Cruise control – BMW 550i xDrive Sedan 2011 User Manual

Page 109

Display

The collision warning can be issued in the in‐
strument cluster, in the Head-up Display*, and
acoustically.

Instrument cluster

The vehicle lights up in red: prewarning

The vehicle flashes red and an acoustic
signal sounds: acute warning
You are requested to intervene by brak‐

ing or making an evasive maneuver.

Adapting your speed and driving style
The display does not relieve the driver of

the responsibility to adapt his or her driving
speed and style to the traffic conditions.◀

System limits

Be alert
Due to system limitations, warnings may

be not be issued at all, or may be issued late or
improperly. Therefore, always be alert and ready
to intervene; otherwise, there is the danger of an
accident occurring.◀

Detection range

The detection capacity of the radar sensor and
the collision warning has limitations.
This may result in the warning not being issued
or being issued late.
For example, the following situations may not be
detected:

▷

Slow moving objects when you approach
them at high speed.

▷

Vehicles that suddenly swerve in front of
your vehicle.

▷

Two-wheeled vehicles ahead of you.

▷

Pedestrians.

Functional limitations

The system may not be fully functional in the
following situations:

▷

In heavy fog, rain or snowfall.

▷

In tight curves.

▷

If the radar sensor is dirty or covered.

Prewarning sensitivity

If the prewarning setting is too sensitive, there
may be an excess of false warnings.

Cruise control

The concept

The system is functional at speeds beginning at
approx. 20 mph/30 km/h.
It maintains the speed that was set using the
control elements on the steering wheel.
The system brakes on downhill gradients if en‐
gine braking action is insufficient.

Unfavorable conditions
Do not use the system if unfavorable con‐

ditions make it impossible to drive at a constant
speed, for instance:

▷

On curvy roads.

▷

In heavy traffic.

▷

On slippery roads, in fog, snow or rain, or on
a loose road surface.

Otherwise, you could lose control of the vehicle
and cause an accident.◀

Controls

Buttons at a glance

1 System on/off, interrupt
2 Resume speed