jamesinger
03-24-2017, 08:02 PM
I do not usually post threads but after searching and reading a lot on Audi's Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), I felt this thread is warranted for the SO. Cal. part of this forum.
I have had a 2012 A4 Avant Prestige S-Line for a couple years now. I really love the car, and the ACC is a real game changer. However, driving in LA it seems like the ACC is inadequate for the vehicular warfare that I am in on any given day (i.e. East Pasadena 210e --> 134e --> 101e to Woodland Hills). I really love the ACC feature but in the more contentious drive time traffic, I feel it is almost dangerous to use when people are swerving in and out of lanes while slamming on their brakes and then jamming on the accelerator in seemingly typical nonsensical LA driver fashion. What happens to me is the brake guard starts dinging and even vibing the brakes. Sometimes the car will even surge at a car that just cut me off only to then freak out and start dinging and etc. Other times, I will step in and brake because it seems like the car has seen the red mist and is just going to ram the offending car [headbang].
The reason I feel it is worth trying to start a discussion is because I would like to know other people's strategies for dealing with ACC in LA traffic. My ACC cuts out at 12mph. That is OK with me but what is more annoying than the lack of stop and go is the car's inability to deal with the wild side of LA traffic at speeds of around 20-60mph, mainly when flow is slow but with random people trying to punch through traffic with sporadic lane changes. It might just be the case that my expectations are unreasonable. I am OK with that...but I would really like to use ACC in heavy traffic because that is really where I want it to work the most.
Just FYI, because of the type of person I am, I have driven in Dynamic with varying space cushions, regular also with varying space cushions, and comfort with varying space cushions. I have also tried different lanes and speeds. My current technique is to set the ACC to comfort at 80 mph with only a single car length distance while sticking to the #1 or 2 lanes (i.e. the "passing" lane or the lane next to the passing lane. This works best but still not within my expectations. What my fantasy would be is to be able to set the ACC and just let it do its thing from Pasadena to Woodland Hills without drama. If I go under 12mph, it would be nice to have stop and go but I am OK with having to take over at that speed. However, it would be nice to be able to leave the ACC on at speeds of over 12mph and up to 75 or so.
Have you other people with ACC figured out any interesting tips or tricks to get the ACC to deal with LA traffic, or is it just a dream?? Please tell me your stories or give any tips/tricks.
Thank you for your feedback.
p.s. flame suit is on. I am totally ready to be laughed at for my expectations.
I have had a 2012 A4 Avant Prestige S-Line for a couple years now. I really love the car, and the ACC is a real game changer. However, driving in LA it seems like the ACC is inadequate for the vehicular warfare that I am in on any given day (i.e. East Pasadena 210e --> 134e --> 101e to Woodland Hills). I really love the ACC feature but in the more contentious drive time traffic, I feel it is almost dangerous to use when people are swerving in and out of lanes while slamming on their brakes and then jamming on the accelerator in seemingly typical nonsensical LA driver fashion. What happens to me is the brake guard starts dinging and even vibing the brakes. Sometimes the car will even surge at a car that just cut me off only to then freak out and start dinging and etc. Other times, I will step in and brake because it seems like the car has seen the red mist and is just going to ram the offending car [headbang].
The reason I feel it is worth trying to start a discussion is because I would like to know other people's strategies for dealing with ACC in LA traffic. My ACC cuts out at 12mph. That is OK with me but what is more annoying than the lack of stop and go is the car's inability to deal with the wild side of LA traffic at speeds of around 20-60mph, mainly when flow is slow but with random people trying to punch through traffic with sporadic lane changes. It might just be the case that my expectations are unreasonable. I am OK with that...but I would really like to use ACC in heavy traffic because that is really where I want it to work the most.
Just FYI, because of the type of person I am, I have driven in Dynamic with varying space cushions, regular also with varying space cushions, and comfort with varying space cushions. I have also tried different lanes and speeds. My current technique is to set the ACC to comfort at 80 mph with only a single car length distance while sticking to the #1 or 2 lanes (i.e. the "passing" lane or the lane next to the passing lane. This works best but still not within my expectations. What my fantasy would be is to be able to set the ACC and just let it do its thing from Pasadena to Woodland Hills without drama. If I go under 12mph, it would be nice to have stop and go but I am OK with having to take over at that speed. However, it would be nice to be able to leave the ACC on at speeds of over 12mph and up to 75 or so.
Have you other people with ACC figured out any interesting tips or tricks to get the ACC to deal with LA traffic, or is it just a dream?? Please tell me your stories or give any tips/tricks.
Thank you for your feedback.
p.s. flame suit is on. I am totally ready to be laughed at for my expectations.