Precautions For Vehicle-To-Vehicle Distance Control Mode

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2008 Infiniti QX56. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Intelligent Cruise Control is functionally limited. This never support careless driving and low visibility (rain, fog, etc.). Drive the vehicle safely. Keep a safe distance between vehicles by decreasing the vehicle speed according to the driving condition etc.
Intelligent Cruise Control never stop the vehicle automatically. Intelligent Cruise Control is automatically released, and the buzzer sounds if any vehicle ahead is not detected when the vehicle speed is approximately 35 km (21.5 MPH) or less.
Use this system when the vehicle speed does not extremely change. This system may not properly function when any vehicle cuts in, or when the vehicle ahead suddenly applies the brake. Then, the warning (buzzer and indication) activates.
Never use Intelligent Cruise Control in the following conditions.
- A well-trafficed road, and a tight turn.
  It may cause any accident because the driving does not fit to the road condition.
- A slippery road (e.g., freezing, or snowy road)
  The vehicle may lose the control by wheelspin.
- The vehicle drives in bad whether (rain, fog, snow etc.).
  The distance from the vehicle ahead is not detected precisely if the whether condition is bad. Intelligent Cruise Control is released automatically if the wiper activates in low or high speed.
- The vehicle receives bright light (sunshine etc.).
  The distance from the vehicle ahead is not detected precisely if bright light enters in the vehicle.
- Raindrop or snow is on the sensor.
  The distance from the vehicle ahead is not detected precisely if raindrop or snow attaches on the sensor.
- A steep downhill
  The setting vehicle speed may exceed if Intelligent Cruise Control does not detect the vehicle ahead. The brake may heat up in the vehicle-to-vehicle distance control mode.
- A repeated uphill and downhill
  Intelligent Cruise Control may not detect the vehicle ahead precisely. An accident may occur by tailgating.
- Maintaining proper vehicle distance is difficult due to frequent acceleration/deceleration.
  It may cause any accident because the driving does not fit to the road condition if keeping a proper vehicle-to-vehicle distance is difficult.
- When entering in the highway interchange (swerving off the main line),
  Unexpected accident may cause if the vehicle ahead drives slower than the preset vehicle speed. The vehicle-to-vehicle distance control mode accelerates automatically because the vehicle ahead is not detected on the lane if the own vehicle or the vehicle ahead changes the lane.
  
  Fig 1: Swerving Off Main Line Properly
  Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
Intelligent Cruise Control does not activate to the parking vehicles, and vehicles driving extremely slower than the own vehicle. Never hit the vehicle stopping at a tollgate, or the tail end of traffic jam.
Intelligent Cruise Control does not activate to the vehicle edging way, and non-vehicle objects (passengers etc.).
This function detects the reflector of the vehicle ahead. Intelligent Cruise Control may not detect the vehicle ahead, and keep a proper vehicle-to-vehicle distance in the following conditions. Drive the vehicle according to the driving condition.
- The vehicle ahead installs the reflector higher (trailer etc.).
- The rear of the vehicle ahead is extremely dirt.
- The vehicle ahead or vehicle on other lanes splashes water or snow on the road.
- The vehicle ahead provides dark exhaust gas. Smoke blocks the visibility.
- The vehicle ahead attaches film on the reflector. The vehicle ahead does not install the reflector. The reflector is broken.
- Extremely heavy load is on the rear seat or in the cargo area.
- The vehicle drives on a repeated uphill and downhill
The sensor detection distance is limited if the vehicle-to-vehicle distance is close. The vehicle distance may not maintain properly because the motorcycle (A) driving on the lane edge is not detected or detecting the vehicle ahead (cutting in the own vehicle) delays.

Fig 2: Identifying Sensor Detection Distance
Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
The sensor dirt is detected automatically. But it is not perfect. Dirt is not judged despite the sensor is dirt. Dirt is not detected if snow or ice is on the sensor.
Keeping the vehicle-to-vehicle distance is difficult. Drive the vehicle safely. Always clean the sensor.

Intelligent Cruise Control is released automatically if dirt is detected.
The vehicle ahead may not be detected temporarily, the vehicle or object on the neighboring lane may be detected or the warning buzzer may sound according to the road shape (curve and narrow road) and the own vehicle condition (steering, driving lane position, accident, malfunction etc.).
The vehicle ahead is not detected temporarily. The vehicle approaches too close.