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.
Wheels and tires
90
Snow chains*
Only certain fine-link snow chains have been
tested by BMW, classified as safe for use and
recommended. Consult your BMW center for
more information. Attach snow chains in pairs
and only to the rear wheels.
Observe the manufacturer's instructions when
mounting snow chains. Do not exceed a speed
of 30 mph/50 km/h when using snow chains.
You are not permitted to mount snow chains to
tires of the following sizes:
>255/40 R 17
>255/35 R 18
Do not initialize the Flat Tire Monitor if
snow chains are mounted
*, as this may
cause the instrument to issue an incorrect read-
ing.
When driving with snow chains, you may find it
helpful to activate DTC temporarily, refer to
page52.<
Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
99
Xenon lamps*
These bulbs have a very long service life and are
unlikely to fail. If one of these bulbs should nev-
ertheless fail, it is possible to continue driving
with great caution using the fog lamps, provided
traffic laws in your area do not prohibit this.
Have work on the xenon lighting system
performed only by your BMW center or a
workshop that works according to BMW repair
procedures with correspondingly trained per-
sonnel. Due to the high electrical voltages
present, there is a risk of potentially fatal acci-
dents if work is performed inappropriate.<
Parking lamps, roadside parking lamps
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.
Halogen lamps
For checking and adjusting headlamp
aim, please contact your BMW center.<
Access through the wheel well
1.Turn the wheel outwards.2.Open the flap in the wheel well. To do so,
turn the fastener counterclockwise using a
coin, for example.
3.Open up the flap in the wheel well.
Headlamp cover
1.Pull the wire clamp past the catches, see
arrows, and fold it down.
2.Flip the headlamp cover open and remove.
Reinstall the headlamp cover carefully. If
it is not on tight, the headlamp installation
could be damaged.<
Reinstall the headlamp cover in reverse order.
Low beams and high beams
1Low beams
2High beams
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
Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
117
B
Backrests, refer to Seat
adjustment31
Backup lamps
– bulb replacement101
Bandages, refer to First-aid
kit104
Bar, refer to Towing
methods106
Battery102
– charging102
– disposal102
– indicator/warning
lamp12,102
– jump-starting104
– power supply
interruption102
– remote control18
Being towed106
Belts, refer to Safety belts33
Belt tensioner, refer to Safety
belts33
Beverage holders69
Blower, refer to Air flow
rate63,66
BMW Homepage4
BMW Maintenance
System96
Bottle holders, refer to
Beverage holders69
Brake assist, refer to Dynamic
Brake Control DBC51
Brake fluid95
– indicator/warning
lamp13,95
– low level95
Brake Force Display56
Brake hydraulics, refer to
Brake system95
Brake hydraulic system
– indicator/warning lamp13
Brake lamps
– brake force display56
– bulb replacement101
– indicator lamp, defective
bulb13Brake pads76
– break-in procedures74
– warning lamp76
Brake pad wear indicator
– brake pads76
– indicator/warning lamp13
Brake rotors76
– brakes76
– break-in procedures74
Brakes
– ABS51
– brake fluid95
– brake pads
76
– braking safely76
– break-in procedures74
– indicator/warning
lamps13,52
– parking brake41
Brake system95
– brake fluid95
– brake pads76
– break-in procedures74
– disc brakes76
– indicator/warning lamp13
Breakdown service, refer to
Roadside Assistance103
Breaking in the clutch74
Breaking in the differential,
refer to Engine and
differential74
Break-in procedures74
Bridging, refer to Jump-
starting104
Bulb changing, refer to Lamps
and bulbs98
Bulb replacement, refer to
Lamps and bulbs98
Buttons on the steering
wheel11
C
California Proposition 65
warning5
Can holders, refer to Beverage
holders69
Capacity
– cargo bay, refer to
Weights113Car battery, refer to Vehicle
battery102
Car care, refer to the Caring
for your vehicle brochure
Care, refer to the Caring for
your vehicle brochure
Care products, refer to the
Caring for your vehicle
brochure
Cargo bay23
– capacity113
– emergency release23
– floor panel98
– increasing capacity23
– opening and closing21,22
– opening from inside the
vehicle21,22
– opening from the outside21
– roll-up cover70
Cargo loading
– stowing cargo77
– vehicle77
Car jack
– jacking points102
Car keys, refer to The key
set18
Carpet care, refer to the
Caring for your vehicle
brochure
Car phone, refer to the
separate Owner's Manual
Car radio, refer to the separate
Owner's Manual
Car wash, refer to the Caring
for your vehicle brochure
Catalytic converter, refer to
Hot exhaust system75
CD changer, refer to Owner's
Manual for Radio/Onboard
Computer
CD operation, refer to Owner's
Manual for Radio/Onboard
Computer
Center console, refer to
Around the center
console14
Center high-mount brake
lamp, bulb replacement101
Everything from A to Z
118 Central locking
– from inside21
Central locking system19
Changes, technical, refer to
For your own safety5
Changing a wheel101
– Run-Flat Tires101
Charge indicator lamp12,102
Check gas cap, indicator
lamp13
Child-restraint mounting
system, LATCH38
Child-restraint systems37
Child seat, refer to Installing
child-restraint systems37
Chrome parts, refer to the
Caring for your vehicle
brochure
Cigarette lighter69
Cleaning the rear window,
refer to the Caring for your
vehicle brochure
Cleaning the vehicle, refer to
the Caring for your vehicle
brochure
Cleaning the windows
– automatically, refer to Rain
sensor45
– reservoir capacity114
– spray nozzles46
– washer/wiper system45
– washer fluid46
– washer fluid reservoir46
Clock49
– 12h/24h mode50
– onboard computer50
– setting50
– setting, refer also to Owner's
Manual for Radio/Onboard
Computer
Clothes hooks71
Cockpit10
Cold start, refer to Starting the
engine40
Combination, wheel/tire88
Comfort area, refer to Around
the center console14Compact disc operation, refer
to Owner's Manual for
Radio/Onboard Computer
Computer50
– button BC50
– clock, 12h/24h mode50
– refer to Owner's Manual for
Onboard Computer
Computer, refer to the
separate Owner's Manual
Condensation, refer to When
the vehicle is parked77
Condensation, removing from
windows
– air conditioning63
– automatic climate control66
Configuring settings, refer to
Vehicle Memory, Key
Memory18
Connecting vacuum cleaner,
refer to Connecting
electrical appliances70
Consumption, refer to
Average fuel
consumption50
Consumption display, refer to
Fuel gauge48
Controls, refer to Cockpit10
Convenience operation
– convertible top20
– from outside20
– windows20
Convertible top25,27
– care, refer to the Caring for
your vehicle brochure
– convenience operation20
– electrical fault28
– emergency closing28
– fully automatic27
– malfunction28
– manual25
– mechanical25
Convertible top compartment
panel23
Coolant94
– checking level94
– indicator lamp13
– thermometer49
Coolant temperature49Coolant water, refer to
Coolant94
Cooling
– maximum66
– refer to Switching cooling
function on/off63,66
Cooling fluid, refer to
Coolant94
Cooling function
– air conditioning63
– automatic climate control66
Cooling system, refer to
Capacities114
Cooling system, refer to
Coolant94
Copyright2
Correct tires89
Cruise control46
Cruising range50
Cup holders, refer to
Beverage holders69
Curb weight, refer to
Weights113
Cylinders, refer to Engine
data110
D
Dashboard, refer to
Cockpit10
Dashboard lighting, refer to
Instrument lighting60
Data, technical
– capacities114
– dimensions111,112
– engine110
– measurements111,112
– weights113
Daytime running lamps59
DBC Dynamic Brake
Control51
– indicator/warning lamp13
Deadlocking, refer to
Locking19
Defective bulb59
Defrosting, windows63,66
Defrosting the windshield,
refer to Defrosting
windows63,66