BMW Z3 COUPE 2002, Owner'S Manual

Page: 103 / 187

103 n
Index
Data
Te
chnolog
y
Repairs
Maintenance
Controls
Overview
ABS Disc brakes
Dynamic Brake Control (DBC)*
DBC is included in the DSC, refer to
information beginning on page
74 .
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.
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.
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.
Please observe the section "Infor-
mation for your safety" concerning
the ABS system, which also applies to
the DSC system.
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Disc brakes furnish optimum decelera-
tion and braking control and greater
fade resistance under heavy use.
When the vehicle is driven only occa-
sionally, during extended periods when
the vehicle is not used at all, or in oper-
ating conditions where brake applica-
tions are less frequent, there is an
increased tendency for corrosion of the
rotors and accumulation of contamina-
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.
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.
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.
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Driving notes
While driving in wet conditions and in
heavy rain, it is advisable to apply light
pressure to the brake pedal every few
miles – watch 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.
Maximum braking force is obtained
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 .
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
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 .