Technical Lexicon

Contents
A to Z

Online Edition for Part No. 01 41 0 156 985 - 01/03 BMW AG

Congratulations on your choice of a BMW.
This booklet contains interesting background information on
equipment options for BMW cars.
We wish you many a safe and enjoyable journey,
BMW AG

Online Edition for Part No. 01 41 0 156 985 - 01/03 BMW AG

Contents
Notes 20 Four-wheel drive with Hill Descent
4 About this booklet Control HDC and Automatic
4 Status at time of printing Differential Brake ADB-X
21 Automatic transmission with
Features for your safety Steptronic
5 Adaptive brake light 22 Integral rear axle
6 Head airbags
6 Park Distance Control PDC For an enjoyable driving experience
23 Active cruise control
7 Tyre pressure control RDC
24 Active steering
7 Run-flat tyres
24 Electric power steering
Good vision for safe driving 25 Active seat
9 Xenon headlights 26 Automatic Hold
10 Headlight beam throw adjustment 27 Dynamic Drive
10 Automatic headlight control 27 Dynamic Stability Control DSC
11 Adaptive cornering lights 29 Electronic Damper Control EDC
12 Rain sensor
12 Mirrors, anti-glare For your comfort and convenience
31 Car Memory, Key Memory
Engineering features 31 Conditioned Based Service CBS
14 VALVETRONIC 32 Convenient access
15 High-revving naturally aspirated 33 iDrive
engine 34 Voice input system
17 V12 engine with direct injection,
fully variable valve gear and variable From A to Z
camshaft control 35 Index
17 Variable M limited-slip differential
19 Sequential M gearbox SMG II

2003 Bayerische Motoren Werke

Aktiengesellschaft
Munich, Germany
Not to be reproduced wholly or in part without
written permission from BMW AG, Munich.
Order No. 01 41 0 156 985
English II/2003
Printed in Germany
Printed on environmentally friendly paper
bleached without chlorine, suitable for recycling.

Online Edition for Part No. 01 41 0 156 985 - 01/03 BMW AG

Notes
About this booklet
This booklet contains information about
certain facets of BMW automotive engi-
neering.
When you ordered your BMW, you chose
various items of equipment. This booklet
explains the general engineering features
of BMW cars. We hope you will appreciate,
therefore, that the booklet may contain
descriptions of equipment specifications
that you have not ordered, or that may not
be available for your model.
For the sake of your own safety and the
safety of others, please read the Owner's
Handbook for the Vehicle. It will familiarise
you with all the details of your car.
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Online Edition for Part No. 01 41 0 156 985 - 01/03 BMW AG
Status at time of printing
The high safety and quality standards
of BMW vehicles are maintained by
unceasing development work on designs,
equipment and accessories. Because of
this, your car may differ from the informa-
tion supplied in this booklet. Nor can errors
and omissions be entirely ruled out.
You are therefore asked to appreciate that
no legal claims can be entertained on the
basis of the data, illustrations or descrip-
tions in this booklet.
Features for your safety
This chapter explains the engineering fea- The brake lights are changed accordingly
tures that contribute to your safety and that to either of two sizes:
of other road users.
The subjects it discusses are as follows:
> Adaptive brake light 5
> Head airbags 6
> Park Distance Control PDC 6
> Tyre pressure control RDC 7
> Run-flat tyres 7.

Adaptive brake light
Function
The adaptive brake light made its first
appearance as a feature of the BMW
7 Series. It enlarges the surface area of the
brake light as you increase the rate of
braking.
The increase in the size of the brake lights
tells the driver behind you that you are
braking sharply. He or she can:
> React more quickly
> Therefore avoid the danger of colliding
with your car or being involved in a
bumper-to-bumper collision with other
cars.
Technology
A control unit processes signals from the
speedometer and the anti-lock braking
system. The controller uses this informa-
tion to calculate the rate of deceleration
and thus the severity of the braking
manoeuvre.
> When you apply the brakes normally,
the brake lights in the rear clusters light
up along with the third brake light on the
rear shelf
> When you brake sharply or when the
ABS is in action, the tail lights in the lug-
gage-compartment lid light up along
with the brake lights. The tail lights
shine just as brightly as the brake lights,
so they increase the size of the signal
image projected by the brake lights.
Benefits
The larger signal image of the brake lights
conveys the information that drivers behind
you need to gauge the urgency of their own
braking manoeuvres and to react more
quickly. The adaptive brake light, therefore,
makes an important contribution towards
active road safety.

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Head airbags
Function
The special head-protection system with
Inflatable Tubular Structure is another of
the features first incorporated into the
BMW 7 Series. This safety system affords
effective protection to the head, a part of
the body which is particularly susceptible
to injury in the event of an accident.
The head airbag is a combination of the
tried-and-tested tubular airbag and a large
protective element resembling a sail.
Technology
The advanced head airbag incorporates
a large sail-like curtain that provides
optimum protection for occupants of dif-
ferent sizes in the event of a side impact.
The protective function is sustained for
seven seconds, long enough to absorb
impact forces even if the car rolls.
Park Distance Control PDC
Function
Park Distance Control PDC helps you
manoeuvre the car into and out of parking
spaces.
The audible signal issued by the PDC
system tells you how far you are from
obstacles in front of or behind the car. In a
car equipped with the iDrive interface, the
distances between the car and obstacles is
shown on the control display, see page 33.

Technology

The head airbag is mounted along the side

of the roof and consists of:
> The tubular airbag
> An envelope similar to a sail.
The sail is made of the same material as the
airbag and is secured to the roof frame at a
number of points.
In the event of a side impact, the crash sen- PDC measures distances on the same prin-
sors activate the head airbag, triggering it ciple as an echo-sounder.
by means of a gas generator. The influx of
Four ultrasonic sensors in the front bumper
gas inflates the tubular airbag, stretching it
and four in the rear transmit ultrasonic
right across the side window. The airbag
waves. These ultrasonic waves bounce off
stretches and stabilises the sail.
obstacles and the reflected echo is picked
up by the sensors.
Benefits
The PDC control unit measures the time
In the event of a side-on collision, the head
that elapses before the pulse reflected by
airbag absorbs the dangerous sideways
the obstacle is received. It uses this vari-
movement of the head, preventing it from
able to calculate the distance between the
striking the window and providing protec-
sensor and the obstacle.
tion against objects penetrating from out-
side.

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Once an obstacle has been located, PDC
activates the loudspeakers by means of
acoustic controllers in the car. The differ-
ences in the frequency of the acoustic sig-
nals indicate how far the car is clear of the
obstacle.
Benefits
Acoustic and possibly also visual warnings
of obstacles minimise the risk of collision
when you have to manoeuvre, even in tight
parking spaces.
Tyre pressure control RDC
Function
The tyre pressure control RDC regularly
monitors the tyre pressures of all four
wheels.
RDC employs sensors to monitor tyre pres-
sures both at a standstill and when the car
is being driven. If RDC registers a change
in tyre pressure an indicator light in the
instrument cluster lights up or, if appli-
cable, a check control message is issued.
Technology
There is an electronic unit behind the tyre
valve in each wheel. This electronic unit
contains:
> A pressure sensor
> A transmitter
> A battery as power supply.
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The pressure sensor measures the tyre
pressure at short intervals and transmits
this information by radio to the body. An
aerial in the body receives the signals from
the corresponding wheel. Central elec-
tronics analyse the signals from all four
wheels and report changes.
RDC's initial response to an irregularity is to
shorten the time between measurements.
In this way the system can ascertain
whether the irregularity is due to a transient
fluctuation in pressure or a lasting deviation
from the specified pressure. The system
reports lasting deviations as changes in
pressure.
Benefits
RDC monitors tyre pressures for you and
issues warnings if the pressure is not as
specified. Correct tyre pressures are an
important factor in driving stability, so RDC
enhances safety on the road.
Run-flat tyres
Function
Run-flat tyres comprise:
> The self-supporting tyre
> A specially shaped rim, which will also
accommodate conventional tyres
> The Run Flat Indicator, which monitors
the tyre pressures in the four wheels.
Depending on load, a car fitted with these
tyres can be driven for around 150 kilo-
metres (90 miles) at a speed of 80 km/h
(50 mph) even with the tyres fully deflated.
As the "Tyre puncture" warning is issued
after the tyre pressure has fallen by only
a few percent, in most instances you can
actually drive up to 1000 km (600 miles)
at a maximum speed of 80 km/h (50 mph)
and safely reach the next service station
without having to leave the car.
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Technology

The sidewalls of the tyres incorporate rein-

forcing strips of a temperature-resistant
rubber compound. Over a certain distance,
these strips prevent the deflated tyre from
flattening out and coming into contact with
the rim flange. The safety rims are more-
over of a special shape to keep a deflated
tyre firmly in place. You can continue your
journey, even with a flat tyre.
The tyre deflation monitor registers a loss
of pressure by comparing the speed of
rotation of the wheels: the rolling radius
decreases as a tyre deflates, and there is
a corresponding change in wheel speed.
The ABS sensors at the wheels can
measure this change to a fine degree of
precision. A loss in pressure is indicated by
means of a warning light in the instrument
cluster or by a check control message, as
applicable. An acoustic warning is also
issued. In a car equipped with the iDrive
interface, the warning appears on the con-
trol display, see page 33.

Benefits
If a tyre deflates, you can almost always
continue your journey in safety, without
stopping or changing the wheel.
Safety tyres maintained at the specified
temperatures offer the optimum road safety
and dynamics that you expect from a BMW.

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Good vision for safe driving
This chapter explains the engineering fea- headlights. However, the headlights are
tures that can help improve vision. bright enough for safe driving immediately
The subjects it discusses are as follows: after you switch them on.
> Xenon headlights 9 Vehicles equipped with xenon lights utilise
the advantages of xenon light for the high
> Headlight beam throw adjustment 10
beams as well as the low beams.
> Automatic headlight control 10
> Adaptive cornering lights 11
> Rain sensor 12
> Mirrors, anti-glare 12.

Xenon headlights
Function
The feature that enables this functionality is
a mechanical shutter:
> When you select low beams, this
shutter moves into position to shut off
part of the beam of light
> When you select high beams, the
shutter moves clear and all the light
from the bulb can pass unhindered.

The bright xenon headlights throw a light Benefits

similar to ordinary daylight to illuminate the
side of the road and the area in front of the
car much more brightly and uniformly than
conventional low-beam halogen units.
Headlights based on xenon technology
use less energy than conventional halogen
headlights and are longer lasting.
Xenon light makes an important contribu-
tion towards road safety by making it easier
for you to see other road users such as
pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists,
particularly at the side of the road.

Technology
In a xenon headlight an electric arc takes
the place of the filament, and generates
an intensive light source. The arc is ignited
by a high electric voltage across two elec-
trodes. This voltage causes a spark to arc,
charging the mixture of noble gas and a
metallic vapour in a quartz glass sleeve.
Xenon high-beam headlights 1 have a
A lower voltage then maintains the arc.
longer throw than conventional high
It takes xenon light about fifteen seconds to beams 2 and illuminate the edge of the
reach full brightness after you switch on the

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road more effectively. You can identify
potential hazards sooner and take appro-
priate action in good time.
Headlights based on xenon technology are
longer lasting than conventional halogen
headlights and use less energy.
Headlight beam throw
adjustment
Function
Dynamic beam throw adjustment ensures
that the range of the headlights remains
constant, whatever the driving situation.
In this way the headlights always correctly
illuminate the road surface, but do not
dazzle oncoming traffic or vehicles in front
of you.
Technology
The distance over which a car's headlights
throw their beams depends on longitudinal
inclination relative to the surface of the
road. This angle of inclination changes
when, for example, you load the car, and
when you brake and accelerate.
Axle sensors in the running gear measure
the different degrees of spring compres-
sion at the front and rear axles. A control
unit compares these two figures and com-
putes the car's longitudinal inclination at
any given moment.
To ensure that the dynamic beam throw
adjustment system does not respond
unnecessarily to minor irregularities in the
road surface, the control unit also proc-
esses signals from the speedometer. This
information enables the control unit to tell
when you are braking or accelerating.
This guarantees that dynamic beam throw
adjustment responds particularly swiftly in
the following situations:
> When the car is loaded
> When you accelerate and brake,
particularly in emergency stops.
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The control unit uses the values it com-
putes to optimise headlight beam throw.
The control unit drives motors that change
the angle of tilt of the headlights and, con-
sequently, the throw of the headlight
beams.
Benefits
Dynamic beam throw adjustment contrib-
utes actively to road safety by ensuring that
the road always illuminated effectively even
in extreme situations, without dazzling
oncoming traffic.
Automatic headlight control
Function
Automatic headlight control detects
changes in ambient light conditions and
switches the low-beam headlights on or off
accordingly.
Automatic headlight control relieves you of
the bother of switching the headlights on
and off manually as you drive along alter-
nating bright and dark stretches of road.
Automatic headlight control switches on
the low-beam headlights automatically in
the following situations:
> In twilight
> In the dark
> When you enter a tunnel
> When you drive in an underground
car park
> If it is raining or snowing.
Technology
The rain sensor incorporates two sensors
which react to light. These sensors
measure the brightness of the light:
> Over a wide angle 1 above the car
> Over a narrow angle 2 in front of the car.
Automatic headlight control switches on
the low-beam headlights as soon as the
values measured by the sensors drop
below defined thresholds.
In addition to brightness, the automatic
headlight control system also monitors the
number of sweeps of the windscreen
wipers. This information enables the con-
troller to switch on the low-beam head-
lights if visibility is impaired during the day-
time on account of rain or snow, for
example.
Benefits
Automatic headlight control is a high-con-
venience feature, because it relieves you
of the necessity of operating the headlight
switch manually. Automatic headlight con-
trol is also a safety-enhancing feature
because by driving with low-beam head-
lights on in deteriorating conditions you
can see better and your car is easier for
other road users to see.
Online Edition for Part No. 01 41 0 156 985 - 01/03 BMW AG
Adaptive cornering lights
Function
This system makes it possible to illuminate
the road surface dynamically. Depending
on the steering lock and other parameters,
the headlights follow the line of the road.
This is achieved by means of a pivoting
bi-xenon module for both low and high
beams, resulting in significantly better visi-
bility at night. The integral dynamic beam
throw adjustment feature ensures that
oncoming vehicles are not dazzled, see
page 10.
The adaptive cornering lights are automat-
ically active from ignition key position 2 if
the light switch is turned to the setting for
automatic driving lights control, see
page 10.
The system is inactive in the following situ-
ations:
> Steering turned while the car is at a
standstill
> When reversing.
Technology
The bi-xenon module is mounted on a piv-
oting mechanism rotated horizontally by
means of a stepping motor. The stepping
motor is governed by a control unit
according to the following parameters:
> Steering angle
> Yaw rate
> Speed
The control unit for the adaptive cornering
lights also incorporates the dynamic beam
throw adjustment feature, see page 10.
Benefits
The headlights are pivoted to the optimum
position. Improved illumination of the road
surface by both the low and high beams
gives you better visibility. It makes night-
time driving safer by helping you to spot
obstructions and recognise dangerous sit-
uations earlier.
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Rain sensor
Function
The rain sensor detects the amount of pre-
cipitation and automatically adjusts the
windscreen-wiper operating mode to suit
changing weather conditions.
The wipers react immediately to a change
in the situation perceived by the sensors,
for example if vehicles in front splash water
onto the windscreen.
Technology
The rain sensor is on the inside of the wind-
screen, close to the rearview mirror. It
directs an infrared beam against the glass
through an optical device in such a way
that all the light is reflected when the wind-
screen is dry. The rain sensor measures the
amount of reflected light.
The degree to which it reflects light
changes when the windscreen is wet. The
amount of light reflected directly back is
reduced, since infrared light can escape at
the glass surface. The reduced amount of
light reflected is an indication of how much
moisture is wetting the windscreen.
The rain sensor gauges rainfall on the basis
of these measured values and increases or
reduces wiping frequency accordingly.
Benefits
The rain sensor is an innovative factor in
driving comfort and road safety. The wind-
screen is kept clear by optimised wiper
action even when conditions change rap-
idly for example when you overtake on
a wet road.
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Mirrors, anti-glare
Function
These special inside and, if fitted, outside
mirrors dim automatically and through an
infinitely variable range when the head-
lights of other vehicles would otherwise
dazzle you from behind.
The anti-glare inside and outside mirrors
immediately detect the dazzle effect and
react within a fraction of a second.
Technology
A photocell pointing forwards in the casing
of the interior mirror measures the intensity
of the light in front of the car. A second
photocell in the mirror itself measures the
intensity of the dazzling light from the rear.
An electronic regulating system compares
the two light intensities, front and rear. The
greater the difference between the two
light intensities, the stronger the glare.
The two light intensities have to be com-
pared in order to ensure that the mirrors
react only to glare from vehicles behind
you, and not to bright sunlight.
The difference in light intensity measured
by the two photocells influences an elec-
trical voltage that acts on a gel coating
applied to the mirrors.
The brightness of this electro-chromatic
gel coating varies as a function of the
voltage applied to it. The reaction can be
defined as follows:
> The more pronounced the glare, the
higher the voltage
> The higher the voltage, the darker the
gel coating and the greater the mirror's
anti-dazzle factor.
When the dazzle effect ceases the voltage
drops and the mirror regains its original
degree of reflection.

Benefits
This innovative feature means that you no
longer have to change the mirror setting by
hand. You can concentrate all your atten-
tion on traffic and road conditions. Conse-
quently, the anti-glare inside mirror also
contribute to enhanced road safety, as do
the anti-glare outside mirrors, if fitted.

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Engineering features
This chapter explains the latest, innovative
engineering features of BMW engine and
transmission design.
The subjects it discusses are as follows:
> VALVETRONIC 14
> High-revving naturally aspirated
engine 15
> V12 engine with direct injection,
fully variable valve gear and variable
camshaft control 17
> Variable M limited-slip differential 17
> Sequential M gearbox SMG II 19
> Four-wheel drive with Hill Descent
Control HDC and Automatic Differential
Brake ADB-X 20
> Automatic transmission with
Steptronic 21
> Integral rear axle 22.
VALVETRONIC
Function
VALVETRONIC regulates the quantity of air
that the engine inducts for combustion. In
so doing, VALVETRONIC discharges the
function of the throttle valve in a conven-
tional engine.
As conventional throttle valves are a source
of considerable throttling losses at low
engine speeds and loads, VALVETRONIC
saves energy particularly in urban driving.
Fuel consumption and emissions are lower
even though aggregate engine power is
higher.
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Technology
At any given time, the quantity of combus-
tion air required in the engine's cylinder 3
depends on load. The further you depress
the accelerator the more air the engine has
to induct in order to achieve the optimum
fuel-air mixture inside the cylinder. Con-
versely, the engine needs less air at low
load, for example when idling.
In an engine of conventional design,
throttle valve 1 regulates the air supply, in
much the same way as a weir can be raised
or lowered to control the flow of water in
a channel. Inlet valve 2 always lifts to the
same extent. The valve's open time, too, is
constant.
In order to reduce the amount of combus-
tion air inducted into the cylinder when the
engine is idling, the throttle valve closes
almost completely. This constriction, how-
ever, makes it hard for the cylinder to
induct air. Consequently, a conventional
engine requires disproportionately more
energy when operating at low speeds in an
urban environment.
VALVETRONIC solves this problem by uti-
lising the valves to control the supply of air
directly. Broadly speaking, the engine no
longer needs a throttle valve: even so, it is
retained for use as a fall-back in extreme
situations.

The VALVETRONIC variable valve lift con-
trol system incorporates an electrically
adjustable arm 1 to control the maximum
lift of inlet valve 3 as camshaft 2 rotates. In
this way VALVETRONIC controls the lift of
the inlet valve and, therefore, the volume of
inducted air as a function of engine speed:
> Valve lift is maximum when the engine
is revving at high speed and the valves
open fully in order to ensure rapid
charging of the combustion chambers
> Valve lift at low engine speeds is min-
imal. Less of the fuel-air mixture can
make its way into the cylinder.
The principle has a welcome side effect:
the inlet valves open to no more than a
narrow gap, through which air flows into
the cylinder at very high speed. This atom-
ises the fuel-air mixture to a very fine mist,
which subsequently combusts at a high
degree of efficiency. In terms of emissions,
engine operation is more efficient.
Benefits
Compared with conventional engine tech-
nology, VALVETRONIC provides more
power while cutting fuel consumption by
up to 14%. Emissions are moreover much
lower.
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You will find that the optimised power and
torque curves manifest themselves as
improved dynamism.
In conjunction with VALVETRONIC, the fol-
lowing innovations optimise the engine:
> VANOS adjusts the camshaft on an
engine-speed-sensitive basis in order
to control the closing time of the inlet
valves. This significantly improves the
torque curve. The double VANOS con-
trols the closing timing of the inlet and
exhaust valves alike
> The fully variable intake manifold
adjusts the length of the inlet pipe con-
tinuously as a function of engine speed,
for optimum engine power across the
entire engine-speed range.
High-revving naturally
aspirated engine
Function
The principle of the high-revving naturally
aspirated engine has been applied system-
atically in the BMW M3.
The goals successfully pursued by BMW M
in this new development were as follows:
> Extended usable rpm range
> More torque and power at a high
degree of efficiency
> Low weight and compact dimensions.
High thrust, even more spectacular accel-
eration than in the past, and superbly spon-
taneous response are the hallmarks of the
high-revving naturally aspirated engine
right from one end of the speed range to
the other.
Technology
The mission of BMW M is to design engines
that offer more than ample power and per-
formance to owners whose sports-oriented
driving style goes hand in hand with a well-
developed sense of responsibility.
15
There are virtually no limits to the perform-
ance characteristic of the naturally aspi-
rated engine. BMW M has incessantly fine-
honed the technology over the years.
Exclusive materials and extremely light
components render it possible to extract
even more power out of every cubic centi-
metre of cylinder capacity. Mating these
high-performance engines to correspond-
ingly high-end running gear designs brings
out the unique characteristics of M cars:
virtually race-tuned performance coupled
with moderate fuel consumption, low wear
and full suitability for everyday use, plus
durability that is in no way inferior to that of
production engines.
BMW M has also gone on to optimise the
weight of the in-cylinder moving parts:
> Valve diameter 2 has been minimised
a mere 30.5 mm in the case of the
exhaust valves
> The use of cam followers 1, a special
type of valve gear, reduces weight by
as much as 30% by comparison with
conventional layouts.
The aggregate reduction in friction of the
moving parts can be as high as 60 %. The
net results are energy savings and more
durable components.
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Right across the rpm range, the high-rev-
ving naturally aspirated engine's reaction
to the throttle is instantaneous.
The engineering characteristics of the
engine that contribute to this spontaneity
include the following:
> The accelerator pedal is connected
directly to the throttle valves. As soon
as you press the accelerator the throttle
valve opens and increases the volume
flow of air into the cylinder. The car
accelerates immediately. There is no
perceptible lag
> This instant response is further
enhanced by the fact that each cylinder
has its own throttle valve. This design
reduces the volume of air on the intake
side between cylinder and throttle
valve. The air arrives in the cylinder all
the more rapidly.
BMW M has developed an engine control
unit optimised for the requirements of the
high-revving naturally aspirated engine.
This engine control unit consists of two
high-end 32-bit microcontrollers, a config-
uration eminently capable of handling the
complex functionality and high maximum
engine speed. The computing power of this
engine control unit is rated at 25 million
computations per second.
The engine management system incorpo-
rates the M double VANOS, which controls
the closing timing of inlet and exhaust
valves alike. At low engine speeds, for
example, the exhaust valve can be opened
while the inlet valve is still partially open.
The burned gaseous mixture can escape
more rapidly and more completely from the
combustion chamber. It is easier for the
fresh charge of fuel-air mixture to flow into
the cylinder. The result is more torque at
low engine speeds.
The M double VANOS system controls the
valve closing times by varying the positions
of the inlet and exhaust camshafts. A high-
pressure system enables the M double
VANOS to change the positions of the cam-
shafts within milliseconds as a function of
engine speed.
Benefits
The high-revving, naturally aspirated
engine evinces a uniform torque curve
across the entire engine-speed range from
1000 to max. 8000 rpm.
You perceive the effect of this torque curve
in spectacular acceleration and superbly
spontaneous response from one end of the
speed range to the other.
V12 engine with direct
injection, fully variable
valve gear and variable
camshaft control
Function
The newly developed V12 engine will make
its first appearance in the BMW 7 Series.
Superlative performance in conjunction
with significantly reduced fuel consumption
and emissions are the legacy of the fol-
lowing technology:
> Petrol direct injection
> VALVETRONIC fully variable valve gear
> VANOS variable camshaft control
Technology
Petrol direct injection
Direct injection involves injecting the fuel
directly into the combustion chamber at
high pressure. The heat of evaporation
from the fuel cools the cylinder charge and
boosts the engine's efficiency. It simultane-
ously enhances knock behaviour and
paves the way for a higher compression
ratio. Knocking is the term used for the
fuel-air mixture's tendency to combust
spontaneously. The shape of the combus-
tion chamber and a recess in the piston
assure reliable ignition and a smooth com-
bustion process.
This produces the following operating
parameters, which have a favourable effect
on fuel consumption and emission levels:
> Operation largely without throttle action
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> Higher compression ratios.
The use of a homogeneous mixture allows
a conventional three-way catalytic con-
verter to be used. It is not necessary to use
ultra-low sulphur fuel, which is not yet
available worldwide.
Fully variable valve gear
This technology continuously regulates the
opening times of the inlet valves and thus
takes the place of the throttle valve, see
page 14, VALVETRONIC.
Variable camshaft control
The V12 engine has variable control for the
inlet and exhaust camshafts, see page 15,
VANOS.
Benefits
> Greater power output and torque
> Lower fuel consumption and emissions
> Improved engine smoothness and
responsiveness.
Variable M limited-slip
differential
Function
The variable M limited-slip differential
debuted in the BMW M3.
This limited-slip differential significantly
enhances the car's pull-away capability on
slippery surfaces. You can also take a very
sporty line through corners, because the
tendency of the driven wheels to spin on
one side as the car powers through bends
at high speed is very much reduced.
When you drive on a surface where grip
varies, the variable M limited-slip differen-
tial directs propulsive power to whichever
tyre achieves greater adhesion. Exactly the
right amount of power is transmitted to the
road to allow the car to accelerate.
In order to enhance directional stability
and improve traction, BMW M cars are
equipped only with rear-axle limited-slip
differentials.
17
Technology
When a car corners, the two driving wheels
describe curves of different lengths. The
wheel on the inside does not have as far to
travel as the wheel on the outside. This fun-
damental difference is compensated by the
differential, which allows the speed of the
inside wheel to decrease while the speed
of the outside wheel increases. This is the
reason why there is no rigid connection
between the half-shafts of the two driven
wheels.
If one driving wheel has significantly less
adhesion than the other, the wheel with
less adhesion will spin. The wheel with
more adhesion, conversely, will rotate
hardly at all. All the drive goes to the wheel
that is spinning. The car is left without for-
ward momentum. It is in these circum-
stances that a limited-slip differential or
differential lock comes into play.
If one of the driving wheels loses adhesion
on a slippery surface, a conventional lim-
ited-slip differential builds up a defined
lockup moment. This means that the half-
shafts of the two wheels are rigidly inter-
connected up to a certain torque value.
This allows a certain amount of propulsive
force to be transmitted to the wheel with
more adhesion. The power that a conven-
tional limited-slip differential can transmit
in this way is limited by the lockup moment.
In the past, this technology brought signifi-
cant improvements in traction on surfaces
with medium to high adhesion, particularly
for driving in a sports-oriented manner.
Unlike a conventional limited-slip differen-
tial, the variable M limited-slip differential
builds up a variable lockup moment that
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depends on the difference between the
speeds of the two wheels.
The illustration shows the effect of the var-
iable M limited-slip differential by graphing
the speed curves of the two driving wheels:
> When you pull away from rest on a sur-
face where adhesion is not the same on
both sides 1, the wheel with poor adhe-
sion initially spins. The difference in
wheel speeds increases
> The spinning wheel immediately causes
pressure to build up in an integrated
pump, and this pressure acts on a cou-
pling. This coupling applies a lockup
moment that is dependent on the dif-
ference in speeds. In this way the
engine's drive torque is transferred to
the driving wheel with better adhesion.
The difference between wheel speeds
decreases 2. The car picks up forward
momentum and accelerates
> As the difference in speed between
the two wheels decreases the pressure
in the pump also decreases, with a cor-
responding reduction in the lockup
moment. If one of the driving wheels
still lacks grip 3, the process is
repeated 4.
The variable M limited-slip differential
transmits the full propulsive power of the
engine to the wheel with more adhesion.
Consequently, forward movement
depends only on the amount of grip avail-
able at this driving wheel.
Benefits
The variable M limited-slip differential ena-
bles you to pull away on virtually any sur-
face, no matter how poor. Significantly
more tractive power is at your disposal.
In conjunction with the sensitive DSC
system, see page 27, and the balanced
axle-load distribution, the variable M lim-
ited-slip differential is the key to a previ-
ously unattainable standard of winter han-
dling characteristics for sport-tuned rear-
wheel-drive cars.
Sequential M gearbox
SMG II
Function
The second-generation sequential M
gearbox, SMG II, was used for the first time
in the BMW M3.
SMG II offers you the choice of driving in
sequential or automatic mode:
> In sequential mode you shift gears
using two shift paddles on the steering
wheel much the same arrangement as
in a Formula 1 racing car. In this mode
you also have the option of using the
conventional selector lever
> In automatic mode SMG II performs all
gearshifts without intervention on your
part.
Drivelogic enables you to customise the
gearshift characteristics of the transmis-
sion in sequential and automatic mode to
suit your personal style of driving.
Technology
The shift pulse is transmitted electronically
to the control unit of the SMG II. Known as
shift by wire, this layout dispenses entirely
with mechanical linkages. In order to
ensure that the shift pulse is transmitted
correctly, the SMG II transmits the signal
redundantly, in other words two signals
simultaneously and in parallel, a safety fea-
ture borrowed from the aerospace
industry.
Mechanical operation of the clutch and the
gearshift process as such are the responsi-
bility of an electro-hydraulic system.
Capable of applying pressures as high as
Online Edition for Part No. 01 41 0 156 985 - 01/03 BMW AG
85 bar, this system ensures fast, accurate
and dependable shifts. There is no possi-
bility of a missed gearshift, even under
ultra-high strain. There is no danger of
overrevving the engine.
Unlike a conventional automatic transmis-
sion, Drivelogic offers you a choice of
eleven different driving programs:
> Six programs for the sequential mode:
S1 through S6
> Five driving programs for the automatic
mode: A1 through A5.
The driving programs differ in terms of their
characteristics, ranging from balanced
dynamism to pure sporty in sequential
mode and from ultra-convenient to dynam-
ically sports-oriented in automatic mode.
In sequential mode, Drivelogic controls the
shift times on the basis of:
> Engine speed
> Selected driving program.
This means that in the S1 program, you can
shift gears very smoothly with shift times
of about 800 milliseconds. In the S6 pro-
gram the shift times are down to as little as
80 milliseconds. You can use these high-
speed shifts for super-sporty driving.
As well as defining the gearshift speeds,
Drivelogic also selects the shift points
when you drive in automatic mode. Drive-
logic selects the optimum gear by
processing information on the momentary
driving situation, including for example:
> Vehicle speed
> Accelerator-pedal position
> Lateral acceleration of the car
> Gear currently engaged.
Driving program A1 is eminently suitable
for driving when grip is poor, for example
in wintery conditions with ice and snow.
Drivelogic engages second gear for pulling
away and shifts up at comparatively low
engine speeds. Drivelogic uses the signals
from lateral-acceleration sensors mounted
on the running gear to detect the slightest
traces of an incipient skid. In these cases
19
Drivelogic disables gearshifts in order to
improve directional stability.
The sport characteristics of the driving pro-
grams become steadily more pronounced
along the progression from A2 to A5. Gear-
shifts become faster. Drivelogic moves the
shift points further up the engine-speed
range. The A5 program is designed for a
sporty driving style in fact, it is suitable for
racing tracks. You can focus your entire
attention on steering the car, and you do
not have to think about shifting gear.
Benefits
SMG II enables you to shift gears quickly,
accurately and dependably, without taking
your hands off the steering wheel. Safety
and comfort are both enhanced.
Drivelogic enables you to adapt the shift
characteristics of the transmission to suit
your personal style of driving and the road
conditions you encounter in the course of
a journey.
As in the cockpit of a Formula 1 car, shift
lights in the revolution counter light up
to show you when engine speed is
approaching the optimum shift speed.
Four-wheel drive with Hill
Descent Control HDC and
Automatic Differential
Brake ADB-X
Function
The newly developed, fully electronic four-
wheel drive system is standard equipment
for the BMW X5 and available as an option
for some 3 Series models.
Under normal conditions, the full-time four-
wheel drive splits 62 % of the engine's drive
torque to the rear wheels and 38 % to the
front wheels.
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The fully electronic four-wheel drive system
integrates the following newly developed
functions:
> Automatic Differential Brake ADB-X
for driving on slippery surfaces
> Hill Descent Control HDC for steep
descents.
Technology
ADB-X replicates the function of conven-
tional differential locks by automatically
braking all four wheels individually. Conse-
quently, the system dispenses with con-
ventional differential locks at front and rear
axles and in the transfer box. When DSC is
deactivated, see page 27, ADB-X is config-
ured for maximum forward momentum
because intervention in the engine-man-
agement processes is not possible.
HDC is a system that reduces speed on
steep downhill gradients, making your
BMW even easier to control under these
conditions. Without any braking on your
part, HDC reduces speed on steep down-
hill gradients to just above walking speed
and keeps the car at this speed. You can
use the accelerator pedal or the buttons of
the cruise control system to increase this
speed steplessly to a defined upper limit.
HDC applies the brakes automatically as
soon as the descending speed exceeds a
defined limit. HDC stabilises the car and
prevents the wheels from locking.
Even though you do not actively apply the
brakes, the HDC system activates the
brake lights in order to inform other drivers
that your car is braking.
Benefits
Fully electronic four-wheel drive provides
a high level of driving stability and traction
in all road conditions and assists you in crit-
ical situations, such as severe winter con-
ditions or driving on unsurfaced tracks.
Automatic transmission
with Steptronic
Function
A 6-speed automatic transmission was yet
another of the innovative features that first
graced the BMW 7 Series.
Steptronic offers you the choice of control-
ling the automatic transmission manually
by means of the selector lever. You decide
when you want to shift gears yourself, or
leave gearshifting to the automatic trans-
mission.
The new 6-speed automatic transmission
also allows you to shift gears using the
paddles on the steering wheel. The out-
standing feature of this automatic transmis-
sion is that gearshifts are performed elec-
trically, a principle known as shift by wire.
Shift pulses are transmitted electrically;
this circuit takes the place of the mechan-
ical linkage between selector lever and
gearbox.
Your BMW with Steptronic is equipped
with Adaptive Transmission Control, AGS.
Adaptive transmission control evaluates a
number of factors before determining the
best possible automatic transmission shift
points. It takes your individual driving style
and the actual road and traffic situation into
account.
Technology
AGS analyses your individual style of
driving on the basis of:
> Positions and movements of the accel-
erator pedal
> Rate of deceleration when you brake
> Lateral acceleration as the car corners.
It then selects a suitable shift characteristic
which can range all the way from relaxed
travel with the emphasis on refinement to
harder, highly enthusiastic driving.
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In order to take driving conditions into
account, AGS registers corners and both
uphill and downhill gradients. When the car
is cornered rapidly, for instance, it prevents
upshifts from taking place. On uphill gradi-
ents it delays the upshift until a higher
engine speed has been reached, in order
to make better use of the engine's power
reserves. When you descend hills, on the
other hand, AGS shifts down sooner as
speed increases and you have to apply the
brakes.
Steptronic offers you the choice of control-
ling the automatic transmission actively by
means of the selector lever or paddles on
the steering wheel. The instrument cluster
shows you which gear is currently
engaged.
In manual-shift mode, Steptronic "thinks"
for you with the assistance of AGS:
> To prevent the engine from overreving,
it shifts up to the next-higher gear
shortly before the governed speed limit
is reached
> At low speeds, it automatically shifts
down to a lower gear without any action
on your part
> Kick-down, when you use it, selects the
lowest gear which can still be used
without risk of the engine overreving.
Benefits
Fast, smooth gearshifts are the hallmark of
the automatic transmission. In conjunction
with Steptronic, moreover, you have the
choice of shifting gears manually.
AGS exploits the engine's performance
potential in order to optimise gearshifts and
driving style. This also helps prolong the
useful life of the transmission by reducing
the number of unnecessary gearshifts.
21
Integral rear axle
Function

The patented and refined integral rear axle

first appeared on the BMW 7 Series and on
the X5.
BMW evolved this rear axle from the design
principles of integral suspension. This mul-
tiple control arm principle combines
superb tracking stability with outstanding
ride comfort.

Technology
Most of the parts in the integral rear axle
are made of aluminium, in order to reduce
weight and help minimise fuel consump-
tion.
The control arms of the integral rear axle
are not secured directly to the body. They
are resiliently mounted on a sub-frame,
which in turn is resiliently attached to the
bodyshell. This double-resilient arrange-
ment enables the integral rear axle to
absorb even the tiniest of irregularities in
the road surface. This minimises the
pitching motion that is otherwise typical
of a car as it pulls away or brakes.

Benefits
The integral rear axle ensures precision
tracking and optimum ride comfort. It also
helps maximise rolling comfort and noise
quality.

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Online Edition for Part No. 01 41 0 156 985 - 01/03 BMW AG
For an enjoyable driving experience
This chapter explains the engineering
features that contribute to your comfort
and enhance road safety.
The subjects it discusses are as follows:
> Active cruise control 23
> Active steering 24
> Electric power steering 24
> Active seat 25
> Automatic Hold 26
> Dynamic Drive 27
> Dynamic Stability Control DSC 27
> Electronic Damper Control EDC 29.
Active cruise control
Function
Active cruise control discharges two func-
tions:
> On the open road it automatically main-
tains the speed you select
> In traffic it matches your speed to that
of a slower vehicle in front and keeps a
preselected distance behind the vehicle
in question.
You can override the electronic controller
at any time by accelerating or braking.
Technology
The active cruise control system's "eye"
is a radar sensor underneath the front
bumper. A vehicle that comes within range
reflects the radar waves transmitted by
the sensor. These reflected waves are
detected by the sensor as they bounce
back.
The active cruise control system uses this
information to compute the position and
speed of the vehicle in front.
Online Edition for Part No. 01 41 0 156 985 - 01/03 BMW AG
On straight stretches of road, active cruise
control uses the radar sensor to tell
whether a vehicle is travelling in the same
lane or a lane beside yours. In bends, this
principle alone does not suffice.
When you corner, active cruise control
system needs more information in order to
ascertain whether a vehicle inside its range
can influence your car.
DSC supplies the information that active
cruise control needs in order to analyse
the way in which your car is moving, see
page 28. In this way the system can, within
certain limits, compute what is going to
happen ahead of you in your lane.
When a car travelling at a slower speed is
detected ahead in your lane, active cruise
control reduces your speed by closing
the throttle or gently applying the brakes.
Your car now follows the vehicle in front,
remaining the preselected distance behind
it and travelling at the same speed. As soon
as the road ahead is clear, active cruise
control automatically accelerates back up
to your chosen cruising speed.
The basic setting for the selectable dis-
tance ranges programmed into the active
cruise control system is based on the rule
of thumb that says you should leave a gap
equal to half your roadspeed between your
car and the car in front.
23
Benefits
Active cruise control is particularly useful in
steadily flowing traffic, because it matches
your speed to that of the vehicle in front of
you.
That means you will be able to extract max-
imum benefit from active cruise control
when you are travelling on motorways,
where it helps you maintain your preferred
speed and keep your distance from cars in
front. You will find that you are more
relaxed when you reach your destination.
Active steering
Function
The newly developed active steering is
making its first appearance on the BMW
5 Series.
Active steering stabilises your car in certain
borderline situations and reduces the
steering effort and steering lock required.
Your steering action energises an actuator
motor which alters the angle of the wheels
via a transmission mechanism. Your car
remains fully steerable even if the system
should fail.
The vehicle is actively stabilised if the
system ascertains an undesirable tendency
in the vehicle to swerve. The angle of the
steering wheel is then corrected sufficiently
to counteract this tendency in the vehicle to
swerve.
Less steering effort is required on your
part, and optimum contact with the road
surface is maintained. The variable steering
ratio provides you with speed-dependent
steering assistance. The steering moreover
needs to be turned less than is the case
with conventional power steering.
Technology
The upper section of the steering column
incorporates a superimposed transmission
mechanism with flanged-on electric motor.
When the steering wheel is turned, the
electric motor that adjusts the angle of the
wheels is energised. The wheels' angle is
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Online Edition for Part No. 01 41 0 156 985 - 01/03 BMW AG
calculated for instance as a function of
road speed and steering angle. If the
system detects a tendency in the vehicle to
swerve, a corrective angle is superimposed
on the driver's steering angle in order to
counteract rotational motion.
In the event of the system failing, the elec-
tric motor is blocked so that the vehicle
remains steerable.
Benefits
Your vehicle's handling and safety are
enhanced by the following factors:
> Speed-dependent steering effort
assistance
> Halving of the number of turns of the
steering wheel from one limit position
to the other
> Stabilising of the vehicle in the event of
undesirable swerving
> The vehicle remains fully steerable in
the event of active steering failure.
Electric power steering
Function
Electric power steering was first used on
the BMW Z4. It is a very direct, sports-style
steering layout that provides immediate
feedback from the road surface, while sup-
pressing jolting of the steering wheel.
The integral, electronic power steering
system assists your steering actions in line
with the vehicle's road speed. Conven-
tional power steering still demands rela-
tively high steering effort when manoeu-
vring into a parking space. Electric power
steering reduces the effort required for
such manoeuvres to a minimum. At high
speeds, the system reduces the degree of
power assistance, to provide you with
immediate feedback from the road surface
and thus boost your safety. Thanks to the
system's highly rigid design and active
steering return, it assures even better
dynamic behaviour.
You benefit from a substantial improve- Benefits
ment in steering comfort thanks to the > Superior operating dynamics
damping of impact e.g. from bumps in the
> Better ride comfort
road or wheel imbalance.
> Greater vehicle safety
The danger of snaking as a result of sudden
steering movements is reduced thanks to > Less pollution.
the steering-wheel damping. This provides
a boost to your safety.
As the electric power steering only oper- Active seat
ates during the active steering process, it
saves fuel and energy compared with a Function
hydraulic power steering system. Engine The active seat evolved from our BMW
output for straight-line driving is moreover seats with their orthopedic design.
higher.
As the name suggests, its patented active
On the Z4 there is the option of activating function is this seat's special feature.
a sport program via switch, for even more Integrated into the seat cushion, this func-
spontaneous engine response to acceler- tion activates your spinal column and the
ator pedal movement and even more associated musculature with continuous
immediate feedback from the road at the but virtually imperceptible pulses of move-
steering. ment.
As if you could exercise your back all the
Technology time while driving, the active function eases
An electric motor, a worm gear and a the strain on your muscles and prevents
control unit are mounted on the steering stiffness.
column. The control unit processes various
input signals: Technology
> Steering angle Without the active function's soothing
> Steering torque effect, long journeys can frequently cause
stiffness, tension and ultimately aches and
> Vehicle speed
pains in the lower lumbar region of the
> Temperature. back. Sufferers tend to try to ease the strain
The control unit actuates the electric motor by frequently changing their sitting position
on the basis of these input parameters. The and "squirming around" in their seats.
electric motor's torque is superimposed on The action of the active seat dispenses
the driver's steering torque via the worm with this necessity, thus contributing signif-
gear and transmitted to the steering rack icantly to safety on the road.
and wheels via the steering shaft and
steering gear.
Improved feedback from the road is
obtained by means of filtering the infor-
mation that is transmitted to the steering
wheel. Only low-frequency oscillations are
communicated directly to the steering;
medium and high-frequency interference is
damped by the system. This ensures that
you are always aware of the condition of
the road surface without being exposed to
unpleasant impact at the steering wheel.

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The active seat alternately raises and
lowers the right and left halves of the seat
cushion, maintaining a steady cycle.
There are two cushions integrated into the
seat's padding. A hydraulic pump forces
a mixture of water and glycerin back and
forth between the spaces inside these
hollow cushions.
Benefits
Seated in an active seat, you are relaxed,
comfortable and alert behind the steering
wheel. The invigorating effect of the active
seat helps your concentration, especially
during long drives. Consequently, the
active seat is an efficient contributory
factor in driving comfort while also contrib-
uting to safety in a degree that should not
be underestimated.
Automatic Hold
Function
Automatic Hold made its first appearance
as a feature of the BMW 7 Series. It is a
subfunction of the parking-brake system.
When you brake the car to a standstill,
Automatic Hold automatically assumes the
"handbrake function". There is no need for
you to apply the brakes actively as long as
the car is at a standstill. Automatic Hold
reliably keeps the car from moving until you
pull away by depressing the accelerator
pedal.
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The innovative Automatic Hold function
assists you:
> In stop-and-go traffic or when you are
stopped by traffic lights, because Auto-
matic Hold cancels the tendency to
creep forward when idling that is typical
of all cars with automatic transmission
> When moving off uphill, because Auto-
matic Hold prevents the car from rolling
backwards.
Automatic Hold can be activated while the
engine is running. If you switch off the
engine after braking to a stop, Automatic
Hold automatically applies the parking
brake.
Technology
Automatic Hold acts on the brakes of all
four wheels through the hydraulics of the
Dynamic Stability Control system.
Once you have brought the car to a stop
by applying pressure to the brake pedal,
Automatic Hold maintains the braking pres-
sure in the hydraulic system. If you allow
the car to roll to a standstill, Automatic Hold
uses the DSC hydraulics and actively
applies the braking pressure needed to
keep the car from moving.
Automatic Hold uses wheel sensors to reg-
ister movements of the car, for example
when it is stopped on a gradient and is
being loaded. In situations like this, Auto-
matic Hold automatically increases the
hydraulic pressure acting on the service
brake.
Benefits
Automatic Hold is an innovation that further
enhances comfort. It is of great assistance
during short stops, and it makes hill starts
easier.
Dynamic Drive
Function
Dynamic Drive made its first appearance
in the BMW 7 Series as a new active ride-
control system.
Dynamic Drive minimises the roll that could
otherwise occur when you corner, for
example. Dynamic Drive also reduces the
degree to which the steering need be
turned, rendering the vehicle more agile.
The car is steady and ride is smoother than
in a car with conventional running gear. In
extreme situations such as sharp manoeu-
vres to avoid sudden obstructions, for
example, steering precision is enhanced.
Technology
Dynamic Drive responds in situations in
which the car rolls to one side:
> In bends
> When you swerve to avoid an obstacle
In situations of this nature the car is subject
to the forces of lateral acceleration. It tilts
to one side. Dynamic Drive counters this
tendency. Ride comfort and safety benefit
accordingly.
When the vehicle is being driven in a
straight line, the system enhances ride
comfort, as the stabiliser halves are then
isolated from each other. This ensures that
the basic suspension setting does not
become firmer when the suspension is
compressed on one side only.
In order to gauge the prevailing driving
situation, sensors constantly measure:
> Lateral acceleration
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> Speed
> Steering-wheel position.
Dynamic Drive uses the above information
to calculate the transverse forces acting on
the vehicle. In order to minimise side tilt,
active stabilisers at the front and rear axles
generate corrective torques. This means
that Dynamic Drive can respond ade-
quately to quick lane changes and changes
of direction.
Benefits
You can sense that the car steers more
responsively and directly when you corner,
and on straights you will find that the ride is
even more comfortable. Safety and comfort
are both noticeably enhanced.
Dynamic Stability Control
DSC
Function
DSC incorporates an array of running-gear
control systems that help maintain the car's
stability even in adverse driving conditions.
DSC optimises both dynamic stability when
pulling away and accelerating, and trac-
tion. It in addition identifies unstable driving
situations such as understeering or over-
steering and helps to keep the vehicle on a
stable course, subject to the limits imposed
by the basic laws of dynamics.
DSC is therefore an efficient means of
boosting ride comfort and active driving
safety.
It incorporates the following functions:
> Anti-lock brake system ABS
> Cornering Brake Control CBC
> Electronic Brake Force Distribution EBV
> Automatic Stability Control ASC
> Engine drag-torque control MSR
> Dynamic Traction Control DTC, or
ADB-X on four-wheel-drive vehicles
> Dynamic Brake Control DBC.
27
Technology
DSC
Dynamic Stability Control DSC corrects
responses such as oversteering and under-
steering. DSC receives the following oper-
ating dynamics data from highly responsive
sensors:
> The wheel speeds
> Movement of the car around its vertical
axis
> Lateral acceleration as a measure of
the cornering radius
> Steering lock angle
> Braking pressure
> Vehicle speed.
All these measured values are used to
compute the car's status as it moves. This
status is compared with programmed set-
points in the DSC processor. As soon as
the as-values deviate from the setpoints
DSC is activated and intervenes in the
braking system or engine management,
as applicable.
The vehicle can thus be stabilised via appli-
cation of the brakes on one side. In this way
DSC avoids the danger of skidding within
the limits of physical possibility.
ABS
The anti-lock brake system ABS prevents
the wheels from locking when the brakes
are applied. Braking pressure at each
wheel is controlled in such a way as to
keep the wheels rolling at close to optimum
slip. When the system is active slip is main-
tained at the level at which maximum
braking and lateral tracking forces can be
transmitted.
CBC
Cornering Brake Control CBC is an
enhancement of ABS that contributes sig-
nificantly to directional stability as the car
is steered through bends. The shift in
wheel loads during cornering can result in
reduced dynamic stability and cause the
vehicle to veer inwards if the brakes are
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applied in a bend. CBC compensates by
increased braking pressure on one side
when the brakes are applied lightly outside
the ABS range of reaction, creating a sta-
bilising counter-moment.
EBV
Modern cars have relatively large rear
brakes to achieve short stopping dis-
tances. In order to avoid overbraking of the
rear wheels in certain situations, Electronic
Brake Force Distribution EBV continuously
monitors slip, controlling rear-axle slip as a
function of slip at the front wheels.
ASC
Automatic Stability Control ASC prevents
the driven wheels from spinning, e.g. when
accelerating, thus helping to ensure the
best possible driving stability. If one wheel
of the driven axle is on a high-grip surface
while grip is lacking at the other wheel, the
wheel tending to slip is braked until the
other wheel can transmit its propulsive
force to the road surface. The networked
data bus systems also enable ASC to inter-
vene in the engine management.
MSR
Engine drag-torque control MSR prevents
the rear wheels from locking up when you
downshift or abruptly release the acceler-
ator while driving on a slippery surface.
The signals from the wheel-speed sensors
enable MSR to recognise an incipient
lockup and respond by opening the throttle
very slightly to reduce engine drag torque
very briefly. In this way, the driven wheels
are able to track correctly even when
coasting.
DTC
Dynamic Traction Control DTC permits a
higher degree of slip at the driven wheels
than DSC, with various objectives,
depending on vehicle type:
On the BMW 5 and 7 Series, DTC is only
active during straight-line operation, for
maximum propulsion when driving in deep
snow or on slush.
On the BMW 3 Series and Z4, DTC is also active safety and ride comfort. It thus
active during cornering, paving the way for achieves equilibrium between the need for
a more sporty driving style as well as supe- maximum traction and maximum stability.
rior propulsion. In critical situations, DTC
only takes corrective action relatively late
on. By comparison, DSC assures optimum Electronic Damper Control
dynamic stability within the limits imposed
by the laws of physics.
EDC

DBC
Dynamic Brake Control DBC actively
assists the driver if the brakes have to be
applied in an emergency. If you have to
stamp down hard on the brake pedal, irre-
spective of the pressure actually applied to
the pedal DBC increases braking force so
that the car is slowed as effectively as pos-
sible. This produces the shortest possible
stopping distance during hard braking,
even if the driver does not apply sufficient
pedal pressure.
Function
As the car encounters different road-sur-
face, load and driving conditions, Elec-
tronic Damper Control EDC steplessly
adjusts the shock absorbers to suit. This
helps reduce:
> Pitch when the brakes are applied
> Body movements when the car corners,
accelerates, or rides over bumps.
EDC offers a choice between a well-bal-
anced Comfort program and a harder
Sport program.

ADB-X Technology
On four-wheel-drive vehicles, the Auto-
matic Differential Brake ADB-X replicates
the function of a limited-slip differential by
specifically applying the brakes to indi-
vidual wheels.
Conventional limited-slip differentials at the
front and rear axles and in the transfer box
are consequently not necessary.
If a wheel is about to spin, it is automati-
cally braked by ADB-X until it achieves grip
once more and is able to transmit propul-
sive power. The engine output is moreover Sensors continuously monitor all the car's
reduced if necessary. movements that affect ride. A micropro-
When DSC is switched off, the ADB-X cessor analyses this influx of information
function focuses on achieving maximum and outputs corresponding control com-
propulsion. In such instances, the engine mands to the shock absorbers. Solenoid
can no longer be manipulated and the sta- valves are employed to adjust the shock-
bility control feature is no longer available. absorber force steplessly within millisec-
onds of receipt of these commands.
Benefits When you are driving on a well-surfaced
By intervening actively in engine manage- road, EDC sets the shock absorbers to
ment and braking, DSC offers superb their lowest damping level, in order to max-
directional stability and outstanding trac- imise the smoothness of the ride.
tion in all driving situations. The system
counteracts all negative dynamic forces,
so within the physical limits it maximises

29
Online Edition for Part No. 01 41 0 156 985 - 01/03 BMW AG
When you steer through a corner at high
speed, EDC immediately stiffens the shock
absorbers in the interests of safety. Simi-
larly, when the car rides over a bump EDC
switches to a higher damping level as nec-
essary, in order to ensure maximum adhe-
sion to the road surface.

Benefits
EDC adjusts the damping force of the
shock absorbers to suit changing road con-
ditions. System reactions are measured in
milliseconds, so EDC offers the best pos-
sible ride comfort and enhanced safety on
the road.

30
Online Edition for Part No. 01 41 0 156 985 - 01/03 BMW AG
For your comfort and convenience
This chapter explains the engineering fea-
tures that enhance operating convenience
and the comfort of the car's occupants.
The subjects it discusses are as follows:
> Car Memory, Key Memory 31
> Conditioned Based Service CBS 31
> Convenient access 32
> iDrive 33
> Voice input system 34
Car Memory, Key Memory
Function
Car Memory and Key Memory electroni-
cally customise a wide range of car-spe-
cific and driver-specific parameters:
> Car Memory saves car-specific set-
tings, such as automatic activation of
the low-beam headlights when you
start the car, for example
> Key Memory, on the other hand, relates
to individuals. You and up to three other
drivers can use this facility to save your
individual preferences for the electri-
cally operated driver's seat, for
example. Key Memory saves the requi-
site data in the personal remote-control
unit. The coloured labels supplied with
the remote controls enable you and
others to tell which unit is which.
Technology
BMW Service customises the car-specific
settings saved in Car Memory in accord-
ance with your preferences. These settings
apply no matter who drives the car and
they remain active until you request to have
them changed.
Depending on the type of vehicle, you can
use Key Memory to select the settings that
relate to personal preferences yourself:
> Using controls in the car
Online Edition for Part No. 01 41 0 156 985 - 01/03 BMW AG
> Using the control centre and iDrive,
see page 33.
The control unit of the Key Memory system
saves individual data on the microchips in
the individual remote controls.
When you subsequently open the car with
your personalised remote control, the con-
trol unit reads the information from the
microchip. Control circuitry in the car
adjusts the seat settings and the position
of the steering wheel, and configures many
other functions accordingly.
Benefits
Key Memory enables the car to recognise
you by your personalised remote control
and adjust the seat and so on precisely in
accordance with your preferences. It does
not matter who drove the car before you, or
what settings they selected.
Conditioned Based Service
CBS
Function
Conditioned Based Service CBS was first
introduced for the BMW 7 Series and is an
evolution on the basis of the service
interval indicator that is a feature of other
models in the BMW range.
CBS employs sensors to monitor the con-
dition of wear parts and ascertain the
extent to which servicing is necessary.
A microchip in the car's remote control
saves this data along with other, general
information such as the odometer reading
and the vehicle identification number.
BMW Service uses a device known as a
KeyReader to download this information
from your remote control. Maintenance is
not necessary until such times as wear
progresses to defined limits. Your savings
are measurable in terms of both time and
outlay.
31
Technology
CBS monitors various wear parts and ele-
ments, including the engine oil, the brake
pads, and the microfilter in the air condi-
tioning system:
> The condition of the engine oil is moni-
tored by a sensor in the oil pan. This
sensor obtains the requisite information
by measuring the electrical properties
of the oil, which change as wear
progresses and the additives in the oil
become depleted
> CBS gauges the condition of the brake
pads with the aid of electric contacts
at the front and rear brake pads.
The measured values and information
detailing the frequency and severity of
brake applications are the raw data
used to calculate the current condition
of the pads
> The condition of the microfilter cannot
be measured directly by a sensor.
Consequently, the control unit of the
air conditioning system employs algo-
rithms to calculate the microfilter's
degree of contamination on the basis of
various measured values, such as the
temperature of the outside air and the
extent to which the heating is used.
The information display collects the data on
the various wear parts and calculates the
individual service intervals.
The control unit for the central locking sys-
tem and the immobiliser regularly requests
service- and maintenance-relevant data
from the information display. This control
unit then copies the data and information
detailing the time at which it was saved to
the microchip in the car's remote control.
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Online Edition for Part No. 01 41 0 156 985 - 01/03 BMW AG
BMW Service uses its KeyReader to read
the vehicle-specific information it needs for
the service process directly from the car's
remote control.
The KeyReader transmits the data to the
workshop's data-processing system, so
that this system can detail the requisite
maintenance work.
Benefits
You have the benefit of flexibility in defining
maintenance intervals and the scope of
maintenance work required. Only those
components that the sensors show to be
due for maintenance are serviced.
The handover procedure is streamlined,
too, because BMW Service reads the gen-
eral information it needs about the vehicle
directly from the remote control in your key.
Convenient access
Function
Keyless convenient access is another fea-
ture that made its first appearance in the
BMW 7 Series.
Convenient access means that all you have
to do is have the radio remote control with
you in order to open the car and start the
engine.
Technology
When you pull one of the door handles, the
car and the remote control establish radio
communications through a number of
receivers and transmitters in the vehicle.
The car unlocks itself as soon as it verifies
your identity by means of the remote con-
trol.
When you press the start/stop button, the
car attempts to identify the remote control
via aerials inside the passenger compart-
ment. The engine will refuse to start unless
the aerials have detected the presence of
and identified the remote control inside the
passenger compartment.
When you step out of the car you lock it by
pressing the door handle. In the interest of
your safety, the car does not lock itself
unless the aerials report that the remote
control is no longer inside the passenger
compartment.
Benefits
You can unlock the car and start the
engine, and lock the car when you leave it,
without even having to hold the remote
control in your hand.
iDrive
Function
The innovative, driver-oriented display and
control concept iDrive is another of the
features first incorporated into the BMW
7 Series.
iDrive divides control of the car into two
use-oriented sectors:
> The driving sector, with all the functions
necessary for driving the car, including
for example the buttons on the steering
wheel or the info display
> The convenience sector, which allows
you to operate all the convenience
functions from just a few switches and
controls.
BMW has developed an easy-to-use con-
cept for the convenience sector: the con-
trol centre.
The control centre consists of:
> The controller, a knob via which you
can control several hundred functions
in the vehicle
Online Edition for Part No. 01 41 0 156 985 - 01/03 BMW AG
> The menu button on the BMW 5 Series,
with which you can call up the start
page at any time
> The control display, which displays
whichever functions you select.
Technology
You can slide, turn or press the controller.
It is positioned conveniently within reach
on the centre console. The illustration
shows the controller in the BMW 7 Series:
> Slide it to reach the main menus. The
main directions of movement corre-
spond to the principal points of the
compass
> Turn it to select the various submenus
> Press it to confirm a selection or pro-
ceed to another menu level.
No two people are likely to slide, turn or
press the controller in exactly the same
way. BMW developed an innovative tech-
nology in order to ensure that the controller
always interprets the command inputs cor-
rectly, no matter who is driving the car:
> When you slide the controller, you can
perceive the effect of mechanical
guides along the main axes of move-
ment. These guides make it easier to
select the main menu you want
> When you turn the controller, you feel
electronically generated detents. They
help you to stop at the correct item in
any particular menu.
The control display is an ATFT colour
screen with brightness-sensitive back-
lighting, so that you always see all the
details on the screen clearly, regardless
of your viewing angle.
33

The illustration shows the control display in
the BMW 7 Series. A photocell, see arrow,
measures the intensity of the ambient light
so that the display can compensate for sur-
rounding brightness. The control display
adjusts the backlighting accordingly.
The control centre's CPU coordinates con-
troller and control display and functions as
the interface to the other control centres in
the car.
Data is transmitted reliably and efficiently
by means of optical fibres, with transmis-
sion rates in the megabit range.
Benefits
The control centre enables you to control
several hundred vehicle functions from a
single element, the controller. This facility
contributes to enhanced safety on the
road.
Voice input system
Function
The voice input system enables you to con-
trol in-car functions, such as the radio and
telephone, simply by speaking instead of
via conventional controls.
The voice input system recognises your
spoken commands and responds with
audible answers. Unlike a conventional
voice-processing system it conducts a dia-
logue with you, following a defined menu
structure. Once it knows precisely what
you want, it performs the appropriate func-
tion, such as dialling a particular phone
number or switching on the radio.
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There is no need for you to remove your
hands from the steering wheel, and you can
devote your entire attention to the traffic
situation.
Technology
You communicate with the voice input
system by means of the telephone's hands-
free microphone.
The hands-free microphone is the voice
input system's ear. It converts your spoken
commands into electrical signals. A
sophisticated noise-suppression process
filters secondary noise out of the input sig-
nals. This ensures effective, trouble-free
voice recognition even if the level of driving
noise is relatively high.
The voice recognition system converts the
filtered signals into control signals that
trigger the appropriate response to the
command input on the part of the control
centres in the car.
The voice input system can recognise over
100 predefined commands and strings of
digits to a large extent independently of the
characteristics of the individual speaker's
voice. The system may be able to recog-
nise more commands, depending on your
vehicle's equipment.
Benefits
You can control important functions in the
car easily and conveniently simply by
speaking.
This principle of spoken communication
and the dialog principle are the main
advantages of the voice input system over
conventional control systems. Ride comfort
and safety benefit accordingly.
From A to Z

Index
A C E
ABS anti-lock braking Cam follower 16 EBV Electronic Brake
system 28 Car Memory 31 Force Distribution 28
Active cruise control 23 CBC Cornering Brake EDC Electronic Damper
Active seat 25 Control 28 Control 29
Active steering 24 CBS Conditioned Based Electric Power Steering
Adaptive brake light 5 Service 31 EPS 24
Adaptive cornering Conditioned Based Electronic Brake Force
lights 11 Service CBS 31 Distribution EBV 28
Adaptive transmission Control centre 33 Electronic Damper
control AGS 21 Control display 33 Control EDC 29
ADB-X Automatic Controller 33 Engine drag-torque
Differential Brake 20, 29 Convenience sector 33 control MSR 28
AGS adaptive transmission Convenient access 32 EPS Electric Power
control 21 Cornering Brake Control Steering 24
Anti-glare mirrors 12 CBC 28
Anti-lock braking system Cruise control 23 F
ABS 28
ASC Automatic Stability D Fibre optics 34
Control 28 Four-wheel drive 20
ATFT colour screen 33 DBC Dynamic Brake
Automatic Differential Control 29 H
Brake ADB-X 20, 29 Direct injection 17
Automatic dip, inside and Double VANOS 15 HDC Hill Descent
outside mirrors 12 Drivelogic 19 Control 20
Automatic headlight Driving programs 19 Head airbag 6
control 10 Driving sector 33 Head protection system 6
Automatic headlight Driving stability 27 Headlight beam throw
vertical aim control, see DSC Dynamic Stability adjustment 10
Headlight beam throw Control 27, 28 Headlight control 10
adjustment 10 DTC Dynamic Traction High-beam headlights 9
Automatic Hold 26 Control 28 High-revving naturally
Automatic Stability Control Dynamic beam throw aspirated engine 15
ASC 28 adjustment, see Hill Descent Control
Automatic transmission 21 Headlight beam throw HDC 20
adjustment 10
B Dynamic Brake Control I
DBC 29
Brake light sizes 5 Dynamic Drive 27 iDrive 33
Brake light, adaptive 5 Dynamic Stability Control Inflatable Tubular
Brightness sensors 11 DSC 27, 28 Structure 6
Dynamic Traction Control Infrared sensor 12
DTC 28 Integral rear axle 22

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K T
Key Memory 31 Throttle valve 14
KeyReader 32 Tubular airbag 6
Tyre deflation monitor 8
L Tyre pressure control
RDC 7
Lateral acceleration 27
Limited-slip differential, V
variable 17
Low-beam headlights 9 V12 engine 17
Valve-lift control 15
M VALVETRONIC 14
VANOS 15
M double VANOS 16 Variable M limited-slip
Mirrors, anti-glare 12 differential 17
MSR engine drag-torque Variable valve gear 15
control 28 Voice input system 34

P W
Park Distance Control Wear parts 32
PDC 6
PDC Park Distance X
Control 6
Photocell 12, 34 Xenon headlights 9

R
Rain sensor 12
RDC tyre pressure
control 7
Run Flat Indicator 7
Run-flat tyres 7

S
Safety tyres, see Run-flat
tyres 7
Sequential M gearbox
SMG II 19
Servicing 31
Shift by wire 19, 21
Shift lights 20
Shock-absorber force 29
SMG II sequential M
gearbox 19
Surface area of brake
light 5

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