Many new Mazda models come with Mazda i-Activsense, a suite of advanced safety technologies that help prevent accidents, mitigate the impact of collisions, and encourage smart and safe driving practices. This system applies detection devices like milliwave radars, cameras, and near-infrared lasers to monitor potential hazards and avert car trouble.
We know how important it is to keep yourself and your passengers protected while you drive. That's why we've put together this list of everything you need to know about the i-Activsense suite. Read on to explore all the extraordinary safety technologies this innovative system has to offer.
Adaptive Front-Lighting System
The adaptive front-lighting system (AFS) tracks driving circumstances and adjusts the distribution of light from the vehicle's headlights accordingly. By monitoring factors like speed and steering, the system directs low-beam headlights in the direction the driver plans to travel. The high-intensity discharge lights in the system are brighter and illuminate a greater distance than halogen lamps. This feature is especially helpful in providing drivers with a well-illuminated field of view of curves and intersections at night. Plus, the auto-leveling function keeps the distribution of light stable even when the vehicle position changes while traversing a bump or slope.
High-Beam Control
Another system that helps drivers travel safely at night, the high-beam control (HBC) feature switches between high and low beams automatically based on surrounding conditions. While the headlights are usually on high-beam mode at night, the system switches to low beams when it recognizes an oncoming vehicle or the taillights of a car in front. It also changes to low beam when drivers are in brightly lit areas or cruising at a speed slower than 19 mph. This advanced feature allows you to see farther ahead and detect potential obstacles earlier.
Mazda Radar Cruise Control
The Mazda radar cruise control (MRCC) employs a millimeter-wave radar to measure your following distance and the relative speed of your vehicle to the car ahead of you. Then, working within a fixed speed range, it controls your speed automatically to allow a safe following distance. This can be a lifesaver for drivers, especially on long road trips and high-speed highways. It even pairs with a distance recognition support system (DRSS) that shows you your current following distance. This allows you to maintain an awareness of and regulate your own driving practices, leading to safer driving all around.
Rear Vehicle Monitoring System
In the rear vehicle monitoring system (RVM), a 24 GHz quasi-milliwave radar that's mounted on your rear bumper tracks the distance between your car and vehicles approaching from behind or in adjacent lanes. Then, it notifies the driver if there is a danger of a collision when you're about to change lanes. This advanced radar has a wide range of detection, working well even on high-speed highways. Of course, it can also function at low speeds, helping drivers on regular roads. It can withstand inclement weather and solar radiation, so you can rely on this feature to last.
Lane Departure Warning System
The lane departure warning system (LDWS) identifies the line markings on either side of your lane on the road. Then, it alerts you if you're drifting or departing from the lane unintentionally. On long road trips, it's possible that drivers aren't paying enough attention to the road. The lane departure warning ensures you're staying in your lane and staying aware of your surroundings. Plus, it will help prevent dozing off behind the wheel. When you switch on your turn signal or accelerate to change lanes purposefully, the system will recognize your behavior as intentional and won't present the notification.
Forward Obstruction Warning
The forward obstruction warning (FOW) does what it sounds like. If there are vehicles or other obstacles in front of your car, the special millimeter-wave radar will detect these structures. It automatically calculates the distance between your car and the object in front. Then, if you get close enough to the obstacle that there's a chance of an collision, the FOW will sound an alarm, show a visual notification, and encourage you to apply the brake. One of the most useful features of the Mazda i-Activsense, the FOW allows you to avoid crashes, keeping you and riders safe.
Smart City Brake Support
The Smart City Brake Support (SCBS) system helps you avoid rear-ending the car in front of you while you're driving at slow speeds in crowded urban areas or high-traffic conditions. This feature is very beneficial, especially considering that rear-end collisions are the most common type of accident. Indeed, about 60% of these collisions happen while the driver is driving at a speed of 19 miles per hour or slower.
When you're driving at a speed between 2 and 19 mph, a high-tech laser sensor on your windshield detects cars in front of you. If the technology recognizes the potential for an accident, it prepares your brake system to deliver maximum force when you apply your brakes. If you don't brake or steer in time, the system actually applies the brake for you. It even reduces engine output, too. This helps prevent collisions and decreases the intensity of the impact if one occurs.
Acceleration Control for Automatic Transmission
The acceleration control for automatic transmission (AT) feature is another way the Mazda i-Activsense system helps drivers reduce the risk of an accident. This technology mitigates a sudden burst of acceleration, which can happen if a driver steps on the accelerator by accident. If you push on the accelerator more than a certain amount when the vehicle is stopped and your laser sensor has recognized an object in front of you, the acceleration control for AT will activate. If necessary, it will reduce engine output while alerting the driver with a visual and audible alarm on the meter display.
As you can see, Mazda has carefully designed the i-Activsense system to include thoughtful, high-tech safety features that can keep you and yours secure in your vehicle. Of course, these active and pre-crash technologies are not a replacement for attentive, safe driving. If you want to test these features out in person, consider scheduling a test drive here at Bountiful Mazda. If you have any questions at all, feel free to call our sales department at 801-397-2277 or contact us online. One of our trained team members will be more than happy to help you with your unique situation.