Nissan LEAF 2023 Owners Manual
9.16.3.4. Vehicle-to-vehicle distance control mode limitations
Listed below are the system limitations for the ICC system. Failure to operate the vehicle in accordance with these system limitations could result in serious injury or death.
The system is primarily intended for use on straight, dry, open roads with light traffic. It is not advisable to use the system in city traffic or congested areas.
This system will not adapt automatically to road conditions. This system should be used in evenly flowing traffic. Do not use the system on roads with sharp curves, steep uphill and downhill, or on icy roads, in heavy rain or in fog.
As there is a performance limit to the distance control function, never rely solely on the ICC system. This system does not correct careless, inattentive or absent-minded driving, or overcome poor visibility in rain, fog, or other bad weather. Decelerate the vehicle speed by depressing the brake pedal, depending on the distance to the vehicle ahead and the surrounding circumstances in order to maintain a safe distance between vehicles.
If the vehicle ahead comes to a stop, the vehicle decelerates to a standstill within the limitations of the system. The system will cancel once it judges that the vehicle has come to a standstill and sound a warning chime. To prevent the vehicle from moving, the driver must depress the brake pedal.
Always pay attention to the operation of the vehicle and be ready to manually control the proper following distance. The vehicle-to-vehicle distance control mode of the ICC system may not be able to maintain the selected distance between vehicles (following distance) or selected vehicle speed under some circumstances.
The system may not detect the vehicle in front of you in certain road or weather conditions. To avoid accidents, never use the ICC system under the following conditions:
On roads where the traffic is heavy or there are sharp curves
On slippery road surfaces such as on ice or snow, etc.
During bad weather (rain, fog, snow, etc.)
When rain, snow or dirt adhere to the system sensor
On steep downhill roads (the vehicle may go beyond the set vehicle speed and frequent braking may result in overheating the brakes)
On repeated uphill and downhill roads
When traffic conditions make it difficult to keep a proper distance between vehicles because of frequent acceleration or deceleration
Interference by other radar sources.
In some road or traffic conditions, a vehicle or object can unexpectedly come into the sensor detection zone and cause automatic braking. You may need to control the distance from other vehicles using the accelerator pedal. Always stay alert and avoid using the ICC system when it is not recommended in this section.
The radar sensor will not detect the following objects:
Stationary and slow moving vehicles
Pedestrians or objects in the roadway
Oncoming vehicles in the same lane
Motorcycles travelling offset in the travel lane
The sensor generally detects the signals returned from the vehicle ahead. Therefore, if the sensor cannot detect the reflection from the vehicle ahead, the ICC system may not maintain the selected distance.
The following are some conditions in which the sensor cannot detect the signals:
When the snow or road spray from travelling vehicles reduces the sensor's visibility
When excessively heavy baggage is loaded in the rear seat or the luggage compartment of your vehicle
The ICC system is designed to automatically check the sensor's operation within the limitation of the system. When the sensor is covered with dirt or is obstructed, the system will automatically be cancelled. If the sensor is covered with ice, a transparent or translucent vinyl bag, etc., the ICC system may not detect them. In these instances, the vehicle-to-vehicle distance control mode may not cancel and may not be able to maintain the selected following distance from the vehicle ahead. Be sure to check and clean the sensor regularly.
The detection zone of the radar sensor is limited. A vehicle ahead must be in the detection zone for the vehicle-to-vehicle distance detection mode to maintain the selected distance from the vehicle ahead.
A vehicle ahead may move outside of the detection zone due to its position within the same lane of travel. Motorcycles may not be detected in the same lane ahead if they are travelling offset from the centre line of the lane. A vehicle that is entering the lane ahead may not be detected until the vehicle has completely moved into the lane. If this occurs, the ICC system may warn you by blinking the system indicator and sounding the chime. The driver may have to manually control the proper distance away from vehicle travelling ahead.
When driving on some roads, such as winding, hilly, curved, narrow roads, or roads which are under construction, the radar sensor may detect vehicles in a different lane, or may temporarily not detect a vehicle travelling ahead. This may cause the ICC system to decelerate or accelerate the vehicle.
The detection of vehicles may also be affected by vehicle operation (steering manoeuvre or travelling position in the lane, etc.) or vehicle condition. If this occurs, the ICC system may warn you by blinking the system indicator and sounding the chime unexpectedly. You will have to manually control the proper distance away from the vehicle travelling ahead.