winter tires BMW 6 SERIES CONVERTIBLE 2014 F12 Owner's Manual

TreadwearThe treadwear 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, 1 g,
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, however, and may depart signifi‐
cantly from the norm due to variations in driv‐
ing habits, service practices and differences in
road characteristics and climate.
Traction
The traction grades, from highest to lowest,
are AA, A, B, and C.
Those grades represent the tire's ability to
stop on wet pavement as measured under
controlled 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, cornering,
hydroplaning, or peak traction characteristics.
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 ma‐
terial 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
Vehicle Safety Standard No. 109. Grades Band
A represent higher levels of performance on
the laboratory test wheel than the minimum re‐
quired by law.Temperature grade for this tire
The temperature grade for this tire is es‐
tablished for a tire that is properly inflated and
not overloaded. Excessive speed, underinfla‐
tion, or excessive loading, either separately or
in combination, can cause heat buildup and
possible tire failure.
If necessary, have the vehicle towed.◀
RSC – Run-flat tires
Run-flat tires, refer to page 206, are labeled
with a circular symbol containing the letters
RSC marked on the sidewall.
M+S
Winter and all-season tires with better cold
weather performance than summer tires.
Tire treadSummer tires
Do not drive with a tire tread depth of less than
0.12 in/3 mm.
There is an increased danger of hydroplaning if
the tire tread depth is less than 0.12 in/3 mm.
Winter tires
Do not drive with a tire tread depth of less than
0.16 in/4 mm.
Below a tread depth of 0.16 in/4 mm, tires are
less suitable for winter operation.Seite 203Wheels and tiresMobility203
Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 956 336 - X/14

Approved wheels and tires
You should only use wheels and tires
that have been approved by the vehicle manu‐
facturer for your vehicle type; otherwise, e.g.,
despite having the same official size ratings,
variations can lead to chassis contact and with
it, the risk of severe accidents
The manufacturer of your vehicle cannot eval‐
uate non-approved wheels and tires to deter‐
mine if they are suited for use, and therefore
cannot guarantee the operating safety of the
vehicle.◀
Recommended tire brands
For each tire size, the manufacturer of your ve‐
hicle recommends certain tire brands. These
can be identified by a star on the tire sidewall.
With proper use, these tires meet the highest
standards for safety and handling.
New tires Tire traction is not optimal due to manufactur‐
ing circumstances when tires are brand-new;
they achieve their full traction potential after a
break-in time.
Drive conservatively for the first
200 miles/300 km.
Retreaded tires
The manufacturer of your vehicle does not rec‐
ommend the use of retreaded tires.
Retreaded tires
Possibly substantial variations in the de‐
sign and age of the tire casing structures can
limit service life and have a negative impact on
road safety.◀
Winter tires
Winter tires are recommended for operating on
winter roads.
Although so-called all-season M+S tires pro‐
vide better winter traction than summer tires, they do not provide the same level of perform‐
ance as winter tires.
Maximum speed of winter tires If the maximum speed of the vehicle is higher
than the permissible speed for the winter tires,
then a respective symbol is displayed in your
field of vision. You can obtain this sign from the
tire specialist or from your service center.
Maximum speed for winter tires
Do not exceed the maximum speed for
the respective winter tires; otherwise, tire dam‐
age and accidents can occur.◀
Run-flat tires If you are already using run-flat tires, for your
own safety you should replace them only with
the same kind. No spare tire is available in the
case of a flat tire. Your service center will be
glad to advise you.
Rotating wheels between axlesDifferent wear patterns can occur on the frontand rear axles depending on individual driving
conditions. The tires can be rotated between
the axles to achieve even wear. Your service
center will be glad to advise you. After rotating,
check the tire pressure and correct if needed.
Rotating the tires is not permissible on vehi‐
cles with different tire sizes on the front and
rear axles, i.e. when using different types of
tires.Seite 205Wheels and tiresMobility205
Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 956 336 - X/14

CareVehicle features and optionsThis chapter describes all standard, country-
specific and optional features offered with the
series. It also describes features that are not
necessarily available in your car, e. g., due to
the selected options or country versions. This
also applies to safety-related functions and
systems.
Car washes
General information
Regularly remove foreign objects such as
leaves in the area below the windshield when
the hood is raised.
Wash your vehicle frequently, particularly in
winter. Intense soiling and road salt can dam‐
age the vehicle.
Hints Steam jets or high-pressure washers
When using steam jets or high-pressure
washers, hold them a sufficient distance away
and use a maximum temperature of
140 ℉/60 ℃.
Holding them too close or using excessively
high pressures or temperatures can cause
damage or preliminary damage that may then
lead to long-term damage.
Follow the user's manual for the high-pressure
washer.◀
Cleaning sensors/cameras with high-
pressure washers
When using high-pressure washers, do not
spray the exterior sensors and cameras, e.g.,
Park Distance Control, for extended periods of
time and only from a distance of at least
12 in/30 cm.◀Automatic car washes
Hints Do not use high pressure washing sys‐
tems
With washing systems operating at high pres‐
sures and nozzle positions close to the win‐
dows, drops of water can penetrate.◀
Note the following:▷Give preference to cloth car washes or
those that use soft brushes in order to
avoid paint damage.▷Make sure that the wheels and tires are not
damaged by the transport mechanisms.▷Fold in the exterior mirrors; otherwise, they
may be damaged, depending on the width
of the vehicle.▷Deactivate the rain sensor, refer to
page 75, to avoid unintentional wiper acti‐
vation.▷Do not treat the convertible top with wax.
Ensure that a cycle without wax or a spe‐
cial cycle for convertibles is available.▷In some cases, an unintentional alarm can
be triggered by the interior motion sensor
of the alarm system. Follow the instruc‐
tions on avoiding an unintentional alarm,
refer to page 45.
Guide rails in car washes
Avoid car washes with guide rails higher
than 4 in/10 cm; otherwise, the vehicle body
could be damaged.◀
Before driving into a car wash In order to ensure that the vehicle can roll in a
car wash, take the following steps:
Seite 228MobilityCare228
Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 956 336 - X/14

Length, vehicle 236
Letters and numbers, enter‐ ing 24
License plate lamp, bulb re‐ placement 219
Light alloy wheels, care 231
Light control 102
Light-emitting diodes, LEDs 218
Lighting 101
Lighting, speaker 105
Lighting via remote con‐ trol 38
Light reel 101
Lights 101
Lights and bulbs 217
Load 182
Loading 181
Lock, door 39
Locking/unlocking via door lock 39
Locking/unlocking with re‐ mote control 37
Locking, automatic 43
Locking, settings 43
Locking via trunk lid 41
Low beams 101
Low beams, automatic, refer to High-beam Assistant 103
Lower back support 56
Lumbar support 56
M
Maintenance 215
Maintenance require‐ ments 215
Maintenance, service require‐ ments 92
Maintenance system, BMW 215
Make-up mirror 170
Malfunction displays, see Check Control 86
Manual air distribution 162
Manual air flow 163 Manual brake, refer to Parking
brake 71
Manual mode, Steptronic transmission 78
Manual operation, door lock 39
Manual operation, exterior mirrors 62
Manual operation, fuel filler flap 192
Manual operation, Park Dis‐ tance Control PDC 151
Manual operation, rearview camera 153
Manual operation, Side View 155
Manual operation, Top View 157
Marking on approved tires 205
Marking, run-flat tires 206
Massage seat, front 57
Master key, refer to Remote control 34
Maximum cooling 163
Maximum speed, display 93
Maximum speed, winter tires 205
Measure, units of 98
Medical kit 224
Memory for seat, mirrors, steering wheel 61
Menu, EfficientDynamics 186
Menu in instrument clus‐ ter 94
Menus, operating, iDrive 18
Menus, refer to iDrive operat‐ ing concept 19
Messages, see Check Con‐ trol 86
Microfilter 164
Minimum tread, tires 204
Mirror 62
Mirror memory 61
Mobile communication devi‐ ces in the vehicle 179 Modifications, technical, refer
to Safety 7
Moisture in headlight 218
Monitor, refer to Control Dis‐ play 18
Mounting of child restraint systems 65
Multifunctional instrument display 83
Multifunction steering wheel, buttons 14
N
Navigation, see user's manual for Navigation, Entertain‐
ment and Communication
Neck restraints, front, refer to Head restraints 59
Neutral cleaner, see wheel cleaner 231
New wheels and tires 204
Night Vision 124
Night Vision device, see Night Vision 124
Nylon rope for tow-starting/ towing 226
O OBD Onboard Diagnosis 215
OBD, see OBD Onboard Di‐ agnosis 215
Object detection, see Night Vision 124
Obstacle marking, rearview camera 154
Octane rating, refer to Rec‐ ommended fuel grade 194
Odometer 90
Office, see user's manual for Navigation, Entertainment
and Communication
Oil 210
Oil, adding 211
Oil additives 211 Seite 245Everything from A to ZReference245
Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 956 336 - X/14

Warning displays, see CheckControl 86
Warning messages, see Check Control 86
Warning triangle 224
Washer fluid 76
Washer fluid reservoir, ca‐ pacity 238
Washer nozzles, wind‐ shield 76
Washer system 75
Washing, vehicle 228
Water on roads 179
Weights 237
Welcome lights 101
Wheel base, vehicle 236
Wheel cleaner 231
Wheels, changing 204
Wheels, everything on wheels and tires 196
Wheels, Flat Tire Monitor FTM 113
Wheels, Tire Pressure Moni‐ tor TPM 110
Width, vehicle 236
Wind deflector 53
Window defroster, rear 164
Windows, powered 45
Windshield, climate con‐ trol 179
Windshield washer fluid 76
Windshield washer noz‐ zles 76
Windshield washer sys‐ tem 75
Windshield wiper 75
Winter storage, care 232
Winter tires, suitable tires 205
Winter tires, tread 203
Wiper 75
Wiper blades, replacing 217
Wiper fluid 76
Wiper, fold-out position 76
Wiper system 75
Wood, care 231 Word match concept, naviga‐
tion 24
Wrench, see Onboard vehicle tool kit 217
X
xDrive 135
Xenon headlights, bulb re‐ placement 218 Seite 249Everything from A to ZReference249
Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 956 336 - X/14