flat tire BMW 325CI COUPE 2004 E46 User Guide

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

141
License plate lamps5 watt bulb
1. Place a screwdriver in the slot and
press toward the left to release the
lens
2. Replace the bulb.Light-emitting diodesLight-emitting diodes (LEDs) installed
behind translucent lenses serve as the
light sources for many of the controls
and displays in your vehicle. These
light-emitting diodes are related to con-
ventional lasers, and legislation defines
them as light-emitting diodes, Class 1.
Do not remove the protective lens,
and avoid staring directly at the
unfiltered beam for several hours, as
inflammation of the retina could
result.<
Changing a wheel
Safety precautions in the event of
a flat tire or wheel change:
Stop the vehicle as far as possible from
passing traffic. Park on a firm, flat sur-
face. 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,
or if you have an automatic transmis-
sion position the selector lever in Park,
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 local safety guidelines and reg-
ulations.
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 sur-
face.
Do not place wooden blocks or similar
objects under the jack. They could pre-
vent the jack from extending to its full
Lamps and bulbs
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143
wheel must be changed on a sur-
face with a more severe slope, take
additional precautions to secure
the vehicle from rolling
3. Wheels with full wheel covers*:
reach into the ventilation openings
and pull the cover off
4. If your vehicle is equipped with
Individual light-alloy wheels*: insert
the wheel puller supplied with the
vehicle into the designated recess
of the cover, and pull the cover off
5. Loosen the lug bolts by rotating
half a turn6. Position the jack at the jacking
point closest to the flat tire with the
jack base vertically below the jack-
ing point and the entire surface of
the head of the jack moves into the
square recess of the jacking point –
refer to the detail in the next illus-
tration – when the jack is cranked
7. Jack the vehicle up until the wheel
you are changing is raised from the
ground
8. Unscrew the lug bolts and remove
the wheel
9. Remove accumulations of mud or
dirt from the mounting surfaces of
the wheel and hub. Clean the lug
bolts
10. Position the new wheel or the
space-saver spare tire on the hub
and screw at least two lug bolts fin-
ger-tight into opposite bolt holes
11. Screw in the remaining lug bolts.
Screw in all the bolts in diagonal
pattern
12. Lower the jack and remove it from
beneath the vehicle
13. Tighten the lug bolts securely in a
diagonal pattern
Changing a wheel
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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
163
DSC Dynamic Stability Con-
trol 81
indicator lamp 19, 81
DTC Dynamic Traction Con-
trol 81
indicator lamp 19, 81
Dynamic Brake Control
(DBC) 19, 115
indicator lamp 19
Dynamic Stability Control
(DSC) 19, 81
Dynamic Traction Control
(DTC) 81
indicator lamp 19, 81
E
Easy entry, refer to Entering
the rear 45
Electric glass sunroof 39
Electric power windows 38
Electrical accessories, fail-
ure 145
Electrical malfunction
automatic transmission
with Steptronic 69
door lock 31
driver's door 31
fuel filler door 23
glass sunroof 40
luggage compartment
lid 33Electronic Stability Program
(ESP), refer to Dynamic
Stability Control (DSC) 81
Emergency call 146
Emergency operation
doors 31
driver's door 31
fuel filler door 23
glass sunroof 40
Emergency release
luggage compartment lid
33, 35
Emissions, minimum, refer
to Energy control 74
Energy control 74
Engine
breaking in 112
data 154
electronics 19
indicator lamp 19
speed 74, 154
starting 59
switching off 61
Engine compartment 124
Engine coolant 128
adding 128Engine oil
adding 127
additives, refer to Adding
engine oil 127
capacity 157
indicator/warning lamp 19
quality 127
specified oils 127
Engine oil consumption 126
Engine oil level 19
check 126
indicator/warning lamp 18
Engine oil pressure
indicator/warning lamp 18
Engine oil types 127
Engine output, refer to
Engine data 154
Engine speed 74, 154
Entering the rear 45
Environmentally-friendly
driving, refer to Energy
control 74
Equipment range, refer to
Service and Warranty
Information Booklet for US
models/Warranty and Ser-
vice Guide Booklet for
Canadian models
ESP Electronic Stability Pro-
gram, refer to Dynamic
Stability Control (DSC) 81
Exterior mirrors 49Eyeglasses
compartment 101
Eyelets, towing and tow-
starting 149
F
False alarm, refer to Avoid-
ing unintentional
alarms 37
Fasten safety belts
indicator lamp 18
Fastening the safety belts 46
Fault displays 76
Filling the windshield washer
reservoir 157
First aid, refer to First-aid
kit 22
First-aid kit 22
Flashlight 100
Flashlight, refer to
Rechargeable
flashlight 100
Flat tire 141
Flat Tire Monitor 82
space-saver spare tire 141
Flat Tire Monitor 82
indicator lamp 18, 19, 83
Fluid reservoir for washer
systems 126
Folding rear backrest 104
Follow me home lamps 85
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex

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