to Correct wheels and
tires210
Wheelbase, refer to
Dimensions239
Wheels, new209
Wheels and tires206
Width, refer to
Dimensions239
Windows37
– convenient operation30
– convenient operation with
convenient access36
– opening, closing37
– pinch protection system37
– safety switch38
Windows, indicator on Control
Display16
Windshield
– cleaning64Windshield wash64
– filling capacity, reservoir241
– nozzles65
– reservoir for washer fluid65
– washer fluid65
Windshield wiper blades,
changing223
Windshield wipers, refer to
Wiper system64
Winter tires210
– setting speed limit79
– storage210
Wiper blade replacement223
Wiper system64
"With highways" in
navigation137
Word-matching principle for
navigation138
Work in the engine
compartment
218
Wrench/screwdriver, refer to
Onboard tool kit223
X
Xenon lamps
– replacing bulb224
Y
Your individual vehicle
– settings, refer to MDrive48
– settings, refer to Personal
Profile28