2008 BMW Z4 M Series Owner's Manual - Page 78
2008 BMW Z4 M Series Manual
Page 78 highlights
Things to remember when driving pletely lose contact with the road surface, so that neither the car can be steered nor the brake be properly applied.< The risk of hydroplaning increases with declining tread depth on the tires, refer also to Minimum tread depth on page 87. Inclines To prevent overheating and, as a result, diminished braking effectiveness, drive down long or steep downhill grades in the gear that requires the least braking. Otherwise, even light but consistent pedal pressure can lead to high temperatures, brake wear and possibly even brake failure.< You can increase the engine's braking effect by shifting down, all the way to first gear if necessary. This strategy helps you avoid placing excessive loads on the brake system. Downshifting in manual mode of the automatic transmission, refer to page 43. Never drive with the clutch held down, with the transmission in idle or with the engine switched off; otherwise, engine braking action will not be present or there will be no power assistance to the brakes or steering. Never allow floor mats, carpets or any other objects to protrude into the area around the pedals, otherwise pedal function could be impaired.< Driving through water Drive through water on the road only if it is not deeper than 1 ft/30 cm, and then only at walking speed at the most. Otherwise, the vehicle's engine, the electrical systems and the transmission may be damaged.< Moisture inside the vehicle Make sure that the passenger compartment does not become wet and that liquids are transported in closed containers. Otherwise, moisture could penetrate and damage electronic components inside the vehicle.< Use the parking brake on inclines On inclines, keep the vehicle from rolling by using the parking brake rather than by slipping the clutch, which would lead to a high degree of clutch wear.< Corrosion on brake rotors Limited vehicle use, extended periods with the vehicle parked or in storage, and operating conditions in which braking is restricted to gentle, low-pressure applications will all increase the tendency for corrosion to form on the rotors and contamination to accumulate 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. 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. Braking safely Your BMW is equipped with ABS as a standard feature. Applying the brakes fully is the most effective way of braking in situations in which this is necessary. Since the vehicle maintains steering responsiveness, you can still avoid possible obstacles with a minimum of steering effort. Pulsation at the brake pedal combines with sounds from the hydraulic circuits to indicate to the driver that ABS is in its active mode. Wet roads When roads are wet or there is heavy rain, briefly exert gentle pressure on the brake pedal every few miles. Watch traffic conditions to ensure that this maneuver does not endanger other road users. The resulting heat dries the brake rotors and brake pads. Immediate braking force is then available if necessary. 76 Brake pads The warning lamp lights up. The brake pads have worn down to the minimum safe limit. Have the brake pads replaced as soon as possible. Online Edition for Part no. 01 41 0 014 500 - © 08/07 BMW AG