Park Distance Control (PDC) -> Introduction for Your Volkswagen Passat SUV Seventh Generation (2010-2014)

Park Distance Control (PDC)  
¤ Introduction  
In this section you’ll find information about:  
Park Distance Control (PDC)  
Depending on vehicle equipment, the vehicle may be equipped with  
the Park Distance Control system (PDC).  
The Park Distance Control (PDC) system can help the driver when  
backing up and parking. PDC uses ultrasonic sensors in the bumpers  
to measure the distance between the vehicle and objects. The system  
uses the time it takes for the ultrasonic waves to bounce back from  
the object to calculate the distance between the vehicle and an ob-  
ject. Park Distance Control works only at speeds up to about 6 –  
9 mph (10 – 15 km/h).  
If the vehicle gets too close to an obstacle behind it, a beeping signal  
sounds. The closer the vehicle gets to the obstacle, the faster the  
beep. When the obstacle is very close, the sound is continuous.  
If you move even closer to the obstacle despite the continuous warn-  
ing sound, the system cannot measure the distance remaining until  
collision.  
A Declaration of Compliance with the United States FCC and Industry  
Canada regulations is found on Declaration of Compliance, Tele-  
communications and Electronic Systems.  
More information:  
Exterior views  
Braking and parking  
Consumer information  
Exterior care and cleaning  
Parts, accessories, repairs and modifications  
Radio or Navigation system Booklet Radio or  
Booklet Navigation system  
WARNING  
Park Distance Control is no substitute for careful and attentive  
driving. Never rely completely on these systems for information  
about people and objects that might be in the way of the vehicle  
and could be struck resulting in serious personal injuries.  
The sensors have blind spots in which they cannot detect  
people, animals, and objects.  
Always be careful and look around you when parking. The  
sensors cannot always detect people, animals, and objects.  
Watch out for small children and animals in particular.  
Certain types of clothing and the surfaces of certain objects  
do not reflect the ultrasonic waves that the sensors send and  
receive. Such objects and persons wearing such clothing will  
not be detected by PDC or will not be detected accurately.  
Noise in the area can interfere with the signals of the Park  
Distance Control sensors. Under certain circumstances, the  
system will not detect people and objects for this reason.  
NOTICE  
Things like trailer draw bars, thin rods, fences, trees, narrow  
painted vertical poles, posts, or a luggage compartment lid that  
is opening may not be detected by the Park Distance Control  
sensors and could damage the vehicle.  
If you continue driving closer to an object that the Park Dis-  
tance Control has already detected and reported, the object may  
disappear from the sensor range and may no longer be detected.  
This is especially true for low or high objects. The system will no  
longer sound warnings about these objects. Ignoring signals  
from the Park Distance Control system could result in serious  
damage to the vehicle.  
The sensors in the bumpers can be damaged or become misa-  
ligned in low speed impacts and parking maneuvers. Damaged  
or misaligned sensors cannot accurately detect or report objects  
that might be within range of the PDC system.  
To help make sure that the system works properly, always  
keep the sensors in the bumpers clean and free of snow and ice;  
do not cover the sensors with stickers or other objects.  
When cleaning the sensors with power washers or steam  
cleaners, only spray the sensors directly for a very short time,  
and always keep the washer nozzle at least 4 inches (10 cm)  
from the sensors.  
Noise from rough roads, cobblestones, other vehicles and the  
surrounding area, for example, can prevent the Park Distance  
Control system from accurately detecting and reporting people  
and objects that may be within range of the sensors.  
Aftermarket components such as bicycle racks can impair the  
function of the Park Distance Control system.  
Volkswagen recommends practicing with the Park Distance Con-  
trol system in a location or parking space with no traffic in order to  
become familiar with the system and how it works.  
Park Distance Control (PDC)  
Fig. 156 In the front bumpers: Park Distance Control system sensors.