Park Distance Control (Pdc) - BMW SERIE 3 CONVERTIBLE 2002 Owner's Manual

Park Distance Control (PDC)

The concept
PDC provides extra safety and conve-
nience during parking and all backing
operations by providing an acoustic
signal to indicate the distance between
your rear bumper and the nearest
object. The system features four ultra-
sonic sensors mounted in your rear
bumper. The monitoring range for the
two corner sensors extends outward
roughly 2 ft (60 cm), while two centrally
located sensors detect objects at
distances of up to approx. 5 ft (1.50
meters).
The system starts to operate automati-
cally approx. one second after you
select reverse or move the selector
lever into the "R" position with the igni-
tion key in position 2. PDC is deacti-
vated when you shift back out of
reverse.
*
Acoustic signals
The distance to the nearest object is
indicated by a tone sounding at various
intervals. As the distance between
vehicle and object decreases, the inter-
vals between the tones become
shorter. A continuous tone indicates the
presence of an object less than 1 ft
(30 cm) away.
The warning signal is canceled after
approx. three seconds if the distance to
the obstacle 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 refer the problem to your
BMW center.
The PDC does not remove the
driver's personal responsibility for
evaluating the distance between the
vehicle and any obstacles. Always
remember that the sensors can neither
detect nor provide warnings of obsta-
cles located within their blind angles.
This applies especially in those cases
where the system approaches the
physical limits of ultrasonic measure-
ment, as occurs with tow bars and
trailer couplings, and in the vicinity of
thin or wedge-shaped objects.
Certain sources of sound, such as a
loud radio, could 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 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).<
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