2010 BMW X5 Owner's Manual - Page 84

Technology for comfort, convenience and safety Technology for comfort, convenience and safety PDC Park Distance Control* The concept In addition to the PDC Park Distance Control, the rear view camera*, refer to page 86, can also be switched on. PDC assists you during parking. A slow approach to an object in front of or behind your vehicle is announced by: > Signal tones > Optical displays Limitations of ultrasonic measurement The detection of objects can come up against the limitations of physical ultrasonic measurement, for example: > when using tow bars and towing hitches > in the presence of thin or wedge-shaped objects > in the presence of low objects > in the presence of objects with corners and sharp edges Low objects that have already been displayed, e.g. curbs, can disappear again from the detection area of the sensors before or after a continuous tone sounds. Higher, protruding objects, e.g. ledges, cannot be detected. Measurement Ultrasonic sensors in the bumpers carry out the measurement. Their range is approx. 7 ft/2 m. The acoustic warning begins: > at approx. 24 in/60 cm for the front* sensors and the two rear corner sensors. > at approx. 5 ft/1.50 m for the middle sensors in the rear. False warnings Under the following conditions, PDC may display a warning even though no obstacle is present in the detection range: > in heavy rain > when the sensors are heavily soiled or icedover > when the sensors are covered with snow > on rough road surfaces > in large, rectangular buildings with smooth walls, e.g. underground garages > in the presence of heavy exhaust > due to the presence of other ultrasonic sources such as street sweepers, steam cleaners, or neon lamps. System limitations PDC cannot replace the personal assessment of the traffic situation. Also make a direct visual check of the traffic situation around the vehicle. Otherwise, there could be a risk of accident, for example due to other road users or objects outside the detection range of PDC. Loud sources of sound, inside and outside the vehicle, could drown out the PDC signal tone.< Avoid approaching an object too quickly. Avoid starting off quickly while PDC is not yet activated. Otherwise, physical circumstances could cause the system to issue a warning late.< Automatic activation With the engine running or the ignition switched on, shift the selector lever into position R. 82 Online Edition for Part no. 01 41 2 602 756 - © 06/09 BMW AG