What Is BMW Extended Traffic Jam Assistant?

This low-speed driver's aid allows for hands-free operation under certain circumstances.

Benjamin Hunting | 

Jul 12, 2024 | 2 min read

BMW

The world of advanced driver's aids continues to evolve, and various systems and multiple brandings can make it confusing to understand which features are offered by which design. Here we look at BMW's Extended Traffic Jam Assistant, part of Driving Assistant Plus and one of the automaker's various semi-autonomous driving systems.

Driving Assistant Plus and What It Does

Driving Assistant Plus is the name given to BMW's advanced adaptive cruise control system. This feature is not only capable of maintaining a preset distance between the vehicle and traffic ahead, but it can also offer lane-keeping capability that can steer so that the automobile stays within the lines of its lane.

It also includes a feature that recognizes speed limits and can automatically adjust the selected cruise speed to compensate.

Extended Traffic Jam Assistant and What It Does

Extended Traffic Jam Assistant is a subset of Driving Assistant Plus that can be activated when traveling under 40 mph on supported highways. Along with being able to detect lane markings, Traffic Jam Assistant can pick up on the presence of a vehicle ahead and use it as a reference point, helping to improve steering and allowing for stop-and-go capability from the adaptive cruise control system.

Regular Traffic Jam Assistant, which is similar to other traffic jam assist programs, requires drivers to keep their hands on the steering wheel at all times or the system will deactivate. Extended Traffic Jam Assistant will operate hands free at speeds of less than 40 mph once engaged, as long as the driver continues to look at the road ahead.

How Extended Traffic Jam Assistant Works

BMW monitors the area around a vehicle using an extensive array of radar sensors that are supplemented by a pair of cameras mounted at the top of the windshield. These work together to feed information to the vehicle's software, which then calculates whether it is safe to engage Extended Traffic Jam Assistant. A driver-attention monitor, focused on tracking the position of the pilot's eyes, is also included.

If the correct conditions are met, a message appears on the driver information screen. Two lights on the steering wheel illuminate in green to let you know the system is active. If driver attention falters or the system needs to turn itself off, those lights turn yellow, then red, to indicate it is no longer functional.

Vehicles That Offer Extended Traffic Jam Assistant

Extended Traffic Jam Assistant is generally part of the Driving Assistance Professional Package, which can be ordered on a variety of BMW models, including the 4 Series Gran Coupe M440i xDrive, X5 plug-in hybrid, and the 5 Series.

Benjamin Hunting

Benjamin Hunting is a writer and podcast host who contributes to a number of newspapers, automotive magazines, and online publications. More than a decade into his career, he enjoys keeping the shiny side up during track days and always has one too many classic vehicle projects partially disassembled in his garage at any given time. Remember, if it's not leaking, it's probably empty.