BMW 3 E36 owners manual page 105

text version of content this owner's manual page from owners manual to the vehicle BMW 3 E36, year of production 1990 - 2000:

104 Disc brakes Disc brakes furnish optimum decelera- Driving notes Should engine braking prove inade- tion and braking control as well as While driving in wet conditions and in quate, you should still avoid extended, greater fade resistance under heavy heavy rain, it is a good idea to apply continuous braking. Instead of main- use. light pressure to the brake pedal every taining low to moderate pressure over Limited vehicle use, extended periods few miles - Watch traffic conditions to an extended period of time, you should with the car parked or in storage and ensure that this maneuver does not decelerate the vehicle by applying more light loading will increase the tendency endanger other road users. The heat substantial force at the pedal (watch for for corrosion to form on the rotors, and generated in this braking process helps following traffic!) and then pausing dirt to accumulate on the pads. This dry the brake pads and rotors. before repeating the application. This happens because the minimum pres- Maximum braking force is obtained staggered braking technique allows the sure between the pad and the disc while the wheels continue to rotate, brakes to cool in the intervals between required for the self-cleaning function peaking when the wheels remain on the active braking phases, preventing over- of the disc brakes is not achieved. verge of locking without actually doing heating and ensuring that full braking If the brake rotors are corroded, they so. ABS maintains this state automati- capacity remains available at all times. will tend to respond to braking with a cally. If the ABS fails, you should revert pulsating effect which even extended to the staggered braking technique aDo not allow the vehicle to coast by application will fail to cure. described above (refer to page 106). pressing down the clutch pedal or shift- Extended or steep mountain descents ing into neutral while underway. Never aUse only original BMW-approved do not necessarily have to lead to drive with the engine switched brake pads, as otherwise vehicle autho- reduced braking efficiency; downshift off (!). The engine provides no braking rization is no longer valid.c to a gear in which only minimal periodic effect when the clutch is disengaged or brake applications are required (you the transmission is in neutral, and there can move the selector lever to the is no power-assist for brakes and steer- appropriate lower range if your car is ing when the engine is not running. equipped with an automatic transmis- Never allow floor mats, carpets or other sion). objects to protrude into the area around You can further increase the engine's the accelerator, clutch and brake pedals braking effect by selecting a lower gear, and obstruct their movement.c downshifting as far as first gear or plac- ing the selector lever in position 1 (2). Online Edition for Part No. 01 41 9 790 377 - © 07/98 BMW AG

owners manual BMW 3 E36

owners manual BMW 3 E36 - year of production: 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000 - BMW 3 E36 owners manual EN