tires BMW M3 2008 Owner's Manual

Wheels and tires
206
Wheels and tires
Tire inflation pressures
Information for your safety
It is not merely the tires' service life, but also
driving comfort and, to a great extent, driving
safety that depend on the condition of the tires
and the maintenance of the specified tire pres-
sure.
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.
Check the tire inflation pressure regularly
and correct it, if necessary: 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 on
a flat tire. 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.<
After correcting the tire inflation pressure,
reinitialize the Flat Tire Monitor, refer to
page85, or reset the Tire Pressure Monitor,
refer to page86.<
Inflation pressure specifications
The table below provides all the correct inflation
pressures for the specified tire sizes at ambient
temperature.
The inflation pressures 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>Load conditions
>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 respective tire inflation pres-
sures listed on the following page in the col-
umns for traveling speeds up to a maximum of
100mph or 160km/h.
These tire inflation pressures can also be found
on the driver's-side door post 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.<
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 respective tire inflation pres-
sures listed on the following page 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 and local maximum speed
limits, otherwise violations of the laws could
occur.

Mobility
207Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Tire size Pressure specifications in psi/kPa
Traveling speeds
up to a max. of
100 mph / 160 km/hTraveling speeds
including those exceeding
100mph / 160km/h
All pressure specifications in
the table are indicated in
psi/kilopascal with cold tires.
Cold = ambient temperature
235/40 R 18 M+S 33/230 39/270 33/230 36/250 38/260 46/320
Front: 245/40 ZR 18 33/230 - 35/240 - 38/260 -
Rear: 265/40 ZR 18 - 35/240 - 35/240 - 41/280
Front: 245/35 ZR 19 35/240 - 35/240 - 41/280 -
Rear: 265/35 ZR 19 - 36/250 - 35/240 - 44/300
More details on the permissible load and weights can be found on page240.

Wheels and tires
208
Tire identification marks
Knowledge of the labeling on the side of the tire
makes it easier to identify and choose the right
tires.
Tire size
Speed code letter
Q = up to 100 mph/160 km/h
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
Z = over 150 mph/240 km/h
Tire Identification Number
Tires with DOT codes meet the guidelines of
the US Department of Transportation.
DOT code:
Tire age
The manufacturing date of tires is contained in
the tire coding: DOT … 0708 means that the
tire was manufactured in week 7 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.
Those grades represent the tire's ability to stop
on wet pavement as measured under controlled
conditions on specified government test sur-
faces 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.< e.g.
Nominal width in mm
Aspect ratio in Ξ
Radial belt construction
Rim diameter in inches
Load rating,
not on ZR tires
Speed code letter, in
front of the R on ZR tires
235/40 R18100 V
245/35 ZR19
e.g.
Manufacturer's code
for tire make
Tire size and
tire design
Tire ageDOT xxxx xxx 4607

Mobility
209Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
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.<
M+S
Winter and all-season tires.
These have better winter properties than sum-
mer tires.
XL
Designation for 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 1/8 in/
3 mm, although, for example, European legisla-
tion only specifies a minimum tread depth of
1/16 in/1.6 mm. At tread depths below 1/8 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 1/6 in/4 mm, they become perceptibly less suitable for winter conditions. In the interest of
safety, new tires should be installed.
Wear indicators in the base of the tread groove
are distributed around the tire's circumference;
the letters TWI, for Tread Wear Indicator, on the
tire's sidewalls identify tires that incorporate
these wear indicators. Once the tire tread has
worn down to the wear indicators, the tire has
worn to a depth of 1/16 in/1.6 mm.
Wheel/tire damage
Please note that low-profile tires cause wheels,
tires and suspension parts to be more suscep-
tible to road hazard 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. The same
applies to any other abnormal road behavior,
such as pulling severely to the right or left.
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 pose a lethal hazard
to vehicle occupants and other road users.<
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
with correspondingly trained personnel. If this

Wheels and tires
210 work is not carried out properly, there is a dan-
ger of subsequent damage and related safety
h a z a r d s . M a k e s u re t h a t t h e n e w w h ee l s a r e b a l-
anced.<
Retreaded tires
BMW recommends that you do not use
retreaded tires, since driving safety may
be impaired. The causes for this include poten-
tially different tire casing structures and often
wide variations in tire age, which can result in a
limited service life.<
Correct 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, which could
lead to body contact and thus to severe acci-
dents. When selecting tires, also take their load
capacity into account. If non-approved wheels
and tires are used, BMW cannot evaluate their
suitability, and therefore cannot guarantee their
driving safety.<
You can inquire about the right wheel/tire com-
bination at your BMW center.
The correct combination of wheels and tires is
also necessary to ensure reliable operation of
various vehicle systems such as ABS or DSC.
To maintain good handling and vehicle
response, use only tires of a single brand and
tread configuration. After a tire has been dam-
aged, mount the previous wheel and tire combi-
nation again as soon as possible.
Wheels with Tire Pressure Monitor
TPM electronics
When mounting new tires or changing over
from summer to winter tires, or vice versa, only
use wheels with TPM electronics; otherwise the
Tire Pressure Monitor may not be able to detect
a puncture, refer to page86. Your BMW center
will be glad to advise you.
Recommended tire brands
Certain makes of tire are recommended by
BMW for each tire size. They are marked with a
clearly visible BMW designation on the sidewall
of the tire.
When properly used, these tires meet the high-
est standards in terms of safety and handling
characteristics.
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.
Pay attention to speed
Always comply with the speed limit for the
winter tires mounted on your car; failure
to do so could result in tire damage and 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
and fuels. Do not exceed the maximum tire
inflation pressure indicated on the sidewall of
the tire.
Swapping wheels between axles
BMW advises against swapping wheels
between the front and rear axles, even if all tires
have the same size, as this could impair driving
characteristics. With standard-equipment tires

Everything from A - Z
246
Everything from A - 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
System82
Acceleration assistant, refer to
Launch Control62
Accident, refer to Sending an
Emergency Request230
Activated-charcoal filter for
automatic climate
control100
"Activation time"100
Adaptive Head Light94
"Add digits" on the mobile
phone186
Additives
– coolant222
"Address book" in
navigation134
Address for navigation
– deleting136
– entering126,134
– selecting135
– storing134
– storing current position135
"Add to destination list"129
Adjusting temperature inside
the car, refer to Automatic
climate control97
Adjusting the thigh support41
Adjusting the tone during
audio operation, refer to
Tone control153
Airbags89
– indicator/warning lamp91
– sitting safely40Air conditioning mode
– automatic climate control97
– ventilation99
Air distribution
– automatic98
– individual97
Air flow rate98
Airing, refer to Ventilation99
Air pressure, refer to Tire
inflation pressure206
Air recirculation, refer to
Recirculated-air mode98
"Air recirculation on / off"47
Air supply
– automatic climate control97
– ventilation99
Air vents96
AKI, refer to Fuel
specifications204
Alarm system34
– avoiding unintentional
alarms35
– interior motion sensor35
– switching off an alarm34
– tilt alarm sensor35
"All channels" for satellite
radio163
All-season tires, refer to
Winter tires
210
"All stations", displaying with
the radio156
"AM", waveband152,156
Ambient air, refer to
Recirculated-air mode98
Antenna for mobile phone178
Antifreeze
– coolant222
– washer fluid65
Antilock Brake System
ABS82
Anti-theft alarm system, refer
to Alarm system34
Anti-theft system29Approved axle loads, refer to
Weights240
Approved gross vehicle
weight, refer to Weights240
Armrest, refer to Center
armrest106
Arrival time, refer to
Computer69
Arrival time, refer to Starting
destination guidance139
Arrow display for
navigation140
"Arrow display" in
navigation140
Ashtray
– front107
– rear108
Assist193
Assistance systems, refer to
Driving stability control
systems82
Assistance window20
– refer to iDrive20
"Assist profile"199
AUC Automatic recirculated-
air control98
"Audio"155,159
Audio152
– controls152
– switching on/off152
– tone control153
– volume153
"Audio", refer to Tone
control153
Audio device, external106
Automatic
– air distribution98
– air flow rate98
– BMW Teleservice Call195
– cruise control65
– headlamp control92
– storing of stations157
Automatic car washes214

Reference 249
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Changes, technical, refer to
For your own safety5
Changing bulbs, refer to
Lamps and bulbs223
Changing the language on the
Control Display79
Changing the measurement
units on the Control
Display71
Changing wheels228
Chassis number, refer to
Engine compartment219
Check Control77
"Check Control
messages"78
Check Gas Cap204
Child-restraint fixing system
LATCH52
Child-restraint systems51
Child-safety lock53
Child seats, refer to
Transporting children
safely51
Chrome parts216
Chrome polish216
Cigarette lighter, refer to
Lighter107
Cleaning headlamps64
– washer fluid65
Cleaning your BMW, refer to
Care214
"Climate"97
Clock67
– 12h/24h format76
– setting time74
Closing
– from inside32
– from outside29
Clothes hooks106
Cockpit10
Cold start, refer to Starting the
engine55
Combined instrument, refer to
Instrument cluster12
Comfort access, refer to
Convenient access35
Comfort area, refer to Around
the center console14
"Comfort" with EDC84"Communication"184,194,1
95,196,197
Compact disc, refer to
– CD changer165
– CD player165
Compartment for remote
control, refer to Ignition
lock54
Compass
104
Computer68
– displays on Control
Display69
– hour signal75
Computer, refer to iDrive16
"Concert hall" for Tone
control154
"Concierge"197
Concierge service197
Condensation, refer to When
the vehicle is parked116
Condition Based Service
CBS212
Configuring settings, refer to
Personal Profile28
Confirmation signals for
locking/unlocking the
vehicle31
Connecting vacuum cleaner,
refer to Connecting
electrical appliances108
Consumption, refer to
Average consumption69
Consumption indicator, refer
to Average consumption69
"Continue guidance to
destination?"140
Control Center, refer to
iDrive16
Control Display
– brightness80
– changing the language79
– switching off/on21
Control Display, refer to
iDrive16
Controller, refer to iDrive16
Controls and displays10
Control unit, refer to iDrive16
Convenient access35
– replacing the battery36Convenient operation
– glass roof30
– glass roof with convenient
access36
– windows30
– windows with convenient
access36
Coolant222
– checking level222
Coolant temperature68
Cooling, maximum98
Cooling fluid, refer to
Coolant222
Cooling system, refer to
Coolant222
Copyright2
Corner-illuminating lamps,
refer to Adaptive Head
Light94
Cornering lamps, refer to
Adaptive Head Light94
Correct tires210
Courtesy lamps, refer to
Interior lamps95
Cross-hairs in navigation131
Cruise control65
Cruising range69
Cup holders107
Curb weight, refer to
Weights240
"Current position"147
Current position
– displaying147
– entering135
– storing135
"Customer
Relations"188,196
D
Dashboard, refer to
Cockpit10
Dashboard, refer to
Instrument cluster12
Dashboard lighting, refer to
Instrument lighting94

Everything from A - Z
252 Filter
– refer to Microfilter/activated-
charcoal filter for automatic
climate control100
First aid pouch231
Fixture for remote control,
refer to Ignition lock54
Flashlight, refer to LED hand
lamp106
Flash when locking/
unlocking31
Flat tire
– Tire Pressure Monitor
TPM86
Flat tire, repairing226
Flat Tire Monitor FTM84
– indicating a flat tire86
– indicator/warning lamp86
– initializing the system85
– malfunction86
– snow chains85,211
– system limits85
Flat tires, refer to Tire
condition209
Fluid reservoir, refer to
Washer fluid reservoir65
"FM", waveband152,156
FM, waveband156
Folding in the mirrors, before
driving into a car wash45
Folding up the floor panel110
Footbrake, refer to Braking
safely115
Footwell lamps, refer to
Interior lamps95
Forward position, engaging,
refer to Selector lever
positions57
For your own safety5
Frequency, selecting
manually157
Front airbags89
FTM, refer to Flat Tire
Monitor84Fuel204
– average consumption69
– gauge68
– high-quality brands204
– quality204
– specifications204
– tank contents, refer to
Capacities241
Fuel clock, refer to Fuel
gauge68
Fuel display, refer to Fuel
gauge68
Fuel filler door204
– releasing in the event of
electrical malfunction
204
Fuses229
G
Garage door opener, refer to
Integrated universal remote
control102
Gasoline
– refer to Average
consumption69
Gasoline, refer to Required
fuel204
Gasoline display, refer to Fuel
gauge68
Gasoline engine, checking
engine oil level219
Gear
– neutral58
Gear change59
Gear display, refer to Displays
in the instrument cluster59
Gearshift lever
– manual transmission56
Gearshifts
– manual transmission56
General driving notes114Glass roof, electric38
– closing after electrical
malfunction39
– convenient operation30,31
– initializing39
– opening, closing38
– operation with convenient
access36
– pinch protection system38
– power failure39
– raising38
– remote control30
Glove compartment105
– LED hand lamp106
GPS navigation, refer to
Navigation system124
Grills96
Gross vehicle weight, refer to
Weights240
H
Handbrake, refer to Parking
brake56
Hand lamp, refer to LED hand
lamp106
Hands-free system14
Hazard warning flashers14
"HD radio"159
HD radio, refer to High
Definition Radio159
Head airbags89
Headlamp control,
automatic92
Headlamp flasher63
– indicator lamp11,13
Head restraints42
– front, removing42
– rear, removing42
– sitting safely40
Heated
– mirrors46
– rear window99
– seats43
Heating
– mirrors46
– rear window99
– residual heat99
– seats43

Everything from A - Z
254
J
Jacking points228
Joystick, refer to iDrive16
Jumpering, refer to Jump
starting231
Jump starting231
K
Key, refer to Remote
control28
Keyless go, refer to
Convenient access35
Keyless opening and closing,
refer to Convenient
access35
Key Memory, refer to Personal
Profile28
Knock control204
L
Lamps
– automatic headlamp
control92
– parking lamps/low beams92
Lamps and bulbs, replacing
bulbs223
"Language / Units"71
"Language / Units" in
navigation125,142
"Language" on the Control
Display79
"Languages" in
navigation125,142
Lap-and-shoulder belt, refer
to Safety belts44
Lashing eyes, refer to
Securing cargo117
Last destinations, refer to
Destination list133
"Last seat pos."44
LATCH child-restraint fixing
system52
Launch Control62
Leather care216
LED hand lamp106
LED light-emitting diodes223Length, refer to
Dimensions239
License plate lamp, replacing
bulb226
Light-alloy wheels215
Light-emitting diodes
LED223
Lighter107
– connecting electrical
appliances108
"Lighting"63
Lighting
– instruments94
– lamps and bulbs223
– vehicle, refer to Lamps92
Light switch92
"Limit"79
Limit, refer to Speed limit78
Load securing equipment,
refer to Securing cargo117
Lock buttons, doors, refer to
Locking32
Locking
– adjusting confirmation
signal31
– from inside32
– from outside30
– without remote control, refer
to Convenient access35
Locking and unlocking doors
– confirmation signals31
– from inside32
– from outside29
Low-beam headlamps
92
– automatic92
Lower back support, refer to
Lumbar support41
Luggage compartment lid33
– convenient access36
– emergency operation, refer
to Opening manually33
– emergency release34
– locking or unlocking
separately33
– opening from inside33
– opening from outside33
– opening manually33
– remote control30Luggage rack, refer to Roof-
mounted luggage rack117
Lumbar support41
M
M+S tires, refer to Winter
tires210
Maintenance, refer to Service
Booklet
Maintenance system212
Malfunction
– luggage compartment lid33
– tires86
Malfunction warnings, refer to
Check Control77
Manual
– BMW Teleservice Call195
Manual car wash215
"Manual" on the radio157
Manual operation
– door lock32
– driver's door32
– fuel filler door204
– glass roof39
– luggage compartment lid33
– transmission lock59
Manual transmission56
– tow-starting234
Map
– changing scale141
– destination entry131
"Map direction of travel"141
"Map facing north"141
Master key, refer to Remote
control28
Maximum cooling98
Maximum speed
– with winter tires210
"M DKG Drivelogic"48
MDM, refer to M Dynamic
Mode82
MDrive48

Everything from A - Z
256 "New address" in
navigation135
"New destination"127,131
"New route"143
New tires209
"Next entertainment
source"47
"Normal"63
"Normal" with EDC84
North-facing map141
Nozzles96
Number of cylinders, refer to
Engine data238
Nylon rope, refer to Tow
rope233
O
OBD socket, refer to Socket
for On-Board Diagnosis213
Octane ratings, refer to Fuel
specifications204
Odometer67
Oil, refer to Engine oil219
Oil consumption219
Oil level219
Old batteries, refer to
Disposal228
"On a new destination" in
navigation133
"Onboard info"69
Onboard tool kit223
"On destination"133
"On location"133
Opening and closing
– convenient access35
– from inside32
– from outside29
– using the door lock31
– via the remote control29Operation by voice for mobile
phone189
– adjusting volume190
– canceling189
– correcting phone
number190
– dialing phone number190
– placing a call190
– redialing190
– voice commands189
– voice phone book190
"Options"197,198
Orientation menu, refer to
Start menu17
Outlets
– refer to Ventilation99
Output, refer to Engine
data238
Outside-air mode
– automatic climate control98
Outside temperature
display67
– changing units of
measure71
– in computer71
Outside temperature
warning67
Overheated engine, refer to
Coolant temperature68
P
Paintwork care215
Park assistant, refer to Park
Distance Control81
Park Distance Control PDC81
"Parked car operation"100
"Parked car ventilation"100
Parked car ventilation100
– activating switch-on
times101
– preselecting switch-on
times100
– switching on and off
directly100
Parking
– vehicle55
Parking aid, refer to Park
Distance Control PDC81Parking brake56
– indicator lamp56
Parking lamps92
Parking lamps/low beams92
Passenger-side mirror tilt
function46
"Pathway lighting"93
Pathway lighting93
"PDC"81
Personal Profile28
"Perspective"141
Phone book183
Phone numbers
– deleting from phone
book187
– dialing185
– most recent numbers186
– selecting in phone book186
– Top 8186
Pinch protection system
– glass roof, electric38
– windows37
Placing a call, refer to
telephone owner's manual
"Play" for satellite radio163
Polish216
Pollen
– refer to Microfilter/activated-
charcoal filter for automatic
climate control100
Position
– displaying147
– saving, refer to Storing
current position135
"POWER"48,49
Power failure228
Power windows37
– safety switch38
Power windows, refer to
Windows37
"Presets", displaying with the
radio156
"Presets" for satellite
radio
163
Pressure, tires206
Pressure monitoring, tires84
– Flat Tire Monitor84