
Technology for comfort, convenience and safety
92 4 persons without luggage:
approx. 95 miles/150 km
>With a full load:
4 or more persons, cargo bay full:
approx. 30 miles/50 km
Drive reservedly and do not exceed a 
speed of 50 mph/80 km/h. In the event of 
pressure loss, vehicle handling changes. This 
includes reduced tracking stability in braking, 
extended braking distance and altered natural 
steering characteristics.
If unusual vibrations or loud noises occur while 
the vehicle is being driven, this can indicate final 
failure of the damaged tire. Reduce speed and 
stop at a suitable location as soon as possible, 
otherwise pieces of the tire could become 
detached and cause an accident. Do not con-
tinue driving, but instead contact your BMW 
center.<
Malfunction
The yellow warning lamp flashes and 
then lights up continuously. The tires 
are shown in gray on the Control Dis-
play and a message is displayed. No flat tire can 
be detected.
A message like this is displayed in the following 
situations:
>In case of a malfunction;
have the system checked.
>If a wheel is mounted without TPM elec-
tronics.
>If TPM is temporarily interfered with by 
other systems or devices which use the 
same radio frequency.
Declaration according to NHTSA/
FMVSS 138 Tire Pressure Monitoring 
Systems
Each tire, including the spare, should be 
checked monthly when cold and inflated to the 
inflation pressure recommended by the vehicle 
manufacturer on the vehicle placard or tire infla-
tion pressure label. If your vehicle has tires of a 
different size than the size indicated on the 
vehicle placard or tire inflation pressure label, 
you should determine the proper tire inflation pressure for those tires. As an added safety fea-
ture, your vehicle has been equipped with a tire 
pressure monitoring system, TPMS, that illumi-
nates a low tire pressure telltale when one or 
more of your tires are significantly underin-
flated. Accordingly, when the low tire pressure 
telltale illuminates, you should stop and check 
your tires as soon as possible, and inflate them 
to the proper pressure. Driving on a significantly 
underinflated tire causes the tire to overheat 
and can lead to tire failure. Underinflation also 
reduces fuel efficiency and tire tread life, and 
may affect the vehicle's handling and stopping 
ability. Please note that the TPMS is not a sub-
stitute for proper tire maintenance, and it is the 
driver's responsibility to maintain correct tire 
pressure, even if underinflation has not reached 
the level to trigger illumination of the TPMS low 
tire pressure telltale.
The TPMS malfunction indicator is combined 
with the low tire pressure telltale. When the sys-
tem detects a malfunction, the telltale will flash 
for approximately one minute and then remain 
continuously illuminated. This sequence will 
continue upon subsequent vehicle startups as 
long as the malfunction exists. When the mal-
function indicator lights up, the system may not 
be able to detect or signal low tire pressure as 
intended. TPMS malfunctions may occur for a 
variety of reasons, including the installation of 
replacement or alternate tires or wheels on the 
vehicle that prevent the TPMS from functioning 
properly. Always check the TPMS malfunction 
telltale after replacing one or more tires or 
wheels on your vehicle to ensure that the 
replacement or alternate tires and wheels allow 
the TPMS to continue to function properly.
Active steering*
The concept
Active steering varies the turning angle of the 
front wheels in relation to steering wheel move-
ments. It also varies the steering force required 
to turn the wheels depending on the speed at 
which you are driving. 

Wheels and tires
202
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, even on the 
compact tire
*: at least twice a month and before 
starting long trips. Otherwise driving instability 
or tire damage, and therefore accidents, can 
result from incorrect tire inflation pressures. 
Do not drive with depressurized, 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 a loss of control over the vehicle.<
After correcting the tire inflation pressure, 
reinitialize the Flat Tire Monitor, refer to 
page89, or reset the Tire Pressure Monitor, 
refer to page90.<
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 tire infla-
tion pressure for your tires, observe the follow-
ing:
>Tire sizes of your vehicle>Load conditions
>Maximum allowable driving speed
Tire inflation pressures for speeds 
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 Traveling speeds up to max. 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 speeds 
above 100 mph/160 km/h
In order to drive at maximum speeds in 
excess of 100 mph/160 km/h, please 
observe, and, if necessary, adjust tire pressures 
for speeds exceeding 100 mph/160 km/h from 
the relevant table on the following pages. Oth-
erwise tire damage and accidents could 
occur.<
Observe all national and local maximum speed 
limits, otherwise violations of the law could 
occur. 

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528i
535i
Tire sizePressure specifications in psi/kPa
Compact wheel
*:
T 135/80 R 17 102 M61/420
Traveling speeds up 
to max. of 100 mph/
160 km/hTraveling speeds including those exceed-
ing 100 mph/160 km/h
All pressure specifications 
in the table are indicated in psi/
kilopascal with cold tires.
Cold = ambient temperature
245/45 R 17 95 W
245/45 R 17 99 V M+S XL32/220 33/230 32/220 33/230 35/240 42/290
225/50 R 17 94 V M+S
225/50 R 17 94 W
245/40 R 18 93 W
225/50 R 17 94 H M+S32/220 36/250 32/220 35/240 36/250 44/300
245/40 R 18 97 V M+S XL 32/220 38/260 32/220 38/260 38/260 45/310
Front: 245/40 R 18 93 W
Rear: 275/35R1895W32/220 33/230 32/220 33/230 36/250 42/290
Front: 245/35 R 19 93 Y XL
Rear: 275/30R1996YXL32/220 38/260 32/220 33/230 35/240 42/290
More details on the permissible load and weights can be found on page241.
Tire sizePressure specifications in psi/kPa
Compact wheel
*:
T 135/80 R 17 102 M61/420
Traveling speeds up 
to max. of 100 mph/
160 km/hTraveling speeds including those exceed-
ing 100 mph/160 km/h
All pressure specifications 
in the table are indicated in psi/
kilopascal with cold tires.
Cold = ambient temperature
245/45 R 17 95 W 
225/55 R 16 95 H M+S
245/45 R 17 99 V M+S XL32/220 35/240 32/220 33/230 35/240 42/290
225/50 R 17 94 M+S W
225/50 R 17 94 W 
225/50 R 17 94 H M+S32/220 36/250 32/220 35/240 38/260 45/310
245/40 R 18 93 W 32/220 38/260 32/220 35/240 38/260 45/310 

Wheels and tires
204
528i xDrive
245/40 R 18 97 V M+S XL 32/220 38/260 32/220 38/260 39/270 46/320
Front: 245/40 R 18 93 W
Rear: 275/35 R 18 95 W32/220 35/240 32/220 33/230 38/260 42/290
Front: 245/35 R 19 93 Y XL
Rear: 275/30 R 19 96 Y XL33/230 39/270 32/220 33/230 35/240 42/290
More details on the permissible load and weights can be found on page241.
Tire sizePressure specifications in psi/kPa
Tire sizePressure specifications in psi/kPa
Compact wheel
*:
T 135/80 R 17 102 M61/420
Traveling speeds up 
to max. of 100 mph/
160 km/hTraveling speeds including those exceed-
ing 100 mph/160 km/h
All pressure specifications 
in the table are indicated in psi/
kilopascal with cold tires.
Cold = ambient temperature
245/45 R 17 95 W
245/45 R 17 99 V M+S XL32/220 35/240 32/220 33/230 35/240 42/290
225/50 R 17 94 V M+S
225/50 R 17 94 W
225/50 R 17 94 H M+S
245/40 R 18 93 W
245/40 R 18 97 V M+S XL32/220 36/250 32/220 36/250 38/260 45/310
Front: 245/40 R 18 93 W
Rear: 275/35 R 18 95 W32/220 35/240 32/220 33/230 38/260 42/290
More details on the permissible load and weights can be found on page241. 

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535i xDrive
535i xDrive Touring
Tire sizePressure specifications in psi/kPa
Compact wheel
*:
T 135/80 R 17 102 M61/420
Traveling speeds up 
to max. of 100 mph/
160 km/hTraveling speeds including those exceed-
ing 100 mph/160 km/h
All pressure specifications 
in the table are indicated in psi/
kilopascal with cold tires.
Cold = ambient temperature
245/45 R 17 95 W
245/45 R 17 99 V M+S XL32/220 35/240 32/220 33/230 35/240 42/290
225/50 R 17 94 W M+S
225/50 R 17 94 W
225/50 R 17 94 H M+S32/220 36/250 32/220 36/250 38/260 45/310
245/40 R 18 93 W 33/230 36/250 33/230 36/250 38/260 45/310
245/40 R 18 97 V M+S XL 35/240 38/260 35/240 38/260 38/260 45/310
Front: 245/40 R 18 93 W
Rear: 275/35R1895W32/230 35/240 33/230 33/230 38/260 42/290
More details on the permissible load and weights can be found on page241.
Tire sizePressure specifications in psi/kPa
Compact wheel
*:
T 135/80 R 17 102 M61/420
Traveling speeds up 
to max. of 100 mph/
160 km/hTraveling speeds including those exceed-
ing 100 mph/160 km/h
All pressure specifications 
in the table are indicated in psi/
kilopascal with cold tires.
Cold = ambient temperature
225/50 R 17 94 W M+S
225/50 R 17 94 W
245/45 R 17 95 W
225/50 R 17 94 H M+S
245/45 R 17 99 V M+S XL33/230 41/280 33/230 41/280 38/260 45/310
245/40 R 18 93 Y 32/220 39/270 32/220 38/260 35/240 42/290
245/40 R 18 97 V M+S XL 36/250 44/300 36/250 44/300 41/280 48/330
More details on the permissible load and weights can be found on page241. 

Wheels and tires
206
550i
Tire identification marks
Knowledge of the labeling on the side of the tire 
makes it easier to identify and choose the right 
tires.
Tire sizeSpeed letter
Q = up to 100 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 sizePressure specifications in psi/kPa
Compact wheel
*:
T 135/80 R 17 102 M61/420
Traveling speeds up 
to max. of 100 mph/
160 km/hTraveling speeds including those exceed-
ing 100 mph/160 km/h
All pressure specifications 
in the table are indicated in psi/
kilopascal with cold tires.
Cold = ambient temperature
245/40 R 18 93 Y 32/220 38/260 32/220 35/240 33/230 41/280
245/45 R 17 95 W
245/45 R 17 99 V M+S XL
225/50 R 17 94 H M+S
225/50 R 17 94 W32/220 38/260 32/220 38/260 38/260 45/310
245/40 R 18 97 V M+S XL 33/230 39/270 33/230 39/270 39/270 46/320
Front: 245/40 R 18 93 Y
Rear: 275/35 R 18 95 Y32/220 35/240 32/220 32/220 33/230 38/260
Front: 245/35 R 19 93 Y XL
Rear: 275/30 R 19 96 Y XL35/240 39/270 33/230 38/260 38/260 45/310
More details on the permissible load and weights can be found on page241.
For instance
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 tires)225/50 R1794 W 

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Tire age
The manufacturing date of tires is contained in 
the tire coding: DOT … 1009 means that the 
tire was manufactured in week 10 of 2009.
BMW recommends that you replace all tires 
after 6 years at most, even if some tires may last 
for 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 government course as a tire graded 
100. The relative performance of tires depends 
upon the actual conditions of their use, how-
ever, and may depart significantly from the 
norm due to variations in driving habits, service 
practices and differences in road characteris-
tics and climate.
Traction
The traction grades, from highest to lowest, are 
AA, A, B, and C. 
These grades represent the tire's ability to stop 
on wet pavement, as measured under con-
trolled conditions on specified government test 
surfaces 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.<
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.<
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 page208.
M+S
Winter and all-season tires. 
These have better winter properties than sum-
mer tires. For instance
Manufacturer code
for tire make
Tire size and tire design
Tire age
DOT xxxx xxx 1009 

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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 recommends that you do not use 
retreaded tires, since driving safety may 
be impaired. The causes for this include the 
possibly 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 correct wheel/tire combination also affects 
various systems whose function would other-
wise be impaired, e.g., ABS, DSC or xDrive.
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 page90. Your BMW center will be 
happy to advise you on this subject.
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.
Paying attention to 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.