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Disc brakes
Disc brakes furnish optimum decelera-
tion and braking control and greater
fade resistance under heavy use.
Infrequent driving, extended periods
when the vehicle is parked, and driving
conditions in which brake applications
are less frequent all promote an in-
crease in corrosion of the brake rotors
and contamination of the brake pads.
This occurs because the minimal appli-
cation force that is required to clean the
rotors is not reached between the pads
and rotors.
If the brake rotors are corroded, they
will tend to respond to braking with a
pulsating effect which even extended
application cannot correct.
For your own safety: Use only
brake linings that BMW has re-
leased for your particular vehicle model.
BMW cannot evaluate non-approved
brake pads to determine if they are
suited for use, and therefore cannot en-
sure the operating safety of the vehicle
if they are installed.<
Driving notes
While driving on wet roads or in heavy
rain, it is a good idea to apply light
pressure to the brake pedal every few
miles or kilometers. Watch traffic condi-
tions to ensure that this maneuver does
not endanger other road users. The
heat which is generated by the brake
applications helps to dry the brake ro-
tors and pads.
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 de-
scribed on page 114.
Extended or steep mountain descents
do not necessarily lead to an impair-
ment in braking efficiency if you drive
downhill in the gear that requires the
least braking.
The engine's braking effectiveness can
be increased even more by progres-
sively shifting down – clear into first
gear, if necessary.
If engine braking should prove to be
inadequate, you should still avoid ex-
tended, continuous braking. Instead of
maintaining low to moderate pressure
over an extended period of time, you
should decelerate the vehicle by apply-
ing more substantial force on the pedal
(watch for following traffic). Pause be-
fore repeating the brake application.
This staggered braking technique allows
the brakes to cool in the intervals be-
tween active braking phases. This pre-
vents overheating and ensures that full
braking capacity remains available at all
times.
Do not coast with the clutch de-
pressed, with the shift lever in
neutral or with the engine shut off. The
engine does not provide any braking
effect with the transmission in neutral or
with the engine shut off.
Never allow floor mats, carpets or any
other objects to protrude into the area
around the accelerator, clutch and
brake pedals and obstruct their move-
ment.<
Online Edition Part-No. 01 41 0 155 062 - © 07/99 BMW AG