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EnglishOperation, care and maintenance -> Disc brakes for your BMW 7 Series 2001-2007
130nAntilock Brake System (ABS)
Disc brakes
Disc brakes furnish optimum decelera-
tion and braking control and greater
fade resistance under heavy use.
Information for your safety
In the event of a fault
Not even ABS can suspend the laws of
physics. ABS alone cannot prevent
accidents when the brakes are applied
without an adequate safety distance
between vehicles, if the vehicle is
If the ABS warning lamp in the
instrument cluster comes on, re-
fer to page 21. The brake sys-
When the vehicle is driven only occa-
tem then reverts to conventional sionally, during extended periods when
operation as on vehicles without the vehicle is not used at all, and in op-
driven with excessive speed, or if aqua-
ABS. However, have the brake
erating conditions where brake applica-
tions are less frequent, there is an in-
creased tendency for corrosion of the
rotors and accumulation of contamina-
planing occurs. Responsibility for these system checked by your BMW center
types of situations remains in the hands as soon as possible. To prevent unde-
(and at the feet) of the driver. You
tected defects and cumulative faults
should never allow the added safety of from adversely affecting the brake sys- tion on the brake pads. This occurs be-
ABS to lull you into a false sense of
security, or mislead you into taking
increased risks that could affect your
own safety and that of others.
tem, refer any problems to your autho-
rized BMW center at the earliest oppor- be exerted by the pads to clean the ro-
cause the minimal pressure which must
tunity.
tors by brake applications is not
reached.
If the brake rotors are corroded, they
will tend to respond to braking with a
pulsating effect which even extended
application will fail to cure.
Do not make any modifications to
the ABS system.
Service procedures on ABS are to be
performed by authorized technicians
only.<
For your own safety: Use only
brake pads that BMW has ap-
proved for your particular vehicle
model. BMW cannot evaluate non-ap-
proved brake pads to determine if they
are suited for use, and therefore cannot
ensure the operating safety of the vehi-
cle if they are installed.<
Online Edition for Part No. 01 41 0 004 597 - © 08/99 BMW Group
Disc brakes
131n
Should engine braking prove inade-
quate, you should still avoid extended,
continuous braking. Instead of main-
taining low to moderate pressure over
an extended period of time, you should
decelerate the vehicle by applying more
substantial force on the pedal (watch
for following traffic!) and then pausing
before repeating the application. This
staggered braking technique allows the
brakes to cool in the intervals between
active braking phases, preventing over-
heating and ensuring that full braking
capacity remains available at all times.
Driving notes
Dynamic Brake Control (DBC)*
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. Watch traffic conditions to
ensure that this maneuver does not en-
danger other road users. The heat gen-
erated in this braking process helps dry
the brake pads and rotors.
If you apply the brakes rapidly, this sys-
tem automatically produces the maxi-
mum braking force boost and thus
helps to achieve the shortest possible
braking distance during "panic stops."
All of the benefits of the ABS system
are exploited under these circum-
stances.
Maximum braking force is obtained
while the wheels continue to rotate,
peaking when the wheels remain on the
verge of locking without actually doing
so. ABS maintains this state automati-
cally. If the ABS fails, you should revert
to the staggered braking technique
(refer to page 133).
Do not reduce the pressure on the
brake pedal for the duration of the
brake application. When the brake
pedal is released, the DBC is deacti-
vated.
In the event of a malfunction,
the warning lamp comes on with
a yellow light. Conventional
braking efficiency is available
without limitations.
Do not coast with the transmission
selector lever in neutral. Do not
drive with the engine shut off. The en-
gine provides no braking effect when
the transmission is in neutral, and there
is no power-assist for braking or steer-
ing when the engine is shut off.
Extended or steep mountain descents
do not necessarily have to lead to re-
duced braking efficiency; downshift to a
gear in which only minimal periodic
brake applications are required – move
the selector lever to the appropriate
lower range.
Have the system checked and
repaired at your BMW center as soon
as possible.
Never allow floor mats, carpets or any
other objects to protrude into the area
around the accelerator and brake ped-
als and obstruct their movement.<
For "Information for your safety"
covering the ABS system, refer to
page 129. This information also gener-
ally applies for DBC.<
You can continue to increase the brak-
ing effect of the engine by selecting a
lower gear – you can select transmis-
sion ranges as low as position 2 for ex-
treme conditions.
Online Edition for Part No. 01 41 0 004 597 - © 08/99 BMW Group
