
Technology for driving comfort and safety
86
Message for unsuccessful system 
reset
Yellow warning lamp comes on. A 
message appears on the Control Dis-
play.
The system is not reset, e.g. after a wheel 
change.
Check the tire inflation pressure and reset the 
system, refer to page85.
Malfunction
The small warning lamp flashes in 
yellow and then lights up continu-
ously; the large warning lamp comes 
on in yellow.The tires appear in gray 
in the Control Display. No punctures can be 
detected.
Display in the following situations:
>Malfunction:
Have the system checked
>A wheel without TPM electronics has been 
installed:
Have it checked by your BMW center.
>Interference from systems or devices that 
use the same radio frequency: 
The system automatically becomes active 
again when the vehicle moves out of the 
interference zone.
Declaration according to NHTSA/
FMVSS 138
Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems
Each tire should be checked monthly when cold 
and inflated to the inflation pressure recom-
mended by the vehicle manufacturer on the 
vehicle placard or tire inflation pressure label. If 
your vehicle has tires of a different size than the 
size indicated on the vehicle placard or tire infla-
tion pressure label, you should determine the 
proper tire inflation pressure for those tires. As 
an added safety feature, your vehicle has been 
equipped with a tire pressure monitoring sys-
tem, TPMS, that illuminates a low tire pressure 
telltale when one or more of your tires are signif-
icantly under-inflated. 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 han-
dling and stopping ability. Please note that the 
TPMS is not a substitute for proper tire mainte-
nance, and it is the driver's responsibility to 
maintain correct tire pressure, even if underin-
flation has not reached the level to trigger illumi-
nation of the TPMS low tire pressure indicator.
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 lit. This sequence will continue 
upon subsequent vehicle 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 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.
When you are driving in the low road speed 
range, e.g. in a town or when parking, the steer-
ing angle is increased, i.e. steering becomes 
very direct and less effort is required to turn the 
wheels. In the higher speed range, on the other 
hand, the steering angle is reduced as the 
speed increases. This improves the handling of 
your BMW over the entire speed range. 

Wheels and tires
194
Wheels and tires
Tire inflation pressures
Information for your safety
It is not merely the tires' service life, but also 
driving comfort and, to a great extent, driving 
safety that depend on the condition of the tires 
and the maintenance of the specified tire pres-
sure.
Check the tire inflation pressure regularly 
and correct it, if necessary: 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 condi-
tion that can not only compromise your vehi-
cle's driving stability, but also lead to tire dam-
age and the risk of an accident. Do not drive 
with deflated, i.e. flat tires, except when using 
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 loss of 
control over the vehicle.<
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 is higher.
After correcting the tire inflation pressure, 
reset the Tire Pressure Monitor, refer to 
page85, or reinitialize the Flat Tire Monitor, 
refer to page83.<
Inflation 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 approved and tire brands recom-
mended by BMW; a list of these is available 
from your BMW center.<
For correct identification of the right tire infla-
tion pressures, observe the following:>Tire sizes for your vehicle
>Load conditions
>Maximum allowable driving speed
Tire inflation pressures for driving up to 
100 mph or 160 km/h
For normal driving up to 100 mph or 160 km/h 
and to achieve optimum driving comfort, adjust 
pressures to the respective tire inflation pres-
sures listed on the following pages in the col-
umns for traveling speeds up to a maximum of 
100mph or 160km/h.
These tire inflation pressures can also be found 
on the driver's side door post when the driver's 
door is open.
The maximum permissible speed for 
these tire pressures is 100 mph or 
160 km/h. Do not exceed this speed; otherwise, 
tire damage and accidents could occur.<
Tire inflation pressures for driving 
above 100 mph or 160 km/h
In order to drive at maximum speeds in 
excess of 100 mph or 160 km/h, adjust 
pressures to the respective tire inflation pres-
sures listed on the following pages in the col-
umns for traveling speeds including those 
exceeding 100 mph or 160 km/h. Otherwise, 
tire damage and accidents could occur.<
Observe all national and local maximum speed 
limits; otherwise, violations of the laws could 
occur. 

Wheels and tires
196
Convertible: tire inflation pressures for the 128i
Tire size Pressure specifications in psi/kPa 
Traveling speeds
up to a max. of 
100 mph/160 km/hTraveling speeds 
including those 
exceeding 
100 mph/160 km/h
All pressure specifications in the table are 
indicated in psi/kilopascal with cold tires. 
Cold = ambient temperature
without Sport Package
205/55 R 16 91 H M+S 32/220 35/240 32/220 39/270
205/50 R 17 89 H M+S 32/220 38/260 35/240 42/290
Front: 205/50 R 17 89 V 32/220 - 35/240 -
Rear: 225/45 R 17 91 V - 36/250 - 41/280
Front: 215/40 R 18 85 Y 35/240 - 35/240 -
Rear: 245/35 R 18 88 Y - 41/280 - 41/280
with Sport Package
205/55 R 16 91 H M+S 32/220 35/240 32/220 39/270
205/50 R 17 89 H M+S 32/220 38/260 35/240 42/290
Front: 205/50 R 17 89 V 32/220 - 39/270 -
Rear: 225/45 R 17 91 V - 36/250 - 46/320
Front: 215/40 R 18 85 Y 35/240 - 38/260 -
Rear: 245/35 R 18 88 Y - 41/280 - 45/310
More details on the permissible load and weights can be found on page229. 

Wheels and tires
198
Tire identification marks
Knowledge of the labeling on the side of the tire 
makes it easier to identify and choose the right 
tires.
Tire size
Speed code letter
Q = up to 100 mph or 160 km/h 
T = up to 118 mph or 190 km/h
H = up to 131 mph or 210 km/h
V = up to 150 mph or 240 km/h
W = up to 167 mph or 270 km/h
Y = up to 186 mph or 300 km/h
Tire Identification Number
Tires with DOT codes meet the guidelines of 
the US Department of Transportation.
DOT code:
Tire age
The manufacturing date of tires is contained in 
the tire coding: DOT … 1010 means that the 
tire was manufactured in week 10 of 2010.
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.< e.g.
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
225/45 R1791 V
e.g.
Manufacturer's 
code for tire make
Tire size and 
tire design
Tire ageDOT xxxx xxx 1010 

Wheels and tires
200
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 on page83.
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 page85. Your BMW 
center will be glad to advise you.
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. 

Mobility
 201Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
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 +457/+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
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 pres-
sure 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 manufacturer's instructions when 
mounting snow chains. Do not exceed a speed 
of 30 mph/50 km/h with chains.
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 
page81.< 

Reference 249
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Storage compartments105
Storing
– seat position, refer to Seat 
and mirror memory48
– telephone numbers, refer to 
separate Owner's Manual
Storing a destination in the 
address book123
Storing music158
Storing tires201
Stowage, refer to Storage 
compartments105
Street, entering, 
navigation122
Summer tires, refer to Wheels 
and tires194
Surround141
SVCD153
SW, waveband143
Switches, refer to 
Dashboard10
Switching off
– engine56
Switching off the engine
– start/stop button55
Switching on
– audio140
– CD changer140
– CD player140
– radio140
Switching the cooling function 
on and off98
Switch-on times of parked car 
ventilation, preselecting100
Symbols4
– status information19
T
Tachometer68
Tailgate, refer to Trunk lid31
Tail lamp, refer to Tail 
lamps216
– replacing bulb216Tail lamps216
– replacing bulb216
Tank contents, refer to 
Capacities230
Technical changes5
Technical data226
Telephone170
– voice commands177
Telephone, installation 
location, refer to Center 
armrest105
Telephone, refer to separate 
Owner's Manual
TeleService185
TeleService Diagnosis186
TeleService Help186
Temperature display
– outside temperature68
– outside temperature 
warning68
– setting the units72
Tempomat, refer to Cruise 
control66
Thigh support44
Third brake lamp, refer to 
Center brake lamp217
Three-point safety belt49
Through-loading system106
Tilt alarm sensor33
Tilt function, passenger-side 
mirror50
Timer, refer to Preselecting 
switch-on times100
Tire inflation pressure194
– loss83,84
Tire pressure monitoring, 
refer to Flat Tire Monitor82
Tire Pressure Monitor 
TPM84
– resetting the system85
– system limitations84
– warning lamp85
Tire puncture, refer to Flat Tire 
Monitor83
Tire Quality Grading198Tires
– age198
– air loss85
– breaking in112
– changing, refer to Changing 
wheels217
– condition199
– damage199
– inflation pressure
194
– labels198
– minimum tread depth199
– new tires200
– pressure monitoring, refer to 
Flat Tire Monitor82
– pressure monitoring, refer to 
Tire Pressure Monitor 
TPM84
– puncture83
– retreaded200
– size198
– wear indicators, refer to 
Minimum tread depth199
– winter tires201
TMC station, refer to Traffic 
bulletins133
Tone
– control140
– middle setting142
Tools, refer to Onboard 
vehicle tool kit213
Top 50 of music 
collection160
Torque, refer to Engine 
data226
Tow bar222
Tow fitting221
Tow fittings for tow-starting 
and towing away221
Towing221
– car with automatic 
transmission221
– methods222
– with 7-gear Sports 
automatic transmission with 
double clutch222
Towing and tow-starting221