Things to remember when driving
106
Braking safely
Your BMW is equipped with ABS as a standard
feature. In situations that require it, it is best to
brake with full force. Since the vehicle maintains
steering responsiveness, you can still avoid
possible obstacles with a minimum of steering
effort.
The pulsing of he brake pedal indicates that the
ABS is controlling braking.
In certain braking situations the perforated
brake rotors can cause operating noises which,
however, have not effect on the performance
and operating safety of the brake system.
Do not drive with your foot resting on the
brake pedal. Even light but consistent
pedal pressure can lead to high temperatures,
brake wear and possibly even brake failure.<
Driving in wet conditions
When roads are wet or there is heavy rain,
briefly exert gentle pressure on 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 the resulting
reduced efficiency of the brake system,
drive long or steep downhill gradients in the
gear in which the least braking is required. Even
light but consistent pressure on the brake pedal
can lead to high temperatures, brake wear and
possibly even brake failure.<
Do not drive in idle or with the engine
switched off, otherwise there will be no
engine braking action or support of the braking
force and steering.
Never allow floor mats, carpets or any other
objects to protrude into the area of movement
of the pedals and impair their operation.<
Corrosion on brake rotors
When the vehicle is driven only occasionally,
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 tendency 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 pulsating
effect that even extended application will fail to
cure.
When vehicle is parked
Condensation forms in the air conditioner sys-
tem during operation, and then exits under the
vehicle. Traces of condensed water under the
vehicle are therefore normal.
Before driving into a car wash
Fold in the exterior mirrors, refer to page46,
otherwise they could be damaged due to the
width of the vehicle.
General information on the care and mainte-
nance of your BMW is contained in the Caring
for your vehicle brochure.
Ground clearance
Ensure that sufficient ground clearance
is available. To drive down curbs, select
the "Sport" program of the EDC Electronic
Damping Control, refer to page76, to keep the
ground clearance as uniform as possible.
Otherwise the vehicle may be damaged.<
Cargo loading
To avoid loading the tires beyond their
approved carrying capacity, never over-
load the vehicle. 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 blow-out.<
Everything from A to Z
216 Footbrake, refer to Braking
safely106
Footwell lamps86
Forward, fast
– CD changer149
– CD player149
For your own safety5
Freeway, refer to Route
criteria122
Front airbags78
Front armrest, refer to Center
armrest, front95
Front passenger airbags,
deactivating79
Front seat adjustment40
"FTM"77
FTM, refer to Flat Tire
Monitor76
Fuel175
– capacity204
– display63
– high-quality brands175
– quality175
– specifications175
Fuel clock, refer to Fuel
gauge63
Fuel consumption display,
refer to Computer, average
fuel consumption64
Fuel display, refer to Fuel
gauge63
Fuel filler door174
– releasing in the event of
electrical malfunction174
Fuses195
G
Garage door opener, refer to
Integrated universal remote
control93
Gasoline, refer to Required
fuel175
Gasoline display, refer to Fuel
gauge63
Gear changes56
Gear display, refer to Displays
in instrument cluster56
General driving notes104Glass sunroof, electric38
– auto-remote operation from
outside32
– comfort operation with
comfort access36
– moving manually39
– remote control30
Glove compartment95
– lighting95
– rechargeable flashlight95
GPS navigation, refer to
Navigation system112
Grills, refer to Ventilation90
Gross vehicle weight, refer to
Weights204
Ground clearance106
H
Handbrake55
– indicator lamp13,55
Hand lamp, refer to
Rechargeable flashlight95
Hands-free system, refer to
Microphone14
Hazard warning flashers15
HD, refer to High Definition
Radio140
Head airbags78
Headlamp control,
automatic83
Headlamp flasher59
Headlamps83
– care, refer to Caring for your
vehicle brochure
– cleaning, refer to Wiper
system60
Head Light, refer to Adaptive
Head Light84
Head restraints43
– front head restraints,
active43
– sitting safely40
"Head-Up Display"48,80,82
Head-Up Display80
– default view81
– M view80
– shift lights58Heated
– mirrors46
– rear window89
– seats45
Heating
– exterior mirrors46
– interior87
– rear window89
– residual heat90
– seats45
Heating with engine switched
off, refer to Residual heat90
Heavy cargo, refer to Securing
cargo108
Height, refer to
Dimensions203
Height adjustment
– seats41
– steering wheel47
High-beam assistant84
High beams84
– headlamp flasher84
– indicator lamp13
High Definition Radio140
High water, refer to Driving
through water105
Hills106
Holder for cups
96
"Home address" for
navigation system122
Homepage4
Hood181
Horn10
Hot exhaust system104
"Hour memo"71
"House number" for desti-
nation entry116
Hydraulic brake assistant,
refer to DBC Dynamic Brake
Control74
Hydroplaning105
I
IBOC, refer to High Definition
Radio140
Ice, refer to Outside
temperature63
