Complete Guide to the BMW Parking Assistance Package
Parking a vehicle, especially a large sedan or SUV, can be a hassle in tight spaces. Finding an open spot that your car can fit into and then perfectly maneuvering into it takes patience and skill. This often leads to frustration and accidents during the parking process.
To solve these parking pains, BMW offers advanced parking assistance technologies in many of its vehicles. Features like Park Distance Control, rearview camera, Surround View camera system, and Parking Assistant take the stress out of parking your BMW. With these innovative systems, parking becomes hands-free and hassle-free.
In this comprehensive guide, we will explore the key features of BMW’s Parking Assistance Package and explain how the technology works. You’ll learn about:
- What is included in BMW’s Parking Assistance Package
- How the intelligent Parking Assistant feature automatically parks your vehicle
- Which BMW models offer parking assistance features
- Tips for using BMW’s parking technologies
By the end of this guide, you’ll fully understand the parking assistance available in BMW vehicles. You’ll be able to confidently use the tech to park hands-free and with total ease. Let’s get started exploring BMW’s smart parking innovations!
What is BMW’s Parking Assistance Package?
BMW’s Parking Assistance Package refers to the advanced driver assistance technologies that aid drivers when parking their vehicles. Key components of the package include:
Park Distance Control
Park Distance Control uses sensors located around the front and rear bumpers to monitor the area around your BMW when parking. As your car approaches an object, the system alerts you with beeping sounds that come faster as you get closer. This allows you to park smoothly without bumping into anything.
Rear View Camera
All new BMW models come standard with a rear view camera. When you shift into reverse, it gives you a live view of what’s behind your vehicle on the central information display. Dynamic guide lines that move as you turn the wheel further assist with backing up and parking.
Surround View Camera
The Surround View camera system uses cameras mounted around the car to give a 360 degree view when parking. You can see a bird’s eye view above the vehicle along with the front, back and sides on the display. This helps immensely with parking in tight spaces.
Parking Assistant
The Parking Assistant is BMW’s automated parking feature. It uses ultrasonic sensors and cameras to scan for parking spots and then takes over the steering to automatically park in parallel or perpendicular spaces. This hands-free system takes the difficulty out of parking.
In addition to the above technologies, BMW models equipped with the Parking Assistant Package feature Auto PDC which provides automatic front and rear Park Distance Control activation when obstacles are near. The package may also include features like reversing assistant that can automatically reverse your previous path.
Having this suite of advanced parking assistance tech makes parking any new BMW a breeze. Next let’s look closer at how the Parking Assistant works to automatically park your vehicle.
How Does the Parking Assistant Work?
The Parking Assistant is the most advanced part of BMW’s parking technology. Here is an overview of how Parking Assistant functions:
Scans for Parking Spaces
As you drive along a road or parking lot at speeds under 22 mph, Parking Assistant is constantly using ultrasonic sensors and cameras to scan both sides of the vehicle. When it detects a potential parallel or perpendicular parking space, it will notify you on the dashboard.
Check Space is Suitable
Before starting the automatic parking process, you should come to a stop and confirm the space is suitable. Make sure there is enough room for your vehicle and no obstructions. Activate the turn signal in direction of space.
Takes Over Steering
Once activated and ready, Parking Assistant takes over steering control and begins maneuvering your BMW into the space hands-free. All you need to do is control the acceleration, braking, and shifting following the guidance on the display.
Parallel & Perpendicular Parking
The system can park both parallel and perpendicularly, even in tight spaces. The ultrasonic sensors and cameras allow it to precisely park within the lines.
Limitations
Parking Assistant does have some limitations. Very tight parking spaces may be difficult. Also the system requires the driver to control gas and brakes, so steep inclines can be tricky. And extremely weather conditions like heavy snow can interfere with sensors.
Overall, when used in ideal road conditions on straight parking spots, the Parking Assistant allows hands-free parking into parallel or perpendicular spaces with ease. The automated system takes the frustration and difficulty out of parking your BMW.
Which BMW Models Offer Parking Assistance Features?
BMW includes parking assistance technologies like Parking Assistant, surround view camera, and active Park Distance Control on many of its luxury vehicle models. Here is an overview of which BMW series offer parking tech:
1 Series
The compact 1 Series hatchback and coupe offers basic parking assistance features like rear view camera and front/rear Park Distance Control on higher trim levels. Options like parking assistant are not available.
2 Series
On coupe and convertible 2 Series models, drivers can get the Parking Assistant package with surround view camera, Parking Assistant, and Park Distance Control. These features aid parking the sporty 2 Series.
3 Series
The popular 3 Series sedan comes standard with front and rear Park Distance Control. The optional Driving Assistance Package adds the full Parking Assistant system, surround view camera, rear cross-traffic alert and more.
4 Series
Similar to the 3 Series, the 4 Series coupe and convertible offer front/rear Park Distance Control standard. The Parking Assistant package can be added to automatically park the 4 Series.
5 Series
The executive sedan 5 Series includes the full Parking Assistant system and surround view camera standard on higher trims. Park Distance Control, auto parking, and cross-traffic alert provide assistance parking this larger sedan.
6 Series
On the luxury 2-door 6 Series Gran Coupe, both front/rear Park Distance Control and Parking Assistant are standard. This makes parking the sleek, sporty 6 Series very convenient.
7 Series
BMW’s flagship sedan, the 7 Series, comes equipped with the complete Driving Assistance Professional package. This includes 360 degree cameras, Parking Assistant Plus that can even park remotely, and more.
8 Series
The new 8 Series luxury coupe has the full Parking Assistant suite standard. Front/rear Park Distance Control, auto park, surround view camera, and perpendicular/parallel parking assist make parking this wide coupe much easier.
X3
The compact X3 SUV comes equipped with Park Distance Control, auto high beams, and active blind spot detection as standard. The optional Parking Assistant package adds surround view cameras, auto parking, and more assistance maneuvering the X3.
X4
Build on the same platform as the X3, the X4 coupe SUV also offers Park Distance Control standard and available Parking Assistant package for hands-free parking abilities.
X5
The popular midsize X5 SUV includes the full Parking Assistant system, surround view cameras, Park Distance Control, and more as standard equipment starting on the xDrive40i trim level. This provides the X5 with excellent parking assistance.
X6
Like it’s sibling the X5, the sporty coupe X6 SUV also gets the Parking Assistant package standard on higher trims. Parking this larger SUV is made very convenient thanks to auto parking and cross-traffic alerts.
X7
BMW’s largest SUV, the luxurious X7, comes equipped with Parking Assistant Professional. This adds more advanced auto parking and reversing abilities to the huge X7 using cameras, ultrasonic sensors, and automated steering assistance.
As you can see, BMW includes parking assistance packages on most model lines. Even compact cars like the 1 and 2 Series offer front/rear Park Distance Control, while luxury sedans, coupes, and SUVs are equipped with the full parking suite: Parking Assistant, surround views, auto high beams, and more.
This technology certainly takes the difficulty and stress out of parking these ultimate driving machines.
Tips for Using BMW’s Parking Assistance Features
Here are some top tips to use when parking your BMW using the advanced assistance tech:
- Activate the features – Don’t forget to switch on Park Distance Control, Parking Assistant, surround views and any other technology when parking. The systems can’t aid you if they are not enabled.
- Understand limitations – Be aware of limitations like very narrow spaces, steep inclines, or bad weather that can interfere with the parking sensors. Take over manually when needed.
- Clean sensors – Keep ultrasonic sensors and cameras on bumpers clean of dirt, debris, snow, and ice for optimal performance.
- Allow auto park – When using Parking Assistant, let the system take over steering. Just control acceleration and braking gently as guided.
- Pay attention – Always pay attention to your surroundings when using automated parking tech. Be ready to brake as needed.
- Practice parallel parking – Take time to practice using Parking Assistant for parallel parking. It maneuvers differently than perpendicular.
- Use turn signals – Activate turn signals before allowing Parking Assistant to park so it knows which space you want.
- Manual mode – If needed, you can shift to manual mode with Parking Assistant and control steering yourself.
Following these tips will help you get the most out of the parking assistance technologies equipped on your new BMW. With features like automated steering, surround views, and collision alerts, parking your vehicle becomes almost enjoyable!
Conclusion
Finding parking spaces and maneuvering into them in busy lots and tight spaces can be frustrating. BMW offers innovative parking assistance technologies in many of its luxury vehicles to solve these parking pains.
The Parking Assistance Package includes features like Park Distance Control, rearview camera, surround view, and Parking Assistant automated parking. These systems enable hands-free parking by taking over steering and providing visual guidance.
Models across BMW’s lineup from 1 Series to X7 SUV offer advanced parking tech on higher trims. Understanding how the systems work and when to use automated steering allows you to parallel and perpendicularly park with total ease.
So if you covet the ultimate driving machines but dread parking, consider a new BMW equipped with the Parking Assistance Package. With it, maneuvering into spaces becomes stress-free and hassle-free. You’ll be parking like a pro and enjoying it too!
