2011 BMW 3 SERIES Owners Manual

If --- appears briefly on the display for Check
Control messages, it is possible that the system
requirements for operation are currently not
met.
PDC Park Distance Control
The concept
In addition to the PDC Park Distance Control, the
backup camera, refer to page 123, can be
switched on.
PDC supports you when parking. Objects that
you are approaching slowly in front of or behind
your vehicle are indicated with:
▷Signal tones.
▷Visual display.
Measurement
Measurements are made by ultrasound sensors
in the bumpers.
The range is approx. 6 ft/2 m.
An acoustic warning is first given:
▷By the front sensors and two rear corner
sensors at approx. 24 in/60 cm.
▷By the rear middle sensors at approx. 5 ft/
1.50 m.
System limits
Check the traffic situation as well
PDC cannot serve as a substitute for the
driver's personal judgment of the traffic situa‐
tion. Check the traffic situation around the vehi‐
cle 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 other‐
wise be too late in issuing a warning.◀
Limits of ultrasonic measurement
The detection of objects can reach the physical
limits of ultrasonic measurement, e.g.:
▷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.
The malfunction is signaled by a continuous
tone alternating between the front and rear
speakers. As soon as the malfunction due to
other ultrasound sources is no longer
present, the system is again fully functional.
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Switching on automatically
Select transmission position R with the engine
running.
Automatic deactivation during forward
travel
The system switches off when a certain driving
distance or speed is exceeded.
Switch the system back on if necessary.
Switching on/off manually
Press the button.
▷On: the LED lights up.
▷Off: the LED goes out.
Signal tones
When approaching an object, an intermittent
tone is sounded that indicates the position of the
object. For example, if an object is detected to
the left rear of the vehicle, a signal tone sounds
from the left rear speaker.
The shorter the distance to the object becomes,
the shorter the intervals.
If the distance to a detected object is less than
approx. 12 in/30 cm, a continuous tone is
sounded.
If objects are located both in front of and behind
the vehicle, an alternating continuous signal is
sounded.
The intermittent tone is interrupted after approx.
3 seconds:
▷If the vehicle stops in front of an object that
is detected by only one of the corner sen‐
sors.
▷If moving parallel to a wall.
The signal tone is switched off:
▷When the vehicle moves away from an ob‐
ject by more than approx. 4 in/10 cm.
▷When transmission position P is engaged.
Volume
You can set the volume of the PDC signal tone,
refer to page 189.
The setting is stored for the remote control cur‐
rently in use.
Visual warning
The approach of the vehicle to an object can be
shown on the Control Display. Objects that are
farther away are displayed on the Control Dis‐
play before a signal tone sounds.
A display appears as soon as Park Distance
Control (PDC) is activated.
If the backup camera image was selected last, it
again appears on the display. To switch to PDC:
1. "Rear view camera" Select the symbol
on the Control Display.
2.Press the controller.
The setting is stored for the remote control cur‐
rently in use.
Zoom view
On the left part of the display screen, the vehicle
is shown enlarged.
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▷Forward gear or transmission position D en‐
gaged: front area of the vehicle.
▷Reverse gear or transmission position R en‐
gaged: rear area of the vehicle.
Malfunction
A Check Control message is displayed.
On the Control Display, the areas in front of and
behind the vehicle are shaded. PDC has failed.
Have the system checked.
To ensure full operability:
▷Keep the sensors clean and free of ice.
▷When using high-pressure washers, do not
spray the sensors for long periods and main‐
tain a distance of at least 12 in/30 cm.
Surround View
The concept
Surround View includes the following systems:
▷Backup camera, refer to page 123
▷Side View, refer to page 127.
▷Top View, refer to page 126.
It assists the driver when parking, maneuvering
and on blind driveways and intersections.
Backup camera
The concept
The backup camera provides assistance in park‐
ing and maneuvering backwards. The area be‐
hind the vehicle is shown on the Control Display.
System limits
Check the traffic situation as well
Check the traffic situation around the ve‐
hicle with your own eyes. Otherwise, an accident
could result from road users or objects located
outside the picture area of the backup camera.◀
Detection of objects
High, protruding objects such as ledges
may not be detected by the backup camera.◀
Switching on automatically
Select transmission position R with the engine
running.
The backup camera image is displayed if the
system was switched on via the iDrive.
Automatic deactivation during forward
travel
The system switches off when a certain driving
distance or speed is exceeded.
Switch the system back on if necessary.
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Switching on/off manually
Press the button.
▷On: the LED lights up.
▷Off: the LED goes out.
The PDC is shown on the Control Display.
Switch on the backup camera via the iDrive, refer
to page 125.
Assistance functions
Functional requirement
▷The backup camera is switched on.
▷The trunk lid is fully closed.
Pathway lines
▷Can be shown in the backup camera image
when in transmission position R.
▷Help you to estimate the space required
when parking and maneuvering on level
roads.
▷Are dependent on the current steering angle
and are continuously adjusted to the steer‐
ing wheel movements.
Show the parking aid lines, refer to page 125.
Turning circle lines
▷Can be shown in the backup camera image.
▷Show the course of the smallest possible
turning circle on a level road.
▷Only one turning circle line is displayed
when the steering wheel is turned.
Show the parking aid lines, refer to page 125.
Parking using pathway and turning
circle lines
1.Position the vehicle so that the turning circle
lines lead to within the limits of the parking
space.
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2.Turn the steering wheel to the point where
the pathway line covers the corresponding
turning circle line.
Obstacle marking
▷Spatially-shaped markings can be shown in
the backup camera image.
Their colored steps match the markings of the
PDC. This simplifies estimation of the distance
to the object shown.
Activating the assistance functions
More than one assistance function can be active
at the same time.
Showing the parking aid lines
"Parking aid lines"
Pathway and turning circle lines are displayed.
Showing the obstacle marking
"Obstacle marking"
Spatially-shaped markings are displayed.
Display on the Control Display
Switching on the backup camera via
iDrive
With PDC activated:
"Rear view camera"
The backup camera image is displayed. The set‐
ting is stored for the remote control currently in
use.
Brightness
With the backup camera switched on:
1. Select the symbol.
2.Turn the controller until the desired setting
is reached and press the controller.
Contrast
With the backup camera switched on:
1. Select the symbol.
2.Turn the controller until the desired setting
is reached and press the controller.
Camera
The camera lens is located in the handle of the
trunk lid. The image quality may be impaired by
dirt.
Clean the lens, refer to page 299.
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Top View
The concept
Top View assists you in parking and maneuver‐
ing. The area around the doors and the road area
around the vehicle are shown on the Control
Display for this purpose.
Capturing the image
The image is captured by two cameras
integrated in the exterior mirrors and by the
backup camera.
The range is at least 7 ft/2 m to the side and rear.
In this way, obstacles up to the height of the ex‐
terior mirrors are detected early.
System limits
Top View cannot be used in the following situa‐
tions:
▷With a door open.
▷With the trunk lid open.
▷With an exterior mirror folded in.
▷In poor light.
A Check Control message is displayed in some
of these situations.
Check the traffic situation as well
Check the traffic situation around the ve‐
hicle with your own eyes. Otherwise, an accident
could result from road users or objects located
outside the picture area of the cameras.◀
Switching on automatically
Select transmission position R with the engine
running.
The Top View and PDC images are displayed if
the system is switched on via iDrive.
Automatic deactivation during forward
travel
The system switches off when a certain driving
distance or speed is exceeded.
Switch the system back on if necessary.
Switching on/off manually
Press the button.
▷On: the LED lights up.
▷Off: the LED goes out.
If Top View is displayed, switch on the backup
camera via the iDrive, refer to page 127.
Visual warning
The approach of the vehicle to an object can be
shown on the Control Display.
When the distance to an object is small, a red bar
is shown in front of the vehicle, as it is in the PDC
display.
The display appears as soon as Top View is ac‐
tivated.
If the backup camera image was selected last, it
again appears on the display. To switch to Top
View:
"Rear view camera" Select the symbol on
the Control Display.
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The setting is stored for the remote control cur‐
rently in use.
Display on the Control Display
Switching on the backup camera via
iDrive
With Top View switched on:
"Rear view camera"
The backup camera image is displayed. The set‐
ting is stored for the remote control currently in
use.
Brightness
With Top View switched on:
1. "Brightness"
2.Turn the controller until the desired setting
is reached and press the controller.
Contrast
With Top View switched on:
1. "Contrast"
2.Turn the controller until the desired setting
is reached and press the controller.
Displaying the turning circle and
pathway lines
▷The static, red turning circle line shows the
space needed to the side of the vehicle
when the steering wheel is turned all the
way.
▷The variable, green pathway line assists you
in assessing the amount of space actually
needed to the side of the vehicle.
The pathway line is dependent on the cur‐
rent steering angle and is continuously ad‐
justed with the steering wheel movement.
"Parking aid lines"
Turning circle and pathway lines are displayed.
Cameras
The lenses of the Top View cameras are located
at the bottom of the exterior mirror housings.
The image quality may be impaired by dirt.
Clean the lens, refer to page 299.
Side View
The concept
Side View provides an early look at cross traffic
at blind driveways and intersections. Road users
concealed by obstacles to the left and right of
the vehicle can only be detected relatively late
from the driver's seat. To improve visibility, two
cameras in the front of the vehicle record the
traffic situation on each side.
Capturing the image
Two cameras integrated in the bumpers capture
the image.
The cameras capture a maximum range of
330 ft/100 m.
Display
The images from both cameras are shown si‐
multaneously on the Control Display.
Check the traffic situation as well
Check the traffic situation around the ve‐
hicle on blind driveways and intersections with
your own eyes. Otherwise, an accident could re‐
sult from road users or objects located outside
the picture area of the Side View cameras.◀
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Switching on/off
Press the button.
Automatic deactivation during forward
travel
The system switches off when a certain driving
distance or speed is exceeded.
Switch the system back on if necessary.
Display on the Control Display
The traffic area to the left and right is displayed
on the Control Display.
Guidelines at the bottom of the image show the
position of the front of the vehicle.
Brightness
With the Side View switched on:
1. "Brightness"
2.Turn the controller until the desired setting
is reached and press the controller.
Contrast
With the Side View switched on:
1. "Contrast"
2.Turn the controller until the desired setting
is reached and press the controller.
Cameras
The two camera lenses are located on the sides
of the bumper.
The image quality may be impaired by dirt.
Clean the lens, refer to page 299.
Head-up Display
The concept
This system projects important information into
the driver's field of vision, e.g., the speed.
In this way, the driver can get information with‐
out averting his or her eyes from the road.
Display visibility
The visibility of the displays in the Head-up Dis‐
play is influenced by:
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