1998-2003 BMW M5 4 Door Operation, care and maintenance -> Wheels and tires: Rotation / Combinations User Manual
MyCarUserManual.com
USER MANUALS FOR EVERY MAKE & MODEL

Operation, care and maintenance -> Wheels and tires: Rotation / Combinations for Your BMW M5 4 Door Third Generation (1998-2003)

130nTire replacement  
Tire rotation  
Do not use retreaded tires, since  
If different tire sizes are mounted  
on the front and rear axles (refer to  
page 133), the wheels may not be  
rotated from one axle to the other.<  
Between the axles  
driving safety may be impaired.  
This is due to the possible variations in  
casing structures and, in some cases,  
to their extreme age, which can lead to  
a decrease in their durability.<  
The tread wear patterns at the front end  
differ from those at the rear – the actual  
patterns will vary according to individ-  
ual driving conditions. In the interests of  
safety and maintaining optimal handling  
characteristics, interaxle tire rotation is  
not recommended.  
Tire age  
The date on which the tire was manu-  
factured is indicated by the code on the  
sidewall:  
If a proposed interaxle rotation of tires is  
based on economic considerations, one  
should consider whether the costs for  
the rotation are likely to be recaptured  
by any increase in the service life of the  
tires which might be realized. In prin-  
DOT ... 3400 indicates that the tire was  
manufactured during week 34 of the  
year 2000.  
BMW recommends the replacement of ciple, interaxle tire rotation should be  
all tires when the tires are no more than performed at short intervals, with a  
6 years old, even if a tire life of 10 years maximum of 3,000 miles (5,000 km).  
is possible.  
Consult your BMW center for more  
information.  
Should you decide to rotate the tires, it  
is essential that you comply with the  
following:  
Rotate tires on the same side only,  
since braking characteristics and road  
grip could otherwise be adversely  
affected.  
Following rotation, correct the tire infla-  
tion pressure.  
 
Wheel and tire combinations  
131n  
Winter tires:  
The right choice  
Codes on the tires and wheels  
Use only wheels and tires  
The code on tires has the following  
meaning.  
Q
T
M+S = up to 100 mph (160 km/h)  
M+S = up to 118 mph (190 km/h)  
M+S = up to 130 mph (210 km/h)  
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.<  
H
Codes on radial tires:  
Codes on light-alloy wheels:  
Example:  
225/60 R 15 96 W  
8
J
x 18 EH2  
Nominal width  
in mm  
Rim width  
in inches  
Aspect ratio in %  
Belt rating code  
for radial  
Code letter for  
flange type  
Rim diameter in inches  
Load rating (not for ZR tires)  
Speed rating  
Symbol for full-drop  
center rim  
Rim diameter in inches  
Extended hump on the  
2 rim shoulders  
For wheel and tire specifications  
approved by BMW, refer to page 134.  
(before R on ZR tires)  
The speed rating indicates the  
approved maximum speed for the tire.  
The correct wheel-tire combina-  
tion affects on different systems  
that otherwise will not function prop-  
erly, e.g. ABS, DSC.  
Protect valve stems and valves from dirt  
using screw-on valve stem caps. Dirt in  
the valves frequently leads to slow  
leaks.  
Summer tires:  
S
T
=
=
=
=
=
=
up to 112 mph (180 km/h)  
up to 118 mph (190 km/h)  
up to 130 mph (210 km/h)  
up to 149 mph (240 km/h)  
up to 167 mph (270 km/h)  
up to 186 mph (300 km/h)  
For this reason, use only tires of the  
same brand and tread pattern on the  
vehicle and, for example, restore the  
approved wheel-tire combination  
following a flat tire as soon as  
possible.<  
H
V
W
Y
Storage  
Store tires in a cool, dry place,  
protecting them against light when-  
ever possible. Protect the tires against  
contact with oil, grease and fuel.  
ZR = over 149 mph (240 km/h)  
 

Related Topics

Popular Owner Manuals