How do I turn off the PDC when parked?
 

Here's the scenario. I pull into a parking space. Either forward or backward. I put the car into reverse at some point either backing in to a space or aligning the car when pulling in forward. Since I have put the car into reverse, the rearview camera and PDC (parking distance control) system activates. Then I put the car into park. Here comes the problem. If I leave the car running, such as waiting for someone, talking on the phone, eating lunch or whatever, the PDC keeps beeping at me when it senses the curb or something. I have tried pushing down on the i-drive knob and turning off the camera system, but the PDC sensors keep beeping forever. The only way I have figured out to stop them is to turn off the car completely and turn it back on again. It seems to be that they should stop beeping when the car is put into park.

Something wrong with my car? Or something wrong with my ability to understand the owners manual?

Thanks,

Dave.

Did you try by pressing the PDC button once?
I have been in this scenario several times and I turn-off PDC by pressing the PDC button once.

No I haven't. Thanks I'll try that. Seems like a hack though. After all, why do you need the PDC on when the car is in park?

Thanks,

Dave

What BMW needs to do is apply one of the steering wheel buttons to PDC to turn it off and on. I hate when you drive into a parking bay and you have to lean over and push the button to activate it or select reverse to do the same!

I've also been annoyed by this as well. And combined with the fact that the PDC is extremely conservative with its distance control, even when you are relatively far away it keeps beeping like crazy. If you put it in Park, it certainly should turn off. I've said it before, but the Parktronic system from MB is so much better.

It's an on/off button, why is it a hack?

The fact that there is an on/off button isn't the hack. The fact that you have to disable the system when in park is what I was referring to. That should be automatic. At least I can't think of any scenario where you would need the PDC beeping when the car is in park.