VEHICLE-TO-VEHICLE DISTANCE
CONTROL MODE OPERATION
Always pay attention to the operation of the
vehicle and be ready to manually control the
proper following distance. The vehicle-to-
vehicle distance control mode of the Intelligent
Cruise Control (ICC) system may not be able to
maintain the selected distance between ve-
hicles (following distance) or selected vehicle
speed under some circumstances.
The vehicle-to-vehicle distance control mode
uses a sensor
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located on the front of the
vehicle to detect vehicles traveling ahead. The
sensor generally detects the signals returned
from the reflectors on a vehicle ahead. There-
fore, if the sensor cannot detect the reflector on
the vehicle ahead, the ICC system may not
maintain the selected distance.
The following are some conditions in which the
sensor cannot detect the signals:
●
When the reflector of the vehicle ahead is
positioned high on the vehicle (trailer, etc.)
●
When the reflector on the vehicle ahead is
missing, damaged or covered
●
When the reflector of the vehicle ahead is
covered with dirt, snow and road spray
●
When the snow or road spray from traveling
vehicles reduces the sensor’s visibility
●
When dense exhaust or other smoke (black
smoke) from vehicles reduces the sensor’s
visibility
●
When excessively heavy baggage is loaded
in the rear seat or the trunk of your vehicle
The ICC system is designed to automatically
check the sensor’s operation. When the sensor
is covered with dirt or obstructs, the system will
automatically be canceled. If the sensor is
covered with ice, a transparent or translucent
vinyl bag, etc., the ICC system may not detect
them. In these instances, the vehicle-to-vehicle
distance control mode may not cancel and may
not be able to maintain the selected following
distance from the vehicle ahead. Be sure to
check and clean the sensor regularly.
The vehicle-to-vehicle distance control mode is
designed to maintain a selected distance and
reduce the speed to match the slower vehicle
ahead; the system will decelerate the vehicle as
necessary. However, the ICC system can only
apply up to 25% of the vehicles total braking
power. This system should only be used when
traffic conditions allow vehicle speeds to re-
main fairly constant or when vehicle speeds
change gradually. If a vehicle moves into the
traveling lane ahead or if a vehicle traveling
ahead rapidly decelerates, the distance be-
tween vehicles may become closer because the
ICC system cannot decelerate the vehicle
quickly enough. If this occurs, the ICC system
will sound a warning chime and blink the
system display to notify the driver to take
necessary action.
The system will cancel and a warning chime will
sound if the speed falls below approximately 20
MPH (32 km/h). The system will also disengage
below the 20 MPH (32 km/h) cut-off speed or
over the maximum set speed.
See “Approach warning” later in this section.
The following items are controlled in the
vehicle-to-vehicle distance control mode:
●
When there are no vehicles traveling ahead,
the vehicle-to-vehicle distance control mode
maintains the speed set by the driver. The
set speed range is between approximately
25 and 90 MPH (40 and 144 km/h).
●
When there is a vehicle traveling ahead, the
vehicle-to-vehicle distance control mode ad-
justs the speed to maintain the distance,
selected by driver, from the vehicle ahead.
The adjusting speed range is between ap-
proximately 20 MPH (32 km/h) and up to the
set speed.
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Starting and driving
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07/14/07—pattie
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