Get Operation, maintenance -> Antilock Brake System (ABS) Guide for BMW Z3 SUV First Generation (1995-2002)

Antilock Brake System (ABS)

101n

The ABS closed-loop control circuit

cycles in fractions of a second. The

The concept

Braking with ABS

The Antilock Brake System (ABS) keeps The system is operative once the

the wheels from locking during braking, vehicle exceeds a speed of approx.

thereby enhancing active driving safety. 6 mph (10 km/h). It is inactive once

pulsation at the brake pedal, together

with sounds generated by the hydraulic

control system, indicate to you that the

vehicle is approaching its maximum

braking range. It is a reminder to you

that you must adapt the vehicle's road

speed to existing road conditions.

The reason: locked wheels are

again below approx. 4 mph (6 km/h).

Therefore, the wheels could theoreti-

cally tend to lock in the final phase of a

braking action, but this is insignificant in

actual practice.

dangerous. When the front wheels

slide, the driver loses steering control

over the vehicle. Traction loss at the

rear wheels can cause the rear end to

break into an uncontrolled skid.

On road surfaces that have a loose

surface layer on a firm base with good

traction (on gravel, deep sand or snow,

for example), braking distances may be

longer than with locked wheels. This

also applies for driving with snow

chains. However, ABS continues to

provide enhanced vehicle stability and

steering response under these condi-

tions.

If you are in a situation which requires

full braking, you will exploit the full

braking distances possible under most benefits of the ABS system if you apply

The system can achieve the shortest

conditions (on straight-aways or in

curves, on the various road surfaces).

maximum brake pressure ("panic stop").

Since the vehicle maintains steering

responsiveness, you can avoid possible

obstacles with a minimum of steering

effort, despite the full brake application.

ABS is designed to meet two essential

requirements during every brake appli-

cation:

> To help provide vehicle stability

> Assured ability to steer and maneuver

on the various road surfaces (asphalt,

concrete, dirt, wet conditions, snow

and ice).

¹⁰²ⁿAntilock Brake System (ABS)

The red warning lamp for the

brake hydraulic system comes

on together with the yellow indi-

cator lamps for ABS, ASC+T/

DSC and ADB/DBC (refer to

Information for your safety

In the event of a fault

Not even ABS can suspend the laws

of physics. ABS alone cannot prevent

accidents if the brakes are applied

without an adequate, safe distance

between vehicles or if the speed limit

has been exceeded. Nor can it prevent

the hazards of aquaplaning. Responsi-

bility for these types of situations

The ABS warning lamp comes

on, refer to page 21. The brake

system then reverts to conven-

tional operation as on vehicles

page 21), the entire ABS, CBC,

ASC+T/DSC and ADB/DBC

control system has failed.

without ABS. However, have the

brake system checked by your

BMW center as soon as possible. To

prevent undetected defects and cumu-

Continue to drive cautiously and

defensively. Avoid full brake applica-

tions because the vehicle could

become unstable and go out of control.

Have the system checked by your BMW

center as soon as possible.

remains in the hands (and at the feet) of lative faults from adversely affecting the

the driver. You should never allow the

added safety of 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.

brake system, refer any problems to

your BMW center at the earliest oppor-

tunity.

Warning lamps for Canadian

models.

Do not make any modifications to

the ABS system.

Service procedures on ABS are to be

performed by authorized technicians

only.<

Antilock Brake System (ABS)/

Cornering Brake Control (CBC)

CBC is an advanced engineering

design of the ABS. When braking while

cornering at high speed or braking

during high lateral acceleration, or

when braking during a lane change,

vehicle stability is improved and

steering response is enhanced.

Operation, maintenance -> Antilock Brake System (ABS) for Your BMW Z3 SUV First Generation (1995-2002)

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