2010 BMW X3 Owner's Manual - Page 87

Hills To prevent overheating and reduced efficiency of the brake system, drive long or steep downhill grades in the gear in which the least braking is required. Otherwise, even light but continuous pressure on the brake can lead to high temperatures, brake wear and possibly even brake failure.< The braking action of the engine can be further intensified by downshifting, all the way down to first gear if need be. This strategy helps you avoid placing excessive loads on the brake system. Downshifting in manual mode of automatic transmission, refer to page 41. When descending hills slowly, use HDC Hill Descent Control, refer to page 52. Never drive with the clutch depressed, with the transmission in neutral, or with the engine switched off; otherwise, you will have neither the braking action of the engine or nor its power assistance to the brakes or steering. Never allow floor mats, carpeting, or other articles to protrude into the area around the brake or accelerator pedals and obstruct their movement.< Cargo loading To avoid loading the tires beyond their approved carrying capacity, never overload the vehicle. Overloading can lead to overheating of the tire and increases the rate at which damage develops inside the tires. The ultimate result can assume the form of a sudden blowout.< Make sure that no fluids leak in the cargo area; as otherwise the vehicle could be damaged.< At a glance Reference Mobility Driving tips Controls 1. Locate the following statement on your vehicle's placard*: The combined weight of occupants and cargo should never exceed XXX lbs. or YYY kg. Otherwise, the vehicle may be damaged and unstable driving conditions may result.< 2. Determine the combined weight of the driver and passengers that will be riding in your vehicle. 3. Subtract the combined weight of the driver and passengers from XXX lbs. or YYY kg. 4. The resulting figure equals the available amount of cargo and luggage load capacity. For example, if the XXX amount equals 990 lbs. and there will be five 150-lb. passengers in your vehicle, the amount of available cargo and luggage load capacity is 240 lbs.: 990 lbs. minus 750 lbs. = 240 lbs. 5. Determine the combined weight of luggage and cargo being loaded into and/or onto the vehicle. This combined weight may not 85 Online Edition for Part no. 01 41 2 602 348 - © 02/09 BMW AG Determining load limit Corrosion on brake rotors When the vehicle is driven only occasionally, during extended parking periods, and in operating conditions where brake applications are less frequent, there is an increased tendency for corrosion to form on rotors, while contaminants accumulate on the brake pads. This occurs because the minimal pressure which must be exerted by the pads during brake applications to clean the rotors is not reached. Should corrosion form on the brake rotors, the brakes will tend to respond with a pulsating effect that even extended application will fail to cure. Brake pads The warning lamp lights up. The brake pads have reached their minimum pad thickness. Have brake pads replaced immediately.