System functions

PDC incorporates the following functions:

• Acoustic warnings
• Visual warnings
• Check Control

  Acoustic warnings 

  The acoustic warnings are emitted by the M-ASK via the mid-range loudspeaker.

  If an object is detected by 2 ultrasonic sensors, the loudspeaker closest to the object is actuated. The mid - range loudspeaker in the left/right-hand front doors or the mid-range loudspeaker on the left/right-hand sides of the rear shelf can be actuated.

  If an object is detected by 3 ultrasonic sensors, the mid-range loudspeakers on the left and right-hand sides are actuated together.

  The smaller the distance to the object, the faster the sequence of acoustic warning tones.

  A distance of less than approx. 25 centimeters is indicated by a continuous tone.

  The warning tone switches off as soon as the vehicle moves away from the object.

  If the vehicle is moving directly towards a wall, the acoustic warning tone will be switched off after approx. 3 seconds so that it does not distract the driver. If the vehicle continues to approach the wall, the warning will be reactivated.

  Effective range for acoustic warnings:

  • approx. 60 centimeters for the ultrasonic sensors at the two corners of the front bumper
  • approx. 70 centimeters for the two middle ultrasonic sensors in the front bumper
  • approx. 60 centimeters for the ultrasonic sensors at the two corners of the rear bumper
  • approx. 150 centimeters for the two middle ultrasonic sensors in the rear bumper

  Visual warnings 

  The visual PDC warnings are given in the Central Information Display (CID). This is subject to the display in the CID being active.

  The visual warnings are given earlier than the acoustic warnings.

  The effective range is approx. 2 meters at the front and approx. 2.5 meters at the rear.

  The graphic display is shown on the CID. The PDC control unit supplies the distance between the ultrasonic sensor and the object detected via the K-CAN.

  The display on the CID is an overhead view of the vehicle with the effective ranges of the ultrasonic sensors.

  The distance to objects detected is shown in the colors of traffic lights:

  • Distance down to 100 centimeters: green
  • Distance between 100 an 50 centimeters: yellow
  • Distance less than 50 centimeters: red

  The display appears as soon as the PDC is switched on (manually or automatically). The display overrides other displays in the CID. When the PDC is switched off again, the previous display automatically appears again in the Central Information Display.

  Check Control 

  If a fault develops in the PDC, the function LED in the PDC button flashes.

  In this situation, PDC cannot be switched on.

  At the same time, a Check-Control message is displayed in the following form

  • Symbol in the LCD display in the instrument cluster
  • The following text appears in the status line of the Central Information Display:

    "PDC failure!"

    In the menu "BMW Service", the following text can be called up in the submenu "Check-Control messages":

    "Park Distance Control

    No acoustic warning available for Park Distance Control (PDC).

    Have the problem checked by BMW Service as soon as possible."

Conditions for switching on and off 

PDC is switched on under the following conditions:

• PDC button pressed (PDC switched on manually)
• Reverse gear engaged (PDC switched on automatically)

PDC is switched off under the following conditions:

• PDC button pressed (PDC switched off manually)
• Ignition switched off (PDC switched off automatically
• After driving approx. 50 meters
• After exceeding a speed of 30 km/h

When a trailer is being towed, the acoustic and visual warnings for the rear bumper are deactivated.

For this to happen, the trailer must be electrically connected to the vehicle.

Problematic conditions for switching on and off 

In borderline situations, PDC may give a warning even though there is no object within the effective range (reflection from the ground, e.g. on coarse gravel).

In borderline situations, it could happen that objects that are present are not detected (no or insufficient reflection due to geometric form).

Under the following conditions, it could happen that the PDC gives a warning, even though there is no object within the effective range: 

• Ultrasonic sensor incorrectly located in its bracket
• Heavy rain
• Severe dirt contamination or icing of the ultrasonic sensors
• Ultrasonic sensors covered in snow
• Echo pulses caused by ground, e.g. extremely coarse road surface or high grass
• Very smooth walls in large, enclosed, rectangular spaces, e.g. in underground car parks (interference from earlier, reflected echo impulses)

Under the following conditions, the PDC may not recognize an obstacle that is present: 

• Low objects or objects with corners and sharp edges (no reflection)
• If you drive alongside a wall while you are parking, the acoustic warning will be deactivated so long as you are moving parallel to the wall.