Run flat tires, Tire condition – BMW 325Ci Coupe 2004 User Manual

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Tire tread

Tread depth should not be allowed to
go below 1/8 in/3 mm, even though
European legislation, for example,
requires a mimimum tread depth of only
1/16 in/1.6 mm. Below 1/8 in/3 mm
tread depth, there is a great risk of
hydroplaning, even at relatively moder-
ate speeds and with only small amounts
of water on the road.

At tread depths below approx.
3/16 in/4 mm, tire performance under
winter driving conditions deteriorates
noticeably. Worn tires should therefore
be replaced for safety considerations.

Tread wear indicators in the tread-
groove base, see arrow, are distributed
around the wheel circumference and
are labeled on the tire sidewall with

TWI, Tread Wear Indicator. At a tread
depth of 1/16 in/1.6 mm, the indicators
signal that the legally permissible wear
limit has been reached.

Run Flat tires*

Run Flat tires are labeled on the side-
wall with a circular symbol containing
the letters RSC.

Run Flat tires consist of self-supporting
tires and special rims. The tire rein-
forcement ensures that driving remains
possible to a restricted degree in the
event of pressure drop or even if the tire
is deflated.

Driving with a damaged tire

Depending on the cargo load, Run Flat
tires allow you to continue driving at a
maximum speed of 50 mph / 80 km/h.

Tire condition