winter tires BMW X3 2012 Owners Manual

combination, can cause heat buildup and pos‐
sible tire failure.
If necessary, have the vehicle towed.◀
RSC – Run-flat tires
Run-flat tires, refer to page 227, 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 tread
Summer 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 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.
Minimum tread depth
Wear indicators are distributed around the tire's
circumference and have the legally required
minimum height of 0.063 in/1.6 mm.
They are marked on the side of the tire with TWI,
Tread Wear Indicator.
Tire damage
General information
Inspect your tires often for damage, foreign ob‐
jects lodged in the tread, and tread wear.
Notes
Driving over rough or damaged road surfaces, as
well as debris, curbs and other obstacles can
cause serious damage to wheels, tires and sus‐
pension parts. This is more likely to occur with
low-profile tires, which provide less cushioning
between the wheel and the road. Be careful to
avoid road hazards and reduce your speed, es‐
pecially if your vehicle is equipped with low-pro‐
file tires.
Indications of tire damage or other vehicle de‐
fects:▷Unusual vibrations during driving.▷Unusual handling such as a strong tendency
to pull to the left or right.
Damage can, e. g., be caused by driving over
curbs, road damage, or similar things.
In case of tire damage
If there are indications of tire damage, re‐
duce your speed immediately and have the
wheels and tires checked right away; otherwise,
there is the increased risk of an accident.
Drive carefully to the next service center or tire
shop.
If necessary, have the vehicle towed.
Otherwise, tire damage can be life-threatening
for vehicle occupants and other traffic partici‐
pants.◀
Repair of tire damage
For safety reasons, the manufacturer of
your vehicle recommends that you do not have
damaged tires repaired; they should be re‐
placed. Otherwise, damage can occur as a re‐
sult.◀
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Changing wheels and tires
Mounting Information on mounting tires
Have mounting and balancing performed
only by a service center or tire specialist.
If this work is not carried out properly, there is
the danger of subsequent damage and related
safety hazards.◀
Wheel and tire combination
Information on the correct wheel-tire combina‐
tion and rim versions for your vehicle can be ob‐
tained from your service center.
Incorrect wheel and tire combinations impair the
function of a variety of systems such as ABS or
DSC.
To maintain good handling and vehicle re‐
sponse, use only tires with a single tread con‐
figuration from a single manufacturer.
Following tire damage, have the original wheel
and tire combination remounted on the vehicle
as soon as possible.
Approved wheels and tires
The manufacturer of your vehicle recom‐
mends that you use only wheels and tires that
have been approved for your particular vehicle
model.
For example, despite having the same official
size ratings, variations can lead to body contact
and with it, the risk of severe accidents.
The manufacturer of your vehicle cannot evalu‐
ate non-approved wheels and tires to determine
if they are suited for use, and therefore cannot
ensure the operating safety of the vehicle if they
are mounted.◀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
Due to technical factors associated with their
manufacture, tires do not achieve their full trac‐
tion potential until after an initial breaking-in pe‐
riod.
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
The manufacturer of your vehicle recommends
winter tires for winter roads or at temperatures
below +45 ℉/+7 ℃.
Although so-called all-season M+S tires do pro‐
vide better winter traction than summer tires,
they do not provide the same level of perform‐
ance as winter tires.
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Maximum speed of winter tires
If the maximum speed of the vehicle is higher
than the permissible speed for the winter tires,
then display a corresponding sign in the field of
vision. You can obtain this sign from the tire spe‐
cialist or from your service center.
Maximum speed for winter tires
Do not exceed the maximum speed for the
winter tires; otherwise, tire damage and acci‐
dents can occur.◀
Run-flat tires
For your own safety, only use run-flat tires. No
spare tire is available in the case of a flat tire. Your
service center will be glad to advise you.
Rotating wheels between axles
The manufacturer of your vehicle advises
against swapping wheels between the front and
rear axles.
This can impair the handling characteristics.
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 pres‐
sure indicated on the side wall of the tire.Run-flat tires
Label
RSC label on the tire sidewall.
The wheels are composed of special rims and
tires that are self-supporting, to a limited de‐
gree.
The support of the sidewall allows the tire to re‐
main drivable to a restricted degree in the event
of a pressure loss.
Continued driving with a damaged tire, refer to
page 93.
Changing run-flat tires
For your own safety, only use run-flat tires. No
spare tire is available in the case of a flat tire. Your
service center will be glad to advise you.
Snow chains
Fine-link snow chains
Only certain types of fine-link snow chains have
been tested by the manufacturer of your vehicle,
classified as road-safe and recommended.
Consult your service center for more informa‐
tion.
Use
Use only in pairs on the rear wheels, equipped
with the tires of the following size:
▷205/65 R 17.▷225/60 R 17.Seite 227Wheels and tiresMobility227
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Integrated key 30
Integrated universal remote control 116
Intensity, AUTO program 112
Interactive map 143
Interior equipment 116
Interior lamps 84
Interior lamps via remote con‐ trol 35
Interior motion sensor 42
Interior rearview mirror 54
Interior rearview mirror, auto‐ matic dimming feature 54
Intermediate destinations 145
Internet page 6
Intersection, entering for navi‐ gation 139
Interval display, service re‐ quirements 74
iPod/iPhone 178
J
Jacking points for the vehicle jack 241
Jack, refer to Vehicle jack 241
Joystick, automatic transmis‐ sion 65
K
Key/remote control 30
Keyless Go, refer to Comfort Access 40
Key Memory, refer to Personal Profile 31
Kickdown, automatic trans‐ mission 65
Knee airbag 85
L
Lamp replacement 237
Lamp replacement, front 237
Lamp replacement, rear 240
Lamps 80 Lamps and bulbs 237
Language on Control Dis‐ play 78
Lashing eyes, securing cargo 132
LATCH child restraint fixing system 56
Leather, care 249
LEDs, light-emitting di‐ odes 237
Length, vehicle 255
Letters and numbers, enter‐ ing 21
Light-alloy wheels, care 250
Light control 82
Light-emitting diodes, LEDs 237
Lighting 80
Lighting via remote control 35
Light switch 80
Load 131
Loading 131
Lock, door 36
Locking/unlocking from in‐ side 37
Locking/unlocking via door lock 36
Locking/unlocking with re‐ mote control 34
Locking, automatic 37
Locking, central 33
Locking via tailgate 38
Lock, power window 43
Locks, doors, and win‐ dows 57
Low beams 80
Low beams, automatic, refer to High-beam Assistant 82
Lower back support 48
Luggage compartment roller cover 118
Luggage rack, refer to Roof- mounted luggage rack 130
Lumbar support 48 M
Maintenance 234
Maintenance require‐ ments 234
Maintenance, service require‐ ments 74
Maintenance system, BMW 234
Malfunction displays, refer to Check Control 70
Manual air distribu‐ tion 109, 112
Manual air volume 110, 113
Manual brake, refer to Parking brake 60
Manual mode, transmis‐ sion 66
Manual operation, backup camera 104
Manual operation, door lock 37
Manual operation, exterior mir‐ rors 53
Manual operation, fuel filler flap 218
Manual operation, Park Dis‐ tance Control PDC 102
Manual operation, Top View 106
Map, destination entry 143
Map in split screen 150
Map view 148
Marking on approved tires 226
Marking, run-flat tires 227
Master key, refer to Remote control 30
Maximum cooling 112
Maximum speed, winter tires 227
Measure, units of 79
Medical kit 244
Memory, seat, mirror 52
Menu in instrument cluster 75
Menus, operating, iDrive 16 Seite 272ReferenceEverything from A to Z272
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V
Variable sport steering 97
Vehicle battery 241
Vehicle battery, replacing 241
Vehicle, breaking in 128
Vehicle care 249
Vehicle equipment 6
Vehicle identification number, refer to Identification number
in the engine compart‐
ment 229
Vehicle jack 241
Vehicle paint 249
Vehicle storage 251
Vehicle wash 248
Ventilation 114
Ventilation, refer to Parked-car ventilation 114
Version of the navigation data 152
Video playback 168
Video playback, iPhone 181
Video playback, snap-in adapter 181
Voice activation, short com‐ mands 258
Voice activation system 22
Volume, setting 156
W
Warning messages, refer to Check Control 70
Warning triangle 244
Washer fluid 64
Washer fluid reservoir, ca‐ pacity 257
Washer nozzles, wind‐ shield 64
Washer system 62
Washing, vehicle 248
Water on roads 129
Weather Band 160
Weights 256
Welcome lamps 80 Wheel base, vehicle 255
Wheels, changing 226
Wheels, everything on wheels and tires 221
Wheels, Flat Tire Monitor FTM 91
Wheels, Tire Pressure Monitor TPM 88
Width, vehicle 254
Window defroster, rear 111, 113
Windows, powered 42
Windshield washer fluid 64
Windshield washer noz‐ zles 64
Windshield washer system 62
Windshield wiper 62
Windshield wipers, fold-out position 64
Winter storage, care 251
Winter tires, suitable tires 226
Winter tires, tread 225
Wiper blades, replacing 236
Wiper fluid 64
Wiper system 62
Wood, care 250
Word match concept, naviga‐ tion 21
Wrench 236
X
xDrive 95
Xenon headlamps, bulb re‐ placement 238 Seite 276ReferenceEverything from A to Z276
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