tires BMW 325Ci COUPE 2002 E46 User Guide

102n
Tire condition Tire replacementTire damage (up to and including
sudden and complete air loss) can
endanger the lives of both the vehicle
occupants and other road users. response, use only tires of a single
tread configuration from a single manu-
facturer.
DOT Quality GradesTread wear
Traction AA A B C
Temperature A B C
All passenger vehicle tires must
conform to Federal Safety
Requirements in addition to these
grades.< Tread wearThe tread wear grade is a comparative
rating based on the wear rate of the tire
when tested under controlled condi-
tions on a specified government 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 condi-
tions of their use, however, and may
depart significantly from the norm due
to variations in driving habits, service
practices and differences in road char-
acteristics and climate.
TractionThe 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 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.< TemperatureThe 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 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
temperature can lead to sudden tire
failure. The grade C corresponds to a
level of performance which all
passenger vehicle tires must meet

103n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Tire replacementunder 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.< 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
Do not use retreaded tires, since
driving safety may 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.<
Tire ageThe date on which the tire was manu-
factured is indicated by the code on the
sidewall:
DOT ... 4101 indicates that the tire was
manufactured in week 41 of the year
2001.
BMW recommends the replacement of
all tires when the tires are no more than
6 years old, even if a tire life of 10 years
is possible.
Safety tires
*
Safety tires consists of self-contained
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.
For additional information on Tire Pres-
sure Monitor (RDC) or Flat Tire Monitor
refer to pages 73 bzw. 75.
Safety tires are only possible in
conjunction with Tire Pressure
Monitor (RDC) or Flat Tire Monitor.<

104n
Wheel and tire combinationsThe right choice
Never mount wheels and tires that
have not been specifically
approved by BMW for use on your
particular model. Although other wheels
and tires may theoretically have the
same dimensions, variations in factors
such as manufacturing tolerances can
result in contact between tire and body-
work, ultimately leading to serious acci-
dents. BMW can not 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.<
The correct wheel and tire combi-
nation affects various systems
that would otherwise be impaired, for
example ABS, ATC, ASC+T/DSC and
ADB/DBC.
For this reason, use only tires of the
same manufacture and tread configura-
tion. In the event of a flat tire, for
example, remount the approved wheel
and tire combination as soon as
possible.<

105n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Winter tiresChoosing the right tireBMW recommends winter tires (M+S
radial tires) for operation under
inclement winter driving conditions.
While all-season tires (M+S designa-
tion) provide better winter traction than
summer tires with the load ratings H, V,
W, Y and ZR, they generally do not
achieve the performance of winter tires.
In the interest of safe tracking and
steering response, install winter tires
made by the same manufacturer having
the same tread configuration on all four
wheels.Never exceed the maximum
speed for which the winter tires
are rated.
Unprofessional attempts by laymen to
service tires can lead to damage and
accidents.
Have this work performed by trained
professionals only. Any BMW center
has the required technical knowledge
and the proper equipment and will be
happy to assist you.<
Tire condition, tire pressureOnce the tire wears to below 0.16 in
(4 mm), winter tires display a percep-
tible decrease in their ability to cope
with winter driving conditions, and
should be replaced in the interest of
safety.
Comply with the specified tire inflation
pressures Ð and be sure to have the
wheel and tire assemblies balanced
every time you change the tires.
StorageAlways store tires in a cool, dry place.
Store them away from light whenever
possible. Protect the tires against
contact with oil, grease and fuel.Snow chains
*
BMW narrow-link snow chains are
intended for mounting on summer or
winter tires in pairs at the rear wheels
only. Comply with all manufacturer's
safety precautions when mounting the
chains.
You cannot mount snow chains on the
following tires:
225/50 R 16 92
225/45 R 17 91
245/40 ZR 17

126n
Changing a wheelAlways use BMW-approved balance
weights on black-finished aluminum-
alloy wheels. Never allow anyone to
attempt to balance these wheels using
conventional rim-clip balance weights.Driving 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 if winter
tires are mounted.
Only one space-saver spare tire
may be mounted at a time. Rein-
stall wheels and tires of the same size
and specification as soon as possible.
Maintain correct tire pressures. Refer to
page 25.<
Safety tires
*
Safety tires consists of self-contained
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 pages 73 bzw. 75.
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 can not 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 ZDivided rear-seat
backrest91
Door keys28
Doors
electrical malfunction31
locking and unlocking29
manual operation31
DOT Quality Grades102
Draft-free ventilation82, 85
Driving notes99
DSC (Dynamic Stability
Control)19, 71
Dynamic Brake Control
(DBC)19, 72
Dynamic Stability Control
(DSC)19, 71 E
Electric power windows38
Electrical heating, exterior
mirror47
Electrical malfunction
doors31
fuel filler door22
luggage compartment
lid33
sliding/tilt sunroof39 Elements of operation14
Emergency release of
luggage compartment lid
from luggage
compartment's interior35
Energy control64
Engine compartment
essentials107
Engine coolant, refer to
coolant111
Engine data132
Engine oil
capacity135
consumption109
level19
level, check109
level, indicator lamp17
pressure17
pressure, indicator
lamp17
quality110
specifications110
viscosity110
Engine speed132
Engine, starting54
Engine, switching off55
Entering the rear43
Exterior mirrors47
electrical heating47
F
Failure messages66
Fault displays66
Filling capacities135
Finger guard38
Fittings, tow starting and
towing129
Flashlight87
Flat Tire
Monitor75, 103, 126
Flat tires101, 123, 126
Floor mat, luggage
compartment35
Floor panel, luggage
compartment35
Fog lamps78
Follow me home lamps77
Fuel consumption68
display65
Fuel filler door22
electrical malfunction22
manual operation22
Fuel gauge65
Fuel preparation132
Fuel reserve indicator
lamp65
Fuel specifications23
Fuel tank capacity135
Fuel tank gauge65
Fuses127
G
Gasoline gauge65
Glove compartment87
Grilles83
Gross vehicle weight134 H
Handbrake56
Hands-free system89
Hazard warning triangle22
Head restraints43
Headlamp cover, care119
Headlamp flasher78
Headlamp washer
system108
capacity135
Headlamps77
Headlight control77
Headrests43
Heated seats46
Heater and ventilation83
Heavy cargo93
Height133
High beams20, 59, 78
bulb replacement119
Holder for canned
beverages88
Hood release106
Horn14

Everything from A to Z
141n
OverviewControlsMaintenancRepairsDataIndex
I
Ice warning67
Icy roads67
Ignition keys28
Ignition lock54
Imprint4
Indicator lamps17
Inflation pressures,
tires24, 25, 101
Inside rearview mirror
automatic-dimming
feature48
INSPECTION65
Instrument cluster15
Instrument lighting78
Instruments15
Interface socket
for Onboard
Diagnostics115
Interior lamps30, 79
remote control30
Interior motion sensor36
switching off37
Interior rearview mirror47
Interlock54
J
Jack123
Jump-starting128 K
Key Memory53
Key with remote control
unit28
Keys28 L
Lamps and bulbs,
replacement118
Lashing eyes93
LATCH child-restraint
mounting system51
Length133
License plate lamp
bulb replacement122
Litter bag holder88
Load-securing devices93
Lock buttons32
Louvers80
Low beams77
bulb replacement119
Lug wrench123 Luggage compartment35
capacity134
floor mat35
floor panel35
secure separately33
Luggage compartment lid
electrical malfunction33
emergency release from
luggage compartment's
interior35
manual operation33
remote control30
Luggage compartment
lighting33
Luggage rack94
Lumbar support42
M
M+S tires105
Maintenance65, 113
Malfunction displays66
Manual operation
doors31
fuel filler door22
luggage compartment
lid33
sliding/tilt sunroof39
Manual seat adjustment41
Manual transmission56 Manually controlled
recirculated-air85
Master key28
MFL (Multifunction steering
wheel)21
Microfilter82, 86
Mirror heating47
Mirror memory45
Mirrors47
Modifications,
technical10, 114
Motion sensor, refer to
interior motion sensor
Multifunction steering wheel
(MFL)21
O
OBD interface socket115
Odometer64
Oil
additives109
capacity135
consumption109
quality110
specifications110
viscosity110

Everything from A to ZOil change intervals, see the
Service and Warranty
Information Booklet/
Warranty and Service
Guide Booklet
Oil dipstick109
Oil filter change135
OIL SERVICE65
Onboard computer66
refer to the "Onboard
Computer Owner's
Manual"
Onboard tool kit118
Opening and closing
from the inside32
via the door lock31
via the remote control29
Outlets, ventilation83
Outside temperature
display67
P
Paint care, refer to the
"Caring for your vehicle"
manual
Park assistant69
Park Distance Control
(PDC)69
Parking aid69
Parking brake56
Parking lamps77
bulb replacement119
PDC (Park Distance
Control)69
Performance132
Pocket light87
Power seat adjustment42
Power windows38
Premium sound system86
Protective function38 Q
Quality Grades102
R
Rain sensor60
RDC (Tire Pressure
Monitor)73
Reading lamps
front79
rear79
Rear center 3-point belt91
Rear fog lamps
bulb replacement121
Rear lamps121
Rear reading lamps79
Rear window
defroster81, 85
Rear-seat backrest,
removable91
Rearview mirror47
Recirculated-air mode81
Reclining seat40
Refueling22
Release backrest43
Releasing the fuel filler door
after an electrical
malfunction22
Remote control29
Removable rear-seat
backrest91 Remove window
condensation82, 84
Replace windshield wiper
blades118
Replacement keys28
Replacing lamps and
bulbs118
Reporting safety defects11
Reverse56
Roller sun blind86
Roof load capacity134
Roof-mounted luggage
rack94
S
Safety belts
correct use40
height adjustment44
Safety defects, reporting11
Safety tires103, 126
Seat adjustment40
Seat heating46
Seat memory45
Seats40
Securing cargo93
Securing child-restraint
system52

Everything from A to Z
143n
OverviewControlsMaintenancRepairsDataIndex
Selector lever, automatic
transmission57
Service and Warranty
Information Booklet (US
models)113
Service Interval
Display65, 113
Setting temperature81
Shiftlock57
Side airbags48
Side Impact Head Protection
System48
Ski bag92
Sliding/tilt sunroof38
electrical malfunction39
manual operation39
Snow chains105
Socket89
Sound system86
Space-saver spare
tire25, 123
Spare key28
Spare tire123
Speedometer15
Sport steering wheel21
Sports seat
manual adjustment41
power adjustment42 Standing lamps78
Starting the engine54
Steering wheel46
Steering wheel lock54
Stopping the vehicle55
Storage compartments87
Stowing cargo93
Stroke132
Sun blind cover86
Switching off the engine55
Switching off the interior
motion sensor37
Switching off the tilt alarm
sensor37
Symbols8
Synthetic oils110
T
Tachometer64
Tail lamps
bulb replacement121
Tank capacity135
Technical data132
Technical
modifications10, 114
Telephone preparation89
Temperature display
outside temperature67 Temperature gauge
engine coolant65
Temperature
layering82, 85
Thigh support
adjustment41
Third brake light122
Through-loading system91
Tilt alarm sensor30, 37
remote control30
switching off37
Tire change123
Tire condition101
Tire damage101
Tire inflation
pressures24, 101
monitoring73
table25
Tire Pressure Monitor
(RDC)73, 103, 126
Tire pressure warning73
Tire Quality Grading103
Tire replacement102
Tire tread101
Tires and wheels101
Tool kit118
Torque132
Towing fittings129 Towing the vehicle129
Track133
Transmission56
Transmitter keys28
Transporting children
safely51
Tread depth, tires101
Tread Wear Indicator101
Trip odometer64
Trunk lid, refer to luggage
compartment lid33
Trunk, refer to luggage
compartment35
Turn signal
indicator20, 59, 120
bulb replacement120
Turning radius133
U
Uniform Tire Quality
Grading103

Everything from A to ZV
Vehicle Memory53
Vehicle weight134
Vehicle, starting54
Ventilation80, 83
draft-free82, 85 W

Warning lamp "Fasten safety
belts"18
Warning lamps17
Warning messages66
Warning triangle22
Warranty and Service Guide
Booklet (Canadian
models)113
Washer fluids108
adding108
Washer nozzles,
adjusting108
Washer reservoir, filling108
Washing your vehicle, refer
to the "Caring for your
vehicle" manual
Water on roadways99 Weights134
Wheel and tire
combinations104
Wheelbase133
Wheels and tires101
Width133
Windows38
Windshield washer reservoir
capacity135
filling108
Windshield washer,
filling108
Windshield wiper60
blade replacement118
Winter tires105
Wiper system60
Work in the engine
compartment106
X
Xenon lamps119