New Technology for Active Safety
The high standard of driving stability so characteristic of the BMW 1 Series is ultimately also an important safety factor. Nevertheless, even a car of this calibre may exceed the limits to its driving dynamics in an unforeseeable situation - which is precisely why the BMW 1 Series has all the technical features required to significantly reduce the risk of an accident. Should, for example, a sudden manoeuvre serving to avoid an obstacle or an unexpected change in road conditions lead to an extremely difficult situation, DSC Dynamic Stability Control serves to keep the car on course, the system applying the brakes specifically on individual wheels to prevent the car from swerving out of control.
The BMW 130i is the only model in the 1 Series to be fitted exclusively with the latest generation of DSC Dynamic Stability Control. This superior system offers an even wider range of sophisticated brake functions serving above all to minimise the car's stopping distance and at the same time to maintain directional stability when applying the brakes in a bend by spreading out brake forces according to current requirements. A further point is that the brake pads are applied lightly to the brake linings at regular intervals in wet weather, to provide a "dry braking effect" and to prevent the usual delay in the response of the brakes otherwise encountered in rain and wet weather. A further advantageous feature is automatic preloading of the brake discs whenever the driver suddenly takes his foot off the gas pedal, which serves to significantly shorten response times.
A feature already well known and integrated in all of BMW's DSC systems is DBC Dynamic Brake Control providing similar safety and superiority in the braking process. A further function preventing the car from oversteering in a bend when applying the brakes lightly is CBC Cornering Brake Control, while EBFD Electronic Brake Force Distribution shares out brake forces according to current requirements. All of these are additional functions of the DSC and ABS driving stability systems.
ASC Automatic Stability Control helps to ensure safe traction when setting off on a slippery or rough surface, while yet a further additional function of BMW's latest generation DSC prevents the car from rolling back when setting off on a gradient. And last but certainly not least, DSC Dynamic Stability Control also comes with a special mode - DTC Dynamic Traction Control - providing a higher level of wheel slip.
Yet a further safety feature never seen before in the compact class is BMW's Adaptive Headlight Control* now featured in the BMW 130i and also becoming available in all other models in the 1 Series: Following the steering wheel, the headlights move in the right direction immediately when the car enters a bend, illuminating the road ahead in the right angle and reliably guiding the driver in the right direction.
A Brake System also for Vehicles Following from Behind
Reflecting its superior performance, the BMW 130i comes with a particularly powerful and efficient brake system. Extra large brake discs both front and rear ensure the best deceleration and stopping power in this class. Absolute reliability, in turn, is guaranteed by the ongoing, continuous action brake pad wear indicator, sensors monitoring the brake pads for their current condition.
Taking the driver's style of motoring into account, a control unit monitors and calculates the remaining service life of the brake pads - a feature never seen before in the compact class. The driver is then able to check out this information at any time on the large colour monitor* at the central top position of the instrument panel or retrieve the data via the on-board computer between the speedometer and rev counter, just as he is able to call up the remaining lifetime of other parts subject to wear and tear.
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