brake sensor BMW X3 3.0SI 2007 E83 Owner's Manual

Technology for comfort, convenience and safety
50
Malfunction
The LED in the button flashes and a short con-
tinuous tone sounds. PDC is malfunctioning.
Switch off PDC. Have the system checked.
To prevent this problem, keep the sensors
clean and free of ice or snow in order to ensure
that they will continue to operate effectively.
When using high-pressure washers, do not
spray sensors for long periods and keep the
sprayer at least 4 in/10 cm away from the sen-
sors.
System limits
Even with PDC, final responsibility for
estimating the distance between the
vehicle and any obstructions always remains
with the driver. Even when sensors are involved,
there is a blind spot in which objects cannot be
detected. The system is also subject to the
physical limits that apply to all forms of ultra-
sonic measurement, such as those encoun-
tered with tow bars and trailer couplings, or thin
and wedge-shaped objects. Low objects
already displayed, e.g. curb edges, can come
into the blind spot of the sensors before or after
a continuous tone sounds. The system may fail
to detect higher obstacles such as projections
from walls.
Loud sources of sound, inside and outside the
vehicle, could drown out the PDC signal tone.<
Driving stability control
systems
Your BMW is equipped with an extended array
of systems designed to enhance and maintain
vehicle stability even under unfavorable driving
conditions.
ABS Antilock Brake System
ABS prevents the wheels from locking during
braking. Safe steering response is maintained
even during full braking. This results in an
increase in the active safety.
ABS is operational every time you start the
engine. Safe braking, refer to page81.
Electronic brake-force distribution
The system controls the brake pressure in the
rear wheels to ensure a stable braking behavior.
Brake assistant
When the brake pedal is depressed quickly, this
system automatically generates a maximum
braking force distribution and thus helps keep
the braking distance to a minimum during full
braking. This system exploits all of the benefits
provided by ABS.
As long as you want full braking to continue, do
not reduce pressure on the brake.
DSC Dynamic Stability Control
DSC prevents slip at the drive wheels when
starting off and accelerating. The system also
detects unstable driving conditions, such as a
fishtailing of the vehicle's rear end or the sliding
of the vehicle on its front wheels. In these cir-
cumstances, DSC helps keep the vehicle on a
safe path, within physical limits, by reducing
engine output and by applying the brakes in
individual wheels.
The laws of physics cannot be repealed,
even with DSC. An appropriate driving
style always remains the responsibility of the
driver. Do not squander the additional margin of
safety by driving dangerously; otherwise, you
run the risk of causing an accident.<
Deactivating DSC
Maintain pressure on the button until the DSC
indicator lamp lights up, but do not press for
longer than approx. 10 seconds. DTC Dynamic
Traction Control and DSC are deactivated

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
81
2.Greatly increase the air supply of the air
conditioning system or automatic climate
control, refer to page62 or65.
Hot exhaust system
High temperatures occur in the exhaust
system of every vehicle. Do not remove
the heat shields installed adjacent to various
sections of the exhaust system, and never apply
undercoating to them. When driving, standing
at idle, and parking, take care to avoid possible
contact between the hot exhaust system and
any highly flammable materials such as hay,
leaves, grass, etc. Such contact could lead to
a fire, resulting in serious personal injury and
property damage. Do not touch hot exhaust
pipe, it can cause burns.<
Mobile communications devices in
vehicle
BMW does not recommend using mobile
communications devices, e.g. mobile
phones, on the interior of the vehicle without a
direct connection to an outside antenna. Other-
wise, the vehicle electronics and mobile com-
munications device can affect each other. In
addition, there is no assurance that the radia-
tion which results during transmission will be
dissipated from the vehicle interior.<
When the vehicle is parked
Condensation forms in the air conditioner/auto-
matic climate control system during operation,
and then exits under the vehicle. Traces of con-
densed water under the vehicle are therefore
normal.
Before driving into a car wash
Fold in the exterior mirrors, refer to page32;
otherwise, they could be damaged due to the
width of the vehicle.
Deactivate the rain sensor; otherwise, damage
could result from undesired wiper activation,
refer to page41.
Hydroplaning
When driving on wet or slushy roads,
reduce road speed. If you do not, a wedge
of water can form between tires and road sur-
face. This phenomenon is referred to as hydro-
planing, and is characterized by a partial or
complete loss of contact between tires and
road surface, ultimately undermining your abil-
ity to steer and brake the vehicle.<
The danger of hydroplaning increases as tire
tread depth decreases, also refer to Minimum
tread depth on page94.
Driving through water
Do not drive through water on the road if it
is deeper than 20 in/50 cm, and then only
at walking speed. Otherwise, the vehicle's
engine, the electrical systems, and the trans-
mission may be damaged.<
Using handbrake on inclines
Do not hold the vehicle in place on slopes
by slipping or riding the clutch, use the
handbrake instead. Otherwise, greater clutch
wear will result.<
Safe braking
Your BMW is equipped with ABS as standard
equipment. In situations in which it is required, it
is best to apply the brakes fully. Since the vehi-
cle maintains steering responsiveness, you can
nevertheless avoid possible obstacles with a
minimum of steering effort.
Pulsation at the brake pedal combined with
sounds from the hydraulic circuits indicates to
the driver that ABS is in its active mode.
Wet roads
On wet roads or in heavy rain, briefly 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 that is generated by the brake applica-
tions helps to dry the brake pads and rotors.
The full braking force will then be available
when you need it.

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
131
Precious wood, refer to Caring
for your vehicle brochure
Pressure, tires90
Pressure monitoring,
tires53,54
Programming settings, refer
to Vehicle Memory, Key
Memory18
Puncture, Flat Tire Monitor53
R
Radiator, refer to Coolant101
Radio, refer to Owner's
Manual for Radio/Onboard
Computer
Radio-control key, refer to
Master key with remote
control18
Radio navigation, refer to
separate Owner's Manual
Rain sensor41
Range, setting units47
Reading lamps
– front60
– rear60
Rear armrest, refer to Armrest,
rear71
Rear backrests, folding74
Rear lamps, refer to Tail
lamps107
Rear lamps and reflector, refer
to Tail lamps107
Rear parcel shelf, refer to
Cargo area cover75
Rear seat back, folding74
Rearview mirrors, exterior32
Rear window defroster
– air conditioner62
– automatic climate control66
Rear window safety switch23
Rear window wiper42
– wiper blade
replacement104
Rechargeable flashlight71
Recirculated-air mode
– air conditioner62
– automatic climate control66Refueling88
Remaining distance, refer to
Cruising range48
Remaining distance until
service46
Remote control19
– garage-door opener67
– liftgate20
– malfunction20
Removing condensation,
windows
– air conditioner62
– automatic climate control65
Replacement fuses112
Replacing bulbs, refer to
Lamps and bulbs104
Replacing tires
– new wheels and tires94
– wheel changes108
Replacing windshield
wipers104
Reporting an accident, refer to
Initiating an emergency
call113
Reporting safety defects7
Required oil grades, refer to
Approved engine oils100
Reserve indicator lamp, refer
to Fuel gauge45
Restraint systems
– for children34
– refer to Safety belts31
Reverse gear
– automatic transmission with
Steptronic40
– manual transmission39
Roadside Assistance, refer to
Receiving assistance113
Roadside parking lamps59
Roller cover for cargo area,
refer to Cargo area cover75
Roof load capacity, refer to
Weights122
Roof-mounted luggage
rack84
Rope, refer to Tow starting
and towing115Rotating coin holder, refer to
Storage compartments71
Run-flat indicator, refer to Flat
Tire Monitor53
S
Safety belts31
– safe sitting position27
– warning lamp31
Safety belt tensioners, refer to
Safety belts31
Safety defects7
Safety feature, window23
Safety systems, refer to
– ABS Antilock Brake
System50
– Airbags56
– DSC Dynamic Stability
Control50
– xDrive51
Screw thread for tow
fitting115
Seat heating30
Seat memory, refer to Seat
and mirror memory30
Seats
– adjusting electrically28
– adjusting sports seat29
– heating30
– memory, refer to Seat and
mirror memory30
– sitting safely27
– storing the setting30
Securing, vehicle, with the
remote control19
Securing cargo, refer to Cargo
loading82
Selector lever
– automatic transmission39
– automatic transmission with
Steptronic39
Selector lever interlock, refer
to Shiftlock39
Selector-lever positions,
automatic transmission39
Service, refer to Receiving
assistance113