brakes BMW 545I SEDAN 2006 E60 User Guide

Things to remember when driving
126 Do not drive with your foot resting on the
brake pedal. Even light but consistent
pedal pressure can lead to high temperatures,
brake wear and possibly even brake failure.<
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 pressure on the brake pedal
can lead to high temperatures, brake wear and
possibly even brake failure.<
The braking effect of the engine can be further
increased by downshifting, if necessary all the
way down into first gear. This strategy helps
you avoid placing excessive loads on the brake
system. For information on downshifting in the
manual mode of the automatic transmission,
refer to page64.
Do not drive with the clutch depressed, in
idle or with the engine switched off, other-
wise there will be no engine braking action or
support of the braking force and steering.
Never allow floor mats, carpets or any other
objects to protrude into the area of movement
of the pedals and impair their operation.<
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
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.
When vehicle is parked
Condensation forms in the air conditioner sys-
tem during operation, and then exits under the
vehicle. Traces of condensed water under the
vehicle are therefore normal.
Before driving into a car wash
To prevent the exterior mirrors on this vehicle
from being damaged, always fold them in by
hand before entering an automatic car wash.
General information on the care and mainte-
nance of your BMW is contained in the Caring
for your vehicle brochure.
Rear window wiper*
The rear window wiper can be damaged in car
washes. Take appropriate protective measures;
ask the car wash operator if necessary.
With comfort access and automatic
transmission
Insert the remote control into the ignition lock.
The engine can be switched off in the selector
lever position N. Also refer to page40.
Cargo loading
To avoid loading the tires beyond their
approved carrying capacity, never over-
load the vehicle. Overloading can lead to over-
heating and increases the rate at which damage
develops inside the tires. The ultimate result
can assume the form of a sudden blow-out.<

Everything from A to Z
238 BMW Assist187
– enabling187
– services offered188
"BMW Contact"182
"BMW Contact
Numbers"182
BMW homepage4
BMW maintenance
system209
BMW Night Vision98
– activating99
– cleaning camera100
– cleaning camera, refer to
Wiper system66
– deactivating99
– making settings99
"BMW Service"189
"BMW Service settings"188
BMW website4
Bottle holder, refer to Cup
holders114
Brake Assistant, refer to DBC
Dynamic Brake Control86
Brake fluid207
– warning lamp207
Brake force display94
Brake lamps
– brake force display94
– replacing bulbs213
Brake pads208
– breaking-in124
Brake rotors126
Brakes
– ABS Antilock Brake
System86
– brake fluid207
– brake force display94
– brake pads208
– breaking-in124
– handbrake60
– warning lamps13
Brake system124,207
– brake fluid level207
– brake pads124,208
– breaking-in124
– disk brakes126
– warning lamp207Braking
– CBC Cornering Brake
Control86
– DBC Dynamic Brake
Control86
– electronic brake-force
distribution86
– refer to Braking safely125
Braking safely125
Breakdown assistance189
Breakdown services, refer to
Roadside Assistance220
Breaking-in the clutch124
Breaking-in the
differential124
Break-in period124
"Brightness"83
– with BMW Night Vision100
Brightness of Control
Display83
Button for starting engine58
Buttons on steering wheel11
C
California Proposition 65
Warning6
"Call"180
Call
– accepting179
– displaying accepted180
– ending179
– in absence180
– starting179
Calling
– from phone book179
– from Top 8 list180
– redialing180
– refer to telephone operating
instructions
Can holder, refer to Cup
holders114
Capacities230
Capacity
– of cargo area229
– of luggage
compartment229
Car battery, refer to Vehicle
battery217Car care, refer to Caring for
your vehicle brochure
Car-care products, refer to
Caring for your vehicle
brochure
"Car Data"76
Care210
– refer to Caring for your
vehicle brochure
Cargo
– refer to Loading126
– securing128
– securing with ski bag120
Cargo area
– capacity229
– emergency operation, refer
to Opening manually36
– increasing117
– opening/closing, refer to
Tailgate35
– opening from inside35
– opening from outside35
– opening with remote
control31
Cargo area cover, refer to Roll-
up cover
Caring for artificial leather,
refer to Caring for your
vehicle brochure
Caring for leather, refer to
Caring for your vehicle
brochure
Caring for light-alloy wheels,
refer to Caring for your
vehicle brochure
Caring for the carpet, refer to
Caring for your vehicle
brochure
Caring for the vehicle finish,
refer to Caring for your
vehicle brochure
Car key, refer to Keys/remote
control28
Car phone174
– installation location, refer to
Center armrest113
– refer to Mobile phone174
– refer to separate operating
instructions