BMW 128I Owner'S Manual Download Page 120

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Things to remember when driving

118

with the road surface, so that neither the car can
be steered nor the brake be properly applied.

The risk of hydroplaning increases with declin-
ing tread depth on the tires, refer also to Mini-
mum tread depth on page

213

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.

Use the parking brake on inclines

On inclines, do not hold the vehicle for a
lengthy period using the clutch; use the

parking brake instead. Otherwise, greater
clutch wear will result.

For more information about the drive-off assis-
tant, refer to page

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 of the brake pedal, combined with
sounds from the hydraulic circuits, indicate that
ABS is in its active mode.

Objects in the movement range of the
pedals

Keep floor mats, carpet, and other objects
out of the movement range of the pedals;

otherwise, they may inhibit the function of the
pedals during driving.
Do not place additional floor mats onto an exist-
ing one or onto other objects.
Only use floor mats that have been approved for
the vehicle and can be appropriately fastened.
Make sure that the floor mats are securely fas-
tened again after they have been removed, e.g.
for cleaning.

Driving in wet conditions

When roads are wet or there is heavy rain,
briefly exert gentle pressure on the brake pedal
every few miles. Monitor traffic conditions to
ensure that this maneuver does not endanger
other road users. The heat generated in this
process helps dry the pads and rotors to ensure
that full braking efficiency will then be available
when you need it.

Hills

To prevent overheating and the resulting
reduced efficiency of the brake system,

drive long or steep downhill gradients in the
gear in which the least braking is required. Even
light but consistent brake 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 neces-
sary. This strategy helps you avoid placing
excessive loads on the brake system. Down-
shifting in manual mode of the automatic trans-
mission, refer to page

Sport automatic transmission with double
clutch never drive with the transmission in

neutral or with the engine switched off; other-
wise, there will be no engine braking action and
no power assistance to the brakes and steering.
Manual transmission: never drive with the
clutch held down, with the transmission in neu-
tral or with the engine switched off; otherwise,
there will be no engine braking action and no
power assistance to the brakes and steering.
Never allow floor mats, carpets or any other
objects to protrude into the area around the
pedals; otherwise, pedal function could be
impaired.

Corrosion on brake rotors

When the vehicle is driven only occasionally,
during extended periods when the vehicle is not
used at all, 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 minimum

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