Get Operation, care and maintenance -> Antilock Brake System (ABS) Guide for BMW 7 Series 4 Door Fourth Generation (2001-2007)

Antilock Brake System (ABS)

129n

On road surfaces that have a loose

The concept

Braking with ABS

surface layer on a firm base with good

traction (on gravel or snow, for in-

stance), braking distances may be

longer than with locked wheels. This is

also true if snow chains are mounted.

However, ABS continues to provide

enhanced vehicle stability and steering

response under these conditions.

ABS enhances active safety by helping The system becomes operative once

to prevent the wheels from locking dur- the vehicle exceeds a speed of approx.

ing brake applications. The reason:

Locked wheels are dangerous. When

the front wheels slide, the driver loses

steering control over the vehicle. Trac-

tion loss at the rear wheels can cause

the rear end to break into an uncon-

trolled skid.

6 mph (10 km/h). The ABS is deactivated

whenever the vehicle's speed drops

back below approx. 4 mph (6 km/h). This

means that the wheels can lock in the ﬁ-

nal phase of a panic stop – a factor of no

signiﬁcance in actual use.

If you are in a situation that requires full

braking, you will exploit the full beneﬁts

of the ABS system if you apply maximum

brake pressure ("panic stop"). Since the

vehicle maintains steering responsive-

ness, you can avoid possible obstacles

with a minimum of steering effort, de-

spite the full brake application.

With ABS, you will achieve the shortest-

possible braking distances under all

given conditions (braking while driving

straight ahead or in curves, different

road surfaces).

ABS is designed to meet two essential

requirements during every brake appli-

cation:

The ABS system's closed-loop control

circuit cycles in fractions of a second.

A pulsation at the brake pedal, together

with the sounds associated with the

hydraulic controls, tells you that the

brake system is within its maximum

limit range and reminds you that you

should adapt road speed to the road

conditions.

> To help provide vehicle stability

> To help maintain steering control and

maneuverability – on all types of road

surfaces (asphalt, concrete, mud, wet

pavement, snow, ice).

Online Edition for Part No. 01 41 0 004 597 - © 08/99 BMW Group

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.<

Operation, care and maintenance -> Antilock Brake System (ABS) for Your BMW 7 Series 4 Door Fourth Generation (2001-2007)

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