tire size BMW M3 COUPE 2003 E46 Owner's Manual

26
Check the tire pressures on a reg-
ular basis – at least twice a month
– and before every extended journey.
Incorrect tire pressure can otherwise
lead to driving instability, tire damage
and accidents.<
Comply with tire approval
specificationsThe inflation pressures in the table
apply to BMW-approved tire sizes and
tire manufacturers. Your BMW center
will be glad to supply this information.
Higher pressures may be required for
tires made by other manufacturers.
Your vehicle is equipped with tires
which not only meet US standards, but
also European standards. We recom-
mend the exclusive use of BMW-
approved tires.Tire inflation pressure
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112
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. If non-approved wheels and
tires are used, BMW cannot evaluate
their suitability, and therefore cannot be
held liable for driving safety.<
BMW tests certain tire brands for each
tire size, classifies them as road-safe
and approves them. Consult your BMW
center for more information. Observe
any country-specific regulations, e.g.
on making a corresponding entry in the
vehicle documents.
The correct wheel and tire combi-
nation affects different systems
such as ABS, DSC, Flat Tire Monitor.
The function of these systems is
impaired if improper wheel and tire
combinations are used.
Therefore, only use tires of the same
brand and same tread configuration on
the vehicle and, for example following a
tire failure, restore the approved wheel
and tire combination as soon as possi-
ble.<
The use of rims and lug bolts that
do not meet the specifications of
the original factory-installed equipment
will affect the safe operation of your
vehicle and may cause an accident and
personal injury.
Never mix tires of different design, such
as steel-belted radials with radial bias-
belted or bias-ply tires, etc. Mixing tire
types will adversely affect roadholding
and can lead to loss of vehicle con-
trol.<
StorageStore wheels and tires in a cool, dry
place, protecting them against light
whenever possible. Protect the tires
against contact 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 radial tires
made by the same manufacturer and
with the same tread configuration on all
four wheels if you elect to mount winter
tires.
When mounting winter wheels,
observe the different recesses of
the front and rear wheels, as otherwise
damage may result.<
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Everything from A to ZRadio, refer to the Owner's
Manual for Radio
Rain sensor 71
Range 79
Reading lamps
front 88
rear 88
Rear backrest, folding 100
Rear lamps 131
Rear window defroster 93
Rear-entry assist 47
Rearview mirror 51
Recirculated-air mode 93
Refueling 24
Remote control 31
Remote key 30
Replacement key 30, 31
Reporting safety defects 6
Reserve indicator lamp 75
Restraint system 55
Reverse 64
Rims 112
Roof load capacity 146
Roof-mounted luggage
rack 103
S
Safe seating position 43
Safety belts 47
3-point safety belt 100
height adjustment 48Safety feature
power windows 40
sliding/tilt sunroof 41
Seat adjustment 43, 44
adjusting the lumbar sup-
port 45
backrest width adjust-
ment 46
lumbar support 45
manual 44
power 45
Seat heating 50
Seat height adjustment 44
Seat memory 49
Securing cargo 102
Securing child-restraint sys-
tem 57
Securing devices 103
Sequential M gearbox
SMG II 65
indicator lamp 19, 69
Service and Warranty Infor-
mation Booklet 122
SERVICE ENGINE SOON
warning lamp 19
Service interval display
76, 122
Set clock 77
Shift lights 69
Side airbags 53
Side turn signals
bulb replacement 130Size 145
Ski bag 101
Sliding/tilt sunroof 40
closing following an elec-
trical malfunction 42
convenience operation
31, 33
manual operation 42
remote control 31
SMG gearbox 65
Snow chains 113
Socket 98
Spare key 30
Speedometer 16
Sport mode 85
Standing lamps 87
bulb replacement 129
Starting 61
Starting problems 61
Steering wheel lock 60
Steering wheel with multi-
function buttons 22
Steering wheel, adjusting 51
Storage compartments 96
Stroke 144
Summer tires 112
Sun blind 94
Surface ice warning 78
Switching off the engine 63
Symbols used 4T
Tachometer 16, 74
Tail lamps 131
replacing bulb 131
Tank capacity 147
Technical data 144
Technical modifications 5
Telephone hookup 97
Telephone, refer to the sep-
arate Owner's Manual
Temperature adjustment 92
Temperature display
engine coolant 75
ice warning 78
interior temperature 92
outside temperature 78
Temperature gauge 74
Temperature layering 93
Thigh support area, adjust-
ing 45
Third brake lamp 132
Through-loading system 100
Tilt alarm sensor
remote control 32
switching off 32, 39
Time 77
Tire code 112
Tire damage 109
Tire inflation pressure
25, 109
checking 25
Tire replacement 110
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