Online Edition for Part no. 01 41 2 604 027 - © 03/10 BMW AG

Technology for comfort, convenience and safety
Technology for comfort, convenience and
safety
PDC Park Distance Control*
The concept
In addition to the PDC Park Distance Control,
the rear view camera*, refer to page 93, can
also be switched on.
PDC assists you during parking. A slow
approach to an object in front of or behind your
vehicle is announced by:
> Signal tones
> Optical displays
Measurement
Ultrasonic sensors in the bumpers carry out the
measurement.
Their range is approx. 7 ft/2 m.
The acoustic warning begins:
> At approx. 24 in/60 cm for the front* sensors
and the two rear corner sensors.
> At approx. 5 ft/1.50 m for the middle sensors
in the rear.
System limitations
PDC cannot replace the personal assessment
of the traffic situation. Also make a
direct visual check of the traffic situation around
the vehicle. Otherwise, there could be a risk of
accident, for example due to other road users or
objects outside the detection range of PDC.
Loud sources of sound, inside and outside the
vehicle, could drown out the PDC signal tone.<
Avoid approaching an object too quickly.
Avoid starting off quickly while PDC is not
yet activated.
Otherwise, physical circumstances could cause
the system to issue a warning late.<
Limitations of ultrasonic measurement
The detection of objects can come up against
the limitations of physical ultrasonic measurement,
for example:
> When using tow bars and towing hitches
> In the presence of thin or wedge-shaped
objects
> In the presence of low objects
> In the presence of objects with corners and
sharp edges
Low objects that have already been displayed,
e.g. curbs, can disappear again from the detection
area of the sensors before or after a continuous
tone sounds.
Higher, protruding objects, e.g. ledges, cannot
be detected.
False warnings
Under the following conditions, PDC may display
a warning even though no obstacle is
present in the detection range:
> In heavy rain
> When the sensors are heavily soiled or icedover
> When the sensors are covered with snow
> On rough road surfaces
> In large, rectangular buildings with smooth
walls, e.g. underground garages
> In the presence of heavy exhaust
> Due to the presence of other ultrasonic
sources such as street sweepers, steam
cleaners, or neon lamps.
Automatic activation
With the engine running or the ignition switched
on, shift the selector lever into position R.
Automatic deactivation
The system switches off and the LED goes out:
88