Active Safety System Description and Operation

Forward Collision Alert 

The forward collision alert system is a convenience feature of the frontview camera module that issues a warning to the driver when a potential collision risk exists. The frontview camera module is located behind the windshield, looking out at the road ahead and detecting vehicles directly ahead. When the system detects a vehicle in the path ahead, the green vehicle ahead indicator is illuminated on the instrument cluster. When approaching another vehicle too rapidly, the collision alert symbol will flash in the head-up display (if equipped) or a series of red collision alert indicators will flash. An audible alert sound will simultaneously sound or the safety alert seat will provide haptic feedback. The visual alert cannot be changed, but the driver can select between audible or haptic alerts in the vehicle personalization menus. The forward collision alert system can also be turned on or off through the vehicle personalization menus. See the vehicle owner manual for more detailed information on vehicle personalization.

Forward collision alert does not provide a warning to help avoid a crash, unless it detects a vehicle. Forward collision alert may not detect a vehicle ahead if the frontview camera module is blocked by dirt, snow, or ice, or if the windshield is damaged. It may also not detect a vehicle on winding or hilly roads, or in conditions that can limit visibility such as fog, rain, or snow, or if the headlamps or windshield are not cleaned or in proper condition. Keep the windshield, headlamps, and frontview camera module clean and in good repair.

Forward collision alert may provide unnecessary alerts for turning vehicles, vehicles in other lanes, objects that are not vehicles, or shadows. These alerts are normal operation and the vehicle does not need service.

The forward collision alert system is made up of the following components:

• Frontview camera module
• Forward collision alert switch
• Instrument cluster
• Collision alert indicators (without UV6)
• Head-up display (with UV6)
• Infotainment system
• Safety alert seat, if equipped

Active Emergency Braking System 

The active emergency braking systems includes the intelligent brake assist system and the automatic collision preparation system. The intelligent brake assist and the automatic collision preparation systems are designed provide a boost to braking or automatically brake the vehicle to help avoid or lessen the severity of crashes when driving in a forward gear.

Intelligent brake assist is designed to pre-fill the brake hydraulic system to reduce system response time and increase pressure when quickly applying the brakes. Using the frontview camera module and the distance sensing cruise control module, the system monitors the approach speed and distance to a vehicle ahead. If the Intelligent brake assist system determines a collision risk exists, it will begin preparations to the brake hydraulic system. When active, minor brake pedal pulsations or pedal movement may occur and this should be considered normal. Intelligent brake assist will resort to normal braking operation after an intelligent brake assist even has occurred when the brake pedal is released.

When driving in a forward gear at speeds 9 kph (5 mph), the automatic collision preparation system uses the frontview camera module and distance sensing cruise control module to determine if an imminent collision risk exists. If the brakes have not been applied, the system will automatically apply the brakes in an effort to mitigate the collision or reduce collision damage. The system has a detection range of approximately 60 m (197 ft) and will only function when a vehicle is detected, as indicated by the green vehicle ahead indicator is illuminated on the instrument cluster.

Automatic collision preparation is not a substitute for normal vehicle braking and should not be relied on to brake the vehicle. Automatic collision preparation may not detect a vehicle ahead if the frontview camera module or distance sensing cruise control module is blocked by dirt, snow, or ice, or if the windshield is damaged. It may also not detect a vehicle on winding or hilly roads, or in conditions that can limit visibility such as fog, rain, or snow, or if the headlamps or windshield are not cleaned or in proper condition. Keep the windshield, headlamps, distance sensing cruise control module, and frontview camera module clean and in good repair.

The active emergency braking system are made up of the following components:

• Frontview camera module
• Distance sensing cruise control module
• Electronic brake control module

Frontview Camera Module 

The frontview camera module detects vehicles in front of the vehicle. The frontview camera module communicates with the instrument cluster via serial data to illuminate the appropriate amber or green vehicle ahead indicator, collision alert symbol will flash in the head-up display, or collision alert indicators. The frontview camera module also communicates via serial data with the infotainment system and memory seat module to request audible or haptic alerts.

The frontview camera module works in conjunction with the distance sensing cruise control module to track vehicles ahead and determine if a collision risk exists. If a collision risk exists, the active emergency braking systems will be activated to reduce collision damage.

Distance Sensing Cruise Control Module 

The distance sensing cruise control module works in conjunction with the frontview camera module to track vehicles ahead and determine if a collision risk exists. If a collision risk exists, the active emergency braking systems will be activated to reduce collision damage.

Electronic Brake Control Module 

The electronic brake control module is used by the active emergency braking system to pre-fill and prepare for braking by the intelligent brake assist and actively brake the vehicle by the automatic collision preparation system.

Forward Collision Alert Switch 

The forward collision alert switch provides an input to the frontview camera module to select the alert timing sensitivity when approaching another vehicle too rapidly. The forward collision alert switch is part of the steering wheel controls switch - left and provides inputs to the body control module (BCM), which then communicates with the frontview camera module via serial data.

The BCM applies a reference voltage and monitors a low signal voltage from the normally open switch. When the switch is pressed, the signal circuit is pulled low through a specific series of resistors, indicating that the system has been requested to change the alert timing sensitivity. The first button press will show the current alert timing setting on the driver information center. With every subsequent button press, the alert timing sensitivity is changed.

Instrument Cluster 

The instrument cluster communicates via serial data with the frontview camera module and will illuminate the amber or green vehicle ahead indicator as requested by the frontview camera module. The instrument cluster also controls the head-up display or the collision alert indicators.

Collision Alert Indicators (without UV6) 

The collision alert indicators are a series of red LEDs that will flash when approaching another vehicle too rapidly. The collision alert indicators are located in the upper instrument panel area and reflect off the windshield when illuminated.

The collision alert indicators receive power and ground and are discretely controlled by the instrument cluster through a pair of low control circuits. When requested by the frontview camera module, the instrument panel will pulse the low control circuits, flashing the LEDs as a visual alert that another vehicle is being approached too rapidly.

Head-up Display (with UV6) 

The instrument cluster controls the head-up display via serial data. The instrument cluster will command the head-up display to flash the collision alert indicator as a visual alert when approaching another vehicle too rapidly as requested by the frontview camera module.

Infotainment System 

The infotainment system controls the audible alerts for the forward collision alert system. If the host vehicle is approaching another vehicle too rapidly, the frontview camera module will command the infotainment system issue an audible alert to the driver.

Safety Alert Seat 

The memory seat module controls the haptic alert provided by the seats. If the vehicle is approaching another vehicle too quickly, the frontview camera module will command the memory seat module to pulse both sides of the seat.