BMW Heaven - The BMW Knowledge Base - BMW options & electronic systems

Automatic Air Recirculation

Integrated into the automatic air conditioning, Automatic Air Recirculation (AAR) makes sure that pollutants in the air are not able to get inside the car. The system is able to recognise, for example, carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxide and ethanol, switching the automatic air conditioning to air recirculation for a limited period as soon as the concentration of harmful substances reaches a certain limit.

Anti-lock Braking System

The Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS) prevents the wheels from locking into a single position when braking. The system ensures that brake pressure is distributed between the wheels in a manner which maximises the brake force and lateral guiding force. This enables the driver to steer even when braking in an emergency. When ABS is activated, the driver feels the brake pedal pulsate gently. A special regulatory algorithm ensures that the driver can continue to steer the automobile in this situation as well.

Active Cruise Control

For cruising in genuine style at a preselected speed. When driving in motorway traffic, your BMW will adjust its speed automatically to a slower vehicle ahead, consistently maintaining the distance set in advance.

Active Headrests

Some of the biggest injury risks in an impact situation result from the sudden, jerking movement of the head and neck. The optional Active Headrests help reduce these risks by supporting the head at exactly that moment when it's most needed. Within 20 milliseconds of an impact being detected, the Active Headrests are pushed forward to reduce sudden head movement, gently helping prevent neck injury.

Active Steering

A unique system controlling the position of the front wheels precisely according to the driver's commands. Active steering provides a more direct transmission ratio at low speeds and an indirect ratio at higher speeds, thus solving the conflict of interest between agility, stability, and comfort, which conventional steering simply cannot offer. When the driver applies the brakes on surfaces with varying frictional coefficients such as icy patches, snow and asphalt, active steering - actively intervening in the steering control - stabilises the car more quickly and more precisely than a 'regular' motorist would ever be able to do.

Adaptive Headlights

Nighttime driving on twisting roads? An optional extra in the BMW M5, Adaptive Headlights enhance safety considerably. Sensors permanently monitor the speed and steering angle of the front wheels - this data is processed and electromechanical motors angle the cups of the xenon headlights in the direction which best illuminates the course of the road ahead.

Automatic Differential Brake

ADB-X is a subfunction of the Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) in all-wheel drive vehicles. It has the same effect as that of a differential lock - braking an individual wheel - meaning that the standard differential lock is no longer necessary. If a wheel threatens to spin, ADB-X can automatically apply brake force until grip is re-established and power transmission can commence again. When DSC has been activated, ADB-X is complemented by engine performance regulation; when DSC is off, ADB-X delivers maximum power, while dispensing with engine regulatory systems and stability control. The brakes are also protected from overheating.

Automatic Stability Control (+ Traction)

Automatic Stability Control + Traction (ASC+T) is a subfunction of DSC and prevents the drive wheels from spinning. This ensures optimum traction and driving stability. If one wheel of the drive axle is on stable ground but the other is on a slippery or loose surface, the wheel that is threatening to skid is therefore braked as much as possible until the other wheel can regain its grip. And in order to generate extra wheel spin when required, for example when rocking the car out of snow, you can deactivate the ASC+T function.

Advanced Safety Electronics system

Increased passenger safety: the Advanced Safety Electronics system uses an optic fibre network to co-ordinate the safety system's response in an impact situation. In a collision, the system responds with deployment of seatbelt tensioners and belt force limiters. Each of the airbags are inflated to the optimum level, depending on the severity and the direction of the impact. If necessary, the system deactivates the fuel pump and disengages the car battery.

Active Seat Ventilation

The active seat ventilation for the driver and front seat passenger ensures a cool and pleasant journey when travelling during the summer months. Four ventilators located in the seat and backrest blow air through the perforated upholstery, ensuring a comfortable seat temperature. In addition, the body's rate of transpiration is also reduced - this increases safety as the driver is less prone to tiredness.

Adaptive Transmission Management

In the automatic mode, Adaptive Transmission Management (ATM) chooses the right gear through a self-learning process and considers a range of different factors. To recognise your personal style of driving, ATM consistently registers the position and use of the accelerator pedal. It compares wheel spin and torque and adjusts gearshift to normal, winter and hill-climb/start-off conditions. ATM even takes into consideration the current driving situation and thus avoids any unnecessary gearshifts, for example in stop-and-go traffic, when taking bends or on mountainous roads.

Brake Force Display

Brake Force Display works by increasing the intensity of the brake lights in the rear lamp clusters by expanding the number of illuminated LEDs when heavy braking is detected. The extra lighting is triggered after the anti-lock brake sensors detect a rate of deceleration in excess of 5 m/second?. The system reacts within a few tenths of a second to increase the intensity of the stoplight illumination, projecting a highly visible warning beacon to following traffic. Only deceleration forces trigger Brake Force Display, not simply pedal pressure, in order to avoid unnecessary illumination.

BMW Assist

BMW Assist turns your BMW into your personal travel manager. Its automatic emergency and breakdown assistance with vehicle location feature increases passenger safety. En route, current traffic conditions are monitored and an alternative route is recommended if congestion threatens. BMW Assist also provides useful information, for example, about hotels and restaurants, and addresses can be transferred directly to the navigation system.

Cornering Brake Control

CBC works together with ABS to counter over-steer when going around corners fast. CBC guarantees optimum distribution of brake power in corners, keeping the car on track even if the brakes are applied suddenly when cornering. Using the revolutions of the wheel, CBC regulates the pressure in the different wheel brake cylinders so that wheels operate separately and brake optimally. The vehicle remains safe on track at all times. Even during abrupt braking maneuvers, the vehicle remains stable.

BMW CleanEnergy

BMW CleanEnergy vehicles have both a hydrogen and a petrol tank. If one of the tanks is empty, the bivalent BMW engine unit switches over automatically to the other fuel system. One decisive advantage of the combustion engine is bivalence. It enables both hydrogen and petrol to be used, thus creating the ideal conditions for a transition from non-regenerative to regenerative drive energies. During electrolysis water is split into its components of hydrogen and oxygen. The hydrogen is stored and the oxygen is needed in the vehicle for the combustion of the hydrogen. The combustion process generates energy and water as a waste product, which returns to the natural water cycle. And so with the aid of regenerative energy suppliers, an emission-free fuel is obtained.

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August 08, 2008, 08:36:03 pm

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