2001 BMW Z8 traction control

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IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Parking brake The parking brake is primarily designed
to prevent the vehicle from rolling while
parked. It operates on the rear wheels.To engageThe lock engages automatically when
you lift the lever, and the indicator lamp
in the instrument cluster comes on
when the ignition key is in position 2.
Refer to page 21.To releasePull up slightly on the lever, press the
button and lower the lever.520de024
If, in rare circumstances, it should
be necessary to engage the
parking brake while the vehicle is in
motion, do not pull hard on the lever.
Keep your thumb pressed against the
release button while carefully pulling
the lever up to apply moderate pres-
sure.
Excessive pressure can lead to over-
braking and loss of traction (fishtailing)
at the rear axle.
The brake lamps do not come on when
the parking brake is engaged.
Always engage the parking brake when
parking on hills and inclined surfaces,
as selecting first gear or reverse may
not provide adequate resistance to
rolling.<
To avoid corrosion and one-sided
braking, apply the parking brake lightly
from time to time when coasting to a
standstill (at a traffic signal, for
instance), provided that it is safe to do
so.

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IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
The conceptDSC maintains vehicle stability even in
critical driving situations.
DSC maintains optimal, predictable re-
sponse while maximizing traction when
you accelerate from a standing start or
speed up while already underway. The
system recognizes any tendency for the
vehicle to assume an instable attitude
such as oversteer and understeer, and
counteracts this tendency with a com-
bination of graduated reductions in en-
gine torque and braking intervention at
individually selected wheels. DSC pro-
vides optimal stability Ð within the limits
defined by the laws of physics.
The system automatically assumes
operational status each time the en-
gine is started.
Indicator lamp
The indicator lamp in the in-
strument cluster goes out
shortly after you switch on the
ignition. Refer to page 22.
The indicator lamp flashes:
The system is actively regulating drive
torque.
The indicator lamp does not go out
after the engine is started, or if it comes
on during normal driving and stays on:
There is a system malfunction or the
system was deactivated with the button.
You can continue to drive the vehicle
normally, but without DSC.
Please respond to any suspected de-
fects by referring the problem to your
BMW center.
To deactivate the systemPress the button, the indicator lamp
comes on and stays on.
When the DSC is deactivated, you are
operating the vehicle in the conven-
tional drive mode.
In the following rare circumstances, it
may be effective to deactivate the DSC
for a short period of time:
>When rocking the vehicle or starting
off in deep snow or on loose surfaces.
To maintain vehicle stability,
always drive with the system
switched on when possible.<520de035
Dynamic Stability Control (DSC)

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To ensure that your vehicle continues to
provide maximum economy throughout
an extended service life, we request
that you devote careful attention to the
following section.
Your BMW Z8 is a masterpiece of
superlative technology. To ensure
that you derive maximum satisfaction
from its extensive array of advanced
features while simultaneously creating
the basis for many years of driving
pleasure, we urge you to observe the
following precautions during the initial
operation period.<
Engine and differentialUp to 1,200 miles (2,000 km):
Drive at varying engine and road
speeds, but do not exceed 4,500 rpm
(4,500/min), or a road speed of 106 mph
(170 km/h).
Obey your local and state maximum
speed limits.
Avoid depressing the accelerator to the
full-throttle position .
Once you have driven 1,200 miles
(2,000 km), you can begin to gradually
increase both the engine speed and
road speed.
You should also comply with these
break-in procedures if the engine or
differential is replaced later in the
course of the vehicle service life.TiresOwing 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).
Obey your local and state maximum
speed limits.
When the vehicle is being driven
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" and can
lead to partial or complete loss of trac-
tion, vehicle control and braking effec-
tiveness. 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.
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
traffic 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
engaged.
Vacuum for the brake system servo unit
on your BMW is available only when the
engine is running. When you move the
vehicle with the engine shut off Ð when
towing, for instance Ð substantially
higher levels of pedal force will be
required to brake the vehicle. optimally after about 300 miles (500 km).
Engage the gears carefully and without
high engine speeds during this break-in
period.
Break-in procedures

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Antilock Brake System (ABS) The concept ABS enhances active safety by helping
to prevent the wheels from locking
under braking. Why is this important?
When front wheels lock up and cease
to turn, the tires break into a slide.
Result: the driver loses the ability to
steer the vehicle. Traction loss at the
rear wheels can cause the back end of
the car to slip sideways and break away
in uncontrolled oversteer.
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, concrete, dirt, wet
surfaces, snow and ice).
Braking with ABSThe system is operative once the
vehicle exceeds a speed of approx.
6 mph (10 km/h). The ABS is deacti-
vated whenever the vehicle's speed
drops back below approx. 4 mph
(6 km/h). This means that the wheels
can lock only in the final phase of a
panic stop Ð a factor of no substantive
significance in actual use.
The ABS system works best in situa-
tions requiring maximum pressure on
the pedal (full braking). Since the
vehicle maintains steering responsive-
ness, you can nevertheless avoid
possible obstacles with a minimum of
steering effort.
The ABS system's closed-loop control
circuit cycles in fractions of a second.
A pulsing of the brake pedal, combined
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
should adapt your vehicle's speed to
road conditions.On road surfaces that have a loose layer
on a firm base (on gravel or snow, for
instance), the braking distances with
ABS may be longer than with the wheels
locked. This also applies for driving with
snow chains. However, ABS continues
to provide enhanced vehicle stability
and steering response under these
conditions.

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IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Winter operationDriving on low-traction road
surfacesDo not activate the Sport mode (refer to
page 66). Use smooth, gentle pressure
to control the accelerator pedal. Avoid
excessive engine speeds and upshift
early. Downshift well in advance when
approaching uphill or downhill
grades. Maintain an adequate distance
between yourself and the vehicle
ahead.BrakesWinter road conditions substantially
reduce the amount of traction available
between the tires and the road surface.
The resulting increases in braking
distance are considerable and should
be kept in mind at all times.
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.
Then increase the pressure, reduce the
pressure when the wheels lock, reapply
pressure etc.
This staggered braking procedure will
reduce braking distances while helping
you maintain steering control.
You can always then attempt to steer
around hazards after you have reduced
pressure on the brake pedal.
Never downshift to exploit engine
braking when driving on slippery
road surfaces, as this could lead to a
loss of traction at the rear wheels,
impairing your ability to control the
vehicle.<
Depress the clutch during hard
braking on road surfaces that
provide only poor or uneven traction.<
Skid control Depress the clutch and release the
accelerator pedal. Countersteer care-
fully and attempt to regain control of the
vehicle.ParkingEngage first or reverse gear. Depending
on the steepness of the incline, you can
apply the parking brake as well. In order
to prevent the parking brake pads from
locking due to frost or corrosion, dry
them by gently applying the parking
brake as the vehicle is coming to a stop.
Make sure that following traffic is not
endangered.
The brake lamps do not come
on when the parking brake is
engaged.<

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IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Avoid overloading the vehicle so
that the permitted load on the tires
is not exceeded. Overloading can lead
to overheating and increases the rate
at which damage develops inside the
tires. You could have a blowout as a
result.
Unusual vibrations encountered during
normal vehicle operation can indicate
tire failure or some other vehicle defect,
as can variations in normal vehicle
response, such as a pronounced
tendency to pull to the left or right.
Should this occur, respond by immedi-
ately reducing your speed. Proceed
carefully to the nearest BMW center or
professional tire center, or have the
vehicle towed in to have it and its tires
inspected.
Tire damage can endanger the lives of
both the vehicle occupants and other
road users.<
To maintain good handling and vehicle
response, use only tires of a single tread
configuration from a single manufac-
turer. BMW tests and approves wheel/
tire combinations. Refer to page 103.DOT Quality GradesTread wear
Traction AA A B C
Temperature A B C
All passenger vehicle tires
must conform to Federal Safety
Requirements in addition to these
grades. rating based on the wear rate of the tire
when tested under controlled condi-
tions on a specified government test
course.
For example, a tire graded 150 would
wear one and one-half (1g) times as
well on the government course as a tire
graded 100. The relative performance
of tires depends upon the actual condi-
tions of their use, however, and may
depart significantly from the norm due
to variations in driving habits, service
practices and differences in road char-
acteristics and climate.
TractionThe traction grades, from highest to
lowest, are AA, A, B and C.
Those grades represent the tire's ability
to stop on wet pavement as measured
under controlled conditions on speci-
fied government test surfaces of
asphalt and concrete. A tire marked C
may have poor traction performance.
The traction grade assigned to
this tire is based on straight-
ahead braking traction tests, and does
not include acceleration, cornering,
aquaplaning, or peak traction charac-
teristics.<
Tire condition Tire replacement

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Tire replacement Tire rotation TemperatureThe temperature grades are A (the
highest), B and C, representing the
tire's resistance to the generation of
heat and its ability to dissipate heat
when tested under controlled condi-
tions on a specified indoor laboratory
test wheel.
Sustained high temperature can cause
the tire material to degenerate and
reduce tire life, and excessive tempera-
ture can lead to sudden tire failure. The
Grade C corresponds to a level of
performance which all passenger
vehicle tires must meet under the
Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard
No. 109. Grades B and A represent
higher levels of performance on the
laboratory test wheel than the minimum
required by law.
The temperature grade for this
tire is established for a tire that is
properly inflated and not overloaded.
Excessive speed, underinflation, or
excessive loading, either separately or
in combination, can cause heat buildup
and possibly a flat tire.<
Uniform Tire Quality GradingQuality grades can be found where
applicable on the tire sidewall between
tread shoulder and maximum section
width. For example:
Tread wear 200 Traction AA
Temperature A
Use only tires with emergency
driving characteristics as there is
no spare tire available if you get a flat
tire. For further information, refer to
page 135. factured is indicated by the code on the
sidewall:
DOT ... 1200 indicates that the tire was
manufactured in week 12 of 2000.
Although tires may have a theoretical
service life of up to 10 years, BMW
strongly recommends that you replace
all tires after an absolute maximum of
6 years.
Between the axles
If different tire sizes are mounted
on the front and rear axles (refer to
page 103), then the tires may not be
rotated from one axle to the other.<
The tread wear patterns at the front end
differ from those at the rear Ð the actual
patterns will vary according to indi-
vidual driving conditions. In the inter-
ests of safety and maintaining optimal
handling characteristics, tire rotation is
not recommended.

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IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
tion, braking pressures and the
vehicle's yaw rate around its vertical
axis.
When the system detects substantial
differences in rotation rates between
wheels, it acts to inhibit uncontrolled
wheelspin by reducing the drive torque
transmitted to the affected wheel(s),
while also initiating selective braking
intervention as needed.
In addition, DSC permanently monitors
the vehicle's current operating condi-
tion and compares it with an ideal
status calculated based on sensor
signals. DSC reacts to deviations from
this ideal status such as incipient
understeer or oversteer by instanta-
neously reducing engine torque to
restore vehicle stability. This strategy
can be supplemented by selective
braking intervention, available at all four
wheels. DSC acts to prevent traction
loss and skids before the situation can
become critical.You may need some time to become
accustomed to this system's interven-
tion. However, it provides optimum
drive force and vehicle stability.
The braking intervention may be
accompanied by sounds specific to
the system.
The safety belt tensioner responds to
severe frontal collisions by tightening
the belt to ensure that occupants
remain firmly positioned in their seats.
A gas-pressure system retracts the
buckle assembly to tension the
shoulder and lap belts within fractions
of a second. This reduces the tendency
to slide under the lap belt.
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Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) Safety belt tensioner