tire size BMW 325CI CONVERTIBLE 2004 E46 Owner's Manual

26
Vehicles with Flat Tire Monitor:
After correcting the inflation pressures,
reinitialize the system. Refer to
page 94.
Check the tire pressures on a reg-
ular basis – at least twice a month
– and before every extended journey. If
this is not done, incorrect tire pressures
can cause driving instability and tire
damage, ultimately resulting in acci-
dents.
Remember to check the inflation pres-
sure in the space-saver or standard
spare tire.
Inflate the spare tire to the highest infla-
tion pressure specified for your vehi-
cle.<Comply with tire approval
specificationsThe inflation pressures in the table
apply to BMW approved tire sizes and
tire manufacturers. Your BMW center
can provide you with more information
about these. Other pressures may be
required for tires made by other manu-
facturers.
Your vehicle is equipped with tires that
not only meet US standards, but also
European standards. We recommend
the exclusive use of BMW approved
tires.
Tire inflation pressure

56
You can lock a backrest that has
been tilted forward. This makes
sense when, for instance, someone is
climbing into the rear on an incline. To
do this, press against the backrest until
you hear it click into place. To move it
back into place, you do not need to first
unlock it by moving the lever 1.<
Lock both backrests while driving,
otherwise there is a danger of an
unexpected movement causing an
accident.<
The indicator lamp in the instru-
ment cluster flashes when the
backrest is not locked, refer to
page 18.
Safety beltsAlways wear your safety beltAlways fasten your safety belt before
starting off. As supplemental restraint
devices, the airbags are designed to
enhance the effectiveness of the safety
belts, and not to replace them.
Always detach the rear safety
belts from their retainers before
wearing.<
To avoid undesired movement at
high speeds, always store the rear
safety belts in their retainers when they
are not in use.<To closeMake sure you hear the lock engage in
the belt buckle.
To release1. Press the red button in the belt
buckle
2. Hold the belt
3. Guide the belt back into its reel.Safety belt height The front belt system automatically
adapts to your body size when the
height of the head restraint is adjusted.
Refer to page 54.
If the safety belt system has been
subjected to the stresses involved
in an accident or otherwise damaged:
have the entire safety belt mechanism
replaced by your BMW center, includ-
ing the safety belt tensioner. In addi-
tion, have your BMW center inspect the
safety belt anchors. If a child-restraint
system was in the vehicle during an
accident, consult the manufacturer's
instructions regarding replacement.<
Entering the rear

132
Wheel and tire combinationsThe right choice
BMW recommends using only
wheels and tires that have been
approved by BMW for your particular
vehicle model, as otherwise body con-
tact and serious accidents can result
despite the use of the same nominal
size, e.g. due to manufacturing toler-
ances. BMW cannot evaluate all tires
and wheels on the market, and is thus
unable to guarantee that the vehicle will
continue to perform safely if unap-
proved tires and/or wheels are
mounted.<
For each tire size, BMW has assessed
the safe performance of specific tire
brands and approved them for use.
Consult any BMW center for details.
Comply with any local/national regula-
tions, for example by recording the tire
type in the vehicle documents.
The correct wheel and tire combi-
nation affects various systems
that would otherwise be impaired, for
example ABS, DSC and DBC.
For this reason, use only tires of the
same manufacture and tread configura-
tion. In the event of a flat tire, for exam-
ple, remount the approved wheel and
tire combination as soon as possible.<
StorageAlways store tires in a cool, dry place.
Store them away from light whenever
possible. Protect the tires against con-
tact with oil, grease and fuel.
Do not exceed the maximum tire infla-
tion pressures specified on the tire
sidewall.
Winter tiresChoosing the right tireBMW recommends the use of winter
tires for operation under winter road
conditions. While all-season tires – with
M+S designation – provide better winter
traction than the corresponding sum-
mer tires, they generally do not achieve
the performance of winter tires.
In the interest of safe tracking and
steering response, install winter tires
made by the same manufacturer and
with the same tread configuration on all
four wheels.
Never exceed the maximum
speed for which the winter tires
are rated.
Unprofessional attempts by laymen to
service tires can lead to damage and
accidents.
Have this work performed by trained
professionals only. Any BMW center
has the required technical knowledge
and the proper equipment and will be
happy to assist you.<Run Flat tiresBefore purchasing winter tires, check if
your BMW is eqipped with Run Flat
tires. These are indicated by a circular
symbol containing the letters RSC on

156
The vehicle jack is designed for
changing wheels only. Do not
attempt to raise another vehicle model
with it or to raise any other type of load.
To do so could cause accidents and
personal injury.
To ensure continued safety, have the
tightness of the torque bolts checked
with a calibrated lug wrench – torque
specification: 88.5 lb ft/120 Nm – at the
earliest opportunity.<
When storing a wheel in the spare tire
recess, take care to avoid bending the
threaded rod.
If light-alloy wheels other than original
BMW light-alloy wheels have been
mounted, it may be necessary to use
different lug bolts for those wheels.
Replace the defective tire as soon as
possible and have the new wheel/tire
balanced.
Driving with the space-saver
spare tireDrive cautiously. Do not exceed a
speed of 45 mph / 80 km/h.
Be aware that vehicle handling may be
altered. Anticipate, e.g., reduced track-
ing during braking, longer braking dis-
tances and changed steering charac-
teristics when approaching limit
conditions. These handling characteris-
tics will be even more pronounced if
winter tires are mounted.
Only one space-saver spare tire
may be mounted at one time.
Mount a wheel and tire of the original
size at the earliest possible opportu-
nity.<
Run Flat tires*Run Flat tires are labeled on the side-
wall with a circular symbol containing
the letters RSC. Run Flat tires consist of
self-supporting tires and special rims.
The tire reinforcement ensures that
driving remains possible to a restricted
degree in the event of pressure drop or
even if the tire is deflated.
When mounting or replacing sum-
mer tires with winter tires, or vice
versa, use Run Flat tires since no spare
wheel is available in the event of a flat.
In this event, BMW recommends con-
sulting your BMW center. Your BMW
center has the information needed for
working with Run Flat tires and is
equipped with the necessary special
tools.<
Changing a wheel

Everything from A to ZRollover protection
system 68
indicator lamp 19
lowering 68
Roof load capacity 168
Roof-mounted luggage
rack 121
Rope, refer to Towing the
vehicle 161
Run Flat tires 131, 156
S
Safe seating position 52
Safety belt height adjust-
ment 56
Safety belts 56
seat-integrated safety belt
system 55
sitting safely 52
warning lamp 18
Safety systems, refer to
Antilock Brake
System 125
Dynamic Stability Control
(DSC) 93
Screwdriver, refer to
Onboard tool kit 148
Seat adjustment 53
BMW sports seat 53
power 53
Seat belt tensioner, refer to
Safety belts 56Seat heating 58
Seat memory, refer to Seat
and mirror memory 57
Seat positions, storing 57
Seats 53
Securing cargo 120
Securing child-restraint sys-
tem 66
Securing the vehicle
from inside 34
from outside 31, 33
Selector lever
automatic transmission 79
sequential manual gear-
box SMG 75
Selector lever lock, refer to
Shiftlock 75, 79
Selector lever positions
automatic transmission 79
sequential manual gear-
box SMG 75
Sequential manual gearbox
SMG 75
indicator lamp 19
Service and Warranty Infor-
mation Booklet 142
Service Engine Soon
warning lamp 19
Service interval display
88, 142
Shift paddles 76Shifting gears
automatic transmission
with Steptronic 79
sequential manual gear-
box SMG 76
Shiftlock 75
Shiftlock, refer to Range
selection 79
Side airbags 61
Side turn signal indicators
bulb replacement 151
Sitting safely
with airbags 52
with safety belts 52
Size 167
Ski bag 117
Slipstream deflector, refer to
Wind deflector 50
SMG sequential manual
gearbox 75
indicator lamp 19
Smokers' package, refer to
Ashtray 115
Snow chains 133
SOS, refer to Emergency
call 158
Space-saver spare tire
changing a wheel 153
Spare key 30
Spare tire 153
Spare wheel 156
Special oils 139Specified oils 139
Speed gauge, refer to
Speedometer 16
Speedometer 16
SPORT button 78
Sport program
automatic transmission
with Steptronic 80
Sports seat 53
Stability control, refer to
Dynamic Stability Control
(DSC) 93
Standing lamps 99
Starting difficulties
jump-starting 159
temperature 71
Starting help DSC 93
Starting the engine 71
Starting, refer to Starting the
engine 71
Status of the Owner's Man-
ual 5
Steering wheel lock 71
Steering wheel, adjusting 59
Steptronic, refer to Manual
operation 80
Storage compartments 114
Storage nets 114
Storing seat positions,
refer to Seat and mirror
memory 57
Storing tires 132

Everything from A to Z
181
Stroke, refer to Engine
data 166
Surface ice, refer to Ice
warning 90
Switches, refer to
Cockpit 14
Switching off
engine 73
vehicle 73
Symbols 4
Synthetic oils 139
T
Tachometer 86
Tail lamps
bulb replacement 151
Tail lamps, refer to Rear
lamps 151
Tank capacity, refer to Fuel
tank capacity 169
Tank indicator, refer to Fuel
gauge 87
Technical data 166
Technical modifications 5
Technical modifications,
refer to For your own
safety 5
Telephone hookup 115
Telephone, refer to the sep-
arate Owner's ManualTelevision, refer to the
Owner's Manual for
Onboard Computer
Temperature
air conditioning 104
automatic climate
control 108
Temperature adjustment
104, 108
Temperature display
engine coolant 87
ice warning 90
outside temperature 90
setting units 90
Temperature layering
105, 109
Tempomat, refer to Cruise
control 84
Thigh support area, adjust-
ing 53
Third brake lamp, refer to
Center high-mount brake
lamp 152
Three-point safety belt 56
Tilt alarm sensor 32
remote control 32
switching off 32, 39
Tilting passenger-side exte-
rior mirror 58
Time 89Tire pressure monitoring,
refer to Flat Tire
Monitor 94
Tire replacement 130, 153
Tires
age 131
breaking in 124
changing 153
damage 129
flat 153
inflation pressure 25, 129
replacing 130
size, refer to Wheel and
tire combinations 132
storing 132
tread 129
tread wear indicator,
refer to Tire tread – tire
damage 129
winter tires 132
Tools, refer to Onboard tool
kit 148
Torque
engine 166
lug bolts 154
Tow sockets for towing eye-
let 161
Towing bar 161
Towing eyelet 161
Towing rope 161
Towing the vehicle 161Track width, refer to Dimen-
sions 167
Transmission
automatic transmission
with Steptronic 79
sequential manual gear-
box SMG 75
Transmission lock, refer to P
Park 79
Transmission malfunction
automatic transmission
with Steptronic 81
sequential manual gear-
box SMG 77
Transport securing devices,
refer to Securing
cargo 120
Transporting children
safely 64
Trap protection
electric power windows 41
Tread depth, refer to Tire
tread 129
Tread depth, tires 129
Tread wear indicator in the
tires, refer to Tire tread –
tire damage 129
Trip distance recorder, refer
to Trip odometer 86
Trip meter, refer to Trip
odometer 86
Trip odometer 86
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