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5-28Starting and driving
SSD1170
Type A
SSD1169
Type B
VEHICLE-TO-VEHICLE DISTANCE
CONTROL MODE OPERATION
Always pay attention to the operation of
the vehicle and be ready to manually
control the proper following distance. The
vehicle-to-vehicle distance control mode of
the Intelligent Cruise Control (ICC) system
may not be able to maintain the selected
distance between vehicles (following dis-
tance) or selected vehicle speed under
some circumstances.
The vehicle-to-vehicle distance control
mode uses a sensor
*Alocated on the
front of the vehicle to detect vehicles
traveling ahead. The sensor generally
detects the signals returned from the
reflectors on a vehicle ahead. Therefore, if
the sensor cannot detect the reflector on
the vehicle ahead, the ICC system may not
maintain the selected distance.
The following are some conditions in which
the sensor cannot detect the signals:
. When the reflector of the vehicle ahead
is positioned high on the vehicle
(trailer, etc.)
. When the reflector on the vehicle ahead
is missing, damaged or covered .
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
Page 322 of 458

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.
Starting and driving5-29
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5-30Starting and driving
SSD0252
The detection zone of the ICC sensor is
limited. A vehicle ahead must be in the
detection zone for the vehicle-to-vehicle
distance detection mode to maintain the
selected distance from the vehicle ahead.
A vehicle ahead may move outside of the
detection zone due to its position within
the same lane of travel. Motorcycles may
not be detected in the same lane ahead if
they are traveling offset from the centerline
of the lane. A vehicle that is entering the
lane ahead may not be detected until the
vehicle has completely moved into the
lane.If this occurs, the ICC system may
warn you by blinking the system indicator and sounding the chime. The driver may
have to manually control the proper
distance away from vehicle traveling
ahead.
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SSD0253
When driving on some roads, such as
winding, hilly, curved, narrow roads, or
roads which are under construction, the
ICC sensor may detect vehicles in a
different lane, or may temporarily not
detect a vehicle traveling ahead. This may
cause the ICC system to decelerate or
accelerate the vehicle.
The detection of vehicles may also be
affected by vehicle operation (steering
maneuver or traveling position in the lane,
etc.) or vehicle condition.If this occurs, the
ICC system may warn you by blinking the
system indicator and sounding the chime
unexpectedly. You will have to manually control the proper distance away from the
vehicle traveling ahead.
SSD0254
When driving on the freeway at a set speed
and approaching a slower traveling vehicle
ahead, the ICC will adjust the speed to
maintain the distance, selected by the
driver, from the vehicle ahead. If the
vehicle ahead changes lanes or exits the
freeway, the ICC system will accelerate and
maintain the speed up to the set speed.
Pay attention to the driving operation to
maintain control of the vehicle as it
accelerates to the set speed.
The vehicle may not maintain the set speed
on winding or hilly roads. If this occurs,
you will have to manually control the
vehicle speed.
Starting and driving5-31
Page 325 of 458
5-32Starting and driving
SSD0605
Intelligent cruise control switch
The system is operated by a MAIN switch
and four control switches, all mounted on
the steering wheel.
1. ACCELERATE/RESUME switch:Resumes set speed or increases speed
incrementally.
2. COAST/SET switch: Sets desired cruise speed, reduces
speed incrementally.
3. CANCEL switch:
Deactivates the system without erasing
the set speed. 4. DISTANCE switch:
Changes the vehicle’s following dis-
tance:
.Long.Middle.Short
5. MAIN switch:
Master switch to activate the system
SSD0606
Intelligent cruise control system
display and indicators
The display is located between the speed-
ometer and tachometer.
1. MAIN switch indicator:Indicates that the MAIN switch is ON.
2. Vehicle ahead detection indicator: Indicates whether it detects a vehicle in
front of you.
3. Set distance indicator: Displays the selected distance between
vehicles set with the DISTANCE switch.
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4. Indicates your vehicle
5. Set vehicle speed indicator:Indicates the set vehicle speed.
For Canadian models, the speed is
displayed in km/h.
6. Intelligent Cruise Control system warn- ing light (orange):
The light comes on if there is a
malfunction in the ICC system.
SSD0607
When the ignition switch is pushed to the
ON position, the indicators come on as
illustrated to check for a burned-out bulb,
and it turns off when the engine is started.
SSD0608
Operating vehicle-to-vehicle dis-
tance control mode
To turn on the cruise control, quickly push
and release the MAIN switch
*Aon. The
cruise indicator light, set distance indicator
and set vehicle speed indicator come on
and in a standby state for setting.
Starting and driving5-33
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5-34Starting and driving
SSD0609
To set cruising speed,accelerate your
vehicle to the desired speed, push the
COAST/SET switch and release it. (Vehicle
ahead detection indicator, set distance
indicator and set vehicle speed indicator
come on.) Take your foot off the accelerator
pedal. Your vehicle will maintain the set
speed.
SSD0784
When the COAST/SET switch is pushed
under the following conditions, the system
cannot be set and the ICC indicators will
blink for approximately 2 seconds:
. When traveling below 25 MPH (40
km/h) and the vehicle ahead is not
detected
. When the shift lever is not in the D, DS
or Manual mode (Automatic Transmis-
sion models)
. When the windshield wipers are operat-
ing at low (LO) or high speed (HI).
. When the rain sensing auto wiper
system (if so equipped) is operated
and the wiper speed is at least the same as the LO (low ) position speed
. When the brakes are operated by the
driver
. When the parking brake is applied
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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 SNOW mode switch is ON (To
use the ICC system, turn off the SNOW
mode switch, push the MAIN switch to
turn off the ICC and reset the ICC switch
by pressing the MAIN switch again.)
For details about the SNOW mode
switch, see “SNOW mode switch” (P.2-
41).
SSD0610
1. System set display with vehicle ahead
2. System set display without vehicle ahead
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.
Starting and driving5-35