2001 BMW SPORT WAGON sensor

IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
101n
Park Distance Control (PDC)
*
The PDC does not remove the
driver's personal responsibility
for evaluating the distance between the
vehicle and any obstacles. Even when
sensors are involved, there is a blind
spot in which objects cannot be de-
tected. This applies especially in those
cases where the system approaches
the physical limits of ultrasonic mea-
surement, as occurs with tow bars and
trailer couplings, and in the vicinity of
thin and painted objects.
Certain sources of sound, such as a
loud radio, could drown the PDC signal
tone.<
Keep the sensors clean and free
of ice or snow in order to ensure
that they continue to operate effectively.
Do not apply high pressure spray to the
sensors for a prolonged period of time.
Maintain an adequate distance of more
than approx. 4 in (10 cm).<

IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
115n
Automatic climate control
*
1 Airflow directed toward the
windshield and side windows
2 Airflow for the upper body
The side rotary dials provide
infinitely-variable regulation of
the air supply, while the levers
change the airflow direction.
The center rotary dial controls the
temperature of the air as it
flows out118
3 Front footwell ventilation
4 Rear footwell ventilation
5 Airflow for the upper body in
the rear118
6 Automatic air distribution116
7 Individual air distribution116
8 Temperature control –
left-hand side116
9 Display for temperature and
air supply116, 11710 Temperature control –
right-hand side116
11 To defrost windshield and
windows117
12 Air conditioner117
13 Automatic recirculated air control
AUC117
14 Rear window defroster80, 118
15 Air supply117
16 Maximum cooling117
Residual heating mode118
17 Air grill for interior temperature
sensor – please keep clear and
unobstructed

142nCatalytic converter
The catalytic converter reduces harmful
exhaust emissions, and is designed for
use with unleaded fuel only.
Even minute quantities of lead would be
enough to permanently damage both
the catalytic converter and the system
oxygen sensor.
To ensure efficient, trouble-free engine
operation and avoid potential damage:
>Be sure to comply with the scheduled
maintenance requirements.
> Fill the fuel tank well before it is
empty.
> Tow-start the vehicle only when the
engine is cold, since unburned fuel
may otherwise reach the catalytic
converter. It is better to start the vehi-
cle with an outside starting aid. >
Avoid other situations in which the
fuel is not burned, or burns incom-
pletely, such as engaging the starter
frequently or for extended periods, or
repeated start attempts in which the
engine does not start (stopping and
restarting an engine which is running
properly does not present a problem).
Never let the engine run with any of
the spark plug cables disconnected. Be sure to comply with the in-
structions above to prevent un-
burned fuel from reaching the catalytic
converter. Otherwise there is danger of
overheating and damage to the cata-
lytic converter.
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
personal injury and property damage. <

Index
Data
Technology
Repairs
Car care
Controls
Overview
171nCaring for your car
Washing your car
You 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 vehicle.
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 vehicle which are inacces-
sible 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 vehicle is
washed on a regular basis. Large quan-
tities of dirt and road salt are difficult to
remove, and they also cause damage to
the vehicle. 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 exces-
sive 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 wipe dry (scratches). Never
use abrasives 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 an ice 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. <

Index
Data
Technology
Repairs
Car care
Controls
Overview
Overview
Controls and features Operation, care
and maintenance
Owner service procedures
Technical dataIndex
Advanced technology
205
n
Airbags 206
Adaptive Transmission Control (ATC) 207
Automatic Stability Control plus Traction (ASC+T)/Dynamic
Stability Control (DSC) 208
BMW active seat 210
Safety belt tensioner 210
DSP sound system 211
Mirrors with automatic dimmer 211
Rain sensor 212
Tire Pressure Control (RDC) 213
Integrated rear suspension 214
Level control system 214
Xenon lamps 215

206n
Deceleration sensors continuously
monitor the physical forces acting upon
the vehicle. If, as the result of a frontal
collision, vehicle deceleration is
reached at which the protection of the
safety belts alone is no longer ade-
quate, the gas generators of the driver-
side and passenger-side airbags are ig-
nited simultaneously. However, the
front airbag on the passenger-side is
only triggered if an additional sensor
has recognized that the passenger seat
is occupied.
Depending on which side the vehicle is
involved in a side collision, the head
protection and side airbags in the front
and rear
* are triggered if necessary.
390de319
The airbags located under the marked
covers inflate and unfold in a matter of
a few milliseconds. In this process they
tear through the rated breaking points
of the upholstered covers or press them
out.
Because the inflation process must be
virtually instantaneous, it is necessarily
accompanied by a certain amount of
ignition and inflation noise. The gas
which the system employs to inflate the
airbag is not dangerous. Smoke
appears as the gas dissipates.
The entire process is completed within
fractions of a second.
Airbags

208nASC+T/DSC*
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
occur, the system counteracts the dan-
ger of wheelspin by reducing torque. If
necessary, the system also responds
with additional brake applications at the
rear wheels, and at all 4 wheels with
DSC.
In addition, DSC permanently monitors
the vehicle's current operating condi-
tion and compares it with an ideal con-
dition that is calculated from the sen-
sor's signals. If deviations from this
occur (understeering or oversteering,
for instance), DSC can stabilize the
vehicle in the fraction of a second by
reducing engine output and with the
assistance of braking intervention at in-
dividual wheels. As a result, dangerous
skids can be prevented even as they
are just beginning. You may need some time to become
accustomed to this system intervention.
However, it guarantees optimum drive
force and driving stability.
The braking intervention may be
accompanied by a certain degree of
noise.

Index
Data
Technology
Repairs
Car care
Controls
Overview
211nDSP sound system*Mirrors with automatic dimmer*
The DSP professional premium sound
system features a special amplifier
combined with Digital Sound Process-
ing (DSP) and integrated speakers to
surround you with crisp, true-to-life
sound reproduction.
The speaker system's subwoofers,
woofers, midrange speakers and tweet-
ers furnish you with an impressively full-
bodied listening experience. The indi-
vidual components are oriented so as
to produce the aural sensation that you
would experience facing the stage in a
concert hall. The system also automati-
cally adjusts the bass and treble set-
tings to compensate for changes in vol-
ume and vehicle speed.
390de109
The interior and exterior mirrors with
automatic dimming feature reduce the
glare from following traffic by adapting
the intensity of the reflected images to
correspond to levels of light registered
by the unit's sensors. The mirrors revert
to their undimmed setting as soon as
the light source disappears.
One sensor is mounted on the front
of the interior mirror housing and is
designed to monitor light levels in the
area immediately forward of the vehicle.
A second sensor is integrated within
the mirror's glass.
390de113
The electronic control system operates
by comparing the respective levels of
luminous intensity in front of and behind
the car. The difference provides the
basic parameter used to modulate an
electrical current and induce chemical
changes in a semisolid layer incorpora-
ted in the lens.
The semisolid reacts chemically to this
electrical current, thus providing infi-
nitely-variable dimming of the mirror
(electrochromic technology).
As a result, it is no longer necessary
to dim the mirror manually, and the
driver can maintain full concentration
on traffic.