Operation, maintenance -> Disc brakes for Your BMW Z3 SUV First Generation (1995-2002)

ABS  
Disc brakes  
103n  
Disc brakes furnish optimum decelera-  
tion and braking control and greater  
fade resistance under heavy use.  
Dynamic Brake Control (DBC)*  
Driving notes  
DBC is included in the DSC, refer to  
information beginning on page 74.  
While driving in wet conditions and in  
heavy rain, it is advisable to apply light  
pressure to the brake pedal every few  
When the vehicle is driven only occa-  
sionally, during extended periods when miles – watch traffic conditions to  
the vehicle is not used at all, or in oper- ensure that this maneuver does not  
If you step on the brake rapidly, this  
system automatically produces  
maximum braking force boost and thus  
helps to achieve the shortest possible  
braking distance during "panic stops".  
All of the benefits of the ABS system  
are exploited under these circum-  
stances.  
ating conditions where brake applica-  
tions are less frequent, there is an  
endanger other road users. The heat  
generated in this process helps dry the  
increased tendency for corrosion of the pads and rotors.  
rotors and accumulation of contamina-  
Maximum braking force is obtained  
tion on the brake pads. This occurs  
because the minimal pressure which  
must be exerted by the pads to clean  
the rotors by brake applications is not  
reached.  
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  
described on page 106.  
Do not reduce the pressure on the  
brake pedal for the duration of the  
brake application. When the brake  
pedal is released, the DBC is deacti-  
vated.  
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.  
In the event of a malfunction,  
the brake warning lamp lights up  
yellow. Normal braking effi-  
ciency is still fully available.  
Have the system checked and  
repaired at your BMW center as  
soon as possible.  
Extended or steep mountain descents  
should be driven in the gear in which  
only minimal periodic brake application  
is required. This avoids excessive strain  
on the brakes and possible  
For your own safety: use only  
brake pads that BMW has  
approved for your specific vehicle  
model. BMW cannot evaluate non-  
approved brake pads to determine if  
they are suited for use, and therefore  
cannot ensure the operating safety of  
the vehicle in the event of their use.<  
impairment of the braking effect.  
You can increase the engine's braking  
effect by selecting progressively lower  
gears, downshifting into first gear, if  
necessary. You can also downshift into  
first gear if you are using the manual  
mode in a vehicle with automatic trans-  
mission, refer to page 63.  
Please observe the section "Infor-  
mation for your safety" concerning  
the ABS system, which also applies to  
the DSC system.<