Adaptive Cruise Control Description and Operation: Notes

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2020 GMC Terrain and 2020 Chevrolet Equinox. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

The adaptive cruise control system is an enhanced cruise control system with the ability to detect the presence of a vehicle in the path and react by automatically adjusting the vehicle speed to maintain a set following distance. Adaptive cruise control retains the existing cruise control feature that controls the vehicle speed to the driver selected speed, but also allow allows a driver to set and maintain a following distance to the preceding nearest vehicle in the path ahead. The B174W Frontview Camera - Windshield calculates a follow speed to ensure an acceptable distance is maintained to the preceding vehicle in front, should one be present. The adaptive cruise control system automatically adjusts the speed when the vehicle comes up behind a slower travelling vehicle. The system applies limited automatic braking and throttle control without driver input when necessary to maintain the set following distance. The preceding vehicle's speed and acceleration along with the adaptive cruise control vehicle's speed and acceleration and the distance between the two vehicles are factors used by the B174W Frontview Camera - Windshield to determine the follow speed limit. The vehicle speeds up to the original driver selected set speed when the pathway becomes clear without driver input.

The adaptive cruise control systems has the ability to bring the vehicle to a complete stop if a preceding vehicle also stops. This ability is limited by the maximum deceleration of the preceding vehicle. If the preceding vehicle stops too quickly, driver intervention is required, as the deceleration required will exceed the capability of the adaptive cruise control system. If the deceleration rate of the preceding vehicle is within the capability of the adaptive cruise control system, the vehicle will come to a complete stop. When the preceding vehicle has resumed, the driver will be prompted to continue adaptive cruise control operation. When the driver resumes adaptive cruise control operation, the vehicle will accelerate and continue typical adaptive cruise control operation.