Circuit/System Description

The side blind zone alert system detects and reports objects on either side of the vehicle, within a specified blind spot zone. The system alerts with a visual indicator placed on each side rear view mirror, to the presence of objects that may not be visible in the inside rearview mirror and outside rearview 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 system, the driver must check carefully for objects outside of the reporting zone (e.g., a fast approaching vehicle) 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 system detects a vehicle in the side blind zone while driving forward, independent if passing a vehicle or being passed, 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.

Side blind zone alert is active when the vehicle is out of park or the parking brake is off on manual transmission vehicles and from speeds of 10 km/h (6.2 MPH) up to 140 km/h (87 MPH). Driving faster deactivates the system, indicated by dimly lighting the warning symbols in the mirrors. Driving under this speed again will turn off the warning symbols. If then a vehicle is detected in the blind zone, the warning symbols will turn on normally on the appropriate side. When the vehicle is started, both outside mirror displays will briefly come on to indicate that the system is operating.