tires BMW X5 2009 E70 User Guide

Things to remember when driving
144
Driving on poor roads
Your BMW is at home on all roads and surfaces.
It combines a 4-wheel drive system with the
advantages of a normal passenger car.Do not drive on unpaved terrain, as other-
wise the vehicle may be damaged. <
When you are driving on poor roads, there are a
few points which you shou ld strictly observe for
your own safety, for that of your passengers,
and for the safety of the vehicle:
> Familiarize yourself wi th the vehicle before
driving off and avoid taking risks at all costs.
> Adapt your driving spee d to the road condi-
tions. The steeper and rougher the road
surface is, the lower the speed should be.
> If you want to drive on very steep uphill or
downhill gradients, ma ke sure beforehand
that the engine oil and coolant levels are
near the MAX mark, refer to page 259.
BMW X5: you can operate your vehicle on
uphill and downhill gradients with a maxi-
mum slope of 50 %.
> On very steep downhill slopes, use Hill
Descent Control HDC, refer to page 98.
BMW X5: it is possible to start off on inclines
of up to 33 %. The permissible body roll is
50 %.
> While driving, watch carefully for obstacles
such as rocks or holes. Try to avoid these
obstacles whenev er possible.
> Make sure that the undercarriage does not
touch the ground, for example on crests and
bumpy roads. The ground clearance of the
vehicle is a maximum of approx. 8 in/20 cm.
Please note that the ground clearance can
vary depending on lo ading and the driving
conditions of the vehicle.
> Only drive through road surface water up to
a maximum water depth of
> BMW X5 20 in/50 cm
> BMW X6 17 in/45 cm
and only drive at walking speed; do not
remain stationary. >
After driving through water at low speed,
lightly press the brake pedal several times
to dry the brakes and to prevent the braking
effect from being reduced by wetness.
> Depending on the condition of the surface,
it may be practical to briefly activate DTC,
refer to DTC Dynamic Traction Control on
page 97.
> If the drive wheels spin on one side, depress
the accelerator pedal su fficiently so that the
driving stability control systems can distrib-
ute the drive forces to the individual wheels.
Please note the following points after driving on
poor roads to maintain the driving safety of your
BMW:
> Clean the coarsest dirt from the body.
> Clean mud, snow, ice etc. from the wheels
and tires and check the tires for damage.

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

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249Reference
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Wheels and tires
Tire inflation pressure
Information for your safety
The condition of the tires and the maintenance
of the specified tire pres sure 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 it as needed, even on the
compact tire
*: at least twice a month and before
starting long trips. If you fail to observe this pre-
caution, you may be driving on tires with incor-
rect tire pressures, a condition that can not only
compromise your vehicle's driving stability, but
also lead to tire damage and the risk of an acci-
dent. Do not drive with de pressurized, i.e. flat
tires, except run-flat tires. A flat tire will seri-
ously impair your vehicle's handling and braking
response. Attempts to dr ive 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
page 100, or reset the Tire Pressure Monitor,
refer to page 102.<
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 Sports
Activity Vehicle Center. <
For correct identification of the right tire infla-
tion pressure for your tires, observe the follow-
ing:
> Tire sizes of your vehicle
> Load conditions
> Maximum allowable driving speed
Tire inflation pre ssures for speeds
up to 100 mph/160 km/h
For normal driving up to 100 mph/160 km/h,
adjust pressures to the re spective tire inflation
pressures listed on the following pages in the
column Traveling speeds up to 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. <

Wheels and tires
250
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
o b s e r v e , a n d , i f n e c e s s a r y , a d j u s t t i r e p r e s s u r e s
for speeds exceeding 100 mph/160 km/h from
the relevant table on th e following pages. Oth-
erwise tire damage and accidents could
occur. <
Observe all national and local maximum speed
limits, otherwise violations of the law could
occur.

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251Reference
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Tire inflation pressures X5 xDrive30i/X5 xDrive48i/X5 xDrive35d with two rows
of seats
Tire size Pressure specificat ions in psi/kPa
Traveling speeds up to a max. of
100 mph/160 km/h Traveling 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
Compact wheel
*:
T 155/90 D 18 113 M
T 155/80 R 19 114 M 60/420 60/420 60/420 60/420 60/420 60/420
without sport package:
255/55 R 18 109 H M+S XL 32/220 32/220 32/220 32/220 32/220 38/260
255/50 R 19 107 H M+S XL 32/220 35/240 32/220 32/220 32/220 38/260
Front: 255/50 R 19 107 V XL 32/220 - 32/220 - 32/220 -
Rear: 285/45 R 19 111 V XL - 32/220 - 32/220 - 35/240
Front: 275/40 R 20 106 W XL 32/220 - 32/220 - 32/220 -
Rear: 315/35 R 20 110 W XL - 32/220 - 32/220 - 35/240
Front: 285/35 R 21 105 W XL 32/220 - 32/220 - 32/220 -
Rear: 325/30 R 21 108 W XL - 32/220 - 32/220 - 38/260
with sport package:
255/55 R 18 109 H M+S XL 32/220 32/220 32/220 32/220 32/220 38/260
255/50 R 19 107 H M+S XL 32/220 35/240 32/220 32/220 32/220 38/260
Front: 255/50 R 19 107 V XL 32/220 - 32/220 - 35/240 -
Rear: 285/45 R 19 111 V XL - 32/220 - 32/220 - 38/260
Front: 275/40 R 20 106 W XL 32/220 - 32/220 - 35/240 -
Rear: 315/35 R 20 110 W XL - 32/220 - 32/220 - 38/260
Front: 285/35 R 21 105 W XL 32/220 - 32/220 - 35/240 -
Rear: 325/30 R 21 108 W XL - 32/220 - 35/240 - 41/280
More details on the permissible load and weights can be found on page289.

Wheels and tires
252
Tire inflation pressures X5 xDrive30i/X5 xDrive48i/X5 xDrive35d with two rows
of seats
Tire size Pressure specifications in psi/kPa
Traveling speeds up to a max. of
100 mph/160 km/h Traveling 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
without sport package:
255/55 R 18 109 H M+S XL 32/220 35/240 32/220 32/220 32/220 39/270
255/50 R 19 107 H M+S XL 32/220 38/260 32/220 35/240 35/240 42/290
Front: 255/50 R 19 107 V XL 32/220 - 32/220 - 32/220 -
Rear: 285/45 R 19 111 V XL - 35/240 - 32/220 - 36/250
Front: 275/40 R 20 106 W XL 32/220 - 32/220 - 32/220 -
Rear: 315/35 R 20 110 W XL - 35/240 - 32/220 - 36/250
Front: 285/35 R 21 105 W XL 32/220 - 32/220 - 32/220 -
Rear: 325/30 R 21 108 W XL - 36/250 - 32/220 - 39/270
with sport package:
255/55 R 18 109 H M+S XL 32/220 35/240 32/220 32/220 32/220 39/270
255/50 R 19 107 H M+S XL 32/220 38/260 32/220 35/240 35/240 42/290
Front: 255/50 R 19 107 V XL 32/220 - 32/220 - 35/240 -
Rear: 285/45 R 19 111 V XL - 35/240 - 35/240 - 41/280
Front: 275/40 R 20 106 W XL 32/220 - 32/220 - 35/240 -
Rear: 315/35 R 20 110 W XL - 35/240 - 35/240 - 39/270
Front: 285/35 R 21 105 W XL 32/220 - 32/220 - 35/240 -
Rear: 325/30 R 21 108 W XL - 36/250 - 35/240 - 42/290
More details on the permissible load and weights can be found on page289.

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Tire inflation pressure X6 xDrive35i
Tire inflation pressures for X6 xDrive50i
Tire size Pressure specifications in psi/kPa
Traveling speeds up to a max. of
100 mph/160 km/h Traveling 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
255/50 R 19 107 H M+S XL
255/50 R 19 107 V M+S XL 32/220 32/220 32/220 32/220 33/230 39/270
Front: 275/40 R 20 106 W XL 32/220 - 32/220 - 33/230 -
Rear: 315/35 R 20 110 W XL - 32/220 - 32/220 - 36/250
Front: 285/35 R 21 105 W XL 32/220 - 32/220 - 33/230 -
Rear: 325/30 R 21 108 W XL - 32/220 - 32/220 - 36/250
Compact wheel
*:
T 155/90 D 18 113 M
T 155/80 R 19 114 M 60/420 60/420 60/420 60/420 60/420 60/420
More details on the permissible load and weights can be found on page289.
Tire size Pressure specificat ions in psi/kPa
Traveling speeds up to a max. of
100 mph/160 km/h Traveling 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
255/50 R 19 107 H M+S XL
255/50 R 19 107 V M+S XL 33/230 33/230 33/230 33/230 36/250 39/270
Front: 275/40 R 20 106 W XL 36/250 - 36/250 - 39/270 -
Rear: 315/35 R 20 110 W XL - 36/250 - 36/250 - 39/270
Front: 285/35 R 21 105 W XL 36/250 - 36/250 - 42/290 -
Rear: 325/30 R 21 108 W XL - 36/250 - 36/250 - 42/290
Compact wheel
*:
T 155/90 D 18 113 M
T 155/80 R 19 114 M 60/420 60/420 60/420 60/420 60/420 60/420
More details on the permissible load and weights can be found on page289.

Wheels and tires
254
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
Tire Identification Number
Tires with DOT codes meet the guidelines of
the US Department of Transportation.
DOT code:
Tire age
The manufacturing date of tires is contained in
the tire coding: DOT ... 3008 indicates that the
tire was manufactured in week 30 of 2008.
BMW recommends that you replace all tires
after 6 years at most, even if some tires may last
for 10 years.
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Quality grades can be found where applicable
on the tire sidewall betw een 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 (1 γ) times as
well on the government course as a tire graded
100. The relative perfor mance of tires depends
upon the actual conditio ns 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 th e 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 assign ed to this tire is
based on straight-ahead braking traction
tests, and does not in clude 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)255/55 R18109 H
e.g.
Manufacturer code
for tire make
Tire size and tire design
Tire ageDOT xxxx xxx 0806

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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. <
RSC – run-flat tires
You will recognize run-flat tires by a circular
symbol containing the letters RSC on the side
of the tire, refer to page256.
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 freq uently 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.
Wear indicators at the tread-groove base are
distributed over the ti
re's circumference and
are marked on the side of the tire with TWI –
Tread Wear Indicator. If the tire tread has been
driven down to the we ar indicators, a tread
depth of 0.063 in/1.6 mm has been reached.
Wheel/tire damage
Please note that low-pr ofile 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 indi cate 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 Sports Activity Vehicle Center or
tire shop that works ac cording to BMW repair
procedures with corres pondingly trained per-
sonnel. If necessary, have the vehicle towed
there. Otherwise, tire damage can be extremely
dangerous to vehicle occupants and other road
users. <

Wheels and tires
256
Run-flat tires
You will recognize run-flat tires by the circular
symbol containing the letters RSC on the side
of the tire.
Run-flat tires consist of partially self-contained
tires and special rims. The sidewall reinforce-
ment ensures that the tire retains some residual
safety in the event of pr essure drop and driving
remains possible to a restricted degree.
To continue driving with a damaged tire:
> With Flat Tire Monitor, refer to Indication of
a flat tire page 101
> With Tire Pressure Monitor, refer to Mes-
sage with low tire inflation pressure
page 103
New wheels and tires
Have new wheels and tires installed only
by your BMW Sports Activity Vehicle
Center or a tire shop that works according to
BMW repair procedures with correspondingly
trained personnel. If this work is not carried out
properly, there is a danger of subsequent dam-
age and related safety ha zards. Make sure that
the new wheels are balanced. <
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
When mounting new tires or changing over
from summer to winter tires and vice versa,
mount Run-Flat Tires for your own safety. Your
BMW Sports Activity Vehicle Center will be
happy to advise you.
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 offi cial 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. If non-approved wheels and tires are
used, BMW cannot evaluate their suitability,
and therefore cannot be held liable for driving
safety. <
When changing to larger wheels and tires,
it may be necessary to make changes to
the wheel-well trim piec e, as otherwise road
users could be endangered or the vehicle could
be damaged. Only have th is work carried out by
a BMW Sports Activity Vehicle Center or a
workshop that works in accordance with BMW
guidelines and uses appropriately trained per-
sonnel. <
You can ask your BMW Sp orts Activity Vehicle
Center for the correct wheel/tire combination.
The correct wheel/tire combination also affects
various systems whose function would other-
wise be impaired, e.g. ABS, DSC, xDrive,
Dynamic Performance Control in the BMW X6,
or Flat Tire Monitor.
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 or iginal 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 changing from
summer to winter tires or vice versa, only use
wheels with TPM electronics, otherwise the