7.21.7.5. Hands on detection

When the Steering Assist is activated, it monitors the driver's steering wheel operation.

If the steering wheel is not operated or the driver takes his/her hands off the steering wheel for a period of time, the warning (1) appears in the Vehicle Information Display and the hands OFF warning light illuminates.

If the driver does not operate the steering wheel after the warning has been displayed, an audible alert sounds and the warning flashes in the Vehicle Information Display. If the driver still does not operate the steering wheel, the system applies Emergency Assist, followed by a momentary brake application to request the driver to take control of the vehicle again.

If the driver still does not respond, the ProPILOT Assist turns on the hazard flasher and slows the vehicle to a complete stop.

The driver can cancel the deceleration at any time by steering, braking, accelerating, or operating the ProPILOT Assist switch.

Steering Assist is not a system for hands-free driving. Always keep your hands on the steering wheel and drive your vehicle safely. Failure to do so could cause a collision resulting in serious personal injury or death.

If the driver softly touches (instead of firmly grips) the steering wheel, the Steering Assist may not detect the steering wheel operation and the warning may be displayed. When the driver holds and operates the steering wheel again, the warning turns off and the Steering Assist resumes automatically.