2013 BMW 5 SERIES sensor

General information
The congestion assistant determines speed
and distance from the vehicle in front via a ra‐
dar sensor and the position of the lane marking
via a camera.
Sensors on the steering wheel detect whether
the steering wheel is being touched.
The system is deactivated as soon as contact
with the steering wheel is no longer detected.
In order to be able to use the Congestion As‐
sistant, place your hands around the steering
wheel.
When driving with gloves or with protective
covers, contact with the steering wheel cannot
be detected by the sensors. The system in this
case cannot be used.
Notes Personal responsibility
The system does not relieve the driver of
the responsibility to adapt his or her speed,
distance and driving style to the traffic condi‐
tions. Drive attentively, and react to the current
traffic events. Intervene actively when neces‐
sary, e.g., by braking, steering or making an
evasive maneuver, otherwise, there is danger
of an accident.◀
Functional requirements▷Drive on approved road type. The data on
this are stored in the navigation system.▷Driving on the limited access highway or
divided lane roads.▷Sufficient lane width.▷Lane marking is detected.▷Vehicle driving ahead is detected.▷Speed below 25 mph/40 km/h.▷Both hands on the steering wheel rim.At a glance
Buttons on the steering wheelPress the
buttonFunctionCongestion Assistant ON/OFF,
Pause, refer to page 141.Rocker switch:
Store, change/maintain speed,
refer to page 135.Maintain, store speed, refer to
page 135.Resume speed, refer to
page 136.Adjust distance, refer to
page 136.
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.Seite 140ControlsDriving comfort140
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Adjust distancePress the button repeatedly until the
desired distance is set.
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.
Selecting a distance
Adjust the distance according to the traf‐
fic and weather conditions; otherwise, there is
the danger of an accident occurring. Maintain
the prescribed safety distance.◀
Displays in the instrument cluster
SymbolDescriptionCongestion Assistant and Distance
Control on standby.Congestion Assistant on standby.
Distance control controls within the
set distance.Congestion Assistant activated.
The system controls the speed and
assists with maintaining the lane.SymbolDescriptionRolling bars: at least one functional
requirement is no longer satisfied.
The system soon deactivates the
automatic steering. ACC on
standby.Red flashing and signal tone: con‐
gestion Assistant is interrupted.
The system does not steer inde‐
pendently. ACC exercises control.
System limits
When driving within narrow driving lanes, e.g.,
in construction zones or rescue lanes, the sys‐
tem cannot be activated or meaningfully used.
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.◀
Complying with country-specific laws
When the Congestion Assistant is used,
observe specific national laws.◀
Cruise control
The concept The system is functional at speeds beginning
at approx. 20 mph/30 km/h.
It maintains the speed that was set using the
control elements on the steering wheel.
The system brakes on downhill gradients if en‐
gine braking action is insufficient.
Unfavorable conditions
Do not use the system if unfavorable
conditions make it impossible to drive at a con‐
stant speed, for instance:
▷On curvy roads.Seite 142ControlsDriving comfort142
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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 by:▷Signal tones.▷Visual display.
General information
Measurements are made by ultrasound sen‐
sors in the bumpers.
The range is approx. 6 ft/2 m.
An acoustic warning is first given:
▷By the front sensors and the two rear cor‐
ner sensors at approx. 24 in/60 cm.▷By the rear middle sensors at approx.
5 ft/1.50 m.
Notes
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 ve‐
hicle with your own eyes. Otherwise, an acci‐
dent could result from road users or objects
located outside of the PDC detection range.
Loud noises from outside and inside the vehi‐ cle 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.◀
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 147, 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.
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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 intermittent tone is interrupted after ap‐
prox. 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
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.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.:
▷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 ga‐
rages.▷In heavy exhaust.Seite 146ControlsDriving comfort146
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▷Due to other ultrasound sources, e.g.,
sweeping machines, high pressure steam
cleaners or neon lights.
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 147▷Side View, refer to page 151.▷Top View, refer to page 149.
Backup camera
The concept
The backup 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 249.
Switching on/off
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.
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System limits
The cameras capture a maximum range of
330 ft/100 m.
Parking assistantThe concept
This system assists the driver in parking paral‐
lel to the road.
Ultrasound sensors measure parking spaces
on both sides of the vehicle.
The parking assistant calculates the best pos‐
sible parking line and takes control of steering
during the parking procedure.
When parking, also take note of the visual and
acoustic information issued by the PDC and
the parking assistant and react accordingly.
A component of the parking assistant is the
PDC Park Distance Control, refer to page 145.
Hints Personal responsibility
The parking assistant does not relieve
the driver of responsibility for the vehicle dur‐
ing the parking procedure.
Watch the parking space and parking proce‐
dure closely and intervene if necessary; other‐
wise, there is the danger of an accident.◀
Changes to the parking space
Changes to the parking space after it was
measured are not taken into account by the
system.
Therefore, always be alert and ready to inter‐
vene; otherwise, there is the danger of an acci‐
dent occurring.◀
Transporting loads
Loads that extend beyond the perimeter
of the vehicle are not taken into account by the
system during the parking procedure.
Therefore, always be alert and ready to inter‐
vene; otherwise, there is the danger of an acci‐
dent occurring.◀
Curbs
The parking assistant may steer the vehi‐
cle over or onto curbs.
Therefore, always be alert and ready to inter‐
vene; otherwise, the wheels, tires, or the vehi‐
cle may become damaged.◀
An engine that has been switched off by the
Auto Start Stop function is restarted automati‐
cally when the parking assistant is activated.
Requirements
For measuring parking spaces▷Maximum speed while driving forward ap‐
prox. 22 mph/35 km/h.▷Maximum distance to row of parked vehi‐
cles: 5 ft/1.5 m.
Suitable parking space
▷Gap between two objects with a minimum
length of approx. 5 ft/1.5 m.▷Minimum length of the gap: own vehicle's
length plus approx. 4 ft/1.2 m.▷Minimum depth: approx. 5 ft/1.5 m.
For parking procedure
▷Closed doors.▷Parking brake released.Seite 153Driving comfortControls153
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At a glance
Button in the vehicle
Parking assistant
Ultrasound sensors
The ultrasound sensors used to measure park‐
ing spaces are located in the side turn signals.
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.
Switching on/off
Switching on with the button Press the button.
The LED lights up.
The current status of the parking space search
is indicated on the Control Display.
Parking assistant is activated automatically.
Switching on with reverse gear
Shift into reverse.
The current status of the parking space search
is indicated on the Control Display.
Activate:
"Parking Assistant" Select the
symbol in the Control Display.
Switching off The system can be deactivated as follows:
▷Press the button.▷Switch off the ignition.
Display on the Control Display
Activating/deactivating the system
SymbolMeaning Gray: the system is not available.
White: the system is available but
not activated. The system is activated.
Without Professional navigation
system or TV: system status
The status is displayed with symbols.
Gray: parking space search.
Blue: the system is activated. A
suitable parking space was
found.
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Interrupting automaticallyThe system is interrupted automatically in the
following situations:▷If the driver grasps the steering wheel or if
he takes over steering.▷If a gear is selected that does not match
the instruction on the Control Display.▷If a turn signal is activated in the opposite
direction to the desired side for parking.▷If the vehicle speed exceeds approx.
6 mph/10 km/h.▷On snow-covered or slippery road surfaces
if necessary.▷If doors are open.▷When there are obstacles that are hard to
overcome, such as curbs.▷When there are obstacles that suddenly
arise.▷If a maximum number of parking attempts
or the time taken for parking is exceeded.
A Check Control message is displayed.
Continuing
An interrupted parking procedure can be con‐
tinued if necessary.
Follow the instructions on the Control Display
to do this.
System limits
No parking assistance The parking assistant does not offer assis‐
tance in the following situations:
▷In tight curves.
Functional limitations
The system may not be fully functional in the
following situations:
▷When sensors are dirty or iced over.▷In heavy fog, rain or snowfall.▷On bumpy road surfaces such as gravel
roads.▷On slippery ground.▷On steep uphill or downhill grades.▷When leaves or snow has collected in the
parking space.
Limits of ultrasonic measurement
The detection of objects can reach the physi‐
cal limits of ultrasonic measurement, e.g., in
the following circumstances:
▷With tow bars and trailer hitches.▷With thin or wedge-shaped 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.
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.
The parking assistant may identify parking
spaces that are not suitable for parking.
Malfunction
A Check Control message is displayed.
The parking assistant failed. Have the system
checked.
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