Playing Tag using Cruise Control Dynamic Radar

I just drove from the West Coast to East on Interstate Highways the entire way in mine and was very happy with the behavior of Adaptive Cruise Control. I had read stories on this forum of the radar losing its focus going around curves or when cars ahead were weaving in and out, but experienced none of that. (It may have helped that I left the car in "Eco" mode the entire way. Doing that, I believe, makes acceleration much less abrupt when the car ahead changes lanes and the radar then moves its focus the next car ahead.) The problem now is I've begun to rely on the system to the point that, after returning from the trip and driving the 2007 Prius again, I almost got into an accident, expecting that car to slow down when cars ahead were stopped on the highway. Yikes!

 

Yes, that's what it's designed to do - I use it 90% of my driving. I don't think I could go back to an "ordinary" car again.

The only thing is, you need to still be alert, because it isn't perfect, and you're responsibility if it makes an error.

 

No sorry but it was NOT.

Slowing to below 35 and stopping is NOT the definition of "cruising".

Unless this vehicle also has "collision avoidance", this dangerous habit is likely to get you into trouble eventually.

 

You just need to use common sense. This morning I was in the left lane and the road curved to the left. I needed to turn off DRCC because it saw the long tractor trainer ahead in the right lane as being in front at a slower speed. After the curve, I resumed DRCC.

 

The car most certainly IS designed to do this.

Toyota calls It "Dynamic Radar Cruise Control *with full speed range*". The car will apply the brakes and follow in a queue of very low speed stop go traffic.

It even has a special message on the radar screen to tell you to press the 'gas pedal' or resume on the CC stalk, when the vehicle in front starts moving again after the car has been stationary, so as to start the car following again. This is a safety measure to ensure you are paying attention when it starts moving.

Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.

 

It does indeed stop on its own...

 

I was traveling 65 mph and the truck had just pulled out of a truck stop.

 

OK, revised comment:
Whoever thinks that "playing tag" is the proper way to describe this.......has no business doing it.

 

It's just another euphemism, Sam. Sometimes it's harder to get the meaning from the written word than from speech.

 

To be fair Sam, you did not say that. You said this.

The car will engage Cruise at Any speed at or above 25 mph, by the way.

Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.

 

I use my dynamic cruise (Citroen) 90% of the time. The main reason is that I then don’t have to keep looking at the speed to ensure I am around the limit. I know I could use the speed limit function but find the cruise more convenient. My car disengages the cruise at 25 mph so looking forward to all speed cruise. As long as a driver stays focused and aware of their surroundings I think it is a great function.

One reason I am such a supporter of this technology is that I nearly rear ended someone in a big way on a motorway about 10 years ago. I was swapping the CD and the car in front slammed on its breaks and in the split second I was distracted I left it too late. Some lucky swerving by me meant we lived another day. It could have easily ended as a fatality- the car I was in didn’t have ABS or airbags.


iPhone ?

 

I test drove a Tesla Model X yesterday (I'm on the Model 3 list and they called and asked me if I would like to "experience" a Tesla). It had 7 following distances to choose from. It also had a lane control feature that made our Prius's feature seem like a beeping annoyance. I was unable to give in to it on my short test drive, but I can see that it has a great potential.
Apples and Oranges I know - but if the 35 thousand dollar Model 3 has this feature I l will be writing that check.

 

1. Why would anyone need 7 choices of following distance? If the car uses a time measure as it should, then the distance will vary with speed anyway. Too close is unsafe and too distant is of little use. 3 is enough for me and I mostly leave it set on the default any way.

2. Model 3 has electric door release. Just a button that talks to the car's systems. No mechanical door release. Dead battery or a system software problem, or damaged wiring due to a collision, and, well, it's down to the can opener you carry in your pocket. Guess whether I'll be buying one?!

3. Has anyone tested the Prime Lane Departure Alert system on the stronger setting? Does this make it any nearer the old Lane Keep Assist? Does anyone know why LKA was not provided on the Prime?



Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.

 

LKA is not compatible with some other features. Can't remember exactly what they are right now, but they do become mutually exclusive.