flat tire BMW 325XI 2003 User Guide

87
Initializing the systemInitializing is necessary to familiarize the
system with the correct inflation pres-
sure.
Repeat this process after any changes
in tire inflation pressure, tire rotation or
replacement. Do not carry out further
system initialization after adjusting the
inflation pressure and letting the system
"learn" the correct pressures.
1. Check the tire inflation pressures in
all the tires, comparing them with the
inflation pressure chart on page 25
and adjusting their pressure if neces-
sary
2. Turn the ignition key to position 2
3. Press button as long as you need to
until the indicator lamp in the instru-
ment cluster lights up. After a little
while, the indicator lamp will go out
by itself
4. After a few minutes' driving time, the
Flat Tire Monitor adopts the current
pressure levels as the reference, and
from that point on, can detect and
report a flat tire.
To activate/deactivate the systemThe Flat Tire Monitor automatically
assumes operation whenever you turn
the ignition key to position 2.
To deactivate the system: press the
button. The yellow indicator lamp
comes on.
To activate the system: press the but-
ton again. The indicator lamp goes out.
You should deactivate the system
before driving with snow chains, as the
chains can generate spurious warnings
and/or prevent the system from detect-
ing actual pressure loss.
Flat Tire Monitor*
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
handbook.book Page 87 Saturday, July 27, 2002 1:36 PM

88
Flat tire
The red warning lamp in the
instrument cluster lights up to
warn of pressure loss and tire
failure. This visual alert is accompanied
by an acoustic warning signal. Reduce
your speed immediately, and steer and
brake gently as you bring the vehicle to
a stop.
To reset the warning lamp: after replac-
ing the flat tire you will need to reset the
red warning lamp manually. Maintain
pressure on the Flat Tire Monitor button
until the warning lamp goes out. Then
reinitialize the system.
The Flat Tire Monitor cannot pro-
vide you with advance warning of
sudden and severe tire damage caused
by external factors.
The system also does not detect the
gradual and minor loss of pressure that
all tires display over extended periods
of time.<
Check tire inflation pressures on a
regular basis, correcting them as
necessary, refer to page 25.
The system may respond to operation
on slippery or snow-covered road sur-
faces with false warnings or delays in
detecting actual pressure loss.
Performance-oriented driving – slip at
the drive wheels, high rates of lateral
acceleration – can also increase the
time that the Flat Tire Monitor requires
to detect a flat tire.<
System malfunctionsThe yellow indicator lamp in the instru-
ment cluster lights up and remains on
until the problem is corrected.
Please refer the problem to your BMW
center.
Flat Tire Monitor*
handbook.book Page 88 Saturday, July 27, 2002 1:36 PM

117 Wheels and tires
Tire inflation pressureInformation for your safetyThe factory-approved tires are matched
to your vehicle and have been selected
to provide optimum safety and driving
comfort when used properly.
It is not merely the tire's service life, but
also driving comfort and – above all else
– driving safety that depend on the con-
dition of the tires and the maintenance
of the specified tire inflation pressure.
Incorrect tire inflation pressure is a fre-
quent cause of tire damage. It also sig-
nificantly influences the roadholding
ability of your BMW.
Be sure to check the tire inflation
pressure, 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 25. If this is not done,
incorrect tire pressures can cause driv-
ing instability and tire damage, ulti-
mately resulting in an accident.<
Tire conditionTire tread – 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 1/8 in / 3 mm, even though
the legally specified minimum tread
depth is 1/16 in / 1.6 mm.
Below 1/8 in / 3 mm tread depth, there
is a great risk of hydroplaning, even at
relatively moderate speeds and with
only small amounts of water on the
road. Tread wear indicators – see arrow
– are embedded in the base of the tire's
tread. Their locations are indicated by
the letters TWI – Tread Wear Indicator –
at various points on the tire's shoulder.
When the tread reaches a depth of
1/16 in / 1.6 mm, these indicators
appear and signal that the tires have
worn to the minimum legal level.
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 to the
inside of the tires.
The ultimate result can assume the
form of a sudden air loss.
Unusual vibrations encountered during
normal vehicle operation can indicate a
damaged tire or some other vehicle
malfunction. This 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.
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
handbook.book Page 117 Saturday, July 27, 2002 1:36 PM

119
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. applicable on the tire sidewall between
tread shoulder and maximum section
width. For example:
Tread wear 200
Traction AA
Temperature A
BMW advises against using
retreaded tires, since driving
safety may be impaired. This is due to
the possible variations in casing struc-
tures 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... 3502 indicates that the tire was
manufactured in week 35 of the year
2002.
BMW recommends the replacement of
all tires – including the spare tire* –
when the tires are no more than 6 years
old, even if a tire life of 10 years is pos-
sible.Run Flat tires*Run Flat 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 pos-
sible to a restricted degree. The vehicle
is equipped with a Tire Pressure Moni-
tor (TPM) or Flat Tire Monitor, which
indicate a flat tire. For additional infor-
mation on the Tire Pressure Monitor
(TPM) or Flat Tire Monitor, refer to
page 85 or 86.
Run Flat tires are only possible in
conjunction with the Tire Pres-
sure Monitor (TPM) or Flat Tire Moni-
tor.<
Tire replacement
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
handbook.book Page 119 Saturday, July 27, 2002 1:36 PM

120
Wheel and tire combinationsThe right choice
BMW recommends using only
wheels and tires that have been
approved by BMW for your particular
vehicle model, as otherwise body con-
tact and serious accidents can result
despite the use of the same nominal
size, e.g. due to manufacturing toler-
ances. 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.<
For each tire size, BMW has assessed
the safe performance of specific tire
brands and approved them for use.
Consult any BMW center for details.
Comply with any local/national regula-
tions, for example by recording the tire
type in the vehicle documents.
The correct wheel-tire combina-
tion affects different systems such
as ABS, ASC+T/DSC and ADB/
ADB-X/DBC. The function of these sys-
tems is impaired if improper wheel-tire
combinations are used. For this reason,
use only tires of the same manufacture
and tread configuration. In the event of
a flat tire, for example, remount the
approved wheel and tire combination
as soon as possible. Store them away from light whenever
possible. Protect the tires against con-
tact with oil, grease and fuel.
Winter tiresChoosing the right tireBMW recommends winter tires – M+S
tires – for operation under inclement
winter driving conditions. While all-sea-
son tires – M+S designation – provide
better winter traction than the corre-
sponding summer tires, they generally
do not achieve the performance of win-
ter tires.
In the interest of safe tracking and
steering response, install winter tires
made by the same manufacturer and
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.<
handbook.book Page 120 Saturday, July 27, 2002 1:36 PM

121
Tire condition, tire pressureAt tread depths below approx. 3/16 in /
4 mm, winter tires display a perceptible
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 — and be sure to have the
wheel and tire assembly balanced
every time you change a tire or wheel.Snow chains*Only certain snow chains have been
tested by BMW and determined and
approved as roadworthy. Consult any
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.
BMW 325xi: in an extreme emergency –
for instance, with the vehicle stuck on
one side, or when obstructions make it
impossible to reach one tire – a chain
may also be mounted on just one tire
for the limited period needed to resolve
the problem.
Comply with all manufacturer's safety
precautions when mounting the chains.
Do not exceed a speed of 30 mph /
50 km/h when unsing 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 18Winter tires
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
handbook.book Page 121 Saturday, July 27, 2002 1:36 PM

141
Tailgate lamp5 watt bulb
1. Pull out the bulb socket – see arrow
2. Replace the bulb.
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 instance.
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
height and reduce its support capacity.
Do not lie under the vehicle or start the
engine when the vehicle is supported
by the jack. There is otherwise a risk of
fatal injury.<
Lamps and bulbs
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
handbook.book Page 141 Saturday, July 27, 2002 1:36 PM

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. Loosen the lug bolts by rotating
half a turn
5. Position the jack at the jacking
point – see arrows – closest to the
flat tire so that the jack base is ver-
tically below the jacking point and
the entire surface of the head of the
jack moves into the square recess
of the jacking point when the jack
is cranked – refer to the detail in the
next illustration
6. Jack the vehicle up until the wheel
you are changing is raised from the
ground
7. Unscrew the lug bolts and remove
the wheel
8. Remove accumulations of mud or
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 fin-
ger-tight into opposite bolt holes
10. Screw in the remaining lug bolts.
Screw in all the bolts in a diagonal
pattern
11. Lower the jack and remove it from
beneath the vehicle
12. Tighten the lug bolts securely in a
diagonal pattern
Changing a wheel
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
handbook.book Page 143 Saturday, July 27, 2002 1:36 PM

144
13. Wheels with full wheel covers*:
place the wheel cover with the
valve opening – see 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
(TPM)/Flat Tire Monitor: after
mounting the spare tire or correct-
ing the inflation pressure, reinitial-
ize the system, refer to page 85
or 86.
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 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 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
handbook.book Page 144 Saturday, July 27, 2002 1:36 PM

145
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 reinforcement 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 a Tire
Pressure Monitor (TPM) or Flat Tire
Monitor, which indicate a flat tire.
Because the sides of Run Flat
tires are reinforced, a drop in infla-
tion pressure usually cannot be
detected from the outside.<
Flat tireIf there is a tire failure, the red warning
lamp symbol lights up. This visual alert
is accompanied by an acoustic warning
signal.
Additional information on the Tire Pres-
sure Monitor (TPM) or Flat Tire Monitor
is found beginning on page 85.
Reduce vehicle speed carefully to
under 50 mph / 80 km/h, avoiding hard
brake applications and steering maneu-
vers.
If the defective wheel is not immedi-
ately recognizable on the outside,
check the tire pressure at all four
wheels.
Have Run Flat tires replaced by
your BMW center. In the interest
of safety, Run Flat tires should not be
repaired. Your BMW center has the
information needed for working with
Run Flat tires and is equipped with the
necessary special tools.<
If appropriate, please consult your
BMW center to reequip your vehi-
cle from summer to winter tires – or vice
versa.<
Driving with a damaged tireRun Flat tires allow you to continue
driving to a restricted degree at a maxi-
mum speed of 50 mph / 80 km/h
depending on the cargo load and the
extent of tire damage. You can deter-
mine the distance you may continue
driving on the basis of the following val-
ues:
>Tire inflation pressure of
0 psi/0 kilopascal (kPa):
approx. 100 miles/150 km
>Tire inflation pressure of approx.
7-15 psi/50-100 kPa:
approx. 300 miles/500 km
>Tire inflation pressure greater than
15 psi/100 kPa:
approx. 600 miles/1,000 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.<
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
handbook.book Page 145 Saturday, July 27, 2002 1:36 PM