The compensation tank with brake fluid is located in the engine compartment on the left under the fine air filter and supplies the entire brake system with fluid.
The brake booster is powered by an air vacuum that is created in the intake system in gasoline engines. Thanks to the presence of a corresponding valve, the braking force generated by the brake pedal is increased if necessary with the help of a vacuum. Because for diesel engines, the vacuum in the intake system is negligible, then the vacuum for the brake booster is created by a vacuum pump flanged to the cylinder head.
All disc brakes are equipped with a caliper with a so-called floating caliper. This means that in each caliper, when braking, the brake linings are pressed against the brake disc by only one piston.
Brake calipers are made of light alloy. As a result, the brakes are particularly light and provide good heat dissipation, which prevents so-called Fading, i.e. reducing their effectiveness.
Ahead left and rear right are installed on the sensor, which transmit signals to the brake pad wear indicator.
Parking brake (hand brake) has a cable drive and acts on the rear wheels. Since the disc brake mechanism is not quite suitable as a parking brake, there are 2 additional shoe brakes on the rear wheels, which are combined with the brake discs. These shoe brakes are actuated by the hand brake lever only.
Cleaning the brakes raises brake dust, which can cause health hazards. Therefore, when cleaning the brake system, care must be taken to ensure that this dust is not inhaled.
Brake linings are subject to an operating permit - ABE (Allgemeinen Betriebserlaubnis), in addition, they are designed by the factory for the corresponding car model. For this reason, we recommend that you only use brake linings from BMW or those approved by the Federal Motor Transport Authority - KVA (Kraftfahrtbunde-samt). These brake linings have the appropriate KVA approval number.
Work on the brake system requires extreme cleanliness and well-cooked working methods. If the necessary work experience is not available, work on the brakes must be carried out in a specialized workshop. Take used old brake fluid to a special waste collection point, do not throw it out or throw it away with household waste. The administration of cities and districts should inform about where the nearest collection point is located.
Note: On roads that are very wet from rain, it is necessary to apply braking from time to time during the trip in order to free the brake discs from deposits. Due to centrifugal forces, water is discharged from the brake discs, but a thin silicone film, rubber wear products, grease and other contaminants remain, which reduce the effectiveness of the brakes.