Active Brake Assist (ABA)

Safety Information

ABA can minimize the risk of a front-end collision with a moving vehicle, a stationary vehicle, or a stationary object. If ABA detects the risk of a front-end collision, it issues an audible and visual warning. If the risk persists, ABA automatically initiates partial braking of the vehicle. If the driver does not react to the warnings and partial brake application, ABA automatically initiates a full brake application.

ABA may not detect narrow vehicles driving in front like motorcycles, or vehicles driving on a different line.

ABA does not automatically adapt to road and traffic conditions. Brake the vehicle using the service brake if:

• an event window with the Warning symbol appears in the driver message center;

• an intermittent warning tone sounds; or

• an intermittent warning tone sounds and automatic partial braking was initiated.

If no visual and/or acoustic warning is issued in a critical situation:

• ABA has not recognized the danger of the situation;

• ABA is suppressed; or

• ABA has failed.

ABA-triggered emergency braking can be deactivated if the driver presses the accelerator pedal beyond the pressure point (kickdown).

Activating/Deactivating Active Brake Assist

The ABA system cannot be turned off. However, ABA is suppressed when the driver:

• uses the turn signal during an audible warning;

• presses the brake pedal; or

• rapidly depresses the accelerator.

If there is a system error, the indicator lamp will illuminate. See Fig..

Fig. 1, ABA Indicator Lamp

Collision Warning and Emergency Braking

If there is a risk of collision and ABA issues a warning, the radio and/or hands-free systems like Detroit Connect are automatically muted.

• Preliminary (visual only) Warning : An alert appears in the driver message center. This phase may be skipped, depending on the criticality of the situation.

• Visual/Audio Warning (ABA) : An alert appears in the driver message center, and an intermittent warning tone sounds from the ICU.

• Partial Braking (ABA) : An alert appears in the driver message center, and an intermittent warning tone sounds from the ICU. In addition, ABA slows the vehicle with automatic partial braking. ABA brakes the vehicle with around 50% of the vehicle’s maximum braking power.

• Emergency Braking (ABA) : If the driver does not react to the collision warnings or partial brake application, ABA automatically initiates emergency braking (full brake application). The warning message appears in the driver message center, and a continuous warning tone sounds from the ICU. The Emergency braking phase will not occur if the object being tracked is stationary.

The driver can interrupt emergency braking by pressing the accelerator pedal beyond the point of resistance (kickdown).

Driving Situations

See  for a description of adaptive cruise control and active brake assist limitations in specific driving conditions.

Active Brake Assist Limitations
Condition	Visual	Description
Cornering, entering and exiting bends		The ability of ABA and ACC to detect vehicles on bends is limited. ABA and ACC may unexpectedly issue warnings or brake the vehicle. ACC may also accelerate the vehicle unexpectedly.
Driving in a different lane, and stationary vehicles		The ability of ABA and ACC to detect vehicles driving in a different lane, or stationary vehicles is limited. ABA and ACC may unexpectedly issue warnings or brake the vehicle. ACC may accelerate unexpectedly.
Other vehicles changing lane		The ability of ABA and ACC to detect vehicles pulling into your lane is limited. The distance to the vehicle in front entering your lane may then be too short. ABA and ACC may unexpectedly issue warnings or brake the vehicle. ACC may also accelerate the vehicle unexpectedly.
		The ability of ABA and ACC to detect vehicles pulling into your lane without maintaining a safe distance is limited. They do not detect vehicles until they are within the system's detection range. ACC may accelerate unexpectedly. Brake the vehicle. This will increase the distance to the vehicle in front.
Vehicles turning off		The ability of ABA and ACC to detect vehicles turning off is limited. ABA and ACC may unexpectedly issue warnings or brake your vehicle.
Overtaking		When passing, ABA and ACC may unexpectedly issue warnings or brake your vehicle if the vehicle is too close to the vehicle in front, and is in the same lane.
Winding stretches of road		On winding stretches of road, ABA and ACC cannot detect which lane the vehicle in front is driving in. ABA and ACC may unexpectedly issue warnings or brake your vehicle. ACC may also accelerate the vehicle unexpectedly.
Obstacles and stationary vehicles		ABA and ACC cannot detect obstacles or stationary vehicles in front of the detected vehicle. ABA and ACC may unexpectedly issue warnings or brake your vehicle. ACC may also accelerate the vehicle unexpectedly.
Stationary objects		ABA can also unexpectedly issue warnings and brake the vehicle if it detects stationary objects like: vehicles which have broken down signs bridges