Unknown Multi/Info screen warning

[Kenneve]

Hi Guys

I've now covered just over 2000 miles and during that time have had a couple of random warning messages crop up on the RH Multi Information Display, whilst out on the road.
An orange symbol flashes up for probably less than a second, accompanied by a rapid chime (maybe 3 per second)
I can only describe the symbol as something akin to a Cyclops Eye almost covering the width of the Info Screen.
There is nothing in the handbook which is remotely similar, so before I begin to question my sanity, I wonder if any other member has experienced this.
I can't think of any driving situation which would trigger this response. Lane Departure is switched Off, I'm not braking too late, Forward Collision is Off.
Any ideas?

[guest6316]

I was going to suggest the lane departure warning but you say its switched off, your description  certainly suggests that.

Other than that I have not a clue, but it may be worth rechecking that it is actually off by going into the settings on the info panel.

[DaveBerks]

I have had this happen a couple of times too. I assumed it was the lane departure warning working when I was entering the motorway from a slip road but was no longer indicating and I was crossing the white line. It made me laugh as it seemed a rather hysterical response from the car the second time it happened. I had better watch out !

I even thought it may have been trying to tell me I was approaching the car in front too fast. But I haven't looked in the handbook yet to check it all out. In any event it was foot off the accelerator whilst I got myself together again !

[ColinB]

I think there are (at least) three possible systems that might do something like this:
- The lane departure warning (handbook p 432); this produces a symbol something like the cyclops eye you describe. But you say you've turned it off.
- The city brake active system (p 450). The warning light is a fairly obvious car symbol, so probably not that.
- The forward collision warning system (p 428). Same warning light as for the CTBA, so that sounds unlikely too.
Just a thought, but have you turned off both the CTBA and the Forward Collision Warning ? It's possible one of them is still active and is false-alarming ?
Personally I've had occasional false alarms from the Forward Collision Warning. Sometimes the combination of road geometry and an oncoming or parked car fools the system into thinking you're on a collision course when you're not really. This produces a brief symbol flash on the display and a tone exactly like you describe, but the symbol is clearly the one on p.429.

[guest6112]

I get that alarm occasionally when passing parked cars in narrow streets, it is the collision warning system. I only switch my lane departure on when I am on a motorway, if I remember !

[ColinS]

Agree with Deeps, I think it is the forward collision warning system picking up objects on the side of the road

[Kenneve]

My grateful thanks to all those that replied to this post, sanity has returned.
I had inadvertently switched on the Lane Departure System, something I had not used before, so was not aware of the warnings.

[guest6316]

That's good at least you've solved it.

It sometimes makes me jump when it goes off...

[Downsizer]

The lane departure system has improved my driving habits, at least as far as signalling lane-changing is concerned.  When I first had the car, it was sounding frequently, but now only on twisty minor roads when the central white line seems to drift towards me......  I always leave it on, because one day it might just save me from an accident of my own making.

[ColinB]

The lane departure system has improved my driving habits, at least as far as signalling lane-changing is concerned.

Interesting ... I find the opposite. When I did my IAM test I was advised to signal only when necessary. So, on a motorway for example, signal when moving from lane 1 out to lane 2 to overtake, but not necessarily when returning to lane 1 after the overtake (assuming there's no following traffic that would benefit from a signal). Now I find I'm signalling just to keep the alarm from sounding rather than because a signal is necessary.

[guest6112]

The lane departure system has improved my driving habits, at least as far as signalling lane-changing is concerned.

Interesting ... I find the opposite. When I did my IAM test I was advised to signal only when necessary. So, on a motorway for example, signal when moving from lane 1 out to lane 2 to overtake, but not necessarily when returning to lane 1 after the overtake (assuming there's no following traffic that would benefit from a signal). Now I find I'm signalling just to keep the alarm from sounding rather than because a signal is necessary.

The IAM taught me much the same, although their training is good and undoubtedly improves driving standards and personal safety, every situation is unique and requires its own decisions. None include texting !   

[guest5079]

My thanks to ColinB, for although off subject to a degree, his reference to the IAM and unnecessary signals is precisely the way I was taught in my plod days. Nowadays  I sometimes wonder if I have it wrong. We were taught the 'Roadcraft' way and after my weeks of torture and achieving my special piece of paper, we were told that we were at a standard a little above the IAM. The thinking in those days was that we were then in a position to criticize and report if necessary motorists for transgressions.
Today, it seems ( perhaps an exaggeration) that the everyday motorist has to use the indicator stalk every X number of seconds or it will fall off OR those that never signal, perhaps it has.
Sorry for crossing the white line and going off subject.

[andruec]

Another vote for not indicating when you don't have do. I should probably sign up with my local IAM again. I was with them for a year some time back but just when we were going to put me in for the test my circumstances changed and I couldn't go through with it. In fact now that I have a CVT I should do even better since the main thing I got picked up on was clutch control

[culzean]

Another vote for not indicating when you don't have do. I should probably sign up with my local IAM again. I was with them for a year some time back but just when we were going to put me in for the test my circumstances changed and I couldn't go through with it. In fact now that I have a CVT I should do even better since the main thing I got picked up on was clutch control

I stopped indicating when I was actually going around a road island because I quickly realised that when I bothered to indicate I had a lot more people cutting in front of me from entrance roads onto island,  I now only indicate just before the exit I am leaving at.

[Paulwhitt20]

All these safety gimmicks are to make up for the fact that most drivers aren't driving to an advanced standard. The best safety device you can put in a car is an advanced driver. I wish the car companies would offer free advanced driving courses for people buying their cars.


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