spare tire BMW 325Ci CONVERTIBLE 2002 E46 Owner's Manual

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Tire inflation pressures The specified inflation pressures are
provided on a sticker attached to the
B-pillar and visible with the driver's
door open.Checking tire pressuresAll pressures are specified in the stan-
dard units of pressure for your country,
psi or kilopascal, and apply to cold tires
(tires at ambient temperature, refer to
tire pressure table on the following
page).
Vehicles with Tire Pressure Monitor
(RDC)/Flat Tire Monitor: after correcting
the inflation pressures, reactivate the
system, refer to pages 83, 85.
Another instruction plate regarding
inflation pressures on the door pillar
indicates which system is equipped on
your vehicle.
Check the tire pressures on a
regular basis Ð at least twice a
month Ð and before every extended
journey. Otherwise, incorrect tire pres-
sure can lead to poor handling, to tire
damage and accidents.
Remember to check the inflation pres-
sure in the space-saver or standard
spare tire.

Inflate the spare tire to the highest infla-
tion pressure of any tire on your
vehicle.<
Comply with tire approval
specificationsThe inflation pressures in the table
apply to BMW approved tire sizes and
tire manufacturers. Your BMW center is
familiar with these pressures. Higher
pressures may be specified for tires
made by other manufacturers.
Your vehicle is equipped with tires that
not only meet US standards, but also
European standards. We recommend
the exclusive use of BMW approved
tires.

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OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Tire inflation pressuresBMW Tires
All pressure specifications in the table are
indicated in psi (kilopascal) with cold tires
(cold = ambient temperature)
325Ci205/55 R 16 91 H M+S
205/55 R 16 91 H
225/50 R 16 92 W
225/45 R 17 91 W29 (200) 33 (230) 36 (250) 44 (300)
225/45 ZR 17
245/40 ZR 1729 (200)
ÐÐ
33 (230)36 (250)
ÐÐ
44 (300)
205/50 R 17 93 V M+S extra load
205/50 R 17 93 W extra load
205/55 R 16 91 Q M+S
225/50 R 16 92 Q M+S
205/50 R 17 93 Q M+S extra load
225/45 R 17 91 Q M+S32 (220) 36 (250) 39 (270) 46 (320)
330Ci225/45 R 17 91 W 29 (200) 33 (230) 36 (250) 44 (300)
225/45 ZR 17
245/40 ZR 1729 (200)
ÐÐ
33 (230)36 (250)
ÐÐ
44 (300)
205/50 R 17 93 V M+S extra load
205/50 R 17 93 W extra load
205/50 R 17 93 Q M+S extra load
225/45 R 17 91 Q M+S32 (220) 36 (250) 39 (270) 46 (320)
All Space-saver spare tire 61 (420)

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Tire Pressure Monitor (RDC)
*
In the event of a flat tireIf there is a tire failure with loss of pres-
sure, the red warning lamp will come
on. In addition, an acoustic signal is
sounded.
If this occurs, reduce vehicle speed
immediately and stop the vehicle in a
safe location. Avoid hard brake applica-
tions. Do not oversteer. Replace the
wheel and flat tire.
The space-saver spare tire is
provided for temporary use only in
the case of a flat tire. It does not have
RDC electronics and is not monitored.
The spare tire
that has the same dimen-
sions as the tires already mounted on
the vehicle is equipped with the neces-
sary RDC electronics and will be also
monitored once the tires have been
mounted and the system activated.<
The RDC cannot alert you to
severe and sudden tire damage
caused by external factors.<
Have the tires changed by your
BMW center.
Your BMW center has the information
needed for working with RDC and is
equipped with the necessary special
tools.<
System interferenceLocal devices using the same radio
frequency can interfere with the RDC.
The yellow indicator lamp will come on
during the malfunction.
The indicator lamp also comes on
>in the event of a system fault
>if a wheel is mounted without the
appropriate RDC electronics
>if, in addition to the spare tire, addi-
tional wheels with RDC electronics
are being carried on board.
Please contact your BMW center for
additional information.

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Information for your safetyThe factory-approved radial tires are
matched to the vehicle and have been
selected to provide optimum safety and
driving comfort.
It is not merely the tire's service life, but
also driving comfort and Ð above all else
Ð driving safety that depend on the
condition of the tires and the mainte-
nance of the specified tire pressure.
Incorrect tire inflation pressure is
a frequent cause of tire damage.
Tire pressure also has a major effect on
your BMW's handling response.
Be sure to check the tire pressures,
including the space-saver spare tire or
the spare tire, on a regular basis, at
least twice a month and before every
extended journey, refer to page 24.
Otherwise, incorrect tire pressure can
lead to poor handling, to tire damage
and accidents.<
Tire tread Ð tire damageInspect your tires frequently for tread
wear, signs of damage and for foreign
objects lodged in the tread. Check the
tread depth.
Tread depth should not be allowed to
go below 0.12 in (3 mm), even though
the legally specified minimum tread
depth is 0.063 in (1.6 mm). Tread wear
indicators (arrow) are embedded in the
base of the tire's tread. Their locations
are indicated by the legend TWI Ð Tread
Wear Indicator Ð at various points on
the tire's shoulder. When the tread
reaches a depth of 0.063 in (1.6 mm),
these indicators appear to signal that
the tires have worn to the minimum
legal level. Below 0.12 in (3 mm) tread
depth, there is an increased risk of
aquaplaning, even at relatively
moderate speeds and with only small
amounts of water on the road.
Do not drive on a deflated (flat)
tire. A flat tire greatly impairs
steering and braking response, and can
lead to complete loss of control over
the vehicle.
Avoid overloading the vehicle so that
the permitted load on the tires is not
exceeded. Overloading leads to over-
heating and causes damage inside the
tires. The ultimate result can assume
the form of a sudden air loss.
Unusual vibrations encountered during
normal vehicle operation can indicate a
flat tire or some other vehicle malfunc-
tion. The type of problem can be
caused by contact with curbs, etc. This
is also true for irregularities in the
vehicle's handling characteristics, such
as a pronounced tendency to pull to the
left or right. Should this occur, respond
by immediately reducing your speed.
Proceed carefully to the nearest BMW
center or professional tire center, or
have the vehicle towed in to have it, its
wheels and tires inspected.
Tire inflation pressures

Tire condition

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OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Changing a wheel
Safety precautions for replacing
flat tires and all wheel changes:
Stop the vehicle as far as possible from
passing traffic. Park on a firm, flat,
surface. Switch on the hazard warning
flashers. Turn the steering wheel to the
straight-ahead position and engage the
steering lock. Shift into 1st or reverse
(selector lever in Park with automatic
transmission) and engage the parking
brake.
All passengers should be outside the
vehicle and well away from your imme-
diate working area (behind a guardrail,
for example).
If a warning triangle or portable hazard
warning lamp is available, set it up on
the roadside at an appropriate distance
from the rear of the vehicle. Comply
with all safety guidelines and regula-
tions.
Change the wheel only on a level, firm
surface which is not slippery. Avoid
jacking the vehicle on a soft or slippery
support surface (snow, ice, loose
gravel, etc.), as either the vehicle or the
jack could slip sideways.
Position the jack on a firm support
surface.
Do not place wooden blocks or similar
objects under the jack. They could
prevent the jack from extending to its
full height and reduce its support
capacity.
Do not lie under the vehicle or start the
engine when the vehicle is supported
by the jack Ð risk of fatal injury.<
Your BMW is equipped with a space-
saver spare tire designed for temporary
use in maintaining the vehicle's mobility
in an emergency.
To remove the space-saver spare
tire, lift the floor panel in the
luggage compartment completely out,
refer to page 35.<
What you will needIn order to avoid rattling noises later,
note the position of the tools when you
remove them and return them to their
original position when you are through
using them.
>Jack 1
Raise the floor panel in the luggage
compartment, refer to page 35 and
undo the jack (arrow).
When you have completed work, fold
the handle back and insert it in its
holder
>Chock 2
Located behind the jack on the wall
in the luggage compartment. Loosen
the wingnut to remove it

136n
Changing a wheel>Space-saver spare tire
Located next to the jack.
Loosen the wing nut (arrow) by hand,
remove the storage shelf and take the
wheel out
>Lug wrench Ð in the onboard tool kit
on the underside of the luggage
compartment lid, refer to page 130.
Procedure1. Read and comply with the safety
precautions provided on the previous
page
2. Secure the vehicle to prevent it from
rolling:
Place the chock against the rear
surface of the front tire on the side
opposite the side being raised. If the
vehicle is parked on a downward
slope, place the chock securely in
front of the tire. If the wheel must be
changed on a surface with a more
severe slope, take additional precau-
tions to secure the vehicle from
rolling
3. Wheels with full wheel covers
*:
Reach into the ventilation openings
and pull the cover off4. Loosen the lug bolts by rotating half
a turn
5. Position the jack at the jacking point
(arrows) closest to the flat tire with
the jack base vertically below the
jacking point and the entire surface
of the head of the jack will move into
the square recess of the jacking
point (refer to the detail in the next
illustration) when the jack is cranked
6. Continue raising the vehicle up until
the wheel you are changing is raised
from the ground
7. Unscrew the lug bolts and remove
the wheel

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Changing a wheel8. Remove accumulations of mud and
dirt from the mounting surfaces of
the wheel and hub. Clean the lug
bolts
9. Position the new wheel or the
space saver spare tire on the hub
and screw at least two lug bolts
finger-tight into opposite bolt holes
10. Screw in the remaining lug bolts
and screw in all the bolts in a diag-
onal pattern
11. Lower the jack and remove it from
beneath the vehicle
12. Tighten the lug bolts securely in a
diagonal pattern
13. Wheels with full wheel covers
*:
Place the wheel cover with the
valve opening (arrow) over the
valve. Use both hands to press the
cover securely onto the rim
14. Check and correct the tire inflation
pressure at the earliest opportunity.
Vehicles with Tire Pressure Monitor
(RDC)/Flat Tire Monitor:
After mounting the spare tire or
correcting the tire inflation pres-
sure, reactivate the system, refer to
page 83 or 85.
Protect valve stems and valves from dirt
using screw-on valve stem caps. Dirty
valve stems frequently lead to slow
pressure loss.
Only use original BMW full wheel
covers, otherwise, the trim piece
may not fit securely. The full wheel
cover may not be installed 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 lug bolts checked with
a calibrated lug wrench [torque specifi-
cation: 72 lb ft (72 100 Nm] at the
earliest opportunity.<
When storing a wheel in the spare tire
recess take care to avoid bending the
threaded rod.
If light-alloy wheels other than original
BMW light-alloy wheels have been
mounted, it may be necessary to use
different lug bolts for those wheels.
Replace the defective tire as soon as
possible and have the new wheel/tire
balanced.

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Changing a wheelDriving with the space-saver
spare tireDrive cautiously. Do not exceed a
speed of 50 mph (80 km/h).
You can anticipate changes in vehicle
handling such as delayed braking
response, longer braking distances and
sacrifices in roadholding.
The changes in handling characteristics
will be even more pronounced in
conjunction with winter tires.
Only one space-saver spare tire
may be mounted at one time.
Reinstall wheels and tires of the same
size and specification as soon as
possible. Maintain correct tire pres-
sures, refer to page 25.<
Safety tires
*
Safety tires consist of self-supporting
tires and special rims. The tire rein-
forcement ensures that the tire retains
some residual safety in the event of
pressure drop and driving remains
possible to a restricted degree. The
vehicle is equipped with Tire Pressure
Monitor (RDC) or Flat Tire Monitor,
which indicate a flat tire.Flat tireIf there is a tire failure, the red warning
lamp symbol lights up. A supplemen-
tary gong is also heard.
For additional information on Tire Pres-
sure Monitor (RDC) or Flat Tire Monitor
refer to page 83 or 85.
Reduce vehicle speed carefully to
under 50 mph (80 km/h), avoiding hard
brake applications and steering maneu-
vers.
With the safety tires, you can drive
another approx. 155 miles (250 km) to
reach a safe parking location, a service
station or the nearest BMW center.
With a low vehicle load, this can also be
considerably more than 155 miles
(250 km).Safety tires are only possible in
conjunction with Tire Pressure
Monitor (RDC) or Flat Tire Monitor.<
If the defective wheel cannot be seen
as such immediately from the outside,
check the tire inflation pressure at all
four wheels.
Have the tires changed by your
BMW center. For safety reasons,
do not have a safety tire repaired. Your
BMW center has the information
needed for working with safety tires
and is equipped with the necessary
special tools.<
If appropriate, please consult your
BMW center to reequip your
vehicle from summer to winter tires Ð or
vice versa.<

Everything from A to Z
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OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Seats48
adjustment48
adjustment
precautions48
Securing cargo103
Securing child-restraint
system59
Selector lever, automatic
transmission67
Service and Warranty Infor-
mation Booklet (US
models)125
Service Interval
Display75, 125
Setting the temperature91
Shiftlock67
Side airbags56
Sitting correctly with
airbags48
Ski bag102
Socket for electrical
appliances101
Spare key28
Spare tire135
Speedometer15
Sports seat, adjustment49
Standing lamps88
Starting the engine64 Steering wheel lock64
Stopping the vehicle65
Storage compartments99
Stowing cargo103
Stroke144
Switching off the engine65
Symbols8
Synthetic oils122
T
Tail lamps
bulb replacement133
Tank capacity147
Technical data144
Technical
modifications10, 126
Telephone preparation100
Temperature display
outside temperature77
Temperature gauge
engine coolant75
Temperature
layering92, 95
Temperature setting91, 94
Third brake light134 Tilt alarm sensor37
operating via remote
control30
switching off37
Tire change135
Tire condition113
Tire inflation
pressures24, 113
checking24
indicator83
monitoring83
Tire inflation pressures
table25
Tire Pressure Monitor
(RDC)83, 115, 138
Tire pressures24
refer also to tire inflation
pressures
Tire replacement114
Tire tread113
Tires108
Tools130
Torque144
Tow fittings141
Towing the vehicle141
Track145
Transmission66 Transmitter keys28
Transporting children
safely59
Tread depth, tires113
Tread wear113
Trip odometer74
Trunk lid, refer to luggage
compartment lid33
Trunk, refer to luggage
compartment35
Turn signal
indicators20, 69
Turn signals
bulb replacement132
Turning radius145
U
Uniform Tire Quality
Grading115
Universal Transmitter97
Use antifreeze, radiator123 V
Vehicle keys28
Vehicle Memory63
Vehicle weight146
Vehicle, starting64
Ventilation90, 93
draft-free92, 95