Braking
When driving, do not keep your foot on the brake pedal. Even a slight, but prolonged impact on the pedal can result in heating of the brakes, their wear, and possibly failure of the entire system.
Aquaplaning
When driving on roads covered with water or wet mud, slow down as a wedge of water may form between the tire and the ground. This condition, known as hydroplaning, can result in partial or complete loss of contact with the road surface, loss of vehicle control and braking ability.
Puddles on the road
If you have to drive through puddles, then their depth should not exceed 30 cm. At such a depth, you should drive at walking speed, otherwise damage to the engine, electrical equipment and gearbox is possible.
Shelf behind the rear seat
Heavy or hard objects must not be placed on the shelf, as they could injure people in the vehicle during braking maneuvers.
Clothes hooks
Clothes on hooks should be hung so that they do not block the view for the driver. To avoid injury during sudden braking, do not hang heavy objects on these hooks.
Features of driving a car in winter
Starting off
When starting off, if the vehicle is parked in deep snow, or when leaving "swinging" it is recommended to disable the ASC+T/DSC* system, refer to Section Auto Stability Control with Engine Torque Control ASC+T/ Dynamic Stability Control DSC.
Driving on ice
As you operate the accelerator pedal, try to feel the reaction of the car. Also avoid high-speed modes and shift to higher gears in a timely manner. When driving downhill or on slopes, shift to lower gears in a timely manner. Maintain a safe distance from the vehicle in front.
Braking
The road conditions in winter are such that the adhesion of tires to the road surface is significantly reduced. In any situation, the driver must take into account the significant increase in braking distance resulting from this.
When braking, ABS prevents the wheels from locking, so that the car maintains controllability and stability.
If, in the event of an ABS failure, the wheels still lock up, then, without stopping braking, ease the pressure on the pedal just enough to resume rolling of the wheels.
Then increase the force on the pedal, from the moment of blocking the wheels, reduce it again, then increase it again, etc.
This intermittent braking shortens the braking distance, while at the same time maintaining vehicle control.
Therefore, you can always still try to avoid a dangerous place after easing the effect on the pedal.
On slippery roads, do not downshift to slow the vehicle, as this may cause the rear wheels to slip and, as a result, to lose control of the vehicle.
When braking hard on slippery roads or when the road surface is unevenly slippery, you should always depress the clutch pedal.
Skid
Squeeze out the clutch and release the gas or move the AT selector lever to position N. Using the steering wheel, try to level the car and return it to control.
Parking
Engage first gear or reverse gear, or move the AT selector lever to position P. Depending on the slope of the road, apply the parking brake. To prevent the parking brake pads from sticking to the drums due to frost or corrosion, the brake must first be dried by slightly tightening it at low speed until the car comes to a complete stop. At the same time, do not interfere with other road users following behind you.
When the parking brake is applied, the brake lights do not light up.
Trailer towing
Driving with a trailer places high demands on both the towing vehicle and the driver.
The trailer limits maneuverability, climbing ability, acceleration and braking capabilities, affecting the dynamic properties and handling of the car.
For information on the permissible towing weight and the permissible load on the drawbar, please refer to the Specifications. The permissible mass of the towed load is also indicated in the vehicle's passport. You can inquire about the possibility of increasing it at any BMW workshop.
Drawbar*
The optimum chassis design of your vehicle guarantees high driving safety and comfort as well as a sporty driving style.
If a trailer hitch is fitted at the factory, the vehicle is equipped with a reinforced rear axle suspension* which compensates for the weight of the trailer hitch and optimizes driving dynamics when driving without a trailer.
If the vehicle is retrofitted with a trailer tow hitch*, it must be BMW approved. And its installation must be technically competently carried out at a company service station. It is also recommended to retrofit the car with a reinforced suspension.
Other suspension systems offered for free sale in the auto parts trade are not BMW approved.
The ball head tow hitch should be maintained in accordance with the manufacturer's accompanying instructions to ensure quick assembly and disassembly.
The installation of a towing device limits the effectiveness of the rear bumper system, which absorbs the energy of collisions at low speeds due to elastic deformations.
Stabilizers are recommended especially when towing a heavy trailer. This can be done at any BMW workshop.
Drawbar socket cover*
Withdrawal
1. Grasp the notch at the bottom of the slot cover and pull it back.
2. Before removing and installing the ball head, read the attached instructions.
Installation
Insert the cover into the guide and then press it down.
Permissible load on drawbar support
This refers to the load with which the trailer drawbar presses on the ball head of the tow hitch. It can be determined, for example, by floor household scales.
According to the rules in force in Germany, this value should be at least 25 kg.
The allowable value must not be exceeded (refer to Specifications), but its maximum use is desirable.
The mass with which the trailer drawbar presses on its support affects the behavior of the car. Therefore, when driving with a trailer, the permissible total weight of the vehicle and the load on the road from its rear axle must not be exceeded. The load capacity is partially reduced due to the subtraction of the mass of the towing device from it, and when driving with a trailer, also the mass with which the trailer drawbar presses on its support. The permissible total weight of the vehicle and trailer must not be exceeded.
Loading
Trailer loading should be carried out in such a way that the load is placed as low as possible and as close as possible to the axis of the bridge.
Lowering the center of gravity of the trailer significantly improves the safety of the vehicle with the trailer.
Do not exceed the total trailer weight and the permissible tow load. The smaller value is decisive.
When buying a trailer, it is recommended to request from the seller a guarantee confirmation by the manufacturer of its actual weight and load capacity.
Uphill movement
Gradeability (measured at sea level) limited to 12% for safety reasons and to avoid interfering with the traffic flow, and with an increased mass of towed cargo (in permitted cases) - 8%.
We know from experience that as altitude increases, engine power decreases. When driving on mountain roads, in particular, one should be aware of the deterioration in the ability to start on an incline, and therefore it is necessary to abandon the full use of the permissible weight limits of the vehicle itself and the trailer.
Downhill driving
The slopes require special attention. At the entrance to them, it is necessary to switch to a lower gear, if necessary, up to the first (when equipped with AT, the selector lever is moved to position 2), then move downhill at low speed.
Max Speed
The maximum speed limit for trailers on German roads is 80 km/h. The permissible masses of the towed load are determined in such a way that normal trajectory stability is ensured at this speed. Even if higher speeds are allowed in other countries, you should still not drive faster for safety reasons.
The wobbling of the trailer can only be eliminated by immediate braking.
Tire pressure
The air pressure in the tires of the car and trailer should be a matter of special attention. For a trailer, the norms established by its manufacturer are decisive.
Rear view mirrors
If, when driving with a trailer, the field of view through the standard exterior rear-view mirrors is insufficient, the regulations require the installation of two mirrors instead of them, through which the driver can see the trailer up to the rear edge of each side. Such mirrors, incl. with adjustable brackets, you can purchase from a BMW workshop.
Electrical equipment
When transporting a caravan, you should take into account the increased energy consumption. Therefore, taking into account the limited capacity of the battery, the inclusion of current consumers should be short.
Be sure to check the operation of the rear lights of the trailer before leaving.