Cross-traffice alert

[milleron]

I'm wondering if my experience is typical or atypical regarding the sensitivity of my cross-traffic alert.

I have nothing but good things to say about most of the sensors in my new FFH: The collision-warning, BLIS, adaptive cruise, and front and rear parking assist functions are all superb.

 

However, I find the cross-traffic alert to be of little use, and that hurts because I was really looking forward to it. I'm the victim of a vast celestial conspiracy. No matter where I park in a lot, when I return to my car, there are SUVs, vans, or high-sprung pickups on both sides of me -- essentially never fails -- so I can see what's coming as I pull out of my parking spot only on the rarest of occasions. I thought that cross-traffic alert would foil the devil who's always out to get me, but I've been disappointed. CTA seems to start chirping only when the cross traffic is already behind me -- i.e., when I can actually see it in my rear-view. If someone is heading at me at 50 mph I'm not going to know about it in time to stop backing up before the collision.

 

Is that the way it works for everyone? If not, I'm wondering if I have faulty sensors or need to have something recalibrated.

[murphy]

The sensors can't "see" cross traffic until they have moved past the back of the SUV which means you are already part way into the lane. Page 210 in the Owner's Manual has a drawing that illustrates the problem. Angle parking is much worse than straight in parking.

[acdii]

The sensors are on the side of the car behind the bumper skin, In order for them to detect traffic, they have to be able to see past the vehicle on either side, so if you slowly back out, and something is coming, it will alert you in time, just all depends on the timing. Mine go off all the time though, even when there is nothing but solid objects, and thats in both cars.

[dalesky]

I find mine very useful. Yes, they can't be prescient, they have to actually see the traffic, but if I go slowly they warn me before I am aware sometimes. True that sometimes they see solid object such as when I back out of my garage, but that is to be expected. I know what you mean about bigger vehicles on both sides. Whenever possible I pick an end spot with only one possible 'neighbor'. That helps me somewhat. Maybe we should lobby Ford for a telescopic device like a submarine uses. I believe an episode of Seinfeld had one of those for a car!

[milleron]

Yeah, I know how they're supposed to work, and I'm very familiar with the illustrations on page 210. What I'm saying is that even if I literally inch backward and get my sensors in the clear, they still don't seem able to appreciate an approaching vehicle until it's virtually behind me. If others aren't having that same experience, then I think I have a hardware problem.

 

Thanks for the responses.

[djminfll]

It sounds like your sensors might be out of alignment, or may be blocked. Mine tend to give some false alarms sometimes, but I figure, better safe than sorry, right? Mine not only detect vehicles, but they also alert me to joggers, baby carriages, and dog walkers, all of which are a lot harder to notice, a lot easier to miss without the technology.

[dkegel]

Anyone know if the volume on this can be turned up? It's much quieter than it was in our 2010

 

Dave

[djminfll]

Are you not able to hear yours? Mine is quite loud, maybe there is something wrong with yours if you are having trouble hearing it.