BMW 530XD - Manual (Page 67)

Driving
66
Active Cruise Control*
Principle
Active Cruise Control enables you to select a
speed which the car will then maintain automat-
ically, assuming your progress is not
obstructed.
Subject to reasonable limits, the system auto-
matically adjusts the speed of your car if you
come up behind a slower vehicle. You can vary
the distance to be maintained from the vehicle
in front. For safety reasons, this distance
depends on the speeds in question. To main-
tain sufficient distance, the system automati-
cally closes down the throttle, applies the
brakes if necessary, and speeds up again if the
vehicle in front accelerates. As soon as the road
ahead becomes clear, it accelerates to your
desired speed again. The desired speed is also
maintained on downhill gradients.
Read and carefully comply with the information
on the system's limits starting on page
69 so
that you can understand the system's range of
applications and use the system appropriately.
Professional navigation system*
If there is a navigation DVD in the drive, see
page
132 , the system will adapt the way the car
is accelerated and slowed down to the road you
are currently driving along.
If the car's position is not known, e.g. because
you have left the area covered by the map, the
navigation system will cease to have an influ-
ence.
Braking sensation
The system's automatic brake operation results
in a braking sensation that is slightly different
from what you feel when you brake the car your-
self in a similar situation. Unaccustomed noises
when the car is braked automatically are nor-
mal.
Manual gearbox
You can shift gears while cruise control is acti-
vated. A shift notice is issued or the system is
deactivated when you drive for an extended
period at very high or very low engine speeds.
SMG
In the Sequential mode, an instruction to shift
gear is issued or the system is deactivated if
you drive for an extended period at very high or
very low engine speeds.
In the Drive mode, the SMG behaves in a similar
way to an automatic transmission in position D.
When to use it
The optimum road speed range on main roads
and motorways in good condition is approx.
80 to 140 km/h, approx. 50 to 85 mph. Make
sure that you observe the relevant maximum
legal speed limit.
Ideally, minimum speeds should not under-
shoot 30 km/h or 20 mph and maximum speeds
not exceed 180 km/h or 110 mph.
Active Cruise Control does not release
you from your personal responsibility to
drive safely.
Consider road-surface, weather and visibility
conditions to decide whether and how the sys-
tem should be used.
Use the system only when traffic is flowing
smoothly and not on roads with loose surfaces
or sharp bends, nor when there is road ice, fog,
snow or heavy rain.
Check the speed you are driving at as well as
your stopping distance, and remain in a position
to apply the brakes at all times. Otherwise oper-
ating conditions which violate the law or consti-
tute an accident risk could result.
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