BMW serie 3 sedan 2000 Manual Do Utilizador

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Antilock Brake System (ABS)
The concept 
ABS enhances active safety by helping 
to prevent the wheels from locking un-
der braking. This is because locked 
wheels are dangerous. When the front 
wheels slide, the driver loses steering 
control over the vehicle. Traction loss at 
the rear wheels can cause the rear end 
to break into an uncontrolled skid.
ABS is designed to meet two essential 
requirements during every brake appli-
cation:
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To help provide vehicle stability
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To help maintain steering control and 
maneuverability – on all types of road 
surfaces (asphalt, concrete, mud, wet, 
snow, ice).
The system can achieve the shortest 
braking distances possible under most 
conditions (on straight-aways and in 
curves, on asphalt, ice, wet road sur-
faces, etc.).
Braking with ABS
The system becomes operative once 
the vehicle exceeds a speed of approx. 
6 mph (10 km/h). Below approx. 3 mph 
(6 km/h), it is once again deactivated. 
This means that the wheels can lock in 
the final phase of a panic stop – a factor 
of no significance in actual use.
If you are in a situation that requires full 
braking, you will exploit the full benefits 
of the ABS system if you apply maxi-
mum brake pressure ("panic stop"). 
Since the vehicle maintains steering re-
sponsiveness, you can avoid possible 
obstacles with a minimum of steering 
effort, despite the full brake application.
The ABS system closed-loop control 
circuit cycles in fractions of a second. 
A pulsation at the brake pedal indicates 
to the driver that ABS is active, that is, 
that the vehicle is within its maximum 
braking range. In addition, a pulsation – 
a result of the control function cycles – 
indicates to the driver that vehicle 
speed should be reduced to adapt to 
road surface conditions when there is 
reduced traction and grip between tires 
and road surface (slippery road sur-
face).
On road surfaces that have a loose sur-
face layer on a firm base with good 
traction (on gravel or snow, for exam-
ple), or when snow chains are mounted, 
braking distances may be longer than 
with locked wheels. However, ABS 
continues to provide enhanced vehicle 
stability and steering response under 
these conditions.
Information for your safety
Not even ABS can suspend the laws of 
physics. ABS cannot prevent the con-
sequences of brake applications with 
inadequate clearances for safety be-
tween vehicles, when exceeding the 
speed limit in curves, or the risks in-
volved when aquaplaning occurs. Re-
sponsibility for these types of situations 
remains in the hands (and at the feet) of 
the driver. You should never allow the 
added safety of ABS to lull you into a 
false sense of security, or mislead you 
into taking increased risks that could af-
fect your own safety and that of others.
Do not make any modifications to 
the ABS system.
Service procedures on ABS are to be 
performed by authorized technicians 
only.
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Online Edition for Part No. 01 41 0 155 024 - © 07/99 BMW AG