tires BMW M5 2008 Owner's Manual

Mobility
This section helps you maintain your
mobility by supplying important information
on vital topics including fuels and lubricants,
wheels and tires, service, maintenance
and roadside assistance.
Mobility

Wheels and tires
200
Wheels and tires
Tire inflation pressure
Information for your safety
The condition of the tires and the maintenance
of the specified tire pressure are crucial not only
to the tire's service life, but also to driving com-
fort and most importantly, driving safety.
Checking pressure
Only check tire inflation pressure when the tires
are cold. This means after a maximum of
1.25 miles/2 km driving or when the vehicle has
been parked for at least 2 hours. When tires are
warm, the tire inflation pressure increases.
Check the tire inflation pressure regularly
and correct if necessary, including on the
spare wheel
*: at least twice a month and before
starting long trips. Otherwise driving instability
or tire damage, and therefore accidents, can
result from incorrect tire inflation pressures. Do
not drive with a depressurized, i.e. flat, tire. A flat
tire will seriously impair your vehicle's handling
and braking response. Attempts to drive on a
flat tire can lead to a loss of control over the
vehicle.<
After correcting the tire inflation pressure,
reinitialize the Flat Tire Monitor, refer to
page83, or reset the Tire Pressure Monitor,
refer to page85.<
Pressure specifications
The tables below provide all the correct inflation
pressures for the specified tire sizes at ambient
temperature.
The inflation pressures apply to the tire
sizes and tire brands respectively
approved and recommended by BMW; a list of
these is available from your BMW center. tion pressure for your tires, observe the follow-
ing:
>Tire sizes of your vehicle
>Load conditions
>Maximum allowable driving speed
Tire inflation pressures for speeds
up to 100 mph/160 km/h
For normal driving up to 100 mph/160 km/h,
adjust pressures to the respective tire inflation
pressures listed on the following pages in the
column Traveling speeds up to max. 100 mph/
160 km/h to achieve optimum driving comfort.
These pressure specifications can be found on
the door post when you open the driver's door.
The permissible top speed for these tire
inflation pressures is 100 mph/160 km/h.
Do not exceed this speed, otherwise tire dam-
age and accidents may result.<
Tire inflation pressures for speeds
above 100 mph/160 km/h
In order to drive at maximum speeds in
excess of 100 mph/160 km/h, please
observe, and, if necessary, adjust tire pressures
for speeds exceeding 100 mph/160 km/h from
the relevant table on the following pages.
Otherwise tire damage and accidents could
occur.<

Mobility
201Reference
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Observe all national and local maximum speed
limits, otherwise violations of the law could
occur.
Tire identification marks
Knowledge of the labeling on the side of the tire
makes it easier to identify and choose the right
tires.
Tire size
Speed letter
Q = up to 100 mph/160 km/h
T = up to 118 mph/190 km/h
H = up to 131 mph/210 km/h
V = up to 150 mph/240 km/h
W = up to 167 mph/270 km/h
Y = up to 186 mph/300 km/h
Z = over 150 mph/240 km/h
Tire Identification Number
Tires with DOT codes meet the guidelines of
the U.S. Department of Transportation.
DOT code:
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. This also concerns the tire of the
spare wheel.
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
Tire sizePressure specifications in psi/kPa
Traveling speeds
up to max. of
100 mph/160 km/hTraveling speeds
including those exceeding
100 mph/160 km/h
All pressure specifications
in the table are indicated in
psi/kilopascal with cold tires.
Cold = ambient temperature
245/45 R 18 100 V XL M+S 35/240 38/260 35/240 38/260 41/280 46/320
255/40 ZR 19 36/250 - 36/250 - 41/280 -
285/35 ZR 19 - 36/250 - 36/250 - 46/320
More details on the permissible load and weights can be found on page232.
e.g.
Nominal width in mm
Aspect ratio in Ξ
Belted construction – radial
Rim diameter in inches
Carrying capacity ID-code
(not in ZR tires)
Speed code letter
(in ZR tires before the R)
245/45 R18100 V
285/35 ZR19
e.g.
Manufacturer code
for tire make
Tire size and tire design
Tire ageDOT xxxx xxx 3307

Wheels and tires
202
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.<
M+S
Winter and all-season tires.
These have better winter properties than sum-
mer tires.
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.

Mobility
203Reference
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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.<
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.<
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. When selecting the tires, also ensure
that they have a sufficient load-carrying capac-
ity. 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 or DSC.
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 and tires
204
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 page84. 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.
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.<
After changing wheels/tires
After changing tires or wheels, the slip detec-
tion of the Sequential Manual Transmission
must become familiar with the changed state.
Reinitialize the system for this purpose:
1.Move the selector lever into the idling
position N on a straight stretch of road at
a speed between 20 mph/30 km/h and
90 mph/150 km/h.
2.Pull both shift paddles for approx. 2 sec-
onds.
If you do not carry out initialization, the system
will automatically learn the changed state grad-
ually during driving. This may be noticeable
from the clutch opening and closing briefly.
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 permitted in pairs, with winter tires
of the size 245/45 R 18 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.

Mobility
205Reference
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Make sure that the snow chains are always suf-
ficiently tensioned. Retighten as needed in
accordance with the chain manufacturer's
specifications.
After mounting snow chains, do not ini-
tialize the Flat Tire Monitor, otherwise
incorrect displays can occur.
After mounting or removing snow chains, the
slip detection of the Sequential Manual Trans-
mission must become familiar with the altered
state. To do this, reinitialize the system, refer to
After changing wheels/tires.<

Mobility
221Reference
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2.Guide the jack head into the rectangular
recess of the jacking point when cranking
up, refer to illustration detail.
3.Jack the vehicle up until the wheel you are
changing is raised from the ground.
Mounting a wheel
1.Unscrew the lug bolts and remove the
wheel.
2.Remove accumulations of mud or dirt from
the mounting surfaces of the wheel and
hub. Also clean the lug bolts.
3.Position the new wheel or spare wheel.
Secure the wheel by screwing at least two
lug bolts into opposite bolt holes.
When you mount wheels other than Genu-
ine BMW light-alloy wheels, different lug
bolts may also be required.
4.Screw in the remaining lug bolts. Tighten all
the bolts securely in a diagonal pattern.
5.Lower the vehicle and remove the jack from
beneath the vehicle.
After mounting
1.Tighten the lug bolts in a diagonal pattern.
To ensure safety, always have the
lug bolts checked with a calibrated
torque wrench as soon as possible to
ensure that they are tightened to the speci-
fied torque. Otherwise, incorrectly tight-
ened lug bolts are a hidden safety risk. The
tightening torque is 88.5 lb ft/120 Nm.<
2.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.<
3.Initialize the Flat Tire Monitor, refer to
page83, and the Sequential Manual Trans-
mission, refer to After changing wheels/
tires on page204.
4.Replace the damaged tire as soon as possi-
ble and have the new wheel/tire balanced.
Stowing wheel and tools
1.Lay the wheel in the tool mounting.
2.Lay the cover on the mounting.
3.Center the wheel and cover relative to the
lashing eyes5.
4.Hook the belt into the lashing eyes 5.
5.Completely open the tensioning lock.
6.Thread the belt3 through the axis6 of the
tensioning lock without twisting it and ten-
sion it by hand.
7.Tighten the belt firmly with the tensioning
lock by opening and closing the lock several
times.
8.Fold the tensioning lock closed and stow
the protruding belt end.
Driving with spare wheel
With certain wheel-and-tire combinations
the size of the spare wheel differs from
that of the other wheels. The spare wheel is
equivalent to them in all load and speed ranges.
However, to restore the original state, the nor-
mal wheel should be remounted as soon as
possible.<

Everything from A to Z
238
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
System79
– indicator lamp81
Accepted calls182
Accessories6
Accident, refer to Emergency
request223
Acoustic signal, refer to Check
Control71
Activated-charcoal filter for
automatic climate
control101
"Activation time" for parked-
car ventilation102
Active front head restraints44
Active seat ventilation47
Adapter for spare key28
Adaptive brake lamps, refer to
Brake force display87
Adaptive Head Light94
"Add digits" for mobile
phone182
Additives
– coolant211
– engine oil, refer to Approved
engine oils210
"Address book" for navigation
system131
Address for navigation
– deleting133
– entering124,127
– selecting132
– storing131
– storing current position132"Add to address book"131
"Add to destination
list"127,128
Adjusting active backrest
width43
Adjusting interior
temperature98
Adjusting the tone during
audio operation, refer to
Tone control149
Adjusting thigh support42
"After door opened"44
"After unlocking"44
Airbags87
– indicator/warning lamp89
– indicator lamp for front
passenger airbags88
– sitting safely41
Air distribution
– automatic98
– manual99
Airing, refer to Ventilation101
Air recirculation
– AUC Automatic
recirculated-air control100
– recirculated-air mode100
"Air recirculation on / off"50
Air supply, automatic climate
control97
Air volume99
AKI, refer to Fuel quality199
Alarm system35
– avoiding unintentional
alarms36
– interior motion sensor35
– switching off alarm35
– switching off tilt alarm
sensor and interior motion
sensor36
– tilt alarm sensor35
"All channels"160
"All doors"30All-season tires, refer to
Winter tires204
"All stations", calling up with
radio152,156
Alterations, technical, refer to
For your own safety5
Altering stretch of road140
"AM", reception
range149,152
Antenna, refer to Caring for
your vehicle brochure
Antenna for mobile phone174
Antifreeze
– coolant211
– washer fluid64
Antilock Brake System
ABS79
Anti-theft alarm system, refer
to Alarm system35
Anti-theft system, refer to
Central locking system29
Approved axle loads, refer to
Weights232
Approved engine oils210
Approved gross vehicle
weight, refer to Weights232
Armrest, refer to Center
armrest, rear110
Around the center console14
Around the steering wheel10
Arrival time
– refer to Computer68
– refer to Starting destination
guidance136
"Arrow display" for navigation
system137
"Arrow display pop-up
instructions"123
Ashtray
– front108
– rear109

Reference 247
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Lighting
– instruments96
– lamps and bulbs214
– of the vehicle, refer to
Lamps92
Light switch92
"Limit"73
Loading
– securing cargo117
– stowing cargo117
– vehicle116
Load securing equipment,
refer to Securing cargo117
"Lock after driving"33
Lock buttons in the doors,
refer to Locking33
Locking30
– confirmation signals31
– from inside33
– from outside30
– without key, refer to Comfort
access36
Locking and unlocking doors
– confirmation signals31
– from inside32
– from outside30
Low beams92
– automatic92
– indicator lamp13
Lower back support, refer to
Lumbar support42
Lug bolts220
– tightening torque, refer to
After mounting221
– wrench220
Luggage compartment lid33
– comfort access37
– emergency release34
– locking with remote
control30
– opening from inside33
– opening from outside33
– opening with remote
control31
– unlocking and locking from
inside32Luggage rack, refer to Roof-
mounted luggage rack118
Lumbar support42
LW, waveband152
M
M Dynamic Mode MDM80
– indicator lamp13,80
M Engine Dynamic Control59
– "P 400"59
– "P 500"59
– "P 500 Sport"59
M Mobility System217
M+S tires, refer to Winter
tires204
Maintenance212
– refer to Service and
Warranty Information
Booklet for US models212
– refer to Service
requirements69
– refer to Warranty and
Service Guide Booklet for
Canadian models212
Maintenance system212
Malfunction warnings, refer to
Check Control71
Manual air distribution99
"Manual" on the radio153
Manual operation
– door lock32
– driver's door32
– fuel filler door198
– glass sunroof40
– luggage compartment lid34
Manual transmission58
– tow-starting226
"Map direction of travel"138
Map display138
"Map facing north"138
Map for navigation
– changing scale138
– destination entry128
Map view facing north138
Master key, refer to Keys/
remote control28Maximum cooling100
Maximum speed with winter
tires204
MDM, refer to M Dynamic
Mode80
MDrive50
"M Dynamic Mode"80
Measurements, refer to
Dimensions231
Memory, refer to Seat, mirror
and steering wheel
memory43
MENU, button refer to Start
menu17
Menus, refer to iDrive16
Message list for traffic
information141
Microfilter101
Microphone
– for telephone14
– for voice command
system14
Mirror dimming feature49
Mirrors48
– automatic curb monitor48
– folding in and out48
– heating48
– memory, refer to Seat, mirror
and steering wheel
memory43
"Missed calls"182
Missed calls183
Mobile phone
– accepted calls183
– adjusting volume180
– calling181
– ending call181
– installation location, refer to
Center armrest106
– missed calls183
– operation by voice185
– operation via iDrive180
– redialing183
– refer to separate operating
instructions
– Top 8183
– touch tone dialing, refer to
Tone dialing method184