Blind Spot Information System - System Operation and Component Description

System Operation

Authoring Template

Blind Spot Information System (BLIS®) and Cross Traffic Alert (CTA)

System Diagram

Network Message Chart

  DDM Network Input Messages

  PDM Network Input Messages

  IPC Network Input Messages

  ACM Network Input Messages

  DSP Network Input Messages

  SODL Network Input Messages

  SODR Network Input Messages

Blind Spot Information System (BLIS®)

The Blind Spot Information System (BLIS®) becomes active the first time the transmission is placed in DRIVE (D) after starting the engine or making the vehicle ready to drive and driving forward at a speed greater than 8 km/h (5 mph). The Blind Spot Information System (BLIS®) is also active if the transmission is placed in NEUTRAL (N). If the transmission is shifted out of DRIVE (D) or NEUTRAL (N), the vehicle must be driven above 8 kmh (5 mph) to reactivate the system.

The Blind Spot Information System (BLIS®) can be turned on and off in the message center. When the Blind Spot Information System (BLIS®) is turned off, the Blind Spot Information System (BLIS®) telltale will illuminate in the IPC .

The system can trigger an alert for vehicles that enter the blind zone from the rear or merge into the blind zone from the side. The exterior mirror Blind Spot Information System (BLIS®)/Cross Traffic Alert (CTA) LED illuminates in the right and/or left exterior mirror. For vehicles that pass through the blind zone quickly, typically less than 2 seconds, the Blind Spot Information System (BLIS®) may not trigger an alert.

NOTE: There should be no bumper stickers or body filler material used on the rear side bumper cover in the vicinity of the SODL or SODR .

NOTE: The Blind Spot Information System (BLIS®) is not intended to detect parked vehicles, pedestrians or objects such as fences, guard rails or trees. The Blind Spot Information System (BLIS®) does not provide any additional warning when the turn signal is activated.

Due to the nature of radar technology, false alerts may occur under certain circumstances. False alerts occur when the LED illuminates with no target present. False alerts up to 3% (3 out of 100 targets) is considered normal operation. False alerts are temporary and self-correcting.

Circumstances that cause false alerts are:

• Freeway dividers
• Concrete walls
• Fencing or vegetation
• Sharp turns around a pole or building
• Coming to a stop with a vehicle directly behind and very close
• Moving pedestrians
• Shopping carts

Missed targets occur when a target is present and the LED does not illuminate. Missed targets up to 1% (1 out of 100 targets) is considered normal operation.

Circumstances that cause missed alerts are:

• Debris build-up or bumper stickers on the rear bumper sides
• Certain maneuvering of the vehicles entering and exiting the blind zone
• Vehicles passing through the blind zone at high rates of speed
• Severe weather conditions
• When several vehicles forming a convoy pass through the blind zone

The Blind Spot Information System (BLIS®) Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) may not operate correctly when the vehicle accelerates from a standing start with another vehicle alongside.

Cross Traffic Alert (CTA) System

The Cross Traffic Alert (CTA) system is activated when the transmission is placed in REVERSE (R) with the engine running or the vehicle ready to drive. The system warns the driver of approaching vehicles by sounding an alert chime through the audio system speakers, flashing the LH or RH exterior mirror Blind Spot Information System (BLIS®) LED and displaying CROSS TRAFFIC VEHICLE COMING FROM RIGHT or CROSS TRAFFIC VEHICLE COMING FROM LEFT in the message center.

Backing out of a parking space slowly increases the ability of the system to detect approaching vehicles in close proximity situations. The coverage zones can be affected by other parked vehicles or objects. The performance of the Cross Traffic Alert (CTA) system is degraded when parking at shallow angles or when vehicles are approaching at speeds greater than 24.1 km/h (15 mph).

Cross Traffic Alert (CTA) detection zones:

The system does not function when the transmission is not in REVERSE (R). The Cross Traffic Alert (CTA) system has some detection limitations due to the nature of the radar technology used by the SODL and SODR . The system cannot normally detect stationary vehicles, humans, animals or objects such as fences, guard rails or trees.

Circumstances that may cause non-detection are:

• Debris build-up or bumper stickers on the rear bumper sides
• The rear quarter panel of the vehicle is obstructed or partially obstructed by an adjacently parked vehicle or object
• Vehicle approaching at speeds greater than 24.1 km/h (15 mph)
• Severe weather conditions
• Driving in REVERSE (R) faster than 8 km/h (5 mph)
• Backing out of an angled parking spot
• Backing out of parking space with the transmission not in REVERSE (R) (manual transmission vehicles only)

Due to the nature of radar technology, there may be certain instances when the Cross Traffic Alert (CTA) system alerts the operator, when no object or vehicle is present while backing up. This is known as a false alert. False alerts up to 5% (5 times out of 100 reversals) are normal. A false alert may occur when backing out of a garage or backing into a parking space and objects or vehicles are very close to the radar sensors. False alerts are temporary and self-correcting.

Message Center Function

NOTE: Cross Traffic Alert (CTA) system faults may not be detected until the transmission is placed in REVERSE (R).

The Blind Spot Information System (BLIS®) can be turned off by using the blind spot on/off function in the message center. When the Blind Spot Information System (BLIS®) has been turned off by the driver or if a system fault is present, the Blind Spot Information System (BLIS®) indicator in the message center remains on. Once the Blind Spot Information System (BLIS®) is turned off by the driver, the feature remains off and the Blind Spot Information System (BLIS®) indicator in the message center remains on until the driver turns the system back on in the message center. If a MyKey® is in use, the Blind Spot Information System (BLIS®) cannot be turned off.

The Cross Traffic Alert (CTA) system can be turned off by selecting the Cross Traffic Alert (CTA) system on/off function in the message center. The Cross Traffic Alert (CTA) system can only be deactivated in the message center when the transmission is in REVERSE (R). The system defaults back to on when the ignition is cycled. If a MyKey® is in use, the Cross Traffic Alert (CTA) cannot be turned off.

When a Blind Spot Information System (BLIS®) fault is detected, the message center displays BLIND SPOT SYSTEM FAULT and the Blind Spot Information System (BLIS®) indicator is displayed. When a Cross Traffic Alert (CTA) system fault is detected, the message center displays CROSS TRAFFIC SYSTEM FAULT.

SODL and SODR Programming

The PMI procedure SODL and SODR must be performed at the same time, regardless of which module is the target of the PMI . The SODL and SODR store the last remembered state of the corresponding Blind Spot Information System (BLIS®)/Cross Traffic Alert (CTA) LED , and a fault condition can occur if both modules are not programmed at the same time.

Component Description

SODL / SODR

The SODL and SODR are radar based sensors that are located rearward of the rear wheel under the bumper cover. These sensors detect targets for the Blind Spot Information System (BLIS®) and Cross Traffic Alert (CTA) system. The modules are capable of storing Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) for the Blind Spot Information System (BLIS®) or Cross Traffic Alert (CTA) system when a concern exists. The SODL and SODR communicate through the Medium Speed Controller Area Network (MS-CAN).

DDM / PDM

The DDM and PDM illuminate the LH and RH Blind Spot Information System (BLIS®)/Cross Traffic Alert (CTA) LED . The DDM supplies voltage to the LH Blind Spot Information System (BLIS®)/Cross Traffic Alert (CTA) LED and the PDM supplies voltage to the RH Blind Spot Information System (BLIS®)/Cross Traffic Alert (CTA) LED based on messages received through the Medium Speed Controller Area Network (MS-CAN) from the SODL and SODR . The DDM and PDM are capable of storing Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) for the Blind Spot Information System (BLIS®)/Cross Traffic Alert (CTA) LED circuits when a concern exists.

Blind Spot Information System (BLIS®)/Cross Traffic Alert (CTA) LED

The Blind Spot Information System (BLIS®)/Cross Traffic Alert (CTA) LED is integral to the LH and RH exterior mirror glass.

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