Adaptive Cruise and brake lights

CRApex · July 25, 2023

Ever follow a car and it seems like the driver is constantly tapping the brakes? Very annoying especially when traffic is flowing at a consistent rate.

While I'm not a big fan of adaptive cruise (yet) I have used it and it certainly makes for an easier drive on the highway in traffic. I do notice though that it feels as if the brakes are being utilized quite a bit, truck drops back just a bit then speeds up to reach the set speed then slows as the car in front slows a bit.

Does anyone know if the adaptive cruise is making me look like that annoying guy that is constantly riding the brakes everytime the truck needs to slow a bit? I'm not referring to actual situtaions where traffic slows and you would normally hit the brakes, just the situation where the truck drops speed as it senses the vehicle in front.

Edited July 25, 2023 by CRApex

MTU Alum · July 25, 2023

FVMSS requirement to turn on tail lights if vehicle is decelerating over 0.1 g.

#iworkforGM

Michael621 · July 26, 2023

11 hours ago, CRApex said:

Ever follow a car and it seems like the driver is constantly tapping the brakes? Very annoying especially when traffic is flowing at a consistent rate.

While I'm not a big fan of adaptive cruise (yet) I have used it and it certainly makes for an easier drive on the highway in traffic. I do notice though that it feels as if the brakes are being utilized quite a bit, truck drops back just a bit then speeds up to reach the set speed then slows as the car in front slows a bit.

Does anyone know if the adaptive cruise is making me look like that annoying guy that is constantly riding the brakes everytime the truck needs to slow a bit? I'm not referring to actual situtaions where traffic slows and you would normally hit the brakes, just the situation where the truck drops speed as it senses the vehicle in front.

Good question, I feel the same way and wondered the same thing. At least no flashing 3rd light on the rear, that is extra annoying!

jd64 · July 26, 2023

yea, i noticed the brake light reflection in the front of my trailer last weekend when the regular cruise was engaged and slowing down going down grades.

newdude · July 28, 2023

On 7/25/2023 at 9:58 AM, CRApex said:

Ever follow a car and it seems like the driver is constantly tapping the brakes? Very annoying especially when traffic is flowing at a consistent rate.

While I'm not a big fan of adaptive cruise (yet) I have used it and it certainly makes for an easier drive on the highway in traffic. I do notice though that it feels as if the brakes are being utilized quite a bit, truck drops back just a bit then speeds up to reach the set speed then slows as the car in front slows a bit.

Does anyone know if the adaptive cruise is making me look like that annoying guy that is constantly riding the brakes everytime the truck needs to slow a bit? I'm not referring to actual situtaions where traffic slows and you would normally hit the brakes, just the situation where the truck drops speed as it senses the vehicle in front.

Would you rather the car behind you NOT know you are slowing down in some capacity?

That's why the feds require brake lamp illumination for these systems. Same goes for regenerative braking on EVs and hybrids. And EVs like the Chevy Bolt for example have one pedal driving and the regen paddle that when you use all of it gives you friction brake levels of stopping power.

Edited July 28, 2023 by newdude

CRApex · July 29, 2023

17 hours ago, newdude said:

Would you rather the car behind you NOT know you are slowing down in some capacity?

.

Like I said in my post “I’m not referring to actual situations where traffic slows and you would normally hit the brakes”. Of course I want other traffic to know I’m slowing. The question was more along the lines of WHEN and in what scenario the brake lights come on. When not using a cruise, most people can just let off the gas and not hit the brakes, I was wondering if adaptive cruise automatically added brake lights each time that happened. MTU Alum I believe provided me the answer. Thank you

64BAwagon · July 29, 2023

We had some class 6 trucks in the early 2000's that came with exhaust brakes. At the time there was no DOT requirement for this style of auxiliary braking to engage the brake lights. We ended up writing it into the specs on the next trucks once we figure out it wasnt on them. We were able to go back and rewire the early ones to enable it.