Get Advanced technology -> Comfort: Active seat / Rain sensor Guide for BMW M5 4 Door Third Generation (1998-2003)

Radio reception

BMW active seat*

177n

ceptible, resulting in an improved flow

Although numerous factors combine to

impose inherent limitations on the

of blood to the vertebral discs and the

muscles in the area of the spinal

column. Vehicle occupants can experi-

ence less muscle cramping, back pain

in the spine's lumbar region and

fatigue. The active seat thus provides a

significant contribution to your driving

comfort and safety.

reception quality available from mobile

radios, specially designed systems can

be employed to minimize their effects:

The "Radio Data System" (RDS) makes

sure that, for broadcast stations

sending on several frequencies, the

radio automatically tunes to the

frequency with the best reception

quality.

The Diversity Antenna system employs

several FM antennas integrated within

the rear window. An integral processor

automatically selects the antenna with

the best FM reception quality at any

given time. The selection of the antenna

takes place within milliseconds, and

is therefore not noticed by the radio

listener.

BMW seats are configured for your

orthopedic well-being. The active seat

is an engineering enhancement of

BMW's seats, designed to ensure less

fatigue during extended trips while

sitting with little movement. The seat is

no longer a passive element between

the road, the running gear and the

passenger. Instead, it creates minor

and imperceptible shifts in your weight

by an active change in the contour of

the seat surface. The basic seat posi-

tion is not changed as this occurs.

Fluid cushions are located below the

surface of the seat in the seat's uphol-

stery on the left and right. The fluid is

circulated slowly back and forth

between the two cushions by means of

a pump. This causes a movement of the

spinal column which is virtually imper-

¹⁷⁸ⁿDynamic Stability Control (DSC)

Safety belt tensioner

Highly sensors monitor the number of

revolutions of the wheels, the steering

angle, lateral acceleration, brake pres-

sure and the movement of the vehicle

around its vertical axis.

You may need some time to become

accustomed to this system intervention.

However, it provides optimum drive

force and vehicle stability.

The braking intervention is accompa-

nied by sounds specific to the system.

If differences in the wheel speeds

occur, the system counteracts the

danger of wheelspin by reducing engine

torque. If necessary, the system also

responds with additional braking inter-

vention at all four wheels.

In addition, DSC permanently monitors

the vehicle's current operating condi-

tion and compares it with an ideal

condition that is calculated from the

sensor's signals. If deviations from this

occur (understeering or oversteering,

for instance), DSC can stabilize the

vehicle in fractions of a second by

reducing engine output and with the

assistance of braking intervention at

individual wheels. As a result,

The safety belt tensioner responds to

severe frontal collisions by tightening

the belts to ensure that occupants

remain firmly positioned in their seats.

A gas-pressure system retracts the

buckle assembly to tension the

shoulder and lap belts within fractions

of a second. This reduces the tendency

to slide under the lap belt.

dangerous skids can be prevented even

as they are just beginning.

DSP sound system*

Mirrors with automatic dimmer

179n

The electronic control system operates

by comparing the respective levels of

luminous intensity in front of and behind

the car. The difference provides the

basic parameter used to modulate an

electrical current and induce chemical

changes in a semisolid layer incorpo-

rated in the lens.

The semisolid reacts chemically to this

electrical current, thus providing infi-

nitely-variable dimming of the mirror

(electrochromic technology).

As a result, it is no longer necessary

to dim the mirror manually, and the

driver can maintain full concentration

on traffic.

The DSP Professional premium sound

system features a special amplifier

combined with Digital Sound

The interior and exterior mirrors with

automatic dimming feature reduce the

glare from following traffic by adapting

the intensity of the reflected images to

correspond to levels of light registered

by the unit's sensors. The mirrors revert

Processing (DSP) and integrated

speakers to surround you with crisp,

true-to-life sound reproduction. The

speaker system's subwoofers, woofers, to their undimmed setting as soon as

midrange speakers and tweeters

the light source disappears.

furnish you with an impressively full-

bodied listening experience. The loud-

speakers are oriented in such a manner

that they produce the aural sensation

that you would experience facing the

stage in a concert hall. The system also

automatically adjusts the bass and

treble settings to compensate for

One sensor is mounted on the front

of the interior mirror housing and is

designed to monitor light levels in the

area immediately forward of the vehicle.

A second sensor is integrated within

the mirror's glass.

changes in volume and vehicle speed.

¹⁸⁰ⁿIntegrated rearsuspension

Rain sensor*

When the "Intermittent" wiper speed

position is selected, the wiper reacts

immediately if water is splashed onto

the windshield from vehicles traveling

ahead, for example. As a result, the

rain sensor provides a contribution to

driving safety and comfort.

The control arms on the patented inte-

The rain sensor controls windshield

grated aluminum rear axle assembly are wiper operation, depending on how wet

not mounted directly on the body. They the windshield is.

are mounted elastically on a chassis

Infrared light is carried along the surface

sub-frame which is joined in turn with

of the windshield in an optical

elasticity to the vehicle body. The

conductor in such a manner that it is

resulting double elastic suspension

reflected completely when the wind-

system effectively absorbs the forces

shield is dry. The quantity of reflected

resulting from bumps and road surface

light is measured.

irregularities.

If there is moisture on the glass, the

The compliance rates of the integrated

rear axle assembly's control arm

mounts have been precisely calibrated

amount of light reflected is reduced

since the infrared light at the surface

of the windshield can escape. The

to help provide supplementary adjust-

quantity of reflected light is thus a

ment in the tracking angle of the rear

means of gauging the degree of

wheels (programmed self-steer effect).

wetness on the windshield.

The ultimate result is enhanced safety

and control under all conditions.

Advanced technology -> Comfort: Active seat / Rain sensor for Your BMW M5 4 Door Third Generation (1998-2003)

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