Continental components feature prominently in the new BMW 3 Series
AUBURN HILLS, Mich., April 13 /PRNewswire/ -- Continental Teves'
innovative brake system helps the new BMW 3-Series stop quicker, respond
faster in inclement weather, start easier on hills and monitor the car's on-
road position through the electronic stability control system, known as
Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) at BMW. The new BMW 3 Series models set
benchmarks in terms of active safety and convenience. Other features
contributing to the overall quality and performance of the new BMW include
Continental tires, technical equipment and electronic modules.
Conti Teves MK60 E5: Analog valves for perfect braking
The new BMW 3 Series comes standard with the latest Continental MK60 brake
system. The high-performance Conti Teves MK60 E5 brake system processes
signals from five pressure sensors, one on each wheel and one on the master
cylinder. In addition, a new generation of hydraulic valves provides precise
control of the foundation brakes.
These analog valves have the advantage of being infinitely variable,
unlike digital mode where the valve is either fully open or closed. Using
these new valves, the anti-lock brakes (ABS), traction control system (ASC)
and electronic stability control (ESC) system (marketed as DSC at BMW) all
operate more smoothly and effectively. This brake system is also better
matched for the conventional or adaptive cruise control systems fitted to the
new 3 Series.
When ASC activates, the enhanced control of the MK60 E5 becomes fully
effective, taking maximum advantage of tire traction. The advantages of the
MK60 E5 also become apparent under emergency braking with ABS. After the
initial drop in brake pressure to prevent wheel lock, the MK60 E immediately
compensates, bringing pressure back up to the wheel-lock limit. As a result,
wheel slip is kept at maximum non-lock braking force longer than was possible
with previous systems. This provides exceptionally short stopping distances.
The second advantage of the MK60 E5 is minimized pulsation from the brake
pedal during emergency braking. On the new BMW 3-Series, this is reduced to
the minimum level required to let drivers know that ABS has intervened.
The enhanced control MK60 E5 is also apparent when Dynamic Stability
Control intervenes to correct skidding. Additionally, if the driver selects
dynamic control mode for DSC, the electronics will even allow the vehicle to
oversteer under certain conditions. It can improve traction under adverse
conditions, for example when driving uphill over fresh snow. If the driver
comes too close to the limits, or the control unit recognizes that the driver
needs assistance, DSC intervenes to help the driver maintain control.
Controlling dynamics: Active steering and Conti Teves MK60 E5
Optional active steering on the new BMW 3 Series automatically corrects
for impending oversteer in much the same way an experienced driver would. The
steering automatically applies a carefully controlled amount of opposite lock
to bring the rear end under control. This type of automatic intervention is
almost imperceptible through the steering wheel and works through the
networked brake and steering systems.
In an unbalanced traction situation, such as right-hand wheels on asphalt
and the left-hand wheels on ice, the vehicle will tend to swing to the right
under braking. All electronic brake systems can compensate for situations like
this by controlling the brake pressures at the wheels individually and
reducing brake pressure at the rear axle. But this can cause reduced brake
effectiveness since the brakes on asphalt can only be given the same pressure
as the ones on the ice. Otherwise, it would create an unstable situation.
However, the driver still needs to provide some control by counter steering.
But the combination of MK60 E5 with active steering shows a significant
improvement in performance. The electronically controlled steering system
automatically applies opposite lock without any irritating feedback to the
driver via the steering wheel. An electric motor automatically turns the front
wheels to the angle required to ensure optimum driving stability. Drawing on
feedback from the wheel pressure sensors, the MK60 E5 calculates the steering
assist required and sets the brake force at each wheel to obtain the maximum
deceleration possible, resulting in significantly shorter stopping distances.
Additional Features
In addition to enhanced safety and braking features, the six-cylinder 3
Series models now offer a wide range of new functionalities from Continental
that make driving even easier:
Hill Start Assist (HSA)
Starting a manual shift vehicle on a hill can be a challenge. With Hill
Start Assist (HSA) taking off on a hill from a standstill is made easy, even
for inexperienced drivers. When the driver's foot moves from the brake to the
gas pedal, HSA maintains the brake system pressure for up to 1.5 seconds,
releasing the pressure smoothly as the car accelerates. The driver has plenty
of time to control the gas pedal and clutch, ensuring just the right amount of
torque at the rear wheels for a smooth, skillful hill start. HSA prevents the
car rolling back without frantic operation of the parking brake.
Rain Brake Support (RBS)
In the rain, a film of water forms on the surface of the brake discs.
Brake response is delayed, as the pads must cut through the moisture before
they can grip the disc. Rain Brake Support (RBS) ensures an ideal response
even in wet conditions. To remove the film of water effectively, the pads are
pressed gently against the disc at regular intervals - so gently that the
driver will not notice. This keeps them ready for effective braking at a
moment's notice.
Ready Alert Brake (RAB)
Drivers need time to move their foot from the gas to the brake pedal, and
hydraulic systems need time to build up brake pressure. In an emergency these
fractions of a second can make all the difference between a safe stop and a
collision. The MK60 E5 brake system reduces delay by building up pressure in
the brake system in advance. If the electronic control system recognizes that
the driver has lifted off the gas pedal quickly, it begins pre-loading the
brake system. Any brake commands received in the next few seconds are carried
out with no delay. If the brakes are not applied, the pressure is simply
released again.
Soft Stop Assist (SSA)
We all know the situation: Just before a car comes to a complete stop
there is an abrupt jolt. Experienced drivers can often avoid the jolt by
letting up on the brake pressure at the last possible moment. The Soft Stop
Assist function of the MK60 E5 remedies this situation automatically. It
recognizes that the vehicle is coming to a halt and reduces the brake pressure
at the rear wheels just before it stops, allowing the vehicle to settle
smoothly.
BBV: Monitors Brake Pad Wear
An additional function of the MK60 system makes life with the BMW 3-Series
even easier: BBV, brake pad wear detection. This function calculates the
remaining service life of the brake pads from a number of parameters. The
driver can call up the result on the display and decide with much greater
confidence whether to replace the brake pads before making the next long road
trip.
Fading Brake Support
Under the extreme stress and heat of emergency braking even the best brake
systems lose some performance. This phenomenon is known as brake fade.
Drivers have to compensate for fade by applying more pressure to the brake
pedal in order to obtain the same rate of deceleration. With the Conti Teves
MK60 E5, that is no longer necessary. The system boosts the servo pump output,
increases the pressure in the hydraulic system and ensures that there is
always enough hydraulic pressure at each wheel for the deceleration required
by the driver. A red light on the instrument panel warns the driver of
possible brake fade.
Brake hydraulics
With Continental Teves foundation brakes on the new BMW 3 Series, Fading
Brake Support will rarely be needed even under extreme conditions. The 3
Series is fitted with Conti Teves FN/FNR fist caliper brakes with extremely
high reserves in terms of performance and temperature. For the first time on a
vehicle of this category, the front-wheel calipers are made of aluminum.
For reduced actuation force, the newly-developed tandem tie rod booster
develops greater boost than on previous 3 Series. Like the tandem master
cylinder, this is a lightweight aluminum part, bringing a weight saving of
almost 2.5 pounds. Apart from the brake booster and the master cylinder, Conti
Teves also supplies the rear axle brake hoses for the new BMW.
Continental tires: Safe, comfortable and economical
Like many BMWs, the new 3 Series model will also be fitted with
Continental tires. Summer tires available as original equipment in Europe
include the run-flat 205/55 R 16 H, V and W versions of the
ContiPremiumContact and the 225/45 R 17 V and W versions of the
ContiSportContact 2. The DDS (Deflation Detection System) integrated in the
MK60 and MK60 E5 (which uses signals from the wheel speed sensors) warns the
driver of any hazardous loss of pressure.
Conti Temic and ContiTech: High durability components
Conti Temic and Conti Tech parts and components for the new BMW 3 Series
are designed to ensure years of trouble-free operation. Conti Temic supplies
the electronics for the optional heated seats, the electric 5-axis seat
adjustment system and the seat memory that allows individual seat settings to
be assigned to different car keys. Additionally, Conti Temic supplies the
control unit for forward dynamics management, which also governs the
innovative adaptive cruise control system.
Finally, ContiTech supplies v-ribbed belts and diaphragms for the BMW 3
Series, as well as foamed plastic foils for the interior and ducting of
refrigerants, transmission oil, servo oils, coolants and heat transfer fluids.
With 2004 sales of approximately $15.6 billion (US), Continental AG is a
major supplier of brake systems, chassis components, vehicle electronics,
tires and technical rubber products. Continental Automotive Systems' North
American operation is headquartered in Auburn Hills, Mich. and is a leading
global supplier of quality automotive systems that contribute to driver
safety, comfort and peace-of-mind. For additional information, visit our
media website http://www.contitevesna.com/index2.htm or
http://www.conti-online.com
SOURCE Continental Automotive Systems
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CONTACT:
Katja Mattl-Krauss, External Communications
of Continental Automotive Systems, +49-911-9526-2591, Fax:
+49-911-9526-2537, katja.mattl-krauss@temic.com, or Jim Gill,
M.S., APR, Director, Public Relations, +1-248-393-5210 of
Continental Automotive Systems NA, Cell: +1-248-882-6309,
jim.gill@usa.contiteves.com
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