Pilot Assist

Pilot Assist helps the driver to drive the car between the lane's side markings using steering assistance as well as to maintain an even speed, combined with a preselected time interval to the vehicle ahead.

How Pilot Assist works

The Pilot Assist function is primarily intended for use on motorways and similar major roads where it can contribute to more comfortable driving and a more relaxed driving experience.

P5-1507-ACC QA Funktionsöversikt
The camera and radar unit measures the distance to the vehicle ahead and detects side markings1.
  1. P5-Icon red circle 1Camera and radar unit
  2. P5-Icon red circle 2Distance readers
  3. P5-Icon red circle 3Readers, side markings

The driver selects the desired speed and a time interval to the vehicle ahead. Pilot Assist scans the distance to the vehicle ahead and the lane's side markings on the road surface using the camera and radar unit. The preset time interval is maintained with automatic speed adjustment whilst the steering assistance helps to position the car in the lane.

Pilot Assist steering assistance takes into account the speed of the preceding car and the lane markings. The driver can at any time ignore the Pilot Assist steering recommendation and steer in another direction, e.g. to change lane or avoid an obstruction on the road.

If Pilot Assist cannot interpret the lane unambiguously, e.g. if the camera and radar unit does not see the lane's side markings, Pilot Assist temporarily deactivates steering assistance, but resumes it if the lane can be interpreted again - although the speed and distance control functions remain active.

 Warning

Pilot Assist steering assistance is automatically deactivated and is resumed without prior warning.
P5-1617-PilotAssist2 Symbol Steering Standby

The current status of steering assistance is indicated by the colour of the steering wheel's symbol:

• GREEN steering wheel indicates active steering assistance

• GREY steering wheel (as in illustration) indicates deactivated steering assistance.

 Warning

  • The Pilot Assist function is supplementary driver support intended to facilitate driving and make it safer – it cannot handle all situations in all traffic, weather and road conditions.
  • The driver is advised to read all sections in the Owner's Manual that relate to this function to learn about factors such as its limitations and what the driver should be aware of before using the system (see the list of links at the end of this article).
  • Pilot Assist must only be used if there are clear lane lines painted on each side of the lane. All other use involves increased risk of contact with surrounding obstacles that cannot be detected by the function.
  • Pilot Assist is not a substitute for the driver's attention and judgement. The driver is always responsible for ensuring the car is driven in a safe manner, positioned correctly in the lane, at the appropriate speed, with an appropriate distance to other vehicles, and in accordance with current traffic rules and regulations.

Pilot Assist regulates the speed with acceleration and braking. It is normal for the brakes to emit a low sound when they are being used to adjust the speed.

Pilot Assist attempts to regulate the speed smoothly. In situations that demand sudden braking the driver must brake himself/herself. This applies in cases of large speed differences or if the car in front brakes suddenly. Due to the limitations of the camera and radar unit, braking may come unexpectedly or not at all.

Pilot Assist aims to follow the vehicle ahead in the same lane at a time interval set by the driver. If the radar unit cannot see any vehicle in front then the car will instead maintain the speed set and stored by the driver. This also takes place if the speed of the vehicle ahead increases and exceeds the stored speed.

The following applies for cars with automatic gearbox:
  • Pilot Assist can follow another vehicle at speeds from 0 km/h up to 200 km/h (125 mph).
  • Pilot Assist can give steering assistance from almost stationary up to 140 km/h (87 mph).
The following applies for cars with manual gearbox:
  • Pilot Assist can follow another vehicle at speeds from 30 km/h (20 mph) up to 200 km/h (125 mph).
  • Pilot Assist can give steering assistance from 30 km/h (20 mph) up to 140 km/h (87 mph).

 Warning

  • Pilot Assist is not a collision avoidance system. The driver must intervene if the system does not detect a vehicle in front.
  • Pilot Assist does not brake for people, animals, objects, small vehicles (e.g. cycles and motorcycles), low trailers as well as oncoming, slow or stationary vehicles.
  • Do not use Pilot Assist in demanding situations, such as in city traffic, at junctions, on slippery surfaces, with a lot of water or slush on the road, in heavy rain/snow, in poor visibility, on winding roads, on slip roads, or with a trailer connected to the car.

 Important

Maintenance of Pilot Assist internal components must only be performed at a workshop - an authorised Volvo workshop is recommended.

Round bends and when the road splits

Pilot Assist interacts with the driver, who should therefore not await the steering assistance from Pilot Assist but should always be prepared to increase his/her own steering input, especially on bends.

When the car approaches an exit or if the lane splits, the driver should steer towards the desired lane so that Pilot Assist can specify the desired direction.

Pilot Assist strives to keep the car in the middle of the lane

When Pilot Assist helps to steer, it strives to position the car in between the lane markings and therefore it is recommended to let the car find the optimal placement to achieve as smooth a driving experience as possible. The driver checks that the car is positioned safely in the lane, and always has the ability to adjust the position by making his/her own steering corrections.

If Pilot Assist does not position the car in an appropriate way in the lane, it is recommended to turn Pilot Assist off or switch to Adaptive cruise control.

Overview

Controls

P5-1646-PilotAssist2 Manöverknappar & symbol
Buttons and symbols for functions1.
P5-Icon red circle 1P5-1507-Symbol 5x3,5-CC rattknapp Återuppta hastighet: Activates Pilot Assist from standby mode and resumes the stored speed and time interval
P5-Icon red circle 1P5-1507-Symbol 5x3,5-CC rattknapp +: Increases the stored speed
P5-Icon red circle 2P5-1507-Symbol 5x3,5-CC rattknapp Centrum-V: From standby mode - activates Pilot Assist and stores the current speed
P5-Icon red circle 2P5-1507-Symbol 5x3,5-CC rattknapp Centrum-V: From active mode - deactivates/changes Pilot Assist to standby mode
P5-Icon red circle 3◀: Switches from Pilot Assist to adaptive cruise control
P5-Icon red circle 4Px-1717-Symbol 5x3,5-Rattknapp – (minus): Reduces stored speed
P5-Icon red circle 5Increases the time interval to vehicles ahead
P5-Icon red circle 6▶: Switches from adaptive cruise control to Pilot Assist
P5-Icon red circle 7Reduces the time interval to vehicles ahead
P5-Icon red circle 8Function symbol
P5-Icon red circle 9Symbols for target vehicle and time interval to vehicles ahead
P5-Icon red circle 10Symbol for activated/deactivated steering assistance

Driver display

P5-1507-ACC Mätargrafik
Indication of speeds1.
  1. P5-Icon red circle 1Stored speed
  2. P5-Icon red circle 2Speed of vehicle ahead
  3. P5-Icon red circle 3Current speed of your car

To see different combinations of symbols depending on traffic situation - see the heading "Symbols and messages for Pilot Assist".

  1. 1 NOTE: The illustration is schematic - details may vary depending on car model.