Thank you, Ford Engineers! Saved by front crash alarm

[Dad]

Recently had the terrifying experience of almost rear-ending a completely stopped Tesla on the freeway. Traffic was on/off varying in speeds from 40-55 when the car in front of me came to a dead stop. I usually look ahead several car lengths and keep a good distance from the vehicle in front of me, but I took a second to check the lane on my left side. Fortunately, it was empty and just as my brain processed that, the front crash alarm went off, wife yelled and braced for impact. I veered to the left just in time. Though not as nearly traumatic as being involved in a crash, it was a terrifying moment. Had an bit longer thanksgiving prayer at dinner that night. Point is, this alarm saved us.

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[RR - All the way]

Glad your and yours are safe. It only takes a split second to have an accident. The hardest time for me to maintain a safe interval is at a red light. I closely follow the car ahead of me when the light turns green. If he/she has to stop because of something ahead of them, I can be in trouble.

Stay safe!

 

[Hoagus]

So it didn’t slam the brakes on?

 

[SafetyGuy]

So glad to hear it was a close call, not something worse!

We never want to have to depend on all the electronics (or screaming spouses!), but when it helps keep us safe the help is so appreciated.

Keep your head up and stick on the ice,

Andy

 

[Blue_Max]

If the engineering was that impressive, it would have stopped without you having to swerve (that's what it's supposed to do). If you're swerving to stop, you're adding risk.

 

[BLUEOVALRACER]

So it didn’t slam the brakes on?

X2 mine has applied the brakes?

 

[Chops]

If the engineering was that impressive, it would have stopped without you having to swerve (that's what it's supposed to do). If you're swerving to stop, you're adding risk.

All our Mavericks have Automatic Emergency Braking that is “on” by default - but can be disabled. It is meant to hit the brakes to avoid collision.

The NHTSA gave the Maverick a 5-star overall rating for 2022–2025 models, including frontal crash prevention.

Dad - you may want to look at your “Collision Avoidance” settings and adjust accordingly. The front camera & the ECU do some advanced safety maneuvers.

Glad your ok!!

 

[Dad]

Glad your and yours are safe. It only takes a split second to have an accident. The hardest time for me to maintain a safe interval is at a red light. I closely follow the car ahead of me when the light turns green. If he/she has to stop because of something ahead of them, I can be in trouble.

Stay safe!

Thank you! I try to keep in mind that the car in front of me (especially if it's the first one at the intersection) is just making sure no one is running their red light. Happening all too often lately.

 

[dochawk]

Curious, I put the trash bin out well ahead of our 25 lariat hybrid.

I let it go ahead at indicatedd 1 mph, and took my foot off the pedals, at I suppose 15-20 feet.

It continued going and hit the bin.

I've seen no indication that automatic braking functions without ACC engaged--and then, it's usually for a situation in which a human would know better than to brake (e.g., car leaves lane and continues slowing).

 

[HeyBales]

I think the emergency braking is mainly misunderstood.
That's a last resort when it thinks impact is already going to happen- the braking it to lessen the impact at the point it figures you missed the opportunity.


How Does Pre-Collision Assist Work


The system warns the driver of potential hazards by providing three levels of assistance.

If your vehicle is rapidly approaching potential hazards, the system provides the following levels of functionality:

1. Alert.

1. Brake Support.

1. Automatic Emergency Braking.

Alert: When active, a flashing visual warning appears and an audible warning tone sounds.

Brake Support: The system is designed to help reduce the impact speed by preparing the brakes for rapid braking. The system does not automatically apply the brakes. If you press the brake pedal, the system could apply additional braking up to maximum braking force, even if you lightly press the brake pedal.

Automatic Emergency Braking: This may activate if the system determines that a collision is imminent.

Note: If you perceive the pre-collision assist alerts as being too frequent or disturbing, then you can reduce the alert sensitivity. Setting the low sensitivity would result in fewer and later warnings of a potential forward collision. The manufacturer recommends using the high sensitivity setting where possible.

Note: Automatic emergency braking performance is not affected by the sensitivity setting.
Each system has various levels of detection capabilities. See Pre-Collision Assist Limitations.

 

[KEMeyer]

Recently had the terrifying experience of almost rear-ending a completely stopped Tesla on the freeway. Traffic was on/off varying in speeds from 40-55 when the car in front of me came to a dead stop. I usually look ahead several car lengths and keep a good distance from the vehicle in front of me, but I took a second to check the lane on my left side. Fortunately, it was empty and just as my brain processed that, the front crash alarm went off, wife yelled and braced for impact. I veered to the left just in time. Though not as nearly traumatic as being involved in a crash, it was a terrifying moment. Had an bit longer thanksgiving prayer at dinner that night. Point is, this alarm saved us.

Dang!!! Ever since driving a car with adaptive cruise control (2013, I think), it became a must-have on any vehicle I get... spared me more than once from pants-shitting moments.

 

[Randorita]

I know mine hits the brakes when parking or when backing up. My drive had a little hump where 2 sections came together that my Mav didn't like. It would hit the brake and I would hit the gas, making it stutter for a couple of feet.

 

[chrisofpa]

That system saved my butt more than once in my Fusion, it's my commuter so sadly I have been in that situation with it more than once. The emergency braking is also a wonderful feature.

 

[DaveCactusGrayXLTH]

So it didn’t slam the brakes on?

I had mine slam the brakes — also because of a random Tesla.

 

[Dad]

So it didn’t slam the brakes on?

No it did not. I'm thinking because I swerved very quickly after hearing the alarm. Truth be told, I'm not sure if it did brake that it would have stopped me in time. Problem is it's not something you want to test out. I'd be interested in seeing a car crash test with dummies to verify its effectiveness.

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