BMW 645Ci Coupe 2005 - Manual (Page 173)

Wh
eels
and
tire
s
172
Run-flat tires
You will recognize run-flat tires by the circular
symbol containing the letters RSC on the side-
wall.
Run-flat tires consist of self-contained tires and
special rims. The sidewall reinforcement
ensures that the tire retains some residual
safety in the event of pressure drop and driving
remains possible to a restricted degree.
New wheels and tires
Only have new wheels and tires mounted
by a BMW center or a specialized tire
dealer which works with personnel trained in
accordance with BMW specifications. If this
work is performed inexpertly, there is a danger
of damage and associated safety risks. Make
sure that the new wheels are balanced.
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Retreaded tires
BMW does not recommend the use of
retread tires, as otherwise driving safety
may be reduced. Possible variations in the
design and the age – which could be substan-
tial – of the carcasses can lead to more rapid
wear.
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The right wheels and tires
If you switch from summer to winter tires, or
vice versa, use run-flat tires, as in the event of a
flat tire there is no spare tire available. Your
BMW center will be glad to advise you.
For safety reasons, BMW recommends
that you do not have damaged run-flat
tires repaired; they should be replaced. <
BMW recommends that you use only
wheel and tire combinations that BMW
has tested and approved for your particular
vehicle. Variations in factors such as manufac-
turing tolerances mean that even wheels and
tires with identical official size ratings could
actually have different dimensions than the
approved units – these differences could lead to
body contact, and with it the risk of severe acci-
dents. If non-approved wheels and tires are
used, BMW cannot evaluate their suitability,
and therefore cannot be held liable for driving
safety.
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You can find out the right wheel-tire combina-
tion from your BMW center.
The right wheel-and-tire combination is
another vital factor in ensuring reliable opera-
tion of various vehicle systems such as ABS
and DSC.
To maintain good handling and vehicle
response, use only tires of a single tread config-
uration from a single manufacturer. After a flat
tire, always remember to have the specified
wheel and tire combination remounted on the
vehicle as soon as possible.
Recommended tire brands
BMW tests certain tire brands for each tire size,
classifies them as road-safe and approves
them. Consult your BMW center for more infor-
mation. Observe any country-specific regula-
tions, e.g. on making a corresponding entry in
the vehicle documents.
The factory-mounted tires have been specially
selected to provide optimized performance
when installed on your vehicle; if properly cared
for, they will provide a combination of safety and
excellent ride comfort.
Special characteristics of winter tires
BMW recommends winter tires for use in cold
winter driving conditions. Although all-season
M+S tires provide better winter traction than
summer tires, they generally fail to provide the
same levels of cold-weather performance as
winter tires.
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