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EnglishDRIVING TIPS -> Things to remember when driving for your BMW 7 Series 2015-2021
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 and functions 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 sys‐
tems. When using these functions and systems,
the applicable laws and regulations must be ob‐
served.
▷ 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
Tires
General information
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.
Moving parts need to begin working together
smoothly.
The following instructions will help you to ach‐
ieve a long vehicle life and good efficiency.
Drive conservatively for the first
200 miles/300 km.
During break-in, do not use the Launch Control,
refer to page 148.
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.
Safety information
Warning
Due to new parts and components, safety and
driver assistance systems can react with a de‐
lay. There is a risk of accident. After installing
new parts or with a new vehicle, drive conser‐
vatively and intervene early if necessary. Ob‐
serve the break-in procedures of the respective
parts and components.
Following part replacement
Observe the break-in procedures again, if com‐
ponents mentioned above are replaced.
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Climate comfort windshield
General driving notes
Closing the trunk lid
Safety information
Warning
An open trunk lid protrudes from the vehicle
and can endanger occupants and other traffic
participants or damage the vehicle in the event
of an accident, braking or evasive maneuvers.
In addition, exhaust fumes may enter the car's
interior. There is a risk of injury or risk of dam‐
age to property. Do not drive with the trunk lid
open.
The marked area is not covered with heat reflec‐
tive coating.
Use the marked area for garage door openers,
devices for electronic toll collection, payment
systems, etc.
Climate comfort laminated safety
glass
The vehicle glass provides full protection against
the harmful effects of UV radiation on the skin.
Driving with the trunk lid open
If driving with the tailgate open cannot be
avoided:
▷ Close all windows and the glass sunroof.
▷ Greatly increase the air flow from the vents.
▷ Drive moderately.
Mobile communication devices
in the vehicle
Hot exhaust gas system
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
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.
Hydroplaning
On wet or slushy roads, a wedge of water can
form between the tires and road surface.
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,
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Things to remember when driving
DRIVING TIPS
ultimately undermining your ability to steer and
brake the vehicle.
Objects in the area around the
pedals
Driving through water
Warning
Objects in the driver's floor area can limit the
pedal distance or block a depressed pedal.
There is a risk of accident. Stow objects in the
vehicle such that they are secured and cannot
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 clearance for
the pedals. Ensure that the floor mats are se‐
curely fastened again after they were removed,
for instance for cleaning.
General information
When driving through water, follow the following:
▷ Drive through calm water only.
▷ Drive through water only if it is not deeper
than maximum 9.8 inches/25 cm.
▷ Drive through water no faster than walking
speed, up to 3 mph/5 km/h.
Safety information
NOTICE
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‐
mum indicated water level and the maximum
speed for driving through water.
Driving in wet conditions
When roads are wet, salted, or in heavy rain, gen‐
tly press the brake pedal every few miles.
Ensure that this action does not endanger other
traffic.
The heat generated during braking dries brake
discs and brake pads and protects them against
corrosion.
Braking safely
In this way braking efficiency will be available
when you need it.
General information
The vehicle is equipped with the Antilock Brake
System ABS as a standard feature.
Hills
Perform an emergency stop in situations that re‐
quire such.
General information
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.
Pulsation of the brake pedal and sounds from the
hydraulic circuits indicate that the Antilock Brake
System ABS is in its active mode.
You can increase the engine's braking effect by
shifting down, going all the way to first gear, if
needed.
In certain braking situations, the perforated brake
discs can emit functional noises. However, func‐
tional noises have no effect on the performance
and operational reliability of the brake.
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Safety information
Warning
Flag bracket
Safety information
Light but consistent brake pressure can lead to
high temperatures, brakes wearing out and
possibly even brake failure. There is a risk of
accident. Avoid placing excessive stress on the
brake system.
NOTICE
At high speeds, a mounted flag can cause
damage to the vehicle, the flag bracket, and the
flag itself. There is a risk of damage to property.
Do not exceed a speed of 80 mph / 130 km/h.
Remove flag before trips at high speeds.
Warning
In idle state or with the engine switched off,
safety functions, for instance engine braking ef‐
fect, braking assistance and steering assis‐
tance, may not be available. There is a risk of
accident. Do not attempt to drive in idle state or
with the engine switched off.
Overview
Brake disc corrosion
Corrosion on the brake discs and contamination
on the brake pads are increased by the following
circumstances:
The flag bracket is located on the side of the ve‐
hicle.
▷ Low mileage.
▷ Extended periods when the vehicle is not
used at all.
Mounting
▷ Infrequent use of the brakes.
1. Remove the protective cap.
▷ Aggressive, acidic, or alkaline cleaning
agents.
2. Insert flag horizontally.
3. Turn the flag clockwise by 90° to lock the
flag.
Corrosion buildup on the brake discs will cause a
pulsating effect on the brakes in their response -
generally this cannot be corrected.
M Driver's Package: driving in
the higher speed range
Condensation water under the
parked vehicle
When using the automatic climate control, con‐
densation water develops and collects under‐
neath the vehicle.
Warning
Damage to vehicle components can negatively
impact the driving performance at high speeds.
This includes, among other things, tires, under‐
carriage and parts for improving aerodynamics.
There is a risk of accident. Have damage cor‐
rected by a dealer’s service center or another
qualified service center or repair shop. Do not
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Things to remember when driving
DRIVING TIPS
drive at high speeds until the damage is cor‐
rected.
Loading
Because roof-mounted luggage racks raise the
vehicle's center of gravity when loaded, they
have a major effect on vehicle handling and
steering response.
Roof-mounted luggage
rack
Therefore, note the following when loading and
driving:
▷ Do not exceed the approved roof/axle loads
and the approved gross vehicle weight.
General information
Installation only possible in roof drip rail with
flaps. Further information is available from a deal‐
er's service center or another qualified service
center or repair shop.
▷ Be sure that adequate clearance is main‐
tained for tilting and opening the glass sun‐
roof.
▷ Distribute the roof load uniformly.
Roof racks are available as special accessories.
▷ The roof load should not extend past the
loading area.
Roof drip rail with flaps
▷ Always place the heaviest pieces on the bot‐
tom.
▷ Secure the roof luggage firmly, for instance
using ratchet straps.
▷ Do not let objects project into the opening
path of the trunk lid.
▷ Drive cautiously and avoid sudden accelera‐
tion and braking maneuvers. Take corners
gently.
The fixing points are located in the roof drip rail
above the doors.
Driving on racetracks
Fold the cover outward.
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.
Mounting
Follow the installation instructions of the roof
rack.
Be sure that adequate clearance is maintained
for tilting and opening the glass sunroof.
Magnetic roof-mounted luggage
racks
Because of the aluminum roof, magnetic roof-
mounted luggage racks cannot be used.
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