Driving stability control systems, Stability, Technology for driving comfort and safety – BMW M3 Sedan 2009 User Manual

Page 78

Technology for driving comfort and safety

Driving stability control

systems

Your BMW has a number of systems that help
to maintain the vehicle's stability even in
adverse driving conditions.

Antilock Brake System ABS

ABS prevents locking of the wheels during
braking. Safe steering response is maintained
even during full braking. Active safety is thus
increased.
The ABS is operational every time you start the
engine. Braking safely, refer to page

107

Electronic brake-force distribution

The system controls the brake pressure in the
rear wheels to ensure stable braking behavior.

Brake assist

When you apply the brakes rapidly, this system
automatically produces the maximum braking
force boost and thus helps to achieve the short-
est possible braking distance during full brak-
ing. This system exploits all of the benefits pro-
vided by ABS.
Do not reduce the pressure on the brake for the
duration of the full braking application.

Dynamic Stability Control DSC

DSC optimizes driving stability and traction. In
addition, the system recognizes unstable driv-
ing situations such as understeering and over-
steering, and helps keep the vehicle on a safe
course within physical limits by reducing engine
power and applying the brakes on individual
wheels.

The laws of physics cannot be repealed,
even with DSC. An appropriate driving

style always remains the responsibility of the
driver. Therefore, do not reduce the additional
safety margin again by taking risks, as this could
result in an accident.

M Dynamic Mode MDM*

M Dynamic Mode is a mode of the Dynamic
Stability Control DSC that permits greater lon-

gitudinal and lateral acceleration when driving
on dry surfaces, yet with reduced driving stabil-
ity. Only at the absolute limit of stability does
the system intervene to stabilize the vehicle by
reducing engine power and applying the brakes
on the wheels. In such situations, additional
corrective steering maneuvers may be neces-
sary.
M Dynamic Mode is switched off every time the
engine is restarted.

When the M Dynamic Mode is on, stabi-
lizing measures are performed to a limited

degree only. Take action yourself, otherwise
there is a risk of an accident.

To maintain vehicle stability, drive with
the DSC activated and the

M Dynamic Mode deactivated whenever possi-
ble.

Activating MDM

Press the button on the steering wheel, refer
to MDrive

on page

. The MDM indicator

lamp in the instrument cluster lights up if you
previously selected the M Dynamic Mode MDM
in MDrive.
When the ignition is on, you can set the
M Dynamic Mode via MDrive on the Control
Display.
iDrive, for operating principle refer to page

"Settings"

"MDrive"

"DSC:"

Select "M Dynamic Mode".

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