2013 BMW 3 SERIES SEDAN light

At a glance
Buttons on the steering wheelPress the
buttonFunctionSystem on/off, interrupt, refer to
page 122Maintaining/storing the speed,
refer to page 123Resume speed, refer to
page 124Reduce distance, refer to
page 124Increase distance, refer to
page 124Rocker switch:
Maintaining/storing the speed,
refer to page 123
Changing, maintaining, and
storing the speed, refer to
page 123
The arrangement of the buttons varies accord‐
ing to the how the vehicle is equipped or coun‐
try-specific variants.
Radar sensor
A radar sensor is located in the front bumper
for detecting vehicles on the road ahead of the
vehicle.
A dirty or covered sensor may hinder the de‐
tection of vehicles.
▷If necessary, clean the radar sensor. Re‐
move layers of snow and ice carefully.▷Do not cover the view field of the radar
sensor.
Switching on/off and interrupting cruise control
Switching on Press the button on the steering
wheel.
The indicator lamps in the instrument cluster
light up and the mark in the speedometer is set
to the current speed.
Cruise control can be used.
Switching off Deactivated or interrupted system
If the system is deactivated or inter‐
rupted, actively intervene by braking, steering
and, if necessary, with evasive maneuvers; oth‐
erwise, there is the danger of an accident oc‐
curring.◀
If switching off the system while stationary,
press on the brake pedal at the same time.
Press the button.
▷If active: press twice.▷If interrupted: press once.Seite 122ControlsDriving comfort122
Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 926 810 - X/13

2.Release the brake pedal.3.Press on the accelerator briefly, or press
the RES rocker switch when the vehicle
ahead of you drives away.
Displays in the instrument cluster
Desired speed
▷The marking lights up green:
the system is active.▷The marking lights up or‐
ange: the system has been
interrupted.▷The marking does not light up: the system
is switched off.
Brief status display
Selected desired speed.
If --- appears briefly on the display for Check
Control messages, it is possible that the sys‐
tem requirements for operation are currently
not met.
Distance to vehicle ahead of you
The selected distance to the vehicle driving
ahead of you is shown.
Distance displayDistance 1Distance 2Distance 3Distance 4
This value is set after the system is
switched on.Distance displayThe system has been interrupted or
distance control is deactivated be‐
cause the accelerator pedal is being
pressed; a vehicle was not detected.Distance control is deactivated be‐
cause the accelerator pedal is being
pressed; a vehicle was detected.Rolling bars: the detected vehicle has driven
away.
Indicator/warning lamps
Personal responsibility
The indicator and warning lamps do not
relieve the driver of the responsibility to adapt
his or her desired driving speed and style to
the traffic conditions.◀
The vehicle symbol lights up orange:
A vehicle has been detected ahead of
you.
The vehicle symbol flashes orange:
The conditions are not adequate for
operating the system.
The system was deactivated but applies the
brakes until you actively resume control by
pressing on the brake pedal or accelerator
pedal.
The vehicle symbol flashes red and an
acoustic signal sounds:
You are requested to intervene by
braking or making an evasive maneuver.
System limits
Speed range Best results are achieved when using the sys‐
tem on well-developed roads and highways.
The system is functional at speeds beginning
at approx. 20 mph/30 km/h.
Seite 125Driving comfortControls125
Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 926 810 - X/13

The maximum speed that can be set depends
on the vehicle.
The system can also be activated when sta‐
tionary.
Comply with the legal speed limit in every sit‐
uation when using the system.
Detection range
The detection capacity of the system and the
automatic braking capacity are limited.
Two-wheeled vehicles driving ahead of you
for instance might not be detected.
Limited detection capacity
Because of the limits to the detection ca‐
pacity of the camera and the sensor, you
should be alert at all times so that you can in‐
tervene actively, if necessary; otherwise, there
is the danger of an accident occurring.◀
Deceleration
The system does not decelerate when a sta‐
tionary obstacle is located in the same lane,
e.g., a vehicle at a red traffic light or at the end
of traffic congestion.
The system also does not respond to:
▷Pedestrians or similar slow-moving road
users.▷Red traffic lights.▷Stationary objects.▷Cross traffic.▷Oncoming traffic.No warnings
A warning may not be issued when ap‐
proaching a stationary or very slow-moving ob‐
stacle. You must react yourself; otherwise,
there is the danger of an accident occurring.◀
Swerving vehicles
A vehicle driving in front of you is not detected
until it is completely within the same lane as
your vehicle.
Swerving vehicles
If a vehicle driving ahead of you suddenly
swerves into your lane, the system may not be
able to automatically restore the selected dis‐
tance. This also applies to major speed differ‐
ences to vehicles driving ahead of you, e.g.,
when rapidly approaching a truck. When a ve‐
hicle driving ahead of you is reliably detected,
the system requests that the driver intervene
by braking and carrying out evasive maneu‐
vers, if necessary. You must react yourself;
otherwise, there is the danger of an accident
occurring.◀
Seite 126ControlsDriving comfort126
Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 926 810 - X/13

Unexpected lane change
If a vehicle ahead of you unexpectedly moves
into another lane from behind a stopped vehi‐
cle, you yourself must react, as the system
does not react to stopped vehicles.
Cornering
If the desired speed is too high for a curve, the
speed is reduced slightly in the curve, although
curves cannot be anticipated in advance.
Therefore, drive into a curve at an appropriate
speed.
In tight curves, situations may result due to the
restricted detection range of the system in
which a vehicle driving ahead of you may not
be detected at all, or not until after a consider‐
able delay.
When approaching a curve, the system may
react briefly to the vehicles in the next lane due
to the bend of the curve. Any deceleration of
the vehicle by the system can be compensated
for by briefly accelerating. After the accelerator
pedal is released, the system becomes active
again and independently controls the speed.
Driving away In some situations, the vehicle cannot drive
away automatically, e.g., on steep inclines or
behind bumps in the road.
Radar sensor
For US owners only
The transmitter and receiver units comply with
part 15 of the FCC/Federal Communication
Commission regulations. Operation is gov‐
erned by the following:
FCC ID:
▷OAYARS3-A
Compliance statement:
This device complies with part 15 of the FCC
Rules. Operation is subject to the following
two conditions:
▷This device may not cause harmful inter‐
ference, and▷this device must accept any interference
received, including interference that may
cause undesired operation.
Any unauthorized modifications or changes to
these devices could void the user's authority to
operate this equipment.
Seite 127Driving comfortControls127
Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 926 810 - X/13

Displays in the instrument cluster
Indicator lamp Depending on how the vehicle is equip‐
ped, the indicator lamp in the instru‐
ment cluster indicates whether the sys‐
tem is switched on.
Desired speed▷The marking lights up green:
the system is active.▷The marking lights up or‐
ange: the system has been
interrupted.▷The marking does not light up: the system
is switched off.
Brief status display
Selected desired speed.
If --- appears briefly on the display for Check
Control messages, it is possible that the sys‐
tem requirements for operation are currently
not met.
PDC Park Distance Control
The concept PDC supports you when parking. Objects that
you are approaching slowly in front of or be‐
hind your vehicle are indicated with:
▷Signal tones.▷Visual display.
General information
Measurements are made by ultrasound sen‐
sors in the bumpers.
The range, depending on the environment, is
approx. 6 ft/2 m.
An acoustic warning is first given:
▷By the front middle sensors and the two
corner sensors at approx. 24 in/60 cm.▷By the rear middle sensors at approx.
5 ft/1.50 m.
To ensure full operability:
▷Do not cover sensors, e.g., by stickers, bi‐
cycle racks and the like.▷Keep the sensors clean and free of ice.▷When using high-pressure washers, do not
spray the sensors for long periods and
maintain a distance of at least 12 in/30 cm.
Hints
Personal responsibility
Even an active system does not relieve
the driver from personal responsibility for the
driving process.
Because of technical system limits, the system
cannot independently react appropriately in all
traffic situations.
Continuously and attentively monitor the driv‐
ing process, the area surrounding the vehicle
and the traffic situation, and actively intervene
when required, otherwise, there is a risk of an
accident.◀
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.◀
Seite 130ControlsDriving comfort130
Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 926 810 - X/13

At a glance
Button in the vehicle
PDC Park Distance Control
Switching on/off
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.
In addition to the PDC Park Distance Control,
the rearview camera, refer to page 133, can be
switched on.
Switching on the rearview camera viathe iDrive
With PDC activated or Top View switched on:
"Rear view camera"
The rearview camera image is displayed. The
setting is stored for the remote control cur‐
rently in use.
Display
Signal tones When approaching an object, an intermittent
tone is sounded that indicates the position of
the object. For example, if an object is de‐
tected to the left rear of the vehicle, a signal
tone sounds from the left rear speaker.
The shorter the distance to the object be‐
comes, the shorter the intervals.
If the distance to a detected object is less than
approx. 10 in/25 cm, a continuous tone is
sounded.
If objects are located both in front of and be‐
hind the vehicle, an alternating continuous sig‐
nal is sounded.
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
The volume of the PDC signal can be adjusted,
refer to user's manual for Navigation, Enter‐
tainment, Communication.
The setting is stored for the remote control
currently 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
Display before a signal tone sounds.
A display appears as soon as Park Distance
Control (PDC) is activated.
The range of the sensors is represented in the
colors red, green and yellow.
If the rearview 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.Seite 131Driving comfortControls131
Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 926 810 - X/13

2.Press the controller.
The setting is stored for the remote control
currently in use.
System limits
Limits of ultrasonic measurement
The detection of objects can reach the physi‐
cal limits of ultrasonic measurement, e.g., in
the following circumstances:
▷For small children and animals.▷For persons with certain clothing, e.g.
coats.▷If there is an external disturbance of the ul‐
trasound, e.g. from passing vehicles or
loud machines.▷When sensors are soiled, iced over or dam‐
aged.▷Under certain weather conditions, e.g.,
high relative humidity, rain, snowfall or
strong wind.▷With tow bars and trailer hitches of other
vehicles.▷With thin or wedge-shaped objects.▷With moving objects.▷With elevated, protruding objects such as
ledges or cargo.▷With objects with corners and sharp edges.▷With objects with a fine surface structure,
such as fences.▷For objects with porous surfaces.
Low objects already displayed, e.g., curbs, can
move into the blind area of the sensors before
or after a continuous tone sounds.
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.▷On uneven surfaces, such as speed
bumps.▷In large buildings with right angles and
smooth walls, e.g., in underground ga‐
rages.▷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 continu‐
ous tone alternating between the front and
rear speakers. As soon as the malfunction
due to other ultrasound sources is no lon‐
ger present, the system is again fully func‐
tional.
Malfunction
A Check Control message is displayed.
The range of the sensors is shown as a shaded
area on the Control Display.
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
maintain a distance of at least 12 in/30 cm.
Surround View
The concept Surround View comprises various camera as‐
sistance systems that help the driver when
parking, maneuvering, and at complex exits
and intersections.
▷Rearview camera, refer to page 133▷Side View, refer to page 135.▷Top View, refer to page 136.Seite 132ControlsDriving comfort132
Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 926 810 - X/13

Rearview cameraThe concept The rearview camera provides assistance in
parking and maneuvering backwards. The area
behind the vehicle is shown on the Control
Display.
Hints Check the traffic situation as well
Check the traffic situation around the ve‐
hicle with your own eyes. Otherwise, an acci‐
dent could result from road users or objects lo‐
cated outside the picture area of the backup
camera.◀
At a glance
Button in the vehicle
Rearview camera
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 226.
Switching on/off
Switching on automatically Select transmission position R with the engine
running.
The rearview 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.
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.
Switching on the rearview camera via
the iDrive
With PDC activated or Top View switched on:
"Rear view camera"
Seite 133Driving comfortControls133
Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 926 810 - X/13