Brake Energy Regeneration: an energy-saving innovation.
The new BMW 5-Series sedan continues the roll-out of BMW's Brake Energy Regeneration system on US models. To save energy and reduce the vehicle's fuel consumption over time, this system manages the times at which the alternator charges the battery.
Conventionally, a car's alternator runs continuously and thus is always charging the vehicle's battery. In the new BMW 5-Series, it charges only when the vehicle is decelerating or braking; otherwise, it freewheels and draws virtually no power from the engine. An electronically controlled clutch, similar to that used with the air-conditioning compressor, is used to engage and disengage the alternator.
Accommodating the less-frequent charging is a special, more powerful vehicle battery that can satisfy the vehicle's high electrical demands without access to continuous charging. The battery uses a technology called "glass mat," in which its internal plates are separated with saturated absorbent glass-boron silicate rather than the usual liquid electrolyte. This construction sharply reduces the battery's conversion of charging energy to heat, and can provide the necessary electrical power for longer periods between charges.
See also:
Warning stages
Prewarning
This warning is issued, for example, when there
is the impending danger of a collision or the distance
to the vehicle ahead is too small.
Acute warning
Warning of the imminent danger ...
Maintenance
Maintain the vehicle regularly to sustain the road safety, operational reliability
and the New Vehicle Limited Warranty.
Specifications for required maintenance measures:
> BMW Maintenance syst ...
Calibrating the digital compass
The digital compass must be calibrated in the
following situations:
▷ An incorrect compass direction is shown.
The cardinal direction displayed does not
change even if the direction of tra ...