Park distance control (pdc) – BMW 2004 Mini Convertible Cooper User Manual

Page 76

PARK DISTANCE CONTROL (PDC)

The concept

The PDC assists you when you back into a
parking space. A signal tone tells you the
current distance to an object behind your
vehicle. To do this, four ultrasonic sensors
in the rear bumper measure the distance to
the nearest object.
The sensors on each side have a range of
approx. 2 ft / 60 cm, the middle sensors
one of approx. 5 ft / 1.5 m.

PDC is a parking aid that can identify
objects if they are approached slowly,

as is generally the case when parking.
Avoid driving towards objects rapidly; due
to underlying physical principles, the sys-
tem may otherwise alert you too late for
you to take evasive steps.

Automatic function

With the ignition key in position 2, the sys-
tem starts to operate automatically about
one second after you select reverse gear or
place the selector lever in position R.

Wait for this one second before you
drive backwards.

The system is deactivated when you shift
away from Reverse.

You can have a signal tone set as a
confirmation that PDC has been acti-

vated.

Acoustical signals

The distance to an object is indicated by a
tone sounding at intervals. As the distance
between vehicle and object decreases, the
intervals between the tones become
shorter. A continuous tone indicates the
presence of an object less than 8 in / 20 cm
away.

The warning signal is canceled after
approx. three seconds if the distance to the
object remains constant during this time,
for instance if you are moving parallel to a
wall.

Malfunction

A continuous high-pitched tone will sound
during initial activation. The system is mal-
functioning. Have the system checked.

Volume control

The volume of the Park Distance Control
signal can be adjusted from level 1, soft, to
level 6, loud.

You can have this function set.

System limitations

Even with PDC, final responsibility for
estimating the distance between the

vehicle and any objects always remains
with the driver.
Even when sensors are involved, there is a
blind spot in which objects cannot be
detected. Recognition of some objects can
be beyond the limits of physical ultrasonic
measurement, for example with towing
bars or hitches or with thin or wedge-
shaped objects. Moreover, low objects that
have already been detected, such as a curb
edge, can disappear out of the range of the
sensors before a continuous tone sounds.
Loud sources of sound outside and inside
your vehicle can drown the PDC signal
tone.

Keep the sensors clean and free of ice
or snow in order to ensure that they

will continue to operate effectively.
Do not apply high pressure spray to the
sensors for a prolonged period of time.
Always maintain a distance which is
greater than 4 in / 10 cm.