winter tires BMW 550I SEDAN 2009 E60 Owner's Manual

Wheels and tires
228 DOT code:
Tire age
The manufacturing date of tires is contained in
the tire coding: DOT ...1008 indicates that the
tire was manufactured in week 10 of 2008.
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.<
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.
Sustained 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 Vehi-
cle Safety Standard No. 109. Grades B and A
represent higher levels of performance on the
laboratory test wheel than the minimum
required by law.
The temperature grade for this tire is
established for a tire that is properly
inflated and not overloaded. Excessive speed,
underinflation, or excessive loading, either sep-
arately or in combination, can cause heat
buildup and possible tire failure.<
RSC – run-flat tires
You will recognize run-flat tires by a circular
symbol containing the letters RSC on the side
of the tire, refer to page229.
M+S
Winter and all-season tires.
These have better winter properties than sum-
mer tires. e.g.
Manufacturer code
for tire make
Tire size and tire design
Tire age
DOT xxxx xxx 1008

Mobility
229Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
XL
Indicates specially reinforced tires.
Tire condition
Inspect your tires frequently for tread wear,
signs of damage and for foreign objects lodged
in the tread. Check the tread depth.
Minimum tread depth
The tread depth should not drop below 0.12 in/
3 mm, although, for example, European legisla-
tion only specifies a minimum tread depth of
0.063 in/1.6 mm. At tread depths below 0.12 in/
3 mm there is an increased risk of high-speed
hydroplaning, even when only small amounts of
water are present on the road surface.
When winter tires wear down past a tread depth
of 0.16 in/4 mm, they become perceptibly less
suitable for winter conditions. For the sake of
safety, new tires should be installed.
Wear indicators at the tread-groove base, refer
to arrow, are distributed over the tire's circum-
ference and are marked on the side of the tire
with TWI – Tread Wear Indicator. If the tire tread
has been driven down to the wear indicators, a
tread depth of 0.063 in/1.6 mm has been
reached.
Wheel/tire damage
Please note that low-profile tires cause wheels,
tires and suspension parts to be more suscep-
tible to road hazards and consequential dam-
ages.
Unusual vibrations encountered during normal
vehicle operation can indicate tire failure or
some other vehicle defect. This can, for exam-ple, be caused by driving over curbs. These
kinds of problems may also be signaled by other
changes in vehicle response, such as a strong
tendency to pull to the left or right.
In these cases, reduce speed immedi-
ately and have wheels and tires thor-
oughly checked. To do so, drive carefully to the
nearest BMW center or tire shop that works
according to BMW repair procedures with cor-
respondingly trained personnel. If necessary,
have the vehicle towed there. Otherwise, tire
damage can be extremely dangerous to vehicle
occupants and other road users.<
Run-flat tires*
You will recognize run-flat tires by the circular
symbol containing the letters RSC on the side
of the tire.
Run-flat tires consist of partially self-contained
tires and special rims. The sidewall reinforce-
ment ensures that the tire retains some residual
safety in the event of pressure drop and driving
remains possible to a restricted degree.
To continue driving with a damaged tire:
>With Flat Tire Monitor, refer to Indication of
a flat tire, page96
>With Tire Pressure Monitor, refer to Mes-
sage with low tire inflation pressure,
page98
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

Wheels and tires
230 with correspondingly trained personnel. If this
work is not carried out properly, there is a dan-
ger of subsequent damage and related safety
hazards. Make sure that the new wheels are bal-
anced.<
Retreaded tires
BMW does not recommend that you use
retreaded tires, as driving safety may be
impaired. The causes for this include the possi-
bly different tire casing structures and the often
wide variations in their age, which can result in a
limited service life.<
The right wheels and tires
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 than the
approved units – these differences could lead to
body contact, and with it the risk of severe acci-
dents. If non-approved wheels and tires are
used, BMW cannot evaluate their suitability,
and therefore cannot be held liable for driving
safety.<
You can inquire about the right wheel/tire com-
bination at your BMW center.
The correct wheel/tire combination also affects
various systems whose function would other-
wise be impaired, e.g. ABS, DSC or xDrive.
To maintain good handling and vehicle
response, use only tires of a single tread config-
uration from a single manufacturer. Following
tire damage, have the original wheel and tire
combination remounted on the vehicle as soon
as possible.
Wheels with electronics for
TPM Tire Pressure Monitor
When mounting new tires or converting from
summer to winter tires or vice versa, only use
wheels with TPM electronics, otherwise the
Tire Pressure Monitor cannot detect a flat tire, refer to page97. Your BMW center will be
happy to advise you on this subject.
Recommended tire brands
Certain tire makes are recommended by BMW
depending on the tire size. You can recognize
these from the clearly visible BMW marking on
the tire sidewall.
When used properly, these tires comply with
the most demanding standards for safety and
vehicle response.
Run-flat tires
When mounting new tires, or changing from
s u m m e r t o w i n t e r t i r e s o r v i c e v e r s a , u s e r u n - f l a t
tires for your own safety. In addition, no spare
tire is available in case of a flat tire. Your BMW
center will be glad to advise you.
Special characteristics of winter tires
BMW recommends winter tires for use in cold
winter driving conditions. Although all-season
M+S tires provide better winter traction than
summer tires, they generally fail to provide the
same levels of cold-weather performance as
winter tires.
Paying attention to speed
Always observe the maximum permissi-
ble speed for the winter tires, otherwise
tire damage may occur, which can result in acci-
dents.<
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

Mobility
251Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
3.Check and correct the tire inflation pressure
at the earliest opportunity.
Protect valve stems with valve stem
seal caps against dirt and contamina-
tion. Dirt in valve stems is a frequent source
of gradual air loss.<
4.Initialize the Flat Tire Monitor, refer to
page95, or reset the Tire Pressure Monitor,
refer to page97.
5.Replace the damaged tire as soon as possi-
ble and have the new wheel/tire balanced.
Driving with compact wheel
Drive reservedly and do not exceed a speed of
50 mph/80 km/h.
The driving characteristics change, for example
reduced track stability on braking, extended
braking distance, and altered self-steering
characteristics in the limit range. In conjunction
with winter tires, these characteristics are more
pronounced.
Only one compact wheel may be
mounted. Restore the wheels and tires to
their original size as quickly as possible. Failure
to do so is a safety risk.<
Vehicle battery
Battery care
The battery is 100 % maintenance-free, i.e., the
electrolyte will last for the life of the battery
when the vehicle is operated in a temperate cli-
mate. Your BMW center will be glad to advise in
all matters concerning the battery.
Charging battery
Only charge the battery in the vehicle via the
terminals in the engine compartment with the
engine switched off. Connections, refer to
Jump starting on page254.
Disposal
Have old batteries disposed of by your
BMW center or hand them in to a recy-
cling center. Maintain the battery in an upright position for transport and storage. Always
restrain the battery to prevent it from tipping
over during transport.<
Power failure
Following a temporary power failure, e.g. due to
a discharged battery, the use of some equip-
ment will be restricted, requiring its reinitializa-
tion. In the same way, individual settings are lost
and must be updated again:
>Seat, mirror and steering wheel memory
The positions must be stored again, refer to
page50.
>Time and date
Must be updated again, refer to page87.
>Radio
Radio stations must be stored again, refer
to page174.
>Navigation system
You must wait until the system becomes
functional again, refer to page142.
>Glass roof, electric
It may only be possible to raise the glass
roof. The system must be initialized, refer to
page44.
>Panorama glass roof
It may only be possible to raise the glass
roof. The system must be reinitialized, refer
to page46.
>Active steering
The system is deactivated and must be
reinitialized, refer to page99. Until then,
larger steering wheel movements are
required.
>Power windows
The pinch prevention system for the power
windows must be reinitialized, refer to
page42.
Talk to your BMW center before placing
the stored vehicle back in service.<
Fuses
Never attempt to repair a blown fuse and
do not replace a defective fuse with a sub-

Everything from A to Z
270
Everything from A to Z
Index
"..." Identifies Control Display
texts used to select
individual functions and
refers you to the page where
these texts can be found.
A
ABS Antilock Brake
System91
– indicator lamp94
ACC, refer to Active cruise
control71
Accepted calls202
Accessories6
Accident, refer to Emergency
request253
Acoustic signal, refer to Check
Control84
Activated-charcoal filter for
automatic climate
control118
"Activation time" for parked
car ventilation119
Active cruise control71
– indicator lamp75
– radar sensors75
– selecting distance73
– warning lamps75
Active front head restraints51
Active seat54
Active seat ventilation54
Active steering99
– warning lamp100
Adapter for spare key30
Adaptive brake assistant92
Adaptive brake lamps, refer to
Brake force display100
Adaptive Head Light110
"Add digits" in mobile phone
mode202Additives
– coolant235
– engine oil, refer to Approved
engine oils235
"Address book" in
navigation152
Address for navigation
– deleting153
– entering144,147
– selecting153
– storing152
– storing current position152
"Add to address book"152
"Add to destination
list"147,149
Adjusting active backrest
width49
Adjusting interior
temperature115
Adjusting the tone during
audio operation, refer to
Tone control169
Adjusting thigh support48
"After door opened"50
"After unlocking"
50
Airbags100
– indicator/warning lamp102
– indicator lamp for front
passenger airbags101
– sitting safely47
Air distribution
– automatic115
– manual116
Airing, refer to Ventilation118
Air recirculation
– AUC Automatic
recirculated-air control117
– recirculated-air mode117
Air recirculation, refer to
Recirculated-air mode117
"Air recirculation on / off"57Air supply, automatic climate
control114
Air volume116
AKI, refer to Fuel quality221
Alarm system39
– avoiding unintentional
alarms40
– interior motion sensor40
– switching off alarm40
– switching off tilt alarm
sensor and interior motion
sensor40
– tilt alarm sensor40
"All channels"180
"All doors"33
Alloy wheels240
All-season tires, refer to
Winter tires230
"All stations", requesting in
radio mode172
All-wheel drive, refer to
xDrive93
Alterations, technical, refer to
For your own safety5
Altering stretch of road160
"AM", reception
range168,172
Antenna for mobile phone194
Antifreeze
– coolant235
– washer fluid70
Anti-theft alarm system, refer
to Alarm system39
Anti-theft system, refer to
Central locking system32
Approved axle loads, refer to
Weights263
Approved engine oils235
Approved gross vehicle
weight, refer to Weights263
Armrest, refer to Center
armrest, rear127

Everything from A to Z
280 Luggage compartment lid36
– emergency operation, refer
to Manual operation36
– emergency release37
– locking separately36
– opening from inside36
– opening from outside36
– unlocking and locking from
inside35
– unlocking manually36
Luggage compartment lid/
tailgate
– comfort access41
Luggage net, refer to Partition
net128
Luggage rack, refer to Roof-
mounted luggage rack139
Lumbar support49
LW, waveband172
M
M+S tires, refer to Winter
tires230
Maintenance237
– refer to Service and
Warranty Information
Booklet for US models237
– refer to Service
requirements82
– refer to Warranty and
Service Guide Booklet for
Canadian models237
Maintenance system237
Malfunction warnings, refer to
Check Control84
Manual air distribution116
"Manual" in radio mode173
Manual operation
– door lock34
– driver's door34
– fuel filler door220
– glass sunroof44
– luggage compartment lid36
– panorama glass sunroof46
– transmission lock, automatic
transmission66
Manual transmission64
"Map direction of travel"158Map display158
"Map facing north"158
Map for navigation
– changing scale158
– destination entry149
Map view facing north158
Master key, refer to Keys/
remote control30
Maximum cooling117
Maximum speed
– with compact wheel251
Maximum speed with winter
tires230
Measurements, refer to
Dimensions261
Memory, refer to Seat, mirror
and steering wheel
memory49
MENU, button refer to Start
menu18
Menus, refer to iDrive16
Message list for traffic
information161
Microfilter118
Microphone
– for mobile phone14,16
– for telephone14
– for voice command
system14
Mirror dimming feature56
Mirrors54
– automatic curb monitor55
– folding in and out55
– heating55
– memory, refer to Seat, mirror
and steering wheel
memory49
Missed calls202,203Mobile phone
– accepted calls203
– adjusting volume200
– calling201
– ending call201
– installation location, refer to
Center armrest123
– missed calls203
– operation by voice205
– operation via iDrive200
– redialing203
– refer to separate operating
instructions
– Top 8203
– touch tone dialing, refer to
Tone dialing method204
Mobile phone, refer to
separate operating
instructions
Mobile phone battery208
Monitor, refer to iDrive16
Monitoring pressure of tires,
refer to Flat Tire Monitor95
"Monitor on / off"57
Most recent mobile phone
numbers203
MP3
– compressed audio files182
– USB-audio interface/mobile
phone audio interface189
Multi-function steering wheel,
refer to Buttons on steering
wheel11
Multifunction switch
– refer to Turn signals/
headlamp flasher68
– refer to Wiper system69
Music tracks
– finding184
– random play sequence185
– sampling, scan184
"Mute on / off"57
MW, waveband172
"My Info"214
My Info, refer to BMW Assist
My Info213

Reference 283
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Recirculated-air mode117
– air recirculation117
– AUC Automatic
recirculated-air control117
Reclining seat, refer to
Seats48
Recording times, refer to
Stopwatch86
Redialing with mobile
phone207
"Redial" in mobile phone
mode202
Reflectors, refer to Tail
lamps246
Refueling220
Releasing
– hood232
Releasing the locks, refer to
Unlocking41
"Relock door if not
opened"35
Remaining distance, refer to
Cruising range80
Remaining distance to
destination, refer to
Computer81
Remote control30
– comfort access40
– garage door opener121
– luggage compartment lid33
– malfunction34,42
– replacing battery42
– tailgate33
Removing condensation on
the windows116
"Repeat directory" in audio
mode185
"Repeat" in audio mode185
"Repeat track" in audio
mode185
Replacement fuses251
Replacement of tires, refer to
Changing wheels248
Replacement remote control,
refer to New remote
controls30
Replacing bulbs, refer to
Lamps and bulbs243
Replacing tires230Replacing wheels/tires, refer
to New wheels and tires229
Reporting safety defects7
Reserve
– warning, refer to Fuel
gauge80
"Reset"96,98
Reset, refer to Resetting tone
settings171
"Reset" the stopwatch87
"resetting FTM …"96
"Reset" tone settings
171
Residual heat117
Restraint systems
– for children58
– refer to Safety belts52
Retaining straps, refer to
Storage area package,
Sports Wagon129
Retreaded tires230
Reverse, fast
– CD changer186
– CD player186
Reverse gear
– automatic transmission with
Steptronic65
– manual transmission64
Road map158
"Roadside
Assistance"204,210
Roadside Assistance254
Roadside assistance210
Roadside parking lamps110
– replacing bulbs245
Roller blind
– refer to Roller sun blind122
Roller cover
– refer to Roll-up cover, Sports
Wagon128
Roll-up cover, Sports
Wagon128
Roof load capacity263
Roof-mounted luggage
rack139
Rope, refer to Tow-starting
and towing255
Rotary/pushbutton, refer to
iDrive16Route154
– bypassing sections160
– changing160
– changing criteria154
– displaying157
– displaying arrow display157
– displaying map view158
– displaying streets or towns/
cities159
– selecting154
Route information, refer to
Destination guidance with
voice instructions159
Route map, refer to Displaying
map view158
"Route preference",
changing154
Route selection154
RSC Runflat System
Component, refer to Run-
flat tires229
Run-flat tires229
– continuing driving with a
damaged tire96,98
– flat tire96,98
– Flat Tire Monitor95
– new wheels and tires229
– tire inflation
pressure96,98,222
– Tire Pressure Monitor97
– tire replacement229,230
– winter tires230
S
Safety5
Safety belts52
– damage53
– sitting safely47
– warning lamp52
Safety belt tensioners
– refer to Airbags100
– refer to Safety belts52

Reference 285
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Shoulder support48
"Show current position"150
"Show destination
position"150
Shuffled, refer to Random
– CD changer185
– CD player185
Side airbags100
Side marker lamps, replacing
bulbs246
Side-mounted turn signals,
replacing bulbs246
Side window blinds, refer to
Sun blinds122
Signal horn, refer to Horn10
Sitting safely47
– with airbags47
– with head restraint47
– with safety belts47
Ski bag130
Sliding/tilt sunroof
– refer to Electric glass
sunroof43
– refer to Panorama glass
sunroof45
Slope assistant, refer to
Starting assistant94
Snap-in adapter
– mounting/removing207
– using194
Snow chains231
Socket for Onboard
Diagnostics interface238
Socket for remote control,
refer to Ignition lock62
Sockets, refer to Connecting
electrical devices126
Soft closure aid, refer to
Automatic soft closing35
Song search on CD, refer to
Sampling tracks184
SOS, refer to Initiating an
emergency request253
Sound distribution in audio
mode
– front/rear fader170
– right/left balance170Spare
– adapter for spare key30
– fuses251
– key30
– wheel, refer to Compact
wheel250
Spare wheel, refer to
Changing wheels248
Special oils, refer to Approved
engine oils235
Specified oil grades, refer to
Approved engine oils235
Speed
– limit86
– with compact wheel251
Speed-dependent
volume
170
Speed limit warning, refer to
Speed limit86
Speedometer12
"Speed volume", tone
control170
Speed with winter tires230
Sport automatic
transmission67
– Dynamic Driving Control67
– kick-down65
– towing256
– with comfort access42
Sport program, Automatic
transmission with
Steptronic65Sports Wagon
– automatic roll-up cover128
– automatic tailgate
operation38
– compartments in cargo
bay129
– expanding cargo bay128
– opening rear window37
– opening tailgate37
– panorama glass sunroof45
– partition net128
– rear window wiper70
– rear window wiper, changing
wiper blade243
– releasing fuel filler door in
event of electrical
malfunction220
– roll-up cover128
– roll-up cover for cargo
bay128
– self-leveling suspension95
– socket in cargo bay126
– storage area package129
– tail lamps, replacing
bulbs247
Stability control, refer to
Driving stability control
systems91
Star button56,57
Start/Stop button62
– starting the engine63
– switching off the engine63
"Start" for stopwatch87
"Start guidance"147,156
Starting, refer to Starting
engine63
Starting assistance, refer to
Jump starting254
Starting assistant94
Starting difficulties, refer to
Jump starting254
Starting off on slopes, refer to
Starting assistant94
Start menu, iDrive18
"Start route guidance"150
"Start service"210
"Start service" with BMW
Assist213

Reference 287
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
"Timer 1" for parked-car
ventilation119
Tire inflation pressures222
Tire pressure
– loss96,97
Tire Pressure Monitor
TPM97
Tire Quality Grading228
Tire replacement
– new wheels and tires229
Tires
– age228
– air loss96,98
– breaking-in134
– changing229
– condition229
– damage229
– flat tire, refer to Changing
wheels248
– inflation pressure222
– new wheels and tires229
– pressure monitoring, refer to
Flat Tire Monitor95
– pressure monitoring, refer to
TPM Tire Pressure
Monitor97
– replacing248
– retreaded tires230
– run-flat tires229
– size227
– tread229
– wear indicators229
– wheel/tire combination229
– winter tires230
Tire trouble
– changing wheels248
– compact wheel250
TMC station, refer to Traffic
information160
"Tone"169
Tone dialing method204
Tone in audio mode
– adjusting169
– middle setting171
Tone on locking/unlocking33
Tools, refer to Onboard
toolkit243
"Top 8" in mobile phone
mode202Torque
– refer to Engine data260
Torque, lug bolts, refer to
After mounting250
Touch tone dialing, refer to
Tone dialing method204
Tow bar256
Tow fitting255
Towing255
– methods256
– tow fittings255
– with automatic and sport
automatic transmission256
– with manual
transmission256
"Town / City" in destination
entry145
Tow rope257
Tow-starting255
"TPM"98
TPM Tire Pressure
Monitor97
– resetting system97
– system limits97
– warning lamp98
Tracks
– random sequence185
– sampling on CD184
– selecting with CD183
Traction-assist feature, refer
to DSC Dynamic Stability
Control92
Traction control, refer to DSC
Dynamic Stability
Control92
Traffic information for
navigation
– depiction in route map162
– displaying161
– during destination
guidance163
– symbols162
Traffic information with
navigation160
"Traffic Info settings"161Traffic jam
– displaying traffic
information160
– refer to Bypassing route
sections160
Transmission
– automatic transmission with
Steptronic64
– manually unlocking and
locking transmission lock66
– manual transmission64
– sport automatic
transmission67
– starting assistant94
– towing256
Transporting children
safely58
Transport securing device,
refer to Securing cargo138
Tread depth, refer to Minimum
tire tread229
Treble, refer to Tone
control169
"Treble", tone control169
Trip computer81,82
Trip-distance counter
– refer to Trip computer81
– refer to Trip meter79
"Triple turn signal"68
Trip meter79
– also refer to Trip
computer81
Trip odometer, refer to Trip
meter79
Trunk, refer to Cargo bay
Trunk lid, refer to Tailgate37
Turning circle, refer to
Dimensions261
Turning lamps110
– replacing bulbs246
Turn signals68
– indicator lamp12
– replacing bulbs246
U
Uniform Tire Quality Grading/
UTQR228
"Units"89

Reference 289
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Windshield wash
– automatic, refer to Rain
sensor69
– capacities, reservoir264
– filler neck for washer
fluid233
– rear window70
– washer fluid70
– windshield washer
nozzles70
– wiper system69
Windshield wipers, refer to
Wiper system69
– wiper blade
replacement243
Winter tires230
– setting speed limit86
– storage230
Wiper blades
– replacement243
Wiper system69
– rain sensor69
– washer fluid70
– windshield washer
nozzles70
"With highways" in
navigation155
Word matching principle for
navigation155
Working in the engine
compartment232
Wrenches/screwdrivers, refer
to Onboard toolkit243
X
xDrive93
Xenon lamps245
– replacing bulbs245
Y
Your individual vehicle
– programmable buttons on
steering wheel56
– settings, refer to Personal
Profile31
Z
"Zoom" with BMW Night
Vision106