BMW 745Le

When you’re in slow-moving traffic it’s often difficult to devote your full attention to everything that is happening. The road layout, oncoming traffic, speed restrictions, what’s happening beside you as well as behind you: A driver has to bear all this in mind. Road sign recognition can relieve you from this with help of a camera system which scans road signs and represents the processed data on the display. Accordingly, the road signs are displayed directly on your screen. Often this system is contained within other driver assistance systems such as the right of way warner, the wrong way assistant or speed limit info.

Cruise control is also known as “Speed Control” and allows you to select your desired cruising speed. This often takes place in combination with distance control. Following activation the driver assistance system constantly maintains your chosen speed and therefore offers enhanced comfort during long-distances. Cruise control can electronically adjust the speed to the surroundings and appropriately adjust the engine power.

Congestion, slow-moving traffic and narrow lanes are, unfortunately, not uncommon on the motorway. Over a long period, this means: maintaining a steady hand and patiently following the road. In such situations steering and lane guidance assist can help you – also at high speeds – to drive the vehicle in the middle of the lane and therefore relieve you from steering. Cameras detect the lane markings and consequently the driver assistance system orientates to the boundary lines of the individual lane. A glance beyond the borders of Europe demonstrates how much more advanced the technology already is today. In some countries, the BMW congestion assistant enables “Hands-Off” driving with steady speeds up to 60 km/h.  

Distance control is also called Adaptive Cruise Control. With a pre-set desired speed this driver assistance system orientates to the vehicle ahead and automatically brakes or accelerates depending on the distance from the leading vehicle. This system has already been integrated into many modern vehicles. The applied sensors measure the current speed and the distance from the car ahead. If you find yourself in stop start traffic, the distance control takes over braking and start-up.