Terrifying BMW lane assist problem

[MCompact]

I really did not think that I would like a car equipped with Level 2 autonomy, but I really enjoy using the Distronic Plus on my C43 for long interstate slogs or in stop and go traffic. I've never had an issue overriding the system. The only "feature" I disabled was the route based speed adaptation that caused the car to slow down in corners to "80 year old man wearing a ball cap and Ban-Lon slacks driving a Lucerne" velocities.
I will say that the AEB system in the C43 is a bit too overeager to warn me of what it thinks is impending disaster- and the AEB in the Wrangler is even more pessimistic.

 

[eljefino]

^ What's an "internet slog"? This autonomous driving, man...

 

[MCompact]

^ What's an "internet slog"? This autonomous driving, man...

Stupid autocorrect is the culprit...

 

[Hall]

The only "feature" I disabled was the route based speed adaptation that caused the car to slow down in corners

Same here with my wife's '24 Grand Highlander. The default setting slowed down too much, which I get, but at least it allows you to tweak it. The only other "safety feature" I dislike is the pre-collision or auto-braking feature when the car in front slows down and makes a right turn. Once that car is turning, if you speed up too soon, the system sees that vehicle and even though you may have timed your acceleration safely, it still "sees" the vehicle in front of you.

 

[ecotourist]

I will say that the AEB system in the C43 is a bit too overeager to warn me of what it thinks is impending disaster- and the AEB in the Wrangler is even more pessimistic.

My Tesla Model 3 does the same. It overreacts to "dangers" like an overhead pedestrian crossing, a large political sign beside the road, shadows across the road, waving grass along one highway in Saskatchewan, and quite frequently to a vehicle crossing in front of me. I would brake if I was concerned but the Tesla system regularly kicks out of cruise and (because of one pedal driving) slows down pretty quickly. It's very annoying (probably the single worst feature of my Model 3) and I think there is even some danger of being rear ended by someone who isn't paying attention.

I suspect this all stems from the accident where a Tesla on autopilot ran into a semitrailer crossing in front of it, killing the driver. So methinks Tesla made the system hair trigger sensitive - way too sensitive in my opinion.

 

[MCompact]

Same here with my wife's '24 Grand Highlander. The default setting slowed down too much, which I get, but at least it allows you to tweak it. The only other "safety feature" I dislike is the pre-collision or auto-braking feature when the car in front slows down and makes a right turn. Once that car is turning, if you speed up too soon, the system sees that vehicle and even though you may have timed your acceleration safely, it still "sees" the vehicle in front of you.

That is exactly what happens with both the C43 and the Wrangler. It's definitely annoying.

 

[02SE]

The wife is 5'6" and 108 lbs. She can easily overpower the lane assist in our BMW she usually drives. But she does do aerobics...

Might I suggest some form of exercise routine, to show those cars who's boss...

 

[vavavroom]

Wrestling with the controls that are being overridden reminds me of the opening sequence of For Your Eyes Only. It was a Bell 206 and not a car in the sequence which ended with Ernst Stavro "Ironsides" Blofeld getting the shaft*.

*dropped into and down the Beckton Gas Works chimney while sitting in his wheelchair - Blofeld's white cat Solomon hightailed it out of there as soon as Bond came after Blofeld with the chopper.

 

[Nick1994]

My Tesla Model 3 does the same. It overreacts to "dangers" like an overhead pedestrian crossing, a large political sign beside the road, shadows across the road, waving grass along one highway in Saskatchewan, and quite frequently to a vehicle crossing in front of me. I would brake if I was concerned but the Tesla system regularly kicks out of cruise and (because of one pedal driving) slows down pretty quickly. It's very annoying (probably the single worst feature of my Model 3) and I think there is even some danger of being rear ended by someone who isn't paying attention.

I suspect this all stems from the accident where a Tesla on autopilot ran into a semitrailer crossing in front of it, killing the driver. So methinks Tesla made the system hair trigger sensitive - way too sensitive in my opinion.

I had a Model 3 for a short period of time and had a similar issue.

Once a coworker and I were coming back from lunch. The road I was driving on had 2 lanes on each side as well as a center turn lane. I was in the left lane next to the turn lane, driving about 45 mph. A semi-truck was in the center turn lane turning left, and the trailer rear swung out a little bit toward my lane as he was turning. Now me being an experienced human driver knew it was fine and I wouldn't have flinched without the driver assist features. But the Model 3 slammed on the brakes and started alerting me, almost gave me a heart attack. It slamming on the brakes made me floor the accelerator in response. You know as well as anyone how responsive the accelerator is in a Tesla. In a 1/2 second moment we went from slamming on the brakes to floored accelerator. Both of us had our skin crawling afterwards for quite a while.

 

[Gus_Mahn]

I know these systems require recalibration after replacing the windshield, so maybe that is some of what’s happening. I have two cars with lane keep, and I turned it off after a few days of it forcing me into bumps and potholes on two different makes of car.

 

[Marcozi]

My wife and I spent 10 days in Wales recently. We rented a SEAT Cupra. Nice car even though it's FWD. Obviously it was connected to the internet. It would prompt me to remove my foot from the go pedal when we were going down hill at a speed at or above the speed limit. It tried to steer the car when going around curves on the highways. I switched off all of the nannies every time I started the car.

 

[demarpaint]

Another system I'd disable or order the car without if possible.

 

[ecotourist]

I had a Model 3 for a short period of time and had a similar issue.

Once a coworker and I were coming back from lunch. The road I was driving on had 2 lanes on each side as well as a center turn lane. I was in the left lane next to the turn lane, driving about 45 mph. A semi-truck was in the center turn lane turning left, and the trailer rear swung out a little bit toward my lane as he was turning. Now me being an experienced human driver knew it was fine and I wouldn't have flinched without the driver assist features. But the Model 3 slammed on the brakes and started alerting me, almost gave me a heart attack. It slamming on the brakes made me floor the accelerator in response. You know as well as anyone how responsive the accelerator is in a Tesla. In a 1/2 second moment we went from slamming on the brakes to floored accelerator. Both of us had our skin crawling afterwards for quite a while.

I turned off the screeching the first time it happened. This particular safety feature just scares the driver (ie me) and the sudden deceleration is not helping. I don't think it's actually applying the brakes but the enthusiastic regeneration when you let up on the accelerator slows you down pretty fast which does feel like braking.

When I'm using the cruise control I keep my foot near the accelerator and whenever that sudden deceleration happens I too mash the accelerator to stop the "braking".

I wonder what happens when the road is icy? I don't imagine it's anything good.

All in all I don't think these safety features enhance safety. I've provided "bug reports" a number of times but Tesla doesn't seem to be listening.

 

[JHZR2]

I can override the lane keep assist and the super cruise in my Tahoe with one finger. I'm very surprised the BMW system can exert so much force.

That has been my experience too, including with bmw station wagons in Europe.

The only one thst surprised me a bit was a rental Malibu I had once, it made an attempt to get me back in the lane while getting off an exit, and could have gone bad…

 

[D60]

It should drop out if you activate the turn signal or the brakes. The OP doesn't say they did either of those.

I do wonder if standardized testing still includes a Reading Comprehension section......

 

[mk378]

I did read the original post. There is no mention of using the brake during the first part of the incident (or the turn signal, ever, but that's understandable since it's a BMW). Only later the brakes were "slammed on" causing the lane keeper to disengage, and control was restored.

 

[ecotourist]

Lets keep in mind that during many emergency situations steering is your best and maybe only defense. You're supposed to look where you want to go and stay off the brakes. And in an emergency there is no time for turn signals.

Sure, during dozing off situations (when you shouldn't be driving anyway) lane keeping would be an advantage. But during an emergency your vehicle should just implement your input. Vibrating the steering wheel is fine - but don't fight me.

 

[Hall]

That is exactly what happens with both the C43 and the Wrangler. It's definitely annoying.

I'm pretty convinced that a whole bunch of automakers use the same systems "under the hood". Our son has a newer Accord and he describes most of the same behavior.

 

[Hall]

it made an attempt to get me back in the lane while getting off an exit

Honest/serious question: Did you use your turn signal ? If you did, I'm 99% confident it wouldn't have steered you back.

 

[jeepman3071]

Honest/serious question: Did you use your turn signal ? If you did, I'm 99% confident it wouldn't have steered you back.

If you are in a panic maneuver, I doubt you will think to use your turn signal. I just had to make one this morning, when a FedEx truck driver decided to go full reverse out of a hidden driveway onto a busy 45mph road.