BMW 645Ci Coupe 2005 - Manual (Page 110)

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Mobile communication devices in
vehicle
BMW advises against using mobile com-
munication devices, e.g. portable phones,
inside the vehicle without a direct connection to
an external antenna. Otherwise, the vehicle
electronics and mobile communication device
can influence one another. In addition, there is
no assurance that the radiation emitted during
transmission will be conveyed out of the vehicle
interior.
<
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 the tires and
the road surface, ultimately undermining your
ability to steer and brake the vehicle.
<
The risk of hydroplaning increases as the tread
depth of the tires decreases, also refer to Mini-
mum tire tread on page
171 .
Driving through water
Do not drive through water on the road if it
is deeper than 1 ft/30 cm, and then only at
walking speed at the most. Otherwise, the vehi-
cle's engine, the electrical systems and the
transmission may be damaged.
<
Using handbrake on inclines.
On inclines, do not hold the vehicle with
the clutch; use the handbrake. Otherwise
greater clutch wear will result. <
SMG Sequential manual transmission
Start off quickly on slopes. Do not hold
the vehicle on a hill by applying the throt-
tle, but engage the handbrake instead. Other-
wise overheating can occur in the transmission
region.
<
Braking safely
Your BMW is equipped with ABS as standard. In
situations that require it, it is best to brake with
full force. Since the vehicle maintains steering
responsiveness, you can still avoid possible
obstacles with a minimum of steering effort.
Pulsation at the brake pedal combines with
sounds from the hydraulic circuits to indicate to
the driver that ABS is in its active mode.
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 driving on wet roads or in heavy rain,
briefly brake with light pedal pressure at inter-
vals of a 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 thus reduced
efficiency of the brake system, downshift
to a gear in which only minimal brake applica-
tions are needed when descending long or
steep downhill stretches. Even light but consis-
tent pedal pressure can lead to high tempera-
tures, brake wear and possibly even brake fail-
ure.
<
You can further enhance the engine's braking
effect by selecting a lower gear in the automatic
transmission's manual mode, downshifting as
far as first gear on extremely steep stretches,
refer to page
58 . This strategy helps you avoid
placing excessive loads on the brake system.
Never drive with the clutch pressed
or allow the vehicle to coast with the
transmission in Neutral – or with the engine
switched off – there is no engine braking when
the transmission is in Neutral, and no power
assist for brakes and steering when the engine
is not running.
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