BMW 3: Front collision mitigation

Concept

The system may prevent some accidents. In the event of an accident, the system may reduce impact speed.

The system sounds a warning before an imminent collision and activates brakes independently, if needed.

General information`       

Depending on the equipment version, the system is controlled by the following sensors:

• Camera in the area of the interior mirror.
• Radar sensor in the front bumper.

The system issues a two-phase warning of a possible risk of collision with vehicles at speeds above approx. 3 mph/5 km/h. The timing of warnings may vary with the current driving situation.

With the vehicle approaching another vehicle intentionally, the approach control warning and braking are delayed in order to avoid false system reactions.

Depending on the vehicle equipment, the Driver Attention Camera in the instrument cluster captures the driver's field of vision. Additionally, the system checks for visual impairments. Field of vision and visibility also affect the timing of the warnings.

Safety information

Warning The system cannot serve as a substitute for the driver's personal judgment in assessing visibility and traffic situation. There is a risk of accident.

Adjust driving style to traffic conditions. Watch traffic closely and actively intervene where appropriate.

Warning Indicators and warnings cannot serve as a substitute for the driver's personal judgment. Due to its limits, the system may not issue warnings or reactions, or these may be issued late or in a manner that is not consistent with their normal use. There is a risk of accident. Adjust driving style to traffic conditions. Watch traffic closely and actively intervene where appropriate.

Warning Due to system limits, individual functions can malfunction during tow-starting/towing with the Intelligent Safety systems activated. There is a risk of accident. Switch all Intelligent Safety systems off prior to tow-starting/towing.

Overview

Button in the vehicle

Intelligent Safety

Camera

The camera is installed near the interior mirror.

Keep the windshield in front of the interior mirror clean and clear.

With radar sensor

The radar sensor is located in the lower area of the front bumper.

Always keep radar sensor clean and unobstructed.

Switching on/off

Switching on automatically

The system is automatically active after every driving off.

Switching on/off manually

Press the button.

The menu for the Intelligent Safety system is displayed.

If all Intelligent Safety systems were switched off, all systems are now switched on.

"Configure INDIVIDUAL": depending on the equipment version, the Intelligent Safety systems can be individually configured. The individual settings are activated and stored for the driver profile currently used. As soon as a setting is changed on the menu, all settings of the menu are activated.

Press the button repeatedly.

The following settings are switched between: "ALL ON": all Intelligent Safety systems are switched on. Basic settings are activated for the subfunctions.

"INDIVIDUAL": the Intelligent Safety systems are switched on according to the individual settings.

Some Intelligent Safety systems cannot be individually switched off.

Press and hold this button.

All Intelligent Safety systems are switched off.

Button lights up green: all Intelligent Safety systems are switched on.

Button lights up orange: some Intelligent Safety systems are switched off or currently unavailable.

Button does not light up: all Intelligent Safety systems are switched off.

Setting the warning time

Via iDrive:

1. "CAR".

2. "Settings".

3. "Driver Assistance".

4. "Safety and warnings".

5. "Front collision mitigation".

6. Select the desired setting:

• "Early"
• "Medium"
• "Late": only acute warnings are displayed.

The selected time is stored for the driver profile currently used.

Warning with braking function

Display

A warning symbol appears in the instrument cluster and in the Head-up Display, where available, if a collision with a detected vehicle is imminent.

Symbol lights up red: prewarning.

Brake and increase distance.

Symbol flashes red and an acoustic signal sounds: acute warning.

Brake and make an evasive maneuver, if necessary.

Prewarning

This warning is provided, for instance when there is impending danger of a collision or the distance to the vehicle ahead is too small.

If a prewarning is provided, respond by braking as warranted.

Acute warning with braking function

An acute warning is displayed in case of the imminent danger of a collision when the vehicle approaches another object at a high differential speed.

Intervene in the case of an acute warning. Depending on the driving situation and the equipment version, the acute warning may be accompanied by a brief activation of the braking system.

With the warning time setting "Late" the brief activation of the braking system is omitted.

If an acute warning is provided, the system may also provide assistance, such as through braking, when there is risk of collision.

Acute warnings may be provided even when there has been no prior warning.

Braking intervention

The warning prompts the driver to intervene. If a warning is active, the maximum braking force is used when the brake is applied. The brake pedal must be applied sufficiently quickly and forcefully.

The system may also assist in braking if there is a risk of collision.

When the vehicle is traveling at a low speed, the vehicle may come to a complete stop.

City brake function: the braking intervention occurs to up to approx. 50 mph/80 km/h.

With radar sensor: the braking intervention occurs to up to approx. 155 mph/250 km/h.

At speeds above approx. 130 mph/210 km/h, the braking intervention occurs as a brief braking pressure. No automatic delay occurs.

The braking intervention occurs only if vehicle stability has not been restricted, for instance by deactivating the DSC Dynamic Stability Control.

The driver may interrupt the braking intervention function by stepping on the accelerator pedal or by actively moving the steering wheel.

The system's ability to detect objects may be limited in some circumstances. Refer to the information in this Owner's Manual regarding the limitations of the system and actively intervene as warranted.

System limits

Safety information

Warning The system is designed to operate in certain conditions and circumstances. Due to conditions or other factors, the system may not respond.

There may be a risk of accident or risk of damage to property. Actively intervene as warranted. Refer to the information in this Owner's Manual regarding the scope of the system's operation and limitations.

Detection range

The system's detection potential is limited.

Only objects that are detected by the system are taken into account.

Thus, a system reaction might not come or might come late.

The following situations may not be detected, for instance:

• Slow moving vehicles when you approach them at high speed.
• Vehicles that suddenly swerve in front of you, or sharply decelerating vehicles.
• Vehicles with an unusual rear appearance.
• Two-wheeled vehicles ahead of you.

Upper speed limit

If the vehicle speed exceeds approx.155 mph/250 km/h, the system is deactivated temporarily. When the vehicle slows down to below this speed, the system is reactivated.

Functional limitations

The system may not be fully functional in the following situations:

• In heavy fog, wet conditions, or snowfall.
• In tight curves.
• If the driving stability control systems are limited or deactivated, for instance DSC OFF.
• If the field of view of the camera or the windshield is dirty or covered in the area of the interior mirror.
• If the camera has overheated and been temporarily switched off due to excessively high temperatures.
• Depending on the equipment: if the radar sensors are dirty or covered.
• After improperly performed work on the vehicle paint in the area of the radar sensors.
• Up to 10 seconds after the start of the engine via the Start/Stop button.
• During calibration of the camera immediately after vehicle delivery.
• If there are constant blinding effects because of oncoming light, for instance from the sun low in the sky.

Attaching any objects such as stickers or film in the beam area of the radar sensors will also impact the function of the radar sensors and may even cause them to fail.

Warning sensitivity

The more sensitive the warning settings are, for example the warning time, the more warnings are displayed. Therefore, there may also be an excess of premature or unjustified warnings and reactions.

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