BMW adds several aspects of safety so their cars can drive safely on the road. Some of the features include Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Departure Warning, Blind Spot Detection, and Automatic Emergency Braking and their duty is to give you the extra protection you need on the road. However, these sophisticated systems can sometimes fail. Here is what you should know about BMW safety feature issues.
Signs Your BMW’s Safety Features are Malfunctioning
Warning Lights
The first signs that something is wrong with your BMW’s safety systems are the warning lights on the instrument cluster. These lights are intended to signal you of possible problems. The check engine light, the ACC warning, or the LDW light are a few of the signals to be noticed. These warning lights usually come on when any of the safety features are non-functional.
Unusual Behavior
If your BMW starts acting up and does things that you would not expect it to do, then it may be a sign that there is something wrong with some of the safety features. Some of the behaviors that can be considered unusual include sharp or harsh braking, wrong turning, or false activations of the safety systems. For example, if your car suddenly brakes for no reason, then there might be a problem with the Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) system.
Failure to Engage
If safety features such as ACC or AEB fail to turn on when they are supposed to, then there is a problem. For instance, if the ACC system is not keeping the required distance from the car in front or if AEB does not work at the time of a potential crash, then it means that these features are not working. Such failures are dangerous and should be corrected as soon as possible since they pose a risk to your safety.
Sensor Issues
Another factor that may contribute to the breakdown of safety features is issues with the sensors themselves. Sensors are crucial to perceiving the surroundings of your BMW and feeding this information to safety control systems. These devices can be affected by dirt, debris, or physical damage which may result in wrong readings or even failure. To reduce the above problems, it is recommended to perform a routine check and cleaning of the sensors.
Audible Warnings
Apart from the visual alarms, you may get other sounds like beeps that let you know that a system is not functioning correctly. These audible warnings are meant to be heard and one should not turn a deaf ear to them. If there are continuous beeping or alert sounds that cannot be attributed to any specific issue, then it means that there is a problem with one of the safety features of the car.
Handling Safety Feature Failure
Check the Sensors
Start with the exterior by checking the sensors around your BMW. If they are stained, then wash them with cool water and a mild soap preferably using a soft rag. While cleaning, one should be very careful not to rub the sensors hard or use an abrasive material to clean them as this will affect their performance.
Restart the System
At times, a small software issue can hinder the functioning of the safety features. What you should do in this case is to turn off your BMW and turn it back on to clear and reset these systems. This can be done by switching off the car completely, waiting for a few minutes then switching it back on.
Update Software
Make sure that you have the latest software for the car. BMW always releases updates to help enhance the functionality, as well as the stability of their systems. One can check for updates at a BMW service center.
Seek Professional Help
If the problem persists even after cleaning the sensors and restarting the system, then it is best to enlist the aid of a professional. The best place to go for this is a certified mechanic or better still a dealership. They possess special equipment and know how to correctly identify the issue.
Stop At The Top BMW Repair Shop in San Rafael
If you are looking for a professional 
service for the repair and maintenance of your imported cars, especially the European brands, then Heynneman European in San Rafael, CA is the place to be. Being your reliable source of quality repairs without a dealer price tag, we focus on European makes and respect every car. If your BMW’s safety features require service, then our experienced mechanics are always ready to help. We also serve nearby communities of Larkspur, San Anselmo, Corte Madera, Kentfield, Mill Valley, and Fairfax. Come to us today for your BMW service needs.
* Man Driving BMW Car image credit goes to: Alexandr Baranov.
