On a incline? - The Unofficial BMW M5 Messageboard (m5board.com)

NJ M5 · 2nd April 2003, 14:46

When on a incline at the light and some is behind you do you press the "PDC" button to see if they are to close, and risk hitting them when taking off?

atomic80 · 2nd April 2003, 17:28

I don't know about the rest of you guys but whenever someone gets too close to me either in the rear or the front, the PDC automatically activates and starts beeping. I've noticed this happening to me ever since I picked up the M5.

M Macht · 2nd April 2003, 17:39

I can't say that I have ever noticed the PDC spontaneously warning me of a vehicle close to my bumper while driving on the street. Of course, a jab at the throttle and no one can get too close anyway!

Digi · 2nd April 2003, 17:50

PDC does not automatically enagage unless you shift into reverse. I just ram people that are that close behind me, don't need PDC.

Really though, what would PDC tell you that you don't already know. It wouldn't help or hurt or provide any additional information.

atomic80 · 2nd April 2003, 17:57

In fact, just the other day I was stopped at a light with a friend behind me. He got a bit too close (just over a foot) and my PDC automatically engaged. I can't explain why this is happening only for me. Don't try testing it though...just something I've been noticing. I can't understand why its not engaging for some of you folks.

MT JTN · 2nd April 2003, 18:07

I too was under the impression that PDC only engages automatically when the car is put into reverse.

Pretty sure I read that in the Owner's Manual.

Page 78 in the '02 Owner's Manual states:

"The system is activated automatically about one second after you engage reverse with the ignition key in position 2."

Of course there's the manual activation as well.

-Matthew

kwalls · 2nd April 2003, 18:30

Quote:

Really though, what would PDC tell you that you don't already know. It wouldn't help or hurt or provide any additional information.

Probably the main reason I elected not to get PDC since I felt it would only be making noise about something that I already knew. It's challenging enough to back into my one-size fits all German garage at night as it is.
Now I know there are some who will tell you that their PDC saved them from backing into a post or other small upright they didn't see but again I heard too many other stories of false warnings or alerts from dirty receptors, I just figured I would continue to be responsible for bumper clearance and use that money for something else.

Ken

Digi · 2nd April 2003, 20:20

I agree that you SHOULD know what is behind you, but I have backed into several items before I had PDC. There is always that hdden post, overturned shopping cart, barrier, bicycle, or something. PDC has helped me in this respect. A car behind me...well, I KNEW that it was there.

I think PDC should be a required safety feature on all cars. PS. I never use it to parallel park, nor do I use the tilt-down right mirror. I can see all of that. I depend on it to see the stuff I missed.

MEnthusiast · 2nd April 2003, 23:22

Quote:

Originally posted by Digi
I think PDC should be a required safety feature on all cars. PS. I never use it to parallel park, nor do I use the tilt-down right mirror. I can see all of that. I depend on it to see the stuff I missed.

I agree. too many stories of people who accidentially run over little kids or animals. its terrible. Im not a big-govt/ anti-personal responsibility kind of guy, but for this, I think PDC is a good idea.

btw- mines never just come on- and Ive had it now in 4 different vehicles.