1998 BMW 740I brakes

150n
Caring for your carWashing your carYou can have your new BMW washed
in an automatic car wash. Car wash
systems that do not employ brushes are
preferable.
Wipe away tough dirt and loosen and
remove dead insects before washing
the car.
To prevent spots, avoid washing when
the hood is still warm, or immediately
after and during exposure to strong
sunlight.
When using an automatic car wash, be
sure that:
>The car wash system is suited for the
dimensions of your vehicle
>No damage will occur on vehicles
with attached body accessories (such
as spoilers or antennas). If you are
uncertain, consult the manager of the
car wash
>The wheels and tires of your vehicle
cannot be damaged by the convey-
ance devices of the car wash system
>The vehicle is cleaned with minimum
brush pressure, and that ample water
is available for washing and rinsing.Vehicles with rain sensor
*:
Clean the windshield regularly. Wax
from automatic car washes or insects,
for example, can cause malfunctions in
the function of the rain sensor.
Turn the rain sensor off in auto-
matic car washes. If you do not,
damage may occur if the wipers switch
on unintentionally.<
Parts of the car which are inaccessible
to the automatic washer - such as door
sills, door and hood edges, etc. -
should be cleaned by hand.
In the winter months, it is especially im-
portant to ensure that the car is washed
on a regular basis. Large quantities of
dirt and road salt are difficult to remove,
and they also cause damage to the ve-
hicle.
If spray wands or high-pressure
washers are used, be sure to
maintain an adequate distance between
the spray source and the vehicle's sur-
face.
Inadequate distance and excessive
pressure can damage or weaken the
finish, making it more susceptible to
subsequent attack. In addition, mois-
ture could penetrate to vehicle compo-
nents, leading to long-term damage.<
When cleaning the headlamps,
please observe the following:
>Do not clean by wiping with a dry
cloth (scratches). Never use abra-
sives or strong solvents to clean the
covers
>Remove dirt and contamination
(such as insects) by soaking with
BMW Car Shampoo and then rinsing
with plenty of water
>Always use a deicer spray to remove
accumulated ice and snow – never
use a scraper.<
After washing the car, apply the
brakes briefly to dry them. Braking
efficiency might otherwise be reduced
by the moisture, and the brake rotors
could also be corroded.<

181n
RepairsIndexOverview Controls Car care Technology Data
Towing the vehicle
The towed vehicle should always
be the lighter of the two vehicles.
If this is not the case, it is no longer
possible to control vehicle response.<
Tow-startingIt is not possible to start the engine of
vehicles equipped with automatic trans-
mission by towing or pushing.
For instructions on jump starting, refer
to page 179.
Never attempt to use your vehicle to
push another car, as damage to the
energy-absorbing bumpers could
result.
Towing a vehicle with automatic
transmission1 Place selector lever in position N
2 Towing speed:
Max. 45 mph (70 km/h)
3 Towing distance:
Max. 95 miles (150 km)
4 Leave the ignition key at position 1 to
ensure that the brake lamps, turn sig-
nals, horn and windshield wipers re-
main operative, and to prevent the
steering lock detent from engaging
5 Switch on the hazard-warning system
(observe country-specific regula-
tions).
Find some means of identifying the ve-
hicle in tow, for instance, place a sign
or warning triangle in the rear window.
Make sure that the ignition key re-
mains in position 1 even when the
electrical system has failed to prevent
the steering lock from engaging.
The steering and brakes are without
power assist when the engine is off.
This means that increased effort is re-
quired for steering and braking.<
Towing with a commercial tow
truck>Do not tow with sling-type equipment
>Use a wheel lift or flat bed equipment
>Please comply with applicable towing
laws.
Never allow passengers to ride in
a towed vehicle for any reason.< 380us124

185n
RepairsIndexOverview Controls Car care Technology Data
In order to take driving conditions into
account, ATC registers corners and
both uphill and downhill gradients. For
example, if you maintain speed through
a curve, the transmission does not up-
shift.
On uphill gradients, it shifts only when
the engine speed increases in order to
make more efficient use of power re-
serves. On downhill gradients ATC
downshifts when the speed of the vehi-
cles increases causing the driver to
step on the brakes.
With respect to road conditions, ATC
monitors the friction between the tires
and the road. The system responds to
slippery road surfaces (snow and ice)
by activating the winter program.
Second gear is used when moving
away from a standstill, upshifts occur
sooner, and on descents downshifting
does not occur in spite of the applica-
tion of brakes. This enables you to
"feel" the road as you drive and pro-
duces greater dynamic stability. If the
friction between the tires and the road
is adequate, the normal system is again
activated. The system also leaves the
winter program when you shift from
drive position "D" to "S," "3" or "2," or if
the ASC+T/DSC
* is deactivated.By recognizing traffic conditions, ATC
can retain maximum driving comfort.
For instance, the system recognizes
stop-and-go traffic and then proceeds
only in second gear until it encounters
higher starting loads.
Of course the selector lever can still be
used to select specific gear ratios. Per-
formance-oriented driving is enabled by
shifting from drive position "D" to "S,"
"3" or "2." Positions "3" and "2" each
limit upshifts to the next gear. Position
"2" is best for driving on steep mountain
slopes with a heavy load.Precision sensors monitor the number
of revolutions of the wheels. When
equipped with DSC, they also monitor
steering angle, lateral acceleration,
brake pressure and the movement of
the vehicle around its vertical axis.
If differences in the wheel speeds oc-
cur, the system counteracts the danger
of wheelspin by reducing torque. If nec-
essary, the system also responds with
additional applications of the brakes at
the rear wheels.
If the system detects an instability in the
vehicle's condition, the braking action
can also be directed to the front wheels
by the DSC in order to stabilize the ve-
hicle.
You may need some time to become
accustomed to this system intervention.
However, it helps provide optimum pro-
pulsive force and driving stability.
The braking intervention may be ac-
companied by a certain degree of
noise.
ATC ASC+T/DSC
*

Everything from A to ZAABS125
Accessories6
Activated-charcoal filter105
Active seat48
Adaptive Transmission
Control (ATC)63
Adding engine oil143
Adding washer fluid142
Adjust the backrest46
Adjusting steering wheel49
Air distribution102
Air flow103
Air jets100
Air pressure132
Airbags55
Alarm system40
Deactivating in an
emergency41
Antenna diversity186
Antifreeze146
Antifreeze, radiator128, 146
Antilock Brake System
(ABS)125
Anti-theft alarm system
32,40
Approved gross vehicle
weight196
Aquaplaning123,132
Armrest111
ASC+T (Automatic Stability
Control plus Traction)92Ashtray114
AUC (Automatic recirculated-
air control)103
Audio System78
Automatic car washes150
Automatic climate
control100
Automatic climate control,
removing window
condensation102
Automatic recirculated-air
control (AUC)103
Automatic Soft-Close
feature38
Automatic Stability Control
plus Traction (ASC+T)92
Automatic steering wheel
adjustment49
Automatic transmission62
Automatic transmission with
Steptronic65
Automatic windshield
washer69
Average fuel consumption 85
Average speed86
Axle loads196
BBackup lamps, bulb
replacement166
Battery173,198
Battery capacity198Battery change, radio remote
control168
Battery charge current20
Battery, discharged179
Battery, removal and
installation175
Belts54
Beverage holders113
Blower103
Body-cavity protectant151
Brake faults128
Brake fluid147
Brake hydraulic system20
Brake lamps, bulb
replacement166
Brakes126
Break-in procedure122
Break-resistant security
glass, care153
Bulb replacement163
CCar jack170
Car Memory53
Car radio reception131, 186
Car telephone113
Car wash150
Care, exterior152
Care, interior154
Caring for the vehicle
finish152
Caring for your car150Catalytic converter124
Cellular phone131
Center (high-mount) brake
lamp166
Central locking system32
Central locking system,
button36
Changing a wheel170
Charge indicator lamp20
Charging the battery174
Check Control75
CHECK key75
Checking the engine oil143
Checking tire pressure26
Child restraints57
Childproof door locks58
Cigarette lighter115
Clock,
refer to Digital clock79
Code88
Refer to the Radio Owner's
Manuel
Codes, tires134
Coin tray113
Cold start60
Comfort seats47
Connecting a car vacuum
cleaner115
Consumption display73
Contour seat48

RepairsIndexOverview Controls Car care Technology Data
Everything from A to Z
203n
Convenience operating mode
for windows and sliding/tilt
roof32
Convenience operating mode
for windows and sliding/tilt
sunroof33
Convenience starting59
Coolant146
Coolant temperature
gauge74
Coolant, antifreeze128
Cooling system, capacity 197
Cruise control70
Cruising range85
DDaytime-driving light
switch96
DBC (Dynamic Brake
Control)127
Defrosting, windows102
Digital clock79
Digital sound processor187
Dimensions195
Dimming feature, interior
rearview mirror50
Dipstick, engine oil143
Disc brakes126
Disconnect the battery175
Displacement194
Displays18
Distance86Distance warning90
Door key30
Door warning lamps, bulb
replacement167
Doors, emergency release 32
Doors, radio remote
control33
Drink holders113
Drive belts198
Driving notes123
DSC (Dynamic Stability
Control)92
Dynamic Brake Control
(DBC)127
Dynamic Stability Control
(DSC)92
EEDC (Electronic Damper
Control)93
Electric power windows42
Electric rear seat
adjustment48
Electric steering wheel
adjustment49
Electrical accessories,
failure176
Electrical system198
Electronic Damper Control
(EDC)93
Electronic immobilizer31Emergency deactivation of
the alarm system41
Emergency release
doors32
fuel filler door178
luggage compartment
lid37
sliding/tilt sunroof178
Energy Control73
Engine coolant146
Engine data194
Engine oil consumption143
Engine oil pressure20
Engine oil specifications144
Estimated time of arrival87
Exterior door handles,
lighted33
Exterior finish, care151, 152
FFailure messages75
First-aid kit24
Fittings for tow-starting
and towing180
Flashlight111
Flat tires132
Fluid, power steering148
Fog lamps97
bulb replacement165
switch97
Footwell lamps98Footwell lamps, bulb
replacement167
For wheelslip control, refer
to ASC+T/DSC92
Front armrest112
Front seat adjustment46
Fuel25
Fuel consumption
indicator73
Fuel filler door25
Fuel filler door,
manual release after
electrical fault178
Fuel gauge73
Fuel specifications25
Fuel tank capacity197
Fuel, average fuel
consumption85
Fuses176
GGasoline25
Glove compartment110
Glove compartment lamp,
bulb replacement167
Gross vehicle weight196HHand brake, refer to Parking
brake61
Handsfree system113
Hazard warning triangle24

Repairs
Index
Overview
Controls
Car care
Technology
Data
Owner service procedures from A to Z207 n
A
Adding brake fluid 147
Adding engine coolant 146
Adding engine oil 143
Adding fluid, power steering 148
Air pressure 26
B
Backup lamps, bulb
replacement 166
Battery change, radio remote control 168
Battery, checking charge condition 174
Battery, discharged 179
Brake lamps, bulb replacement 166
Brakes, brake faults 128
Bulb replacement 163
C
Changing a wheel 170
Charging the battery 174
Check Control 75
Checking the engine oil 143
Checking tire pressure 26
D
Defrosting, windows102
Difficult steering 130
Doors, manual operation 32
E
Electrical accessories,
failure 176
Electrical fault fuel filler door 178
Sliding/Tilt sunroof 178
Emergency release Doors 32
Fuel filler door 178
Luggage compartment
lid 37
Sliding/Tilt sunroof 178
Engine oil specifications 144
F
Failure messages75
Filling the windshield washer fluid reservoir 142
First-aid kit 24
Fittings, tow-starting and towing 180
Fog lamp,
replace the bulb 165
Footwell lamps, bulb replacement 167 Fuel filler door,
manual release after
electrical fault 178
Fuses, replacing 176
G
Glove compartment lamp,
bulb replacement 167
H
Hazard warning flashers 24
Hazard warning triangle 24
High beam headlamps, bulb replacement 164,165
Hood release 137
I
Indicator lamps 20
Interior lamps, bulb replacement 167
Interior motion sensor, deactivation 41
J
Jump starting 179
L
License plate lamps, bulb
replacement 166
Low beam headlamps, bulb
replacement 164 Luggage compartment
lamps, bulb
replacement 167
Luggage compartment lid, emergency release 37
M
Maintenance74,149
Malfunction displays 75
N
New transmitter, radio re-
mote control 168
O
Oil level check 143
Oil specifications 144
Onboard tool kit 162
P
Power steering,
adding fluid 148
Pressure, tires 26
R
Radio remote control,
battery change 168
Radio remote control, new transmitter 168
Rear lamp assembly 166
Removing condensation, windows 102