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EnglishOperation, care and maintenance -> Winter operation for your BMW 5 Series 1995-2003
Winter operation
125n
The onset of winter is often accompa-
nied by rapid changes in weather.
Adaptations in driving style should be
accompanied by preparations on the
vehicle itself to ensure that your
progress through the winter remains
safe and trouble-free.
Rubber seals and components
Starting off
Treat the rubber parts and weather-
stripping on the doors, hood and
luggage compartment lid with BMW
When starting from a full stop in deep
snow or for "rocking" the vehicle to free
it, we recommend that you deactivate
rubber treatment or BMW Silicon Spray the DSC system. Refer to page 86.
to prevent them from freezing.
Driving on low-traction road
surfaces
A full range of car care products is
available from your BMW center.<
Coolant
Use smooth, gentle pressure to control
the accelerator pedal. Avoid excessive
engine speeds and shift to the next
higher gear at an early point. Adapt
Be sure that the coolant mixture
contains the year-round ratio of 50 :50
water and antifreeze/corrosion protec-
tion. This mixture provides protection
against freeze-ups down to approx.
- 34 7 (- 37 6). Replace the coolant
every three years.
Snow chains
Mount BMW snow chains* on winter
tires only. Always mount snow chains in your speed and driving style when
pairs and on the rear wheels only. Read approaching grades or slopes.
and comply with the chain manufac-
Maintain an adequate distance
turer's safety precautions. Do not
between yourself and the vehicle
exceed a maximum speed of 30 mph
ahead.
Locks
(50 km/h). To achieve maximum trac-
tion, we recommend that you deacti-
free locks if they are frozen. This deicer vate the DSC system when snow
BMW door lock deicer can be used to
also contains lubricant.
chains have been mounted. Refer to
page 86.
After using the deicer, treatment with
BMW lock cylinder grease is recom-
mended.
126nWinter operation
Do not shift down on slick road
surfaces. Doing so could cause
the rear wheels to lose traction and
skid, resulting in the loss of vehicle
control.<
Brakes
Parking
Winter road conditions substantially
reduce the amount of traction available
between the tires and the road surface.
The resulting increases in braking
distance are considerable and should
be kept in mind at all times.
Engage either 1st or reverse gear.
Apply the parking brake whenever you
park on inclined surfaces. In order to
prevent the parking brake linings from
locking due to frost or corrosion, dry
them by gently applying the parking
brake as the vehicle is coming to a
stop. Make sure that following traffic
is not endangered.
Depress the clutch during hard
braking on road surfaces that
provide only poor or uneven traction.<
ABS is intended to prevent the wheels
from locking during brake applications,
thus helping to maintain vehicle stability
and steering response.
Skid control
Depress the clutch and release the
accelerator pedal. Countersteer care-
fully and attempt to regain control of the applied.<
The brake lamps do not light
up when the parking brake is
If the ABS system does not respond for
any reason and the wheels lock: reduce
the pressure on the brake pedal until
the wheels just start to roll again while
still maintaining enough force to
continue braking. Following that,
increase pedal pressure again. Reduce
the pressure as the wheels lock, then
reapply pressure. Repeat this braking
method as necessary.
vehicle.
This type of staggered braking will
reduce the braking distance, and the
vehicle still remains responsive to
steering.
You can then attempt to steer around
hazards after you have reduced pres-
sure on the brake pedal.
