tires BMW 528I 2009 Owner's Guide

Wheels and tires
228 DOT code:
Tire age
The manufacturing date of tires is contained in
the tire coding: DOT ...1008 indicates that the
tire was manufactured in week 10 of 2008.
BMW recommends that you replace all tires
after 6 years at most, even if some tires may last
for 10 years.
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
DOT Quality Grades
Tread wear
Traction AA A B C
Temperature A B C
All passenger car tires must conform to
Federal Safety Requirements in addition
to these grades.<
Tread wear
The tread wear grade is a comparative rating
based on the wear rate of the tire when tested
under controlled conditions on a specified gov-
ernment test course. For example, a tire graded
150 would wear one and one-half (1γ) times as
well on the government course as a tire graded
100. The relative performance of tires depends
upon the actual conditions of their use, how-
ever, and may depart significantly from the
norm due to variations in driving habits, service
practices and differences in road characteris-
tics and climate.
Traction
The traction grades, from highest to lowest, are
AA, A, B, and C.
These grades represent the tire's ability to stop
on wet pavement, as measured under con-
trolled conditions on specified 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, cor-
nering, hydroplaning, or peak traction charac-
teristics.<
Temperature
The 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 conditions
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 car
tires must meet under the Federal Motor Vehi-
cle 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 sep-
arately or in combination, can cause heat
buildup and possible tire failure.<
RSC – run-flat tires
You will recognize run-flat tires by a circular
symbol containing the letters RSC on the side
of the tire, refer to page229.
M+S
Winter and all-season tires.
These have better winter properties than sum-
mer tires. e.g.
Manufacturer code
for tire make
Tire size and tire design
Tire age
DOT xxxx xxx 1008

Mobility
229Reference
At a glance
Controls
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XL
Indicates specially reinforced tires.
Tire condition
Inspect your tires frequently for tread wear,
signs of damage and for foreign objects lodged
in the tread. Check the tread depth.
Minimum tread depth
The tread depth should not drop below 0.12 in/
3 mm, although, for example, European legisla-
tion only specifies a minimum tread depth of
0.063 in/1.6 mm. At tread depths below 0.12 in/
3 mm there is an increased risk of high-speed
hydroplaning, even when only small amounts of
water are present on the road surface.
When winter tires wear down past a tread depth
of 0.16 in/4 mm, they become perceptibly less
suitable for winter conditions. For the sake of
safety, new tires should be installed.
Wear indicators at the tread-groove base, refer
to arrow, are distributed over the tire's circum-
ference and are marked on the side of the tire
with TWI – Tread Wear Indicator. If the tire tread
has been driven down to the wear indicators, a
tread depth of 0.063 in/1.6 mm has been
reached.
Wheel/tire damage
Please note that low-profile tires cause wheels,
tires and suspension parts to be more suscep-
tible to road hazards and consequential dam-
ages.
Unusual vibrations encountered during normal
vehicle operation can indicate tire failure or
some other vehicle defect. This can, for exam-ple, be caused by driving over curbs. These
kinds of problems may also be signaled by other
changes in vehicle response, such as a strong
tendency to pull to the left or right.
In these cases, reduce speed immedi-
ately and have wheels and tires thor-
oughly checked. To do so, drive carefully to the
nearest BMW center or tire shop that works
according to BMW repair procedures with cor-
respondingly trained personnel. If necessary,
have the vehicle towed there. Otherwise, tire
damage can be extremely dangerous to vehicle
occupants and other road users.<
Run-flat tires*
You will recognize run-flat tires by the circular
symbol containing the letters RSC on the side
of the tire.
Run-flat tires consist of partially self-contained
tires and special rims. The sidewall reinforce-
ment ensures that the tire retains some residual
safety in the event of pressure drop and driving
remains possible to a restricted degree.
To continue driving with a damaged tire:
>With Flat Tire Monitor, refer to Indication of
a flat tire, page96
>With Tire Pressure Monitor, refer to Mes-
sage with low tire inflation pressure,
page98
New wheels and tires
Have new wheels and tires installed only
by your BMW center or tire shop that
works according to BMW repair procedures

Wheels and tires
230 with correspondingly trained personnel. If this
work is not carried out properly, there is a dan-
ger of subsequent damage and related safety
hazards. Make sure that the new wheels are bal-
anced.<
Retreaded tires
BMW does not recommend that you use
retreaded tires, as driving safety may be
impaired. The causes for this include the possi-
bly different tire casing structures and the often
wide variations in their age, which can result in a
limited service life.<
The right wheels and tires
BMW recommends that you use only
wheel and tire combinations that BMW
has tested and approved for your particular
vehicle. Variations in factors such as manufac-
turing tolerances mean that even wheels and
tires with identical official size ratings could
actually have different dimensions than the
approved units – these differences could lead to
body contact, and with it the risk of severe acci-
dents. If non-approved wheels and tires are
used, BMW cannot evaluate their suitability,
and therefore cannot be held liable for driving
safety.<
You can inquire about the right wheel/tire com-
bination at your BMW center.
The correct wheel/tire combination also affects
various systems whose function would other-
wise be impaired, e.g. ABS, DSC or xDrive.
To maintain good handling and vehicle
response, use only tires of a single tread config-
uration from a single manufacturer. Following
tire damage, have the original wheel and tire
combination remounted on the vehicle as soon
as possible.
Wheels with electronics for
TPM Tire Pressure Monitor
When mounting new tires or converting from
summer to winter tires or vice versa, only use
wheels with TPM electronics, otherwise the
Tire Pressure Monitor cannot detect a flat tire, refer to page97. Your BMW center will be
happy to advise you on this subject.
Recommended tire brands
Certain tire makes are recommended by BMW
depending on the tire size. You can recognize
these from the clearly visible BMW marking on
the tire sidewall.
When used properly, these tires comply with
the most demanding standards for safety and
vehicle response.
Run-flat tires
When mounting new tires, or changing from
s u m m e r t o w i n t e r t i r e s o r v i c e v e r s a , u s e r u n - f l a t
tires for your own safety. In addition, no spare
tire is available in case of a flat tire. Your BMW
center will be glad to advise you.
Special characteristics of winter tires
BMW recommends winter tires for use in cold
winter driving conditions. Although all-season
M+S tires provide better winter traction than
summer tires, they generally fail to provide the
same levels of cold-weather performance as
winter tires.
Paying attention to speed
Always observe the maximum permissi-
ble speed for the winter tires, otherwise
tire damage may occur, which can result in acci-
dents.<
Storage
Store wheels and tires in a cool, dry place with
as little exposure to light as possible. Always
protect tires against all contact with oil, grease

Mobility
231Reference
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and fuels. Do not exceed the maximum tire
inflation pressure indicated on the side wall of
the tire.
Rotating wheels between axles
BMW does not recommend moving the front
wheels to the rear or vice versa, as otherwise
the handling characteristics may be impaired.
With tires of different makes and types
* such a
change is not permissible.
Snow chains*
BMW only tests certain fine-link snow chains,
classifies them as road-safe and recommends
them. Consult your BMW center for more infor-
mation.
Use is only permissible in pairs on the rear
wheels.
Observe the manufacturer's instructions when
mounting snow chains. Do not exceed a speed
of 30 mph/50 km/h with the chains mounted.
After mounting snow chains, do not ini-
tialize the Flat Tire Monitor, otherwise
incorrect displays can occur.
When driving with snow chains, it may be prac-
tical to briefly activate DTC, refer to page92.<

Mobility
249Reference
At a glance
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What you will need
To avoid rattling noises later on, note the posi-
tions of the tools before removing them, then
return them to their initial positions after com-
pleting work.
1Chock
*
2Vehicle jack*
3Lug wrench*
The tools are located in the mount under the
floor mat or floor panel flap.
1.Lift up floor mat or floor panel flap and cover
located beneath it.
2.Take out the required tools.
3.After using the tools, return them to the
storage space.
With run-flat tires, no tools are provided
for wheel changes. They can be pur-
chased as accessories at your BMW center.<
Sports Wagon: removing and installing
floor panel flap of storage area package
1.Unhook the roll-up cover at the rear.
2.Raise the floor panel flap.
3.Unhook the two catch straps at the top.4.Unlock the gas spring strut, refer to arrow,
and remove.
5.Fold over the floor panel flap toward the
front to release it and remove.
6.Open the front floor panel flap.
7.Swing up the spare tire cover and hook the
hooks into the upper frame of the tailgate
opening.
8.Take out the cross support upward.
When installing the floor panel flap, proceed in
the reverse order and press down the hinge
covers.

Mobility
251Reference
At a glance
Controls
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Entertainment
3.Check and correct the tire inflation pressure
at the earliest opportunity.
Protect valve stems with valve stem
seal caps against dirt and contamina-
tion. Dirt in valve stems is a frequent source
of gradual air loss.<
4.Initialize the Flat Tire Monitor, refer to
page95, or reset the Tire Pressure Monitor,
refer to page97.
5.Replace the damaged tire as soon as possi-
ble and have the new wheel/tire balanced.
Driving with compact wheel
Drive reservedly and do not exceed a speed of
50 mph/80 km/h.
The driving characteristics change, for example
reduced track stability on braking, extended
braking distance, and altered self-steering
characteristics in the limit range. In conjunction
with winter tires, these characteristics are more
pronounced.
Only one compact wheel may be
mounted. Restore the wheels and tires to
their original size as quickly as possible. Failure
to do so is a safety risk.<
Vehicle battery
Battery care
The battery is 100 % maintenance-free, i.e., the
electrolyte will last for the life of the battery
when the vehicle is operated in a temperate cli-
mate. Your BMW center will be glad to advise in
all matters concerning the battery.
Charging battery
Only charge the battery in the vehicle via the
terminals in the engine compartment with the
engine switched off. Connections, refer to
Jump starting on page254.
Disposal
Have old batteries disposed of by your
BMW center or hand them in to a recy-
cling center. Maintain the battery in an upright position for transport and storage. Always
restrain the battery to prevent it from tipping
over during transport.<
Power failure
Following a temporary power failure, e.g. due to
a discharged battery, the use of some equip-
ment will be restricted, requiring its reinitializa-
tion. In the same way, individual settings are lost
and must be updated again:
>Seat, mirror and steering wheel memory
The positions must be stored again, refer to
page50.
>Time and date
Must be updated again, refer to page87.
>Radio
Radio stations must be stored again, refer
to page174.
>Navigation system
You must wait until the system becomes
functional again, refer to page142.
>Glass roof, electric
It may only be possible to raise the glass
roof. The system must be initialized, refer to
page44.
>Panorama glass roof
It may only be possible to raise the glass
roof. The system must be reinitialized, refer
to page46.
>Active steering
The system is deactivated and must be
reinitialized, refer to page99. Until then,
larger steering wheel movements are
required.
>Power windows
The pinch prevention system for the power
windows must be reinitialized, refer to
page42.
Talk to your BMW center before placing
the stored vehicle back in service.<
Fuses
Never attempt to repair a blown fuse and
do not replace a defective fuse with a sub-

Everything from A to Z
270
Everything from A to Z
Index
"..." Identifies Control Display
texts used to select
individual functions and
refers you to the page where
these texts can be found.
A
ABS Antilock Brake
System91
– indicator lamp94
ACC, refer to Active cruise
control71
Accepted calls202
Accessories6
Accident, refer to Emergency
request253
Acoustic signal, refer to Check
Control84
Activated-charcoal filter for
automatic climate
control118
"Activation time" for parked
car ventilation119
Active cruise control71
– indicator lamp75
– radar sensors75
– selecting distance73
– warning lamps75
Active front head restraints51
Active seat54
Active seat ventilation54
Active steering99
– warning lamp100
Adapter for spare key30
Adaptive brake assistant92
Adaptive brake lamps, refer to
Brake force display100
Adaptive Head Light110
"Add digits" in mobile phone
mode202Additives
– coolant235
– engine oil, refer to Approved
engine oils235
"Address book" in
navigation152
Address for navigation
– deleting153
– entering144,147
– selecting153
– storing152
– storing current position152
"Add to address book"152
"Add to destination
list"147,149
Adjusting active backrest
width49
Adjusting interior
temperature115
Adjusting the tone during
audio operation, refer to
Tone control169
Adjusting thigh support48
"After door opened"50
"After unlocking"
50
Airbags100
– indicator/warning lamp102
– indicator lamp for front
passenger airbags101
– sitting safely47
Air distribution
– automatic115
– manual116
Airing, refer to Ventilation118
Air recirculation
– AUC Automatic
recirculated-air control117
– recirculated-air mode117
Air recirculation, refer to
Recirculated-air mode117
"Air recirculation on / off"57Air supply, automatic climate
control114
Air volume116
AKI, refer to Fuel quality221
Alarm system39
– avoiding unintentional
alarms40
– interior motion sensor40
– switching off alarm40
– switching off tilt alarm
sensor and interior motion
sensor40
– tilt alarm sensor40
"All channels"180
"All doors"33
Alloy wheels240
All-season tires, refer to
Winter tires230
"All stations", requesting in
radio mode172
All-wheel drive, refer to
xDrive93
Alterations, technical, refer to
For your own safety5
Altering stretch of road160
"AM", reception
range168,172
Antenna for mobile phone194
Antifreeze
– coolant235
– washer fluid70
Anti-theft alarm system, refer
to Alarm system39
Anti-theft system, refer to
Central locking system32
Approved axle loads, refer to
Weights263
Approved engine oils235
Approved gross vehicle
weight, refer to Weights263
Armrest, refer to Center
armrest, rear127

Reference 277
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Flat tire
– changing wheels248
– compact wheel250
– Flat Tire Monitor95,96
– refer to Tire condition229
– run-flat tires96,98,229
– TPM Tire Pressure
Monitor97
– warning lamp96,98
Flat Tire Monitor95
– false alarms95
– initializing system95
– snow chains231
– system limits95
– warning lamp96
Fluid reservoir, refer to Filler
neck for washer fluid70
"FM", reception
range168,172
FM, waveband172
Fog lamps112
– indicator lamp13,112
Folding rear backrest127
– Sports Wagon128
Folding rear backrest, Sports
Wagon128
Fold-over rear backrest127
Footbrake, refer to Braking
safely136
Footwell lamps, refer to
Interior lamps112
Forward, fast
– CD changer186
– CD player186
For your own safety5
4-wheel drive system, refer to
xDrive93
Freeway, refer to Route
criteria154
Front airbags100
Front armrest, refer to Center
armrest, front123
Front passenger airbags
– deactivating101
Front seat adjustment48
"FTM"96
FTM, refer to Flat Tire
Monitor95Fuel221
– average consumption80
– display80
– high-quality brands221
– quality221
– specifications221
– tank contents, refer to
Capacities264
Fuel clock, refer to Fuel
gauge80
Fuel consumption display
– computer, average fuel
consumption80
Fuel display, refer to Fuel
gauge80
Fuel-efficient driving
– refer to Energy control80
– refer to Saving fuel134
Fuel filler door220
– releasing in the event of
electrical malfunction220
Full mobile phone preparation
package194
Full screen display, refer to
Switching assistance
window off22
"Full screen" with BMW Night
Vision106
Fuses251
G
Garage door opener, refer to
Integrated universal remote
control121
Gasoline, refer to Required
fuel221
Gasoline display, refer to Fuel
gauge80
Gearshift lever
– manual transmission64
General driving
notes134,135Glass sunroof, electric43
– convenient operation from
outside34
– convenient operation with
comfort access41
– moving manually44
– remote control33
Glove compartment123
– lighting123
GPS navigation, refer to
Navigation system142
Grills, refer to Ventilation118
Gross vehicle weight, refer to
Weights263
H
Halogen lamps245
Handbrake64
– indicator lamp13,64
Hands-free system, refer to
Microphone14
Hand washing240
Hazard warning flashers15
"HDC"93
HDC Hill Descent Control93
"HDC on"93
"HDC on / off"57
"HD radio"176
HD radio, refer to High
Definition Radio176
Head airbags100
Headlamp
– cleaning tank, refer to
Capacities264
Headlamp control,
automatic108
Headlamp flasher68
Headlamps108
– cleaning, refer to Wiper
system69
– filler neck for washer
fluid233
– replacing bulbs245
Head Light, refer to Adaptive
Head Light110

Everything from A to Z
278 Head restraints51
– active front head
restraints51
– removing52
– sitting safely47
Head-Up Display102,103
Heated
– mirrors55
– rear window116
– seats53
– steering wheel56
Heating114
– exterior mirrors55
– interior114
– rear window116
– residual heat117
– seats53
– steering wheel56
Heating with engine switched
off, refer to Residual
heat117
Heavy cargo, refer to Securing
cargo138
Height, refer to
Dimensions261
Height adjustment
– seats48
– steering wheel56
High-beam
assistant110,112
High beams110
– headlamp flasher110
– indicator lamp13
– replacing bulbs245
High Definition Radio176
High-pressure cleaning
jets239,240
High water, refer to Driving
through water136
Hill Descent Control HDC93
Hills136
Holder for cups125
"Home address" in
navigation154
Homepage of BMW4
Hood232
Hooks for shopping bags,
Sports Wagon130Horn10
Hotel function, refer to
Locking separately36
Hot exhaust system135
"Hour memo"88
"House number" in
destination entry
147
Hydraulic brake assistant,
refer to Brake assistant91
Hydroplaning135
I
IBOC, refer to High Definition
Radio176
Ice, refer to Outside
temperature warning79
ID3 tag, refer to Information on
track184
Identification mark
– recommended tire
brands230
– run-flat tires229
– tire coding227
iDrive16
– assistance window21
– automatic climate control
with expanded scope115
– changing date and time87
– changing language89
– changing menu page20
– changing settings87
– changing units of measure
and display type89
– confirming selection or
entry20
– controller16
– controls16
– displays, menus18
– operating principle18
– selecting menu item20
– setting brightness88
– start menu18
– status information21
– symbols19
Ignition62
– switched off63
– switched on62Ignition key, refer to Keys/
remote control30
Ignition key position 1, refer to
Radio readiness62
Ignition key position 2, refer to
Ignition on62
Ignition lock62
– starting engine with comfort
access42
i menu18
Imprint2
Indicator/warning lamps
– ABS Antilock Brake
System94
– active steering100
– airbags102
– brake system94
– DSC13,92
– DTC13,92
– Flat Tire Monitor96
– fog lamps
13
– safety belt warning52
– TPM Tire Pressure
Monitor98
Indicator and warning
lamps13
Inflation pressure, refer to Tire
inflation pressure222
Inflation pressure monitoring,
refer to Flat Tire Monitor95
Inflation pressure monitoring,
refer to TPM Tire Pressure
Monitor97
Info menu18
Information
– on another location150
– on current position150
– on destination location150
"Information" in
navigation150
Information menu, refer to
imenu18
"Information on
destination"152
"Info sources"82

Everything from A to Z
280 Luggage compartment lid36
– emergency operation, refer
to Manual operation36
– emergency release37
– locking separately36
– opening from inside36
– opening from outside36
– unlocking and locking from
inside35
– unlocking manually36
Luggage compartment lid/
tailgate
– comfort access41
Luggage net, refer to Partition
net128
Luggage rack, refer to Roof-
mounted luggage rack139
Lumbar support49
LW, waveband172
M
M+S tires, refer to Winter
tires230
Maintenance237
– refer to Service and
Warranty Information
Booklet for US models237
– refer to Service
requirements82
– refer to Warranty and
Service Guide Booklet for
Canadian models237
Maintenance system237
Malfunction warnings, refer to
Check Control84
Manual air distribution116
"Manual" in radio mode173
Manual operation
– door lock34
– driver's door34
– fuel filler door220
– glass sunroof44
– luggage compartment lid36
– panorama glass sunroof46
– transmission lock, automatic
transmission66
Manual transmission64
"Map direction of travel"158Map display158
"Map facing north"158
Map for navigation
– changing scale158
– destination entry149
Map view facing north158
Master key, refer to Keys/
remote control30
Maximum cooling117
Maximum speed
– with compact wheel251
Maximum speed with winter
tires230
Measurements, refer to
Dimensions261
Memory, refer to Seat, mirror
and steering wheel
memory49
MENU, button refer to Start
menu18
Menus, refer to iDrive16
Message list for traffic
information161
Microfilter118
Microphone
– for mobile phone14,16
– for telephone14
– for voice command
system14
Mirror dimming feature56
Mirrors54
– automatic curb monitor55
– folding in and out55
– heating55
– memory, refer to Seat, mirror
and steering wheel
memory49
Missed calls202,203Mobile phone
– accepted calls203
– adjusting volume200
– calling201
– ending call201
– installation location, refer to
Center armrest123
– missed calls203
– operation by voice205
– operation via iDrive200
– redialing203
– refer to separate operating
instructions
– Top 8203
– touch tone dialing, refer to
Tone dialing method204
Mobile phone, refer to
separate operating
instructions
Mobile phone battery208
Monitor, refer to iDrive16
Monitoring pressure of tires,
refer to Flat Tire Monitor95
"Monitor on / off"57
Most recent mobile phone
numbers203
MP3
– compressed audio files182
– USB-audio interface/mobile
phone audio interface189
Multi-function steering wheel,
refer to Buttons on steering
wheel11
Multifunction switch
– refer to Turn signals/
headlamp flasher68
– refer to Wiper system69
Music tracks
– finding184
– random play sequence185
– sampling, scan184
"Mute on / off"57
MW, waveband172
"My Info"214
My Info, refer to BMW Assist
My Info213