PDC questions

theprof · #1 03-07-2008, 02:23 PM

I have an 08 X5. Love the thing; but the PDC just isn't working for me. It takes too long to start up; I'm already backing up before the couple seconds passes for the screen to come up. Also stays on WAY TOO long blanking the screen to other apps like Navigation or whatever. The PDC staying on for 160 feet and x seconds or whatever seems to be the way its supposed to work - but I have no idea why; don't need to see where I've been. And of course the camera sucks and is of little value at night. I find now, after 4900 miles that I hit the "off" for PDC immediately after putting the X5 in reverse.

My Questions:
Can any of this be controlled?; how fast it comes on, making it go off immediately after shifting into Drive? Maybe a software update or something?

Assuming there are no fixes (which is what I assume) is there a way to just turn PDC off entirely?

The PDC and the TPC systems are the only things I find really disappointing about the vehicle. Otherwise its a great rig and all that technology is quite useful and nicely integrated.

Thanks,

y5choi · #2 03-07-2008, 03:19 PM

push the PDC button to disable it. They shut off after reaching 20 km/h (i dunno what that is in MPH).

Just give it 1 second of your day man, you can't be that impatient.

theprof · #3 03-07-2008, 05:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by y5choi

push the PDC button to disable it. They shut off after reaching 20 km/h (i dunno what that is in MPH).

Just give it 1 second of your day man, you can't be that impatient.

Can I take that as a; you don't know how to turn it off permanently either. I wasn't asking for advice on approporiate patience levels.

Denalio · #4 03-07-2008, 07:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by theprof

Can I take that as a; you don't know how to turn it off permanently either. I wasn't asking for advice on approporiate patience levels.

y5choi · #5 03-07-2008, 08:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Denalio

lol I apologize if I was too hasty in my reply.

I just don't find the camera and pdc sensors bothersome consistently.

Software manipulation can be done (iDrive is Windows based so a qualified programmer can perhaps do it?), but the bottom line is, you are right- I do not know how to permanently disable it.

theprof · #6 03-07-2008, 09:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by y5choi

lol I apologize if I was too hasty in my reply.

I just don't find the camera and pdc sensors bothersome consistently.

Software manipulation can be done (iDrive is Windows based so a qualified programmer can perhaps do it?), but the bottom line is, you are right- I do not know how to permanently disable it.

Thanks but its me that owes you the apology. I looked back at my post and realized it sound much more dickish than I meant it to be.

No Worries

Ken

rh71 · #7 03-07-2008, 05:55 PM

I find the backup camera pretty useless the same way. I don't think I'd be trusting that to backup out of my garage anyway... it's probably only useful for parallel parking. I completely ignore it otherwise and yes the delay after shifting into drive requiring a minimum mph to turn off is irritating. I'm already half a block into drive gaining speed and the thing is still on. Knowing technology/software though, small delays like that are common. Even a webcam (which essentially is the same) requires "warm up time".

Nothing in the manual shows how to control the PDC/camera otherwise. Not even the volume of the beep tone if you have NAV. There really needs to be an option where you have to turn it on manually everytime especially because it's really just good for parallel parking in my opinion.

TopgunNS · #8 03-09-2008, 05:49 AM

To be fair, it's a 50 grand plus car and the PDC should come on instantly. I have the same problem as this guy. I love idrive but it's crap slow for the price we pay. Just calling a spade a spade.