Modern cars like your Volvo have new innovations and adaptations that help to improve both driving experience and safety. Adaptive cruise control (ACC) is one such innovation, and it helps to improve your driving experience by maintaining a good distance between your vehicle and the one in front of you.
With this system, you can drive safer with less risk of crashes. ACC is not without its problems, however, and identifying problems early is key to ensuring safety on the road. This guide will discuss some early signs of a vehicle’s ACC malfunction.
Common Symptoms of an ACC Malfunction
Before we discuss the signs of a car’s ACC failure, let us first address how this system works. The adaptive cruise control system has various sensors and components that help to detect and measure the speed at which the vehicle in front of you moves.
It then works with other components to adjust the speed of your car to match that of the car ahead of you. This helps to keep a safe distance between the two vehicles. In essence, if the car in front of you slows down or speeds up, your car will do the same. The ACC system isn’t foolproof though, so you need to know the signs of a possible malfunction and what steps to take to fix it.
Here are some indications that the adaptive cruise control in your car might have an issue.
1. ACC Warning Light
Like most systems, the adaptive cruise control has a warning light on the dashboard. This light keeps the driver informed of any potential issues with the system. If you notice the ACC warning light on your dashboard, you need to check the system for problems.
2. Distance Problems
The main essence of adaptive cruise control is to put some distance between two vehicles, avoiding crashes or collisions. If you notice that your car is experiencing distancing issues, such as not slowing down when coming close to another vehicle or not speeding up after the road clears, then you should have the ACC system checked.
3. Unexpected Braking or Acceleration
Braking and acceleration are the two major functions when it comes to the adaptive cruise control system. Your car should only brake when the vehicle in front of you slows down or comes to a halt, and should only accelerate when the road ahead is clear. If your car brakes unexpectedly or accelerates when there is an obstruction in front of you, then the ACC could be faulty. You should turn it off and take it in for a check.
Other signs include:
- Error messages on the dashboard.
- Poor ACC engagement or disengagement.
- Failure to detect vehicles easily.
Factors that Affect the Adaptive Cruise Control in Your Car
If you notice any malfunction in your Volvo’s adaptive cruise control system, here are some factors that could be the reason.
Bad Weather & Poor Lighting
The ACC sensors are usually behind the windshield and poor weather such as when it is raining or snowing can affect the visibility. This usually leads to the ACC system getting the wrong signals or no signals at all.
Blocked/ Damaged Sensors
ACC sensors detect factors such as the speed of the vehicle ahead of you and your distance from that vehicle. This information is then passed on to the control center which determines the speed of your car. If the sensors are faulty or obstructed, they can send the wrong information.
Dirty Windshield
The sensors need great visibility to identify a vehicle in front and determine its properties. However, if your car’s windshield is dirty, then it could affect the adaptive cruise control’s ability to function properly.
The Clear Path to Fixing Your Volvo’s ACC Malfunctions
The adaptive cruise control system plays an important role in ensuring that you, your vehicle, and other passengers are safe on the road. You can drive fine without it, but with it you can enjoy a better ride and lower your risk of collision. This is why you want to keep it in the best possible working condition, and only a qualified mechanic can help with that.
Bavarium Autoworks has what it takes to do a splendid repair or replacement job on your car, including making sure your ACC is working as it should. We specialize in European make and models, so you can trust us to provide the best services for any of your Volvo’s needs. Our shop is happy to serve drivers in Cupertino, Palo Alto, San Jose, Santa Clara, Saratoga, and Mountain View, CA.