Limitations of Pilot Assist

The Pilot Assist function may have limitations in certain situations.

The Pilot Assist function is an aid which can help the driver in many situations. But the driver is at all times responsible for maintaining a safe distance to surrounding objects and a correct position in the lane.

 Warning

In certain situations, Pilot Assist steering assistance may have difficulty helping the driver in the right way or it may be automatically deactivated - in which case, the use of Pilot Assist is not recommended. Examples of such situations may be that:
  • the lane markings are worn, missing or cross each other.
  • lane division is unclear, for example, when the lanes divide or merge or at exits or in the event of multiple sets of markings.
  • edges or other lines than lane markings are present on or near the road, e.g. kerbs, joints or repairs to the road surface, edges of barriers, roadside edges or strong shadows.
  • the lane is narrow or winding.
  • the lane contains ridges or holes.
  • weather conditions are poor, e.g. rain, snow or fog or slush or impaired view with poor light conditions, back-lighting, wet road surface etc.
The driver should also note that Pilot Assist has the following limitations:
  • High kerbs, roadside barriers, temporary obstacles (traffic cones, safety barriers, etc.) are not detected. Alternatively, they may be detected incorrectly as lane markings, with a subsequent risk of contact between the car and such obstacles. The driver must ensure him/herself that the car is at a suitable distance from such obstacles.
  • The camera and radar sensor does not have the capacity to detect all oncoming objects and obstacles in traffic environments, e.g. potholes, stationary obstacles or objects which completely or partially block the route.
  • Pilot Assist does not "see" pedestrians, animals, etc.
  • The recommended steering input is force limited, which means that it cannot always help the driver to steer and keep the car within the lane.
  • Pilot Assist is switched off if the power steering is working with reduced power - e.g. during cooling due to overheating (see section "Speed-dependent steering force").

The driver always has the possibility of correcting or adjusting a steering intervention imposed by Pilot Assist and can turn the steering wheel to the desired position.

Steep roads and/or heavy load

Bear in mind that Pilot Assist is primarily intended for use when driving on level road surfaces. The function may have difficulty in keeping the correct distance from the vehicle ahead when driving on steep downhill slopes - in which case, be extra attentive and ready to brake.

  • Do not use Pilot Assist if the car has a heavy load or a trailer is connected to the car.

 Note

Pilot Assist cannot be activated if a trailer, bicycle rack or similar is connected to the car's electrical system.

Miscellaneous

  • Off Road drive mode cannot be selected when Pilot Assist is activated.

 Note

The function uses the car's camera unit, which has some general limitations, see the "Limitations for camera unit" section.

 Note

The function uses the car's radar unit, which has some general limitations, see the section "Limitations for radar unit".