1998 BMW 740I traction control

122n
To ensure that your vehicle provides
maximum economy throughout a long
service life, we request that you comply
with the following:
Engine and differentialUp to 1,200 miles (2,000 km):
Drive at varying engine speeds and
road speeds, but do not exceed
4500 rpm and/or 105 mph (170 km/h)
during this initial period. Comply with
the legal speed limit at all times.
Refrain from using full throttle and avoid
pressing the accelerator beyond the
kickdown point.
Once 1,200 miles (2,000 km) have
elapsed, engine speeds and road
speeds can gradually be increased.
You should also comply with these
break-in procedures if the engine or dif-
ferential is replaced later in the course
of the vehicle service life.TiresDue to technical factors associated with
their manufacture, tires do not achieve
their full traction potential until an initial
break-in period has elapsed.
Thus drive with extra care during the
initial 200 miles (300 km).When the vehicle is operated on
wet or slushy roads, a wedge of
water may form between the tire and
the road surface. This phenomenon is
referred to as aquaplaning, or hydro-
planing, and can lead to partial or com-
plete loss of traction, vehicle control
and braking effectiveness. Reduce your
speed on wet roads.<
Brake systemApproximately 300 miles (500 km) must
elapse before the brake pads and rotors
achieve the optimal pad-surface and
wear patterns required for trouble-free
operation and long service life later on.
To break-in the separate parking brake
drums, apply the parking brake lightly
when coasting to a standstill (at a traffic
signal, for instance), provided that traf-
fic conditions allow you to do so.
To avoid corrosion, repeat this proce-
dure from time to time.
The brake lamps do not come on
when the parking brake is applied.
Vacuum for the brake system servo unit
on your BMW is available only when the
engine is running. When you move the
car with the engine shut off – when tow-
ing, for instance – substantially higher
levels of pedal force will be required to
brake the vehicle.<
Break-in procedure

125n
RepairsIndexOverview Controls Car care Technology Data
Antilock Brake System (ABS)The conceptABS enhances active safety by helping
to prevent the wheels from locking dur-
ing brake applications. The reason:
Locked wheels are dangerous. When
the front wheels slide, the driver loses
steering control over the vehicle. Trac-
tion loss at the rear wheels can cause
the rear end to break into an uncon-
trolled skid.
The system can achieve the shortest
braking distances possible under most
conditions (on straights and in curves,
on asphalt, ice, wet road surfaces, etc.).
ABS is designed to meet two essential
requirements during every brake appli-
cation:
>To help provide vehicle stability
>To help maintain steering control and
maneuverability – on all types of road
surfaces (asphalt, concrete, mud, wet
pavement, snow, ice).
Braking with ABSThe system becomes operative once
the vehicle exceeds a speed of approx.
6 mph (10 km/h). The ABS is deactivated
whenever the vehicle's speed drops
back below approx. 4 mph (6 km/h). This
means that the wheels can lock in the fi-
nal phase of a panic stop – a factor of no
significance in actual use.
If you are in a situation which requires
full braking, you will exploit the full bene-
fits of the ABS system if you apply maxi-
mum brake pressure ("panic stop").
Since the vehicle maintains steering re-
sponsiveness, you can avoid possible
obstacles with a minimum of steering ef-
fort, despite the full brake application.
The ABS system closed-loop control cir-
cuit cycles in fractions of a second.
A pulsation at the brake pedal indicates
to the driver that ABS is active, that is,
that the vehicle is within its maximum
braking range. In addition, a pulsation – a
result of the control function cycles – in-
dicates to the driver that vehicle speed
should be reduced to adapt to road sur-
face conditions when there is reduced
traction and grip between tires and road
surface (slippery road surface).
Always depress the brake pedal with
constant pressure. Keep the brake pedal
down. Do not pump the brakes.In driving conditions where there is a
loose upper surface together with a
subsurface which provides better trac-
tion (on gravel or snow, for instance), or
with snow chains, the braking distance
may also be longer than when the
wheels are locked. However, ABS con-
tinues to provide enhanced vehicle sta-
bility and steering response under
these conditions.
Information for your safetyNot even ABS can suspend the laws of
physics. ABS alone cannot prevent ac-
cidents when the brakes are applied
without an adequate safety interval be-
tween vehicles, if the car is driven at an
excessive rate of speed in curves, or if
aquaplaning occurs. Responsibility for
these types of situations remains in the
hands (and at the feet) of the driver. You
should never allow the added safety of
ABS to lull you into a false sense of se-
curity, or mislead you into taking in-
creased risks that could affect your own
safety and that of others.
Do not make any modifications to
the ABS system.
Service procedures on ABS are to be
performed by authorized technicians
only.<

129n
RepairsIndexOverview Controls Car care Technology Data
Winter operationRubber seals and componentsIn order to prevent the weather-strip-
ping from freezing, apply rubber treat-
ment or a silicone spray to the seals on
the doors, hood and luggage compart-
ment lid.
A full range of car care products is
available from your BMW center.< Snow chainsBMW snow chains
* can be fitted on
both summer and winter tires in re-
sponse to severe winter road condi-
tions. Mount them in pairs on the rear
wheels only, and be sure to comply with
the manufacturer's safety instructions.
Do not exceed a maximum speed of
30 mph (50 km/h). In this situation
(snow chains mounted), deactivate the
ASC+T or DSC
*. Refer to page 92.
Starting offWhen starting off in deep snow or when
rocking the car to free it, we recom-
mend that you switch the ASC+T or
DSC
* off. Refer to page 92.
Driving on low-traction road
surfacesUse smooth, gentle pressure to control
the accelerator pedal. Avoid excessive
engine speeds and shift to the next
higher gear at an early point. Adapt
your speed and driving style when ap-
proaching grades. Maintain an ade-
quate distance between yourself and
the car ahead.BrakesWinter road conditions substantially re-
duce the amount of traction available
between the tires and the road surface;
the resulting increases in braking dis-
tance are considerable and should be
continually borne in mind.
ABS is intended to prevent the wheels
from locking during brake applications,
thus helping to maintain vehicle stability
and steering response. If the ABS does not respond in a critical
braking situation and the wheels lock:
Reduce the pressure on the brake
pedal until the wheels just start to roll
again while still maintaining enough
force to continue braking.
Following that, increase pedal pressure
again. Reduce the pressure as the
wheels lock, then reapply pressure, etc.
This type of staggered braking will re-
duce the braking distance, and the ve-
hicle still remains responsive to steer-
ing.
You can then attempt to steer around
hazards after you have reduced pres-
sure on the brake pedal.
Do not shift down on slick road
surfaces. Doing so could cause
the rear wheels to lose traction and
skid, which could result in the loss of
vehicle control.<

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RepairsIndexOverview Controls Car care Technology Data
Winter tires Snow chains
*
Choosing the right tireBMW recommends winter tires (M+S
radial tires) for driving in adverse winter
road conditions. While tires known as
all-season tires (M+S designation) pro-
vide better winter traction than summer
tires with load ratings H, V, W and ZR,
they generally do not achieve the per-
formance of winter tires.
In the interests of sure tracking and safe
steering response at all four wheels,
mount winter tires which are made by
the same manufacturer and which have
the same tread configuration.
Mount only winter tires which have
been approved by BMW. Any BMW
center will be glad to provide you with
information on the best winter tires for
your particular driving conditions.
Do not exceed specified
maximum speeds
Never exceed the maximum
speed for which the tires are
rated.
Unprofessional attempts by laymen to
service tires can lead to damage and
accidents.
Have this work performed by skilled
professionals only. Any BMW center
has the required technical knowledge
and the proper equipment and will be
happy to assist you.<
Tire condition, tire pressureWinter tires display a perceptible loss in
their ability to cope with winter driving
conditions once the tread wears to be-
low 0.16 in (4 mm), and should thus be
replaced.
Comply with the specified tire inflation
pressures - and be sure to have the
wheel and tire assemblies balanced ev-
ery time you change the tires.StorageStore tires in a cool, dry place, away
from light whenever possible. Protect
the tires against contact with oil, grease
and fuel.
Use narrow-link BMW snow chains on
summer or winter tires only in pairs and
only on the rear wheels. Comply with all
manufacturer's safety precautions when
mounting the chains.

Overview
Controls and features
Operation, care
and maintenance
Owner service procedures
Technical data
Index Advanced technology
183n
RepairsIndexOverview Controls Car care Technology Data
Airbags184
Adaptive Transmission Control
(ATC ) 184
Automatic Stability Control plus
Traction (ASC+T)/Dynamic Sta-
bility Control (DSC) 185
Radio reception186
BMW Active Seat 186
Safety belt tensioner187
DSP sound system 187
Rearview mirror with automatic
dimmer188
Tire Pressure Control (RDC ) 189
Xenon lamps 190
Water and dirt repelling
windshield 191

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