Technical features for driving comfort and safety, Park distance control pdc – BMW AG User Manual

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Technical features for driving comfort and safety

Park Distance Control PDC*

The principle

PDC assists you when reversing the car
into a parking space. Audible warning
signals tell you how far you are from
objects behind the car. To do this, four
ultrasonic sensors in the back bumper
measure the distance to the nearest
object. The range of the sensors at the
two rear corners ends approx. 60 cm
(approx. 2 ft) behind the bumper. The
two centre sensors have a range of
approx. 1.50 m (approx. 5 ft).

PDC is a system that can draw
your attention to objects that you

are approaching at slow speed, as is
usually the case when you are reverse-
parking. Avoid approaching objects too
quickly, as otherwise the situation
might be such that the system cannot
warn you in time.

In ignition key position 2, the system is
activated automatically after approx.
1 second when reverse gear is selected
or the automatic transmission selector
lever is moved to R.

Wait for this brief time to elapse
before you start reversing.

The system is switched off when the
lever is moved out of reverse gear.

If you are towing a trailer, the sensors
obviously cannot return usable meas-
ured values. Consequently, they remain
inactive.

You can arrange for a signal to be
provided as confirmation that PDC

is active. If this option is activated, the
acoustic signal will sound when you
select reverse gear or selector lever
position R.

Audible warning signals

The distance from an object is indicated
by an intermittent audible signal. The
closer the car approaches the object,
the more rapid the sequence of signals.
When the distance is less than 30 cm
(approx. 1 ft), the signal becomes con-
tinuous.

The signal is interrupted after approx.
3 seconds if the distance from the
object remains constant during this
time, for instance when reversing paral-
lel to a wall.

If a continuous signal at a pitch higher
than usual is heard when the system is
first activated, it is malfunctioning. Have
the cause traced and rectified by BMW
Service, or a workshop employing
trained personnel and working to the
specifications issued by BMW.

PDC cannot act as a substitute for
your personal assessment of

objects. The sensors have certain 'dead
areas' in which objects cannot always
be detected. In addition, the detection
of objects can reach the physical limits
of ultrasonic measurement, e.g. with
trailer towbars and couplings or thin
and tapering objects. Bear in mind, too,
that previously detected low objects –
for example, a kerb – can move out of
the sensors' range of detection before
the continuous signal sounds.
Note that loud sources of noise outside
or inside the car could prevent you from
hearing the PDC signal.

Keep the sensors clean and free
from ice, so that they always oper-

ate reliably.
Do not spray the sensors for any length
of time with a high-pressure cleaning
jet. Keep such jets at least 10 cm
(approx. 4 in) away from the sensors.