Page 183 of 382

Note:
When a vehicle passes quickly through
the blind spot zone, typically fewer than two
seconds, the system does not trigger.
Using the System
The Blind Spot Information System turns on
when you start the engine and you drive your
vehicle forward above 5 mph (8 km/h).
For automatic transmissions, the Blind Spot
Information System remains on while the
transmission is in drive (D). If shifted into
reverse (R) or park (P) the Blind Spot
Information System turns off. Once shifted
back into drive (D), the Blind Spot
Information System turns back on when you
drive your vehicle above
5 mph (8 km/h).
For manual transmissions, the Blind Spot
Information System is on for all gears except
the reverse (R).
Note: The Blind Spot Information System
does not function in reverse (R) or park (P). System Lights and Messages
The Blind Spot Information System
illuminates an amber alert indicator in the
outside mirror on the side of your vehicle the
approaching vehicle is coming from.
The alert indicator dims when the system
detects nighttime darkness.
System Sensor Blockage WARNING
To help avoid injuries, NEVER use the
Blind Spot Information System as a
replacement for using the interior and
exterior mirrors or looking over your shoulder
before changing lanes. The Blind Spot
Information System is not a replacement for
careful driving. 180
MKS (CLE) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, First Printing Driving AidsE142442
Page 184 of 382

The system uses radar sensors that are
located behind the bumper fascia on each
side of your vehicle. Any dirt, mud and snow
in front of the sensors and/or driving in heavy
rain can cause system degradation. Also,
other types of obstructions in front of the
sensor can cause system degradation. This
is referred to as a
‘blocked ’ condition.
Note: Do not apply bumper stickers and/or
repair compound to these areas, this can cause
degraded system performance.
If the system detects a degraded
performance condition, a message warning
of a blocked sensor will appear in the
information display. Also the system alert
indicators will remain ON and the system will
no longer provide any vehicle warnings. You
can clear the information display warning but
the alert indicators will remain illuminated.
A "blocked" condition can be cleared in two
ways:
• After the blockage in front of the sensors
is removed or the rainfall/snowfall rate
decreases or stops, drive for a few
minutes in traffic to allow the sensors to
detect passing vehicles.
• By cycling the ignition from ON to OFF
and then back ON. Note:
When towing a trailer, the sensors may
detect the trailer thus causing a false alert. It
may be desirable to turn the Blind Spot
Information System off if the false alerts
become annoying.
System Errors
If the system senses a problem with the left
or right sensor, the telltale will illuminate and
a message will appear in the information
display. See Information Messages (page
95).
Switching the System Off and On
You can temporarily switch the Blind Spot
Information System off in the information
display. See
General Information (page
89). When the Blind Spot Information
System switches off, you will not receive
alerts and the information display shows a
system off message. The telltale in the
cluster also illuminates. When you switch the
Blind Spot Information System on or off, the
alert indicators flash twice.
Note: The system switches back on every time
you start your vehicle.
181
MKS (CLE) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, First Printing Driving AidsE205199
Page 185 of 382

You can also have the Blind Spot Information
System switched off permanently at an
authorized dealer. Once switched off
permanently, the system can only be
switched back on at an authorized dealer.
CROSS TRAFFIC ALERT WARNING
To help avoid personal injury, NEVER
use the Cross Traffic Alert system as a
replacement for using the interior and
exterior mirrors and looking over your
shoulder before backing out of a parking
space. Cross Traffic Alert is not a
replacement for careful driving. Cross Traffic Alert is designed to warn you of
vehicles approaching from the sides when
the transmission is in reverse (R).
Using the System
Cross Traffic Alert turns on when you start
the engine and you shift into reverse (R).
Once shifted out of reverse (R), Cross Traffic
Alert turns off.
Note:
Cross Traffic Alert only functions while
your transmission is in reverse (R).
Cross Traffic Alert is designed to alert the
driver of certain collision risks. Coverage
decreases when the sensors are partially,
mostly or fully obstructed. Reversing slowly
helps increase the coverage area and
effectiveness.
182
MKS (CLE) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, First Printing Driving Aids
Page 186 of 382
In this first example, the left sensor is only
partially obstructed; zone coverage to the
right is nearly maximized.
183
MKS (CLE) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, First Printing Driving AidsE142440
Page 187 of 382
Zone coverage also decreases when parking
at shallow angles. Here, the left sensor is
mostly obstructed; zone coverage on that
side is severely limited.
184
MKS (CLE) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, First Printing Driving AidsE142441
Page 188 of 382

System Lights, Messages and
Audible Alerts
The Cross Traffic Alert illuminates an amber
alert indicator in the outside mirror on the
side of your vehicle the approaching vehicle
is coming from. Cross Traffic Alert also
sounds an audible alert and a message
appears in the information display indicating
a vehicle is coming from the right or left.
Cross Traffic Alert works with the reverse
sensing system that sounds its own series of
tones. See Rear Parking Aid (page 156). The system uses radar sensors that are
located behind the bumper fascia on each
side of your vehicle. Do not allow mud, snow
or bumper stickers to obstruct these areas,
this can cause degraded system
performance. See Blind Spot Information
System
(page 179). If the Blind Spot
Information System is blocked, Cross Traffic
Alert is also blocked. A corresponding
message appears in the information display
as soon as you shift the transmission into
reverse (R).
System Limitations
Cross Traffic Alert has its limitations;
situations such as severe weather conditions
or debris build-up on the sensor area may
limit vehicle detection.
The following are other situations that may
limit the Cross Traffic Alert performance:
• Stationary or slow moving vehicles.
• Pedestrians or objects in the roadway.
• Oncoming vehicles in the same lame.
• Severe weather conditions.
• Debris build-up near or around the
sensor(s).
• Small distance to the vehicle ahead.
185
MKS (CLE) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, First Printing Driving AidsE142442 E205199
Page 189 of 382

Certain conditions may reduce the visibility
of the warning lamp; therefore, it is
recommended to keep the audible warning
on.
If the front end of the vehicle is hit or
damaged, the radar sensing zone may be
altered causing missed or false collision
warnings. See your authorized dealer to have
your collision warning radar checked for
proper coverage and operation.
False Alerts
Note:
When towing a trailer, the sensors may
detect the trailer thus causing a false alert. It
may be desirable to turn the Blind Spot
Information System off if the false alerts
become annoying.
There may be certain instances when there
is a false alert by the Cross Traffic Alert
system that illuminates the alert indicator
with no vehicle in the coverage zone. Some
amount of false alerts are normal; they are
temporary and self-correct.
System Errors
If Cross Traffic Alert senses a problem with
the left or right sensor a message will appear
in the information display. See General
Information (page 89). Switching the System Off and On
You can temporarily switch Cross Traffic
Alert off in the information display. See
General Information
(page 89). When you
switch Cross Traffic Alert off, you will not
receive alerts and the information display will
display a system off message.
Note: The Cross Traffic Alert switches on
whenever the ignition is switched on and ready
to provide appropriate alerts when the
transmission is in reverse (R). Cross Traffic
Alert will not remember the last selected on
or off setting.
You can also have Cross Traffic Alert
switched off permanently at an authorized
dealer. Once switched off permanently, the
system can only be switched back on at an
authorized dealer. STEERING
Electric Power Steering WARNINGS
The electric power steering system has
diagnostic checks that continuously
monitor the system. If a fault is
detected, a message displays in the
information display. Stop your vehicle as
soon as it is safe to do so. Switch the ignition
off. After at least 10 seconds, switch the
ignition on and watch the information display
for a steering system warning message. If a
steering system warning message returns,
have the system checked by an authorized
dealer. If the system detects an error, you may
not feel a difference in the steering,
however a serious condition may exist.
Obtain immediate service from an authorized
dealer, failure to do so may result in loss of
steering control. Your vehicle has an electric power steering
system. There is no fluid reservoir. No
maintenance is required.
186
MKS (CLE) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, First Printing Driving Aids
Page 191 of 382

If it is, a red warning light illuminates and an
audible warning chime sounds.
The brake support system assists the driver
in reducing the collision speed by charging
the brakes. If the risk of collision further
increases after the warning light illuminates,
the brake support prepares the brake system
for rapid braking. This may be apparent to
the driver. The system does not automatically
activate the brakes but, if the brake pedal is
pressed, full force braking is applied even if
the brake pedal is lightly pressed.
Using the Collision Warning System WARNING
The collision warning system
’s brake
support can only help reduce the speed
at which a collision occurs if the driver
applies the vehicle ’s brakes. The brake pedal
must be pressed just like any typical braking
situation. The warning system sensitivity can be
adjusted to one of three possible settings by
using the information display control. See
General Information (page 89).
Note: If collision warnings are perceived as
being too frequent or disturbing then the
warning sensitivity can be reduced, though the
manufacturer recommends using the highest
sensitivity setting where possible. Setting
lower sensitivity would lead to fewer and later
system warnings. See
General Information
(page 89). Blocked Sensors If a message regarding a blocked sensor
appears in the information display, the radar
signals from the sensor have been
obstructed. The sensors are located behind
a fascia cover near the driver side of the lower
grille. When the sensors are obstructed, a
vehicle ahead cannot be detected and the
collision warning system does not function.
The following table lists possible causes and
actions for this message being displayed.
188
MKS (CLE) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, First Printing Driving AidsE156131 E145632