tires BMW 550I SEDAN 2008 E60 Owner's Guide

Wheels and tires
226
Tire age
The manufacturing date of tires is contained in
the tire coding: DOT ... 3307 indicates that the
tire was manufactured in week 33 of 2007.
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 page227.
M+S
Winter and all-season tires.
These have better winter properties than sum-
mer tires.
XL
Indicates specially reinforced tires.

Mobility
227Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
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
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.<

Wheels and tires
228
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
summer to winter tires or vice versa, use run-flat
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.
For safety reasons, BMW recommends
that you do not have damaged run-flat
tires repaired; they should be replaced. Other-
wise it is not possible to rule out occurrences of
consequential damage.<
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
t i re d a m a g e m a y o c cu r , w h ic h c a n re s u l t i n a c c i-
dents.<

Mobility
229Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
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
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
243Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
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
245Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
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 page248.
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
After a temporary power supply interruption,
some settings are lost. Take the following
steps:
>Seat, mirror and steering wheel memory
Store the positions again, refer to page48.
>Time and date
Reset, refer to text starting on page86.
>Radio
Store stations again, refer to page174.
>Navigation system
Wait until the system starts, refer to
page142.
Fuses
Never attempt to repair a blown fuse and
do not replace a defective fuse with a sub-
stitute of another color or amperage rating, as
this could lead to a circuit overload, ultimately
resulting in a fire in the vehicle.<
Sedan
Spare fuses, plastic tweezers and fuse alloca-
tion diagram are located in the compartment for
the onboard tool kit, refer to page237.
Sports Wagon
Spare fuses and a pair of plastic tweezers are
contained in the onboard tool kit, refer to
page237. A fuse allocation diagram is located
in the cargo bay behind the right-hand side
panel.

Everything from A to Z
264
Everything from A to Z
Index
"..." Identifies Control Display
texts used to select
individual functions, and
indicates where to find them
in the text.
A
ABS Antilock Brake
System91
– indicator lamp94
ACC, refer to Active cruise
control70
Accepted calls202
Accessories6
Accident, refer to Emergency
request247
Acoustic signal, refer to Check
Control83
Activated-charcoal filter for
automatic climate
control118
"Activation time" for parked-
car ventilation119
Active cruise control70
– indicator lamp74
– radar sensors74
– selecting distance72
– warning lamps74
Active front head restraints49
Active seat52
Active seat ventilation52
Active steering99
– warning lamp100
Adapter for spare key28
Adaptive brake assistant92
Adaptive brake lamps, refer to
Brake force display100
Adaptive Head Light110
"Add digits" for mobile
phone202Additives
– coolant233
– engine oil, refer to Approved
engine oils233
"Address book" for navigation
system151
Address for navigation
– deleting153
– entering144,147
– selecting152
– storing151
– storing current position152
"Add to address book"151
"Add to destination
list"147,148
Adjusting active backrest
width47
Adjusting interior
temperature115
Adjusting the tone during
audio operation, refer to
Tone control169
Adjusting thigh support46
"After door opened"48
"After unlocking"48
Airbags100
– indicator/warning lamp102
– indicator lamp for front
passenger airbags101
– sitting safely45
Air distribution
– automatic115
– manual116
Airing, refer to Ventilation118
Air recirculation
– AUC Automatic
recirculated-air control117
– recirculated-air mode117
"Air recirculation on / off"55
Air supply, automatic climate
control114
Air volume116AKI, refer to Fuel quality219
Alarm system37
– avoiding unintentional
alarms38
– interior motion sensor38
– switching off alarm37
– switching off tilt alarm
sensor and interior motion
sensor38
– tilt alarm sensor38
"All channels"180
"All doors"30
All-season tires, refer to
Winter tires228
"All stations", calling up with
radio172,176
All-wheel drive, refer to
xDrive93
Alterations, technical, refer to
For your own safety5
Altering stretch of road160
"AM", reception
range169,172
Antenna, refer to Caring for
your vehicle brochure
Antenna for mobile phone194
Antifreeze
– coolant233
– washer fluid69
Antilock Brake System
ABS91
Anti-theft alarm system, refer
to Alarm system37
Anti-theft system, refer to
Central locking system29
Approved axle loads, refer to
Weights257
Approved engine oils233
Approved gross vehicle
weight, refer to Weights257
Armrest, refer to Center
armrest, rear127

Reference 271
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
First aid, refer to First-aid
kit248
First-aid kit248
Flashing
– during locking/unlocking,
refer to Setting confirmation
signals31
– triple turn signal
activation67
Flashlight, refer to
Rechargeable flashlight123
Flat tire
– changing wheels242
– compact wheel244
– Flat Tire Monitor95,96
– refer to Tire condition227
– run-flat tires96,98,227
– TPM Tire Pressure
Monitor97
– warning lamp96,98
Flat Tire Monitor95
– false alarms95
– initializing system95
– snow chains229
– system limits95
– warning lamp96
Floor mat, refer to Caring for
your vehicle brochure
Floor mats/carpets, refer to
Caring for your vehicle
brochure
Fluid reservoir, refer to Filler
neck for washer fluid69
"FM", reception
range169,172
FM, waveband172
Fog lamps112
– indicator lamp13,112
Folding rear backrest127
– Sports Wagon128
Fold-over rear backrest127
Footbrake, refer to Braking
safely136
Footwell lamps, refer to
Interior lamps112
Forward, fast
– CD changer186
– CD player186For 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 adjustment46
"FTM"96
FTM, refer to Flat Tire
Monitor95
Fuel219
– average consumption80
– display79
– high-quality brands219
– quality219
– specifications219
– tank contents, refer to
Capacities258
Fuel clock, refer to Fuel
gauge79
Fuel consumption display,
computer, average fuel
consumption80
Fuel display, refer to Fuel
gauge79
Fuel-efficient driving134
– refer to Energy Control79
Fuel filler door218
– releasing in the event of
electrical malfunction218
Full mobile phone preparation
package194
Full screen display, refer to
Switching assistance
window off21
"Full screen" with BMW Night
Vision106
Fuses245
G
Garage door opener, refer to
Integrated universal remote
control121
Gasoline, refer to Required
fuel219
Gasoline display, refer to Fuel
gauge79
Gearshift lever, manual
transmission63
General driving
notes134,135
Glass sunroof, electric41
– convenient operation from
outside32
– convenient operation with
comfort access39
– moving manually42
– remote control30
Glove compartment123
– lighting123
– rechargeable flashlight123
GPS navigation, refer to
Navigation system142
Grills, refer to Ventilation118
Gross vehicle weight, refer to
Weights257
H
Halogen lamps239
Handbrake63
– indicator lamp13,63
Hand lamp, refer to
Rechargeable flashlight123
Hands-free system, refer to
Microphone14
Hazard warning flashers15
"HDC"93
HDC Hill Descent Control93
"HDC on"93
"HDC on / off"55
"HD radio"176
HD radio, refer to High
Definition Radio176
Head airbags100

Everything from A to Z
272 Headlamp control,
automatic108
Headlamp flasher67
Headlamps108
– care, refer to Caring for your
vehicle brochure
– cleaning, refer to Wiper
system68
– cleaning tank, refer to
Capacities258
– filler neck for washer
fluid231
– replacing bulbs239
Head Light, refer to Adaptive
Head Light110
Head restraints49
– active front head
restraints49
– removing50
– sitting safely45
"Head-Up Display"103
Head-Up Display102
Heated
– mirrors53
– rear window116
– seats51
– steering wheel54
Heating114
– exterior mirrors53
– interior114
– rear window116
– residual heat117
– seats51
– steering wheel54
Heating with engine switched
off, refer to Residual
heat117
Heavy cargo, refer to Securing
cargo138
Height, refer to
Dimensions255
Height adjustment
– seats46
– steering wheel54
"High-beam assistant"112
High-beam assistant110High beams110
– headlamp flasher110
– indicator lamp13
– replacing bulbs239
High Definition Radio176
High water, refer to Driving
through water136
Hill Descent Control HDC93
Hills136
Holder for cups125
"Home address" for
navigation system153
Homepage of BMW
4
Hood230
Hooks for shopping bags,
Sports Wagon130
Horn10
Hotel function, refer to
Locking separately34
Hot exhaust system135
"Hour memo"87
"House number" for
destination entry146
Hydraulic brake assistant,
refer to Brake assistant91
Hydroplaning135
I
IBOC, refer to High Definition
Radio176
Ice, refer to Outside
temperature warning78
ID3 tag, refer to Information on
track184
Identification mark
– recommended tire
brands228
– run-flat tires227
– tire coding225iDrive16
– assistance window20
– automatic climate control
with expanded scope115
– changing date and time86
– changing language88
– changing menu page19
– changing settings86
– changing units of measure
and display type88
– confirming selection or
entry19
– controller16
– controls16
– displays, menus17
– operating principle17
– selecting menu item19
– setting brightness88
– start menu17
– status information20
– symbols18
Ignition61
– switched off62
– switched on61
Ignition key, refer to Keys/
remote control28
Ignition key position 1, refer to
Radio readiness61
Ignition key position 2, refer to
Ignition on61
Ignition lock61
– starting engine with comfort
access39
i menu17
Imprint2
Indicator/warning lamps
– ABS Antilock Brake
System94
– active steering100
– airbags102
– brake system94
– DSC13,92
– DTC13,93
– Flat Tire Monitor96
– fog lamps
13
– safety belt warning50
– TPM Tire Pressure
Monitor98

Everything from A to Z
274 Locking and unlocking doors
– confirmation signals31
– from inside32
– from outside30
Low beams108
– automatic108
– replacing bulbs239
Lower back support, refer to
Lumbar support47
Lug bolts244
– tightening torque, refer to
After mounting244
– wrench243
Luggage compartment, refer
to Cargo bay
Luggage compartment lid33
– emergency operation, refer
to Manual operation34
– emergency release34
– locking separately34
– opening from inside33
– opening from outside33
– unlocking and locking from
inside32
– unlocking manually34
Luggage compartment lid/
tailgate, comfort access39
Luggage net, refer to Partition
net129
Luggage rack, refer to Roof-
mounted luggage rack139
Lumbar support47
LW, waveband172
M
M+S tires, refer to Winter
tires228
Maintenance235
– refer to Service and
Warranty Information
Booklet for US models235
– refer to Service
requirements81
– refer to Warranty and
Service Guide Booklet for
Canadian models235Maintenance system235
Malfunction warnings, refer to
Check Control83
Manual air distribution116
"Manual" on the radio173
Manual operation
– door lock32
– driver's door32
– fuel filler door218
– glass sunroof42
– luggage compartment lid34
– panorama glass sunroof44
– transmission lock, automatic
transmission65
Manual transmission63
"Map direction of travel"158
Map display158
"Map facing north"158
Map for navigation
– changing scale158
– destination entry148
Map view facing north158
Master key, refer to Keys/
remote control28
Maximum cooling117
Maximum speed
– with compact wheel245
– with winter tires228
Measurements, refer to
Dimensions255
Memory, refer to Seat, mirror
and steering wheel
memory47
MENU, button refer to Start
menu17
Menus, refer to iDrive16
Message list for traffic
information161
Microfilter118
Microphone
– for mobile phone14
– for voice command
system14
Mirror dimming feature54Mirrors53
– automatic curb monitor53
– folding in and out53
– heating53
– memory, refer to Seat, mirror
and steering wheel
memory47
"Missed calls"
202
Missed calls203
Mobile 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 battery208
Monitor, refer to iDrive16
Monitoring pressure of tires,
refer to Flat Tire Monitor95
"Monitor on / off"55
Most recent mobile phone
numbers203
MP3
– compressed audio files182
– USB/audio interface189
Multi-function steering wheel,
refer to Buttons on steering
wheel11
Multifunction switch
– refer to Turn signals/
headlamp flasher67
– refer to Wiper system68
Music tracks
– finding184
– random play sequence185
– sampling, scan184
"Mute on / off"55
"M View"103
MW, waveband172