Hands-free pilot assist for 10 minutes+

[sammyblackbaron]

Yesterday I was driving along the motorway when I came to stop-start traffic due to roadworks. I enabled pilot assist and relaxed as it dealt with everything.

Now normally I have to show that my hands are on the wheel every 15 seconds or so (occasionally sightly longer if the speed is very slow) but this time it didn't require anything from me.

The surprising thing was that when the traffic began to clear, the car accelerated all the way up to 70mph, again with no input from me on the steering wheel. Eventually I took full control again as it clearly wasn't supposed to be doing that.

The only thing that I can think of is that I had my heated steering wheel on. Do you think it's possible that the heat confuses the system and thinks that my hands are on there? Has anyone else experienced this?

Disclaimer: I realise pilot assist isn't meant to be used like this and that my hands should be on the wheel at all times. I had my hands hovering ready to take control.

[Deman77]

I thought it wanted slight steering input not just hands on wheel. I keep my hands on wheel all the time but it still asks for a wiggle. So that is an argument against your heated wheel theory.
Since the steering has no mechanical connection to the wheels it’s unlikely that bumpy road would give the computer false positives. Seems like some sensor fault to me.

[uro1]

Originally Posted by Deman77

I thought it wanted slight steering input not just hands on wheel. I keep my hands on wheel all the time but it still asks for a wiggle. So that is an argument against your heated wheel theory.
Since the steering has no mechanical connection to the wheels it’s unlikely that bumpy road would give the computer false positives. Seems like some sensor fault to me.

No the car looks for light resistance on the wheel. You can test that by putting a light weight like a purse on one side of the wheel. It will keep it from bringing up the "put hands on wheel" message. (Please note that I recommend to keep your hands on the wheel all the time!)

As to the heated wheel. I do not think that is the reason. I use PA2 all the time with the wheel heated in Winter and never had that reaction.

[Philip Fisher]

Originally Posted by Deman77

Since the steering has no mechanical connection to the wheels.

Really? How does that work then? I thought it was conventionally connected and then motor assisted....

[Lexman8]

Originally Posted by Philip Fisher

Really? How does that work then? I thought it was conventionally connected and then motor assisted....

I'm fairly sure the above is correct. Without a mechanical connection the steering would fail completely if there was an electrical or ECU fault. Redundant (fail-safe) systems would have to be added for true drive-by-wire.

[MaDProFF]

Funny I was asking myself that lately, if the steering was electric, what happens if it fails.

Regarding PAS I have tried it and hated it, but it does steer around bends with out your hands on the wheel, quite scary tbh.

I was having to correct it though when over taking cars, not going to stay it would hit them, but it was too close for comfort for no reason in my view, more to the left in the lane than in the middle of your lane.

[MOzS90]

YouTube search the subject.

PA can be used hands free (if the road is suitable) for quite a long time. Cheaper than buying a Tesla!!

[Lexman8]

Electrically assisted steering was introduced to replace the older hydraulic power systems as it imposes a much lower load on the engine. Obviously it's also essential in electric cars which normally have no hydraulic pump. Their ability to be used in driver assistance systems is a bonus.

Anyone who has ever experienced assistance failure (of either kind) will know just how hard it is to steer without it.

[Lexman8]

One of the recent software updates introduced a new algorithm for PA and it is now less rigid with the 15 sec rule. However, I'm surprised it extended to 10 mins on this occasion.

[Deman77]

Originally Posted by MOzS90

YouTube search the subject.

PA can be used hands free (if the road is suitable) for quite a long time. Cheaper than buying a Tesla!!

The way it decides to leave the lame in the bends can make it very expensive. Pilotassist is and advanced lane keeper with automatic speed adjustment - it’s very good but it’s all it is. If you decide to use it as some sort of autonomous driving solution or keep hands off as a matter of course it’s only a matter of time before you learn a hard lesson.