2010 BMW M3 SEDAN tires

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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 page216.
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.<
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.

Wheels and tires
216 The manufacturing date of tires is contained in
the tire coding:
DOT ... 3209 means that the tire was manufac-
tured in week 32 of 2009.
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-sup-
porting 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.
For information on continuing to drive with a flat
tire, refer to Indication of a flat tire, page85.
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
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
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, no spare wheel is available. Your
BMW center will be glad to advise you.
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. 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, DSC or
FTM.
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.

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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 winter roads
or at temperatures below +45°F/+76.
Although all-season M+S tires provide better
winter traction than summer tires, they gener-
ally 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.<
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
Always 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. If the tires are of mixed sizes,
swapping wheels between the axles is not per-
missible.
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.
Snow chains must be mounted in pairs and on
the rear wheels only. Observe the manufac-
turer's instructions when mounting snow
chains. Do not exceed a speed of 30 mph or
50 km/h.
Do not initialize the Flat Tire Monitor if
snow chains are mounted; otherwise, the
instrument might issue an incorrect reading.
When driving with snow chains, you may find it
helpful to activate DTC temporarily, refer to
page82.<

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235Reference
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3.Release the bulb holder at the clip, see
arrow, and remove.
4.Apply gentle pressure to the bulb while
turning it to the left for removal and replace-
ment.
5.Re-engage the bulb holder so that it audibly
clicks into place.
6.Reattach the trim of the tailgate.
License plate lamp, center brake lamp,
parking/tail lamp and turn signal*
These lamps use 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.
Changing wheels
Your BMW is equipped with run-flat tires as
standard. This removes the need to change a
wheel immediately in the event of a puncture.
For information on continuing to drive with a
damaged tire, refer to Indication of a flat tire on
page85.
The symbol identifying run-flat tires is a circle
with the letters RSC on the sidewall, refer to
Run-flat tires, page216.
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, no spare wheel is available. Your
BMW center will be glad to advise you. Refer
also to New wheels and tires, page216.The tools for changing wheels are avail-
able as optional accessories from your
BMW center.<
Jack mounting points
The jacking points are at the positions shown in
the illustration.
Vehicle battery
Battery care
The battery is 100 % maintenance-free, 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.
Replacing the battery
Only use vehicle batteries that have been
approved for your vehicle by the manu-
facturer; otherwise, the vehicle could be dam-
aged and systems or functions may not be fully
available.<
After a battery replacement, have the battery
registered on the vehicle by your service center
to ensure that all comfort functions are fully
available.
Charging the battery
Only charge the battery in the vehicle via the
terminals in the engine compartment with the
engine off. Connections, refer to Jump-starting
on page238.

Everything from A - Z
254
Everything from A - Z
Index
A
ABS Antilock Brake
System82
ACC, refer to Active cruise
control62
Accident, refer to Sending an
Emergency Request237
Activated-charcoal filter for
automatic climate
control100
Active cruise control62
– indicator lamps65
– malfunction66
– selecting distance64
– sensor66
Active steering88
Adaptive brake light
– Brake Force Display89
Adaptive light control93
Additives
– coolant222
Address, entering125,131
Address for navigation
– entering125
Adjusting temperature inside
the car, refer to Automatic
climate control98
Adjusting the thigh support42
Airbags90
– indicator/warning lamp91
– sitting safely41
Air conditioning mode
– automatic climate control98
– ventilation100
Air distribution
– automatic98
Airing, refer to Ventilation100
Air pressure, refer to Tire
inflation pressure201
Air recirculation, refer to
Recirculated-air mode99Air supply
– automatic climate control98
– ventilation100
Air vents97
Air volume98
AKI, refer to Fuel
specifications197
Alarm system33
– avoiding unintentional
alarms34
– interior motion sensor33
– switching off an alarm33
– tilt alarm sensor33
Albums of music
collection164
ALL program99
All-season tires, refer to
Winter tires217
All-wheel drive, refer to
xDrive83
AM, waveband147
Ambient air, refer to
Recirculated-air mode99
Antenna for mobile phone174
Antifreeze
– coolant222
– washer fluid60
Antilock Brake System
ABS82
Anti-theft alarm system, refer
to Alarm system33
Anti-theft system27
Approved axle loads, refer to
Weights247
Approved gross vehicle
weight, refer to Weights247
Armrest, refer to Center
armrest106
Arrival time, refer to
Computer71
Ashtray107Assistance systems, refer to
Driving stability control
systems82
AUC Automatic recirculated-
air control99
Audio144
– controls144
– switching on/off144
– tone control144
– volume144
Audio device, external106
Automatic
– air distribution98
– air volume98
– cruise control61,62
– headlamp control92
Automatic car washes225
Automatic climate control97
– automatic air distribution98
Automatic curb monitor48
Automatic high beams and
low beams, refer to High-
beam assistant94
Automatic recirculated-air
control AUC99
Automatic Service
Request192
Automatic transmission with
Steptronic56
– interlock56,57
– overriding selector lever
lock58
– shiftlock, refer to Changing
selector lever position57
– sport program57
– towing239
– tow-starting239
AUTO program for automatic
climate control
98
AUX-IN
– port106
AUX-IN port167
Available services192

Reference 257
At a glance
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Mobility
Computer71
– displays on Control
Display71
Computer, refer to iDrive16
Concierge service189
Condensation, refer to When
the vehicle is parked119
Condition Based Service
CBS223
Configuring settings, refer to
Personal Profile26
Confirmation signals for
locking/unlocking the
vehicle28
Congestion
– refer to Route, bypassing
sections135
Connecting vacuum cleaner,
refer to Connecting
electrical appliances108
Consumption, refer to
Average consumption71
Consumption display
– average consumption71
– Energy Control70
Contacts
– creating186
Control Center, refer to
iDrive16
Control Display, refer to
iDrive16
– adjusting brightness80
– switching on/off19
Controller, refer to iDrive16
Controls and displays10
Control unit, refer to iDrive16
Convenient operation
– glass roof28
– windows28
Coolant222
– checking level222
Coolant temperature70
Cooling, maximum98
Cooling fluid, refer to
Coolant222
Cooling system, refer to
Coolant222
Copyright2Corner-illuminating lamps
– replacing bulbs231
Corner-illuminating lamps,
refer to Adaptive light
control93
Cornering lamps, refer to
Adaptive light control93
Correct tires216
Country codes DVD157
Courtesy lamps, refer to
Interior lamps96
Criteria for route134
Cross-hairs in navigation130
Cruise control61
– active62
– malfunction62
Cruising range71
Cupholders107
Curb weight, refer to
Weights247
Current fuel consumption,
refer to Energy Control70
Current playback
– external devices169
– of music collection164
Customer Relations191
D
Dashboard, refer to
Cockpit10
Dashboard, refer to
Instrument cluster12
Dashboard lighting, refer to
Instrument lighting95
Data, technical244
– capacities248
– dimensions245
– engine244
– weights247
Data transfer192
Date
– date format77
– setting76
Daytime running lights93
– replacing bulbs230
DBC Dynamic Brake
Control82Deactivating front passenger
airbags90
Deadlocking, refer to
Locking28
Defect
– door lock29
– fuel filler flap196
– glass roof37
– panorama glass roof39
Destination, entering by town/
city name125
Destination address
– entering125,131
Destination entry via BMW
Assist129
Destination for navigation
– entering by voice131
– entering via map130
– entry125
– home address128
– manual entry125
Destination guidance134
– bypassing a route
section135
– changing specified
route134
– continuing134
– starting134
– voice instructions135
– volume of voice
instructions136
Diesel exhaust fluid199
Diesel fuel197
Diesel particulate filter117
Digital clock69
Digital compass104
Digital radio, refer to HD
Radio148
Dimensions245
Dipstick, engine oil219
Directional indicators, refer to
Turn signals58
Direction instructions, refer to
Voice instructions135
Directory for navigation, refer
to Address book127
Displacement, refer to Engine
data244

Reference 259
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Entry lamps, refer to Interior
lamps96
Entry map for destination130
Environmentally friendly
driving, refer to Energy
Control70
Equalizer, tone setting145
Error messages, refer to
Check Control77
ESP Electronic Stability
Program, refer to Dynamic
Stability Control DSC82
Event data recorders224
Exhaust system, refer to Hot
exhaust system117
Expanding the cargo area110
Extended connectivity of the
music player in the mobile
phone167
Exterior mirrors47
– adjusting47
– automatic dimming
feature48
– automatic heating47
– folding in and out47
External audio device106
External devices
– random sequence169
Eyes
– for tow-starting and towing
away239
– for tying down loads120
F
Failure messages, refer to
Check Control77
Failure of an electrical
consumer236
False alarm
– avoiding unintentional
alarm34
– switching off an alarm33
Fastening safety belts, refer to
Safety belts46
Fastest route for
navigation134Fast forward
– CD changer157
– CD player157
Filter
– refer to Microfilter/activated-
charcoal filter for automatic
climate control100
First aid pouch237
Fixture for remote control,
refer to Ignition lock54
Flash when locking/
unlocking28
Flat tire
– run-flat tires216
– Tire Pressure Monitor
TPM86
Flat Tire Monitor FTM84
– indicating a flat tire85
– indicator/warning lamp85
– initializing the system85
– snow chains84,217
– system limits84
Flat tires, refer to Tire
condition215
Fluid reservoir, refer to
Washer fluid reservoir60
FM, waveband147
Fog lamps95
– indicator lamp13,95
Folding rear seat backrest110
Folding up the floor panel112
Footbrake, refer to Braking
safely118
Footwell lamps, refer to
Interior lamps96
For your own safety5
Four-wheel drive, refer to
xDrive83
Free memory capacity, music
collection165
Front airbags90
FTM, refer to Flat Tire
Monitor84Fuel197
– additives198
– average consumption71
– gauge70
– high-quality brands197
– quality197
– specifications197
– tank contents, refer to
Capacities248
Fuel clock, refer to Fuel
gauge70
Fuel display, refer to Fuel
gauge70
Fuel-efficient driving, refer to
Energy Control70
Fuel filler flap196
– releasing in the event of
electrical malfunction196
Fuses236
G
Garage door opener, refer to
Integrated universal remote
control102
Gasoline
– refer to Average
consumption71
Gasoline, refer to Required
fuel197
Gasoline display, refer to Fuel
gauge70
Gas station
recommendations135
Gear indicator, automatic
transmission with
Steptronic57
Gearshift lever
– automatic transmission with
Steptronic57
– manual transmission56
Gearshifts
– automatic transmission with
Steptronic57
– manual transmission56
General driving notes117

Everything from A - Z
260 Glass roof, electric37
– closing after electrical
malfunction37
– Convenient operation28,29
– initializing37
– opening, closing37
– pinch protection system37
– power failure37
– raising37
– remote control28
Glove compartment105
GPS navigation, refer to
Navigation system124
Grills97
Gross vehicle weight, refer to
Weights247
H
Halogen lamps
– replacing bulbs231
Handbrake, refer to Parking
brake56
Hands-free system14
Hazard warning flashers14
HDC Hill Descent Control83
HD Radio148
Head airbags90
Headlamp control,
automatic92
Headlamp cover231
Headlamp flasher58
– indicator lamp11,13
Headlamps
– replacing bulbs231
Head restraints43
– rear, removing44
– sitting safely41
Heated
– mirrors47
– rear window99
– seats45
– steering wheel49
Heating
– mirrors47
– rear window99
– seats45
– steering wheel49Heating and ventilation, refer
to Climate97
Heavy loads, refer to Stowing
cargo119
Height, refer to
Dimensions245
Height adjustment
– seats42
– steering wheel48
High-beam assistant94
High beams94
– headlamp flasher94
– indicator lamp13
– replacing bulbs231
High beams and low beams,
automatic, refer to High-
beam assistant94
High-pressure
washer225,226
High water, refer to Driving
through water118
Highways, refer to Route
criteria134
Hill Descent Control HDC83
Hills118
Holders for cups107
Homepage BMW4
Hood
218
Hooks for shopping
bags111,112
Horn10,11
Hotel function, refer to
Locking or unlocking
separately31
Hot exhaust system117
Hydraulic brake assist, refer to
Dynamic Brake Control
DBC82
Hydroplaning118
I
IBOC, refer to HD Radio148
Ice warning, refer to Outside
temperature
warning69
Identification marks
– run-flat tires216
– tire coding214iDrive16
– adjusting brightness80
– changing language79
– changing settings79
– changing units of measure
and display format73
– controls16
– menu guidance17
– operating principle16
– overview16
– setting the date and time76
– start menu17
– status information19
iDrive operating principle16
Ignition54
– switched off55
– switched on54
Ignition key, refer to Remote
control with integrated
key26
Ignition key position 1, refer to
Radio readiness54
Ignition key position 2, refer to
Ignition on54
Ignition lock54
Imprint2
Indicator and warning
lamps13
– Tire Pressure Monitor
TPM87
Inflation pressure, refer to Tire
inflation pressure201
Inflation pressure monitoring,
refer to Tire Pressure
Monitor TPM86
Initializing
– after power failure236
– compass, refer to
Calibrating104
– Flat Tire Monitor FTM85
– glass roof37
– panorama glass roof39
– radio, refer to Station,
storing147
– refer to Setting the time and
date76
Installation location
– telephone106