Wheels and tires
236
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 page237.
M+S
Winter and all-season tires.
These have better winter properties than sum-
mer tires.
XL
Indicates 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 0.12 in/
3mm, 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.
When winter tires wear down past a tread depth
of 0.16 in/4 mm, they become perceptibly less
suitable for winter conditions. For the sake of
safety, new tires should be installed.
Wear indicators at the tread-groove base are
distributed over the tire's circumference 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 Sports Activity Vehicle Center or
tire shop that works according to BMW repair
procedures with correspondingly trained per-
sonnel. If necessary, have the vehicle towed
there. Otherwise, tire damage can be extremely
dangerous to vehicle occupants and other road
users.<
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Mobility
237Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
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 page93
>With Tire Pressure Monitor, refer to Mes-
sage with low tire inflation pressure page95
New wheels and tires
Have new wheels and tires installed only
by your BMW Sports Activity Vehicle
Center or a tire shop that works according to
BMW repair procedures with correspondingly
trained personnel. If this work is not carried out
properly, there is a danger of subsequent dam-
age and related safety hazards. Make sure that
the new wheels are balanced.<
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
When mounting new tires or changing over
from summer to winter tires and vice versa,
mount Run-Flat Tires for your own safety. Your
BMW Sports Activity Vehicle Center will be
happy 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 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.<
When changing to larger wheels and tires,
it may be necessary to make changes to
the wheelwell trim piece, as otherwise road
users could be endangered or the vehicle could
be damaged. Only have this work carried out by
a BMW Sports Activity Vehicle Center or a
workshop that works in accordance with BMW
guidelines and uses appropriately trained per-
sonnel.<
You can ask your BMW Sports Activity Vehicle
Center for the correct wheel/tire combination.
The correct wheel/tire combination also affects
various systems whose function would other-
wise be impaired, e.g. ABS, DSC, xDrive,
Dynamic Performance Control in the BMW X6,
or Flat Tire Monitor.
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.
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Replacing components
256 3.Apply gentle pressure to the bulb while
turning it to the left for removal and replace-
ment.
4.Insert the bulb socket in the liftgate and
engage it.
5.Replace the cover.
License plate lamp
5-Watt bulb, C5W
1.Slide the lamp to the right with a screw-
driver, refer to arrow1.
2.Remove the lamp, arrow2.
3.Replace the bulb.
4.Reinstall the lamp.
Center brake lamp
This lamp uses LED technology for operation.
In case of a defect, please go to a BMW Sports
Activity Vehicle Center or a workshop that
works according to BMW repair procedures
with correspondingly trained personnel.
Changing wheels
Your BMW is equipped with run-flat tires as
standard. As a result, it is not necessary to
change the wheel immediately in the case of air
loss in the event of a breakdown.
To continue driving with a damaged tire:
>With Flat Tire Monitor, refer to Indication of
a flat tire page93
>With Tire Pressure Monitor, refer to Mes-
sage with low tire inflation pressure page95
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, page237.
When mounting new tires, or changing from
s u m m e r t o w i n t e r t i r e s o r v i c e v e r s a , u s e r u n - f l a t
tires for your own safety. No spare tire is avail-
able in case of a flat tire. Your BMW Sports
Activity Vehicle Center will be happy to advise
you. Also refer to New wheels and tires,
page237.
BMW X6: do not rotate the front wheels to
the rear or vice versa, as otherwise the
handling characteristics will be negatively
affected.<
Suitable tools for changing tires are avail-
able as accessories at your BMW Sports
Activity Vehicle Center.<
Jacking points for vehicle jack
The jacking points for the vehicle jack are
located in the positions shown.
Compact wheel*
Safety precautions in the event of a flat
tire or wheel change: park the vehicle as
far as possible from passing traffic and on solid
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Mobility
263Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Your BMW has a special nut as body ground
or negative pole.
5.Attach the second end of the cable to the
negative terminal of the battery or to the
engine or body ground of the vehicle to be
started.
Starting engine
1.Start the engine on the assisting vehicle
and allow it to run at idle for several minutes
at slightly increased speed.
2.Start the engine on the other vehicle in the
usual way.
If the first starting attempt is not successful,
wait a few minutes before another attempt
in order to allow the discharged battery to
recharge.
3.Let the engines run for a few minutes.
4.Disconnect the jumper cables by reversing
the connection sequence.
Check the battery and recharge if necessary.
Never use spray fluids to start the
engine.<
Tow-starting and towing
Observe applicable laws and regulations
for tow-starting and towing.<
Do not transport any passengers other
than the driver in a vehicle that is being
towed.<
Using a tow fitting
The screw-on tow-fitting must always be car-
ried in the vehicle. It can be screwed in at the
front or rear of the BMW.It is located in the toolkit under the floor panel
flap in the cargo bay, refer to page250.
Use only the tow fitting provided with the
vehicle and screw it all the way in. Use the
tow fitting for towing only on roads. Avoid lateral
loading of the tow fitting, e.g. do not lift the vehi-
cle by the tow fitting. Otherwise damage to the
tow fitting and the vehicle can occur.<
Access to screw thread
Cover panel on left and right side of bumper:
press on the arrow symbol on the cover panel.
Front
Rear
Being towed
Make sure that the ignition is switched on,
refer to page59, otherwise the low
beams, tail lamps, turn signals and windshield
wipers would not be available. When the engine
is stopped, there is no power assist. This then
requires increased effort for braking and steer-
ing. Active steering is deactivated and larger
steering wheel movements are required.<
Switch on the hazard warning flashers depend-
ing on the local regulations. If the electrical sys-
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Everything from A to Z
292 Switching on
– audio160
– CD changer160
– CD player160
– radio160
Swiveling headlamps, refer to
Adaptive Head Light103
Symbols4
– indicator/warning lamps13
– status information19
– traffic information with
navigation system153
T
Tachometer72
Tailgate33
Tail lamps251,254
– replacing bulbs251,254
Tank contents, refer to
Capacities272
Target cursor for
navigation146
Technical alterations, refer to
For your own safety5
Technical data268
Telephone202
– refer to separate operating
instructions
Teleservice Diagnosis217
Teleservice Help217
TeleServices, activating218
Temperature
– adjusting with automatic
climate control109,113
– changing units of
measure80
– refer to Coolant
temperature72
Temperature display
– outside temperature71
– setting units80
– temperature warning71
Temperature warning71
Tempomat, refer to Cruise
control69
The individual vehicle5
Third brake lamp, refer to
Center brake lamp253,2563rd row seats49
Tightening torque of the lug
bolts, refer to After
mounting258
Tilt alarm sensor, switching
off35
Tilting down passenger-side
exterior mirror53
Timer, refer to Preselecting
activation times114
Tire inflation pressure
monitoring, refer to Flat Tire
Monitor92
Tire inflation pressures229
– checking229
Tire Pressure Monitor
TPM94
Tire Quality Grading235
Tires
– age235
– air loss93,95
– breaking-in130
– changing237
– condition236
– damage236
– flat tire, refer to Changing
wheels256
– inflation pressure229
– inflation pressure
monitoring, refer to FTM
Flat Tire Monitor92
– new wheels and tires237
– pressure loss93,95
– pressure monitoring, refer to
TPM Tire Pressure
Monitor94
– replacing256
– retreaded tires237
– run-flat tires237
– size235
– tread236
– wear indicators236
– wheel/tire combination237
– winter tires238
TMC station, refer to Traffic
information153
Tone
– control160
– middle setting162Tone on locking/unlocking28
Tools, refer to Onboard
toolkit250
Top 50 of music
collection180
Top View84
Torque
– engine268
– lug bolts, refer to After
mounting258
Tow fitting263
Towing263
Town/city, for navigation141
Tow-starting263,264
TPM Tire Pressure
Monitor94
– resetting system94
– system limits94
– warning lamp95
Track, selecting on CD172
TRACTION, refer to DTC89
Traction-assist feature, refer
to DSC Dynamic Stability
Control88
Traction control, refer to
DSC Dynamic Stability
Control88
Traffic bulletins
– categories155
– filtering155
Traffic bulletins for
navigation
153
– in map display155
Traffic congestion
– displaying traffic
information153
– refer to Route, bypassing
sections151
Traffic information for
navigation during
destination guidance155
Transmission
– automatic transmission with
Steptronic64
– manually releasing
transmission lock on
automatic transmission with
Steptronic66
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