2011 BMW 550I GT tires

Mobility
To
ensure that you remain mobile at all times, this
chapter supplies you with important information
on the topics of fuels and lubricants, wheels and tires, service, maintenance, and Roadside Assistance.
Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 606 445 - 03 11 490

Wheels and tires
Tire inflation pressure
Safety information
The tire characteristics and tire inflation pres‐
sure influence the following:
▷
The service life of the tires.
▷ Road safety.
▷ Driving comfort.
Checking the pressure
Only check the tire inflation pressure when the
tires are cold. This means after driving no more
than 1.25 miles/2 km or when the vehicle has
been
parked for at least 2 hours. When the tires
are warm, the tire inflation pressure is higher.
Check the tire inflation pressure regularly
Regularly check the tire inflation pressure
and correct it as needed: at least twice a month
and before a long trip. If you fail to observe this
precaution, you may be driving on tires with in‐
correct tire pressures, a condition that may not
only compromise your vehicle's driving stability,
but also lead to tire damage and the risk of an
accident.◀
After correcting the tire inflation pressure, rein‐
itialize the Tire Pressure Monitor.
Pressure specifications
The tire inflation pressure table, refer to
page 243, contains all pressure specifications
for the specified tire sizes at the ambient tem‐
perature. Pressure specifications apply to ap‐
proved tire sizes and recommended tire brands.
This information can be obtained from your
service center.
To identify the correct tire inflation pressure,
please note the following:
▷ Tire sizes of your vehicle.
▷ Vehicle load.
▷ Maximum allowable driving speed. Tire inflation pressures up to 100 mph/
160 km/h
For speeds of up to 100 mph/160 km/h and for
optimum

driving comfort, note the pressure val‐
ues in the tire inflation pressure table, refer to
page 243, and adjust as necessary. These pressure values can also be found on the
tire inflation pressure label on the driver's door
pillar.
Maximum permissible speed
Do not exceed 100 mph/160 km/h; other‐
wise, tire damage and accidents may result.

◀
Tire inflation pressure values up to
100 mph/160 km/h
535i, 550i Tire size
Pressure specifica‐
tions in bar/PSI
Specifications in bar/
PSI with cold tires 245/50 R 18 100 Y
245/50 R 18 100 V M
+S A/S
245/50 R 18 100 H M
+S
2.2 / 32 2.4 / 35 Seite 243
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Tire size
Pressure specifica‐
tions in bar/PSI
245/45 R 19 102 V M
+S XL A/S
245/45 R 19 102 V M
+S XL 2.4 / 35 2.6 / 38
F.: 245/45 R 19 98 Y
R.: 275/40 R 19 101 Y 2.2 / 32
--
2.4 / 35
F.: 245/40 R 20 99 Y
XL
R.:
275/35 R 20 102 Y XL 2.4 / 35
-
-
2.6 / 38
F.:
245/35 R 21 96 Y XL
R.:
275/30 R 21 98 Y XL 2.6 / 38
-
-
3.0 / 44 550i xDrive
Tire size
Pressure specifica‐
tions in bar/PSI
Specifications in bar/
PSI with cold tires 245/50 R 18 100 Y
245/50 R 18 100 V M
+S A/S
245/50 R 18 100 H M
+S
2.2 / 32 2.4 / 35
245/45 R 19 102 V M
+S XL A/S
245/45 R 19 102 V M
+S XL 2.4 / 35 2.6 / 38
F.: 245/45 R 19 98 Y
R.: 275/40 R 19 101 Y 2.4 / 35
--
2.4 / 35 Tire size
Pressure specifica‐
tions in bar/PSI
F.: 245/40 R 20 99 Y
XL
R.:
275/35 R 20 102 Y XL 2.6 / 38
-
-
2.6 / 38
F.:
245/35 R 21 96 Y XL
R.:
275/30 R 21 98 Y XL 2.8 / 41
-
-
3.0 / 44 Tire inflation pressures at max. speeds
above 100 mph/160 km/h
Speeds above 100 mph/160 km/h
In
order to drive at maximum speeds in ex‐
cess of 100 mph/160 km/h, please observe, and,
if necessary, adjust tire pressures for speeds
exceeding 100 mph/160 km/h from the relevant
table on the following pages. Otherwise tire
damage and accidents could occur.◀
Tire inflation pressure values over
100 mph/160 km/h
535i, 550i
Without high-speed tuning feature Tire size
Pressure specifica‐
tions in bar/PSI
Specifications in bar/
PSI with cold tires 245/50 R 18 100 Y
245/50 R 18 100 V M
+S A/S
245/50 R 18 100 H M
+S
2.3 / 33 2.8 / 41
245/45 R 19 102 V M
+S XL A/S
245/45 R 19 102 V M
+S XL 2.7 / 39 3.2 / 46 Seite 244
244 Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 606 445 - 03 11 490Wheels and tires

Tire size
Pressure specifica‐
tions in bar/PSI
F.: 245/45 R 19 98 Y
R.: 275/40 R 19 101 Y 2.3 / 33
--
2.5 / 36
F.: 245/40 R 20 99 Y
XL
R.:
275/35 R 20 102 Y XL 2.5 / 36
-
-
2.8 / 41
F.:
245/35 R 21 96 Y XL
R.:
275/30 R 21 98 Y XL 2.9 /42
-
-
3.2 / 46With high-speed tuning feature
Tire size
Pressure specifica‐
tions in bar/PSI
Specifications in bar/
PSI with cold tires 245/50 R 18 100 Y
245/50 R 18 100 H M
+S
2.3 / 33 2.8 / 41
245/45 R 19 102 V M
+S XL 2.7 / 39 3.2 / 46
F.: 245/45 R 19 98 Y
R.: 275/40 R 19 101 Y 2.4 / 35
--
2.6 / 38
F.: 245/40 R 20 99 Y
XL
R.:
275/35 R 20 102 Y XL 2.6 / 38
-
-
2.8 / 41
F.:
245/35 R 21 96 Y XL
R.:
275/30 R 21 98 Y XL 2.9 /42
-
-
3.3 / 48550i xDrive
Without high-speed tuning feature Tire size
Pressure specifica‐
tions in bar/PSI
Specifications in bar/
PSI with cold tires 245/50 R 18 100 Y
245/50 R 18 100 V M
+S A/S
245/50 R 18 100 H M
+S
2.3 / 36 2.7 / 39
245/45 R 19 102 V M
+S XL A/S
245/45 R 19 102 V M
+S XL 2.5 / 36 2.9 /42
F.: 245/45 R 19 98 Y
R.: 275/40 R 19 101 Y 2.4 / 35
--
2.4 / 35
F.: 245/40 R 20 99 Y
XL
R.:
275/35 R 20 102 Y XL 2.6 / 38
-
-
2.6 / 38
F.:
245/35 R 21 96 Y XL
R.:
275/30 R 21 98 Y XL 2.8 / 41
-
-
3.0 / 44 With high-speed tuning feature
Tire size
Pressure specifica‐
tions in bar/PSI
Specifications in bar/
PSI with cold tires 245/50 R 18 100 Y
245/50 R 18 100 H M
+S
2.5 / 36 2.8 / 41 Seite 245
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Tire size
Pressure specifica‐
tions in bar/PSI
245/45 R 19 102 V M
+S XL A/S
245/45 R 19 102 V M
+S XL 2.8 / 41 3.2 / 46
F.: 245/45 R 19 98 Y
R.: 275/40 R 19 101 Y 2.5 / 36
--
2.5 / 36
F.: 245/40 R 20 99 Y
XL
R.:
275/35 R 20 102 Y XL 2.8 / 41
-
-
2.8 / 41
F.:
245/35 R 21 96 Y XL
R.:
275/30 R 21 98 Y XL 3.0 / 44
-
-
3.2 / 46 Tire identification marks
Tire size
255/50 R 19 103 Y
255: nominal width in mm
50: aspect ratio in %
R: radial tire code
19: rim diameter in inches
103: load rating, not for ZR tires
Y: speed rating, before the R on ZR tires
Speed letter
T = up to 118 mph, 190 km/h
H = up to 131 mph, 210 km/h
V = up to 150 mph, 240 km/h
W = up to 167 mph, 270 km/h
Y = up to 186 mph, 300 km/h
Tire Identification Number
DOT code: DOT xxxx xxx 3510
xxxx: manufacturer code for the tire brand
xxx: tire size and tire design 3510: tire age
Tires
with DOT codes meet the guidelines of the
U.S. Department of Transportation.
Tire age
DOT … 3510: the tire was manufactured in the
35th week in 2010.
Recommendation
Regardless of wear, replace tires at least every
6 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: Treadwear 200; Traction AA;
Temperature A
DOT Quality Grades
Treadwear
Traction AA A B C
Temperature A B C
All passenger car tires must conform to Federal
Safety Requirements in addition to these
grades.
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.
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Wheels and tires

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 249, 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.
Minimum tread depth
Wear indicators are distributed around the tire's
circumference and have the legally required
minimum height of 0.063 in/1.6 mm.
They

are marked on the side of the tire with TWI,
Tread Wear Indicator.
Tire damage
General information
Inspect your tires often for damage, foreign ob‐
jects lodged in the tread, and tread wear.
Notes
Indications of tire damage or other vehicle de‐
fects:
▷ Unusual vibrations during driving.
▷ Unusual handling such as a strong tendency
to pull to the left or right.
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In case of tire damage
If there are indications of tire damage, re‐
duce your speed immediately and have the
wheels
and tires checked right away; otherwise,
there is the increased risk of an accident.
Drive carefully to the next service center or tire
shop.
If necessary, have the vehicle towed.◀
Repair of tire damage
For safety reasons, the manufacturer of
your vehicle recommends that you do not have
damaged tires repaired; they should be re‐
placed. Otherwise, damage can occur as a re‐
sult.◀
Changing wheels and tires
Mounting
Information on mounting tires
Have mounting and balancing performed
only by a service center or tire specialist.
If this work is not carried out properly, there is
the danger of subsequent damage and related
safety hazards.◀
Wheel and tire combination
Information on the correct wheel-tire combina‐
tion and rim versions for your vehicle can be ob‐
tained from your service center.
Incorrect wheel and tire combinations impair the
function of a variety of systems such as ABS or
DSC.
To maintain good handling and vehicle re‐
sponse, use only tires with a single tread con‐
figuration from a single manufacturer.
Following tire damage, have the original wheel
and tire combination remounted on the vehicle
as soon as possible. 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. Seite 248
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Wheels and 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
For your own safety, only use run-flat tires. 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.
Always protect tires against all contact with oil,
grease and fuels.
Do not exceed the maximum tire inflation pres‐
sure indicated on the side wall of the tire. Run-flat tires*
Label
RSC label on the tire sidewall.
The wheels are composed of special rims and
tires that are self-supporting, to a limited de‐
gree.
The

support of the sidewall allows the tire to re‐
main drivable to a restricted degree in the event
of a pressure loss.
Continued driving with a damaged tire., refer to
page 94
Changing run-flat tires
For your own safety, only use run-flat tires. No
spare tire is available in the case of a flat tire. Your
service center will be glad to advise you.
Snow chains
Fine-link snow chains
Only certain types of fine-link snow chains have
been tested by the manufacturer of your vehicle,
classified as road-safe and recommended.
Consult your service center for more informa‐
tion.
Use
Use only in pairs on the rear wheels, equipped
with the tires of the following size:
▷ 245/50 R 18.
▷ 245/45 R 19.
Follow the chain manufacturer's instructions.
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