run flat BMW 325CI COUPE 2005 E46 Owner's Manual

Contents

Operation, maintenance

Special operating instructions:

Break-in procedures124
General driving notes125
Antilock Brake System
(ABS)127
Hardtop*127

Wheels and tires:

Tire inflation pressure130
Tire code133
Tire condition134
Run Flat tires*135
New wheels and tires136
Snow chains*137

In the engine compartment:

Hood138
Engine compartment
essentials140
Washer fluid142
Engine oil142
Coolant144
Brake fluid145

Maintenance:

BMW Maintenance System146

Laws and regulations:

California laws148
OBD interface socket148

Owner service procedures

Replacement procedures:

Onboard tool kit152
Windshield wiper blades152
Lamps and bulbs153
Changing a wheel157
Battery161
Fuses161

Giving and receiving
assistance:

Receiving assistance162
Jump-starting163
Towing and tow-starting the
vehicle165

Technical data

Engine data170
Dimensions171
Weights172
Capacities173

93
System limitations
The Flat Tire Monitor cannot pro-
vide you with advance warning of
sudden and severe tire damage caused
by external factors and does not detect
the balanced and very gradual pressure
loss that takes place in all four tires
over an extended period of time.<
On the other hand, the following situa-
tions can lead to a delayed detection of
pressure loss and even to the system
not functioning:
>Driving on snow-covered or slippery
roads
>Performance-oriented driving: slip at
the drive wheels, high levels of lateral
acceleration
>When driving with snow chains, false
warnings and undetected pressure
losses may occur
>When driving with a space-saver
spare tire, the Flat Tire Monitor can-
not function.
Initializing the system
Each time you correct the pres-
sure in a tire, or change a wheel or
tire, reinitialize the system immediately
afterwards. This requires a bit of driv-
ing.<
1. Before driving off, start the engine
but do not start driving
2. Press the button as long as you need
to, but no more than 10 seconds,
until the indicator lamp in the instru-
ment cluster lights up in yellow for a
few seconds
3. Drive off.
It takes a few minutes before the Flat
Tire Monitor can detect a flat tire and
issue a warning.
When driving with snow chains or
a space-saver spare tire, do not
initialize the system.<
Flat tire
The indicator lamp in the instru-
ment cluster lights up red. This
visual alert is accompanied by
an acoustic warning signal.
1. Carefully reduce speed and come to
a stop. Avoid sudden braking and
steering maneuvers
2. Determine which wheel is damaged
If this cannot be determined, con-
tact your BMW center.<
3. Replace the damaged wheel, refer to
Changing a wheel on page 157.
After replacing the damaged tire, initial-
ize the system.
Vehicles with Run Flat tires:
1. Carefully reduce your speed to under
50 mph / 80 km/h. Avoid sudden
braking and steering maneuvers. Do
not exceed a speed of 50 mph /
80 km/h
Flat Tire Monitor*
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94
Because the sides of Run Flat
tires are reinforced, a drop in infla-
tion pressure usually cannot be
detected from the outside, refer to Run
Flat tires, page 135.<
2. To continue driving, follow the
instructions under Driving with a
damaged tire on page 135.
System malfunction
The indicator lamp in the instru-
ment cluster lights up yellow.
The Flat Tire Monitor is malfunc-
tioning or out of order. Please refer the
problem to your BMW center.
Brake force displayBrake force display indicates to the
road users behind you how hard you
are braking.
>Normal braking: the brake lamps
among the rear lamps and the center
brake lamp light up
>Hard braking or braking with ABS: in
addition, the illuminated rear lamp
surface is extended, refer to the pic-
ture.
Flat Tire Monitor*

130Wheels and tires
Tire inflation pressureInformation for your safetyIt is not merely the tire's service life, but
also driving comfort and, above all else,
driving safety that depend on the condi-
tion of the tires and the maintenance of
the specified tire inflation pressure.
Check tire inflation pressures on a
regular basis and correct them, if
necessary, including the compact
wheel: at least twice a month and
before beginning a longer trip. If this is
not done, incorrect tire pressures can
cause driving instability and tire dam-
age, ultimately resulting in accidents.
Do not drive with a pressureless, i.e.
flat, tire, unless your vehicle is
equipped with Run Flat tires. A flat tire
greatly impairs steering and braking
response, and can lead to complete
loss of control over the vehicle. of cold tires. This means after driving a
maximum of 1.25 miles/2 km or after
the vehicle has been parked for at least
2 hours. Warm tires have higher infla-
tion pressures.
After correcting the tire inflation pres-
sure, reinitialize the Flat Tire Monitor,
refer to page 93.
Inflation pressures for original
tiresTire pressures for the standard tires of
your vehicle are shown on the driver's
door post, visible when the door is
open.
The inflation pressures apply to BMW-
approved tire sizes and recommended
tire brands. Your BMW center will be
glad to supply this information.Inflation pressures for other tire
sizesThe following tire pressure table shows
all tire pressures for the given tire sizes
at ambient temperature.

134
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 135.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

135
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
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136
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*

137
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
wil 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 with 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 92.<
New wheels and tires
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Everything from A to Z
183
Outside temperature dis-
play 88
changing unit of
measure 88
P
Paintwork care, refer to the
Caring for your vehicle
brochure
Panic mode, trigger
alarm 30
Park Distance Control
(PDC) 90
Parking aid, refer to Park
Distance Control (PDC) 90
Parking brake 71
indicator lamp 18
Parking lamps 95
bulb replacement 154
Parking lamps/Low
beams 95
Parts and accessories, refer
to Your individual vehicle 5
Passenger-side exterior mir-
ror tilt function 56
PDC Park Distance
Control 90
Placing a telephone call,
refer to the Owner's Man-
ual for the telephone
Plastic, refer to the Caring
for your vehicle brochurePollen, refer to
Microfilter 103
Pollen, refer to Microfil-
ter/activated-charcoal fil-
ter 108
Power output, refer to
Engine data 170
Power seat 51
Power socket 114
Power socket, cigarette
lighter 114
Pressure monitoring, tires
Flat Tire Monitor 92
Pressure, tires 130
Protective function
electric power windows 38
R
Radio remote control key,
refer to Master keys with
remote control 28
Radio, refer to the Owner's
Manual for Radio
Rain sensor 81
Raising the floor panel 35
Range 89
Reading lamps
front 98
hardtop 127
rear 98Rear lamps
bulb replacement 155
indicator lamp, defective
lamp 86
Rear window defroster
air conditioning 102
Rear window heating
automatic climate
control 107
Rear-entry assist 53
Rearview mirror 57
Receiving assistance 162
Recirculated-air mode
air conditioning 102
automatic climate
control 107
Recirculating the air, refer to
Recirculated-air mode
102, 107
Reclining seat, refer to Seat
adjustment 51
Refueling 23
fuel filler door 23
Releasing
hood 138
Remaining distance to ser-
vice 86
Remaining distance, refer to
Range 89Remote control 29
garage door opener 110
luggage compartment
lid 30
malfunction 30
Replacement key 29
Replacing lamps, refer to
Lamps and bulbs 153
Reporting safety defects 7
Restraint systems
for children 62
Restraint systems, refer to
Safety belts 54
Reverse
automatic transmission
with Steptronic 77
SMG gearbox 74
Reverse gear
manual transmission 72
Rollover protection system
66
indicator lamp 19
lowering 66
Roof load capacity 172
Roof-mounted luggage
rack 120
Rope, refer to Towing the
vehicle 165
Run Flat tires 135
S
Safe seating position 50
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Everything from A to Z
185
Tail lamps
bulb replacement 155
Tail lamps, refer to Rear
lamps 155
Tank capacity, refer to Fuel
tank capacity 173
Tank indicator, refer to Fuel
gauge 85
Technical data 170
Technical modifications 5
Technical modifications,
refer to For your own
safety 5
Telephone hookup 113
Telephone, refer to the sep-
arate Owner's Manual
Television, refer to the
Owner's Manual for
Onboard Computer
Temperature
air conditioning 102
automatic climate
control 106
Temperature adjustment
102, 106
Temperature display
engine coolant 85
ice warning 88
outside temperature 88
setting units 88
Temperature layering
103, 107Tempomat, refer to Cruise
control 82
Thigh support area, adjust-
ing 51
Third brake lamp, refer to
Center high-mount brake
lamp 156
Threaded socket for towing
eyelet 165
Three-point safety belt 54
Tilt alarm sensor 37
switching off 37
Tilting passenger-side exte-
rior mirror 56
Time 87
Tire inflation pressure 130
Tire pressure monitoring,
refer to Flat Tire
Monitor 92
Tire replacement 157Tires
age 133
breaking in 124
changing 157
condition 134
damage 134
flat 157
inflation pressure 130
storing 137
tread 134, 135
tread wear indicators,
refer to Tire tread 135
winter tires 136
Tools, refer to Onboard tool
kit 152
Torque
engine 170
lug bolts 158
Tow bar 165
Tow rope 165
Towing 165
Towing eyelet 165
Towing the vehicle 165
Track width, refer to Dimen-
sions 171
Transmission
automatic transmission
with Steptronic 77
sequential manual gear-
box SMG 73
Transmission lock, refer to P
Park 77Transmission malfunction
automatic transmission
with Steptronic 79
sequential manual gear-
box SMG 75
Transport securing devices,
refer to Securing
cargo 119
Transporting children
safely 62
Trap protection
electric power windows 38
Tread depth, refer to Tire
tread 135
Tread depth, tires 135
Tread wear indicators in the
tires, refer to Tire
tread 135
Trip distance recorder, refer
to Trip odometer 84
Trip meter, refer to Trip
odometer 84
Trip odometer 84
Trunk lid, refer to Luggage
compartment lid 33
Trunk lighting, refer to Lug-
gage compartment light-
ing 33
Turn signal indicator 80, 81
bulb replacement 155
indicator lamp 20
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