Get Operation, maintenance -> Tire condition Guide for BMW Z3 SUV First Generation (1995-2002)

¹¹⁰ⁿNotes on inflation pressures

Tire condition

Information for your safety

The factory-approved radial tires are

matched to the vehicle and have been

selected to provide optimum safety and

driving comfort on your vehicle.

In a very real sense, both tire life and

your own safety are riding on correct

tire specifications and inflation pres-

sures, refer to page 26.

Incorrect tire inflation pressure is

a frequent cause of tire damage. It

also significantly influences the road-

holding ability of your BMW. Be sure to

check the tire inflation pressures,

including the spare tire, on a regular

basis, at least twice a month and before

doing any extended driving, refer to

page 26. If this is not done, incorrect

tire pressures can cause driving insta-

bility and tire damage, ultimately

resulting in accidents.<

Check the inflation pressure of

the spare tire

Tire tread – tire damage

Inspect your tires frequently for tread

wear, signs of damage and for foreign

objects lodged in the tread. Check the

For checking tire pressures, there is a

valve extension (arrow) on the storage

tray of the spare wheel which is acces- tread pattern depth.

sible from outside.

Tread depth should not be allowed to

go below 0.12 in (3 mm), even though

the legally specified minimum tread

depth is 0.063 in (1.6 mm). Tread wear

indicators (arrow) are embedded in the

base of the tire's tread. Their locations

are indicated by the legend TWI – Tread

Wear Indicator – at various points on

the tire's shoulder. When the tread

reaches a depth of 0.063 in (1.6 mm),

these indicators appear to signal that

the tires have worn to the minimum

legal level. Below 0.12 in (3 mm) tread

depth, there is an increased risk of

aquaplaning, even at relatively

Tire condition

Tire replacement

111n

moderate speeds and with only small

amounts of water on the road.

Proceed carefully to the nearest BMW To maintain good handling and vehicle

center or professional tire center, or response, use only tires of a single tread

have the vehicle towed in to have it, its configuration from a single manufac-

Never continue driving on a wheels and tires inspected.

deflated (flat) tire. A flat tire greatly Tire damage (up to and including

turer. BMW tests and approves wheel

and tire combinations, refer to page 116.

impairs steering and braking response, sudden and complete air loss) can pose

and can lead to complete loss of

control over the vehicle.

an extreme hazard for both vehicle

occupants and other road users.<

DOT Quality Grades

Tread wear

Traction AA A B C

Temperature A B C

Avoid overloading the vehicle so that

the permitted load on the tires is not

exceeded. Overloading causes over-

heating and damage inside the tires.

The ultimate result can assume the

form of a sudden air loss.

All passenger vehicle tires must

conform to Federal Safety

Requirements in addition to these

grades.<

Unusual vibrations encountered during

normal vehicle operation can indicate a

flat tire or some other vehicle malfunc-

tion. The type of problem can be

caused by contact with curbs, etc. This

is also true for irregularities in the

vehicle's handling characteristics, such

as a pronounced tendency to pull to the

left or right. Should this occur, respond

by immediately reducing your speed.

Tread wear

The 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 (1g) 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.

Operation, maintenance -> Tire condition for Your BMW Z3 SUV First Generation (1995-2002)

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