Collision Mitigation System...sensitivity and response time?

[tsunami]

Living in Minnesota, I have had several incidents where hidden deer have jumped out in front of my vehicle. I was lucky that they were far enough out in front, that I was not distracted, and the ABS and traction control did their share of helping me stop.

I believe that the ACC/Collision Mitigation system uses radar for detection.
Do you think that it will be sensitive enough to detect a 100 lb deer? I think I read somewhere that the ACC is effective out to about 50 ft. I am wondering how far out it can detect an object like a deer?
Secondly, people have made comments that the Collision system 'pre-primes' the braking system to help stop the vehicle. Any information on how effective
this system is?

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[Chlocli]

I believe that the ACC/Collision Mitigation system uses radar for detection. Do you think that it will be sensitive enough to detect a 100 lb deer? I think I read somewhere that the ACC is effective out to about 50 ft. I am wondering how far out it can detect an object like a deer?

According to this Ford doc the radar system can go up to 600ft:

http://corporate.ford.com/doc/Adaptive_Cruise.pdf

I doubt it would help at all for a deer. Very different radar signature compared to a car and they tend to jump in front of you at the last minute.

Ford does have a system that detects pedestrians but I think that the technology in US sold cars is using the adaptive cruise control system so it really only focuses on objects the size of a car.

According to Ford: "The available Collision Warning with Brake Support utilizes sensors located in the front of the vehicle to detect vehicles moving in the same direction, and will warn the driver if the system detects the risk of a collision with a row of red light-emitting diode (LEDs) lights on the windshield along with an audible warning tone."

Secondly, people have made comments that the Collision system 'pre-primes' the braking system to help stop the vehicle. Any information on how effective this system is?

If the brakes respond 0.1 seconds faster (and you immediately have maximum braking force available) that could be just enough reduction in braking distance to avoid a crash. Of course initiating the actual braking still depends on the reaction time of the driver

 

[scottpe]

If the brakes respond 0.1 seconds faster (and you immediately have maximum braking force available) that could be just enough reduction in braking distance to avoid a crash.

Yup. And I think .1 seconds is probably too conservative. But even with that, at 70MPH the car would be stopped 10 feet sooner. That can easily mean the difference between a collision and driving away safely.

 

[Twenty15]

Anyone know if this can be turned on/off?

 

[Helios1234]

Anyone know if this can be turned on/off?

Yes it can.

I don't think the collision mitigation system will work with animals. The radar only detects cars.

 

[FiveLiterDreamer]

All this information is accurate. I also doubt it would detect a deer but the 15 in brembos from the PP certainly would help!

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