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EnglishMobility -> Wheels and tires for your BMW 3 Series 2006-2013
exhaust fluid in an enclosed area, ensure that
the room is well ventilated.
Wrong fluid
A warning lamp lights up:
After handling diesel exhaust fluid, wash your
hands thoroughly; otherwise, for example, inad-
vertently touching your eyes may lead to eye
irritations.
The wrong fluid was filled into the res-
ervoir.
Please contact your BMW center.
If eye irritations occur, rinse the eyes thoroughly
with water and consult a physician if necessary.
If diesel exhaust fluid comes into contact with
the surface of your vehicle, rinse the affected
areas with water to prevent surface damage.
Keep diesel exhaust fluid away from children.<
Having the diesel exhaust fluid refilled
Diesel exhaust fluid is refilled by your BMW
center during regular service. If the service
intervals are adhered to, it generally does not
need to be refilled between service appoint-
ments.
Suitable diesel exhaust fluid
Under certain conditions, e.g. especially fre-
quent accelerations or operation of the vehicle
at high altitudes, it may become necessary to
refill the fluid between service appointments.
>
Preferred: BMW Diesel Exhaust Fluid.
Diesel exhaust fluid can be refilled conve-
niently with this bottle and its special
adapter.
When this reserve display appears in the instru-
ment cluster, have diesel exhaust fluid refilled to
avoid not being able to start the engine.
>
Alternatively: NOx reduction agent AUS 32
You can obtain diesel exhaust fluid from your
BMW center.
You can have the fluid refilled by a BMW center.
Diesel exhaust fluid at low
temperatures
Refilling quantity
Refilling quantity when the reserve display first
appears:
Approx. 1 US gallon/3.7 liters
Because of its physical properties, it may
be necessary to refill diesel exhaust fluid
between regular service appointments at tem-
peratures below +237/-56.
The need to add fluid is indicated by the reserve
display in the instrument cluster, refer to
page 198.<
Opening the diesel exhaust fluid
reservoir
1. Remove the cover in the bumper by press-
ing on it, see arrow.
Refilling diesel exhaust fluid in
exceptional cases
To be able to reach the next BMW center, you
can refill diesel exhaust fluid yourself while
adhering to the following warnings.
Do not come into contact with diesel
exhaust fluid as it can lead to skin or eye
irritations. Wear goggles and gloves, if neces-
sary. Follow the safety instructions on the bot-
tle.
Vapors with a sharp odor can escape from the
bottle or container when it is opened. Before
refilling, completely close the windows and
doors of the vehicle to prevent the vapors from
intruding into the interior. If handling diesel
199
2. Place the handle of the screwdriver from the
onboard vehicle tool kit, page 229, onto the
bottom cap and open the cap, arrow.
Pull back the bottle, see arrow, and unscrew
it.
Closing the reservoir
Refilling BMW Diesel Exhaust Fluid
After refilling, close the reservoir again using
the handle of the screwdriver.
1. Attach the bottle and screw it all the way on,
see arrow. The line on the bottle should
point upward.
After refilling diesel exhaust fluid
Wrong fluid
Hold the attached bottle to prevent
the thread on the vehicle from
becoming damaged by the weight of the
bottle.<
If you add the wrong fluid, e.g. antifreeze
for washer fluid, do not start the engine;
otherwise, there is a danger of fire.<
Contact your BMW center.
Disposing of the bottle
You can dispose of the bottles for diesel
exhaust fluid at your BMW center.
Only dispose of empty bottles in household
refuse if local regulations allow.<
Reserve display
2. Press the bottle toward the vehicle, see
arrow.
-
The reservoir in the vehicle is filled.
After refilling, the reserve display continues to
be displayed after the engine is started. It goes
out after the vehicle has been driven for several
minutes.
3. The reservoir is full when the filling level in
the bottle stops changing. It is not possible
to overfill the reservoir.
200
Wheels and tires
>
>
>
Tire sizes for your vehicle
Load conditions
Tire inflation pressures
Information for your safety
Maximum allowable driving speed
It is not merely the tires' service life, but also
driving comfort and, to a great extent, driving
safety that depend on the condition of the tires
and the maintenance of the specified tire pres-
sure.
Tire inflation pressures for driving up to
100 mph or 160 km/h
For normal driving up to 100 mph or 160 km/h
and to achieve optimum driving comfort, adjust
pressures to the respective tire inflation pres-
sures listed on the following pages in the col-
umns for traveling speeds up to a maximum of
100 mph or 160 km/h.
Check the tire inflation pressure regularly
and correct it, if necessary: at least twice a
month and before starting long trips. If you fail
to observe this precaution you may be driving
on tires with incorrect tire pressures, a condi-
tion that can not only compromise your vehi-
cle's driving stability, but also lead to tire dam-
age and the risk of an accident. Do not drive
with deflated, i.e. flat tires, except when using
run-flat tires. A flat tire will seriously impair your
vehicle's handling and braking response.
Attempts to drive on a flat tire can lead to loss of
control over the vehicle.<
These tire inflation pressures can also be found
on the driver's side door post when the driver's
door is open.
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 is higher.
The maximum permissible speed for
these tire pressures is 100 mph or
160 km/h. Do not exceed this speed; otherwise,
tire damage and accidents could occur.<
After correcting the tire inflation pressure,
reset the Tire Pressure Monitor, refer to
page 86, or reinitialize the Flat Tire Monitor,
refer to page 85.<
Tire inflation pressures for driving
above 100 mph or 160 km/h
In order to drive at maximum speeds in
excess of 100 mph or 160 km/h, adjust
Inflation pressure specifications
pressures to the respective tire inflation pres-
sures listed on the following pages in the col-
umns for traveling speeds including those
exceeding 100 mph or 160 km/h. Otherwise,
tire damage and accidents could occur.<
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 approved and tire brands recom-
mended by BMW; a list of these is available
from your BMW center.<
Observe all national and local maximum speed
limits; otherwise, violations of the laws could
occur.
For correct identification of the right tire infla-
tion pressures, observe the following:
201
Sedan: tire inflation pressures for the 323i, for Canada only
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:
205/55 R 16 91 H M+S
32/220
32/220
36/250
35/240
35/240
32/220
42/290
39/270
225/50 R 16 92 V
225/50 R 16 92 H M+S
225/45 R 17 91 H M+S
225/45 R 17 91 V
32/220
38/260
35/240
42/290
225/45 R 17 94 V M+S XL
Front: 225/45 R 17 91 V
Rear: 255/40 R 17 94 V
Front: 225/40 R 18 88 W
Rear: 255/35 R 18 90 W
Front: 225/35 R 19 88 Y XL
Rear: 255/30 R 19 91 Y XL
32/220
39/270
36/250
44/300
32/220
-
35/240
-
-
35/240
-
-
38/260
-
32/220
35/240
-
36/250
-
39/270
-
-
36/250
-
42/290
-
44/300
44/300
202
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
With Sport Package:
205/55 R 16 91 H M+S
32/220
32/220
36/250
35/240
36/250
36/250
44/300
44/300
225/50 R 16 92 V
225/50 R 16 92 H M+S
225/45 R 17 91 V
225/45 R 17 91 H M+S
32/220
38/260
41/280
48/330
225/45 R 17 94 V M+S XL
Front: 225/45 R 17 91 V
Rear: 255/40 R 17 94 V
Front: 225/40 R 18 88 W
Rear: 255/35 R 18 90 W
Front: 225/35 R 19 88 Y XL
Rear: 255/30 R 19 91 Y XL
32/220
39/270
42/290
49/340
32/220
-
41/280
-
-
35/240
-
-
44/300
-
32/220
39/270
-
36/250
-
39/270
-
-
39/270
-
46/320
-
44/300
46/320
More details on the permissible load and weights can be found on page 247.
203
Sedan: tire inflation pressures for the 328i
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:
205/55 R 16 91 H M+S
225/50 R 16 92 V
225/50 R 16 92 H M+S
32/220
32/220
36/250
39/270
33/230
36/250
41/280
44/300
225/45 R 17 91 H M+S
225/45 R 17 91 V
225/45 R 17 94 V M+S XL
Front: 225/45 R 17 91 V
Rear: 255/40 R 17 94 V
Front: 225/40 R 18 88 W
Rear: 255/35 R 18 90 W
Front: 225/40 R 18 88 Y
Rear: 255/35 R 18 90 Y
Front: 225/35 R 19 88 Y XL
Rear: 255/30 R 19 91 Y XL
33/230
41/280
38/260
45/310
32/220
-
36/250
-
-
35/240
-
39/270
33/230
-
36/250
-
-
41/280
-
-
44/300
-
33/230
33/230
-
38/260
-
41/280
-
-
38/260
-
41/280
-
45/310
45/310
204
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
With Sport Package:
205/55 R 16 91 H M+S
225/50 R 16 92 H M+S
225/50 R 16 92 V
32/220
32/220
36/250
39/270
38/260
38/260
45/310
45/310
225/45 R 17 91 H M+S
225/45 R 17 91 V
225/45 R 17 94 V M+S XL
Front: 225/45 R 17 91 V
Rear: 255/40 R 17 94 V
Front: 225/40 R 18 88 W
Rear: 255/35 R 18 90 W
Front: 225/40 R 18 88 Y
Rear: 255/35 R 18 90 Y
Front: 225/35 R 19 88 Y XL
Rear: 255/30 R 19 91 Y XL
33/230
41/280
44/300
51/350
32/220
-
38/260
-
-
35/240
-
45/310
33/230
-
41/280
-
-
41/280
-
-
48/330
-
33/230
36/250
-
38/260
-
41/280
-
-
41/280
-
44/300
-
45/310
48/330
More details on the permissible load and weights can be found on page 247.
205
Sedan: tire inflation pressures for the 328xi
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:
205/55 R 16 91 H M+S
225/50 R 16 92 H M+S
225/50 R 16 92 V
32/220
36/250
35/240
41/280
225/45 R 17 91 H M+S
225/45 R 17 91 W
225/45 R 17 94 V M+S XL
Front: 225/45 R 17 91 V
Rear: 255/40 R 17 94 V
Front: 225/40 R 18 88 W
Rear: 255/35 R 18 90 W
Front: 225/35 R 19 88 Y XL
Rear: 255/30 R 19 91 Y XL
32/220
38/260
35/240
42/290
32/220
-
35/240
-
-
33/230
-
-
38/260
-
33/230
36/250
-
39/270
-
38/260
-
-
39/270
-
41/280
-
42/290
42/290
With Sport Package:
205/55 R 16 91 H M+S
225/50 R 16 92 H M+S
225/45 R 17 91 H M+S
32/220
32/220
36/250
36/250
35/240
38/260
41/280
45/310
225/50 R 16 92 V
225/45 R 17 91 W
225/45 R 17 94 V M+S XL
Front: 225/45 R 17 91 V
Rear: 255/40 R 17 94 V
Front: 225/40 R 18 88 W
Rear: 255/35 R 18 90 W
Front: 225/35 R 19 88 Y XL
Rear: 255/30 R 19 91 Y XL
32/220
38/260
41/280
48/330
32/220
-
38/260
-
-
33/230
-
-
42/290
-
33/230
41/280
-
39/270
-
38/260
-
-
42/290
-
45/310
-
42/290
45/310
More details on the permissible load and weights can be found on page 247.
206
Sedan: tire inflation pressures for the 335i
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:
225/45 R 17 91 H M+S
225/45 R 17 91 W
35/240
42/290
39/270
46/320
225/45 R 17 94 V M+S XL
Front: 225/45 R 17 91 V
Rear: 255/40 R 17 94 V
Front: 225/40 R 18 88 W
Rear: 255/35 R 18 90 W
Front: 225/40 R 18 88 Y
Rear: 255/35 R 18 90 Y
Front: 225/35 R 19 88 Y XL
Rear: 255/30 R 19 91 Y XL
36/250
44/300
41/280
48/330
35/240
-
39/270
-
-
38/260
-
42/290
35/240
-
39/270
-
-
42/290
-
-
46/320
-
35/240
35/240
-
41/280
-
42/290
-
-
41/280
-
42/290
-
48/330
48/330
With Sport Package:
225/45 R 17 91 H M+S
225/45 R 17 91 W
35/240
42/290
42/290
49/340
225/45 R 17 94 V M+S XL
Front: 225/45 R 17 91 V
Rear: 255/40 R 17 94 V
Front: 225/40 R 18 88 W
Rear: 255/35 R 18 90 W
Front: 225/40 R 18 88 Y
Rear: 255/35 R 18 90 Y
Front: 225/35 R 19 88 Y XL
Rear: 255/30 R 19 91 Y XL
36/250
44/300
44/300
51/350
35/240
-
42/290
-
-
38/260
-
46/320
35/240
-
44/300
-
-
42/290
-
-
51/350
-
35/240
39/270
-
41/280
-
42/290
-
-
44/300
-
46/320
-
48/330
51/350
More details on the permissible load and weights can be found on page 247.
207
Sedan: tire inflation pressures for the 335xi
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:
225/45 R 17 91 H M+S
225/45 R 17 91 W
33/230
39/270
36/250
44/300
225/45 R 17 94 V M+S XL
Front: 225/45 R 17 91 W
Rear: 255/40 R 17 94 W
Front: 225/40 R 18 88 W
Rear: 255/35 R 18 90 W
Front: 225/40 R 18 88 Y
Rear: 255/35 R 18 90 Y
Front: 225/35 R 19 88 Y XL
Rear: 255/30 R 19 91 Y XL
33/230
41/280
38/260
45/310
33/230
-
36/250
-
-
35/240
-
38/260
36/250
-
39/270
-
-
41/280
-
-
44/300
-
36/250
36/250
-
42/290
-
41/280
-
-
42/290
-
41/280
-
45/310
45/310
With Sport Package:
225/45 R 17 91 H M+S
225/45 R 17 94 V M+S XL
225/45 R 17 91 W
33/230
33/230
33/230
33/230
-
39/270
41/280
39/270
-
36/250
42/290
39/270
39/270
-
44/300
49/340
46/320
-
Front: 225/45 R 17 91 W
Rear: 255/40 R 17 94 W
Front: 225/40 R 18 88 W
Rear: 255/35 R 18 90 W
Front: 225/40 R 18 88 Y
Rear: 255/35 R 18 90 Y
Front: 225/35 R 19 88 Y XL
Rear: 255/30 R 19 91 Y XL
35/240
-
42/290
-
36/250
-
44/300
-
41/280
-
48/330
-
36/250
-
39/270
-
41/280
-
44/300
-
42/290
-
45/310
-
45/310
49/340
More details on the permissible load and weights can be found on page 247.
208
Sedan: tire inflation pressures for the 335d
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:
225/45 R 17 91 H M+S
225/45 R 17 91 W
33/230
41/280
39/270
46/320
225/45 R 17 94 V M+S XL
Front: 225/45 R 17 91 V
Rear: 255/40 R 17 94 V
Front: 225/40 R 18 88 W
Rear: 255/35 R 18 90 W
Front: 225/40 R 18 88 Y
Rear: 255/35 R 18 90 Y
Front: 225/35 R 19 88 Y XL
Rear: 255/30 R 19 91 Y XL
35/240
42/290
39/270
46/320
33/230
-
39/270
-
-
36/250
-
41/280
35/240
-
39/270
-
-
41/280
-
-
45/310
-
35/240
35/240
-
41/280
-
41/280
-
-
41/280
-
41/280
-
46/320
46/320
With Sport Package:
225/45 R 17 91 H M+S
225/45 R 17 91 W
33/230
41/280
41/280
48/330
225/45 R 17 94 V M+S XL
Front: 225/45 R 17 91 V
Rear: 255/40 R 17 94 V
Front: 225/40 R 18 88 W
Rear: 255/35 R 18 90 W
Front: 225/40 R 18 88 Y
Rear: 255/35 R 18 90 Y
Front: 225/35 R 19 88 Y XL
Rear: 255/30 R 19 91 Y XL
35/240
42/290
42/290
49/340
33/230
-
41/280
-
-
36/250
-
45/310
35/240
-
42/290
-
-
41/280
-
-
49/340
-
35/240
38/260
-
41/280
-
41/280
-
-
44/300
-
45/310
-
46/320
49/340
More details on the permissible load and weights can be found on page 247.
209
Sports Wagon: tire inflation pressures for the 328i
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:
225/50 R 16 92 H M+S
225/50 R 16 92 W
32/220
32/220
33/230
39/270
39/270
41/280
36/250
39/270
39/270
44/300
46/320
46/320
205/55 R 16 91 H M+S
225/45 R 17 91 H M+S
225/45 R 17 91 W
225/45 R 17 94 V M+S XL
Front: 225/45 R 17 91 V
Rear: 255/40 R 17 94 V
Front: 225/40 R 18 88 W
Rear: 255/35 R 18 90 W
Front: 225/40 R 18 88 Y
Rear: 255/35 R 18 90 Y
Front: 225/35 R 19 88 Y XL
Rear: 255/30 R 19 91 Y XL
35/240
42/290
41/280
48/330
33/230
-
39/270
-
-
36/250
-
42/290
36/250
-
39/270
-
-
44/300
-
-
46/320
-
36/250
36/250
-
36/250
-
44/300
-
-
41/280
-
44/300
-
44/300
48/330
210
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
With Sport Package:
205/55 R 16 91 H M+S
225/50 R 16 92 H M+S
225/50 R 16 92 W
32/220
33/230
39/270
41/280
39/270
42/290
46/320
49/340
225/45 R 17 91 H M+S
225/45 R 17 91 W
225/45 R 17 94 V M+S XL
Front: 225/45 R 17 91 V
Rear: 255/40 R 17 94 V
Front: 225/40 R 18 88 W
Rear: 255/35 R 18 90 W
Front: 225/40 R 18 88 Y
Rear: 255/35 R 18 90 Y
Front: 225/35 R 19 88 Y XL
Rear: 255/30 R 19 91 Y XL
35/240
42/290
42/290
49/340
33/230
-
42/290
-
-
36/250
-
46/320
36/250
-
44/300
-
-
44/300
-
-
51/350
-
36/250
39/270
-
36/250
-
44/300
-
-
42/290
-
46/320
-
44/300
49/340
More details on the permissible load and weights can be found on page 247.
211
Sports Wagon: tire inflation pressures for the 328xi
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:
205/55 R 16 91 H M+S
225/50 R 16 92 H M+S
225/50 R 16 92 W
32/220
33/230
39/270
41/280
36/250
38/260
44/300
45/310
225/45 R 17 91 H M+S
225/45 R 17 91 W
225/45 R 17 94 V M+S XL
Front: 225/45 R 17 91 V
Rear: 255/40 R 17 94 V
Front: 225/40 R 18 88 W
Rear: 255/35 R 18 90 W
Front: 225/40 R 18 88 Y
Rear: 255/35 R 18 90 Y
Front: 225/35 R 19 88 Y XL
Rear: 255/30 R 19 91 Y XL
35/240
42/290
39/270
46/320
33/230
-
38/260
-
-
36/250
-
41/280
36/250
-
39/270
-
-
42/290
-
-
46/320
-
36/250
36/250
-
39/270
-
42/290
-
-
39/270
-
42/290
-
46/320
46/320
212
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
With Sport Package:
205/55 R 16 91 H M+S
225/50 R 16 92 H M+S
225/50 R 16 92 W
32/220
33/230
39/270
41/280
38/260
41/280
45/310
48/330
225/45 R 17 91 H M+S
225/45 R 17 91 W
225/45 R 17 94 V M+S XL
Front: 225/45 R 17 91 V
Rear: 255/40 R 17 94 V
Front: 225/40 R 18 88 W
Rear: 255/35 R 18 90 W
Front: 225/40 R 18 88 Y
Rear: 255/35 R 18 90 Y
Front: 225/35 R 19 88 Y XL
Rear: 255/30 R 19 91 Y XL
35/240
42/290
42/290
49/340
33/230
-
41/280
-
-
36/250
-
45/310
36/250
-
42/290
-
-
42/290
-
-
49/340
-
36/250
38/260
-
39/270
-
42/290
-
-
42/290
-
45/310
-
46/320
49/340
More details on the permissible load and weights can be found on page 247.
213
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Tire identification marks
Knowledge of the labeling on the side of the tire
makes it easier to identify and choose the right
tires.
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 size
e.g.
225/45
R
1
7
91
V
DOT Quality Grades
Nominal width in mm
Aspect ratio in Ξ
Radial belt construction
Rim diameter in inches
Load rating,
not on ZR tires
Speed code letter, in
front of the R on ZR tires
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.
Speed code letter
Q = up to 100 mph or 160 km/h
T = up to 118 mph or 190 km/h
H = up to 131 mph or 210 km/h
V = up to 150 mph or 240 km/h
W = up to 167 mph or 270 km/h
Y = up to 186 mph or 300 km/h
Tire Identification Number
Tires with DOT codes meet the guidelines of
the US Department of Transportation.
Traction
The traction grades, from highest to lowest, are
AA, A, B, and C.
DOT code:
e.g.
DOT xxxx xxx 3209
Those 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.
Manufacturer's
code for tire make
Tire size and
tire design
Tire age
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.<
Tire age
The manufacturing date of tires is contained in
the tire coding: DOT … 3209 means that the
tire was manufactured in week 32 of 2009.
Temperature
BMW recommends that you replace all tires
after 6 years at most, even if some tires may last
for 10 years.
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
214
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.
of 1/6 in/4 mm, they become perceptibly less
suitable for winter conditions. In the interest of
safety, new tires should be installed.
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.<
Wear indicators in the base of the tread groove
are distributed around the tire's circumference;
the letters TWI, for Tread Wear Indicator, on the
tire's sidewalls identify tires that incorporate
these wear indicators. Once the tire tread has
worn down to the wear indicators, the tire has
worn to a depth of 1/16 in/1.6 mm.
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 page 216.
Wheel/tire damage
Please note that low-profile tires cause wheels,
tires and suspension parts to be more suscep-
tible to road hazard 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. The same
applies to any other abnormal road behavior,
such as pulling severely to the right or left.
M+S
Winter and all-season tires.
These have better winter properties than sum-
mer tires.
XL
Designation for specially reinforced tires.
In these cases, reduce speed immedi-
ately and have wheels and tires thor-
Tire condition
Inspect your tires frequently for tread wear,
signs of damage and for foreign objects lodged
in the tread. Check the tread depth.
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 pose a lethal hazard
to vehicle occupants and other road users.<
Minimum tread depth
The tread depth should not drop below 1/8 in/
3 mm, although, for example, European legisla-
tion only specifies a minimum tread depth of
1/16 in/1.6 mm. At tread depths below 1/8 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.
Tire age
For various reasons, such as the development
of brittleness, BMW recommends tire replace-
ment after no more than 6 years, regardless of
the actual wear of the tires.
When winter tires wear down past a tread depth
215
