
Technology for comfort, convenience and safety
56 Have the damaged tire replaced by your BMW 
Sports Activity Vehicle Center or a workshop 
that is familiar with TPM and works in accor-
dance with BMW repair procedures, using 
appropriately trained personnel.
Malfunction
The yellow warning lamp flashes and 
then lights up continuously. Flat tires 
cannot be detected.
Such a message is displayed in the following 
situations:
>When a malfunction is occurring:
Have the system checked
>When a wheel without TPM electronics is 
mounted, e.g. a compact wheel
>When TPM is experiencing temporary inter-
ference from other systems or devices that 
use the same frequency
NHTSA/FMVSS-required explanation 
of 138 Tire Pressure Monitoring 
System
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, 
then you should determine the proper tire infla-
tion pressure for those tires. As an added safety 
feature, your vehicle has been equipped with a 
tire pressure monitoring system, TPMS, that 
illuminates a low tire pressure warning lamp 
when one or more of your tires are significantly 
underinflated. When the low tire pressure warn-
ing lamp lights up, 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 warning lamp.
The TPMS malfunction indicator is combined 
with the low tire pressure warning lamp. When 
the system detects a malfunction, the warning 
lamp will flash for approximately one minute and 
then remain continuously illuminated. This 
sequence will continue upon subsequent vehi-
cle startups as long as the malfunction exists. 
When the malfunction indicator is illuminated, 
the system may not be able to detect or signal 
low tire pressure as intended. TPMS malfunc-
tions may occur for a variety of reasons, includ-
ing the installation of replacement or alternate 
tires or wheels on the vehicle that prevent the 
TPMS from functioning properly. Always check 
the TPMS malfunction warning lamp after 
replacing one or more tires or wheels on your 
vehicle to ensure that the replacement or alter-
nate tires and wheels allow the TPMS to con-
tinue to function properly.Brake force display
The brake lamps light up in two stages, 
depending on how heavily you apply the brakes.
>Normal braking
The brake lamps and the center brake lamp 
light up.
>Heavy braking
The rear fog lamps light up as well. 

Wheels and tires
94
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 wheel: at least twice a month and 
before starting long trips. If you fail to observe 
this precaution, you may be driving on tires with 
incorrect tire pressures, a condition that can not 
only compromise your vehicle's driving stability, 
but also lead to tire damage and the risk of an 
accident.
Do not drive with deflated, i.e. 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 loss of control over the vehicle.<
After correcting the tire inflation pressure, 
reinitialize the Flat Tire Monitor
* or 
reset the Tire Pressure Monitor
*, refer to 
pages54, 55.<
Pressure specifications
The table on the next page provides all the cor-
rect inflation pressures for the specified tire 
sizes at ambient temperature.
The inflation pressures in the table apply 
to BMW-approved tire sizes and recom-
mended tire brands. Your BMW Sports Activity 
Vehicle Center will be glad to supply this infor-
mation.
lowing:
>Tire size for your vehicle
>Load status
>Maximum permissible driving speed
Tire inflation pressures for speeds 
up to 100 mph/160 km/h
For normal driving at speeds of up to 100 mph/
160 km/h and to achieve optimum driving com-
fort, take note of the tire inflation pressures 
listed on the following page in the column for 
speeds up to max. 100 mph/160 km/h and 
adjust your tire pressure as needed.
These tire inflation pressures are also listed on 
the door pillar and can be seen with the driver's 
door open.
The maximum permissible speed for 
these tire inflation pressures is 100 mph/
160 km/h. Do not exceed this speed; failure to 
heed this limit can lead to tire damage and acci-
dents.<
Tire inflation pressures for speeds 
above 100 mph/160 km/h
In order to drive at maximum speeds 
above 100 mph/160 km/h, take note of 
the tire inflation pressures listed in the column 
for speeds above 100 mph/160 km/h in the 
table on the following page and adjust your tire 
pressure as needed. Failure to due so can lead 
to tire damage and accidents.< 

Wheels and tires
96
X3 xDrive28i
X3 xDrive30i
Tire sizePressure specifications in psi/kPa
Traveling speeds 
of up to max. 
100 mph/160 km/hTraveling speeds 
including those above 
100 mph/160 km/h
All pressure specifications in 
the table are indicated in psi/
kilopascal with cold tires.
Cold = ambient temperature
235/55 R 17 99 H M+S 32/220 33/230 32/220 32/220 32/220 38/260
235/50 R 18 97 H M+S 32/220 35/240 32/220 35/240 35/240 41/280
Front: 235/50 R 18 97 V
Rear: 255/45 R 18 99 V32/220
––
33/23032/220
––
35/24035/240
––
42/290
Front: 235/45 R 19 95 W
Rear: 255/40 R 19 96 W32/220
––
38/26032/220
––
36/25038/260
––
45/310
Compact wheel: 
T 135/90 R 17 104 M60/420 60/420 60/420 60/420 60/420 60/420
More details on the permissible load and weights can be found on page128 
Tire sizePressure specifications in psi/kPa
Traveling speeds 
of up to max. 
100 mph/160 km/hTraveling speeds 
including those above 
100 mph/160 km/h
All pressure specifications in 
the table are indicated in psi/
kilopascal with cold tires.
Cold = ambient temperature
235/55 R 17 99 H M+S 32/220 33/230 32/220 32/220 32/220 38/260
235/50 R 18 97 H M+S 32/220 35/240 32/220 35/240 35/240 41/280
Front: 235/45 R 19 95 W
Rear: 255/40 R 19 96 W32/220
––
38/26032/220
––
36/25038/260
––
45/310
Compact wheel: 
T 135/90 R 17 104 M60/420 60/420 60/420 60/420 60/420 60/420
More details on the permissible load and weights can be found on page128  

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
 99
age and related safety hazards. Make sure that 
the new wheels are balanced.<
Retreaded tires
BMW does not recommend the use of 
retreaded tires; otherwise, driving safety 
may be reduced. 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.<
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 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 ask your BMW Sports Activity Vehicle 
Center for the correct wheel-and-tire combina-
tion.
The correct wheel-and-tire combination 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. After tire 
damage, always remember to have the original 
wheel and tire combination remounted on the 
vehicle as soon as possible.
Wheels equipped with electronics for 
TPM Tire Pressure Monitor
When installing new tires or when changing 
from summer tires to winter tires or vice versa, 
only use wheels equipped with TPM electron-
ics; otherwise, the Tire Pressure Monitor can-
not detect a flat tire, refer to page55. Your 
BMW Sports Activity Vehicle Center will be 
happy to advise you in this regard.
Recommended tire brands
BMW recommends particular tire brands for 
each tire size. You will recognize them by the 
clearly visible BMW identification on the tire 
sidewall.
With proper use, these tires meet the highest 
standards for safety and handling characteris-
tics.
Special characteristics of winter tires
BMW recommends winter tires for use on win-
ter road surfaces or at temperatures below 
+457/+76. Although all-season M+S tires do 
provide better winter traction than summer 
tires, they generally fail to provide the same lev-
els of cold-weather performance as winter tires.
Observing speed ratings
Never exceed the maximum speed for 
which the winter tires are rated.<
Storage
Store wheels or tires in a cool, dry place, pro-
tecting them from light whenever possible. Pro-
tect the tires from contact with oil, grease and 
fuel. Do not exceed the maximum tire inflation 
pressure indicated on the side wall of the tire.
Changing wheels from one axle to 
another
BMW does not recommend changing the front 
wheels to the back or vice versa as this can 
impair handling characteristics. 

Replacing components
118 Protect valve stems with valve stem 
seal caps from dirt and contamina-
tion. Dirt in valve stems is a frequent source 
of gradual air loss.<
4.Reinitialize the Flat Tire Monitor
* or reset 
the Tire Pressure Monitor
*, refer to 
pages54, 55.
Do not initialize the Flat Tire Monitor 
when driving with a compact wheel.<
5.Replace the defective tire as soon as possi-
ble and have the new wheel/tire balanced.
Driving with compact wheel
Drive reservedly and do not exceed a speed of 
50 mph/80 km/h.
Mounting the compact wheel can change the 
driving characteristics. For example, it can 
reduce tracking stability during braking, extend 
braking distances, and alter self-steering char-
acteristics in the limit range. With winter tires, 
these characteristics are more pronounced.
Only one compact wheel may be 
mounted. You should re-equip with 
wheels and tires of the original size as soon as 
possible.<
Vehicle battery
Maintenance
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 Sports Activity Vehicle Center 
will be happy to advise you on all questions con-
cerning the battery.
Warning lamp
The warning lamp lights up. The battery 
is no longer being charged. The alterna-
tor V-belt is defective or there is a mal-
function in the charge current circuit of the 
alternator. Have the system checked immedi-
ately.Do not continue driving if the V-belt is 
defective. The engine could be damaged 
due to overheating. 
Moreover, an increased amount of force is 
required for steering if there is a sharp drop in 
the onboard supply voltage.<
Charging battery
Charge the battery in the vehicle only when the 
engine has been switched off. For connections, 
refer to Jump starting on page121.
Disposal
Have old batteries disposed of following 
replacement at your BMW Sports Activity 
Vehicle Center or bring them to a collection 
point. Maintain the battery in an upright position 
for transport and storage. Always secure the 
battery to prevent it from tipping over during 
transport.<
Power failure
After a temporary power supply interruption, 
some equipment is subject to limited use and 
must be reinitialized. Individual settings are also 
lost and must be updated again:
>Panorama glass sunroof
It may be only possible to raise the sunroof. 
The system must be initialized, refer to 
page24.
>Power windows
The pinch protection system must be reini-
tialized, refer to page23.
>Seat and mirror memory
The positions must be stored again, refer to 
page31.
>Time
Must be set again, refer to page47. 

Everything from A to Z
138 Signal horn, refer to Horn10
Sitting safely27
– with airbags27
– with head restraint27
– with safety belt27
Ski bag75
Smokers' package, refer to 
Ashtray74
Snow chains100
SOS, refer to Initiating an 
emergency request120
Spare fuses119
Spare key18
Spare wheel, refer to Compact 
wheel116
Speed
– with compact wheel118
– with winter tires99
Speedometer, refer to 
Instrument cluster11
Split rear backrest, refer to 
Enlarging cargo area76
Sport program, automatic 
transmission with 
Steptronic41
Sports seat29
Stability control, refer to 
Driving stability control 
systems51
Starting, refer to Starting 
engine38
Starting difficulties
– at very low temperatures39
– jump starting121
Starting engine38
Starting off uphill, refer to 
Acceleration assistant53
Status of passenger 
airbags58
Status of this Owner's Manual 
at time of printing5
Steam cleaners108
Steering lock38
Steering wheel10,13
– adjustment34
– buttons on steering 
wheel13
– heater34
– lock38Steptronic40
Storage compartments73
Storage package73
Storage package nets73
Storage space, refer to Cargo 
area76
Storing desired speed, refer to 
Cruise control44
Storing seat position, refer to 
Seat and mirror memory31
Storing tires99
Storing your vehicle110
Straps, refer to Cargo 
loading85
Sunroof, refer to Panorama 
glass sunroof23
Switches, refer to Cockpit10
Switching cooling function on/
off64,67
Switching off engine39
Symbols4
T
Tachometer46
Tail lamps114
– indicator lamp, defective 
bulb59
– replacing bulbs114
Tank, washing systems, refer 
to Washer fluid43
Tank capacity129
Technical data126
Technical modifications5
Telephone, refer to separate 
operating instructions
Temperature
– air conditioner64
– automatic climate control67
– tires98
Temperature display
– outside temperature48
– outside temperature 
warning48
– setting units48
Temperature gauge47
Temperature of coolant, refer 
to Coolant thermometer47
Temperature warning48Tempomat, refer to Cruise 
control44
Thigh support adjustment29
Three point safety belts32
Tightening torque of lug bolts, 
refer to After mounting117
Tilt alarm sensor
– remote control20
– switching off20,26
Tilt function, passenger-side 
mirror33
Tire inflation pressures94
– monitoring, refer to Tire 
Pressure Monitor55
– restoring94
Tire Pressure Monitor55
– malfunction warnings55
– resetting system55
– system limitations55
– warning lamp55
Tire replacement98
Tires
– age97
– breaking-in82
– changing98
– changing, also refer to Wheel 
changes115
– coding97
– condition98
– damage98
– DOT Quality Grades97
– flat115
– inflation pressure94
– inflation pressure table96
– size, refer to Correct wheels 
and tires99
– storage99
– temperature98
– traction97
– tread98
– tread wear97
– Uniform Tire Quality 
Grading97
– wear indicators, refer to 
Minimum tread depth98
– winter tires99
Tools, refer to Onboard tool 
kit111