tires BMW 325CI 2006 User Guide

119
Those grades represent the tire's ability
to stop on wet pavement as measured
under controlled conditions on speci-
fied 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 charac-
teristics. highest, B, and C, representing the
tire's resistance to the generation of
heat and its ability to dissipate heat
when tested under controlled condi-
tions 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 tem-
perature 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 Vehicle 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 separately or
in combination, can cause heat buildup
and possible tire failure. wall with a circular symbol containing
the letters RSC, refer to page 120.M+SWinter and all-season tires. These have
better winter driving properties than
summer tires.
Tire conditionWheel/tire damageInspect your tires frequently for signs of
damage, foreign objects and tread
wear, and check tread depth.
Due to low-profile tires, please
note that wheels, tires and sus-
pension parts are more susceptible to
road hazard and consequential dam-
ages.
Unusual vibrations encountered during
normal vehicle operation can indicate a
flat tire or some other vehicle malfunc-
tion. This type of problem can be
caused by contact with curbs, etc. This
is also true for irregularities in the vehi-
cle's handling characteristics, such as a
pronounced tendency to pull to the left
or right.
Should this occur, respond by immedi-
ately reducing your speed. Proceed
carefully to the nearest BMW center or
professional tire center, or have the
vehicle towed there. Tire damage, up to
and including blowouts, can endanger
the lives of both the vehicle occupants
and other road users.<
Tire code
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120
Tire treadTread depth should not be allowed to
go below 1/8 in/3 mm, even though
European legislation, for example,
requires a mimimum tread depth of only
1/16 in/1.6 mm. Below 1/8 in/3 mm
tread depth, there is a great risk of
hydroplaning, even at relatively moder-
ate speeds and with only small amounts
of water on the road.
At tread depths below approx.
3/16 in/4 mm, tire performance under
winter driving conditions deteriorates
noticeably. Worn tires should therefore
be replaced for safety considerations.
Tread wear indicators in the tread-
groove base, see arrow, are distributed
around the wheel circumference and
are labeled on the tire sidewall with
TWI, Tread Wear Indicator. At a tread
depth of 1/16 in/1.6 mm, the indicators
signal that the legally permissible wear
limit has been reached.
Run Flat tires*Run Flat tires are labeled on the side-
wall with a circular symbol containing
the letters RSC.
Run Flat tires consist of self-supporting
tires and special rims. The tire rein-
forcement ensures that driving remains
possible to a restricted degree in the
event of pressure drop or even if the tire
is deflated.Driving with a damaged tireDepending on the cargo load, Run Flat
tires allow you to continue driving at a
maximum speed of 50 mph / 80 km/h.
Tire condition

121
If there is a total loss of tire inflation
pressure, 0 psi/0 kPa, or obvious tire
damage, you can determine the dis-
tance you may continue driving based
on the following values:
>With a light load:
1 to 2 persons without luggage:
approx. 155 miles/250 km
>With a medium load:
2 persons, luggage compartment full;
or 4 persons without luggage:
approx. 90 miles/150 km
>With a full load:
4 persons or more, luggage compart-
ment full:
approx. 30 miles/50 km
Drive cautiously. Do not exceed a
speed of 50 mph / 80 km/h. Be
aware that vehicle handling will be
altered when there is a loss in inflation
pressure. Anticipate, e.g., reduced
tracking during braking, longer braking
distances and changed steering char-
acteristics.
For safety reasons, BMW recommends
not having damaged Run Flat tires
repaired. In this case, consult your
BMW center.<
New wheels and tires
Have new wheels and tires
mounted only by a skilled profes-
sional. Work that is improperly carried
out could result in consequential dam-
age and pose safety hazards.<
Ask your BMW center for details con-
cerning the correct wheel and tire com-
bination. Have the wheels balanced
each time a wheel or tire has been
replaced.
The correct wheel and tire combination
also affects different systems such as
ABS or DSC. The function of these sys-
tems is impaired if improper wheel and
tire combinations are used.
BMW advises against using
retreaded tires, as driving safety
could otherwise be impaired. This is
due to the possible variations in casing
structures and, in some cases, to their
extreme age, which can lead to a
decrease in their durability.<
The correct wheels and tires
BMW recommends using only
wheels and tires that have been
tested and approved by BMW for the
particular vehicle model, as otherwise
body contact and serious accidents can
result despite the use of the same nom-
inal size, e.g. due to manufacturing tol-
erances. BMW cannot evaluate all tires
and wheels on the market, and is thus
unable to guarantee that the vehicle will
continue to perform safely if unap-
proved tires and/or wheels are
mounted.<
To maintain good handling and vehicle
response, use only tires of a single
brand and tread configuration. After a
flat tire, have the previous wheel and
tire combination restored as soon as
possible.
Recommended tire sizes and
brandsFor each tire size, certain tire brands
have been tested, classified as road-
safe and approved by BMW. You can
find out about these from a professional
Run Flat tires*
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122
tire center, preferably your BMW cen-
ter. Observe any country-specific regu-
lations, e.g. on making a corresponding
entry in the vehicle documents.
The factory-approved radial belt tires
are matched to your vehicle and pro-
vide optimum safety and driving com-
fort when used properly.Run Flat tiresIf your vehicle is equipped with Run Flat
tires, refer to Run Flat tires, use only
these tires since no spare wheel is
available in the event of a flat.Special characteristics of winter
tiresBMW recommends the use of winter
tires for operation under winter road
conditions. While all-season tires with
M+S designation provide better winter
traction than summer tires, they gener-
ally do not achieve the full performance
of winter tires.
Run Flat tires:
If your vehicle is equipped with Run Flat
tires, refer to Run Flat tires, please note
the following: when mounting new tires
or replacing summer tires with winter tires, or vice versa, use only Run Flat
tires since no spare wheel is available
in the event of a flat. Your BMW center
will be glad to advise you.
Observing speed ratings:
Never exceed the maximum
speed for which the winter tires
are rated. Unprofessional attempts by
laymen to service tires can lead to dam-
age and accidents. Have this work per-
formed by skilled professionals only.
The technicians at your BMW center
will be glad to assist you with the
required professional knowledge and
specialized equipment.<
StorageAlways store tires in a cool, dry place.
Store them away from light whenever
possible. Protect the tires against con-
tact with oil, grease and fuel. Do not
exceed the maximum tire inflation pres-
sures specified on the tire sidewall.
Snow chains*Only certain snow chains have been
tested by BMW and determined and
approved as roadworthy. Consult your
BMW center for details. BMW recom-
mends using only these approved fine-
link snow chains. Use them in pairs on
either summer or winter tires, but only
on both rear wheels.
Comply with all manufacturer's safety
precautions when mounting the chains.
Do not exceed a speed of 30 mph /
50 km/h when using snow chains.
You cannot mount snow chains on the
following tires:
>225/50 R 16
>225/45 R 17
>245/40 R 17
>225/40 R 18
>255/35 R 18.
Do not initialize the Flat Tire Moni-
tor after mounting snow chains to
the tires.
When driving with snow chains, it may
be useful to turn off the DSC for a short
time, refer to page 81 or 82.<
New wheels and tires

144
14. Wheels with full wheel covers*:
place the wheel cover with the
valve opening over the valve. Use
both hands to press the cover
securely onto the rim
15. Check and correct the tire inflation
pressure at the earliest opportunity.
Vehicles with Flat Tire Monitor:
after mounting the spare tire or
correcting the tire inflation pres-
sure, reinitialize the system, refer to
page 82.
Protect valve stems and valves from dirt
using screw-on valve stem caps. Dirty
valve stems frequently lead to slow
pressure loss.
Do not attempt to install the full
wheel cover on the space-saver
spare tire, since this could damage the
cover.<
The vehicle jack is designed for
changing wheels only. Do not
attempt to raise another vehicle model
with it or to raise any load of any kind.
To do so could cause accidents and
personal injury.
To ensure continued safety, have the
tightness of the torque bolts checked
with a calibrated lug wrench – torque
specification: 88.5 lb ft/120 Nm – at the
earliest opportunity.<
When storing a wheel in the spare tire
recess, take care to avoid bending the
threaded rod.
If the original BMW light-alloy wheels
have been replaced with other light-
alloy wheels, different lug bolts may be
required.
Replace the defective tire as soon as
possible and have the new wheel/tire
balanced.
Driving with the space-saver
spare tireDrive cautiously. Do not exceed a
speed of 50 mph / 80 km/h.
Be aware that vehicle handling may be
altered. Anticipate, e.g., reduced track-
ing during braking, longer braking dis-
tances and changed steering charac-
teristics when approaching limit
conditions. These handling characteris-
tics will be even more pronounced if
winter tires are mounted.
Only one space-saver spare tire
may be mounted at one time.
Mount a wheel and tire of the original
size at the earliest possible opportu-
nity. For certain wheel/tire combina-
tions, the size of the spare tire will
differ from that of the remaining tires.
The spare tire is fully functional at all
loads and speeds. However, the spare
tire should be replaced at the earliest
possible opportunity in order to achieve
the original operating conditions.<
Changing a wheel

Everything from A to ZA
ABS Antilock Brake
System 115
indicator lamp 18
Acceleration assistant 66
Accessories, refer to For
your own safety 5
Accident, refer to Emer-
gency call 146
Activated-charcoal filter 98
Adaptive brake lamp, refer
to Brake force display 84
Adaptive headlights 86
Adding brake fluid 129
Additional sources of infor-
mation 4
Air conditioning 90
Air conditioning mode 92
automatic climate
control 96
Air distribution
air conditioning 92
automatic climate
control 96
Air distribution, individual 96
Air outlets, refer to Ventila-
tion 90, 94
Air pressure, refer to Tire
inflation pressure 116
Air recirculation, refer to
Recirculated-air mode
92, 97Air supply
air conditioning 92
automatic climate
control 96
Air, drying, refer to Air con-
ditioning mode 92, 96
Airbags 51
deactivating 54
indicator lamp 18, 53
sitting safely 41
Airing out, refer to Ventila-
tion 90, 94
AKI, refer to Fuel specifica-
tions 24
Alarm system 36
avoiding unintentional
alarms 37
All-season tires, refer to
Winter tires 121, 122
Antifreeze 128
coolant 128
washer fluid 126
Antilock Brake System
(ABS) 115
indicator lamp 18
Anti-theft system 28
Anti-theft warning system,
refer to Alarm system 36
Approved axle loads, refer
to Weights 156
Approved gross weight,
refer to Weights 156Armrest
front 100
rear 101
Artificial leather, refer to the
Caring for your vehicle
brochure
Ashtray
front 102
rear 102
Assistant systems, refer to
Dynamic Stability Control
(DSC) 81
AUC Automatic recircu-
lated-air control 97
AUTO program 96
Automatic
cruise control 72
headlamp control 85
Automatic air distribution,
refer to AUTO program 96
Automatic air supply, refer
to AUTO program 96
Automatic car wash, refer to
the Caring for your vehicle
brochure
Automatic climate control 94
Automatic curb monitor 48
Automatic dimming, interior
rearview mirror 50
Automatic recirculated-air
control (AUC) 97Automatic transmission with
Steptronic 67
indicator lamp 19, 69
interlock 59
selector lever lock 67
shiftlock 67
tow-starting 150
Automatic windshield
washer, refer to Rain sen-
sor 71
Average fuel
consumption 79
Average speed 79
Avoiding unintentional
alarms 37
Axle loads, refer to
Weights 156
B
Backrest
unlocking 45
Backrest, refer to Seat
adjustment 42, 44
Backup lamps 62
bulb replacement 139
Bandages, refer to First-aid
kit 22
Bar, for towing 149

Everything from A to Z
165
Indicator/warning lamp
airbags 18
alarm system 37
brakes 18, 19
Check Gas Cap 19
coolant 19, 75
DSC 19
Flat Tire Monitor
18, 19, 83
Please fasten safety
belts 18
reserve 75
Service Engine Soon 19
Individual air distribution 96
Individual settings, refer to
Vehicle Memory, Key
Memory 58
Inflation pressure monitor-
ing, refer to Flat Tire Moni-
tor 82
Inflation pressure, tires 116
INSPECTION 76
Instrument cluster 16
Instrument lighting 86
Instrument panel 14
Interface socket for onboard
diagnostics (OBD) 132
Interior lamps 88
remote control 30
Interior motion sensor 37
switching off 37Interior rearview mirror 49
automatic dimming
feature 50
Interior temperature
adjusting 92, 96
Interlock, refer to Steering
wheel lock 59
Intermittent mode, wipers 71
Interval display, service 76
J
Jack 141
Jacking points 142
Jump-starting 147
K
Key Memory 58
Keys 28
with remote control 28
Kickdown 64, 68
L
Lamp defect 137
Lamps and bulbs 137
Lashing down loads, refer to
Cargo loading 106
Lashing eyelets, refer to
Securing cargo 108
Lashing fittings, refer to
Securing cargo 108
LATCH child-restraint
mounting system 56Leather care, refer to the
Caring for your vehicle
brochure
Leaving the vehicle 61
LEDs, light-emitting
diodes 141
Length, refer to
Dimensions 155
License plate lamp
bulb replacement 141
Light switch 85
Light-emitting diodes
(LEDs) 141
Lighter 102
LIGHTS ON warning 85
Lights, refer to Parking
lamps/Low beams 85
Litter bag holder 101
Load, determining the maxi-
mum 106
Load, refer to Cargo
loading 106
Loading
vehicle 106
Load-securing devices 108
Lock buttons on doors, refer
to Locking 32
Lock, steering wheel 59
Locking
from inside 32
from outside 29, 31Locking and unlocking
doors
from inside 32
from outside 29, 31
Low beams 85
automatic 85
bulb replacement 137
indicator lamp, defective
lamp 76
Lug bolts
key 142
torque 142
Luggage compartment
capacity 156
emergency operation,
refer to Manual
operation 33
floor mat 36
floor panel 35
lid 33
opening from outside 33
opening, remote
control 30
opening/closing, refer to
Luggage compartment
lid 33
remote control 30
volume 156
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex

Everything from A to Z
167
Opening and closing
from inside 32
from outside 29
via door lock 31
via remote control 29
Outlets, ventilation 90, 94
Outside temperature dis-
play 78
changing unit of
measure 78
P
Paintwork care, refer to the
Caring for your vehicle
brochure
Panic mode – trigger
alarm 30
Park Distance Control
(PDC) 80
Parking aid, refer to Park
Distance Control (PDC) 80
Parking brake 61
indicator lamp 18
Parking lamps 85
bulb replacement 138
Parking lamps/Low
beams 85
Parts and accessories, refer
to Your individual vehicle 5
Passenger-side exterior mir-
ror tilt function 48PDC Park Distance
Control 80
Plastic, refer to the Caring
for your vehicle brochure
Pollen, refer to Microfilter 93
Pollen, refer to Microfil-
ter/activated-charcoal fil-
ter 98
Power output, refer to
Engine data 154
Power seat 44
Power socket 102
Power socket, cigarette
lighter 102
Pressure monitoring, tires
Flat Tire Monitor 82
Pressure, tires 116
Protective function
electric power windows 38
R
Radio remote control key,
refer to Master key with
remote control 28
Radio, refer to the Owner's
Manual for Radio
Rain sensor 71
Raising the floor panel 35
Range 79
Reading lamps
front 88
rear 88Rear armrest, refer to Rear
center armrest 101
Rear backrest, folding 104
Rear center 3-point safety
belt 104
Rear center armrest 101
Rear lamps
bulb replacement 139
indicator lamp, defective
lamp 76
Rear window defroster
air conditioning 92
Rear window heating
automatic climate
control 97
Rear-entry assist 45
Rearview mirror 49
Receiving assistance 146
Recirculated-air mode
air conditioning 92
automatic climate
control 97
Recirculating the air, refer
to Recirculated-air mode
92, 97
Reclining seat, refer to Seat
adjustment 42, 44
Refueling 23
fuel filler door 23
Releasing
hood 123Remaining distance to ser-
vice 76
Remaining distance, refer to
Range 79
Remote control 29
luggage compartment
lid 30
malfunction 30
Replacement key 29
Replacing lamps, refer to
Lamps and bulbs 137
Reporting safety defects 7
Restraint systems
for children 54
Restraint systems, refer to
Safety belts 46
Reverse 62
automatic transmission
with Steptronic 67
SMG gearbox 64
Roof load capacity 156
Roof-mounted luggage
rack 109
Rope, refer to Towing
and tow-starting the vehi-
cle 149
Run Flat tires 120
S
Safe seating position 41
Safety belt height adjust-
ment 46
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex

Everything from A to ZSafety belts 46
sitting safely 41
warning lamp 18
Safety feature
glass sunroof 40
Safety systems, refer to
Antilock Brake
System 115
Dynamic Stability Control
(DSC) 81
Screwdriver, refer to
Onboard tool kit 136
Seat adjustment 42
BMW sports seat 43
mechanical 42
power 44
Seat belt tensioner, refer to
Safety belts 46
Seat heating 48
Seat memory, refer to Seat
and mirror memory 47
Seat positions, storing 47
Seats 42
Securing cargo 108
Securing the vehicle
from inside 32
from outside 29, 31
Selector lever
automatic transmission 67
sequential manual gear-
box SMG 63Selector lever lock, refer to
Shiftlock 63, 67
Selector lever positions
automatic transmission 67
sequential manual gear-
box SMG 63
Sequential manual gearbox
SMG 63
indicator lamp 19
Service and Warranty Infor-
mation Booklet 130
Service Engine Soon
warning lamp 19
Service interval display
76, 130
Shift paddles 64
Shifting gears
automatic transmission
with Steptronic 67
sequential manual gear-
box SMG 64
Shiftlock 63
Shiftlock, refer to Range
selection 67
Side airbags 51
Side turn signal indicators
bulb replacement 139
Sitting safely
with airbags 41
with safety belts 41
Size 155
Ski bag 105Sliding/tilt sunroof, refer to
Electric glass sunroof 39
SMG sequential manual
gearbox 63
indicator lamp 19
Smokers' package, refer to
Ashtray 102
SOS, refer to Emergency
call 146
Space-saver spare tire 144
changing a wheel 141
Spare key 28
Spare tire 141
Spare wheel 144
Special oils 127
Specified oils 127
Speed gauge, refer to
Speedometer 16
Speedometer 16
SPORT button 66
Sport program
automatic transmission
with Steptronic 68
Sports seat 43
Stability control, refer to
Dynamic Stability Control
(DSC) 81
Standing lamps 87
Starting difficulties
jump-starting 147
temperature 59
Starting help DSC 81Starting the engine 59
Starting, refer to Starting the
engine 59
Status of the Owner's Man-
ual 5
Steering wheel lock 59
Steering wheel, adjusting 50
Steptronic, refer to Manual
operation 68
Storage compartments 100
Storage nets 100
Storage, refer to the Caring
for your vehicle brochure
Storing seat positions,
refer to Seat and mirror
memory 47
Storing tires 122
Sun blind 98
Sun blind, refer to Roller sun
blind 98
Surface ice, refer to Ice
warning 78
Switches, refer to
Cockpit 14
Switching off
vehicle 61
Symbols 4
Synthetic oils 127
T
Tachometer 74

Everything from A to Z
169
Tail lamps
bulb replacement 139
Tail lamps, refer to Rear
lamps 139
Tank capacity, refer to Fuel
tank capacity 157
Tank indicator, refer to Fuel
gauge 75
Technical data 154
Technical modifications 5
Technical modifications,
refer to For your own
safety 5
Telephone hookup 101
Telephone, refer to the sep-
arate Owner's Manual
Television, refer to the
Owner's Manual for
Onboard Computer
Temperature
air conditioning 92
automatic climate
control 96
Temperature adjustment
92, 96
Temperature display
engine coolant 75
ice warning 78
outside temperature 78
setting units 78
Temperature layering 93, 97Tempomat, refer to Cruise
control 72
Thigh support area, adjust-
ing 43
Third brake lamp, refer to
Center high-mount brake
lamp 140
Threaded socket for towing
eyelet 149
Three-point safety belt 46
Through-loading system 104
Tilt alarm
deactivate 37
Tilt alarm sensor 37
Tilting passenger-side exte-
rior mirror 48
Time 77
Tire change 141
Tire inflation pressure 116
Tire pressure monitoring,
refer to Flat Tire
Monitor 82
Tire replacement 141Tires
age 118
breaking in 112
changing 141
condition 119
damage 119
flat 141
inflation pressure 116
storing 122
tread 119, 120
tread wear indicators,
refer to Tire tread 120
winter tires 121, 122
Tools, refer to Onboard tool
kit 136
Torque
engine 154
lug bolts 142
Tow bar 149
Tow rope 149
Towing 149
Towing eyelet 149
Towing the vehicle 149
Tow-starting 149
Track width, refer to Dimen-
sions 155
Transmission
automatic transmission
with Steptronic 67
sequential manual gear-
box SMG 63Transmission lock, refer to P
Park 67
Transmission malfunction
automatic transmission
with Steptronic 69
sequential manual gear-
box SMG 65
Transport securing devices,
refer to Securing
cargo 108
Transporting children
safely 54
Trap protection
electric power windows 38
glass sunroof 40
Tread depth, refer to Tire
tread 120
Tread wear indicators in
the tires, refer to Tire
tread 120
Tread wear, tires 120
Trigger alarm – Panic
mode 30
Trip distance recorder, refer
to Trip odometer 74
Trip meter, refer to Trip
odometer 74
Trip odometer 74
Trunk lid, refer to Luggage
compartment lid 33
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex