2011 BMW 3 SERIES winter tires

Treadwear
The treadwear 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, 1 g, 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, however,
and may depart significantly from the norm due
to variations in driving habits, service practices
and differences in road characteristics and cli‐
mate.
Traction
The traction grades, from highest to lowest, are
AA, A, B, and C.
Those grades represent the tire's ability to stop
on wet pavement as measured under controlled
conditions on specified government test surfa‐
ces 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, cornering, hydro‐
planing, or peak traction characteristics.
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. Sus‐
tained 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 Vehicle Safety
Standard No. 109. Grades Band A represent
higher levels of performance on the laboratory
test wheel than the minimum required by law.
Temperature grade for this tire
The temperature grade for this tire is es‐
tablished for a tire that is properly inflated and
not overloaded. Excessive speed, underinfla‐
tion, or excessive loading, either separately or in
combination, can cause heat buildup and pos‐
sible tire failure.
If necessary, have the vehicle towed.◀
RSC – Run-flat tires
Run-flat tires, refer to page 271, are labeled with
a circular symbol containing the letters RSC
marked on the sidewall.
M+S
Winter and all-season tires with better cold
weather performance than summer tires.
Tire tread
Summer tires
Do not drive with a tire tread depth of less than
0.12 in/3 mm.
There is an increased danger of hydroplaning if
the tread depth is less than 0.12 in/3 mm.
Winter tires
Do not drive with a tire tread depth of less than
0.16 in/4 mm.
Below a tread depth of 0.16 in/4 mm, tires are
less suitable for winter operation.
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Approved wheels and tires
The manufacturer of your vehicle recom‐
mends that you use only wheels and tires that
have been approved for your particular vehicle
model.
For example, despite having the same official
size ratings, variations can lead to body contact
and with it, the risk of severe accidents.
The manufacturer of your vehicle cannot evalu‐
ate non-approved wheels and tires to determine
if they are suited for use, and therefore cannot
ensure the operating safety of the vehicle if they
are mounted.◀
Recommended tire brands
For each tire size, the manufacturer of your ve‐
hicle recommends certain tire brands. These
can be identified by a star on the tire sidewall.
With proper use, these tires meet the highest
standards for safety and handling.
New tires
Due to technical factors associated with their
manufacture, tires do not achieve their full trac‐
tion potential until after an initial breaking-in pe‐
riod.
Drive conservatively for the first 200 miles/
300 km.
Retreaded tires
The manufacturer of your vehicle does not rec‐
ommend the use of retreaded tires.
Retreaded tires
Possibly substantial variations in the de‐
sign and age of the tire casing structures can
limit service life and have a negative impact on
road safety.◀
Winter tires
The manufacturer of your vehicle recommends
winter tires for winter roads or at temperatures
below +45 ℉/+7 ℃.
Although so-called all-season M+S tires do pro‐
vide better winter traction than summer tires,
they do not provide the same level of perform‐
ance as winter tires.
Maximum speed of winter tires
If the maximum speed of the vehicle is higher
than the permissible speed for the winter tires,
then display a corresponding sign in the field of
vision. You can obtain this sign from the tire spe‐
cialist or from your service center.
Maximum speed for winter tires
Do not exceed the maximum speed for the
winter tires; otherwise, tire damage and acci‐
dents can occur.◀
Run-flat tires
If you are already using run-flat tires, for your
own safety you should replace them only with
the same kind. No spare tire is available in the
case of a flat tire. Your service center will be glad
to advise you.
Rotating wheels between axles
The manufacturer of your vehicle advises
against swapping wheels between the front and
rear axles.
This can impair the handling characteristics.
Storage
Store wheels and tires in a cool, dry place with
as little exposure to light as possible.
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Malfunction displays, refer to
Check Control 73
Manual air distribu‐
tion 135, 138
Manual air flow 135
Manual air volume 138
Manual mode, transmis‐
sion 68
Manual operation, backup
camera 124
Manual operation, door
lock 37
Manual operation, exterior mir‐
rors 52
Manual operation, fuel filler
flap 260
Manual operation, Park Dis‐
tance Control PDC 122
Manual operation, Side
View 128
Manual operation, Top
View 126
Manual transmission 67
Map, destination entry 173
Map in split screen 180
Map view 178
Marking on approved
tires 270
Marking, run-flat tires 271
Master key, refer to Remote
control 30
Maximum cooling 137
Maximum speed, display 79
Maximum speed, winter
tires 270
Measure, units of 85
Medical kit 291
Memory, seat, mirror 51
Menu, EfficientDynamics 164
Menu in instrument cluster 80
Menus, operating, iDrive 16
Menus, refer to iDrive operat‐
ing concept 18
Message list, traffic bulle‐
tins 180
Messages 241
Messages, refer to Check
Control 73
Microfilter 136, 139
Minimum tread, tires 269
Mirror 52
Mirror memory 51
Mobile communication devi‐
ces in the vehicle 157
Mobile phone 220, 228
Mode, ECO PRO 163
Modifications, technical, refer
to Safety 6
Moisture in headlamp 280
Monitor, refer to Control Dis‐
play 16
Mounting of child restraint fix‐
ing systems 55
MP3 player 210
Multifunction steering wheel,
buttons 12
Music collection 205
Music search 207
Music, storing 205
N
Navigation 168
Navigation data 183
Neck restraints, front, refer to
Head restraints 49
Neck restraints, rear, refer to
Head restraints 50
New wheels and tires 269
No Passing Information 79
Notes 245
Number of cylinders, en‐
gine 303
Nylon rope for tow-starting/
towing 294
O
OBD Onboard Diagnos‐
tics 278
Obstacle marking, backup
camera 125
Odometer 76
Office 238
Oil 274
Oil, adding 274
Oil additives 275
Oil change 275
Oil change interval, service re‐
quirements 77
Oil filler neck 274
Oil types, alternative 275
Oil types, approved 275
Old batteries, disposal 288
Onboard Diagnostics
OBD 278
Onboard monitor, refer to
Control Display 16
Onboard vehicle tool kit 279
Opening/closing from in‐
side 37
Opening/closing via door
lock 36
Opening/closing with remote
control 34
Operating concept, iDrive 16
Optional equipment, standard
equipment 6
Outside air, refer to Automatic
recirculated-air control 138
Overheating of engine, refer to
Coolant temperature 76
P
Paint, vehicle 297
Pairing, mobile
phone 220, 229
Panic mode 35
Parallel parking assistant 130
Park Distance Control
PDC 121
Parked-car ventilation 139
Parked vehicle, condensa‐
tion 158
Parking aid, refer to PDC 121
Parking assistant 130
Parking brake 63
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Windshield wipers, fold-out
position 66
Winter storage, care 299
Winter tires, suitable tires 270
Winter tires, tread 268
Wiper blades, replacing 279
Wiper fluid 66
Wiper system 65
Wood, care 298
Word match concept, naviga‐
tion 22
Wrench 279
X
Xenon headlamps, bulb re‐
placement 283
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