The Bendix Wingman ACB System ® ® Active Cruise with Braking Operator’s Manual WARNING: Improper use of the Bendix® Wingman® ACB system can result in a collision causing property damage, serious injuries, or death. Be sure to read, understand, and follow all these instructions carefully. WARNING: The driver is always responsible for the control and safe operation of the vehicle at all times.
Where to find additional information about the Bendix® systems on your vehicle 1. Consult the vehicle manufacturer’s documentation. 2. Visit www.bendix.com for free downloads of the Service Data sheets listed below, or order paper copies of these publications from the Literature Center at www.bendix.com. • SD-13-3333 Bendix® Wingman® ACB Service Data Sheet • SD-13-4869 Bendix® EC-60™ ABS/ATC/ESP Controllers (Advanced) Service Data Sheet 3. Contact the Bendix Tech Team at techteam@bendix.
Important Safety Information About Bendix® Wingman® ACB SECTION 1: GENERAL The driver is always responsible for the control and safe operation of the vehicle at all times. The Bendix® Wingman® ACB system does not replace the need for a skilled, alert professional driver, reacting appropriately and in a timely manner, and using safe driving practices. Use cruise control only in the conditions that are normally recommended for its use.
The Bendix® Wingman® ACB system reacts ONLY to vehicles moving in the same direction as your vehicle. The Wingman ACB system DOES NOT respond to side-to-side moving traffic, or oncoming traffic. The system WILL NOT slow your vehicle or provide an alert as you approach vehicles in these circumstances.
The Following Distance Alert (FDA) provides both audible and visual alerts whenever the time between your vehicle and the vehicle ahead is less than one and a half (1½) seconds* and getting closer. Once the audible alert is given, the driver should increase the distance between his/her vehicle and the vehicle ahead until the audible alert stops. The FDA is ready to alert the driver whenever the vehicle is moving above 5 mph (8km/h).
Brake Overuse Alert - The Bendix ® Wingman ® ACB system provides a warning when the system is intervening and using the foundation brakes excessively. Overuse of the foundation brakes can lead to the brakes overheating and a potential loss of braking performance caused by brake fade. Using cruise control on downhill runs will cause this alert to be activated. Approach grades as you would normally, with the appropriate gear selected and at a safe speed. Cruise control should NOT be used on downhill grades.
SECTION 3: EQUIPMENT MAINTENANCE Importance of Antilock Braking System (ABS) Maintenance – Optimal Bendix® Wingman® ACB system braking requires a properly maintained ABS system, without any active ABS Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs). Have active DTCs repaired by a qualified technician. Any ABS DTCs will cause the Wingman ACB system to deactivate.
Table of Contents Important Safety Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-7 Bendix Wingman ACB System Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-12 The Bendix Wingman ACB System Components . . . . . . . . . . . 13 The Active Cruise Control with Braking Feature . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 What is Following Distance? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 ACB Collision Mitigation Feature Operation . . . . . .
The Bendix ESP Stability System ® ® All vehicles equipped with the Bendix® Wingman® ACB system are also equipped with the Bendix® ESP® stability system. The Bendix ESP stability system is an always ready, full‑stability system which monitors vehicle performance and, when necessary, automatically intervenes to reduce the throttle and/ or apply the foundation brakes to help you maintain stability during potential loss-of-control or rollover events.
The Bendix Wingman ACB System Overview ® ® The Bendix® Wingman® ACB system is an integrated combination of three features: • Active cruise control with braking; • Alerts (three types of alerts); and • Collision mitigation technology. See the diagram below.
Once cruise control is set and the system is maintaining a set following distance between you and the vehicle in front: If the vehicle in front of you slows down below your cruise control’s set speed, the system will intervene, as necessary, in this order: (a) reduce the engine throttle; then (b) apply the engine retarder; then (c) apply the foundation brakes, in an attempt to maintain the set following distance behind the vehicle ahead.
The Bendix Wingman ACB System Components ® ® The Bendix® Wingman® ACB radar locates and tracks moving vehicles. The radar is located at the front of your vehicle – either on the bumper or just behind it on a cross-member. When located behind the bumper, in some cases the unit also may be behind a protective covering that allows the radar signal to pass through. The Bendix Wingman ACB radar is pre-aligned at the factory and no adjustment should be needed.
The Active Cruise Control with Braking Feature NOTE: Whenever the cruise control is set, the active cruise control with braking feature is also set. Setting Cruise Control Examples of cruise control switches First, switch on the cruise control. Accelerate your vehicle to the cruise control speed you wish to maintain, then press the cruise control set switch. The active cruise control with braking feature is now ready and will help you maintain a set following distance.
NOTE: Cruise control will automatically cancel whenever the Bendix® Wingman® ACB system applies the foundation brakes. You can verify the system is disengaged by observing that the cruise-enabled icon is no longer illuminated. You must resume or set cruise control in order to regain normal cruise control functionality and to re-engage the active cruise control with braking feature of the Wingman ACB system.
What to Expect Section One: All driving scenarios (Cruise is either “ON” or “OFF”) Typical System Indication/Alerts Situation Typical System Actions A broken-down vehicle is stationary in the lane in which your vehicle is traveling. A Stationary Object Alert may be issued up to three (3) seconds prior to impact. None. A pedestrian, deer or dog runs in front of your vehicle. None. None. Another vehicle crosses the road perpendicular to your path of travel – such as at an intersection. None. None.
What to Expect Section Two (continued): Cruise control “ON” and speed “SET” Situation The detected forward vehicle slows rapidly. Typical System Indication/Alerts Typical System Actions The Impact Alert (IA) warning (continuous tone), will sound and a visual message/ icon typically appears on the dash screen or DIU display. The Following Distance Alert may also be heard.
What to Expect (continued) Section Three: Cruise control speed NOT “SET”, or “OFF” Situation System Indication/Alerts Typical System Actions If your vehicle comes up fast behind a slowermoving detected forward vehicle. The Following Distance Alert (FDA) will sound and a visual message/icon typically appears on the dash screen or DIU display. Depending on how close your vehicle approaches, the system may initiate an Impact Alert. None. The detected forward vehicle slows rapidly.
How Your Actions Impact the Bendix Wingman ACB System ® ® The following chart illustrates how the Bendix® Wingman® ACB system will react to various actions you may initiate. If you do this: Typical Wingman ACB system responses: Step on the brake. (During an ACB event.) The driver is always in control and is able to apply full braking force (assuming a properly maintained vehicle). Step aggressively on The driver is always in control. His/her actions the accelerator.
Alerts and Warnings The Bendix Wingman® ACB system is a unique patented system that functions differently than other cruise control/forward collision alert and mitigation systems. It is important for YOU to fully understand the system’s features, especially the driver indications and alerts. ® Three main alerts provided by the Wingman ACB system are the Impact Alert (IA), Following Distance Alert (FDA), and Stationary Object Alert (SOA).
Following Distance Alert (FDA) The Following Distance Alert (FDA) provides both audible and visual alerts whenever the distance between your vehicle and the detected forward vehicle ahead is less than the one and a half (1½) seconds* and getting closer. Once the audible alert is given, the driver should increase the distance between his/her vehicle and the vehicle ahead until the audible alert stops. • Always ready The FDA is ready to alert the driver whenever the vehicle is moving above 5 mph (8km/h).
Special Alerts Brake Overuse Warning – The Bendix® Wingman® ACB system provides a warning when the system uses the foundation brakes excessively. Overuse of the foundation brakes can lead to the brakes overheating and a potential loss of braking performance caused by brake fade. Approach grades as you would normally, with the appropriate gear selected and at a safe speed. Cruise control should NOT be used on downhill grades. The driver should use appropriate gearing and brake techniques on downhill grades.
any other factors they are encountering, as they choose how to react to any alerts they receive from the Bendix® Wingman® ACB system. When Not to Use Cruise Control The active cruise control and braking feature in Wingman ACB is automatically ready when normal cruise control is set. This vehicle’s cruise control must only be used in the same conditions that are normally recommended for ordinary cruise control.
Additional Operational Notes Adjusting the Alert Volume The Bendix Wingman® ACB audible alerts are pre-set at the factory for fully integrated systems and can not be turned off by the driver, nor can the volume be adjusted, unless configured to do so. For systems using a Driver Interface Unit (DIU) display, see the Service Data Sheet (SD‑13‑4962) for information about volume adjustment.
Pedestrians, Animals, Non-Metallic and Limited-Metallic Objects The Bendix® Wingman ® ACB system will not warn or react to pedestrians, animals, and non-metallic objects. The Wingman ACB system may not warn or react to limited-metallic objects (such as recreational vehicles, horse-drawn buggies, motorcycles, logging trailers, etc). Tracking Vehicles in a Curve With cruise control set — when following a detected forward vehicle around a curve — the forward vehicle may be lost by the radar.
Approaching Slower Moving Vehicles When approaching a slower-moving vehicle ahead, the driver should anticipate this and begin applying the vehicle’s brakes early. Do not wait for the Bendix® Wingman® ACB system to intervene. Vehicles Crossing Your Path or Coming Towards You The Bendix Wingman ACB system reacts ONLY to vehicles moving in the same direction as your vehicle. The Wingman ACB system DOES NOT respond to side-to-side moving traffic, or oncoming traffic.
Preventive Maintenance: The Bendix Wingman® ACB system is relatively maintenance free. The key items to keep the system functioning properly include: 1. Keep the radar lens clean and free of obstructions. 2. Inspect for any damage to the bumper or the Bendix Wingman ACB cover, bracket, or radar to ensure that the alignment has not been compromised. Never use the radar unit as a step. 3. Periodically check the radar alignment. 4.
3. How can I tell the difference between the alerts? Any audible and/or visual alert by the system means that your vehicle is too close to the vehicle ahead and the driver must immediately act to potentially avoid — or lessen the severity of — a collision. A solid tone means you should actively apply the brakes because the Bendix® Wingman® ACB braking capability is not enough to ensure a safe following distance.
