2015 Volkswagen GTI Owners Manual - Park Distance Control (PDC)

Park Distance Control (PDC)

 Introduction to the subject

In this chapter you will find information on the following subjects:

Depending on 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 object. PDC works only at speeds up to about 5–10 mph (10–15 km/h).

A Declaration of Compliance with United States FCC and Industry Canada regulations is found in the Consumer information section of this Manual  .

More information:

• Exterior views  

• Infotainment system  

• Braking and parking  

• Rear Assist  

• Consumer information  

• Exterior care and cleaning  

• Parts, accessories, repairs, and modifications  

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.

NOTE

• Things like trailer draw bars, thin rods, fences, trees, narrow painted vertical poles, posts, or a rear hatch 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 Distance 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 misaligned 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 Control system in a location or parking space with no traffic in order to become familiar with the system and how it works.

Operation

Fig. 141 In the front and rear bumpers: Park Distance Control system sensors.

Fig. 142 In the center console: Button to switch the Park Distance Control system on or off.

Read and follow the introductory information and safety information first 

The Park Distance Control (PDC) uses ultrasonic sensors to determine the distance from the front or rear bumpers to an obstacle. There are 4 sensors for the PDC located in rear bumper (B) and additional sensors in the front bumper (A)   (arrows).

The intermittent and permanent signal chimes given by the front PDC sensors are of a higher pitch than those given by the rear PDC sensors. This is a standard feature.

The warning signals can be adjusted in the Infotainment system menu  .

Switching the Park Distance Control (PDC) system on and off

In order to	Operation (when the ignition is switched on)
Manually activate PDC:	Press the  button once.
Manually deactivate PDC:	Push the  button again.
Manually deactivate the display (sound stays active):	Press a function selection button on the factory-installed Infotainment system  .
	OR: Tap the  function key on the screen.
Automatically activate PDC:	Shift into Reverse (R).
	OR: Depending on vehicle equipment, when the vehicle rolls backwards.
Automatically deactivate PDC:	Shift into Park (P).
	OR: Drive forward faster than about 5–10 mph (10–15 km/h).
Mute the PDC volume:	Tap the  function key.
Changing from mini PDC display to full-screen mode.	Shift into Reverse (R).
	OR: Depending on vehicle equipment, when the vehicle rolls backwards.
	OR: Tap the mini PDC function key.
Switch to the rearview camera display (if equipped):	Shift into Reverse (R).
	OR: Tap the  function key.

The indicator light in the  button   lights up and stays on as long as the feature is active.

Automatic activation

When the PDC is activated automatically, a mini PDC display will appear on the left-hand side of the screen  .

Automatic activation of the PDC when driving slowly towards an obstacle located in front of the vehicle only works when the speed falls below about 6–9 mph (10–15 km/h) for the first time. If the PDC was switched off using the  button, performing one of the following actions with the ignition switched on can automatically reactivate the PDC:

• If the vehicle accelerates to a speed greater than 6–9 mph (10–15 km/h) and then drops below that speed again.

• OR: if the selector lever is moved to Park (P) and then out of that position again.

• OR: if automatic activation is activated and deactivated in the Infotainment system menu.

Automatic activation with mini PDC display can be activated and deactivated in the Infotainment system  .

When automatic activation is activated, signal chimes are sounded from a distance of about 20 inches (50 cm) from the obstacle.

WARNING

Never rely completely on the PDC for information about people and objects that might be in the way of the vehicle and could be struck by the vehicle causing serious personal injury.

• The PDC sensors have blind spots where they cannot detect people or objects.

• Always watch for people, especially small children and animals, because the sensors may not always be able to detect them.

If you hear a long beep of about 3 seconds when you first turn PDC on or the indicator light in the button starts blinking, this means there is a malfunction in the Park Distance Control system. Switch off the Park Distance Control system with the button and have it immediately checked by an authorized Volkswagen dealer or an authorized Volkswagen Service Facility.

PDC signal chimes and displays

Fig. 143 PDC display of the area surrounding the vehicle.

Fig. 144 Mini PDC display of the area surrounding the vehicle.

Read and follow the introductory information and safety information first 

Key to elements in the color display
and	Meaning
Ⓐ	Scanned area behind the vehicle.
Ⓑ	Scanned area in front of the vehicle.
	System fault in the scanned area.
	The yellow segment represents an obstacle in the vehicle’s path.
	Red segment depicts an obstacle located close to the vehicle.
	The grey segment represents an obstacle outside of the vehicle's path.

When the factory-installed Infotainment system is switched on, the areas to the front, rear, and side of the vehicle that are scanned by ultrasonic sensors are shown on the screen  . The positions of potential obstacles are displayed relative to the vehicle  .

Signal chimes

When the vehicle approaches an obstacle located in the range of the ultrasonic sensors, there are audible signal chimes. An intermittent signal chime means that a sufficiently short distance between the vehicle and an obstacle is detected. The shorter the distance, the shorter the intervals between the chimes. The signal chime will sound continuously if the obstacle is very close.

When there is an imminent risk of collision at the front area of the vehicle, the signal chimes beep at the front of the vehicle. When there is a risk of imminent collision at the rear area of the vehicle, the signal chimes beep at the rear of the vehicle.

If you continue to drive the vehicle closer to the obstacle despite a continuous signal chime, the system will no longer be able to measure the distance.

The intermittent signal chime volume decreases after a few seconds if the distance remains the same. The volume remains constant if the signal chime is continuous. As soon as the vehicle moves away from an obstacle again, the intermittent signal chime switches off automatically. If the vehicle moves towards an obstruction again, the intermittent signal chimes beep automatically.

Display

The graphic on the screen displays the scanned areas in several segments. The closer the vehicle drives towards an obstacle, the closer the segment will move to the vehicle in the display. The collision area has been reached at the latest when the second to last segment is displayed. Do not keep driving!

WARNING

Do not allow the images shown on the screen to distract you from the traffic around you.

NOTE

Failure to observe the illuminated text messages can lead to the vehicle being damaged.

It can take a few seconds before the area scanned by the sensors is displayed on the screen of the factory-installed Infotainment system.

PDC menu

Read and follow the introductory information and safety information first 

PDC settings in the Infotainment system menu

Switch on the ignition.

If necessary, switch on the Infotainment system.

Press the  button.

Tap the  function key.

Tap the Parking aids function key.

Select the required settings in the PDC menu.

Function button: action
Automatic activation: If the box in the function key is checked , the mini PDC will be switched on automatically when the vehicle slowly approaches an obstacle located to the front. Tap Automatic activation again to switch off this function. After deactivation, the PDC will not be activated automatically when the vehicle approaches an obstacle located to the front.
Front volume: Different volumes can be set separately for the signal chimes for the front by tapping the - or + function keys, or by adjusting the control.
Front pitch: Different pitches can be set for the signal chimes for the front by tapping the - or + function keys, or by adjusting the control.
Rear volume: Different volumes can be set for the signal chimes for the rear by tapping the - or + function keys, or by adjusting the control.
Rear pitch: Different pitches can be set for the signal chimes for the rear by tapping the - or + function keys, or by adjusting the control.
Audio lowering: Setting the level to which the Infotainment system volume should be reduced when the PDC is active.

Audio volume reduction

Muting the Park Distance Control volume

You can mute the PDC beeping signals by tapping the  function key on Infotainment system screen (if applicable). Tap the function key again to reactivate the acoustic signals.

Switching Park Distance Control back on after it was switched off reactivates the volume. System malfunction warning signals cannot be switched off.

If you manually deactivate the display, PDC remains on and the sound is reactivated.

The mute setting is active if the PDC was switched on using the  button when the selector is in Park (P).