tires BMW 3 SERIES 2009 Owner's Manual

Mobility
205Reference
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Sports Wagon: tire inflation pressures for the 328xi
Tire size Pressure specifications in psi/kPa
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
psi/kilopascal with cold tires.
Cold = ambient temperature
without Sports package:
205/55 R 16 91 H M+S
225/50 R 16 92 H M+S
225/50 R 16 92 W 32/220 39/270 32/220 38/260 36/250 44/300
225/45 R 17 91 H M+S
225/45 R 17 91 W 33/230 41/280 32/220 38/260 38/260 45/310
225/45 R 17 94 V M+S XL 35/240 42/290 32/220 39/270 39/270 46/320
Front: 225/45 R 17 91 V 33/230 - 32/220 - 38/260 -
Rear: 255/40 R 17 94 V - 36/250 - 35/240 - 41/280
Front: 225/40 R 18 88 W 36/250 - 35/240 - 39/270 -
Rear: 255/35 R 18 90 W - 42/290 - 39/270 - 46/320
Front: 225/40 R 18 88 Y 36/250 - 32/220 - 36/250 -
Rear: 255/35 R 18 90 Y - 42/290 - 36/250 - 42/290
Front: 225/35 R 19 88 Y XL 39/270 - 35/240 - 39/270 -
Rear: 255/30 R 19 91 Y XL - 46/320 - 39/270 - 46/320
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Wheels and tires
206
with Sports package:
205/55 R 16 91 H M+S
225/50 R 16 92 H M+S
225/50 R 16 92 W
32/220 39/270 32/220 39/270 38/260 45/310
225/45 R 17 91 H M+S
225/45 R 17 91 W 33/230 41/280 33/230 41/280 41/280 48/330
225/45 R 17 94 V M+S XL 35/240 42/290 36/250 44/300 42/290 49/340
Front: 225/45 R 17 91 V 33/230 - 33/230 - 41/280 -
Rear: 255/40 R 17 94 V - 36/250 - 39/270 - 45/310
Front: 225/40 R 18 88 W 36/250 - 36/250 - 42/290 -
Rear: 255/35 R 18 90 W - 42/290 - 42/290 - 49/340
Front: 225/40 R 18 88 Y 36/250 - 33/230 - 38/260 -
Rear: 255/35 R 18 90 Y - 42/290 - 39/270 - 45/310
Front: 225/35 R 19 88 Y XL 39/270 - 38/260 - 42/290 -
Rear: 255/30 R 19 91 Y XL - 46/320 - 42/290 - 49/340
More details on the permissible load and weights can be found on page241.
Tire size Pressure specifications in psi/kPa
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
psi/kilopascal with cold tires.
Cold = ambient temperature
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Mobility
207Reference
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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 or 160 km/h
T = up to 118 mph or 190 km/h
H = up to 131 mph or 210 km/h
V = up to 150 mph or 240 km/h
W = up to 167 mph or 270 km/h
Y = up to 186 mph or 300 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 … 3208 means that the
tire was manufactured in week 32 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 Requir ements 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 conditio ns on a specified gov-
ernment test course. For example, a tire graded
150 would wear one and one-half (1 γ) 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-ahe ad braking traction
tests, and does not in clude acceleration, cor-
nering, hydroplaning, or peak traction charac-
teristics. <
Temperature
The temperature grades ar e A, the highest, B,
and C, representing the ti re's resistance to the
generation of heat and its ability to dissipate
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 tires225/45 R1791 V
e.g.
Manufacturer's code
for tire make
Tire size and
tire design
Tire ageDOT xxxx xxx 3208
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Wheels and tires
208
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 whee l 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 excessi ve 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 page209.
M+S
Winter and all-season tires.
These have better winter properties than sum-
mer tires.
XL
Designation for specia lly 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/
3mm, although, for exam ple, 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 sh
ould be installed.
Wear indicators in the ba se of the tread groove
are distributed around th e tire's circumference;
the letters TWI, for Tread Wear Indicator, on the
tire's sidewalls identify tires that incorporate
these wear indicators. On ce 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-pr ofile 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 indi cate 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 be extremely dan-
gerous for vehicle occu pants and other road
users. <
Tire age
For various reasons, such as the development
of brittleness, BMW re commends tire replace-
ment after no more than 6 years, regardless of
the actual wear of the tires.
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Mobility
209Reference
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The manufacturing date of tires is contained in
the tire coding:
DOT ... 3208 means that the tire was manufac-
tured in week 32 of 2008.
Run-Flat Tires
The symbol identifying Run-Flat Tires is a circle
with the letters RSC on the sidewall.
Run-Flat Tires comprise a conditionally self-
supporting tire and a special rim. The reinforce-
ment in the sidewalls ensures that the tire can
continue to be used su bject to certain restric-
tions, even if depressurized.
For information on continuing to drive with a flat
tire, refer to Indication of a flat tire, page 84.
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 trai ned personnel. If this
work is not carried out properly, there is a dan-
ger of subsequent dama ge and related safety
hazards. Make sure that the new wheels are bal-
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 ag e, which can result in a
limited service life. <
Correct wheels and tires
When mounting new tires or changing over
from summer to winter tires and vice versa,
mount Run-Flat Tires for your own safety. In the
event of a flat, no spare wheel is available. Your
BMW center will be glad to advise you.
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. 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, DSC or
FTM.
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 page 84. Your BMW center
will be glad to advise you.
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Wheels and tires
210
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 winter roads
or at temperatures below +45°F/+7°C.
Although all-season M+ S tires provide better
winter traction than summer tires, they gener-
ally 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. <
If the car is capable of speeds higher than that
permitted for the winter ti res, a label stating the
maximum permitted speed for the mounted
tires must be displayed in your field of view.
Specialist tire dealers and your BMW center
can supply these labels.
Storage
Always store wheels and tires in a cool, dry
place with as little exposure to light as possible.
Always protect tires agains t 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 th is could impair driving
characteristics. If the tires are of mixed sizes,
swapping wheels betwee n the axles is not per-
missible.
Snow chains*
Only certain fine-link sn ow chains have been
tested by BMW, classified as safe for use and
recommended. Consult your BMW center for
more information.
Snow chains must be mounted in pairs and on
the rear wheels only. Observe the manufac-
turer's instructions when mounting snow
chains. Do not exceed a speed of 30 mph or
50 km/h.
Do not initialize the Flat Tire Monitor if
snow chains are mounted, otherwise the
instrument might issue an incorrect reading.
When driving with snow chains, you may find it
helpful to activate DTC temporarily, refer to
page 81. <
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Replacing components
228
6.
Reattach the trim of the luggage compart-
ment lid and the holder for the warning tri-
angle.
Sports Wagon
1. Use a screwdriver to press out the cover at
the clips, see arrows, and fold it downward.
2. Fold away the foam insulating material.
3. Release the bulb holder at the clip, see
arrow, and remove.
4. Apply gentle pressure to the bulb while
turning it to the left for removal and replace-
ment.
5. Re-engage the bulb holder so that it audibly
clicks into place.
6. Reattach the trim of the tailgate.
License plate lamp, center brake lamp,
parking/tail lamp and turn signal*
These lamps use LED technology for operation.
In the event of a malfunction, please contact
your BMW center or a workshop that works
according to BMW repair procedures with cor-
respondingly trained personnel.
Changing wheels
Your BMW is equipped with Run-Flat Tires as
standard. This removes the need to change a
wheel immediately in the event of a puncture.
For information on continuing to drive with a
damaged tire, refer to Indica tion of a flat tire on
page 84.
The symbol identifying Run- Flat Tires is a circle
with the letters RSC on the sidewall, refer to
Run-Flat Tires, page 209.
When mounting new tires or changing over
from summer to winter tires and vice versa,
mount Run-Flat Tires for your own safety. In the
event of a flat, no spare wheel is available. Your
BMW center will be glad to advise you. Refer
also to New wheels and tires, page 209.
The tools for changing wheels are avail-
able as optional accessories from your
BMW center. <
Jack mounting points
The jacking points are at the positions shown in
the illustration.
Vehicle battery
Battery care
The battery is 100 % ma intenance-free, 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.
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Everything from A - Z
250
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 System 81
ACC, refer to Active cruise control 61
Accident, refer to Sending an Emergency Request 230
Activated-charcoal filter for
automatic climate control 97
Active cruise control 61
– indicator lamps 64
– malfunction 65
– selecting distance 63
– sensor 64
Active steering 87
Adaptive brake light
– brake force display 87
Adaptive Head Light 91
Additives
– coolant 215
Address, entering 123,129
Address for navigation
– entering 123,129
Adjusting temperature inside the car, refer to Automatic
climate control 95
Adjusting the thigh support 42
Adjusting the tone during audio operation, refer to
Tone control 142
Airbags 88
– indicator/warning lamp 89
– sitting safely 41
Air conditioning mode
– automatic climate control 95
– ventilation 97 Air distribution
– automatic
95
Air flow rate 95
Airing, refer to Ventilation 97
Air pressure, refer to Tire inflation pressure 195
Air recirculation, refer to Recirculated-air mode 96
Air supply
– automatic climate control 95
– ventilation 97
Air vents 94
AKI, refer to Fuel specifications 191
Alarm system 33
– avoiding unintentional alarms 34
– interior motion sensor 33
– switching off an alarm 33
– tilt alarm sensor 33
Albums of music
collection 159
All-season tires, refer to Winter tires 210
All-wheel drive, refer to xDrive 82
AM, waveband 145
Ambient

air, refer to
Recirculated-air mode 96
Antenna for mobile phone 168
Antifreeze
– coolant 215
– washer fluid 59
Antilock Brake System ABS 81
Anti-theft alarm system, refer
to Alarm system 33
Anti-theft system 27
Approved axle loads, refer to
Weights 241
Approved gross vehicle weight, refer to Weights 241Armrest, refer to Center
armrest 103
Arrival time, refer to
Computer 69
Ashtray
– front 104
– rear 105
Assistance systems, refer to Driving stability control
systems 81
AUC Automatic recirculated- air control 96
Audio 142
– controls 142
– switching on/off 142
– tone control 142
– volume 142
Audio device, external 103
Automatic
– air distribution 95
– air flow rate 95
– cruise control 59,61
– headlamp control 90
Automatic car washes 218
Automatic climate control 94
– automatic air distribution 95
Automatic curb monitor 47
Automatic recirculated-air control AUC 96
Automatic Service
Request 185
Automatic transmission with Steptronic 55
– interlock 55,56
– overriding selector lever lock 57
– shiftlock, refer to Changing selector lever position 56
– sport program 56
– towing 232
– tow-starting 232
AUTO program for automatic
climate control 95
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Reference 253
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Computer69
– displays on Control
Display 69
Computer, refer to iDrive 16
Concierge service 181
Condensation, refer to When the vehicle is parked 117
Condition Based Service
CBS 216
Configuring settings, refer to Personal Profile 26
Confirmation signals for locking/unlocking the
vehicle 28
Congestion
– refer to Route, bypassing
sections 134
Connecting vacuum cleaner, refer to Connecting
electrical appliances 105
Consumption, refer to Average consumption 69
Consumption display
– average consumption 69
– Energy Control 68
Control Center, refer to iDrive 16
Control Display, refer to
iDrive 16
– adjusting brightness 78
– switching on/off 19
Controller, refer to iDrive 16
Controls and displays 10
Control unit, refer to iDrive 16
Convenient access 34
– replacing the battery 35
Convenient operation
– glass roof 28
– windows 28
Coolant 215
– checking level 215
Coolant temperature 68
Cooling, maximum 95
Cooling fluid, refer to Coolant 215
Cooling system, refer to
Coolant 215
Copyright 2 Corner-illuminating lamps
– replacing bulbs
224
Corner-illuminating lamps, refer to Adaptive Head
Light 91
Cornering lamps, refer to Adaptive Head Light 91
Correct tires 209
Country codes DVD 152
Courtesy lamps, refer to Interior lamps 93
Criteria for route 133
Cross-hairs in navigation 128
Cruise control 59
– active 61
– malfunctio
n61
Cruising range 69
Cup holders 104
Curb weight, refer to
Weights 241
Current fuel consumption, refer to Energy Control 68
Current playback of music collection 158
Current position
– displaying 139
Customer Relations 185
D
Dashboard, refer to
Cockpit 10
Dashboard, refer to Instrument cluster 12
Dashboard lighting, refer to Instrument lighting 92
Data, technical 238
– dimensions 239
– engine 238
– weights 241
Data transfer 186
Date
– date format 75
– setting 74
Daytime running lamps 91
– replacing bulbs 223
DBC Dynamic Brake Control 81 Deactivating front passenger
airbags 88
Deadlocking, refer to Locking 28
Defect
– door lock 29
– fuel filler door 190
– glass roof 37
– panorama glass roof 39
Destination, entering by town/ city name 123
Destination address
– entering 123,129
Destination for navigation
– entering by voice 129
– entering via map 128
– entry 123
– home address 126
– manual entry 123
Destination guidance 133
– bypassing a route section 134
– changing specified route 133
– continuing 133
– starting 133
– voice instructions 134
– volume of voice
instructions 135
Diesel exhaust fluid 193
Diesel fuel 191
Diesel particulate filter 115
Digital clock 67
Digital compass 101
Digital radio, refer to High Definition Radio 146
Dimensions 239
Dipstick, engine oil 212
Directional indicators, refer to Turn signals 57
Direction instructions, refer to Vo
ice instructions 134
Directory for navigation, refer
to Address book 125
Displacement, refer to Engine data 238
Display, refer to iDrive controls 16
"Display current location" 139
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Reference 255
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Environmentally friendly driving, refer to Energy
Control 68
Equalizer, tone setting 143
Error messages, refer to
Check Control 75
Event data recorders 217
Exhaust system, refer to Hot
exhaust system 115
Expanding the cargo bay 107
Exterior mirrors 47
– adjusting 47
– automatic dimming
feature 48
– automatic heating 47
– folding in and out 47
External audio device 103
Eyes
– for tow-starting and towing
away 233
– for tying down loads 118
F
Failure messages, refer to
Check Control 75
Failure of an electrical consumer 229
False alarm
– avoiding unintentional alarm 34
– switching off an alarm 33
Fastening safety belts, refer to Safety belts 46
Fastest route for navigation 133
Fast forward
– CD changer 152
– CD player 152
Filter
– refer to Microfilter/activated- charcoal filter for automatic
climate control 97
First aid pouch 231
Fixture for remote control, refer to Ignition lock 53
Flash when locking/ unlocking 28 Flat tire
– Run-Flat Tires
209
– Tire Pressure Monitor TPM 84
Flat Tire Monitor FTM 83
– indicating a flat tire 84
– indicator/warning lamp 84
– initializing the system 83
– malfunction 84
– snow chains 83,210
– system limits 83
Flat tires, refer to Tire condition 208
Fluid reservoir, refer to Washer fluid reservoir 59
FM, waveband 145
Fog lamps 92
– indicator lamp 13,92
Folding rear seat backrest 107
Folding up the floor panel 109
Footbrake, refer to Braking safely 116
Footwell lamps, refer to Interior lamps 93
For your own safety 5
Four-wheel drive, refer to xDrive 82
Free memory capacity, music
collection 159
Front airbags 88
FTM, refer to Flat Tire
Monitor 83
Fuel 191
– additives 192
– average consumption 69
– gauge 68
– high-qu
ality brands 191
– quality 191
– specifications 191
– tank contents, refer to
Capacities 242
Fuel clock, refer to Fuel gauge 68
Fuel display, refer to Fuel gauge 68
Fuel-efficient driving, refer to
Energy Control 68 Fuel filler door
190
– releasing in the event of
electrical malfunction 190
Fuses 229
G
Garage door opener, refer to
Integrated universal remote
control 99
Gasoline
– refer to Average consumption 69
Gasoline, refer to Required
fuel 191
Gasoline display, refer to Fuel
gauge 68
Gear indicator, automatic transmission with
Steptronic 55
Gearshift lever
– automatic transmission with
Steptronic 56
– manual transmission 55
Gearshifts
– automatic transmission with Steptronic 56
– manual transmission 55
General driving notes 115
Glass roof, electric 37
– closing after electrical
malfunction 37
– convenient operation 28,29
– initializing 37
– opening, closing 37
– pinch protection system 37
– power failure 37
– raising 37
– remote control 28
Glove compartment 102
GPS navigation, refer to Navigation system 122
Grills 94
Gross vehicle weight, refer to Weights 241
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