IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
119n
Catalytic converter Antilock Brake System (ABS)
Be sure to comply with the in-
structions above to prevent un-
burned fuel from reaching the catalytic
converter. Otherwise, the catalytic con-
verter could respond by overheating,
leading to serious damage.
Extreme temperatures occur at the cat-
alytic converter on this and every cata-
lyst-equipped vehicle. Heat shields are
installed adjacent to some sections of
the exhaust system. Never remove
these shields; do not apply undercoat-
ing to their surfaces. When driving,
standing at idle, and parking the vehi-
cle, take care to avoid contact between
the exhaust system and flammable ma-
terials (grass, hay, leaves, etc.). Such
contact could lead to a fire, resulting in
serious personal injury and property
damage.<
The concept ABS enhances active safety by helping
to prevent the wheels from locking un-
der braking. This is because: locked
wheels are dangerous. When the front
wheels slide, the driver loses steering
control over the vehicle. Traction loss at
the rear wheels can cause the rear end
to break into an uncontrolled skid.
With ABS, you will achieve the shortest-
possible braking distances under all
given conditions (braking while driving
straight ahead or in curves, different
road surfaces).
ABS is designed to meet two essential
requirements during every brake appli-
cation:
>To help provide vehicle stability.
>To help retain steering and maneu-
vering capability on all types of road
surfaces (asphalt, cement, dirt, wet
surfaces, snow and ice).
Braking with ABS The 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).
To shorten the braking distance Ñ espe-
cially on steep, poor road surfaces when
driving slowly straight ahead Ñ the sys-
tem allows one or both front wheels to
lock for a short time. Nevertheless, the
vehicle still retains steering response
since this "poor road logic" is deacti-
vated again automatically as you steer.
If you are in a situation that requires full
braking, you will exploit the full beneÞts
of the ABS system if you apply maxi-
mum brake pressure ("panic stop").
Since the vehicle maintains steering
responsiveness, you can avoid possible
obstacles with a minimum of steering
effort, despite the full brake application.
The ABS system's closed-loop control
circuit cycles in fractions of a second.
A pulsation at the brake pedal, together
with the sounds associated with the
hydraulic controls, tells you that the
brake system is within its maximum
limit range and reminds you that you
122n
Disc brakes Disc brakes furnish optimum decelera-
tion and braking control and greater
fade resistance under heavy use.
When the vehicle is driven only occa-
sionally, during extended periods when
the vehicle is not used at all, and in op-
erating conditions where brake applica-
tions are less frequent, there is an in-
creased tendency for corrosion of the
rotors and accumulation of contamina-
tion on the brake pads. This occurs be-
cause the minimal pressure which must
be exerted by the pads to clean the ro-
tors by brake applications is not
reached.
If the brake rotors are corroded, they
will tend to respond to braking with a
pulsating effect which even extended
application will fail to cure.
For your own safety: use only
brake pads that BMW has re-
leased for your particular vehicle
model. BMW cannot evaluate non-ap-
proved brake pads to determine if they
are suited for use, and therefore cannot
ensure the operating safety of the vehi-
cle if they are installed.<
Driving notes When driving in wet conditions and in
heavy rain, it is advisable to apply light
pressure to the brake pedal every few
miles (kilometers). Watch traffic condi-
tions to ensure that this maneuver does
not endanger other road users. The
heat which is generated by the brake
applications helps to dry the brake
pads and rotors.
Maximum braking force is obtained
while the wheels continue to rotate,
peaking when the wheels remain on the
verge of locking without actually doing
so. ABS maintains this state automati-
cally. If the ABS fails, you should revert
to the staggered braking technique
(refer to page 124).
Extended or steep mountain descents
do not necessarily have to lead to re-
duced braking efficiency. Move the se-
lector lever to the appropriate lower
range in which only minimal periodic
brake applications are required.
You can increase the engine's braking
effect by selecting progressively lower
gears, downshifting as far as 1st gear,
on steep descents. If engine braking should prove to be in-
adequate, you should still avoid ex-
tended, continuous braking. Instead of
maintaining low to moderate pressure
over an extended period of time, you
should decelerate by applying more
substantial pressure to the brake pedal
(watch for following traffic), then releas-
ing the pedal, then repeating the appli-
cation. This staggered braking tech-
nique allows the brakes to cool in the
intervals between active braking
phases, preventing overheating and en-
suring that full braking capacity remains
available at all times.
Do not coast with the selector le-
ver in ÒNeutralÒ. Do not drive with
the engine shut off. The engine pro-
vides no braking effect when the trans-
mission is in ÒNeutralÒ, and there is no
power-assist for braking or steering
when the engine is not running.
Have brake inspections performed at
an authorized BMW center only. If you
do not, parts of the four-wheel drive
system could be damaged.
Never allow floor mats, carpets or any
other objects to protrude into the area
around the accelerator and brake ped-
als and obstruct their movement.<
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
127n
Information for your safety The factory-approved radial tires are
matched to the vehicle and have been
selected to provide optimum safety and
driving comfort on your vehicle.
It is not merely the tire's service life, but
also driving comfort and Ð above all else
Ð driving safety which depend on the
condition of the tires and the mainte-
nance of the specified tire pressure.
Incorrect inflation pressure is a frequent
cause of tire damage. It also signifi-
cantly influences the roadholding ability
of your BMW.
Check tire inflation pressures Ð
including the spare wheel Ð regu-
larly, at least every two weeks and
before beginning a longer trip. If this is
not done, incorrect tire pressures can
cause driving instability and tire
damage, ultimately resulting in an
accident.<
Tire tread Ð Tire damage Inspect your tires frequently for tread
wear, signs of damage and for foreign
objects lodged in the tread. Check the
tread depth.
Tread depth should not be allowed to
go below 0.12 in (3 mm), even though
the legally specified minimum tread
depth is only 0.063 in (1.6 mm). At a
tread depth of 0.063 in (1.6 mm), tread
depth indicators (arrow) in the tread-
groove base indicate that the legally-
permissible wear limit has been
reached. Below 0.12 in (3 mm) tread
depth, there is an increased risk of
aquaplaning, even at relatively moder-
ate speeds and with only small amounts
of water on the road. 390de331
Do not drive on a deflated (flat)
tire. A flat tire greatly impairs
steering and braking response, and can
lead to complete loss of control over
the vehicle.
Avoid overloading the vehicle so that
the permitted load on the tires is not ex-
ceeded. Overloading can lead to over-
heating and increases the rate at which
damage develops inside the tires. The
ultimate result can assume the form of a
sudden air loss.
Unusual vibrations encountered during
normal vehicle operation can indicate
tire failure or some other vehicle defect,
as can variations in normal vehicle re-
sponse, such as a pronounced ten-
dency to pull to the left or right. Should
this occur, respond by immediately re-
ducing your speed and carefully pro-
ceeding to the nearest BMW center or
professional tire center, or having the
vehicle towed in to have it and its tires
inspected.
Tire damage (up to and including blow-
outs) can endanger the lives of both the
vehicle occupants and other road
users.<
Tire inflation pressure Tire condition
Everything from A to ZFuel filler door release after
electrical fault168
Fuel gauge75
Fuel quality30
Fuel tank capacity187
Fuses167GGarage-door opener98
Gasoline30
General driving notes118
Glasses compartment102
Glove compartment101
Glove compartment lamp,
bulb replacement159
Gross vehicle weight186
Ground clearance117HHandbrake65
Handsfree system102
Hazard warning flashers28
Hazard warning triangle28
HDC (Hill Descent
Control)84
Head restraints49
Headlamp covers,
care143, 155
Headlamp flasher69
Headlamp washer
system136Headlamp washers70
Heated steering wheel96
Heating and ventilation90
Heating while stopped94
Heavy cargo112
Height185
Height adjustment, seats48
Height adjustment, steering
wheel51
HiFi system179
High beams25, 87
Bulb replacement155
Hill Descent Control
(HDC)84
Hood release133
Horn26, 27
Hydraulic Brake Assistant
refer to DBC24, 120
IIce warning74
Identification number141
Identification, tires130
Ignition key34
Ignition lock63
Independent ventilation97
Indicator lamps22
Inflation pressure31, 127
INSPECTION76
Instrument cluster18, 20
Instrument lighting86Instrument panel20
Instruments18
Integrated rear axle180
Interference indicators77
Interference, cellular
phone126
Interior and exterior rearview
mirrors, automatic
dimming feature53
Interior lamps87
Bulb replacement158
Remote control38
Interior mirror53
Interior motion sensor44
Interior rearview mirror,
automatic dimming
feature179
Interlock63
Intermittent switch69
JJump-starting170KKey Memory55
Keys34
Keys with radio remote
control34
Kickdown67
LLashing eyes42, 112
Leather care147
Length185
Level control
system24, 125, 181
License plate lamp, bulb
replacement158
Liftgate42, 168
Light switch86
Light-alloy wheel132
Lighter103
Lights-on warning86
Load-securing devices112
Louvers90
Low beams86
Bulb replacement155
Low-fuel warning lamp75
Lug bolts163
Lug wrench160
Luggage net42
Luggage space42
Luggage straps42
Lumbar support49MM+S tires131
Maintenance76, 142
Manual operation
Doors36
Liftgate168
Sliding/Tilt sunroof168
Tailgate169
Everything from A to ZRestraint system57
Reverse67
Rims130
Roof load capacity186
Roof-mounted luggage
rack113
Rubber parts124SSafety belt height
adjustment56
Safety belt tensioner178
Safety belts56
Safety lock buttons40
Seat heating96
Seat memory54
Seat, power48
Securing cargo42, 112
Securing the load112
Selector lever, automatic
transmission66
Service and Warranty
Information Booklet (US
models)142
Service Interval
Display76, 142
Servotronic125
Shiftlock66
Shoulder support50
Shutting off the engine65
Side airbags57
Side Impact Head Protection
System57Side lamps86
Bulb replacement156
Ski bag105
Skidcontrol125
Sliding/Tilt sunroof46
Closing following an
electrical malfunction168
Convenience
operation36
Power loss47
Remote control38
Slippery roads124
Snow chains124, 131
Socket104
Spare key34
Spare tire161
Spare wheel161
Spark plugs188
Speaker102
Special wash program70
Speed control72
Speedometer18, 20
Sports seat50
Starting64
Starting problems
64, 118, 170, 171
Steering125
Steering wheel
adjustment51
Automatic52
Steering wheel heating96
Steering wheel lock63
Steering wheel memory54Steptronic66
Storage compartments101
Storage compartments in the
cargo area109
Storing the vehicle148
Summer tires130
Sun visors53
Switching off the vehicle65
Symbols4
Synthetic oils138
TTachometer75
Tail lamps157
Bulb replacement157
Tailgate42
Opening from the
inside41
Opening from the
outside41
Radio control
operation39
Release following an
electrical malfunction168
Technical
modifications6, 149
Telephone hookup102
Telephone, refer to the
separate Owner's Manual
Temperature display,
outside
temperature74, 80
Temperature gauge76Temperature layering94
Thigh support
adjustment50
Third brake lamp157
Tilt alarm38, 44
Tilt function, passenger side
mirror54
Timer, refer to the Radio
Owner's Manual
Tire code130
Tire damage127
Tire inflation
pressure31, 127
Tire renewal128
Tire rotation between front
and rear129
Tire specifications132
Tire tread127
Tools154
Torque184
Tow fittings171
Towing171
Tow-starting172
Track width185
Traction Control System
refer to DSC83
Transmission66
Tread depth, tires127
Trip odometer74
Turn signal indicator69
Bulb
replacement156, 157
Turning circle185