Wheels and tires BMW 3 SERIES SPORTS WAGON 2015 F31 User Guide

These pressure values can also be found on
the tire inflation pressure label on the driver's
door pillar.
Maximum permissible speed
Do not exceed 100 mph/160 km/h; other‐
wise, tire damage and accidents may result.◀
Tire inflation pressure values up to
100 mph/160 km/h
328i xDrive, 328d xDrive
Tire sizePressure specifications
in bar/PSISpecifications in
bar/PSI with cold
tires225/50 R 17 94 V
M+S A/S RSC
225/50 R 17 94 H
M+S RSC2.2 / 322.4 / 35225/45 R 18 91 V
M+S A/S RSC
225/45 R 18 91 Y
RSC
225/45 R 18 95 V
M+S XL RSC2.4 / 352.7 / 39Front: 225/50 R 17
94 W RSC
Rear: 255/45 R 17
98 W RSC2.2 / 32
--
2.4 / 35Tire sizePressure specifications
in bar/PSIFront: 225/45 R 18
91 Y RSC
Rear: 255/40 R 18
95 Y RSC2.4 / 35
--
2.4 / 35Front: 225/40 R 19
89 Y RSC
Rear: 255/35 R 19
92 Y RSC2.2 / 32
--
2.6 / 38Front: 225/35 R 20
90 Y XL RSC
Rear: 255/30 R 20
92 Y XL RSC2.5 / 36
--
3.0 / 44Emergency wheel:
T 135/80 R 17 102
MSpeed up to a max. of
50 mph / 80 km/h
4.2 / 60
Tire inflation pressures at max.
speeds above 100 mph/160 km/h
Speeds above 100 mph/160 km/h
In order to drive at maximum speeds in
excess of 100 mph/160 km/h, please observe,
and, if necessary, adjust tire pressures for
speeds exceeding 100 mph/160 km/h from the
relevant table on the following pages. Other‐
wise tire damage and accidents could occur.◀
Tire inflation pressure values over
100 mph/160 km/h
328i xDrive, 328d xDrive
Without high-speed tuning feature
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Tire sizePressure specifications
in bar/PSISpecifications in
bar/PSI with cold
tires225/50 R 17 94 V
M+S A/S RSC
225/50 R 17 94 H
M+S RSC2.7 / 393.2 / 46225/45 R 18 91 V
M+S A/S RSC
225/45 R 18 91 Y
RSC
225/45 R 18 95 V
M+S XL RSC2.9 /423.4 / 49Front: 225/50 R 17
94 W RSC
Rear: 255/45 R 17
98 W RSC2.7 / 39
--
2.9 /42Front: 225/45 R 18
91 Y RSC
Rear: 255/40 R 18
95 Y RSC2.9 /42
--
2.9 /42Front: 225/40 R 19
89 Y RSC
Rear: 255/35 R 19
92 Y RSC2.7 / 39
--
3.2 / 46Front: 225/35 R 20
90 Y XL RSC
Rear: 255/30 R 20
92 Y XL RSC2.9 /42
--
3.4 / 49Emergency wheel:
T 135/80 R 17 102
MSpeed up to a max. of
50 mph / 80 km/h
4.2 / 60
With high-speed tuning feature
Tire sizePressure specifications
in bar/PSISpecifications in
bar/PSI with cold
tires225/50 R 17 94 H
M+S RSC2.7 / 393.2 / 46225/45 R 18 91 Y
RSC
225/45 R 18 95 V
M+S XL RSC2.9 /423.4 / 49Front: 225/50 R 17
94 W RSC
Rear: 255/45 R 17
98 W RSC2.7 / 39
--
2.9 /42Front: 225/45 R 18
91 Y RSC
Rear: 255/40 R 18
95 Y RSC2.9 /42
--
2.9 /42Front: 225/40 R 19
89 Y RSC
Rear: 255/35 R 19
92 Y RSC2.7 / 39
--
3.2 / 46Front: 225/35 R 20
90 Y XL RSC
Rear: 255/30 R 20
92 Y XL RSC2.9 /42
--
3.4 / 49Emergency wheel:
T 135/80 R 17 102
MSpeed up to a max. of
50 mph / 80 km/h
4.2 / 60
Tire identification marks
Tire size 245/45 R 18 96 Y
245: nominal width in mm
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45: aspect ratio in %
R: radial tire code
18: rim diameter in inches
96: load rating, not for ZR tires
Y: speed rating, before the R on ZR tires
Speed letter
Q = up to 100 mph, 160 km/h
R = up to 106 mph, 170 km/h
S = up to 112 mph, 180 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
Tire Identification NumberDOT code: DOT xxxx xxx 0115
xxxx: manufacturer code for the tire brand
xxx: tire size and tire design
0115: tire age
Tires with DOT codes meet the guidelines of
the U.S. Department of Transportation.
Tire age DOT … 0115: the tire was manufactured in the
1st week of 2015.
Recommendation
Regardless of wear and tear, replace tires at
least every 6 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: Treadwear 200; Traction AA;
Temperature ADOT Quality Grades
Treadwear
Traction AA A B C
Temperature A B C
All passenger car tires must conform to Fed‐
eral Safety Requirements in addition to these
grades.
Treadwear The treadwear 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, 1 g,
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, however, and may depart signifi‐
cantly from the norm due to variations in driv‐
ing habits, service practices and differences in
road characteristics 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 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, cornering,
hydroplaning, or peak traction characteristics.
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 ma‐
terial of the tire to degenerate and reduce tire
life, and excessive temperature can lead toSeite 196MobilityWheels and tires196
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sudden tire failure. The grade C corresponds
to a level of performance which all passenger
car tires must meet under the Federal Motor
Vehicle Safety Standard No. 109. Grades Band
A represent higher levels of performance on
the laboratory test wheel than the minimum re‐
quired by law.
Temperature grade for this tire
The temperature grade for this tire is es‐
tablished for a tire that is properly inflated and
not overloaded. Excessive speed, underinfla‐
tion, or excessive loading, either separately or
in combination, can cause heat buildup and
possible tire failure.
If necessary, have the vehicle towed.◀
RSC – Run-flat tires
Run-flat tires, refer to page 199, are labeled
with a circular symbol containing the letters
RSC marked on the sidewall.
M+S
Winter and all-season tires with better cold
weather performance than summer tires.
Tire treadSummer tires
Do not drive with a tire tread depth of less than
0.12 in/3 mm.
There is an increased danger of hydroplaning if
the tire tread depth is less than 0.12 in/3 mm.
Winter tires
Do not drive with a tire tread depth of less than
0.16 in/4 mm.
Below a tread depth of 0.16 in/4 mm, tires are
less suitable for winter operation.Minimum tread depth
Wear indicators are distributed around the
tire's circumference and have the legally re‐
quired minimum height of 0.063 in/1.6 mm.
They are marked on the side of the tire with
TWI, Tread Wear Indicator.
Tire damage
General information
Inspect your tires often for damage, foreign
objects lodged in the tread, and tread wear.
Hints
Driving over rough or damaged road surfaces,
as well as debris, curbs and other obstacles
can cause serious damage to wheels, tires and
suspension parts. This is more likely to occur
with low-profile tires, which provide less cush‐
ioning between the wheel and the road. Be
careful to avoid road hazards and reduce your
speed, especially if your vehicle is equipped
with low-profile tires.
Indications of tire damage or other vehicle de‐
fects:
▷Unusual vibrations while driving.▷Unusual handling such as a strong ten‐
dency to pull to the left or right.
Damage can, e. g., be caused by driving over
curbs, road damage, or similar things.
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In case of tire damage
If there are indications of tire damage, re‐
duce your speed immediately and have the
rims and tires checked right away; otherwise,
there is the increased risk of an accident.
Drive carefully to the nearest service center. If
necessary, have the vehicle towed or trans‐
ported there. Otherwise, tire damage can be‐
come life threatening for vehicle occupants
and also other traffic.◀
Repair of tire damage
For safety reasons, the manufacturer of
your vehicle recommends that you do not have
damaged tires repaired; they should be re‐
placed. Otherwise, damage can occur as a re‐
sult.◀
Changing wheels and tires
Mounting Information on mounting tires
Have mounting and balancing performed
only by a service center.
If work is not carried out properly, there is a
danger of subsequent damage and related
safety hazards.◀
Wheel and tire combination
You can ask the service center about the right
wheel/tire combination and wheel rim versions
for the vehicle.
Incorrect wheel and tire combinations impair
the function of a variety of systems such as
ABS or DSC.
To maintain good handling and vehicle re‐
sponse, use only tires with a single tread con‐
figuration from a single manufacturer.
Following tire damage, have the original wheel
and tire combination remounted on the vehicle
as soon as possible.Approved wheels and tires
You should only use wheels and tires
that have been approved by the vehicle manu‐
facturer for your vehicle type; otherwise, e.g.,
despite having the same official size ratings,
variations can lead to chassis contact and with
it, the risk of severe accidents
The manufacturer of your vehicle cannot eval‐
uate non-approved wheels and tires to deter‐
mine if they are suited for use, and therefore
cannot guarantee the operating safety of the
vehicle.◀
Recommended tire brands
For each tire size, the manufacturer of your ve‐
hicle recommends certain tire brands. These
can be identified by a star on the tire sidewall.
With proper use, these tires meet the highest
standards for safety and handling.
New tires Tire traction is not optimal due to manufactur‐
ing circumstances when tires are brand-new;
they achieve their full traction potential after a
break-in time.
Drive conservatively for the first
200 miles/300 km.
Retreaded tires
The manufacturer of your vehicle does not rec‐
ommend the use of retreaded tires.
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Retreaded tires
Possibly substantial variations in the de‐
sign and age of the tire casing structures can
limit service life and have a negative impact on
road safety.◀
Winter tires
Winter tires are recommended for operating on
winter roads.
Although so-called all-season M+S tires pro‐
vide better winter traction than summer tires, they do not provide the same level of perform‐
ance as winter tires.
Maximum speed of winter tires If the maximum speed of the vehicle is higher
than the permissible speed for the winter tires,
then a respective symbol is displayed in your
field of vision. You can obtain this sign from the
tire specialist or from your service center.
Maximum speed for winter tires
Do not exceed the maximum speed for
the respective winter tires; otherwise, tire dam‐
age and accidents can occur.◀
Run-flat tires If you are already using run-flat tires, for your
own safety you should replace them only with
the same kind. No spare tire is available in the
case of a flat tire. Your service center will be
glad to advise you.
Rotating wheels between axlesDifferent wear patterns can occur on the frontand rear axles depending on individual driving
conditions. The tires can be rotated between
the axles to achieve even wear. Your service
center will be glad to advise you. After rotating,
check the tire pressure and correct if needed.
Rotating the tires is not permissible on vehi‐
cles with different tire sizes or rim sizes on the
front and rear axles.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 pres‐
sure indicated on the side wall of the tire.
Run-flat tires Label
RSC label on the tire sidewall.
The wheels consist of tires that are self-sup‐
porting, to a limited degree, and possibly spe‐
cial rims.
The support of the sidewall allows the tire to
remain drivable to a restricted degree in the
event of a tire inflation pressure loss.
Follow the instructions for continued driving
with a flat tire.
Changing run-flat tires
For your own safety, only use run-flat tires. No
spare tire is available in the case of a flat tire.
Your service center will be glad to advise you.
Mobility System
The concept With the Mobility System, minor tire damagecan be sealed quickly to enable continued
travel. To accomplish this, sealant is pumped
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into the tires, which seals the damage from the
inside.
The compressor can be used to check the tire
inflation pressure.
Hints▷Follow the instructions on using the Mobi‐
lity System found on the compressor and
sealant container.▷Use of the Mobility System may be ineffec‐
tive if the tire puncture measures approx.
1/8 in/4 mm or more.▷Contact the nearest service center if the
tire cannot be made drivable.▷If possible, do not remove foreign bodies
that have penetrated the tire.▷Pull the speed limit sticker off the sealant
container and apply it to the steering
wheel.▷The use of a sealant can damage the TPM
wheel electronics. In this case, have the
electronics checked at the next opportu‐
nity and have them replaced if needed.
Enclosed areas
Do not let the engine run in enclosed
areas, since breathing in exhaust fumes may
lead to loss of consciousness and death. The
exhaust gases contain carbon monoxide, an
odorless and colorless but highly toxic gas.◀
Storage The Mobility System is located under the
cargo floor panel.
Sealing container▷Sealing container, arrow 1.▷Filling hose, arrow 2.
Observe use-by date on the sealant container.
Compressor
1On/off reel2Holder for bottle3Reduce inflation pressure4Inflation pressure dial5Compressor6Connector/cable for socket7Connection hose — stowed in the bottom
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Filling the tire with sealant1.Shake the sealing container.2.Take the connection hose completely out
of the compressor housing. Do not kink the
hose.3.Attach the connection hose to the connec‐
tor of the sealing container, ensuring that it
engages audibly.4.Slide the sealing container upright into the
holder on the compressor housing, ensur‐
ing that it engages audibly.5.Screw the connection hose onto the tire
valve of the defective wheel.6.With the compressor switched off, insert
the plug into a power socket inside the ve‐
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7.With the ignition turned on or the engine
running, reel on the compressor.
Switch off the compressor after 10 mi‐
nutes
Do not allow the compressor to run longer than
10 minutes; otherwise, the device will overheat
and may be damaged.◀
Let the compressor run for approx. 3 to 8 mi‐
nutes to fill the tire with sealant and achieve a
tire inflation pressure of approx. 2.5 bar.
While the tire is being filled with sealant, the
tire inflation pressure may sporadically reach
approx. 5 bar. Do not reel off the compressor at
this point.
If a tire inflation pressure of 2 bar is not
reached:
1.Switch off the compressor.2.Unscrew the filling hose from the wheel.3.Drive 33 ft/10 m forward and back to dis‐
tribute the sealant in the tire.4.Inflate the tire again using the compressor.
If a tire inflation pressure of 2 bar cannot be
reached, contact your service center.
Stowing the Mobility System
1.Remove the connection hose of the seal‐
ant container from the wheel.2.Remove the connection hose from the
sealant container.3.Wrap the empty sealant container and con‐
nection hose in suitable material to avoid
dirtying the cargo area.4.Stow the Mobility System back in the vehi‐
cle.
Distributing the sealant
Immediately drive approx. 5 miles/10 km to en‐
sure that the sealant is evenly distributed in the
tire.
Do not exceed a speed of 50 mph/80 km/h.
If possible, do not drive at speeds less than
12 mph/20 km/h.
To correct the tire inflation pressure
1.Stop at a suitable location.2.Screw the connection hose onto the tire
valve stem.3.Attach the connection hose directly to the
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4.Insert the connector into a power socket
inside the vehicle.5.Correct the tire inflation pressure to
2.5 bar.▷Increase pressure: with the ignition
turned on or the engine running, reel
on the compressor.▷To reduce the pressure: press the but‐
ton on the compressor.
Continuing the trip
Do not exceed the maximum permissible
speed of 50 mph/80 km/h.
Reinitialize the Flat Tire Monitor.
Reinitialize the Tire Pressure Monitor.
Replace the defective tire and the sealant con‐
tainer of the Mobility System as soon as possi‐
ble.
Snow chains Fine-link snow chains
Only certain types of fine-link snow chains
have been tested by the manufacturer of the
vehicle, classified as road-safe and approved.
Information about the approved snow chains
are available from the service center.
Use
Use only in pairs on the rear wheels, equipped
with the tires of the following size:
▷225/55 R 16.▷225/50 R 17.▷225/45 R 18.
Follow the snow chain manufacturer's instruc‐
tions.
Make sure that the snow chains are always
sufficiently tight. Retighten as needed accord‐
ing to the chain manufacturer's instructions.
Do not initialize the Flat Tire Monitor after
mounting snow chains, as doing so may result
in incorrect readings.
Do not initialize the Tire Pressure Monitor after
mounting snow chains, as doing so may result
in incorrect readings.
When driving with snow chains, briefly activate
Dynamic Traction Control if needed.
Maximum speed with snow chains Do not exceed a speed of 30 mph/50 km/hwhen using snow chains.
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