183
Entertainment OverviewControlsDriving hintsNavigationMobilityReference
In such cases, reduce speed immediately
and have the wheels and tyres checked
without delay. Proceed with caution to the near-
est BMW Service or specialist tyre dealer that
operates to BMW specifications and has suita-
bly trained personnel. Have the car towed there
if necessary. Tyre damage represents a risk of
serious injury to the car's occupants and to all
other road users.<
Age of tyres
For a variety of reasons, including the tendency
of tyres to become brittle along with increasing
age, BMW recommends that new tyres be fitted
after not more than 6 years, irrespective of the
actual level of wear. This also applies to the tyre
on the compact wheel
*
.
A tyre's date of manufacture is included in the
inscription on the tyre:
DOT ... 3705 means that the tyre was manufac-
tured in week 37 of 2005.
Run-flat tyres*
The symbol identifying run-flat tyres is a circle
with the letters RSC on the side wall.
Run-flat tyres comprise a tyre that is self-sup-
porting within certain limitations, and a special
rim. The reinforcement in the side walls ensures
that the tyre can continue to be used subject to
certain restrictions, even if depressurised.
Continuing a journey with a damaged tyre, see
Indication of a flat tyre, page 88.
New wheels and tyres
Have new wheels and tyres fitted only by
BMW Service or by a specialist tyre dealer
that operates to BMW specifications and has
suitably trained personnel. If such work is per-
formed inexpertly, it could result in consequen-
tial damage and thus constitute a safety risk.
Make sure that the new wheels are balanced.<
Retreaded tyres
BMW advises against the use of
retreaded tyres, as these could adversely
affect the car's safety. Their carcasses may dif-
fer in internal construction or have aged suffi-
ciently to limit their durability.<
The right wheels and tyres
BMW recommends fitting only wheels
and tyres that it has approved for your
type of vehicle, otherwise the tyres may e.g.
make contact with the vehicle body due to
impermissible tolerances, even though they are
of an approved size; this could result in a serious
accident. BMW is unable to assess the suitabil-
ity of wheels and tyres it has not approved and
cannot therefore guarantee their safety.<
Details of the correct wheel and tyre combina-
tions can be obtained from BMW Service.
The correct wheel and tyre combination also
has an influence on various systems, which
could otherwise malfunction, e.g. ABS, DSC or
xDrive.
To maintain the car's good road behaviour,
always fit tyres of the same make and tread pat-
tern to all wheels. After a tyre has been dam-
aged, fit the original wheel and tyre combination
again as soon as possible.
Online Edition for Part-No. 01 41 0 159 725 © 09/05 BMW AG