Brake system (BMW 7 Series E38)

The braking system of the vehicles in question is equipped vacuum booster, which allows you to apply less force to the brake pedal to brake with a certain intensity than would be required without the booster. If the booster does not work (when the engine is not running or for another reason), the working brake system remains in good working order, but you will need to press the brake pedal with significantly more force, and the braking distance will increase.

When the engine is not running, each time you press the brake pedal, the additional braking force is reduced, so do not press the brake pedal without necessity when the brake booster is not working (for example, when keeping a car on a slippery road).

In the event of brake failure while driving, braking using the parking brake is permitted, but it should always be remembered that the braking distance in this case will be much longer than the braking distance when using the service brakes.

Using the parking brake while the vehicle is moving at normal speeds can cause you to lose control of the vehicle, so if you must use the parking brake to stop a moving vehicle, use extreme caution.

Do not keep your foot on the brake pedal while the vehicle is moving, as this will cause the brakes to heat up and wear out prematurely, and increase the braking distance. When driving on a slope, do not use the brakes for too long, instead use engine braking by downshifting. After driving in the rain, or after driving through water, dry the brakes by lightly pressing the brake pedal and holding it until the brake performance returns to normal.

Parking brake

Location of the drive pedal and parking brake release handleto set the parking brake, press the pedal; to release the parking brake, pull the handle towards you.

Do not use the transmission in gear instead of the parking brake. When parking, always set the parking brake and set the AT selector lever to the "P" position.

At stop on the rise park your car as close to the sidewalk or curb as possible and turn the wheels toward the center of the road so that if the car accidentally moves backwards, the front wheels will hit the curb.

At stop on the descent park your car as close to the sidewalk or curb as possible and turn the wheels toward the curb so that if the car accidentally moves backwards, the front wheels will rest against the curb.

Each time the engine is started, check the brake system K/L (see section Vehicle equipment, arrangement of instruments and controls) – when the parking brake is engaged, the K/L should light up, and after releasing it, the K/L should go out.

Anti-lock brake system (ABS)

The ABS system, when the vehicle speed exceeds 10 km/h, constantly monitors the rotation speed of the vehicle wheels and, when they lock, repeatedly modulates the hydraulic pressure in the brake system. Pressure regulation is carried out separately for each front wheel and for both rear wheels. Thanks to this scheme, braking of both rear wheels is equal and the stability of the vehicle does not deteriorate.

When braking in conditions that may lead to wheel locking, as well as during self-diagnosis of the system, you can hear clicks in the brake mechanisms, or feel pulsations in the brake pedal. The listed phenomena are a consequence of the normal operation of the ABS system and mean its activity. Do not change the pressure on the brake pedal, as this will prevent the ABS system from working with maximum efficiency.



The following should always be kept in mind precautionary measures:

• Even with ABS, the car cannot be stopped instantly - keep a safe distance;
• Always reduce speed when turning corners, as the ABS system cannot prevent an accident at high speeds;
• When braking on an uneven road using ABS, the braking distance may be longer than without ABS;
• Do not neglect general road safety rules.

Check the ABS light when starting the engine – it should light up for a few seconds and then go out. If the light does not go out, the ABS is faulty, but the working brake system may function normally.

When the vehicle speed drops below 6 km/h, ABS is switched off.