Ford Police Interceptor Sedan (2018 year). Manual - part 32

System Sensor Blockage

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The system uses radar sensors that are
located behind the bumper fascia on each
side of your vehicle. Any dirt, mud and
snow in front of the sensors and/or driving
in heavy rain can cause system
degradation. Also, other types of
obstructions in front of the sensor can
cause system degradation. This is referred
to as a ‘blocked’ condition.

Note:

Do not apply bumper stickers and/or

repair compound to these areas, this can
cause degraded system performance.

If the system detects a degraded
performance condition, a message warning
of a blocked sensor will appear in the
information display. Also the system alert
indicators will remain ON and the system
will no longer provide any vehicle warnings.
You can clear the information display
warning but the alert indicators will remain
illuminated.

A "blocked" condition can be cleared in
two ways:
•

After the blockage in front of the
sensors is removed or the
rainfall/snowfall rate decreases or
stops, drive for a few minutes in traffic
to allow the sensors to detect passing
vehicles.

•

By cycling the ignition from ON to OFF
and then back ON.

Note:

When towing a trailer, the sensors

may detect the trailer thus causing a false
alert. It may be desirable to turn the Blind
Spot Information System off if the false
alerts become annoying.

System Errors

If the system senses a problem with the
left or right sensor, the telltale will
illuminate and a message will appear in
the information display.  See Information
Messages

 (page 77).

System Limitations

The system does have its limitations;
situations such as severe weather
conditions or debris build-up on the sensor
may limit vehicle detection.

The following are other situations that may
limit the system:
•

Certain maneuvering of vehicles
entering and exiting the blind zone.

•

Vehicles passing through the blind zone
at very fast rates.

•

When several vehicles forming a
convoy pass through the blind zone.

Switching the System Off and On

You can temporarily switch the Blind Spot
Information System off in the information
display.  See General Information (page
74).  When the Blind Spot Information
System switches off, you will not receive
alerts and the information display shows
a system off message. The telltale in the
cluster also illuminates. When you switch
the Blind Spot Information System on or
off, the alert indicators flash twice.

Note:

The system switches back on every

time you start your vehicle.

You can also have the Blind Spot
Information System switched off
permanently at an authorized dealer. Once
switched off permanently, the system can
only be switched back on at an authorized
dealer.

CROSS TRAFFIC ALERT

WARNING

Never

 use the Cross Traffic Alert

system as a replacement for using
the interior and exterior mirrors and

looking over your shoulder before backing
out of a parking space. Cross Traffic Alert
is not a replacement for careful driving.

Cross Traffic Alert is designed to warn you
of vehicles approaching from the sides
when the transmission is in reverse (R).

Using the System

Cross Traffic Alert turns on when you start
the engine and you shift into reverse (R).
Once shifted out of reverse (R), Cross
Traffic Alert turns off.

Note:

Cross Traffic Alert only functions

while your transmission is in reverse (R).

Cross Traffic Alert is designed to alert the
driver of certain collision risks. Coverage
decreases when the sensors are partially,
mostly or fully obstructed. Reversing slowly
helps increase the coverage area and
effectiveness.

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In this first example, the left sensor is only
partially obstructed; zone coverage to the
right is nearly maximized.

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Zone coverage also decreases when
parking at shallow angles. Here, the left
sensor is mostly obstructed; zone coverage
on that side is severely limited.

System Lights, Messages and
Audible Alerts

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The Cross Traffic Alert illuminates an
amber alert indicator in the outside mirror
on the side of your vehicle the approaching
vehicle is coming from. Cross Traffic Alert
also sounds an audible alert and a
message appears in the information
display indicating a vehicle is coming from
the right or left. Cross Traffic Alert works
with the reverse sensing system that
sounds its own series of tones.  See Rear
Parking Aid

 (page 125).

E205199

The system uses radar sensors that are
located behind the bumper fascia on each
side of your vehicle. Do not allow mud,
snow or bumper stickers to obstruct these
areas, this can cause degraded system
performance.  See Blind Spot

Information System

 (page 130).  If the

Blind Spot Information System is blocked,
Cross Traffic Alert is also blocked. A
corresponding message appears in the
information display as soon as you shift
the transmission into reverse (R).

System Limitations

Cross Traffic Alert has its limitations;
situations such as severe weather
conditions or debris build-up on the sensor
area may limit vehicle detection.

The system detects approaching vehicles
from up to 45 ft (14 m) away, though
coverage decreases when the sensors are
blocked. Reversing slowly helps increase
the coverage area and effectiveness.

The following are other situations that may
limit the Cross Traffic Alert performance:
•

Stationary or slow moving vehicles.

•

Pedestrians or objects in the roadway.

•

Oncoming vehicles in the same lame.

•

Severe weather conditions.

•

Debris build-up near or around the
sensor(s).

•

Small distance to the vehicle ahead.

•

Adjacently parking vehicles or objects
obstructing the sensors.

•

Approaching vehicles passing at
speeds greater than 15 mph (24 km/h).

•

Driving in reverse faster than 3 mph
(5 km/h).

•

Backing out of an angled parking spot.

If the rear end of the vehicle is hit or
damaged, the radar sensing zone may be
altered causing missed or false collision
warnings. See your authorized dealer to
have your collision warning radar checked
for proper coverage and operation.

False Alerts

Note:

When towing a trailer, the sensors

may detect the trailer thus causing a false
alert. It may be desirable to turn the Blind
Spot Information System off if the false
alerts become annoying.

There may be certain instances when there
is a false alert by the Cross Traffic Alert
system that illuminates the alert indicator
with no vehicle in the coverage zone. Some
amount of false alerts are normal; they are
temporary and self-correct.

System Errors

If Cross Traffic Alert senses a problem with
the left or right sensor a message will
appear in the information display.  See
Information Messages

 (page 77).

Switching the System Off and On

You can temporarily switch Cross Traffic
Alert off in the information display.  See
Information Messages

 (page 77).  When

you switch Cross Traffic Alert off, you will
not receive alerts and the information
display will display a system off message.

Note:

The Cross Traffic Alert switches on

whenever the ignition is switched on and
ready to provide appropriate alerts when
the transmission is in reverse (R). Cross
Traffic Alert will not remember the last
selected on or off setting.

You can also have Cross Traffic Alert
switched off permanently at an authorized
dealer. Once switched off permanently,
the system can only be switched back on
at an authorized dealer.