Wheels And Tyres - BMW 320i Owner's Handbook Manual

Wheels and tyres

Tyre pressures
Information for your safety
The condition of the tyres and maintenance of
the correct tyre pressures not only influence
tyre life but are also decisive factors in road
safety and ride quality.
Checking pressures
Check the tyre pressures regularly: at
least twice a month and before setting out
on any long journey. Incorrect tyre pressures
can adversely affect the car's roadholding and
cause tyre damage, which could result in an
accident.<
Tyre pressure values
The tyre pressures for tyres at ambient temper-
ature are visible on the driver's door post, with
the driver's door open.
After correcting tyre pressures, reinitial-
ise the Run Flat Indicator, see page
Tyre pressures for heavy loads and
trailer towing
For trailer towing, the tyre pressures specified
for higher load apply.
Tyre size
These tyre pressures apply to sizes of tyre
approved by BMW and makes of tyre recom-
mended by BMW; details are available from
BMW Service.
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Condition of tyres
Inspect tyres frequently for damage, the pres-
ence of foreign bodies, unusual wear and suffi-
cient tread depth.
Minimum tread depth
The tyre tread depth should not be allowed to
drop below 3 mm (approx. 1/8 in). Below a tread
depth of 3 mm (approx. 1/8 in) there is an
increased risk of aquaplaning when driving on
wet roads at fairly high speeds.
Below a tread depth of 4 mm (approx. 3/16 in),
winter tyres become noticeably less suitable for
winter driving conditions. New tyres should be
fitted in the interest of safety.
Wear indicators in the base of the tread groove
are distributed around the tyre's circumference;
the letters TWI – Tread Wear Indicator – on the
tyre's flanks identify tyres that incorporate
these wear indicators. Once the tyre tread has
worn down to the wear indicators, the tyre has
60.<
worn to 1.6 mm (approx. 1/16 in).
Tyre damage
Unusual vibration while the car is being driven
could indicate a tyre fault or some other defect
on your car. This may have been caused e.g. by
driving over a kerb or similar. The same applies
to any other abnormal road behaviour, such as
pulling severely to the right or left.
In such cases, reduce speed immediately
and have the wheels and tyres checked
without delay. Proceed with caution to the near-