2004 BMW 645CI COUPE&CONVERTIBLE brake pads

Things to remember when driving
102
Things to remember when driving
Break-in procedures
To ensure that your vehicle continues to
provide optimized economy of operation
throughout an extended service life, we
request that you devote careful attention to
the following section.
Engine and differential
Up to 1,200 miles/2,000 km:
You should attempt to vary both vehicle
and engine speeds. Until the break-in
period has been completed, you should
also refrain from exceeding an engine
speed of 4500 rpm or a driving speed of
100 mph/160 km/h.
Always obey all official speed limits.
Avoid full-throttle operation and use of the
transmission's kickdown mode during
these initial miles.
Once you have driven 1,200 miles/
2,000 km, the engine and vehicle speeds
can be gradually increased.
SMG Sequential manual
transmission
Do not use the acceleration assistant dur-
ing the break-in period, refer to page 60.
Tires
Due to technical factors associated with
their manufacture, tires do not achieve their
full traction potential until after an initial
break-in period. Therefore, drive reservedly
during the first 200 miles/300 km.
Brake system
Brakes require an initial break-in period of
approx. 300 miles/500 km to achieve opti-
mized contact and wear patterns between
brake pads and rotors.
Clutch
The function of the clutch is only at its opti-
mized level after a distance driven of
approx. 300 miles/500 km. During this
break-in period, engage the clutch gently.
After component replacement
You should also comply with these break-in
procedures should the components men-
tioned above need to be replaced at a later
point.
General driving notes
Hot exhaust system
Extreme temperatures occur at the
catalytic converter on this and every
catalyst-equipped vehicle. Do not remove
the heat shields installed adjacent to vari-
ous sections of the exhaust system, and
never apply undercoating to them. When
driving, standing at idle and while parking,
take care to avoid possible contact
between the hot exhaust system and any
highly flammable materials such as hay,
leaves, grass, etc. Such contact could lead
to a fire, and with it the risk of serious prop-
erty damage as well as personal injury.<
Parking vehicle
Condensation forms in the air conditioner
system during operation, and then exits
under the vehicle. Traces of condensed
water under the vehicle are thus normal.
Before driving into a car wash
Fold in the exterior mirrors manually, as
otherwise they could be damaged due to
the width of the vehicle.
Hydroplaning
When driving on wet or slushy roads,
reduce road speed. If you do not, a
wedge of water can form between tires and

Driving tips
103Reference
At a glance
Controls
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
road surface. This phenomenon is referred
to as hydroplaning, and is characterized
by a partial or complete loss of contact
between the tires and the road surface, ulti-
mately undermining your ability to steer
and brake the vehicle.<
The risk of hydroplaning increases as the
tread depth of the tires decreases, also
refer to Tire tread on page 167.
Driving through water
Do not drive through water on the
road if it is deeper than 1 ft/30 cm,
and then only at walking speed at the most.
Otherwise, the vehicle's engine, the electri-
cal systems and the transmission may be
damaged.<
Braking safely
Your BMW is equipped with ABS as stan-
dard. The best way to achieve optimized
braking response from the ABS is to apply
maximum pressure to the brake pedal in
situations where this is required: panic
stops. Since the vehicle maintains steering
responsiveness, you can nevertheless
avoid possible obstacles with a minimum
of steering effort.
Pulsation at the brake pedal combines with
sounds from the hydraulic circuits to indi-
cate to the driver that ABS is in its active
mode.
Do not drive with your foot resting on
the brake pedal. Even light but con-
sistent pedal pressure can lead to high
temperatures, brake wear and possibly
even brake failure.<
Driving in wet conditions
While driving in wet conditions and in
heavy rain, it is a good idea to apply light
pressure to the brake pedal every few
miles. Monitor traffic conditions to ensure
that this maneuver does not endanger
other road users. The heat generated in this
process helps dry the pads and rotors to
ensure that full braking efficiency will then
be available when you need it.
Hills
To prevent overheating and thus
reduced efficiency of the brake sys-
tem, downshift to a gear in which only min-
imal brake applications are needed when
descending long or steep downhill
stretches. Even light but consistent pedal
pressure can lead to high temperatures,
brake wear and possibly even brake fail-
ure.<
You can further enhance the engine's brak-
ing effect by selecting a lower gear in the
automatic transmission's manual mode,
downshifting as far as first gear on
extremely steep stretches, refer to
page 59. This strategy helps you avoid
placing excessive loads on the brake sys-
tem.
Never drive with the clutch pressed
or allow the vehicle to coast with the
transmission in Neutral – or with the engine
switched off – there is no engine braking
when the transmission is in Neutral, and no
power assist for brakes and steering when
the engine is not running.
Never allow floor mats, carpets or any other
objects to protrude into the area around the
accelerator and brake pedals and obstruct
their movement.<
Corrosion on brake rotors
When the vehicle is driven only occasion-
ally, during extended periods when the
vehicle is not used at all, and in operating
conditions where brake applications are
less frequent, there is an increased ten-
dency for corrosion to form on rotors, while
contaminants accumulate on the brake
pads. This occurs because the minimum
pressure which must be exerted by the
pads during brake applications to clean the
rotors is not reached.
Should corrosion form on the brake rotors,
the brakes will tend to respond with a pul-
sating effect that even extended applica-
tion will fail to cure.

Mobility
173Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
3.The coolant level is correct when the
measuring range of the fill level indica-
tor is at the level of the upper edge of
the filler neck, also refer to the drawing
next to the filler neck
4.If the coolant is low, slowly add coolant
up to the specified level – do not overfill
5.Turn the cap until you hear a click
6.Have the reason for the coolant loss
eliminated as soon as possible.
Brake system
Malfunction
Brake fluid
The warning lamp lights up in red
in spite of the handbrake being
released; a message appears on
the Control Display.
Stop the vehicle immediately.
The brake fluid in the reservoir has fallen to
below the minimum level. At the same time,
a significantly longer brake pedal path is
noticeable. Have the system checked
immediately by a BMW center.
Warning lamp for Canadian models.
When you continue driving, an
increased brake pedal path can be
necessary, and significantly longer braking
distances might be required. Please adapt
your driving style accordingly.<
Brake pads
The warning lamp lights up in red
in spite of the handbrake being
released; a message appears on
the Control Display. The brake pads have
reached their minimum pad thickness.
Have the brake pads replaced as soon as
possible.
Warning lamp for Canadian models.For your own safety: use only brake
pads that BMW has approved for your
particular vehicle model. As BMW cannot
assess the suitability of other brake pads
for use on your vehicle, BMW is unable to
assume continued responsibility for the
vehicle's operating safety if non-approved
pads are installed.<

Everything from A to Z
198 Automatic
– air distribution 89
– air volume 89
– cruise control 62
– curb monitor 45
– headlamp control 85
– service notification 156
– station search 131
– steering wheel
adjustment 49
– storing stations 132
Automatic car wash 102
– also refer to the Caring for
your vehicle brochure
Automatic climate
control 88
– automatic air
distribution 89
– convertible program 91
– settings using Control
Center 90
– switching off 90
"Automatic programs" 91
Automatic recirculated-air
control, AUC 89
Automatic transmission
with Steptronic 58
– convenience start 55
– Dynamic Driving
Control 59
– interlock 54
– kickdown 59
– selector lever interlock 58
– shiftlock 58
– starting engine 55
– towing 186
– tow-starting 187
– warning lamp 59
"Automatic ventilation" 92
AUTO program with
automatic climate
control 89
"Autostore" on the
radio 130, 132
"AUTO" with automatic
climate control 91
Average fuel
consumption 69
– setting units 72
Average speed 69"Avoid ferries" for
navigation 116
Avoid freeways for
navigation 116
"Avoid highways" for
navigation 116
Avoiding unintentional
alarms 33
"Avoid tollroads" for
navigation 116
Axle loads, refer to
Weights 190
"A - Z" 148
B
Backrests, refer to
Seats 43
Backup lamps, refer to
Reverse gear 56
– replacing the bulbs 180
Balance, refer to
Adjusting the tone 128
Balance adjustment in
audio mode
– right/left 128
Bass, refer to
Adjusting the tone 127
"Bass", refer to
Adjusting the tone 128
Battery 181
– in the remote control 26
– jump-starting 184
Being towed 186
Belts, refer to
Safety belts 47
Beverage holder, refer to
Cup holders 97
Black ice, refer to
Ice warning 64
Blower, refer to
Air volume 89
BMW Assist 155
– enabling 155
– services offered 156
BMW maintenance
system 174
"BMW Service" 157
"BMW Service
settings" 155Bore, refer to
Engine data 190
Bottle holder, refer to
Cup holders 97
Brake Assistant, refer to
DBC Dynamic Brake
Control 78
Brake fluid 173
– warning lamp 173
Brake Force Display 80
Brake hydraulic
system 173
Brake lamps
– replacing the bulbs 180
– two-stage brake lamps 80
Brake pads 173
– break-in procedure 102
Brake pedal, refer to
Brakes 103
Brake rotors 103
Brakes 103
– ABS Antilock Brake
System 76
– brake fluid 173
– Brake Force Display 80
– brake pads 102, 173
– break-in procedure 102
– handbrake 55
Brake system 102
– brake fluid level 173
– brake pads 173
– brake rotors 103
– break-in procedure 102
– warning lamp 13, 78, 173
Brake wear warning
– brake pads 173
– warning lamp 173
Breakdown assistance 156
Breakdown services, refer
to Roadside
Assistance 184
Breaking-in the clutch 102
Breaking-in the
differential 102
Break-in procedures 102
"Brightness" 72
Buttons on the steering
wheel 11