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Blind Spot Information System
Blind Spot Information System (BLIS®) with Cross Traffic Alert (If Equipped)
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. |
The Blind Spot Information System aids you in detecting vehicles that may have entered the blind spot zone (A). The detection area is on both sides of your vehicle, extending rearward from the exterior mirrors to approximately 10 feet (3 meters) beyond the bumper. The system alerts you if certain vehicles enter the blind spot zone while driving.
Cross Traffic Alert warns you of vehicles approaching from the sides when the transmission is in Reverse (R).
Note:
The Blind Spot Information System does not prevent contact with other vehicles or objects; nor detect parked vehicles, people, animals or infrastructure (fences, guardrails, trees, etc.). It only alerts you to vehicles in the blind zones.
Note:
When a vehicle passes quickly through the blind zone, typically fewer than two seconds, the system does not trigger.
Using the Systems
The Blind Spot Information System turns on when you start the engine and you drive your vehicle forward above 3 mph (5 km/h); it remains on while the transmission is in Drive (D) and Neutral (N). If shifted out of Drive (D) or Neutral (N), the system enters cross traffic alert mode. Once shifted back into Drive (D), the Blind Spot Information System turns back on when you drive your vehicle above 3 mph (5 km/h).
Note:
The Blind Spot Information System does not function in Reverse (R) or Park (P) or provide any additional warning when a turn signal is on.Cross Traffic Alert detects approaching vehicles from up to 45 feet (14 meters) away though coverage decreases when the sensors are blocked. Reversing slowly helps increase the coverage area and effectiveness.
In this first example, the left sensor is only partially obstructed; zone coverage is nearly maximized.
Zone coverage also decreases when parking at shallow angles. Here, the left sensor is mostly obstructed; zone coverage on that side is severely limited.
System Lights and Messages
The Blind Spot Information and Cross Traffic Alert systems illuminate a yellow alert indicator in the outside mirror on the side of your vehicle the approaching vehicle is coming from.
Note:
The alert indicator dims when the system detects nighttime darkness.
Cross Traffic Alert also sounds a series of tones 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
Parking Aid.
System Sensors
|
WARNING:
Just prior to the system recognizing a blocked condition and alerting the driver, the number of missed objects will increase. To help avoid injuries, NEVER use the Blind Spot Information System as a replacement for using the side and rear view mirrors or looking over your shoulder before changing lanes. The Blind Spot Information System is not a replacement for careful driving. |
Note:
It is possible to get a blockage warning with no blockage present; this is rare and known as a false blockage warning. A false blocked condition either self-corrects or clears after a key cycle.
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.
If the system detects a degraded performance condition, a message warning of a blocked sensor or low visibility will appear in the information display along with a warning indicator. You can clear the information display warning but the warning indicator will remain illuminated.
When you remove a blockage, you can reset the system two ways:- While driving, the system detects at least two objects.
- You cycle the ignition from on to off and then back on.
If the blockage is still present after the key cycle and driving in traffic, check again for a blockage.
| Reasons for messages being displayed | |
|---|---|
| The radar surface is dirty or obstructed | Clean the fascia area in front of the radar or remove the obstruction. |
| The radar surface is not dirty or obstructed | Drive normally in traffic for a few minutes to allow the radar to detect passing vehicles so it can clear the blocked state. |
| Heavy rainfall or snowfall interferes with the radar signals | No action required. The system automatically resets to an unblocked state once the rainfall or snowfall rate decreases or stops. Do not use BLIS or Cross Traffic Alert in these conditions. |
System Limitations
The Blind Spot Information and Cross Traffic Alert systems do have their 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 Blind Spot Information System:- Certain maneuvering of vehicles entering and exiting the blind zone.
- Vehicles passing through the blind zone at very fast rates.
- When several vehicles forming a convoy pass through the blind zone.
- Adjacently parked vehicles or objects obstructing the sensors.
- Approaching vehicles passing at speeds greater than 15 mph (24 km/h).
- Driving in reverse faster than 3 mph (5 km/h).
- Backing out of an angled parking spot.
False Alerts
Note:
If your vehicle has a factory equipped tow bar and it is towing a trailer, the sensors will detect the trailer and turn the Blind Spot Information and Cross Traffic Alert systems off to avoid false alerts. For non-factory equipped tow bars, you may want to turn the Blind Spot Information System off manually.
There may be certain instances when there is a false alert by either the Blind Spot Information or the Cross Traffic Alert systems 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 either system senses a problem with the left or right sensor, the Blind Spot Information System telltale will illuminate and a message will appear in the information display. See
Information Messages
.
All other system faults will display only with a message in the information display.
Switching the Systems Off and On
You can temporarily switch off one or both systems in the information display. See
General Information.
When you switch off the Blind Spot Information System, you will not receive alerts and the information display will display a system off message. The system switches back on whenever you switch the ignition on.
You can also have one or both systems switched off permanently at an authorized dealer. Once switched off, the system can only be switched back on at an authorized dealer.
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