2009 BMW 6 SERIES flat tire

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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 page218.
M+S
Winter and all-season tires.
These have better winter properties than sum-
mer 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 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 noticeably loose their suitability for
winter use below a tread depth of 0.16 in/4 mm.
For the sake of safety, new tires should be
installed.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 cause wheels,
tires and suspension parts to be more suscep-
tible to road hazards 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. 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. 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 be extremely dangerous to vehicle
occupants and other road users.<

Wheels and tires
218
Run-flat tires
You will recognize run-flat tires by the circular
symbol containing the letters RSC on the side
of the tire.
Run-flat tires consist of partially self-contained
tires and special rims. The sidewall reinforce-
ment 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:
>With Flat Tire Monitor, refer to Indication of
a flat tire, page92
>With Tire Pressure Monitor, refer to Mes-
sage with low tire inflation pressure,
page93
New wheels and tires
Only have new wheels and tires mounted
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. Make sure that the new wheels are bal-
anced.<
Retreaded tires
BMW does not recommend that you use
retreaded tires, as driving safety may be
impaired. The causes for this include the possi-
bly different tire casing structures and the often
wide variations in their age, which can result in a
limited service life.<
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 inquire about the right wheel/tire com-
bination at your BMW center.
The right wheel-and-tire combination is
another vital factor in ensuring reliable opera-
tion of various vehicle systems such as ABS
and DSC.
To maintain good handling and vehicle
response, use only tires of a single tread config-
uration from a single manufacturer. Following
tire damage, 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 converting from
summer to winter tires or vice versa, only use
wheels with TPM electronics, otherwise the
Tire Pressure Monitor cannot detect a flat tire,
refer to page92. Your BMW center will be
happy to advise you on this subject.

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Recommended tire brands
Certain tire makes are recommended by BMW
depending on the tire size. You can recognize
these from the clearly visible BMW marking on
the tire sidewall.
When used properly, these tires comply with
the most demanding standards for safety and
vehicle response.
Run-flat tires
When mounting new tires, or changing from
summer to winter tires or vice versa, use run-flat
tires for your own safety. In addition, no spare
tire is available in case of a flat tire. Your BMW
center will be glad to advise you.
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.
Watch speed
Always observe the maximum permissi-
ble speed for the winter tires, otherwise
tire damage may occur, which can result in 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 side wall of
the tire.
Rotating wheels between axles
BMW does not recommend moving the front
wheels to the rear or vice versa, as otherwise
the handling characteristics may be impaired.
With tires of different makes and types
* such a
change is not permissible.
Snow chains*
BMW only tests certain fine-link snow chains,
classifies them as road-safe and recommends
them. Consult your BMW center for more infor-
mation.
These snow chains are approved exclusively for
use in pairs on the rear wheels with the tire size:
>245/50 R 17
>245/45 R 18
Observe the manufacturer's instructions when
mounting snow chains. Do not exceed a speed
of 30 mph/50 km/h with the chains mounted.
Do not initialize the Flat Tire Monitor after
installing snow chains as this could cause
the Flat Tire Monitor to malfunction.
When driving with snow chains, it may be prac-
tical to briefly activate DTC, refer to page89.<

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License plate lamps
5-watt bulb, W5W
1.Push a screwdriver from the left under the
lamp and pry out the lamp toward the right.
2.Turn the bulb holder to the left by 905 and
remove.
3.Remove and replace the bulb.
Changing wheels
Your BMW is equipped with run-flat tires as a
standard feature. An immediate wheel change
in the event of a flat tire is therefore no longer
required.
To continue driving with a damaged tire:
>With Flat Tire Monitor, refer to Indication of
a flat tire, page92
>With Tire Pressure Monitor, refer to Mes-
sage with low tire inflation pressure,
page93
You will recognize run-flat tires by a circular
symbol containing the letters RSC on the side
of the tire, refer to Run-flat tires on page218.
If you have new tires mounted or switch from
summer to winter tires, or vice versa, use run-
flat tires because no spare tire is provided in
case of a flat. Your BMW center will be glad to
advise you.
Also refer to New wheels and tires, page218.
The suitable tools for changing tires are
available as accessories from your BMW
center.<
Car jacking points
The jacking points for the car jack are located in
the positions shown.
Vehicle battery
Battery care
The battery is 100 % maintenance-free, i.e., the
electrolyte will last for the life of the battery
when the vehicle is operated in a temperate cli-
mate.
Your BMW center will be glad to advise in all
matters concerning the battery.
Charging battery
Only charge the battery in the vehicle via the
terminals in the engine compartment with the
engine switched off. Connections, refer to
Jump starting on page236.
Disposal
Have old batteries disposed of by your
BMW center or hand them in to a recy-
cling center. Maintain the battery in an upright
position for transport and storage. Always
restrain the battery to prevent it from tipping
over during transport.<
Power failure
Following a temporary power failure, e.g. due to
a discharged battery, the use of some equip-
ment will be restricted, requiring its reinitializa-
tion. In the same way, individual settings are lost
and must be updated again:

Reference 253
At a glance
Controls
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Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Car wash61,128
– refer to Before driving into a
car wash128
– with comfort access40
Car washes227
Catalytic converter, refer to
Hot exhaust system127
"Categories"172
CBC Cornering Brake
Control88
CBS Condition Based
Service225
"CD"160,174
CD changer174
– controls160
– fast forward/reverse178
– installation location178
– random sequence177
– repeating a track177
– sampling tracks176
– selecting a CD174
– selecting a track175
– switching on/off160
– tone control161
– volume161
CD player174
– controls160
– fast forward/reverse178
– random sequence177
– repeating a track177
– sampling a track176
– selecting a track175
– switching on/off160
– tone control161
– volume161
Center armrest, adjusting
height119
Center console14
"Central locking"32
Central locking
– from inside34
– from outside32
Central locking system31
– comfort access38
– hotel function35
Changes, technical, refer to
For your own safety6
Changing language on
Control Display86Changing scale for
navigation150
Changing units of measure on
Control Display86
Changing wheels
218,233
CHECK button82
Check Control81
"Check Control
messages"82
Check Gas Cap212
Checking air pressure, refer to
Tire inflation pressure214
Child restraint fixing system
LATCH58
Child restraint systems58
Child seats, refer to
Transporting children
safely58
Chrome-plated parts230
Chrome polish230
Cigarette lighter121
Cigarette lighter socket, refer
to Connecting electrical
devices121
Cleaning your BMW, refer to
Care227
"Climate"111
Clock76
– 12h/24h format85
– hour signal85
– setting time and date84
Closing
– from inside34
– from outside32
Closing fuel filler cap212
Clothes hooks, Coupe120
Cockpit10
Cold start, refer to Starting
engine61
Combined instrument, refer to
Instrument cluster12
Comfort access38
– observe in car wash40
– replacing battery, remote
control40
Comfort closing
– windows, with comfort
access with Coupe39
– with comfort access39"Communi-
cation"192,202,203
Compact Disc
– refer to CD changer174
– refer to CD player174
Compartment for remote
control, refer to Ignition
lock60
Compartments, refer to
Storage compartments120
Compressed audio files174
Computer77
– displays on Control
Display
78
– hour signal85
"Concert hall", tone
control162
"Concierge"205
Concierge service204
Condensation, refer to When
vehicle is parked128
Condition Based Service
CBS225
"Confirmation"33
Confirmation signals for
locking and unlocking33
Connecting car vacuum
cleaner, refer to Connecting
electrical devices121
Consumption display, refer to
Average fuel
consumption77
Consumption statistics, refer
to Average fuel
consumption77
"Continue guidance to
destination?"149
"Contrast" with BMW Night
Vision102
Control Center, refer to
iDrive16
Control Display, refer to
iDrive16
– setting brightness85
– switching off/on22
Controller, refer to iDrive16
Controls, refer to Cockpit10

Everything from A to Z
254 Convenient operation
– convertible top33,34
– glass sunroof32,34
– windows32,34
Convertible
– convertible program for
automatic climate
control111
– opening and closing
windows41
– rollover protection
system97
– top44
– wind deflector47
Convertible top
– closing manually45
– convenient operation34
– emergency closing45
– opening and closing44
Convertible top care228
Coolant223
– checking level224
– temperature76
Cooling, maximum113
Cooling fluid, refer to
Coolant223
Cooling function, automatic
climate control113
Cooling system, refer to
Coolant223
Copyright2
Cornering Brake Control
CBC88
Country of destination for
navigation137
Courtesy lamps, refer to
Interior lamps108
Cradle for telephone or mobile
phone119
Cruise control67
– active cruise control68
Cruising range77
Cup holders15,120
Curb weight, refer to
Weights245
"Current position"155Current position
– displaying155
– entering144
– storing144
"Curve mode" with BMW
Night Vision102
"Customer
Relations"196,204
Cylinders, refer to Engine
data
242
D
Dashboard, refer to
Cockpit10
Dashboard lighting, refer to
Instrument lighting108
Data, technical242
– dimensions243
– engine242
– weights245
"Date"85
Date76
– date format85
– setting85
"Date format"85
"Daytime running
lamps"105,108
Daytime running lamps105
– replacing bulbs232
"Deactivated"52
Defect
– door lock34
– glass sunroof43
– luggage compartment lid36
– tires, refer to Flat Tire
Monitor90
– tires, refer to Tire Pressure
Monitor92
Defrosting windows112
Defrosting windows and
removing condensation112
Defrosting windshield, refer to
Defrosting windows112
Defrost position, refer to
Defrosting windows112
"Delete address book" in
navigation146"Delete all numbers" in mobile
phone mode195
"Delete data" in
navigation146
"Delete" in mobile phone
mode195
Destination address
– deleting145
– entering136,139
Destination for navigation
– destination list143
– entering via voice139
– entry136
– selecting from address
book145
– selecting using
information142
– storing144
Destination guidance148
– bypassing route
sections152
– canceling voice
instructions57
– changing specified
route
146
– displaying route149
– distance and arrival148
– interrupting148
– starting148
– terminating/continuing148
– voice instructions151
– volume of voice
instructions152
Destination list for
navigation143
Destinations recently driven
to143
"Details" in audio
mode176,182
"Details" in radio mode172
"Detour" in navigation155
"Dial" in mobile phone
mode193
"Dial number"193
"Diamond button"57
Digital clock76
Digital radio, refer to High
Definition Radio168

Everything from A to Z
256 Engine
– breaking-in126
– data242
– overheated, refer to Coolant
temperature76
– speed242
– starting61
– starting, comfort access38
– switching off61
– switching off when equipped
with Automatic
transmission, with comfort
access40
Engine compartment221
Engine coolant223
Engine oil
– adding223
– additives, refer to Approved
engine oils223
– approved oils223
– electronic oil level check222
– interval between changes,
refer to Service
requirements79
– oil change223
– oil grades, refer to Approved
engine oils223
– recommended oils223
– temperature77
– temperature gauge77
"Engine oil level"222
Engine output, refer to Engine
data242
Engine speed, refer to Engine
data242
Engine starting, refer to
Starting engine61
"Enter address"136,144
Entering destination via town/
city name137
Entering intersection,
navigation138
Entering rear53
Entering the
address136,139
Entering town/city for
navigation137
Entering zip code for
navigation138"Entertainment"160
Entertainment sound output
on/off161
Entry map for destination141
Equalizer, refer to Tone
control163
"Equalizer", tone control163
"ESN"171
ESP Electronic Stability
Program, refer to DSC
Dynamic Stability
Control89
Event Data Recorders226
Exhaust system, refer to Hot
exhaust system127
Exterior mirrors55
– adjusting55
– automatic dimming
feature56
– automatic heating55
– folding in and out55
– tilting down passenger-side
exterior mirror56
External audio device119
Eye for tow-starting and
towing, refer to Tow
fitting237
F
Fader, refer to Tone
control162
"Fader", tone control162
Failure messages, refer to
Check Control81
False alarm
– refer to Avoiding
unintentional alarms38
– refer to Switching off
alarm37
Fastening safety belts, refer to
Safety belts54
Fastest route for
navigation146
"Fast route" in navigation147
Filler neck for washer fluid67
Filter, refer to Microfilter/
activated-charcoal filter114First aid, refer to First-aid
kit236
First-aid kit236
Flashing
– during locking/unlocking,
refer to Setting confirmation
signals33
– triple turn signal
activation66
Flat tire
– Flat Tire Monitor90
– run-flat tires92,93,218
– Tire Pressure Monitor92
– TPM Tire Pressure
Monitor92
– warning lamp92,93
Flat tire, refer to Run-flat
tires218
Flat Tire Monitor90
– false alarms91
– initializing system91
– snow chains219
– system limits91
– warning lamp92
Fluid reservoir, refer to Filler
neck for washer fluid67
FM, waveband164
"FM" waveband160,164
Fog lamps108
– indicator lamp13,108
Folding into raised position
convertible top
compartment floor,
Convertible37
Footbrake, refer to Braking
safely128
Footwell lamps, refer to
Interior lamps108
Forward, fast
– CD changer178
– CD player178
For your own safety
6
Freeway, refer to Route
criteria146
Front airbags95
Front passenger airbags
– deactivating96
"FTM"91

Reference 257
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
FTM, refer to Flat Tire
Monitor90
Fuel
– average consumption77
– display77
– fuel specifications213
– high-quality brands213
– quality213
– refer to Average fuel
consumption77
– specifications213
– tank contents, refer to
Capacities245
Fuel clock, refer to Fuel
gauge77
Fuel display, refer to Fuel
gauge77
Fuel-efficient driving
– refer to Saving fuel126
Fuel filler door212
– releasing in the event of
electrical malfunction212
Full mobile phone preparation
package186
Full screen display, refer to
Switching assistance
window off21
"Full screen" with BMW Night
Vision102
Fuses234
G
Garage door opener, refer to
Integrated universal remote
control117
Gasoline, refer to Fuel
specifications213
Gasoline, refer to Required
fuel213
Gasoline display, refer to Fuel
gauge77
Gearshift lever
– manual transmission62
General driving
notes126,127Glass sunroof, electric with
raise function42
– convenient operation34
– convenient operation with
comfort access39
– moving manually43
– remote control32
Glove compartment118
GPS navigation, refer to
Navigation system134
Grills, refer to Ventilation114
Gross vehicle weight, refer to
Weights245
H
Handbrake62
– indicator lamp13,62
Hands-free system, refer to
Microphone14
Hand washing228
Hazard warning flashers15
"HD radio"168
HD radio, refer to High
Definition Radio168
Head airbags95
Headlamp
– cleaning tank, refer to
Capacities245
Headlamp control,
automatic104
Headlamp flasher65
Headlamps
– cleaning, refer to Wiper
system66
– filler neck for washer
fluid221
– replacing bulbs231
Head Light, refer to Adaptive
Head Light106
Head restraints
– active front head
restraints52
– front52
– sitting safely49
Head-Up Display98,99Heated
– mirrors55
– rear window112
– seats55
– steering wheel56
Heating111
– exterior mirrors55
– interior110
– rear window112
– residual heat114
– seats55
– steering wheel56
Heating with engine switched
off, refer to Residual
heat114
Heavy cargo, refer to Securing
cargo130
Height, refer to
Dimensions243
Height adjustment
– seats50
– steering wheel56
High-beam assistant106
High beams106
– headlamp flasher106
– indicator lamp13
High Definition Radio168
High-pressure cleaning
jets
227,228
High water, refer to Driving
through water128
Hills128
Holder for cups120
"Home address" in
navigation146
Homepage of BMW4
Hood220
Horn10
Hotel function35
– unlocking manually35
Hot exhaust system127
"Hour memo"85
"House number" in
destination entry139
Hydraulic brake assist, refer to
Brake assist88
Hydroplaning127
– also refer to Minimum tread
depth217