Cargo loading, Things to remember when driving – BMW 325xi Sports Wagon 2006 User Manual

Page 100

Things to remember when driving

power assistance to the brakes or steering.
Never allow floor mats, carpets or any other
objects to protrude into the area around the
pedals, otherwise pedal function could be
impaired.

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 the vehicle is parked

Condensation forms while the automatic cli-
mate control is in operation, and then exits
under the vehicle. Traces of condensed water
under the vehicle are therefore normal.

Before driving into a car wash

For general information about taking care of
your BMW, refer to the Caring for your vehicle
brochure.

With convenient access and automatic
transmission

Insert the remote control into the ignition
switch.
The engine can be switched off when the selec-
tor lever is in position N. Refer also to page

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.

Determining loading limit

Locate the following statement on your
vehicle's placard

The combined weight of occupants
and cargo should never exceed

XXX kg or YYY lbs. Otherwise, overloading
can result in damage to the vehicle and
unstable driving conditions.

Determine the combined weight of the
driver and passengers that will be riding in
your vehicle.

Subtract the combined weight of the driver
and passengers from XXX kilograms or YYY
pounds.

The resulting figure equals the available
amount of cargo and luggage load capacity.
For example, if the YYY amount equals
1,400 lbs. and there will be five 150 lbs.
passengers in your vehicle, the amount of
available cargo and luggage load capacity is
650 lbs.:
1,400 lbs. minus 750 lbs. = 650 lbs.

Determine the combined weight of luggage
and cargo being loaded on the vehicle. That
weight may not safely exceed the available
cargo and luggage load capacity calculated
in step 4.

If your vehicle will be towing a trailer, part of
the load from your trailer will be transferred
to your vehicle. Consult the manual for
transporting a trailer to determine how this
may reduce the available cargo and luggage
load capacity of your vehicle.