VEHICLE-TO-VEHICLE DISTANCE
CONTROL MODE
In the vehicle-to-vehicle distance control
mode, the Intelligent Cruise Control (ICC)
system automatically maintains a selected
distance from the vehicle traveling in front
of you according to that vehicle’s speed
(up to the set speed), or at the set speed
when the road ahead is clear.
With ICC, the driver can maintain the same
speed as other vehicles without the con-
stant need to adjust the set speed as you
would with a normal cruise control system.
SSD0662
Type A
SSD1169
Type B
PRECAUTIONS ON VEHICLE-TO-VE-
HICLE DISTANCE CONTROL MODE
The system is intended to enhance the
operation of the vehicle when following a
vehicle traveling in the same lane and
direction.
If the distance sensor
*Adetects a slower
moving vehicle ahead, the system will
reduce the vehicle speed so that your
vehicle follows the vehicle in front at the
selected distance.
The system automatically controls the
throttle and applies the brakes (up to
25% of vehicle braking power) if neces-
sary.
The detection range of the sensor is
approximately 390 ft (120 m) ahead.
WARNING
. This system is only an aid to assist the
driver and is not a collision warning or
avoidance device. It is the driver’ s
responsibility to stay alert, drive safely
and be in control of the vehicle at all
times.
. The system is primarily intended for use
Starting and driving5-25
5-26Starting and driving
on straight, dry, open roads with light
traffic. It is not advisable to use the
system in city traffic or congested areas.
. This system will not adapt automatically
to road conditions. This system should
be used in evenly flowing traffic. Do not
use the system on roads with sharp
curves, or on icy roads, in heavy rain or
in fog.
The distance sensor will not detect under
most conditions:
.Stationary and slow moving vehicles
. Pedestrians or objects in the roadway
. Oncoming vehicles in the same lane
. Motorcycles traveling offset in the travel
lane
This system will not automatically brake
the vehicle to a stop.
WARNING
. As there is a performance limit to the
distance control function, never rely
solely on the Intelligent Cruise Control
system. This system does not correct
careless, inattentive or absent-minded
driving, or overcome poor visibility in rain, fog, or other bad weather. Decele-
rate the vehicle speed by depressing the
brake pedal, depending on the distance
to the vehicle ahead and the surround-
ing circumstances in order to maintain a
safe distance between vehicles.
. Although the brake operation is con-
trolled by the system, the system does
not automatically stop the vehicle. If the
vehicle speed falls below approximately
20 MPH (32 km/h), the Intelligent Cruise
Control system is automatically canceled
and a warning chime sounds. (The brake
control is also canceled.)
. The system may not detect the vehicle in
front of you in certain road or weather
conditions. To avoid accidents, never use
the Intelligent Cruise Control system
under the following conditions:
—On roads where the traffic is heavy
or there are sharp curves
—On slippery road surfaces such as
on ice or snow, etc.
—During bad weather (rain, fog, snow,etc.)
When the windshield wiper is oper-
ated at the low speed (LO) or high speed (HI) position, the Intelligent
Cruise Control system is automati-
cally canceled.
—When strong light (for example, at
sunrise or sunset) is directly shining
on the front of the vehicle
—When rain, snow or dirt adhere tothe system sensor
—On steep downhill roads (the vehi-cle may go beyond the set vehicle
speed and frequent braking may
result in overheating the brakes)
—On repeated uphill and downhillroads
—When traffic conditions make itdifficult to keep a proper distance
between vehicles because of fre-
quent acceleration or deceleration
. In some road or traffic conditions, a
vehicle or object can unexpectedly come
into the sensor detection zone and cause
automatic braking. You may need to
control the distance from other vehicles
using the accelerator pedal. Always stay
alert and avoid using the ICC system
when it is not recommended in this
5-28Starting and driving
.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 automati-
cally check the sensor’s operation within
the limitations of the system. When the
sensor is covered with dirt or obstructs, the
system will automatically be canceled. If
the sensor is covered with ice, a transpar-
ent 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. How-
ever, 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
remain fairly constant or when vehicle
speeds change gradually. If a vehicle
moves into the traveling lane ahead or if
a vehicle traveling ahead rapidly decele-
rates, the distance between vehicles may
become closer because the ICC system
cannot decelerate the vehicle quickly en-
ough. 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” (P.5-38).
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 adjusts the speed to maintain the
distance, selected by driver, from the
vehicle ahead. The adjusting speed
range is between approximately 20
MPH (32 km/h) and up to the set
speed.
. When the vehicle traveling ahead has
moved out from its lane of travel, the
vehicle-to-vehicle distance control
mode accelerates and maintains vehi-
cle speed up to the set speed.
The ICC system does not control vehicle
speed or warn you when you approach
stationary and slow moving vehicles. You
must pay attention to vehicle operation to
maintain proper distance from vehicles
ahead when approaching toll gates or
traffic congestion.
5-34Starting and driving
SSD0614
When the COAST/SET switch is pushed
under the following conditions, the system
cannot be set.
A warning chime will sound and the ICC
indicators will blink.
.When the VDC system is off (To use the
ICC system, turn on the VDC system.
Push the MAIN switch to turn off the ICC
system and reset the ICC switch by
pushing the MAIN switch again.)
For details about the VDC system, see
“Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) sys-
tem” (P.5-56).
. When ABS or VDC (including the trac-
tion control system) is operating .
When driving into a strong light (for
example, sunlight)
. When a wheel is slipping (To use the ICC
system, make sure the wheels are no
longer slipping. Push the MAIN switch
to turn off the ICC, and reset the ICC
system by pushing the MAIN switch
again.)
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1. System set display with vehicle ahead
2. System set display without vehicleahead
System operation
WARNING
Normally when controlling the distance to a
vehicle ahead, this system automatically
accelerates or decelerates your vehicle
according to the speed of the vehicle ahead.
Depress the accelerator to properly accel-
erate your vehicle when acceleration is
required for a lane change. Depress the brake pedal when deceleration is required to
maintain a safe distance to the vehicle
ahead due to its sudden braking or if a
vehicle cuts in. Always stay alert when
using the ICC system.
The driver sets the desired vehicle speed
based on the road conditions. The ICC
system maintains the set vehicle speed,
similar to standard cruise control, as long
as no vehicle is detected in the lane ahead.
The ICC system displays the set speed.Vehicle detected ahead:
When a vehicle is detected in the lane
ahead, the ICC system decelerates the
vehicle by controlling the throttle and
applying the brakes to match the speed
of a slower vehicle ahead. The system then
controls the vehicle speed based on the
speed of the vehicle ahead to maintain the
driver selected distance.
The stoplights of the vehicle come on
when braking is performed by the ICC
system.
When the brake operates, a noise may be
heard. This is not a malfunction.
When a vehicle ahead is detected, the
vehicle ahead detection indicator comes
on. The ICC system will also display the set
speed and selected distance.
Vehicle ahead not detected:
When a vehicle is no longer detected
ahead, the ICC system gradually acceler-
ates your vehicle to resume the previously
set vehicle speed. The ICC system then
maintains the set speed.
When a vehicle is no longer detected the
vehicle ahead detection indicator turns off.
If a vehicle ahead appears during accel-
eration to the set vehicle speed or any time
Starting and driving5-35
5-38Starting and driving
SSD0613D
.The distance to the vehicle ahead will
change according to the vehicle speed.
The higher the vehicle speed, the
longer the distance.
. If the engine is stopped, the set
distance becomes “long”. (Each time
the engine is started, the initial setting becomes
“long”.)
Approach warning
If your vehicle comes closer to the vehicle
ahead due to rapid deceleration of that
vehicle or if another vehicle cuts in, the
system warns the driver with the chime and ICC system display. Decelerate by
depressing the brake pedal to maintain a
safe vehicle distance if:
.
The chime sounds.
. The vehicle ahead detection and set
distance indicator blink.
The warning chime may not sound in some
cases when there is a short distance
between vehicles. Some examples are:
. When the vehicles are traveling at the
same speed and the distance between
vehicles is not changing
. When the vehicle ahead is traveling
faster and the distance between vehi-
cles is increasing
. When a vehicle cuts in near your vehicle
The warning chime will not sound when:
. Your vehicle approaches vehicles that
are parked or moving slowly.
. The accelerator pedal is depressed,
overriding the system.
SSD0284A
NOTE:
The approach warning chime may sound
and the system display may blink when
the ICC sensor detects some reflectors
*Awhich are fitted on vehicles in other lanes
or on the side of the road. This may cause
the ICC system to decelerate or accelerate
the vehicle. The ICC sensor may detect
these reflectors when the vehicle is driven
on winding roads, hilly roads or when
entering or exiting a curve. The ICC sensor
may also detect reflectors on narrow roads
or in road construction zones. In these
cases you will have to manually control
the proper distance ahead of your vehicle.Also, the sensor sensitivity can be affected
by vehicle operation (steering maneuver or
driving position in the lane) or traffic or
vehicle condition (for example, if a vehicle
is being driven with some damage).
Automatic cancellation
A chime sounds under the following con-
ditions and the control is automatically
canceled.
.
When the vehicle speed falls below
approximately 20 MPH (32 km/h)
. When the shift lever is not in the D
(Drive), DS (Drive Sport) or manual shift
mode
. When the windshield wipers are oper-
ated at low speed (LO) or high speed
(HI)
. When the rain sensing auto wiper
system is operated and the wiper
speed is at least the same as the LO
(low ) position speed
. When the VDC is turned off
. When the VDC operates
SSD0614
Warning light and display
Condition A:
The chime sounds and the Intelligent
Cruise Control system is canceled auto-
matically in the conditions described be-
low. Part of the system display will come
on or blink, making it impossible to set.
.When the VDC is turned off
. When the ABS or VDC (including the
traction control system) operates
. When a tire slips
. When strong light (sunlight, etc.) is
directly shining on the front of the
vehicle
Starting and driving5-39
5-40Starting and driving
Action to take:
When the conditions listed above are no
longer present, turn the system off using
the Intelligent Cruise Control MAIN Switch.
Turn the ICC system back on to use the
system.
SSD0615
Condition B:
When the sensor window is dirty, making it
impossible to detect a vehicle ahead, the
ICC system is automatically canceled.
The chime sounds and the ICC system
warning light (orange) will come on and the
“CLEAN SENSOR”indicator will appear.
Action to take:
If the warning light comes on, park the
vehicle in a safe place, turn the engine off.
Clean the sensor window with a soft cloth
and then perform the settings again.
SSD0616
Condition C:
When the ICC system is not operating
properly, the chime sounds and the ICC
system warning light (orange) will come
on.
Action to take:
If the warning light comes on, park the
vehicle in a safe place. Turn the engine off,
restart the engine, resume driving and set
the ICC system again.
If it is not possible to set the system or the
indicator stays on, it may indicate that the
ICC system is malfunctioning. Although
the vehicle is still driveable under normal