Small questions from a new owner

[blastfurnace]

Hi everyone!
I just got my new white 2018 Touring model last night. It is a big shift from my BMW X1 i35 xdrive (310 hp, 0-60 5.3 sec, 22 mpg, premium gas) and I already love it.
I have some very minor questions, like really minor, about fuel consumption.

In the manual on the dash, there is the Average/Instant fuel economy gauge. The Average says "Average Fuel A". Is this for Trip A? Is there a way to also look at trip B? The manual says
"Shows the estimated average fuel economy of each trip meter in mpg or l/100 km. The display is updated at set intervals. When a trip meter is reset, the average fuel economy is also reset." But for the life of me I can't figure how to get it to Trip B.

For the Average Fuel Economy Records, I am assuming that is for every time you start and drive the car, not based on a trip meter?

I can't figure out the drive cycle/lifetime points thing at all, but it may be too soon.

So stoked about this car!

 

[fotomoto]

In the manual on the dash, there is the Average/Instant fuel economy gauge. The Average says "Average Fuel A". Is this for Trip A? Is there a way to also look at trip B?

It's partially hidden by the steering wheel while seated but on the left dash below the drivers instrument panel is a set of 3 buttons (+- and trip). Trip will switch between A & B while the +- are for adjusting the dash light brightness.

Also, in the center screen's menu settings, there are several options for changing how each trip meter works. For instance, I have A set to reset on each drive while I have B set to reset on each gas fill up.

Enjoy your new car!

 

[blastfurnace]

Thanks for the Trip A and B meter options!

Another question...every time I start the car, the information screen automatically defaults to the nighttime setting. Is that a power saving option or a bug?

 

[2002]

Also, in the center screen's menu settings, there are several options for changing how each trip meter works. For instance, I have A set to reset on each drive while I have B set to reset on each gas fill up.

I have my trip B set up the same way, reset on fill up. One problem I had is that I would stop to get gas and shut off the car but forget to make a note of the miles since last fill up. When I then started the car after filling up it was already reset to zero. But I discovered a trick, after filling up if you go into "ON" mode (press the power button twice without stepping on the brake) you can still see the previous mileage. Then when you step on the brake and press the power button again to go into READY mode the mileage resets.

 

[petteyg359]

Thanks for the Trip A and B meter options!

Another question...every time I start the car, the information screen automatically defaults to the nighttime setting. Is that a power saving option or a bug?

If it's parked in a dark garage, it won't get bright until you back out into the sunlight.

 

[blastfurnace]

If it's parked in a dark garage, it won't get bright until you back out into the sunlight.

As soon as I hit enter I realised that was exactly what was happening.

One last question for the newbie stupid questions list:

What is the difference between LKAS and RDM? I mean, aren't they doing the same thing?

Lane Keeping Assist System (LKAS)
Provides steering input to help keep the vehicle in the middle of a detected lane and visual and tactile alerts if the vehicle is detected drifting out of its lane while driving between 45–90 mph (72–145 km/h).

Road Departure Mitigation (RDM)
Alerts and helps to assist you if the system determines a possibility of your vehicle unintentionally crossing over detected lane markings while driving between 45–90 mph (72–145 km/h).

 

[insightman]

Lane Keeping Assist can steer your car to keep it between the lines (assuming there are lines). You can even take your hands off the steering wheel for a few seconds to watch it do its thing. Road Departure Mitigation wiggles the steering wheel to warn you you're crossing a line (or a strange road variation that looks to the Clarity like a line).

 

[KClark]

Honestly I can't discern any difference between driving with LKAS on or off and I've tried it numerous times in many different situations. I'm baffled by people praising it. Not saying that they're wrong, just saying that I haven't seen any benefit.

 

[fotomoto]

Road Departure Mitigation wiggles the steering wheel to warn you you're crossing a line (or a strange road variation that looks to the Clarity like a line).

It's my experience that RDM will also apply the brakes; sometimes rather forcefully.

 

[jack.]

Honestly I can't discern any difference between driving with LKAS on or off and I've tried it numerous times in many different situations. I'm baffled by people praising it. Not saying that they're wrong, just saying that I haven't seen any benefit.

Are you sure its actually working? The lines are solid on the dashboard indicator? For me when its on, it literally steers the car.

 

[KClark]

Yes, the lines are solid. I've read the manual, I've experimented. The most I've ever felt is a slight vibration of the wheel but nothing approaching any kind of steering. I've used it for hundreds of miles on the interstate at freeway speeds with clearly marked lane lines, turning it on and off. I honestly can't feel any kind of steering going on. I've just had my first maintenance reminder pop up for A1 service. When I have that done at the dealer I'll ask if there is something they can check.

 

[Louis Nisenbaum]

Honestly I can't discern any difference between driving with LKAS on or off and I've tried it numerous times in many different situations. I'm baffled by people praising it. Not saying that they're wrong, just saying that I haven't seen any benefit.

Are you driving over 45 mph with lanes clearly marked. Crazy, car steers itself.

 

[fotomoto]

LKA is an assist as it literally states in the name and is not "automatic steering". The explanation I like to use when describing how it works to others is this: If the amount of effort needed to steer the wheel requires more than grasping the wheel with anything more than just your index finger and thumb, then assist cancels. It will, for example, not even try to steer through a curve.

It's very windy here along the gulf coast and LKA helps me with near constant minor corrections due to gusts and reduces fatigue on long drives. It's not gonna' drive your car.

 

[2002]

Yes, the lines are solid. I've read the manual, I've experimented. The most I've ever felt is a slight vibration of the wheel but nothing approaching any kind of steering. I've used it for hundreds of miles on the interstate at freeway speeds with clearly marked lane lines, turning it on and off. I honestly can't feel any kind of steering going on. I've just had my first maintenance reminder pop up for A1 service. When I have that done at the dealer I'll ask if there is something they can check.

I drive on roads that are reasonably well marked, at least most of them, and I would estimate it sees the lines about 75% of the time. And by see the lines I don't just mean indicated on the display I mean it steers you back to the center of the lane. And not just straight line driving either it can follow slight curves as well. It even does pretty good at night, and even in light rain. It works much better than the Ford and Toyota systems that I have used.

It could be that your windshield camera needs to be calibrated, hopefully they can check that without charging you for it. Of course they will likely give you a speech about how LKAS doesn't work all the time. Tell them you know that but that for your car it doesn't seem to work ANY of the time. Ask to go on a test drive with them on some clearly marked roads so they can see for themselves.

 

[2002]

LKA is an assist as it literally states in the name and is not "automatic steering". The explanation I like to use when describing how it works to others is this: If the amount of effort needed to steer the wheel requires more than grasping the wheel with anything more than just your index finger and thumb, then assist cancels. It will, for example, not even try to steer through a curve.

It's very windy here along the gulf coast and LKA helps me with near constant minor corrections due to gusts and reduces fatigue on long drives. It's not gonna' drive your car.

But they said:

"The most I've ever felt is a slight vibration of the wheel but nothing approaching any kind of steering. I've used it for hundreds of miles on the interstate at freeway speeds with clearly marked lane lines, turning it on and off."

That doesn't sound like it's working correctly. I agree that the steering force is relatively gentle but there is no question it is there. Theirs is apparently detecting the lines because it sometimes shakes the wheel, so RDM seems to be at least partially working, but not LKAS. Worth a checkout at the dealer in my opinion.

 

[insightman]

It's my experience that RDM will also apply the brakes; sometimes rather forcefully.

I know that Road Departure Mitigation System can initiate braking like the Collision Mitigation Braking System, but I've never experienced that happening. I wonder what criteria the RDM uses to apply the brakes? I've felt the RDM wiggle the steering wheel when it falsely determines a road variation is the edge of the road. It could be catastrophic in traffic if such a mis-identification resulted in unexpected heavy braking.

 

[KClark]

I’m certainly not expecting “automatic steering“ nor am I expecting LKAS to “drive my car.” You are the only person in this thread who has used either of those phrases so I’m not sure who your lecture is directed at. But as I said I’ve never experienced any kind of what I consider assistance from LKAS, on or off is the same except for the slight steering wheel wobble when it’s engaged.

 

[amy2421]

I use LKAS with adaptive cruise control and my car does pretty much drive itself. LKAS absolutely steers around curves, I do it all the time. Only works properly at highway speeds though. I still maintain the same level of alertness because if the solid lines become hollow, it's back to me to steer the car. If the car doesn't think you're alert enough, you'll get a warning on the dash that steering is required (in other words, put your hands back on the wheel!)

 

[fotomoto]

You are the only person in this thread who has used either of those phrases so I’m not sure who your lecture is directed at.

I didn't quote you because I wasn't speaking to you directly (that's the point of a quote tool). Threads and phrases like this are picked up by google searches so I wanted to make clear this technology is an assist not auto-steering to anyone picking up this thread.

This isn't a lecture but a suggestion: on reasonably straight highway with little to no traffic, activate LKA and ACC, confirm the lane markings are solid and speed is set, and let go of the steering wheel. The car should remain in the lane or at the very worst ping-pong from lane edge to edge for several seconds before giving you the warning to grab the wheel.

 

[KClark]

This isn't a lecture but a suggestion: on reasonably straight highway with little to no traffic, activate LKA and ACC, confirm the lane markings are solid and speed is set, and let go of the steering wheel. The car should remain in the lane or at the very worst ping-pong from lane edge to edge for several seconds before giving you the warning to grab the wheel.

Why do you assume I haven’t done that? To quote myself,

I've tried it numerous times in many different situations.

Yes, the lines are solid. I've read the manual, I've experimented...I've used it for hundreds of miles on the interstate at freeway speeds with clearly marked lane lines, turning it on and off.