Buick Regal: Forward Collision Alert Description and Operation

The forward collision alert system is a convenience feature of the frontview camera module that issues a warning to the driver when a potential collision risk exists. The frontview camera module is located behind the windshield, looking out at the road ahead and detecting vehicles directly ahead. When the system detects a vehicle in the path ahead, the green vehicle ahead indicator is illuminated on the instrument cluster. When approaching another vehicle too rapidly, the collision alert symbol will flash in the head-up display (if equipped) or a series of red collision alert indicators will flash. An audible alert sound will simultaneously sound or the safety alert seat will provide haptic feedback. The visual alert cannot be changed, but the driver can select between audible or haptic alerts in the vehicle personalization menus. The forward collision alert system can also be turned on or off through the vehicle personalization menus. See the vehicle owner's manual for more detailed information on vehicle personalization.

Forward collision alert does not provide a warning to help avoid a crash, unless it detects a vehicle.

Forward collision alert may not detect a vehicle ahead if the frontview camera module is blocked by dirt, snow, or ice, or if the windshield is damaged. It may also not detect a vehicle on winding or hilly roads, or in conditions that can limit visibility such as fog, rain, or snow, or if the headlamps or windshield are not cleaned or in proper condition. Keep the windshield, headlamps, and frontview camera module clean and in good repair.

Forward collision alert may provide unnecessary alerts for turning vehicles, vehicles in other lanes, objects that are not vehicles, or shadows. These alerts are normal operation and the vehicle does not need service.

Forward Collision System Reduced Message

This message displays when Forward Automatic Braking or Front Automatic Braking has been set to the "Alert" setting. This setting disables most automatic braking functions. This is normal operation when the Forward Collision System setting is set to OFF or ALERT. This message is not present when the Forward Collision System is set to Alert and Brake.

Front Automatic Braking (UHY) (if equipped)

When the system detects a vehicle ahead in your path that is traveling in the same direction that you may be about to crash into, it can provide a boost to braking or automatically brake the vehicle. This can help avoid or lessen the severity of crashes when driving in a forward gear. Depending on the situation, the vehicle may automatically brake moderately or hard. This front automatic braking can only occur if a vehicle is detected.

The system works when driving in a forward gear between 5 mph (8 km/h) and 50 mph (80 km/h), or on vehicles with Adaptive Cruise Control above 2 mph (4 km/h). It can detect vehicles up to approximately 197 ft (60 m).

Pedestrian Collision Mitigation Braking (UKJ) (if equipped) is a feature subset of Front Impact Mitigation that aims to reduce the likelihood of collisions or reduce the impact speed with pedestrians in the forward direction by the following:

• Determining the forward path of the vehicle
• Monitoring this path with respect to pedestrians in or near the forward path
• When appropriate, providing pedestrian detection pedestrian and alerts to the driver, and if certain conditions are met, providing autonomous braking to help avoid or reducing the impact speed of a collision with the pedestrian

This system is not intended to replace the driver responsibility paying careful attention to the forward scene for pedestrian, vehicle, and other potential hazards. Its function is limited to supplemental use only to assist rather than replace the driver in responding to pedestrians in the forward scene.

The Pedestrian Collision Mitigation Braking system can detect and alert to up to 10 pedestrians in a forward gear at speeds between 5 mph (8 km/h) and 50 mph (80 km/h). During daytime driving, the system detects pedestrians up to a distance of approximately 40 m (131 ft). Pedestrians must be at least 31.5 inches (80 cm) tall to be detected.

No added components are required for Front Automatic Braking, or Pedestrian Collision Mitigation Braking. Refer to Owner's Manual - Driver Assistance Systems for more details.

The forward collision alert system is made up of the following components:

• Frontview camera module
• Forward collision alert switch
• Instrument cluster
• Collision alert indicators (without UV6)
• Head-up display (with UV6)
• Infotainment system
• Safety alert seat, if equipped

Frontview Camera Module

The frontview camera module detects vehicles in front of the vehicle. The frontview camera module communicates with the instrument cluster via serial data to illuminate the appropriate amber or green vehicle ahead indicator, collision alert symbol will flash in the head-up display, or collision alert indicators. The frontview camera module also communicates via serial data with the infotainment system and memory seat module to request audible or haptic alerts.

Forward Collision Alert Switch

The forward collision alert switch provides an input to the frontview camera module to select the alert timing sensitivity when approaching another vehicle too rapidly. The forward collision alert switch is part of the steering wheel controls switch - left and provides inputs to the body control module (BCM), which then communicates with the frontview camera module via serial data.

The BCM applies a reference voltage and monitors a low signal voltage from the normally open switch.

When the switch is pressed, the signal circuit is pulled low through a specific series of resistors, indicating that the system has been requested to change the alert timing sensitivity. The first button press will show the current alert timing setting on the driver information center. With every subsequent button press, the alert timing sensitivity is changed.

Instrument Cluster

The instrument cluster communicates via serial data with the frontview camera module and will illuminate the amber or green vehicle ahead indicator as requested by the frontview camera module. The instrument cluster also controls the head-up display or the collision alert indicators.

Collision Alert Indicators (without UV6) (if equipped)

The collision alert indicators are a series of red LEDs that will flash when approaching another vehicle too rapidly. The collision alert indicators are located in the upper instrument panel area and reflect off the windshield when illuminated.

The collision alert indicators receive power and ground and are discretely controlled by the instrument cluster through a pair of low control circuits. When requested by the frontview camera module, the instrument panel will pulse the low control circuits, flashing the LEDs as a visual alert that another vehicle is being approached too rapidly.

Head-up Display (with UV6) (if equipped)

The instrument cluster controls the head-up display via serial data. The instrument cluster will command the head-up display to flash the collision alert indicator as a visual alert when approaching another vehicle too rapidly as requested by the frontview camera module.

Infotainment System

The infotainment system controls the audible alerts for the forward collision alert system. If the host vehicle is approaching another vehicle too rapidly, the frontview camera module will command the infotainment system issue an audible alert to the driver.

Safety Alert Seat (if equipped)

The memory seat module controls the haptic alert provided by the seats. If the vehicle is approaching another vehicle too quickly, the frontview camera module will command the memory seat module to pulse both sides of the seat.

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