2012 BMW M3 CONVERTIBLE tires

135
Things to remember when driving
Driving tips
Hills
To prevent overheating and the resulting
reduced efficiency of the brake system,
drive long or steep downhill gradients in the
gear in which the least br aking is required. Even
light but consistent brak e pressure can lead to
high temperatures, brake wear and possibly
even brake failure. <
You can increase the engine's braking effect by
shifting down, all the way to first gear if neces-
sary. This strategy he lps you avoid placing
excessive loads on the brake system. Down-
shifting in manual mode of the automatic trans-
mission, refer to page 61.
Sport automatic transm ission with double
clutch: never drive with the transmission
in neutral or with the en gine switched off; other-
wise, there will be no en gine braking action and
no power assistance to the brakes and steering.
Manual transmission: never drive with the
clutch held down, with the transmission in neu-
tral or with the engine switched off; otherwise,
there will be no engine braking action and no
power assistance to the brakes and steering.
Never allow floor mats, carpets or any other
objects to protrude into the area around the
pedals; otherwise, pedal function could be
impaired. <
Corrosion on brake rotors
When the vehicle is driv en only occasionally,
during extended periods when the vehicle is not
used at all, and in operating conditions where
brake applications are le ss frequent, there is an
increased tendency for corrosion to form on
rotors, while contaminan ts accumulate on the
brake pads. This occurs because the minimum
pressure which must be exerted by the pads
during brake applications to clean the rotors is
not reached.
Should corrosion form on the brake rotors, the
brakes will tend to respond with a pulsating
effect that even extended application will fail to
cure.
When the vehicle is parked
Condensation forms wh ile the automatic cli-
mate control is in operation, and then exits
under the vehicle. Traces of condensed water
under the vehicle are therefore normal.
Cargo loading
To avoid loading the tires beyond their
approved carrying ca pacity, never over-
load the vehicle. Overlo ading can lead to over-
heating and increases the rate at which damage
develops inside the tires. In some situations,
this can result in sudden loss of tire pressure. <
Make sure that no liquids are spilled or
leak from their containers in the cargo
area, as this could result in damage to the vehi-
cle. <
Determining loading limit
1. Locate the following statement on your
vehicle's placard:
The combined weight of occupants
and cargo should never exceed
XXX kg or YYY lbs. Otherwise, damage to
the vehicle and unstable driving conditions
may result. <
2. Determine the combined weight of the
driver and passengers that will be riding in
your vehicle.
3. Subtract the combined weight of the driver
and passengers from XXX kilograms or YYY
pounds.
Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 609 312 - \251 08/11 BMW AG

This section helps you maintain your car's
mobility by supplying important information
on vital topics including fuels and lubricants,
wheels and tires, serv ice, maintenance and
Roadside Assistance.
Mobility
Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 609 312 - \251 08/11 BMW AG

177
Wheels and tires
Mobility
Wheels and tires
Vehicle equipment
In this chapter, all production, country, and
optional equipment that is offered in the model
range is described. For this reason, descrip-
tions will be given of some equipment that may
not be available in a vehi
cle, for example due to
the special options or national-market version
selected. This also app lies to safety related
functions and systems.
Tire inflation pressures
Information for your safety
It is not merely the tire s' service life, but also
driving comfort and, to a great extent, driving
safety that depend on th e condition of the tires
and the maintenance of th e specified tire pres-
sure.
Check the tire inflation pressure regularly
and correct it, if nece ssary: 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 ti re inflation pressure,
reset the Tire Pressure Monitor, refer to page
95, or reinitialize the Flat Tire Monitor,
refer to page 93.<
Inflation pressure specifications
The tables below provide all the correct inflation
pressures for the specified tire sizes at ambient
temperature.
The inflation pressure s 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
> 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 respecti ve tire inflation pres-
sures listed on the following pages in the col-
umns for traveling speeds up to a maximum of
100 mph or 160 km/h.
These tire inflation pressures can also be found
on the driver's side door pillar 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. <
Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 609 312 - \251 08/11 BMW AG

178
MobilityWheels and tires
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 respecti ve 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 an d local maximum speed
limits; otherwise, violations of the laws could
occur.
Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 609 312 - \251 08/11 BMW AG

179
Wheels and tires
Mobility
Coupe: tire inflation pressures for the 328i
Tire size Pressure specifications in bar/PSI
Traveling speeds up to a max. of
100 mph/160 km/h Traveling speeds
including those exceeding
100 mph/160 km/h
All pressure specifications in the table are
indicated in bar/PSI with cold tires.
Cold = ambient temperature
Without Sport Package:
205/55 R 16 91 H M+S RSC
225/50 R 16 92 H M+S RSC
225/45 R 17 91 H M+S A/S RSC
225/45 R 17 91 H M+S RSC
225/45 R 17 91 V RSC 2.2/32 2.6/38 2.5/36 3.0/44
225/45 R 17 94 V M+S XL 2.2/32 2.7/39 2.5/36 3.0/44
Front: 225/45 R 17 91 V 2.2/32 - 2.5/36 -
Rear: 255/40 R 17 94 V - 2.4/35 - 2.7/39
Front: 225/40 R 18 88 W RSC 2.2/32 - 2.5/36 -
Rear: 255/35 R 18 90 W RSC - 2.7/39 - 2.9/42
Front: 225/35 R 19 88 Y XL 2.5/36 - 2.5/36 -
Rear: 255/30 R 19 91 Y XL - 3.0/44 - 3.0/44
Compact spare wheel:
T 125/80 R 17 99 M Traveling speeds up to a max. of 50 mph/80 km/h
4.2/60
With Sport Package:
205/55 R 16 91 H M+S
225/50 R 16 92 H M+S
225/45 R 17 91 H M+S 2.2/32 2.6/38 2.5/36 3.0/44
225/45 R 17 91 V 2.2/32 2.6/38 2.9/42 3.4/49
225/45 R 17 94 V M+S XL 2.2/32 2.7/39 2.9/42 3.4/49
Front: 225/45 R 17 91 V 2.2/32 - 2.9/42 -
Rear: 255/40 R 17 94 V - 2.4/35 - 3.0/44
Front: 225/40 R 18 88 W RSC 2.2/32 - 2.7/39 -
Rear: 255/35 R 18 90 W RSC - 2.7/39 - 3.2/46
Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 609 312 - \251 08/11 BMW AG

180
MobilityWheels and tires
Front: 225/35 R 19 88 Y XL 2.5/36 -2.7/39 -
Rear: 255/30 R 19 91 Y XL - 3.0/44- 3.2/46
Compact spare wheel:
T 125/80 R 17 99 M Traveling speeds up to a max. of 50 mph/80 km/h
4.2/60
Tire size Pressure specifications in bar/PSI
Traveling speeds up to a max. of
100 mph/160 km/h Traveling speeds
including those exceeding
100 mph/160 km/h
All pressure specificat ions in the table are
indicated in bar/PS I with cold tires.
Cold = ambient temperature
Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 609 312 - \251 08/11 BMW AG

181
Wheels and tires
Mobility
Coupe: tire inflation pressures for the 328xi
Tire size Pressure specifications in bar/PSI
Traveling speeds up to a max. of
100 mph/160 km/h Traveling speeds
including those exceeding
100 mph/160 km/h
All pressure specifications in the table are
indicated in bar/PSI with cold tires.
Cold = ambient temperature
Without Sport Package:
205/55 R 16 91 H M+S RSC
225/50 R 16 92 H M+S RSC
225/45 R 17 91 H M+S A/S RSC
225/45 R 17 91 H M+S RSC
225/45 R 17 91 V RSC 2.2/32 2.6/38 2.4/35 2.9/42
225/45 R 17 94 V M+S XL 2.2/32 2.7/39 2.5/36 3.0/44
Front: 225/45 R 17 91 V 2.2/32 - 2.3/33 -
Rear: 255/40 R 17 94 V - 2.3/33 - 2.7/39
Front: 225/40 R 18 88 W RSC 2.3/33 - 2.5/36 -
Rear: 255/35 R 18 90 W RSC - 2.6/38 - 2.9/42
Front: 225/35 R 19 88 Y XL 2.7/39 - 2.7/39 -
Rear: 255/30 R 19 91 Y XL - 3.0/44 - 3.0/44
Compact spare wheel:
T 125/80 R 17 99 M Traveling speeds up to a max. of 50 mph/80 km/h
4.2/60
Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 609 312 - \251 08/11 BMW AG

182
MobilityWheels and tires
With Sport Package:
205/55 R 16 91 H M+S
225/50 R 16 92 H M+S
225/45 R 17 91 H M+S 2.2/32 2.6/38 2.4/35 2.9/42
225/45 R 17 91 V 2.2/32 2.6/38 2.8/41 3.3/48
225/45 R 17 94 V M+S XL 2.2/32 2.7/39 2.8/41 3.3/48
Front: 225/45 R 17 91 V 2.2/32 - 2.8/41 -
Rear: 255/40 R 17 94 V - 2.3/33 - 2.9/42
Front: 225/40 R 18 88 W RSC 2.3/33 - 2.7/39 -
Rear: 255/35 R 18 90 W RSC - 2.6/38 - 3.2/46
Front: 225/35 R 19 88 Y XL 2.7/39 - 2.8/41 -
Rear: 255/30 R 19 91 Y XL - 3.0/44 - 3.2/46
Compact spare wheel:
T 125/80 R 17 99 M Traveling speeds up to a max. of 50 mph/80 km/h
4.2/60
Tire size Pressure specifications in bar/PSI
Traveling speeds up to a max. of
100 mph/160 km/h Traveling speeds
including those exceeding
100 mph/160 km/h
All pressure specificat ions in the table are
indicated in bar/PS I with cold tires.
Cold = ambient temperature
Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 609 312 - \251 08/11 BMW AG