wheel BMW 3 SERIES 2009 Owner's Guide

Mobility
195Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
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 th e condition of the tires
and the maintenance of the 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 precauti on 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 tire inflation pressure,
reinitialize the Tire Pressure Monitor, re-
fer to page 85, or the Flat Tire Monitor, refer to
page 83.<
Inflation pressure specifications
The tables below provide 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 respecti ve tire inflation pres-
sures listed on the follo wing pages in the col-
umns for traveling speeds up to a maximum of
100 mph or 160 km/h.
These tire inflation pres sures 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 respecti ve tire inflation pres-
sures listed on the follo wing pages in the col-
umns for traveling speeds including those ex-
ceeding 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 oc-
cur.
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Wheels and tires
196
Sedan: tire inflation pressures for the 323i, for Canada only
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 32/220 35/240 32/220 36/250 35/240 42/290
225/50 R 16 92 V
225/50 R 16 92 H M+S 32/220 35/240 32/220 33/230 32/220 39/270
225/45 R 17 91 H M+S
225/45 R 17 91 V 32/220 36/250 32/220 36/250 35/240 42/290
225/45 R 17 94 V M+S XL 32/220 38/260 32/220 36/250 35/240 42/290
Front: 225/45 R 17 91 V 32/220 - 32/220 - 35/240 -
Rear: 255/40 R 17 94 V - 33/230 - 32/220 - 38/260
Front: 225/40 R 18 88 W 32/220 - 32/220 - 35/240 -
Rear: 255/35 R 18 90 W - 38/260 - 35/240 - 41/280
Front: 225/35 R 19 88 Y XL 35/240 - 32/220 - 35/240 -
Rear: 255/30 R 19 91 Y XL - 42/290 - 36/250 - 42/290
with Sports package
205/55 R 16 91 H M+S
225/50 R 16 92 V
225/50 R 16 92 H M+S 32/220 35/240 32/220 36/250 35/240 42/290
225/45 R 17 91 V
225/45 R 17 91 H M+S 32/220 36/250 33/230 41/280 41/280 48/330
225/45 R 17 94 V M+S XL 32/220 38/260 33/230 41/280 41/280 48/330
Front: 225/45 R 17 91 V 32/220 - 33/230 - 41/280 -
Rear: 255/40 R 17 94 V - 33/230 - 36/250 - 42/290
Front: 225/40 R 18 88 W 32/220 - 33/230 - 38/260 -
Rear: 255/35 R 18 90 W - 38/260 - 39/270 - 45/310
Front: 225/35 R 19 88 Y XL 35/240 - 33/230 - 38/260 -
Rear: 255/30 R 19 91 Y XL - 42/290 - 39/270 - 45/310
More details on the permissible load and weights can be found on page241.
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Wheels and tires
198
with Sports package
205/55 R 16 91 H M+S
225/50 R 16 92 H M+S
225/50 R 16 92 V
32/220 36/250 32/220 38/260 38/260 45/310
225/45 R 17 91 H M+S
225/45 R 17 91 V 32/220 38/260 32/220 38/260 38/260 45/310
225/45 R 17 94 V M+S XL 32/220 39/270 33/230 41/280 42/290 49/340
Front: 225/45 R 17 91 V 32/220 - 32/220 - 38/260 -
Rear: 255/40 R 17 94 V - 35/240 - 36/250 - 44/300
Front: 225/40 R 18 88 W 32/220 - 33/230 - 39/270 -
Rear: 255/35 R 18 90 W - 39/270 - 39/270 - 46/320
Front: 225/40 R 18 88 Y 32/220 - 32/220 - 36/250 -
Rear: 255/35 R 18 90 Y - 39/270 - 36/250 - 44/300
Front: 225/35 R 19 88 Y XL 35/240 - 33/230 - 39/270 -
Rear: 255/30 R 19 91 Y XL - 44/300 - 39/270 - 46/320
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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Wheels and tires
200
Sedan: tire inflation pressures for the 335i
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:
225/45 R 17 91 H M+S
225/45 R 17 94 W 32/220 39/270 32/220 38/260 36/250 44/300
225/45 R 17 94 V M+S XL 33/230 41/280 32/220 38/260 38/260 45/310
Front: 225/45 R 17 91 V 32/220 - 32/220 - 36/250 -
Rear: 255/40 R 17 94 V - 35/240 - 35/240 - 41/280
Front: 225/40 R 18 88 W 33/230 - 32/220 - 36/250 -
Rear: 255/35 R 18 90 W - 41/280 - 38/260 - 44/300
Front: 225/40 R 18 88 Y 33/230 - 32/220 - 33/230 -
Rear: 255/35 R 18 90 Y - 41/280 - 35/240 - 41/280
Front: 225/35 R 19 88 Y XL 38/260 - 35/240 - 38/260 -
Rear: 255/30 R 19 91 Y XL - 45/310 - 39/270 - 45/310
with Sports package:
225/45 R 17 91 H M+S
225/45 R 17 94 W 32/220 39/270 33/230 39/270 39/270 46/320
225/45 R 17 94 V M+S XL 33/230 41/280 36/250 44/300 42/290 49/340
Front: 225/45 R 17 91 V 32/220 - 33/230 - 39/270 -
Rear: 255/40 R 17 94 V - 35/240 - 36/250 - 44/300
Front: 225/40 R 18 88 W 33/230 - 36/250 - 41/280 -
Rear: 255/35 R 18 90 W - 41/280 - 41/280 - 48/330
Front: 225/40 R 18 88 Y 33/230 - 32/220 - 36/250 -
Rear: 255/35 R 18 90 Y - 41/280 - 36/250 - 44/300
Front: 225/35 R 19 88 Y XL 38/260 - 36/250 - 41/280 -
Rear: 255/30 R 19 91 Y XL - 45/310 - 41/280 - 48/330
More details on the permissible load and weights can be found on page241.
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Wheels and tires
202
Sedan: tire inflation pressures for the 335d
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:
225/45 R 17 91 H M+S
225/45 R 17 91 W 33/230 41/280 33/230 39/270 39/270 46/320
225/45 R 17 94 V M+S XL 35/240 42/290 33/230 39/270 39/270 46/320
Front: 225/45 R 17 91 V 33/230 - 33/230 - 39/270 -
Rear: 255/40 R 17 94 V - 36/250 - 36/250 - 41/280
Front: 225/40 R 18 88 W 35/240 - 33/230 - 39/270 -
Rear: 255/35 R 18 90 W - 41/280 - 38/260 - 45/310
Front: 225/40 R 18 88 Y 35/240 - 32/220 - 35/240 -
Rear: 255/35 R 18 90 Y - 41/280 - 36/250 - 41/280
Front: 225/35 R 19 88 Y XL 41/280 - 36/250 - 41/280 -
Rear: 255/30 R 19 91 Y XL - 46/320 - 41/280 - 46/320
with Sports package:
225/45 R 17 91 H M+S
225/45 R 17 91 W 33/230 41/280 35/240 42/290 41/280 48/330
225/45 R 17 94 V M+S XL 35/240 42/290 39/270 45/310 42/290 49/340
Front: 225/45 R 17 91 V 33/230 - 35/240 - 41/280 -
Rear: 255/40 R 17 94 V - 36/250 - 39/270 - 45/310
Front: 225/40 R 18 88 W 35/240 - 38/260 - 42/290 -
Rear: 255/35 R 18 90 W - 41/280 - 42/290 - 49/340
Front: 225/40 R 18 88 Y 35/240 - 35/240 - 38/260 -
Rear: 255/35 R 18 90 Y - 41/280 - 39/270 - 45/310
Front: 225/35 R 19 88 Y XL 41/280 - 39/270 - 44/300 -
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.
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Wheels and tires
204
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 39/270 46/320
225/45 R 17 91 H M+S
225/45 R 17 91 W 33/230 41/280 35/240 42/290 42/290 49/340
225/45 R 17 94 V M+S XL 35/240 42/290 38/260 45/310 42/290 49/340
Front: 225/45 R 17 91 V 33/230 - 35/240 - 42/290 -
Rear: 255/40 R 17 94 V - 36/250 - 39/270 - 46/320
Front: 225/40 R 18 88 W 36/250 - 36/250 - 44/300 -
Rear: 255/35 R 18 90 W - 44/300 - 44/300 - 51/350
Front: 225/40 R 18 88 Y 36/250 - 32/220 - 39/270 -
Rear: 255/35 R 18 90 Y - 44/300 - 39/270 - 46/320
Front: 225/35 R 19 88 Y XL 41/280 - 36/250 - 42/290 -
Rear: 255/30 R 19 91 Y XL - 48/330 - 44/300 - 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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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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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
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
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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