F.I.R.S.T. stands for "Fully Integrated Road Safety Technology", a safety system offering comprehensive protection for the car's occupants, other road users and the car itself. Active Safety is achieved by BMW's responsive handling, sophisticated safety technologies such as anti-lock brakes (ABS), and substantial power reserves, which provide superior acceleration to overtake other vehicles as quickly as possible. Passive Safety features include an extra-rigid passenger cell, computer-designed crumple zones front and rear, and driver- and passenger-side airbags. Rounded body contours of the entire front end of the car help protect pedestrians.
Anti-lock braking system (ABS) helps prevent the wheels from locking when the brakes are applied. As a result, the vehicle not only stops within a shorter distance on most surfaces, but allows the driver to maintain greater control. Each wheel is constantly monitored by an electronic sensor for its rotation speed; the signal compares the speed at which the car is actually travelling vs. wheel rotation. If the wheel's rotation decreases excessively, the electronic control unit determines the risk of the wheel locking and immediately reduces hydraulic pressure in the respective brake line.
In a severe frontal impact, mechanical tensioners, integrated into front belt buckles, are triggered by their own independent sensing system. Tensioning action pulls the buckle downward, tightening lap and shoulder belts around the occupant, holding them more firmly in place.
The airbag safety system is designed to minimize head and upper-body injuries in a severe head-on collision. In the event of a front-end collision exceeding a certain limit, a self-checking control unit with integrated impact sensors activates inflation of the airbags within milliseconds, to cushion the driver and front passenger. After the collision, the airbags quickly deflate, giving the driver and front passenger full freedom of action. This is a supplemental restraint system designed to work with the BMW safety belt system. Always wear your seat belt.
The front end of the seats is wedge-shaped to help reduce the possibility of sliding beneath the seat belts in a severe frontal impact. The seat design is an important feature of BMW's passenger restraint system that consists of seat belts, automatic tensioners and dual airbags.
Check/Control supervises the proper function of all major features and bulbs on the car and shows the driver their condition or any deviation from their proper operation. An important innovation is that Check/Control also monitors and displays major lamp functions when not in use (off). Defect information is displayed in alphanumeric characters and is accompanied by a sound signal. This information is subdivided into priority levels depending on its significance.
Signals of malfunctions and even related operating conditions are stored electronically by control units, and later shown and interpreted on the screen of the Service Scope at the BMW Dealer's service shop. This way the task of failure analysis is made much easier, and repair costs are reduced.
BMW uses in its spark ignition engines one of the most advanced forms of engine management: Digital Motor Electronics, which monitors with utmost precision engine control parameters such as ignition timing, fuel injection and mixture control, as well as numerous ancillary functions. It provides optimal power with the lowest possible fuel consumption and emission levels under all operating conditions.
The distributorless ignition system features a separate ignition coil for each cylinder and spark plug. This innovative technology replaces the conventional concept with one single coil, distributor and rotor for all cylinders.
The dual-mass flywheel helps keep the car's interior quiet. It prevents the unavoidable, but very slight ignition-related engine torque irregularities from being transmitted to the power train, and from there acoustically to the car's interior. The benefit is most noticeable at very low engine speed.
At speeds over 5 mph, Energy Control keeps the driver informed of the car's current fuel consumption, to help save fuel and resources. The analog-face display is integrated in the tachometer.
The intermittent wiper function varies the windshield wiper operation intervals according to road speed.
By varying the ignition timing, knock control prevents engine knocking and possible damage to the engine. This allows an increase in the compression ratio without the risk of damage. As a result, the engine is able to make optimum use of the fuel.
The on-board computer offers the driver all the data needed for comfortable and efficient driving, such as: date, time of day, average speed, average fuel consumption, miles left in the tank at present rate of use, distance to the point of destination, speed limit and even the outside temperature. The computer also functions as a timer. At the same time, the on-board computer increases safety since it is capable, for instance, of alerting the driver of icy road conditions; it also provides a coded anti-theft security feature. All the information can easily be called up by remote control by pressing one of the steering column stalks while driving, without moving the hands from the steering wheel.
Recognizing that each owner uses a car differently, BMW developed the Service Interval Indicator to tailor routine maintenance specifically for that use.
The variable camshaft control of the six-cylinder engine adjusts the intake camshaft by 12.5 degrees depending on engine speed and accelerator position. Controlled by DME and using hydraulic/mechanical actuators, this system opens the intake valves later at lower speeds in order to improve idling quality and engine smoothness. At medium speeds, on the other hand, the intake valves open earlier to provide a far higher torque and full recirculation of exhaust gas within the engine, serving to optimize fuel economy and improve emission control. At high speeds, the intake valves are again opened at a later point to provide maximum engine output for supreme performance.
The BMW body is protected against road salt spray and water through the use of zinc-coated materials wherever needed, especially in cavities. This careful use of zinc, while preserving the quality of the car for many years, also saves a valuable material resource.
BMW 3-Series Standard Features
BMW 3-Series Convertibles
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