So from what I know, there is no form of collision detection on my car (as signature listed). I remember being in a Passat at work and as I was driving the person in front slammed their brakes on, before I had time to react there was a loud beep and the car had already started braking - I was actually rather impressed.

Anyway, back on-topic. my car doesn't have this, no worries.

 

Couple of nights ago I was tired, I'd had a long day and I really wasn't concentrating. I was reversing towards a wall and watching the reversing sensors.....getting closer and closer to the wall.

I don't know what went wrong, but suddenly loud beep from the car, "collision warning/detection" or something like that on the dash and I'm at a complete halt.

Put car into neutral and get out, fearing the worst - crushed bumper on my "new to me for a couple of months" car.

But no, the car has stopped about an inch or so from the wall, no contact, no damage - but I know it wasn't me who did the braking.

So there is some kind of collision detection going on here?

What you had operate was the parking sensor controlled system which only operates at low speed - I had that operate last year when using Park Assist, and it really slams the brakes on hard!

 

The system you mention on the Passat was radar controlled and operates at higher speeds - if you've got it you'll see the radar in the front bumper (lower grill on pre-FL models, not sure where on FL models).

Edited 22 February, 20197 yr by PetrolDave

10 minutes ago, PetrolDave said:

What you had operate was the parking sensor controlled system which only operates at low speed - I had that operate last year when using Park Assist, and it really slams the brakes on hard!

 

The system you mention on the Passat was radar controlled and operates at higher speeds - if you've got it you'll see the radar in the front bumper (lower grill on pre-FL models, not sure where on F models).

 

Great, thanks for that information.

Obviously actually being awake and aware of your surroundings are most important and then secondary I've got the reversing sensors, but knowing there is a low-speed back-up is nice.

Came as a complete shock, as you say those brakes went on hard and fast - but I'll take the change of underwear over a new bumper!

I've had it go bonkers on a couple of sharp bends, although it didn't slam the brakes on otherwise I'd have a Skoda, BMW, Lexus hybrid.