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EnglishDRIVING TIPS -> Things to remember when driving for your BMW 4 Series 2013-2020
Things to remember when driving
DRIVING TIPS
Things to remember when driving
Engine, transmission, and axle
drive
Vehicle features and
options
Up to 1,200 miles/2,000 km
Do not exceed the maximum engine and road
speed:
This chapter describes all standard, country-spe‐
cific and optional features offered with the series.
It also describes features that are not necessarily
available in your vehicle, e. g., due to the selected
options or country versions. This also applies to
safety-related functions and systems. When us‐
ing these functions and systems, the applicable
laws and regulations must be observed.
▷ For gasoline engine 4,500 rpm and
100 mph/160 km/h.
Avoid full load or kickdown under all circumstan‐
ces.
From 1,200 miles/2,000 km
The engine and vehicle speed can gradually be
increased.
Breaking-in period
General information
Moving parts need to begin working together
smoothly.
Tires
Tire traction is not optimal due to manufacturing
circumstances when tires are brand-new; they
achieve their full traction potential after a break-in
time.
The following instructions will help you to ach‐
ieve a long vehicle life and good efficiency.
During break-in, do not use the Launch Control.
Drive conservatively for the first
200 miles/300 km.
Safety information
Brake system
Brake discs and brake pads only reach their full
effectiveness after approx. 300 miles/500 km.
Drive moderately during this break-in period.
WARNING
Due to new parts and components, safety and
driver assistance systems can react with a de‐
lay. There is a risk of an accident. After instal‐
ling new parts or with a new vehicle, drive con‐
servatively and intervene early if necessary.
Observe the break-in procedures of the re‐
spective parts and components.
Clutch
The function of the clutch reaches its optimal
level only after a distance driven of approx.
300 miles/500 km. During this break-in period,
engage the clutch gently.
Following part replacement
The same break-in procedures should be ob‐
served if any of the components above-men‐
tioned have to be renewed in the course of the
vehicle's operating life.
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Things to remember when driving
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Mobile communication devices
in the vehicle
General driving notes
Closing the tailgate
Safety information
WARNING
Vehicle electronics and mobile phones can in‐
fluence one another. There is radiation due to
the transmission operations of mobile phones.
There is a risk of injury or risk of damage to
property. If possible, in the car's interior use
only mobile phones with direct connections to
an exterior antenna in order to exclude mutual
interference and deflect the radiation from the
car's interior.
WARNING
An open tailgate protrudes from the vehicle and
can endanger occupants and other traffic par‐
ticipants or damage the vehicle in the event of
an accident, braking or evasive maneuvers. In
addition, exhaust fumes may enter the car's in‐
terior. There is a risk of injury or risk of damage
to property. Do not drive with the tailgate open.
Hydroplaning
On wet or slushy roads, a wedge of water can
form between the tires and road surface.
Driving with the tailgate open
If driving with the tailgate open cannot be
avoided:
This phenomenon is referred to as hydroplaning.
It is characterized by a partial or complete loss of
contact between the tires and the road surface,
ultimately undermining your ability to steer and
brake the vehicle.
▷ Close all windows and the glass sunroof.
▷ Greatly increase the air flow from the vents.
▷ Drive moderately.
Driving through water
Hot exhaust gas system
General information
When driving through water, follow the following:
WARNING
During driving operation, high temperatures can
occur underneath the vehicle body, for instance
caused by the exhaust gas system. If combusti‐
ble materials, such as leaves or grass, come in
contact with hot parts of the exhaust gas sys‐
tem, these materials can ignite. There is a risk
of injury or risk of damage to property. Do not
remove the heat shields installed and never ap‐
ply undercoating to them. Make sure that no
combustible materials can come in contact with
hot vehicle parts in driving operation, idle or
during parking. Do not touch the hot exhaust
gas system.
▷ Drive through calm water only.
▷ Drive through water only if it is not deeper
than maximum 9.8 in/25 cm.
▷ Drive through water no faster than walking
speed, up to 3 mph/5 km/h.
Safety information
NOTE
When driving too quickly through too deep wa‐
ter, water can enter into the engine compart‐
ment, the electrical system or the transmission.
There is a risk of damage to property. When
driving through water, do not exceed the maxi‐
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Things to remember when driving
DRIVING TIPS
mum indicated water level and the maximum
speed for driving through water.
The heat generated during braking dries brake
discs and brake pads and protects them against
corrosion.
In this way braking efficiency will be available
when you need it.
Braking safely
General information
The vehicle is equipped with ABS as a standard
feature.
Hills
General information
Perform an emergency stop in situations that re‐
quire such.
Drive long or steep downhill gradients in the gear
that requires least braking effort. Otherwise, the
brakes may overheat and reduce brake effi‐
ciency.
Steering is still responsive. You can still avoid any
obstacles with a minimum of steering effort.
You can increase the engine's braking effect by
shifting down, going all the way to first gear, if
needed.
Pulsation of the brake pedal and sounds from the
hydraulic circuits indicate that ABS is in its active
mode.
In certain braking situations, the perforated brake
discs can emit functional noises. Functional
noises have no effect on the performance and
operational reliability of the brake.
Safety information
WARNING
Light but consistent brake pressure can lead to
high temperatures, brakes wearing out and
possibly even brake failure. There is a risk of an
accident. Avoid placing excessive stress on the
brake system.
Objects in the movement area
around pedals and floor area
WARNING
Objects in the driver's floor area can limit the
pedal distance or block a depressed pedal.
There is a risk of an accident. Stow objects in
the vehicle such that they are secured and can‐
not enter into the driver's floor area. Use floor
mats that are suitable for the vehicle and can
be safely attached to the floor. Do not use
loose floor mats and do not layer several floor
mats. Make sure that there is sufficient clear‐
ance for the pedals. Ensure that the floor mats
are securely fastened again after they were re‐
moved, for instance for cleaning.
WARNING
In idle state or with the engine switched off,
safety-relevant functions, for instance engine
braking effect, braking force boost and steering
assistance, are restricted or not available at all.
There is a risk of an accident. Do not drive in
idle state or with the engine switched off.
Brake disc corrosion
Corrosion on the brake discs and contamination
on the brake pads are increased by the following
circumstances:
Driving in wet conditions
When roads are wet, salted, or in heavy rain, gen‐
tly press the brake pedal every few miles.
▷ Low mileage.
▷ Extended periods when the vehicle is not
used at all.
Ensure that this action does not endanger other
traffic.
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Things to remember when driving
DRIVING TIPS
▷ Infrequent use of the brakes.
▷ Aggressive, acidic, or alkaline cleaning
agents.
Corrosion buildup on the brake discs will cause a
pulsating effect on the brakes in their response -
generally this cannot be corrected.
Condensation water under the
parked vehicle
When using the automatic climate control, con‐
densation water develops and collects under‐
neath the vehicle.
Driving on racetracks
Higher mechanical and thermal loads during
racetrack operation lead to increased wear. This
wear is not covered by the warranty. The vehicle
is not designed for use in motor sports competi‐
tion.
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