Tyre tread
Grips the road and clears water from under the tyre.
The outer face of the tyre in contact with the road.
Grooves and sipes channel water away while rubber blocks flex to grip; the compound sets the grip-versus-wear balance.
The sole pattern on a running shoe.
Uneven wear can point to alignment, pressure or suspension problems; low tread raises aquaplaning risk.
Inspect tread, age, pressure and damage rather than using appearance alone. Wheels and bearings are assessed for condition.
Inflation correction is small work; tire sets, forged wheels and damaged hubs can be much larger expenses.
BMW approves tyres for each model; a star symbol on the sidewall marks a BMW-approved tyre.
BMW models using the specified wheel and tire combination; approved sizes vary by vehicle.