36 12 001 Changing A Tire (On Front, Rear Or Spare Wheel)

WARNING: This page does not describe the selected car, but rather 6 other vehicles, including the 2006 BMW M3, 2005 BMW M3, 2004 BMW M3, 2003 BMW M3, and 2002 BMW M3. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Follow instructions on initializing Run Flat Indicator.

Fig 1: View Of Wheel On Fitting Machine

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Refer to the operating manual of the relevant fitting equipment manufacturer for details on how to fit the tire correctly. The equipment must be in perfect condition to exclude the risk of damaging the disc wheel and the tire.

NOTE: Comply with approved tires, tire sizes and optional extra.

NOTE: Pay attention to different tire markings:

Item (1) Marking denoting BMW-approved tires. Ensure that only BMW-approved tires are fitted.
Item (2) RSC is the abbreviation for R unflat S ystem C omponent (runflat tires).
Item (3) Outside. The tire must be fitted so that the wording Outside is always situated on the outside of the rim.

IMPORTANT: Many tires are directional! The arrow on the tire must point in the direction of travel for each wheel!

Models with M-Mobility system

If the tire was filled with the M-Mobility system after a puncture, it will be necessary before removal to drill an approx. 25 mm dia. hole in the sidewall of the tire. Drain sealing fluid from this hole and dispose of this fluid in an environmentally responsible manner. Clean the disc wheel after removing the tire.

Tire removal with a fitting machine:

Unscrew valve insert, discharge air, force off tire bead from rim flange with pressing-off horn of device on outside and inside.

If tire beads are stuck, first release the tire with the pressing-off horn at several points of the wheel before actually pressing off, apply tire mounting paste between tire and rim flange and press off the tires completely.

Pull off balance weights on rim and clean rim to remove large pieces of dirt.

Clamp wheel on mounting machine.

Narrow rim shoulder always faces upwards.

Fig 2: Removing Tire With Fitting Machine

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IMPORTANT: Vehicles with RDC: To prevent the pressing-off horn from damaging the RDC wheel electronics, do not rest the pressing-off horn on both rim sides in the area of the valve.

Swing or fold mounting pillar into position and let it engage.

Adjust mounting head, pressing it on the rim edge fully, and turn down the lever for the clamp; normally the distance of the mounting head will set in automatically.

The valve must be approx. 15 cm to the right of the assembly head so as to prevent the tire iron from damaging the RDC wheel electronics.

Raise tire bead with tire iron over mounting finger.

Fig 3: Raising Tire Bead With Tire Iron

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NOTE: On aluminum rims, it is best to use a tire iron coated (either fully or partially) with shrink-on plastic tubing to prevent damage.

Let fitting machine run back a short distance (counterclockwise) so that tire bead can slide fully onto mounting finger.

Then let fitting machine run forward in stages (clockwise).

In so doing, always check whether the lower bead is fully resting in the well and allow the tire time to move.

If the bead clamps, stop the machine and let it run back slightly.

Fig 4: Sliding Mounting Finger Under Tire Bead

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If the upper bead is pulled off the rim, also lift the bottom bead over the mounting finger with the tire iron.

Let machine run back a short distance again and then forward (clockwise) briefly until there is complete separation of the tire from the rim.

IMPORTANT: Vehicles with RDC: Tire bead must not press onto RDC wheel electronics.

Fig 5: Pulling Upper Bead Off Trim

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Release lock and tilt back or swing away mounting pillar.

Unclamp and clean rim.

Replace valve.

Coat rim flange and tire beads with mounting paste.

Fig 6: Removing Tire From Rim

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IMPORTANT: Vehicles with RDC: When the wheel electronics are installed, the rim must not be cleaned with high-pressure cleaning equipment. Visually inspect wheel electronics for external damage and check for tight fit; do not retighten screw and union nut. If valve parts are loose, the complete valve must be replaced. Keep wheel electronics free of tire mounting paste.

Clamp rim on fitting machine, valve must be located at 180° to mounting head.

Slide on tire with lower bead partially over rim flange.

Swing or tilt mounting pillar into position and lock.

Check adjustment of mounting finger, readjusting if necessary, and clamp.

Press tire under mounting finger by hand.

Tire bead must seat in rollers next to mounting finger.

Let fitting machine run forward (clockwise) a short distance.

Lower tire bead will drop into well.

Fig 7: View Of Mounting Finger

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IMPORTANT: Vehicles with RDC: Fit lower tire bead so that no pressure forces are exerted on RDC wheel electronics.

Turn wheel again into fitting position so that valve is at 180° to mounting head.

Press upper tire bead under mounting finger. Bead must seat in rollers next to mounting finger.

IMPORTANT: Do not pinch or damage bead.

Operate fitting machine forwards (clockwise) little by little; while doing so, make sure the lower tire bead remains in the well.

IMPORTANT: Vehicles with RDC:
Fit upper tire bead so that no pressure forces are exerted on RDC wheel electronics.

Fig 8: Identifying Tire Bead In Mounting Fingers

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

After mounting, first release clamps and then inflate tire (without valve).

Increase pressure up to 3.3 bar (330 kPa) in steps (jumping pressure).

If the tire bead does not slip on all round at the rim edge, do not increase pressure further but rather drain off air.

Press off tire bead again, coat rim flange again with tire mounting paste, and pump up again to 3.3 bar. When the beads are resting properly on the rim shoulders, increase inflation pressure to max. 4.0 bar to "settle" the tire.

Screw in valve and correct tire pressure.

Fig 9: View Of Wheel In Fitting Machine

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.