05-24-2019, 07:19 AM | #1 |
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Traffic Jam Assist - how do you like it?
For those that spec'd their car to have traffic jam assist, how do you like it? I spend way too much of my time stuck in traffic commuting MD to VA and I am optimistically hoping this feature will make that more bearable, but want to hear some real world reviews.
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05-24-2019, 07:59 AM | #2 | |
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I used to hate all that stuff - drove manuals for 20 years but in Boston traffic - This is the feature I use the most. It is the best in the business. If you understand how it works (use of cameras, not talking to other cars) you can easily use it. Its like a computer game. The trick it - set it up correctly - use it to help you drive in traffic, do not fight it it changes the commute - reduces stress - reduces the leg fatigue - relaxes you I now smile at people pissed off in traffic jerking left adn right, thinking - it was me 20 years ago |
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05-24-2019, 09:48 AM | #4 | |
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Set it up to your liking. It has several levels of intervention: early, medium , late. See which one you like the most. I use medium. It has several levels of Steering wheel vibration. I use heavy It has Steering assist. I turn it off for lane keep and keep it on for blind spot. On the steering wheel you can set up distance and speed. I set up distance to min in traffic and medium on highway. you will also have 3 modes: - dynamic cruise control - cruise with lane assist ( hands on wheel every 2-3 min, i just touch it with my knee) - use this one all the time - Assistance Plus - Traffic jam (only on divided highways) longer time hands free - car will pop message when available |
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05-24-2019, 10:04 AM | #5 |
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On a second point - you kind of have to learn to use it.
My wife is still getting used to it, but i mastered it. (I guess i'm better at video games Slowly learn it in slow traffic Understand its limitations - it is not a global GPS/ talk to cars and the road system of the future - it is a camera based and radar based system. Cameras read road markings, radar reads cars in front. If no road markings - only car in front is the indicator - it will follow it blindly If covered with dirt and snow it will have hick ups - keep it clean. Rain is OK The trick is to trust it and use it to help you - i can now change lanes in super heavy traffic quicker and use it to keep me from getting too close to the cars in front. |
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05-24-2019, 02:37 PM | #6 | |
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It's only available on limited access highways (divided highways with on/off ramps, no stoplights). If you get into a traffic jam and you're going <40mph the car will alert you with an audio and visual indicator that you can use this feature if you choose to. The car 100% drives itself. Starts, stops, turns, etc. The camera supposedly watches your eyes to make sure you're paying attention. If it thinks you aren't watching the road closely enough, it will alert you. Wearing dark sunglasses occasionally trips this alert for me (at least I think that's what's happening). It works well but the car seems to stop short (full car length gap in stopped traffic jam) and it stops abruptly sometimes. You might irritate the person behind you if they insist on following you very closely. The stops aren't terrible but in slow stop and go traffic they just don't seem very fluid sometimes. |
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05-24-2019, 03:02 PM | #7 |
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Have you seen a YouTube video that shows what it's actually like in the car? My dealer doesn't have any with the extended assist, want to see how good it is. I have a company Camry right now with the full stop cruise control and it's insane how much it helps in traffic and it doesn't steer for you at all. Can only imagine how nice it would be to have something that does almost all the work for you.
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05-24-2019, 03:31 PM | #8 | |
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05-25-2019, 12:43 PM | #9 | |
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I have found that you can mitigate the abruptness of stop&go traffic situations by increasing your follow distance. Of course this opens up another problem of people looking to jump into the gap in front of you. To deal with this I am usually managing the follow distance by manipulating the throttle (with the Cruise activated), as the brakes won't be applied if you're applying throttle. It's kind of nice to have the system apply brakes when I lift off the throttle. I call this 1-pedal driving mode. Another automated driving tip in stop & go traffic is to follow rigs. They usually keep a more-consistent pace. The only issue I've found here is the reflector tape on the trailer bumpers will sometimes confuse my F30 for a moment. I assume the newer systems are better/smarter here.
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