System limits

well Check the traffic situation as well

PDC cannot serve as a substitute for the driver's personal judgment of the traffic situation. Check the traffic situation around the vehicle with your own eyes. Otherwise, an accident could result from road users or objects located outside of the PDC detection range.

Loud noises from outside and inside the vehicle may prevent you from hearing the PDC's signal tone.

!Avoid driving quickly with PDC

Avoid approaching an object quickly.

Avoid driving away quickly while PDC is not yet active.

For technical reasons, the system may otherwise be too late in issuing a warning.

Limits of ultrasonic measurement

The detection of objects can reach the physical limits of ultrasonic measurement, for instance:

  • With tow bars and trailer hitches.
  • With thin or wedge-shaped objects.
  • With low objects.
  • With objects with corners and sharp edges.

Low objects already displayed, e.g., curbs, can move into the blind area of the sensors before or after a continuous tone sounds.

High, protruding objects such as ledges may not be detected.

False warnings

PDC may issue a warning under the following conditions even though there is no obstacle within the detection range:

  • In heavy rain.
  • When sensors are very dirty or covered in ice.
  • When sensors are covered in snow.
  • On rough road surfaces.
  • In large buildings with right angles and smooth walls, e.g., in underground garages.
  • In heavy exhaust.
  • Due to other ultrasound sources, e.g., sweeping machines, high pressure steam cleaners or neon lights.
    See also:

    Display in the instrument cluster
    The collision warning can be issued in the instrument cluster, in the Head-up Display, and acoustically. Warning stages Adapting your speed and driving style The display does not relieve the ...

    Pinch protection system
    If the closing force exceeds a specific value as a window closes, the closing action is interrupted. The window reopens slightly. Danger of pinching even with pinch protection Even with the pin ...

    Playing a supporting role: innovative new 8-speed automatic transmission.
    All new BMW 5-Series models will feature an 8-speed automatic transmission, which brings smooth shifting, sportiness and efficiency to new levels of perfection. Compared to the exemplary 6-speed a ...