Adaptive Speed Control: Notes

WARNING: The adaptive speed control system is not a collision warning or avoidance system. At all times the driver must be prepared to intervene to control the vehicle speed.

Adaptive speed control operation is similar to the standard speed control system for engaging, suspending and resuming speed control. The main differences between the two systems is that adaptive speed control remains engaged below 32 km/h (20 mph) and uses the brakes to slow the vehicle, to a halt if necessary.

If adaptive speed control is suspended by pressing the cancel 'CAN' switch, the brake pedal, or the clutch pedal (vehicles with manual transmission), it can be re-engaged by pressing the resume 'RES' switch once the vehicle speed is above 10 km/h (6 mph).

The adaptive speed control system utilizes the following main components:

Adaptive Speed Control Module (ASCM)
Right steering wheel switchpack switches
Powertrain Control Module (PCM)
Electric throttle
Fuel Injectors
Anti-lock Brake System control module (ABS) control module and Hydraulic Control Unit (HCU)
Adaptive speed control warning indicator (in the instrument cluster)
Forward alert warning indicator.

The adaptive speed control system uses a forward looking radar sensor (integrated in the ASCM) to scan the road ahead, looking for objects that are moving at a different rate to itself. When a target is identified, the adaptive speed control system will monitor the time gap between itself and the target vehicle. When the gap falls below a set driver selected level, the adaptive speed control system will intervene, slowing the vehicle by backing off the throttle and/or applying the brakes, until the correct gap is attained. The driver can chose between four gap settings, 1, 1.4, 1.8 and 2.2 seconds.

Adaptive speed control is active when the vehicle is moving. Adaptive speed control only functions when a set speed is entered via the operation of the SET '+' switch. The adaptive speed control system only intervenes with the set speed when it detects a slower target vehicle in the host vehicle's path, and then only if it predicts the time gap will be breached.

The PCM, electric throttle and fuel injection control are unchanged from those used for the standard speed control system.

With the ignition ON (ignition mode 6), the ASCM is powered up but no radar transmissions are emitted until the vehicle is in motion.