I almost bumped into a car in front today. This is day 4 of CX-5. I was on highway cruising at 65 mph using Mazda radar cruise control. The car in front slowed down and dutifully so did my car. All okay. I give my right turn signal and start changing lanes. The radar now detects there are no cars and starts to accelerate while I am changing lanes! There's another car in that right lane and basically my car got really near to it. I braked, cancelled cruise and let my car fall back a safe distance. Their manual allows driver to change lane, etc. but I think this is NOT good design. They should temporarily suspend radar cruise control while turn signals are active.
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I think its a serious flaw/design safety issue in conjunction with radar cruise contr
- Thread starter bmninada
- Start date
Like any computerized system, it's only as smart as the user. You have to remember this is a Mazda, not a top of the line Mercedes that has all the last eat and greatest tech systems. The radar system is only going to see what's directly in front of it. If one is in traffic or there is a higher number of cars around and they like to change lanes often, radar cruise probably shouldn't be used. The system is designed for basically staying in your lane or using when traffic is light.
All that being said, it your idea of a fail safe while the turn signal is on wouldn't be a bad idea. But generally when you need to pass someone you should accelerate pass them. Maybe Mazda needs to widen the path of the radar sensor or use three separate sensors or something. One for the middle and two to see to the sides in front
All that being said, it your idea of a fail safe while the turn signal is on wouldn't be a bad idea. But generally when you need to pass someone you should accelerate pass them. Maybe Mazda needs to widen the path of the radar sensor or use three separate sensors or something. One for the middle and two to see to the sides in front
I agree, but check it out to believe. The car literally jumped ahead. For example - let's say you are exiting the highway then you wont accelerate but just get into the lane leading to the exit ramp and along the way slow down. Its not humanely possible to remember oh I am using automated cruise control, so 1st. I should stop it and then switch lane, etc. I agree - they should develop means to account for this situation.
If I'm using cruise control and changing lanes into a lane with another car, I pause it. Automated cruise control is only for lengthy cruising - if you're changing lanes where there's traffic, you should disable it.
Hills will throw it off too. If the car in front of you goes over the hill, it will accelerate to set speed. Generally you shouldn't use cruise control in these situations. Common sense.
None of these driver aids eliminate driver responsibility. They just help you out. If you use the backup camera - you still need to look around to verify. It's a fish-eye lens so some obstacles are very small in the frame. The blind spot monitor isn't perfect either - set your mirrors properly and verify.
Hills will throw it off too. If the car in front of you goes over the hill, it will accelerate to set speed. Generally you shouldn't use cruise control in these situations. Common sense.
None of these driver aids eliminate driver responsibility. They just help you out. If you use the backup camera - you still need to look around to verify. It's a fish-eye lens so some obstacles are very small in the frame. The blind spot monitor isn't perfect either - set your mirrors properly and verify.
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I agree, but check it out to believe. The car literally jumped ahead. For example - let's say you are exiting the highway then you wont accelerate but just get into the lane leading to the exit ramp and along the way slow down. Its not humanely possible to remember oh I am using automated cruise control, so 1st. I should stop it and then switch lane, etc. I agree - they should develop means to account for this situation.
I'm not sure I understand this. You can't remember if you're using cruise control? Besides that being a basic driving thing, there's a light on the instrument cluster.
There's another car in that right lane and basically my car got really near to it. I braked, cancelled cruise and let my car fall back a safe distance. Their manual allows driver to change lane, etc. but I think this is NOT good design. They should temporarily suspend radar cruise control while turn signals are active.
my other car is Subaru with EyeSight and it absoultely takes into account vehicles in the lane you are changing to.. It also does not de-activate cruise at the slow speed and will follow a "target" to a complete stop (a red light for example). Tapping on the gas pedal re-activates the cruise control. Taking delivery tonight CX-5 with isense/active.. But from the test drive Mazada radar software seems a bit less refined than subaru
I knew there will be folks jumping over me that there's a dashboard light, this is a tool only -- all of which I agree to, 100%. But at the same time I do NOT agree that Mazda could not have built in simple safe-guards while lane changing or hill climb (for example). I remember I am using cruise control, but to ask me to look down, switch it off or pause it prior to making a simple lane change is a ridiculous ask.
Does the radar cruise not turn off if you press the brake? It does with the standard cruise, a simple way to change lanes safely. Press brake, change lanes, re-engage cruise. I enjoy tech as much as the next person, but people have to understand that these are just driver aids. It's not meant to be a self driving car. You (the driver) are still ultimately responsible. If the radar cruise can't handle that situation effectively, why not just turn it off until you are in a better situation?
If you were passing on the left, was the road curving to the right? If so the radar which is pointed straight ahead of your car lost the car you are passing which was amplified by the road curve. Once you turn on your turn signal and start to change lanes, move into the passing lane quicker. Maybe you need to set the safe distance higher to fit your driving style so that there is sufficient distance for your car to accelerate without reaching the car ahead before you clear it in the next lane..
I use the radar cruise in Atlanta traffic all the time, never turn it off. If I am not in a hurry I can just stay in the middle lane and it takes care of the speed. The pain I see is when someone cuts into my lane and slows down as this shuts down the CX-5 to reestablish the safe distance. If they cut in front of me and are going faster then it just smoothly lets the safe distance be created.
I use the radar cruise in Atlanta traffic all the time, never turn it off. If I am not in a hurry I can just stay in the middle lane and it takes care of the speed. The pain I see is when someone cuts into my lane and slows down as this shuts down the CX-5 to reestablish the safe distance. If they cut in front of me and are going faster then it just smoothly lets the safe distance be created.
I knew there will be folks jumping over me that there's a dashboard light, this is a tool only -- all of which I agree to, 100%. But at the same time I do NOT agree that Mazda could not have built in simple safe-guards while lane changing or hill climb (for example). I remember I am using cruise control, but to ask me to look down, switch it off or pause it prior to making a simple lane change is a ridiculous ask.
lol... Basic common sense to pause cruise control if you're changing lanes where traffic is actually close enough to pose a hazard. This is defensive driving/driver's ed kind of stuff. I see a safety issue here, but not with the cruise control... are you using SCBS to get you to a stop at stoplights?
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Yeah, that's what I am ending up doing, basically shutting off cruise control when changing lanes, etc. Just a thought - asked my friends having other cars with Eyesight, adaptive cruise control - they don't have to do that. Basically, the car doesn't jump.
Yeah, that's what I am ending up doing, basically shutting off cruise control when changing lanes, etc. Just a thought - asked my friends having other cars with Eyesight, adaptive cruise control - they don't have to do that. Basically, the car doesn't jump.
Granted it is now old tech in my '07 G35x but that is how the intelligent cruise works in that car. I don't use it much in that car because it maintains abnormally large gaps (3 distance settings) and likes to ride the brakes a lot when in use.
There was an interview with a Mercedes engineer a while back (a year ago?) Anyway, he was mentioning that even though they put all these gadgets into their cars, its not really going to benefit everyone and make roads safer until all cars have the same tech. Basically he was saying that the cars are need transponders and will communicate with each other and the roads themselves, possibly integrating with speed signs, traffic signals and even weather forecasts to ensure that each vehicle is aware of what is going on around them and can react accordingly. Pretty soon (as Google is demonstrating) we won't need drivers at all. Mazda however, prides themselves on zoom zoom fun to drive cars, so I can see them taking a more hands on approach to their tech, requiring a high degree of driver involvement. Yeah, the radar could be better, but I'd rather pay less for my vehicle than have stuff I'll rarely use on-board.
lol... Basic common sense to pause cruise control if you're changing lanes where traffic is actually close enough to pose a hazard. This is defensive driving/driver's ed kind of stuff.
I would hope this is part of common sense!
I see a safety issue here, but not with the cruise control... are you using SCBS to get you to a stop at stoplights?
Only when I'm in a big hurry! (lol)
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