BENDIX VORAD VS-400 Installation and operation manual

Bendix™VORAD®VS-400
Driver Instructions
Bendix™VORAD®Collision Warning System
Bendix™SmartCruise®Adaptive Cruise Control
Bendix™BlindSpotter®Side Object Detection
BW2769 (Formerly VODR0100)
May 2010

FCC Compliance Statement
Federal Communications Commission
This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC (Federal Communications
Commission) rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) This
device may not cause harmful interference and (2) this device must be able to
accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired
operation. Any interference that may be caused should be reported to the local FCC
field office or to the Federal Communications Commission; Enforcement Bureau;
445 12th Street S.W.; Room 7-C485; Washington, DC 20054.
Any changes or modifications made by the user to this equipment that are not
expressly approved by Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems LLC could void the
user’s authority to operate the equipment.
Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of all information in this
brochure. However, Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems LLC makes no expressed
or implied warranty or representation based on the enclosed information. Errors or
omissions should be reported to: Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems LLC, 901
Cleveland Street, Elyria, OH 44035 or 1-800-AIR-BRAKE (1-800-247-2725).
i

Warnings & Cautions
ii
Warnings and Cautions
▲WARNING
!
▲WARNING
!
Improper use of this system could lead to a serious accident. Read this entire
Driver Instructions before operating the Bendix™VORAD®VS-400 Forward
Collision Warning System (CWS), Bendix™SmartCruise®Adaptive Cruise
Control System or Bendix™BlindSpotter Side Object Detection System. Pay
particular attention to the safety messages below. This manual should be
used in conjunction with proper training.
Limitations of the Bendix™VORAD®VS-400 Collision
Warning System
The Bendix™VORAD®VS-400 Forward CWS, Bendix™SmartCruise®Adaptive
Cruise Control System and Bendix™BlindSpotter®Side Object Detection is intended
solely as an aid for an alert and conscientious professional driver. It is not to be used
or relied upon to operate a vehicle. The system should be used in conjunction with
rear view mirrors and other instrumentation to maintain safe operation of the vehicle,
ground personnel, and adjacent property. A vehicle equipped with the Bendix™
VORAD®VS-400 Forward Collision Warning System should be operated in the same
safe manner as if the system were not installed. The system is not a substitute for
normal safe driving procedures. It will not compensate for any driver impairment,
such as drugs, alcohol, or fatigue. Should the system become inoperative, it could
jeopardize the safety or lives of those who depend on the system for safety.
The system will not sense objects if the sensor view is obstructed. Therefore,
do not place objects in front of the system sensor. Remove heavy buildups of
mud, dirt, ice, and other materials.
Proper alignment is critical to correct operation of the system.
Testing and inspection of the system in accordance with these instructions
and record of the results should be listed on the daily maintenance report.
The units on operating vehicles must be tested each day (see the “Testing
and Maintenance” section) prior to the vehicle’s operation. Results of this test
must be recorded in the maintenance log.
People operating this equipment MUST check for proper operation at the
beginning of every shift or safety inspection period.

General Information
▲WARNING
!
Warnings & Cautions
People’s lives depend on the proper installation of this product in
conformance with these instructions. It is necessary to read, understand, and
follow all instructions shipped with the product.
Failure to follow all safety precautions and instructions may result in property
damage, serious injury, or death.
The Bendix™VORAD®VS-400 Forward Collision Warning System (CWS),
Bendix™SmartCruise®Adaptive Cruise Control System or Bendix™
BlindSpotter Side Object Detection System is intended for commercial use.
Proper installation of a backup aid requires a good understanding of truck
electrical systems and procedures, along with proficiency in the installation.
Store these instructions in a safe place and refer to them when maintaining
and/or reinstalling the product.
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Table of Contents
FCC Compliance Statement ......................................................................................i
Warnings & Cautions .............................................................................................ii-iii
Overview...................................................................................................................1
System Operation .....................................................................................................3
Collision Warning System .........................................................................................5
Vehicle Tracking ......................................................................................................12
User Option Settings...............................................................................................14
Side Object Detection .............................................................................................19
Calculating Following Distance................................................................................21
Preventive Maintenance..........................................................................................22
Troubleshooting.......................................................................................................23

Overview
Overview
The Bendix™VORAD®VS-400 collision warning system is an advanced vehicle
on-board radar system that monitors traffic conditions, warning the driver of
potentially hazardous driving situations.
The Bendix™VORAD®VS-400 system can be configured with the following features:
• Collision Warning System only
• SmartCruise®Adaptive Cruise Control only
• Collision Warning and SmartCruise
The Collision Warning System tracks vehicles ahead of the host vehicle, warning
the driver with visual and audible indicators from the in-cab Driver Interface Unit
whenever following distances become unsafe.
SmartCruise®adaptive cruise control adjusts the vehicle’s cruise speed in order
to match the speed of detected traffic ahead allowing the driver to maintain a safe
following distance while in cruise control.
The optional Side Object Detection system warns of unsafe lane changes by
detecting a vehicle that may be difficult to see in the adjacent lane.
▲WARNING
!
1
The Bendix™VORAD®VS-400 system should only be used as a driving aid and not
as a substitute for safe driving practices.

Components
The Bendix™VORAD®VS-400 system is comprised of two main components, the
Forward Looking Radar (FLR) and the Driver Interface Unit (DIU).
The optional Bendix™BlindSpotter®Side Object Detection System includes a Side
Sensor (SS) and Side Sensor Display (SSD).
2
The FLR is located on the forward most position of the vehicle, centered on or near
the front bumper or grill of the vehicle. The DIU is mounted in the dash of the vehicle
within plain view and reach of the driver.
The Side Sensor is typically mounted along the passenger side of the vehicle. The
Side Sensor Display is located on the windshield pillar inside of the cab on the same
side of the vehicle as the sensor.
System Components

System Operation
System Operation
The Bendix™VORAD®VS-400 collision warning system is powered by the vehicle’s
ignition circuit and becomes active whenever the ignition key is switched to the ‘ON’
position.
Bendix™SmartCruise®adaptive cruise control is automatically engaged whenever
the vehicle’s cruise control is activated. See Bendix™SmartCruise®adaptive cruise
control section for more information.
Driver Interface Unit (DIU)
The driver interface unit provides visual and audible following alerts, along with
system status information. The DIU also provides a user interface for changing
system settings.
3

System Operation
System Start Up
When the system is first powered on, the DIU will display which features are
currently installed.
Note: Check with your OEM dealer if you are not sure which features are installed
on your system.
Radar Warm-up
During power-up, if the outside air temperature is below 32 degrees (0 degrees
Celsius) the system start up may be delayed for up to one minute until the forward
radar unit reaches operating temperature. During the warm up period, the DIU will
display a warm up message. Collision Warning and SmartCruise®adaptive cruise
control are not operational during warm up.
System Ready
When the system is operational, the DIU will display the status of the installed
functions, indicating which functions are currently active.
4

Bendix™VORAD®VS-400 Collision Warning System
Bendix™VORAD®VS-400 Collision Warning System
The Bendix™VORAD®VS-400 collision warning system is designed to help the
driver recognize when the following distance is becoming unsafe or to warn the
driver when closing in on slower moving traffic.
Visual Following Alerts
The illustration below shows the different LED indicators for each level of alert.
Three, two, and one second headway indicators are displayed in yellow up the left
hand side of the LCD screen, and the collision alert indicator is displayed in red
across the top of the display.
5
Audible Closing Alerts
When the headway following distance closes in to two seconds following or less, the
driver will be alerted with audible warning tones.
• Closing less than two seconds (single tone)
• Closing less than one second (double tone)
• Collision Alert (repeated tone)

Bendix™VORAD®VS-400 Collision Warning System
Object Detected
If a vehicle is detected in the same lane within 350 feet from the radar, but greater
than a three second following distance, the DIU will display “Object Detected” in the
LCD screen. The driver will not be alerted with any warning lamps or tones.
3 Second Alert
When the vehicle ahead is detected to be within a three-second following distance,
the driver will be alerted with a single yellow LED indicator along with the text “3
Seconds” displayed on the LCD screen. No warning tones are reported with the
three-second alert.
Note: If Bendix™SmartCruise®adaptive cruise control is active at three seconds
following, the SmartCruise status screen will remain displayed and the three-
second LED indicator will illuminate.
Refer to the Bendix™SmartCruise®adaptive cruise control section in this manual for
more information.
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Bendix™VORAD®VS-400 Collision Warning System
2 Second Alert
If the headway following distance decreases to within two seconds, the driver will be
alerted with a second yellow LED indicator and the text “2 Seconds” displayed in the
LCD screen. The DIU will also alert with an audible tone if the following distance is
closing in, warning the driver that the following distance is becoming unsafe.
Note: If a vehicle cuts into your lane in front, but is accelerating away from you, the
DIU may not warn with an audible tone.
Note: If Bendix™SmartCruise®adaptive cruise control is active at two seconds
following or less, the SmartCruise status screen will remain displayed and the
LED following indicators will illuminate.
Refer to the Bendix™SmartCruise®adaptive cruise control section in this manual for
more information.
In most driving situations, following at three seconds or less is considered unsafe
and should warrant the driver to react by slowing the vehicle down in order to
increase the following distance.
▲WARNING
!
7

Bendix™VORAD®VS-400 Collision Warning System
1 Second Alert
If the headway following distance decreases to one second, the driver will be alerted
with three yellow LED indicators along with the text “1 Sec” displayed in the LCD
screen. The DIU will also report an audible tone if the following distance is closing in.
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Collision Alert
If the headway following distance closes to less than one-half second, or the radar
detects slow moving or stopped traffic within 350 feet of the vehicle, the driver will
be alerted with the three red LED indicators along with an audible tone. The LCD
screen will display “Collision Alert”, warning that a collision may occur if the driver
does not take immediate action.

Bendix™SmartCruise®Adaptive Cruise Control
Bendix™SmartCruise®Adaptive Cruise Control
When approaching slower moving traffic with the vehicle’s cruise control active,
Bendix™SmartCruise®adaptive cruise control adapts your vehicle’s cruise speed
to that of the closest vehicle ahead, allowing the vehicle to maintain a set following
distance while remaining in cruise control.
When the vehicle’s cruise control is set, the Driver Interface Unit (DIU) will display
the SmartCruise status screen indicating the vehicle’s current set cruise speed.
9
Bendix™SmartCruise®Adaptive Cruise Control Operation
When the driver sets the desired cruise speed of the vehicle and the VS-400
Forward Looking Radar detects a vehicle in the lane ahead, the Forward Looking
Radar will calculate that vehicle’s speed and lane position and will attempt to
maintain a safe following distance by ‘adapting’ the engine’s cruise speed to that of
the vehicle ahead.
The engine will remain in an adaptive cruise control state until the detected vehicle’s
speed increases beyond the original set cruise speed of the engine, or the driver
changes to a clear lane.

Bendix™SmartCruise®Adaptive Cruise Control
Driver Control
Like normal cruise control, the driver is always in control of the vehicle when
Bendix™SmartCruise®adaptive cruise control is active. Depressing the throttle
will override the SmartCruise and will cause the vehicle to accelerate. Releasing
the throttle will allow Bendix™SmartCruise®adaptive cruise control to regain
control. Depressing the brake and / or clutch pedal (if equipped), will deactivate
SmartCruise.
Approaching Slow Moving Traffic
When approaching slower moving traffic, or if the traffic ahead suddenly slows
down, Bendix™SmartCruise®adaptive cruise control will attempt to maintain the
minimum following distance by reducing the engine’s cruise speed. In some cases,
the engine’s compression brake may be applied in order to assist in decelerating the
vehicle.
Note: The three second following LED indicator will illuminate whenever
SmartCruise is overriding the vehicle’s set cruise speed.
Collision Warning and SmartCruise
If the system is unable to maintain the minimum following distance, and the Collision
Warning feature is installed, the driver will be alerted with the headway alert
indicators and closing alert tones until the driver takes control or conditions clear.
▲WARNING
!
10
The Bendix™SmartCruise®adaptive cruise control system should not be relied upon
to effectively slow the vehicle down when approaching slower moving traffic. The
driver should remain alert and in control of the vehicle at all times.

Bendix™SmartCruise®Adaptive Cruise Control
Bendix™SmartCruise®Adaptive Cruise Control and Automatic Transmissions
Automated shifting transmissions are fully compatible with the Bendix™SmartCruise
adaptive cruise control system. SmartCruise allows the automated transmission
to change gears while keeping the adaptive cruise control active when the vehicle
decelerates and/or accelerates.
Adjusting Following Distance
When SmartCruise®is active, the forward looking radar will attempt to maintain a
default following distance of approximately 3.25 seconds. Some systems allow the
driver to adjust the following distance by changing the range setting in the DIU menu
options.
The user may be able to adjust the following distance from a maximum of 3.25
seconds down to 2.25 seconds.
Note: Refer to the “User Option Settings” section in this manual for more information
on the range setting.
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Vehicle Tracking
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Vehicle Tracking
Multilane Highways and Curves
The forward looking radar (FLR) will track vehicles that are in front of you and in the
left and right adjacent lanes ahead of you. The FLR’s lane discrimination feature
allows the radar to identify which vehicle is in your lane and only track that vehicle.
Lane discrimination also allows the radar to detect if an adjacent vehicle cuts into
the lane in front of you and to track vehicles when entering curves.
Vehicle tracking on a multi-lane highway.
Vehicle tracking in a curve.

Vehicle Tracking
Entering Sharp Curves
The forward looking radar’s built-in yaw sensor calculates turn radius in order to
track the vehicles in your lane when entering curves, but because of the limitations
of the radar’s beam width, the radar may not be able to effectively detect objects in
sharp curves.
13
Do not rely on the system to effectively detect objects when entering sharp curves.
Do not engage cruise control while on an on-ramp or off-ramp.
▲WARNING
!

Menu Options
User Option Settings
To access the user options menu, press the ‘OK’ button on the front of the driver
interface unit (DIU). Use the up/down buttons to navigate the menu options. Use the
OK button to select a menu option.
Note: The vehicle should be stopped before accessing the DIU menu options. Some
menu options may not be available if the vehicle is moving.
14
Menu Options
The following menu selections will appear in a scrollable window in the DIU screen.
Some items may not appear if the feature is not configured or if the item is not
allowed to be viewed when the vehicle is moving.
• Demo
• Volume (default)
• Range
• Brightness
• MPH/KPH
• System Status
• Diagnostics Display

Menu Options
Driver Demo
The Bendix™VORAD®VS-400’s demo mode allows the driver to become familiar
with all the different alerts and screens of the Driver Interface Unit before using the
system.
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Note: If the vehicle is moving, demo mode will not be available.
Volume
The volume setting allows the driver to adjust the level of the audible warning tones.
Optional configurations for the volume setting are a set minimum level and a default
maximum volume setting at power up.