Recently swapped an SEL for a Sportline. I just wondered how any new owners are getting on with the Lane Assist and the Adaptive Cruise Control.

I'm not really used to it yet. Forget to use the indicators or just move across slip roads and the pull on the steering wheel is really disconcerting, almost dangerous. Ditto the cruise control. This speeds up and slows the car down when speed limits change and/or a car slows down ahead - the immediate automatic braking can cause mayhem to vehicles behind who don't expect such a rapid deceleration.

I know these can be tuned off on the menu but what a faff. There's a button for switching off start/stop so why isn't there similar for Lane assist and ACC? Does one get used to these functions and if so how long does it take?

Edited 30 May, 20251 yr by survey

7 hours ago, survey said:

I just wondered how any new owners are getting on with the Lane Assist

Sound of industrial size can of worms creaking open.

I have the old model of lane assist which doesn't detect speed limits, bends etc., but I think you can switch off these more recent extra facilities, which is possibly a good thing (hopefully staying reset when you switch off the engine).

I actually really like my older style ACC and wouldn't buy another car without it, but I do let it influence my driving style to a certain extent, to accommodate how it works. It can be annoying if you don't adapt, as it is a bit slow to unlock from a slower car in front, when pulling out too late on a motorway. It then puts on the brakes just at the worst time, as you note. Solution pull out in plenty of time, giving the system time to disengage. Thus it encourages anticipation, never a bad thing. That early pulling out can annoy motorists in the fast lane exceeding the speed limit, who might have been able to nip past otherwise, but sod those law breakers, why should I worry about them. As a last resort, if you do leave it too late when pulling out, put your foot on the throttle until the system sorts itself out.

There's a little car symbol that comes on the screen in front of you, when ACC detects a car in front and conversely you know when it has disengaged when that symbol goes away.

Another quirk - it is also slow to pick up a new car appearing in front of you, i.e. someone who cuts you up, so you do have to stay alert - again maybe no bad thing.

You can adjust the sensitivity and some people like the fast setting - allows you to get closer to car in front, without the system recognising it (but then does brake faster) and accelerates faster once it unlocks from that car when overtaking. They say overall in practice, it does lead to less unnecessary braking. I did use it for a while and I recall I generally concurred, but it gets set to default at dealer servicing and these days I don't get round to resetting, maybe I should try that again.

There are other useful things to note about how it operates, but I've already gone on too long.

I find ACC makes long motorway journeys more relaxing and less tiring, yet keeps me more attentive of road conditions. It took a while for me to adjust, not using it at first on the busy M25, but no problem even there, now, I just go with the flow. It has malfunctioned twice in really heavy rain, simply turning itself off with some warnings, so it failed safe, but otherwise I find it totally dependable. However, you'll find quite a few here who much prefer simple cruise control, but I just don't agree, ACC is safer.

Never tried lane assist (would like to), but more people criticize that than they do ACC.

Correction first sentence should start.... I have the old model of ACCt

2 hours ago, croquemonsieur said:

it is also slow to pick up a new car appearing in front of you, i.e. someone who cuts you up, so you do have to stay alert

So why do you think it improves the driving experience? I do that anyway.

Look on top menu bar of the info screen on rh side , my Enyaq I can turn off lane assist as the active system is a pain in the arse

23 minutes ago, Redestate said:

Look on top menu bar of the info screen on rh side , my Enyaq I can turn off lane assist as the active system is a pain in the arse

Yes one can turn these assists off but they reset to assists on when restarting the engine.

40 minutes ago, survey said:

Yes one can turn these assists off but they reset to assists on when restarting the engine.

That’s thanks to EU , you can’t permanently turn it off , it must come back on with each switch on as of 2023 😡

My 2022 MG 5 and 2018 Kia ceed I could permanently switch it off

55 minutes ago, Redestate said:

That’s thanks to EU , you can’t permanently turn it off , it must come back on with each switch on as of 2023

They will keep UK cars in line with EU rules as the UK automotive market is still part of the EU and given the polls...

the UK is likely to rejoin the EU in some form or another. Besides, both industry and the Universities are demanding closer ties to the EU as well as being in lock step on many of the EU regulations.

The problem of ACC was discussed at length in 2012-13 about harmonizing EU motoring laws because for ACC: what is the required distance between vehicles? I recall being on a panel at a conference where this came up (In Coventry, I think). You might need your ACC to change the gap in different countries. If you drive with a UK car to France, then into Belgium, Netherlands and Germany, that would be four possible changes to the legally required gap in one day. Possibly without stopping or restarting the car for three of them. You are going to say: "What legally required gap?" This comes down to the Highway Code, and equivalent in other countries, Stopping Distances, your insurance companies, and the risk, all of which will be expensively discussed in court. The automotive companies will reduce their risk of being sued by ensuring the gap is at least the minimum required thinking distance. Note: as this is a "driver aid" and the driver should be able to take over at all times should the aid fail. Therefore, it is not a Critical System (BTW the same applies to ABS and other driver aids) read the small print in the full details buried on a web page somewhere as indicated in your owner's manual. :-)

2o or so years ago I was working on an industry-wide project with one of the subbies who was also doing the R&D for forward-looking radar for acc and lane assist for a major car manufacturer and did some of the first trials in the UK. Many of the hypothetical (he said) problems were discussed over coffee and at lunch. These were the technical problems ever mind the legal, which came up a few years later when it was determined to be technically possible in mass production vehicles.

My own Karoq has CC and I use it, but I would not have ACC or Lane Assist.

13 minutes ago, chills said:

They will keep UK cars in line with EU rules as the UK automotive market is still part of the EU and given the polls...

the UK is likely to rejoin the EU in some form or another. Besides, both industry and the Universities are demanding closer ties to the EU as well as being in lock step on many of the EU regulations.

The problem of ACC was discussed at length in 2012-13 about harmonizing EU motoring laws because for ACC: what is the required distance between vehicles? I recall being on a panel at a conference where this came up (In Coventry, I think). You might need your ACC to change the gap in different countries. If you drive with a UK car to France, then into Belgium, Netherlands and Germany, that would be four possible changes to the legally required gap in one day. Possibly without stopping or restarting the car for three of them. You are going to say: "What legally required gap?" This comes down to the Highway Code, and equivalent in other countries, Stopping Distances, your insurance companies, and the risk, all of which will be expensively discussed in court. The automotive companies will reduce their risk of being sued by ensuring the gap is at least the minimum required thinking distance. Note: as this is a "driver aid" and the driver should be able to take over at all times should the aid fail. Therefore, it is not a Critical System (BTW the same applies to ABS and other driver aids) read the small print in the full details buried on a web page somewhere as indicated in your owner's manual. :-)

2o or so years ago I was working on an industry-wide project with one of the subbies who was also doing the R&D for forward-looking radar for acc and lane assist for a major car manufacturer and did some of the first trials in the UK. Many of the hypothetical (he said) problems were discussed over coffee and at lunch. These were the technical problems ever mind the legal, which came up a few years later when it was determined to be technically possible in mass production vehicles.

My own Karoq has CC and I use it, but I would not have ACC or Lane Assist.

My DAF XG , has ACC, But only passive lane assist

I’ve turned off the distance on the ACC so it only works as a standard cruise control

I would never trust ACC in a fully loaded truck

29 minutes ago, Redestate said:

I would never trust ACC in a fully loaded truck

Truck software was appalling when I looked at some 25 years ago. So much so that I put my concerns in writing and signed it. However, it has improved, I hesitate to say "a lot" over the last couple of decades. Mainly due to court cases rather than a desire for engineering excellence.

26 minutes ago, chills said:

Truck software was appalling when I looked at some 25 years ago. So much so that I put my concerns in writing and signed it. However, it has improved, I hesitate to say "a lot" over the last couple of decades. Mainly due to court cases rather than a desire for engineering excellence.

My collision avoidance sees ghosts and starts to slam brakes on

4 minutes ago, Redestate said:

My collision avoidance sees ghosts and starts to slam brakes on

I've never driven a car with one, but that is a very common complaint with "crisp packet avoidance" systems.

24 minutes ago, Paws4Thot said:

I've never driven a car with one, but that is a very common complaint with "crisp packet avoidance" systems.

New under pants time in a truck and dangerous as it could cause a jackknife or roll over

Edited 31 May, 20251 yr by Redestate

15 hours ago, survey said:

Recently swapped an SEL for a Sportline. I just wondered how any new owners are getting on with the Lane Assist and the Adaptive Cruise Control.

I'm not really used to it yet. Forget to use the indicators or just move across slip roads and the pull on the steering wheel is really disconcerting, almost dangerous. Ditto the cruise control. This speeds up and slows the car down when speed limits change and/or a car slows down ahead - the immediate automatic braking can cause mayhem to vehicles behind who don't expect such a rapid deceleration.

I know these can be tuned off on the menu but what a faff. There's a button for switching off start/stop so why isn't there similar for Lane assist and ACC? Does one get used to these functions and if so how long does it take?

This is one reason im sticking with my 22 SEL. After fighting the steering with a loaned Octavia I was put off that function for life!!

2 hours ago, OldKaroq said:

This is one reason im sticking with my 22 SEL. After fighting the steering with a loaned Octavia I was put off that function for life!!

And I don't blame you

8 hours ago, Redestate said:

My collision avoidance sees ghosts and starts to slam brakes on

I can recommend a Priest to do an exorcism....

Paws4Thot -- Another Quirk.... I was indicating that ACC isn't perfect - that delay in unlocking from a car in front, but particularly recognising a new car that has just cut you up, means that it can't be depended upon to make all the driving decisions for you. And so I don't let it take over and that is a good thing, but I find it just helps to make my driving a bit more relaxing and enjoyable.

It's up to the individual, if you don't like it, turn it off if you can. I used to find simple CC much more frustrating, particularly in heavy traffic and I do find that ACC despite it's quirks, for me makes motorway driving overall less wearing and I remain more alert for longer.

26 minutes ago, croquemonsieur said:

Paws4Thot -- Another Quirk.... I was indicating that ACC isn't perfect - that delay in unlocking from a car in front, but particularly recognising a new car that has just cut you up, means that it can't be depended upon to make all the driving decisions for you. And so I don't let it take over and that is a good thing, but I find it just helps to make my driving a bit more relaxing and enjoyable.

It's up to the individual, if you don't like it, turn it off if you can. I used to find simple CC much more frustrating, particularly in heavy traffic and I do find that ACC despite it's quirks, for me makes motorway driving overall less wearing and I remain more alert for longer.

If only one could turn it off and not have it reset by default.

3 minutes ago, survey said:

If only one could turn it off and not have it reset by default.

Agreed. A pity you can't.

32 minutes ago, croquemonsieur said:

I used to find simple CC much more frustrating, particularly in heavy traffic

Me to, though I don't use it in heavy traffic because of the constant adjustment required.

However, I have noticed that in the last year, since getting the Karoq, on the serval motorways and dual carriage ways I use CC is becoming far more useful as more cars do seem to be at a constant speed. I assume that this is more people using CC. SO I have got back into the habit of using it.

Coming from a Skoda Superb L&K, which was packed with driver assists, Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) was a must-have for me. I wasn’t willing to buy brand new, but eventually found a used one with ACC — surprisingly, many didn’t have it!

The combination of the DSG gearbox and ACC makes for a smooth, semi-autonomous driving experience. That said, I do miss features like lane guidance and blind spot assist — they made long journeys more relaxing and overtaking safer, without needing to constantly check over my shoulder.

That said, I know some people absolutely hate those systems.

Hi , I only engage ACC on a motorway that is not over busy.When I first had my Superb I used I used the function most of the time on motorways but rarely use it now.

The reason is quite straightforward , the system worked well , too well and I found the experience rather daunting and the car continually adjusted speed with to suit road continually heavy breaking.

I really find blind spot really useful

It is entirely possible to code out the advanced functions of the cruise control and lane assist, leaving you with the absolute minimum of both.

VCDS is capable of doing so, at least on older models. Whether it affects warranty and insurance is a different topic.

Appreciate your reply

12 hours ago, MrSecretPotato said:

It is entirely possible to code out the advanced functions of the cruise control and lane assist, leaving you with the absolute minimum of both.

VCDS is capable of doing so, at least on older models. Whether it affects warranty and insurance is a different topic.

If you are changing the firmware/software, it almost certainly does affect the insurance and warrantee.
If it is other than changing settings that are available to change, how do you test the modified software? .