Chevrolet Safety Technologies Give Owners a Backup Plan

Rear vision camera, rear cross traffic alert the brains behind every great vehicle

Every year, millions of trash cans, lawn mowers, lamp posts and even other vehicles pay the price for the collective lack of eyes in the backs of our heads. 

A rear vision camera and rear cross traffic alert are giving customers
 an extra set of “eyes” so they have the backup plan they need.

Two crash-avoidance technologies available on selected Chevrolet vehicles – a rear vision camera and rear cross traffic alert – are giving customers an extra set of “eyes” so they have the backup plan they need.

Most 2015 Chevrolet models are available with a rear vision camera that – when combined with driver diligence and rearview and side mirrors, help improve visibility and reduce the potential for damage to vehicles, belongings and landscaping. The camera also shows detection displays for rear parking assist and rear cross traffic alert system in models equipped with these technologies.

When a driver shifts into Reverse, the camera provides a view of the scene directly behind the vehicle on the center stack (or in some models, the inside rearview mirror) display to help them avoid crashing into objects behind the vehicle during low-speed maneuvering.

After shifting out of Reverse, the image is removed if the vehicle speed exceeds 5 mph, or several seconds expire, or radio buttons are pressed, whichever comes first.

“Rear vision cameras have been a huge help to drivers, but they are never a substitute for conducting an actual assessment of what’s around or behind the vehicle, and using the mirrors,” said Raymond Kiefer, General Motors Active Safety Technical Fellow.

Owners can help ensure this technology does its job with regular car washes that help keep the rear vision camera located in the rear of the vehicle free of dirt, mud, ice and other substances.

An AutoTrader.com survey also showed these features rank high by the buying public.

“The majority of AutoTrader.com shoppers agree that the most important technology feature in their cars is a rearview camera,” said Michelle Krebs, AutoTrader.com senior analyst. “Not only do they want this feature, they expect it to be a standard feature in new or used vehicles on dealer lots.”

For the 2015 model year, the Chevrolet Sonic, Cruze, Volt, Malibu, Impala, SS, Camaro, Corvette, Captiva, Equinox, Traverse, Colorado, Express, Silverado, Tahoe and Suburban are available with a rear vision camera.

Rear cross traffic alert

Rear cross traffic alert is a very forward-thinking technology for anyone who has ever tried to back out of a parking spot or driveway with side obstructions.

It works when the vehicle is in Reverse, and uses one left and one right short-range radar that monitor up to 65 feet to the left and right. When the system senses approaching left or right cross traffic, red flashing triangles with left or right pointing arrows are shown in the rear vision camera screen and three low-pitched beeps sound.

For owners of Chevrolet models equipped with the available Safety Alert Seat, when activated, the seat will pulse on the side of the source of the threat, meaning a vehicle approaching from the right will trigger a vibration on the right side of the seat.

“Our owners have rated this rear cross traffic alert technology very high,” said Kiefer. “They enjoy having technology that alerts them to situations that are difficult to see, particularly if the have range-of-motion issues.”

Rear cross traffic alert is offered on the 2015 Cruze, Impala, SS, Traverse, Tahoe and Suburban.

Chevrolet’s Crash Course on Avoiding Collisions

Advanced technologies can help area customers in common crash situations

Even the best, most defensive drivers can end up in an unexpected crash. Chevrolet’s 2015 lineup provides key features that help protect drivers and passengers before, during or after a crash, but the focus is on new technologies aimed at helping avoid the crash in the first place. 

According to a 2012 National Highway Traffic Safety Administration report, more than one in four police-reported vehicle crashes each year are rear-end collisions between a driver and the vehicle they are following, Nearly one in 10 happen during lane changes made at the wrong time.

Chevrolet is using cameras, radar and ultrasonic sensor technology to help Bismarck-Mandan area drivers avoid these rear-end collisions and blind spot-caused sideswipes, as well as parking lot fender benders and more.

“Here at Kupper Chevrolet, we are very excited about these new safety technologies. These customer-focused features not only help protect drivers and passengers before, during or after a crash, but can help drivers avoid the crash altogether,” said Justin Rambur, New Car Sales Manager of Kupper Chevrolet. 

There is also a new “Safety Alert Seat” feature to help hearing-impaired drivers and persuade drivers to leave features turned on.

Like a Smart phone, Bismarck-area drivers can select vibrating rather than beeping alerts that intuitively “tap” them on the left, right, or both sides of the seat bottom to help direct their attention to a possible crash situation detected by the vehicle sensors. The Safety Alert Seat is available on Silverado, Tahoe, and Suburban.

Chevrolet’s crash avoidance technologies are designed to help drivers in many everyday situations, though none substitutes for careful, distraction-free driving, use of seat belts and child seats when appropriate, obeying traffic laws and driving sober and unimpaired.

Here are a few Chevrolet crash avoidance technologies: 

• Rear Vision Camera, when backing, displays the scene behind that may be unseen by the driver or in mirrors.  Uses a rear camera. Available across the Chevrolet lineup. 

• Rear Cross Traffic Alert lets you know if a car is approaching from the side when backing, such as when parked between two large vehicles. Uses two rear corner radars. Available on 2015 Cruze, Impala, SS, Traverse, Tahoe and Suburban.

• Side Blind Zone Alert, alerts the driver if a vehicle is in the left or right side blind spot – before a possible lane change. Uses two rear corner radars. Available on Cruze, Impala, SS, Traverse, Tahoe and Suburban.

• Forward Collision Alert, may “see” a crash situation before you do, and can alert a driver when a crash into a vehicle you are following is imminent. Uses front camera and/or radar. Available on 2015 Volt, Malibu, Impala, Equinox, SS, Traverse, Colorado, Silverado, Tahoe, Suburban.

Other Chevrolet crash-avoidance features include Front Automatic Braking, Adaptive Cruise Control, and Lane Departure Warning.

Front Automatic Braking automatically applies the brake when the system may see a crash situation ahead before you do, and can be thought of us a “backup” or “Plan B” if you do not respond quickly to Forward Collision Alert warnings, or if a rear-end crash situation quickly unfolds. At lower speeds, the feature may even help avoid the crash, while at higher speeds, it can reduce crash severity and injury. Uses front radar.

Adaptive Cruise Control works like regular cruise control until you are following a vehicle ahead, when it automatically accelerates and brakes (up to moderate levels) to help follow at a driver-selected cruise speed and following gap while you steer and pay attention to the road. Uses front radar.

Lane Departure Warning can alert a driver who drifts out of detected lane lines unintentionally or without a turn signal, when traveling faster than 35 MPH, which can sometimes happen to distracted or tired drivers. Uses front camera.

The focus on driver and passenger safety is a pillar of the Chevrolet. Examples of safety leadership include:

• Chevrolet has more vehicles with a 5-star Overall Vehicle Score from the federal government than Toyota or Ford. Models include Sonic, Volt, Camaro Coupe, Malibu, Impala, Traverse and the Silverado 1500 Crew Cab).
• The 2014 Chevrolet Equinox and Malibu received Insurance Institute for Highway Safety 2014 Top Safety Pick + ratings – the highest conferred – on models with available forward collision alert. Equinox and its GMC sibling, the Terrain, were the only compact SUVs of nine tested to earn this rating.
• The 2014 Spark is the only mini car named an IIHS Top Safety Pick.