[Apl440i or 335d?]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MnupjN_WJ9g

[teaston]

Yep, though i don't think occupant safety is improved over E90. Big improvements in pedestrian safety though, hence the bulge in the bonnet to cushion their heads, and the bonnet leading edge moved back with plastic in front of it to cushion their legs.

[Steve C]

Those side airbags are reassuring.

[SomeRandomer123]

Yeah it crashes well doesn't it. Painful to see, but assuring.

[bwrlane]

Ok now here's something I experienced recently. May not seem like a big deal but experiencing it directly was quite a revelation. I was driving about 40 mph and the car in front indicated left and started slowing down. I judged that it would have completed its turn just in time for me not to need to slow down and I'd pass it safely. I was right but the car didn't know that.

The following events took place over the course of about 0.5 second.

1. The red collision alert appeared. I did nothing
2. My car started beeping. I did nothing.
3. My car slammed on its brakes. By this time the car in front had moved out of the way, my car released its brakes and continued on its merry way.

Now this may not be entirely "new" to everyone here but I'd say it's quite a revelation in driving safety.

[dopper99]

Originally Posted by bwrlane

Ok now here's something I experienced recently. May not seem like a big deal but experiencing it directly was quite a revelation. I was driving about 40 mph and the car in front indicated left and started slowing down. I judged that it would have completed its turn just in time for me not to need to slow down and I'd pass it safely. I was right but the car didn't know that.

The following events took place over the course of about 0.5 second.

1. The red collision alert appeared. I did nothing
2. My car started beeping. I did nothing.
3. My car slammed on its brakes. By this time the car in front had moved out of the way, my car released its brakes and continued on its merry way.

Now this may not be entirely "new" to everyone here but I'd say it's quite a revelation in driving safety.

I never knew the car did this. Do all F30's do this?

[sahajesh]

Originally Posted by dopper99

I never knew the car did this. Do all F30's do this?

I've opted for ACC and heard the car would do this - a good thing and a bad thing, bad in the sense that someone behind you may be too close (in reality, everyone drives too close) and wouldn't expect your car to brake in this situation.

You can argue the toss about them not being aware of the road and hitting the back of your car (as long as you didn't mention your car braked itself). You'd probably win the insurance claim battle, but in the end your car may not have been hit, as if you were in charge of the vehicle (or had this feature off/not installed), you would not have braked sharply.

Mind you, I'd still have specced ACC anyway as the pros outweigh the cons, I had read other posts saying either not to bother with ACC, or it's the best thing since sliced bread.

[HFW003]

Originally Posted by dopper99

I never knew the car did this. Do all F30's do this?

Not every F30 does this, you need active cruise.

[bwrlane]

I also think you may need a separate option for collision warning/prevention. Not sure what it's exactly called. I selected the active safety package, which includes lane change warning and blind spot alerts. It might have been part of that. If I remember correctly, the manual says that the car will only brake to reduce the severity of the impact and not prevent it, possibly due to concerns about being rear ended.

Anyway, my particular story was interesting because (for obvious reasons) the collision prevention system is difficult to test safely, in the same way that you might test out your other toys such as adaptive headlights etc. Also, the situation described above is not one that can be easily replicated on demand. So if you have the option, please trust me, it works!

[sahajesh]

Originally Posted by bwrlane

I also think you may need a separate option for collision warning/prevention. Not sure what it's exactly called. I selected the active safety package, which includes lane change warning and blind spot alerts. It might have been part of that. If I remember correctly, the manual says that the car will only brake to reduce the severity of the impact and not prevent it, possibly due to concerns about being rear ended.

Anyway, my particular story was interesting because (for obvious reasons) the collision prevention system is difficult to test safely, in the same way that you might test out your other toys such as adaptive headlights etc. Also, the situation described above is not one that can be easily replicated on demand. So if you have the option, please trust me, it works!

Good that you were able to see it works :-)

I went for the Lane Departure Warning as well as ACC, not so much for lanes but the additional braking protection you get when the two are combined. Hope to never need it but as another poster said, sometimes you have off days/early starts/lose concentration for a moment and if this helps then it's all good.

[dopper99]

So I assume this system works by using the front and rear sensors?
If so, does it work in reverse so you dont reverse into anything?!!!

[teaston]

Originally Posted by dopper99

So I assume this system works by using the front and rear sensors?
If so, does it work in reverse so you dont reverse into anything?!!!

It doesn't use the parking sensors, there's a separate sensor for the ACC, see Captain Cow Pats front lower bumper mesh:

[dopper99]

Oh! Interesting, didn't realise it had a separate sensor on the front.

[MarkG_M5Comp]

Volvo had this 'City Safety' function for some years, I didn't realise it was part of ACC though. Personally I'm not sold on all the driver aids, I took the advanced driving route for a reason and I think these 'may' leas to complacency.

It doesn't always work though:

...and here is the long boring version...

Originally Posted by dopper99

Oh! Interesting, didn't realise it had a separate sensor on the front.

I believe it's radar isn't it?

Originally Posted by teaston

It doesn't use the parking sensors, there's a separate sensor for the ACC, see Captain Cow Pats front lower bumper mesh:

Thought I recognised that car!! Not keep on the look of that sensor, came with the Merc and Volvo, I guess future generations will hid it better (although if it is radar they can't paint it of course).

[DazC]

I had collision prevention on a previous car and it took me by surprise by braking a few times when i didnt expect it too.

All in similar situations to that mentioned above - you anticipate and time your speed with the car ahead - your car doesnt see it that way and suddenly brakes sharply.

Good for when you need it. A pain when you dont.