tires BMW X5 4.6IS 2003 User Guide

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OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Tire condition Tire replacement Proceed carefully to the nearest
BMW Sports Activity Vehicle center or
professional tire center, or have the
vehicle towed in to have it, its wheels
and tires inspected.
Tire damage up to and including blow-
outs can endanger the lives of both the
vehicle occupants and other road
users.<
DOT Quality GradesTread wear
Traction AA A B C
Temperature A B C
All passenger car tires must con-
form to Federal Safety Require-
ments in addition to these grades.< Tread wearThe tread wear grade is a comparative
rating based on the wear rate of the tire
when tested under controlled condi-
tions on a specified government test
course.
For example, a tire graded 150 would
wear one and one-half Ð 1g Ð times as
well on the government course as a tire
graded 100. The relative performance
of tires depends upon the actual condi-
tions of their use, however, and may
depart significantly from the norm due
to variations in driving habits, service
practices and differences in road char-
acteristics and climate.
TractionThe traction grades, from highest to
lowest, are AA, A, B, and C.
Those grades represent the tire's ability
to stop on wet pavement as measured
under controlled conditions on speci-
fied 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, cornering,
hydroplaning, or peak traction charac-
teristics.<

136n
Tire replacement TemperatureThe 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 condi-
tions 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 tem-
perature can lead to a sudden flat tire.
The grade C corresponds to a level of
performance which all passenger car
tires must meet under the Federal
Motor Car 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 separately or
in combination, can cause heat buildup
and possible a tire failure.<
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 age BMW recommends the replacement of
all tires Ð i.e. also of the spare tire, inde-
pendently of actual wear Ð when the
tires are no more than 6 years old, even
if a tire life of 10 years is possible.
The date on which the tire was manu-
factured is indicated by the code on the
sidewall:
DOT ... 2602 indicates that the tire was
manufactured in week 26 of 2002.

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OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Wheel and tire combinations The right choice
Use only wheels and tires
approved by BMW for the corre-
sponding vehicle model, as otherwise
the tires may make contact with the
body as the result of tolerances despite
the same nominal size being used,
resulting in serious accidents. 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 Sports Activity Vehicle center for
more information. Observe any regula-
tions applicable in the country of use,
e.g. requiring entry in the vehicle docu-
ments.
The correct wheel and tire combi-
nation affects different systems
such as ABS, ATC and DSC. The func-
tion of these systems is impaired if
improper wheel and tire combinations
are used.
For this reason, use only tires of the
same brand and tread pattern on the
vehicle and, for example, restore the
approved wheel and tire combination
following a flat tire as soon as
possible.<
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
control.<
Storage Store wheels or tires in a cool, dry
place, protecting them against light
whenever possible. Protect the tires
against contact with oil, grease and
fuel.

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Winter tires Snow chains
*
Choosing the right tire BMW recommends winter tires Ð M+S
radial tires Ð for operation under
inclement winter driving conditions.
While so-called all-season tires with
M+S designation provide better winter
traction than summer tires with the load
ratings H, V, W, Y and ZR, they gener-
ally do not achieve the performance of
winter tires.
In the interests 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.
Do not exceed specified
maximum speeds
Never exceed the maximum speed
for which the tires are rated.
Unprofessional attempts by laymen to
service tires can lead to damage and
accidents.
Have this work performed by skilled
professionals only. Your BMW Sports
Activity Vehicle center will be glad to
assist you with both their expertise and
the proper equipment for your vehicle.<
Tire condition, tire pressureWinter tires display a perceptible loss in
their ability to cope with winter driving
conditions once the tread wears to
below 0.16 in/4 mm, and should thus
be replaced.
Comply with the specified tire inflation
pressures Ñ and be sure to have the
wheel and tire assemblies balanced
every time you change the tires.
Only certain snow chains have been
tested by BMW and classified and
approved as safe. Consult your BMW
Sports Activity Vehicle center for
details. The use of narrow-link BMW
snow chains is approved only in pairs
on the rear wheels and only with the
following tire sizes.
BMW X5 4.6is: 255/55 R18
All other models: 235/65 R 17.
Comply with all manufacturer's safety
precautions when mounting the chains.
Do not exceed a maximum speed of
30 mph/50 km/h.

Everything from A to ZEngine compartment
essentials140
Engine coolant143
Engine oil141, 142
consumption141
grades142
level20
pressure19
Estimated time of arrival87
Exterior mirrors53
Exterior rearview mirrors,
automatic dimming
feature54FFailure of an electrical
accessory160
Filling the windshield washer
reservoir141
First-aid kit24
Fittings, tow-starting and
towing164
Flashlight115
Flat tire98, 134, 155
Fog lamps100
bulb replacement152
Folding rear backrest120
Footbrake133
Front area lighting101
Front fog lamps100
Front seat adjustment44Frost protection,
radiator143
Fuel26
capacity171
display75
gauge75
quality26
specifications26
Fuel consumption87
average87
Fuel filler door24
electrical malfunction24
Fuses160
GGarage-door opener112
Gasoline26
General driving notes132
Glasses compartment117
Glove compartment115
Gross vehicle weight170
Ground clearance131HHandbrake64
Hands-free system116
Hazard warning flashers14
Hazard warning triangle24
HDC Hill Descent
Control93Head restraints47
Headlamp flasher68
Headlamp washer
system69, 141
Heated seats51
Heated steering wheel53
Heating and
ventilation102, 105
Heating while stopped109
Heavy cargo126
Height169
Height adjustment
seats46
steering wheel52
High beams22, 100
bulb replacement151
High-mount brake lamp153
Hill Descent Control
HDC93
Holder for cans, refer to
beverage holder116
Hood139
Hood release139
Hydraulic Brake Assistant
refer to DBC21
Hydroplaning132, 134
IIce warning73
Identification, tires137
Ignition key30
Ignition lock62
Imprint4
Independent ventilation
system84, 111
switching on and off84
Indicator lamps19
Inflation pressures,
tires134
monitoring97
INSPECTION76
Instrument
cluster15, 16, 17, 18
Instrument lighting100
Instrument
panel15, 16, 17, 18
Intensive cleaning
system69
Interior lamps101
remote control32
Interior mirrors54
Interior motion sensor40
Interior rearview mirror,
automatic dimming
feature54
Interlock62
Intermittent wipe68

Everything from A to Z
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OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
JJack155, 156, 158
Jump-starting162KKey Memory61
Keys30
Keys with radio remote
control30
Kickdown mode66LLamps and bulbs151
Lashing eyes38, 126
LATCH Ð Lower Anchors and
Tethers for CHildren Ð
child-restraint system60
Lead-free gasoline26
Length169
License plate lamps
bulb replacement154
Liftgate36
opening from the
inside36
release following an
electrical
malfunction36, 38
remote control
operation32
Lighter117
LIGHTS ON warning99
Load-securing devices126Louvers102, 105
Low beams99
automatic99
bulb replacement151
Low-fuel warning lamp75
Lug bolts158
Lug wrench155
Luggage net38
Luggage straps38
Lumbar support46
MM+S radial tires138
Maintenance76, 145
Maintenance System145
Malfunction displays77
Manual operation
doors34
fuel filler door24
liftgate36
sliding/tilt sunroof43
tailgate38
Manual transmission64
Master key30
Maximum cooling108
Mechanical seat45
Memory50
driver's seat50
mirrors50
steering wheel50
Messages concerning
system malfunctions77MID Multi-Information
Display81
digital clock82
Mirror defrosting53
Mirror memory50
Mirrors53
Modifications,
technical9, 146
Monitoring inflation
pressure, tires97
Moonroof42
Multifunction buttons,
steering wheel23
Multi-Information Display
MID81
digital clock82
NNavigation system, refer to
the separate Owner's
ManualOOBD interface socket147
Odometer73
Oil
additives142
consumption142
dipstick142
grades142
temperature gauge75Oil change interval, refer to
the Service and Warranty
Information Booklet for US
models or to the Warranty
and Service Guide Booklet
for Canadian models
Oil level20
indicator lamp20
Oil pressure, indicator
lamp19
OILSERVICE76
Onboard computer, refer to
the separate Owner's
Manual
Onboard Diagnostic
system147
Onboard tool kit150
Opening and closing
from the inside35
from the outside34
using the key34
using the remote
control31
Outlets, ventilation102, 105
Outside temperature
display73
in the computer80

Everything from A to Z
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OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Side lamps99
bulb replacement152
Sitting safely with
airbags44
Sitting safely with safety
belts44
Ski bag119
Sliding/tilt sunroof42
closing following an
electrical malfunction43
convenience operation34
power loss43
remote control32
Snow chains138
Socket
power supplies118
vacuum cleaner118
Spare key30
Spare tire156
Spare wheel156
removal aid156
Spare wheel, driving159
Speaker116
Special features of winter
tires138
Special wash program69
Speed88
Speed control71
Speed limit85, 86
Speedometer15, 17, 18Sports seat45
Standing lamps100
Starting assistance163
Starting problems63, 163
Starting the engine62, 63
Steering lock62
Steering wheel
adjustment52
adjustment, automatic52
heating53
lock62
memory50
Steering wheel with
multifunction buttons23
Steptronic65
Stopwatch83
Storage compartments116
in the cargo area123
Summer tires137
Sunroof42
Sunshades111
Switching off the engine63
Switch-on times
input84
Symbols8
Synthetic oils142
System malfunction
indicators77
TTachometer74
Tail lamps153
bulb replacement153
Tailgate37
opening from the
outside36
release following an
electrical malfunction38
remote control
operation32
Tank capacity171
Technical
modifications9, 146
Telephone preparation116
Temperature display,
outside
temperature73, 80
Temperature gauge75, 76
Temperature
layering104, 109
Temperature setting107
Thigh support
adjustment45
Third brake lamp153
Tilt alarm32
Tilt alarm sensor40
Tilt function, passenger side
mirror51Time
calling up82
changing82
of arrival, estimated87
Timer
refer to Stopwatch
refer also to the Owner's
Manual for the Onboard
Computer
Tire134
damage134
pressure monitoring97
replacement135
tread134
Tire condition134
Tire inflation
pressures26, 134
monitoring97
table27
Tire Pressure Monitor
RDC97
warning lamp19, 21
Tire Quality Grading136
Tools150
Torque168
Tow fittings164
Towing the vehicle164
Tow-starting164
Track width169

Everything from A to ZTraction Control System,
refer to DSC91
Transmission64, 65
Transporting children
safely58
Tread depth, tires134
Trip odometer73
Turn signal indicator68
bulb replacement152
Turning circle169
Two-axle self-leveling
suspension94
display95
lowering96
raising95UUniform Tire Quality
Grading136
Universal Transmitter112
Used batteries,
disposal160
Used oil, disposal142VVacuum cleaner
power outlet124
socket118Valve caps159
Variable Ride Height94
Vehicle battery160
Vehicle jack155
Vehicle keys30
Vehicle Memory61
Vehicle vacuum cleaner
power outlet124
socket118
Ventilation102, 104, 109
draft-free104, 109
in the rear104, 109
while parked111
Viscosity142
Voice entry23
WWarm feet Ð cool head104
Warning lamps19
Warning messages77
Warning triangle24
Warranty and Service Guide
Booklet for Canadian
models145
Washer fluid141
Washer reservoir, filling141
Washer/wiper system68
Weights170Wheel and tire
combinations137
Wheel, changing155
Wheelbase169
Wheels and tires137
Width169
Windows40
convenience operation34
remote control32
Windshield
intensive cleaning
program68
special wash program68
Windshield washer
filling reservoir141
Windshield wiper68
blade replacement150
Winter tires138
Wiper blade
replacement150
Wipers68
Work in the engine
compartment139
XXenon lamps152