199
Observe all national and local maximum speed
limits, otherwise violations of the law could
occur.
Tire identification marks
Knowledge of the labeling on the side of the tire
makes it easier to identify and choose the right
tires.
Tire size
Speed letter
Q= up to 100 mph/160 km/h
T = up to 118 mph/190 km/h
H = up to 131 mph/210 km/h
V = up to 150 mph/240 km/h
W = up to 167 mph/270 km/h
Y = up to 186 mph/300 km/h
Z = over 150 mph/240 km/h
Tire Identification Number
Tires with DOT codes meet the guidelines of
the U.S. Department of Transportation.
DOT code:
Tire age
The manufacturing date of tires is contained in
the tire coding: DOT... 3406 indicates that the
tire was manufactured in week 34 of 2006.
BMW recommends that you replace all tires
after 6 years at most, even if some tires may last
for 10 years. This also concerns the tire of the
spare wheel.
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
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
Pressure specifications in psi/kPa
Traveling speeds
up to 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
245/45 R 18 100 V XL M+S
35/240
38/260
35/240
38/260
41/280
46/320
255/40 ZR 19
36/250
-
36/250
-
41/280
-
285/35 ZR 19
-
36/250
-
36/250
-
46/320
More details on the permissible load and weights can be found on page
e.g.
Nominal width in mm
Aspect ratio in
Ξ
Belted construction – radial
Rim diameter in inches
Carrying capacity ID-code
(not in ZR tires)
Speed code letter
(in ZR tires before the R)
245/45 R
18
100 V
285/35 ZR
19
e.g.
Manufacturer code
for tire make
Tire size and tire design
Tire age
DOT xxxx xxx 3406
ba8_m5us.book Seite 199 Montag, 5. Februar 2007 12:03 12
Online Edition for Part no. 01 41 0 013 310 - © 02/07 BMW AG
