2009 BMW M3 SEDAN parking sensors

Controls
75Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Technology for driving comfort and safety
Park Distance Control PDC*
The concept
The PDC assists you with maneuvering in tight
parking spaces. Acoustic signals and a visual
indicator
warn you of the presence of an object
behind your vehicle. To measure the distance,
there are four ultrasonic sensors in the
bumpers.
These sensors have a range of approx. 6.5 ft/
2 m. However, an acoustic warning does not
sound until an object is approx. 24 in/60 cm
from the corner sensors, or approx. 5 ft/1.50 m
from the center sensors.
PDC is a parking aid that can indicate
objects when they are approached
slowly, as is usually the case when parking.
Avoid approaching an objec t a t h i g h s p e e d , o t h -
erwise physical circumstances may lead to the
system warning being issued too late.<
Switching on automatically
With the engine running or the ignition switched
on, the system is activated after approx. 1 sec-
ond when you engage reverse gear. Wait this
short period before driving.
Switching off automatically
After approx. 165 ft/50 m of driving or over
approx. 20 mph/30 km/h, the system switches
off and the LED goes out.
Signal tones
When nearing an object, its position is indicated
correspondingly by an interval tone. As the dis-
tance between vehicle and object decreases,
the intervals between the tones become
shorter. If the distance to the nearest object
falls to below roughly 1 ft/30 cm, then a contin-
uous tone sounds.
An interval tone is interrupted after approx.
3seconds>i f y o u s t o p i n f r o n t o f a n o b j e c t t h a t h a s b e e n
detected by only one of the corner sensors
>if you are driving parallel to a wall.
Malfunction
The indicator lamp in the instrument
cluster comes on. PDC is malfunc-
tioning. A message appears on the
Control Display. Have the system checked.
To avoid this problem, keep the sensors clean
and free of ice or snow in order to ensure that
they will continue to operate effectively. When
using a high-pressure cleaner, do not spray the
sensors for extended periods of time and only
from a distance of at least 4 in/10 cm.
PDC with visual warning
The approach of the vehicle to an object is
shown on the Control Display. Objects that are
farther away are displayed on the Control Dis-
play before a signal tone sounds. The display
appears on the Control Display as soon as PDC
is activated.
System limitations
Even with PDC, final responsibility for
estimating the distance between the
vehicle and any obstructions always remains
with the driver. Even when sensors are pro-
vided, there is a blind spot in which objects can
no longer be detected. The system is also sub-
ject to the physical limits that apply to all forms
of ultrasonic measurement, such as those
encountered with trailer towbars and hitches,
thin or wedge-shaped objects, etc. 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. Loud sound sources out-
side or inside the car can drown out the PDC
signal. Therefore, always drive cautiously, oth-
erwise there is a risk of personal injury or prop-
erty damage.<
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Mobility
199Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Care
Care products
Regular cleaning and care contributes signifi-
cantly to the value retention of your BMW.
BMW recommends cleaning and caring for your
vehicle with products that are approved by
BMW for this purpose.
Your BMW center will be happy to advise you on
the products and services available for cleaning
and caring for your BMW.
Original BMW CareProducts have been
material tested, laboratory checked and
proven in the field, and offer optimal care and
protection for your vehicle.<
Do not use cleaners that contain alcohol
or solvents as these may result in dam-
age.<
Cleaning agents can contain substances
that are dangerous or hazardous to your
health. Therefore, follow the warning and safety
instructions on the packaging. When cleaning
inside the vehicle, always open the doors or
windows of the vehicle. In enclosed areas, pro-
vide for sufficient ventilation. Only use products
designed for cleaning vehicles.<
Exterior care
Washing the vehicle
Especially during the winter months,
ensure that the vehicle is washed more
frequently. Heavy soiling and road salt can lead
to vehicle damage.<
After washing the vehicle, apply the
brakes briefly to dry them, otherwise
water can reduce braking efficiency over the
short term and the brake discs can corrode.<
Automatic car washes
Preference should be given to cloth car washes.
Before driving into a car wash, ensure that it is
suitable for your BMW. Check the following:>Dimensions of your vehicle, refer to
page219
>If necessary: fold in the exterior mirrors,
refer to page42
>Maximum permissible tire width
Preparations before driving into an automatic
car wash:
>Deactivate the rain sensor
* to prevent unin-
tentional wiping.
>Remove additional attachments, e.g.
spoiler or telephone antennas, if there is a
possibility that they could be damaged.
M dual clutch transmission
Before driving into an automatic car wash, per-
form the following steps to ensure that the vehi-
cle can roll:
1.Insert the remote control, even with conve-
nient access, into the ignition lock.
2.Engage transmission position N.
3.Release the parking brake.
4.Switch off the engine.
5.Leave the remote control in the ignition lock
so that the vehicle can roll.
Steam jets / high-pressure washers
When using steam jets or high-pressure
washers, ensure that you maintain suffi-
cient clearance to the vehicle and do not exceed
a temperature of 1407/606.
Insufficient clearance or excessive pressure or
temperature can lead to component damage or
water penetration. Follow the operating instruc-
tions of the high-pressure washer.<
When using high-pressure washers, do
not spray against the sensors and cam-
eras, e.g. Park Distance Control, for an
extended period and maintain a distance of at
least 12 in/30 cm.<
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Reference 229
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
B
Backrest contour, refer to
Lumbar support38
Backrests, refer to Seat
adjustment38
Backrest width adjustment39
Back seats
– refer to Rear seats39
Backup lamps
– replacing bulb205,206
Backup lamps, refer to Tail
lamps205
Band-aids, refer to First-aid
pouch211
Bar, refer to Towing
methods213
Base plate for telephone or
mobile phone
– refer to Snap-in adapter171
– refer to Snap-in adapter in
the center armrest storage
compartment98
Bass, tone setting136
Battery208
– charging208
– disposal34,208
– jump starting211
– remote control26
– temporary power failure209
Battery for mobile phone171
Battery renewal
– remote control34
– remote control for vehicle34
Being towed212
Belts, refer to Safety belts41
Belt tensioner, refer to Safety
belts41
Beverage holders, refer to
Cup holders99
Blower, refer to Air flow
rate91
Bluetooth, activating/
deactivating164
Bluetooth, refer to separate
Owner's Manual
BMW
– car shampoo201
BMW Assist, activating176BMW Assist175
BMW center180
BMW Homepage4
BMW Maintenance
System197
BMW Search176
BMW webpage4
Bottle holders, refer to Cup
holders99
Brake assist76
Brake fluid, refer to Service
requirements66
Brake force display82
Brake lamps
– replacing bulb205,206
Brake lights
– brake force display82
Brake pads106
– breaking in106
Brake rotors107
– brakes106
– breaking in106
Brakes
– ABS76
– BMW Maintenance
System197
– brake force display82
– breaking in106
– parking brake51
– service requirements66
Brakes, refer to Braking
safely107
Brake system106
– BMW Maintenance
System197
– breaking in106
– disc brakes107
Breakdown services, refer to
Roadside Assistance210
Breaking in the clutch106
Breaking in the differential,
refer to Engine and
differential106
Break-in period106
Brightness of the Control
Display73
Bulb changing, refer to Lamps
and bulbs203Button for starting the engine,
refer to Start/stop button49
Buttons on the steering
wheel11
C
California Proposition 65
warning6
Call
– accepting165
– ending166
– rejecting166
Calling, refer to Phone
numbers, dialing166
Can holders, refer to Cup
holders99
Capacities220
Capacity of the cargo bay220
Car battery, refer to Vehicle
battery208
Car care, refer to Care199
Care199
– automatic car washes199
– care products199
– carpets201
– CD/DVD drives201
– chrome parts200
– displays201
– exterior199
– fine wood parts201
– headlamps200
– high-pressure washer199
– interior201
– leather201
– light-alloy wheels200
– paintwork200
– plastic parts201
– rubber seals200
– safety belts201
– sensors and cameras201
– upholstery and cloth
trim201
– washing the car
manually200
– windows200
– wiper blades200
Cargo, securing109
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