Technology for safety and driving convenience, Park distance control (pdc) – BMW 325Ci Coupe 2004 User Manual

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Technology for safety and driving convenience

Park Distance Control (PDC)*

The concept

PDC assists you when you back into a
parking space. Acoustic signals alert
you to the momentary distance to an
object behind your vehicle. For this pur-
pose, four ultrasonic sensors in the rear
bumper measure the distance to the
next object. The monitoring range for
the rear bumper's two corner sensors
extends outward roughly 2 ft/60 cm,
while the two centrally located sensors
detect objects at distances of up to
approx. 5 ft/1.50 meters.

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 underly-
ing physical principles, the system may
otherwise alert you too late for you to
take evasive steps.

The system starts to operate automati-
cally approx. one second after you shift
into Reverse or move the selector lever
into the R position with the ignition key
in position 2.

Let this short period elapse before
driving backwards.

PDC is deactivated when you shift back
out of Reverse.

You can have a signal set to con-
firm that the PDC has been acti-

vated. The signal then sounds when
you shift into Reverse or move the
selector lever into the R position.

Acoustic signals

The distance to the nearest object is
indicated by a tone sounding at various
intervals. As the distance between vehi-
cle and object decreases, the intervals
between the tones become shorter. A
continuous tone indicates the pres-
ence of an object less than 1 ft/30 cm
away.

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

System malfunctions will be indicated
by a continuous high-pitched tone
when the system is activated the first
time. Please have the problem fixed by
your BMW center.

PDC does not replace the driver's
personal responsibility for evaluat-

ing the distance between the vehicle
and any objects. Even when sensors
are involved, there is a blind spot in
which objects cannot be detected. This
applies especially in those cases where
the system approaches the physical
limits of ultrasonic measurement, as
occurs with tow bars and trailer cou-
plings, and in the vicinity of thin or
wedge-shaped objects. Moreover, low
objects that have already been
detected – such as a curb edge – can
disappear out of the detection range of
the sensors before a continuous tone
sounds.
Loud sources of sound from outside or
inside the vehicle could drown out the
PDC signal tone.

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

that they will continue to operate effec-
tively.
Do not apply high pressure spray to the
sensors for a prolonged period of time.
Always maintain a distance of more
than 4 in/10 cm.