tires BMW M6 2008 E63 Owner's Guide

Wheels and tires
202
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.<
After correcting the tire inflation pressure,
reinitialize the Flat Tire Monitor, refer to
page86, or reset the Tire Pressure Monitor,
refer to page88.<
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.<
For correct identification of the right tire infla-
tion pressure for your tires, observe the follow-
ing:
>Tire sizes for your vehicle
>Load conditions
>Maximum allowable driving speed
Tire inflation pressures for driving
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 for traveling speeds up to a max. of
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 driving
above 100 mph/160 km/h
In order to drive at maximum speeds in
excess of 100 mph/160 km/h, please
note the tire pressures for speeds exceeding
100 mph/160 km/h listed in the relevant column
of the table on the following pages and adjust
your tire inflation pressures as needed. Other-
wise, tire damage and accidents could occur.<
Observe all national and local maximum speed
limits, otherwise violations of the law could
occur.

Mobility
203Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Tire inflation pressures for M6 Coupe
Tire inflation pressures for M6 Convertible
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 33/230 - 33/230 - 41/280 -
285/35 ZR 19 - 36/250 - 36/250 - 46/320
More details on the permissible load and weights can be found on page235.
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 32/220 - 32/220 - 41/280 -
285/35 ZR 19 - 35/240 - 35/240 - 46/320
More details on the permissible load and weights can be found on page235.

Wheels and tires
204
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
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 US Department of Transportation.
DOT code:
Tire age
The tire's date of manufacture is indicated on
the sidewall:
DOT ... 3307 indicates that the tire was manu-
factured in week 33 of 2007.BMW recommends replacing all tires at least
every 6 years, 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
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 govern-
ment course as a tire graded 100. The relative
performance of tires depends upon the actual
conditions of their use, however, and may
depart significantly from the norm due to varia-
tions in driving habits, service practices and dif-
ferences in road characteristics 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 controlled
conditions on specified government test sur-
faces 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.< 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 R 18 100 V
285/3519ZR
e.g.
Manufacturer code
for tire make
Tire size and tire design
Tire age
DOT xxxx xxx 3307

Mobility
205Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
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 foreign objects lodged in
the tread, and 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.Winter tires noticeably loose their suitability for
winter use below a tread depth of 0.16 in/4 mm.
New tires should be mounted in the interest of
safety.
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 your speed imme-
diately and have the wheels and tires
inspected immediately. To do this, carefully
drive to the nearest BMW center or a special-
ized tire dealer that works in accordance with
BMW guidelines and uses appropriately trained
personnel. Have the vehicle towed to the repair
shop if necessary. Otherwise, tire damage can
be extremely dangerous to vehicle occupants
and other road users.<

Wheels and tires
206
New wheels and tires
Only have new wheels and tires mounted
by a BMW center or a repair shop that
works in accordance with BMW guidelines and
uses appropriately trained personnel. If this
work is not carried out properly, there is a dan-
ger of subsequent damage and related safety
h a z a r d s . M a k e s u re t h a t t h e n e w w h ee l s a r e b a l-
anced.<
Retreaded tires
BMW does not recommend the use of
retreaded tires; otherwise, driving safety
may be reduced. Potentially substantial varia-
tions in the design and the age of the carcasses
can result in a reduced 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 find out the right wheel-tire combina-
tion from your BMW center.
The right wheel-and-tire combination is
another vital factor in ensuring reliable opera-
tion of various vehicle systems such as ABS
and DSC.
To maintain good handling and vehicle
response, use only tires of a single tread config-
uration from a single manufacturer. After a tire is
damaged, always remember to 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 page87. Your BMW center will be
happy to advise you on this subject.
Recommended tire brands
BMW recommends particular tire brands for
each tire size. You can recognize these from the
clearly visible BMW marking on the tire sidewall.
With proper use, these tires meet the highest
standards for safety and handling characteris-
tics.
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.
Watch 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
207Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
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.Make sure that the snow chains are always suf-
ficiently tensioned. Readjust tension in accor-
dance with the chain manufacturer's specifica-
tions if necessary.
Do not initialize the Flat Tire Monitor after
installing snow chains as this could cause
the Flat Tire Monitor to malfunction.
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.<

Replacing components
222
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
page86, and the Sequential Manual Trans-
mission, refer to After changing wheels/
tires on page207.
4.Replace the damaged tire as soon as possi-
ble and have the new wheel/tire balanced.
Stowing wheel and tools
Convertible: a rear wheel can only be
transported with the convertible top com-
partment floor folded up.<
1.Lay the wheel in the tool mounting.
2.Lay the cover on the mounting.
3.Coupe: center the wheel and cover relative
to the lashing eyes5.
Convertible: slide the wheel as far as possi-
ble to the left and to the rear.
4.Coupe: hook the belt into the lashing eyes5
and lay it in the belt guide which runs in the
center of the lid.Convertible: hook the belt into the lashing
eyes5 and7 and lay it in the belt guide of
the lid which runs offset.
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.<
Vehicle battery
Maintenance
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.

Everything from A to Z
240
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
System82
– indicator lamp84
Accepted calls184
Accessories6
Accident, refer to Emergency
request224
Activated-charcoal filter for
automatic climate
control105
Activating hour signal78
"Activation time" for parked-
car ventilation106
Active front head restraints48
Adapter for spare key28
Adaptive brake lamps, refer to
Brake force display90
Adaptive Head Light98
"Add digits" for mobile
phone184
Additives
– coolant213
– engine oil, refer to Approved
engine oils212
"Address book" for navigation
system134
Address for navigation
– deleting135
– entering126,129
– selecting134
– storing134
– storing current position134
"Add to address book"133
"Add to destination
list"129,131Adjusting interior
temperature102
Adjusting thigh support46
Adjusting tone in audio mode,
refer to Tone control151
"After door opened"48
"After unlocking"48
Airbags90
– deactivating, refer to
Exception for front
passenger seat56
– indicator/warning lamp92
– indicator lamp for front
passenger airbags91
– sitting safely45
Air distribution
– automatic102
– manual103
Airing, refer to Ventilation105
Air outlets, refer to
Ventilation105
Air recirculation, refer to AUC
Automatic recirculated-air
control104
"Air recirculation on / off"53
Air supply, automatic climate
control101
Air volume103
AKI, refer to Fuel
specifications201
Alarm system35
– avoiding unintentional
alarms36
– interior motion sensor36
– switching off alarm35
– switching off tilt alarm
sensor and interior motion
sensor36
– tilt alarm sensor36
"All channels"162
"All doors"30
All-season tires, refer to
Winter tires206"All stations", calling up with
radio154,157
Alterations, technical, refer to
For your own safety6
"AM", reception
range150,154
Antenna, refer to Caring for
your vehicle brochure
Antenna for mobile phone176
Antifreeze
– coolant213
– washer fluid67
Antilock Brake System
ABS82
Anti-theft alarm system, refer
to Alarm system35
Anti-theft system, refer to
Central locking system30
Approved axle loads, refer to
Weights235
Approved engine oils212
Approved gross vehicle
weight, refer to Weights235
Armrest, refer to Center
armrest110
Around the center console14
Around the steering wheel10
Arrival time
– refer to Computer71
– refer to Starting destination
guidance138
"Arrow display" for navigation
system139
"Arrow display pop-up
instructions"125
Ashtray111
Assist, refer to
BMW Assist191
Assistance systems, refer to
Driving stability control
systems82
Assistance window20

Everything from A to Z
244 Curb weight, refer to
Weights235
"Current position"145
Current position
– displaying145
– entering134
– storing134
"Customer
Relations"186,194
Cylinders, refer to Engine
data232
D
Dashboard, refer to
Cockpit10
Data, technical232
– capacities235
– dimensions233
– engine232
– measurements233
– weights235
"Date"79
Date
– date format79
– setting79
"Date format"79
"Daytime running
lamps"97,100
Daytime running lamps97
– replacing bulbs217
DBC Dynamic Brake Control,
warning lamp85
"Deactivated"48
Decommissioning the vehicle,
refer to Caring for your
vehicle brochure
Defect, tires
– refer to Flat Tire Monitor86
– refer to Tire Pressure
Monitor87
Defrosting windows103
Defrosting windows and
removing condensation103
Defrosting windshield, refer to
Defrosting windows103
Defrost position, refer to
Defrosting windows103"Delete address book" for
navigation system135
"Delete all numbers" for
mobile phone185
"Delete data" for navigation
system135
"Delete" for mobile
phone185
Destination address
– deleting135
– entering126,129
Destination for navigation
– destination list133
– entering via voice129
– entry126
– home address136
– selecting from address
book134
– selecting using
information132
– storing134
Destination guidance138
– bypassing route
sections142
– canceling voice
instructions53
– changing specified
route136
– displaying route139
– distance and arrival138
– interrupting138
– starting138
– terminating/continuing138
– voice instructions141
– volume of voice
instructions142
Destination list for
navigation133
Destinations recently driven
to133
"Details" in audio
mode166,172
"Dial" for mobile phone183
"Dial number"183
Digital clock70
Digital radio, refer to High
Definition Radio158Dimensions
– Convertible234
– Coupe233
Directional indicators, refer to
Turn signals65
Direction instructions, refer to
Voice instructions141
Directory, refer to Phone
book184
Directory for navigation, refer
to Address book134
Direct selection buttons21
Displacement, refer to Engine
data232
"Display"79
Display, refer to iDrive
controls16
Display elements, refer to
Instrument cluster12
Displaying vehicle data197
Display lighting, refer to
Instrument lighting100
"Display off"21
Displays
– on Control Display, refer to
iDrive16
– refer to Instrument
cluster12
"Display settings"79,93
Displays on the windshield,
refer to Head-Up Display93
Disposal
– battery of remote control
with comfort access38
– coolant213
– vehicle battery223
Distance, refer to
Computer71
"Distance to dest."71
Distance to destination, refer
to Computer71
Distance warning, refer to
PDC Park Distance
Control81
Door entry lighting, refer to
Interior lamps100
Door key, refer to Keys/
remote control28

Everything from A to Z
246 ESP Electronic Stability
Program, refer to DSC
Dynamic Stability
Control83
Event data recorders215
Exhaust system, refer to Hot
exhaust system117
Exterior mirrors51
– adjusting51
– automatic dimming
feature52
– automatic heating51
– folding in and out51
– tilting down passenger-side
mirror52
External audio device110
Eye for tow-starting and
towing, refer to Tow
fitting226
Eyes for lashing, refer to
Securing cargo119
F
"Fader", refer to Tone
control152
Fader, refer to Tone
control152
Failure messages, refer to
Check Control74
False alarm
– refer to Avoiding
unintentional alarms36
– refer to Switching off
alarm35
Fastening safety belts, refer to
Safety belts50
Fastest route for
navigation136
Fast forward
– CD changer168
– CD player168
"Fast route" for
navigation136
"Favorites", calling up with
radio157
Filler neck for washer fluid67Filling bottle, refer to
M Mobility System218
Filter, refer to Microfilter/
activated-charcoal filter105
Fine wood, refer to Caring for
your vehicle brochure
First aid, refer to First-aid
kit225
First-aid kit225
Flashing when locking and
unlocking, refer to Setting
confirmation signals31
Flashlight, refer to
Rechargeable flashlight110
Flat tire
– Flat Tire Monitor86
– M Mobility System218
– run-flat tires88
– spare wheel221
– Tire Pressure Monitor87
– warning lamp87,88
Flat Tire Monitor86
– false alarms86
– initializing system86
– limits of system86
– snow chains207
– warning lamp87
Floor mats, 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 fluid67
"FM", reception
range150,154
FM, waveband154
Folding into raised position
convertible top
compartment floor,
Convertible35
Footbrake, refer to Braking
safely117
Footwell lighting, refer to
Interior lamps100
For specified oil grades, refer
to Approved engine oils212
For your own safety6Freeway, refer to Route
criteria136
Front airbags90
Front passenger airbags,
deactivating91
"FTM"87
FTM, refer to Flat Tire
Monitor86
Fuel
– average consumption71
– display70
– fuel specifications201
– high-quality brands201
– quality201
– specifications201
– tank contents, refer to
Capacities235
Fuel display, refer to Fuel
gauge70
Fuel filler door200
– releasing in the event of
electrical malfunction200
Fuel gauge70
Full mobile phone preparation
package176
Full screen display, refer to
Switching assistance
window off20
Fuses223
G
Garage-door opener, refer to
Integrated universal remote
control108
Gasoline
– refer to Average fuel
consumption71
– refer to Fuel
specifications201
– refer to Required fuel201
Gasoline display, refer to Fuel
gauge70
Gear changes63
Gear display, refer to Displays
in instrument cluster63
Gearshift lever, manual
transmission61