winter tires BMW 325CI COUPE 2005 E46 Owner's Manual

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
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex

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
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex

160
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 93.
Protect valve stems and valves from dirt
using screw-on valve stem caps. Dirty
valve stems frequently lead to slow
pressure loss.
Do not place 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 other type of load.
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 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.
Driving with the space-saver
spare tireDrive cautiously. Do not exceed a
speed of 45 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.<
Changing a wheel

Everything from A to ZA
ABS Antilock Brake
System 127
indicator lamp 18
Acceleration assistant 76
Accessories, refer to For
your own safety 5
Accident, refer to Emer-
gency call 162
Activated-charcoal filter 108
Adaptive brake lamp, refer
to Brake force display 94
Adaptive headlights 96
Adding brake fluid 145
Additional sources of infor-
mation 4
Air conditioning 100
Air conditioning mode 102
automatic climate
control 106
Air distribution
air conditioning 102
automatic climate
control 106
individual 106
Air outlets, refer to Ventila-
tion 100, 104
Air pressure, refer to Tire
inflation pressure 130
Air recirculation, refer to
Recirculated-air mode
102, 107Air supply
air conditioning 102
automatic climate
control 106
Air, drying, refer to Air con-
ditioning mode 102, 106
Airbags 59
deactivating 62
indicator lamp 18, 61
sitting safely 50
Airing out, refer to Ventila-
tion 100, 104
AKI, refer to Fuel specifica-
tions 24
Alarm system 36
avoiding unintentional
alarms 37
All-season tires, refer to
Winter tires 136
Antifreeze 144
coolant 144
washer fluid 142
Antilock Brake System
(ABS) 127
indicator lamp 18
Anti-theft system 28
Anti-theft warning system,
refer to Alarm system 36
Approved axle loads, refer
to Weights 172
Approved gross weight,
refer to Weights 172Armrest 112
Artificial leather, refer to the
Caring for your vehicle
brochure
Ashtray
front 113
rear 114
Assistant systems, refer to
Dynamic Stability Control
(DSC) 91
AUC Automatic recircu-
lated-air control 107
AUTO program 106
Automatic
cruise control 82
headlamp control 95
Automatic air distribution,
refer to AUTO
program 106
Automatic air supply, refer
to AUTO program 106
Automatic car wash, refer to
the Caring for your vehicle
brochure
Automatic climate
control 104
Automatic curb monitor 56
Automatic dimming, interior
rearview mirror 58
Automatic recirculated-air
control (AUC) 107Automatic transmission with
Steptronic 77
indicator lamp 19, 79
interlock 69
selector lever lock 77
shiftlock 77
tow-starting 166
Automatic windshield
washer, refer to Rain sen-
sor 81
Average fuel
consumption 89
Average speed 89
Avoiding unintentional
alarms 37
Axle loads, refer to
Weights 172
B
Backrest
unlock 53
Backrest, refer to Seat
adjustment 51
Backup lamps 72
bulb replacement 155
Bandages, refer to First-aid
kit 22
Bar, for towing 165

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
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex

Everything from A to ZTurn signal indicator, side
bulb replacement 155
Turning circle, refer to
Dimensions 171
TV function, refer to the
Owner's Manual for
Onboard Computer
U
Underbody protection, refer
to the Caring for your vehi-
cle brochure
Units
average fuel
consumption 89
temperature 88
Universal garage door con-
trol, refer to Integrated
universal remote
control 110
Universal remote
control 110
Unlocking
from inside 32
from outside 29, 31
V
Valve
screw caps 158Vehicle
battery 161
break-in procedures 124
dimensions 171
leaving the vehicle 71
loading 117
starting 69
washing, refer to the Car-
ing for your vehicle bro-
chure 81
weight 172
Vehicle Memory 68
Vehicle weight 172
Ventilation 100, 104
draft-free 103, 107
Voice Input System 21, 113
Voice recognition, refer to
separate Owner's Manual
Volume
luggage compartment 172
W
Warning and indicator
lamps 18
Warning lamp 'Fasten safety
belts' 18
Warning messages 86
Warranty and Service Guide
Booklet 146
Warranty, refer also to sepa-
rate booklet 6Washer fluid
adding 142, 173
Washer fluid reservoir 142
volume 142
Washer jets, refer to Wind-
shield washer jets 82
Washer/wiper system 82
washer fluid 142
Waste tray, refer to
Ashtray 113
Weights 172
Wheelbase, refer to Dimen-
sions 171
Wheels and tires 130
Wheelslip control DSC 91
Width, refer to
Dimensions 171
Wind deflector 48
Window condensation
removing 103, 106
Windows
convenience operation
30, 31
power 38
remote control 29, 30
Windshield washer
nozzles 82
Windshield washer reservoir
volume, see
Capacities 173
Winter tires 136
storing 137Wiper blades, replacing 152
Work in the engine compart-
ment 138
Wrench, refer to Onboard
tool kit 152
X
Xenon lamps
bulb replacement 154

Refueling
To ensure that you always have conve-
nient access to all essential information
when you stop for fuel, we recommend
that you fill out the adjoining chart by
entering the data that apply to your
vehicle. Consult the index for individual
specifications.
FuelPlease enter your preferred fuel here.Engine oilThe oil volume between the two marks
on the dipstick corresponds to approx.
1.1 US quarts/1 liter.Tire inflation pressureDesignation
Quality
Summer tires Winter tires
Front Rear Front Rear
Up to 2 persons
4 persons plus luggage