Side Blind Zone Alert Operation
The side blind zone alert system shall detect and report "objects of interest" on either side of the vehicle, within a specified "blind spot" zone. The system is designed to alert the driver, with a visual display placed on the side view mirror, to the presence of objects of interest that may not be visible in the inside rearview mirror and outside rear view mirrors. Although this system is intended to help drivers avoid lane change crashes, it does not replace driver vision and therefore should be considered a lane change aid. Even with the side blind zone alert system, the driver must check carefully for objects outside of the reporting zone before changing lanes. In the event that the system senses a malfunction through its diagnostic routines, the system will be disabled and the driver will be visually notified.
When the vehicle is started, both outside mirror displays will briefly come on to indicate that the system is operating. The warning symbols will vary brightness based on the ambient light conditions. Side blind zone alert is active when the vehicle is out of park or the parking brake is off on manual transmission vehicles. When the system detects a vehicle in the side blind zone while driving forward, an amber warning symbol will light up in the appropriate outside mirror. This indicates that it may be unsafe to change lanes. If the driver then activates the turn signal, the amber warning symbol starts flashing as an extra warning not to change lanes.
The system is designed to detect objects of interest as small as a 125cc motorcycle with rider. The detection zone starts at the outside rearview mirror and extends out to 3.5 m (11 ft) at the back corner of the vehicle and 5 m (16 ft) behind the vehicle at a height of 0.5 m (1.5 ft) to 2.0 m (6 ft) above the ground. The system may light up an indicator due to guardrails, signs, trees, shrubs and other non-moving objects. This is normal system operation; the vehicle does not need service.
If the vehicle is towing a trailer or has an object such as a bicycle rack attached to the rear of the vehicle, the side blind zone system may not function properly and the indicators may illuminate intermittently or remain illuminated all the time. The driver information center may display "SIDE DETECTION SYSTEM UNAVAILABLE".
Foul weather may affect the operation of the side blind zone system. Occasional missed alerts can occur under normal circumstances and will increase in wet conditions. The number of missed alerts will increase with increased rainfall or road spray. Heavy rainfall, as well as mud, dirt, snow, ice or slush build-up on the rear fascia, can completely disable the system. The warning symbols will vary brightness based on the ambient light conditions.