BMW AG - Manual (Page 120)

120
Wheels and tyres
Tyre pressures
Information for your safety
The tyres approved for your vehicle are
matched to its characteristics and, if
used correctly, ensure not only opti-
mum road safety but also the desired
level of ride comfort.
The condition of the tyres and mainte-
nance of the correct tyre pressures not
only influence tyre life but are also deci-
sive factors in ride quality and above all
in road safety.
Incorrect pressures are often a cause of
tyre problems. They also have a consid-
erable effect on the roadholding of your
BMW.
Check tyre pressures regularly,
see page
24 – including your
BMW's compact or full-size spare
wheel – at least every two weeks and
before you start a long journey. Incor-
rect tyre pressures can adversely affect
the car's roadholding and cause tyre
damage, which could result in an acci-
dent.
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Condition of tyres
Tyre tread – tyre damage
Inspect the tyres frequently for damage,
the presence of foreign objects, unu-
sual wear and sufficient tread depth.
Tread depth should, if possible, not be
allowed to drop below 3 mm (approx.
1/8 in), despite the fact that European
legislation, for example, specifies a
minimum tread depth of only 1.6 mm
(approx. 1/16 in).
Below a tread depth of 3 mm (approx.
1/8 in) there is a risk of aquaplaning at
fairly high road speeds even if the water
is not very deep. There are wear indica-
tors in the tread, see arrow, at points
around the circumference of the tyre, as
indicated by the letters TWI – for Tread
Wear Indicator – on the shoulder of the
tyre. They become visible when the
tread wears to 1.6 mm (approx.
1/16 in), indicating that the minimum
tread depth allowed by law has been
reached.
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