What is the difference between Normal, Wide and Warning Only? I don't seem to be getting any feedback when I cross lane divider lines and am wondering if it is even working.

 

Slightly length response in case you are not completely familiar with the systems.

First let's get the terms correct as the manual does not do a good job in differentiating them. There is Lane Departure Warning Indicator (LDW) and Road Departure Mitigation (RDM), grouped together. They are available on only the Advance (or Elite) models. The functions are almost the same, and both activate the Lane Departure message on the multi-information display.

There are separate buttons for LDW and RDM, and are located just above the switches for the trunk and fuel filler flap. The setting for RDW are Normal/Wide/Warning Only, and no setting for LDW. I assume the setting relates to the width of the lane, e.g. normal for most roads, and wide for wider lanes. Warning Only would suggest no steering wheel shaking or braking (see summary below).

The LDW only beeps and flashes if you cross the lines while the RDM will flash and gently shake the steering if crossing a dotted line. RDM will also brake if crossing a solid line. These situation occur at over 45 mph and if you have not used the turn signal.

This is my speculation on how they work if a lane marking is crossed and speed between 45 and 90 mph:
- LWD beeps and indicator turns on (LWD switch is on)
- LDW indicator turns on (RDM switch turned on)
- Shaking of steering wheel (RDM switch is on and Setting at Normal or Wide)
- Braking (RDM switch is on and Setting at Normal or Wide)

Then there is Lane Keeping Assist which is activated separately and works to keep the vehicle in the middle of the lane.

I have only use RDM in Normal mode and it seems like it operates as speeds lower than 45 mph, and I cannot recall if the LDW warning indicator has come on. Will have to check these more carefully next time I am on the road, and to see if RDM operates when LDW is off. In practice why would you want only LDW and not RDM.

 

Thank you for the detailed explanation - I have yet to look at it on the CD manuals. Over 45mph activation might explain why I have not detected it on neighborhood roads. To me, they both (RDW & LDW) seem the same - on my RLX I only have LDW and it is on unless I turn it off manually. No shaking of the wheel; only a warning (beep and graphic). Like the TLX, my RLX has LKAS that is activated separately on the steering wheel.

 

Clarification & feedback.

1. There is only one button for LDW and RDM, not separate buttons. The Handbook suggests that the RDM button is for Canadian models (strange).
2. The Guide says
"Normal: Steering control starts from inside the lane edge"
"Wide: Steering control starts from outside the lane edge"
"Warning Only: The system only provides a BRAKE message, but does not apply steering or braking"
3. The system has flashed the LDW warning but has not beeped. Will have to see of changing the Lane Keeping Assist Suspend Beep from On to Off will turn it on.
4. The minimum speed of 45 mph seems correct

 

[QUOTE=Quandry;15165039]Clarification & feedback.

1. There is only one button for LDW and RDM, not separate buttons. The Handbook suggests that the RDM button is for Canadian models (strange).


My TLX Adv has a button for the RDM on the lower left of the dash and next to the parking sensor button. My LKAS is on the steering wheel. IMHO, LDW and RDM are the same function.

 

Correct. LKAS control is on the steering wheel. It is a different but related function. It is not clear why they chose to writeup but LDW and RDM rather than defining it as one function. Does it beep a warning for you?

 

Only difference I can see between LDW & RDM, is the steering wheel shake with RDM and the possible braking. The LDW only warns, no feedback through the steering wheel. LDW does beep a warning. Hence Warning is audible and visual, Mitigation is feedback and correction.

 

I have concluded that they are the same thing. You can turn them both on or off together but not separately. I have not been able to get my LDW to beep and cannot find a setting for turning the beep on or off.

 

The beep is so quiet it's like it's not even on if the stereo is even on med volume. I have looked for volume beep adjustments everywhere, none to be found.

 

Ok, a bit more investigating. It only beep when RDM setting is on Warning Only as described on P 380 of the Handbook. The write-up on P 271 is misleading/incorrect.

P 113 suggests that the color of the lane marking in the message will change from white to amber as the vehicle get closer to that side. It only flashes orange for me with RDM setting at Normal. Will have to see what happens when it is set to Wide.

There are so many nifty little features to explore.

 

Quandry, are you talking about the following?


Normal (default): Steering control starts from inside the lane edge.
Wide: Steering control starts from outside the lane edge.
Warning Only: The system only provides a BRAKE message, but does not apply
steering or braking.

 

Yes, that is the setting.

 

I have the V6 w/Advance package. I have yet to hear the LDW go off. When I have driven MDXs with that feature, it seemed to go off quite frequently.

I've tried to get it to go off by moving across both dotted and solid white lines at speeds greater than 45mph, but doesn't seem to do anything. I know in these same situations, on the same roads, the MDX would be making noise, sometimes too frequently.

 

It is really subtle and about the same volume as the ACC when it detects a vehicle ahead or looses tracking on the vehicle. You really have to listen for it and if there is music playing at anything but a low level you will likely miss it.

 

can anyone comment on how well this system works overall? Do you like it? Including the ACC...
thanks

 

also, is it true the steering will vibrate? I don't think the MDX does this

 

Previous posts in this thread and other threads have the answers to your questions. Substitute shake for vibrate and the answer is there to your second question, but it is only available in the Advance/Elite models.

Quick answers:

LKAS works quite well but is dependent on reasonable road markings and requires user steering action every 15 seconds.

ACC works fairly well but is quite conservative as expected to keep you from running into the vehicle ahead. As computers in the car get faster it will likely provide control that is closer to a real driver.

 

With just under 2,000 miles on my V6 Advance I can say my LKAS works quite poorly. I'd say it works 1 out of 50 opportunities. That said, I have not taken it in to have Service look at it. As I've mentioned in previous posts, loaner MDX with that technology, driven on the same roads, works well. So I know it's not the roads/lane markings.

ACC works great, no issues.

 

Yes, with RDM, the wheel will vibrate to alert you to the condition.

 

You should definitely have it taken in and looked at. LKAS works very well on my TLX. On a highway with clear lines it works flawlessly.

 

thank you.