Trailer Merge Assist

Note:

When Trailer Merge Assist is activated, Rear Cross Path is disabled.

Note:

When a trailer with an electric brake is connected to the vehicle, the instrument cluster display will provide a menu to allow a selection of the trailer type. There will be two options provided: Conventional and Goose/Fifth Wheel. Goose/Fifth Wheel Trailer is incompatible and when selected, the BSM system will disable until the trailer is disconnected. If the wrong option is selected, the system can be reset by either disconnecting and reconnecting the trailer harness connector or disabling then re-enabling the Blind Spot Monitoring system in the customer settings in the Uconnect system. This will prompt the trailer selection menu again to allow for the correct selection.

Trailer Merge Assist is a function of the Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) system that extends the blind spot zone to work while pulling a trailer. Trailer Merge Assist consists of three sub functions:

Automatic Trailer Detection
Trailer Length Detection
Trailer Merge Warning

Blind Spot Zones With Trailer Merge Assist

1 — Vehicle
2 — Trailer

Automatic Trailer Detection

There are two modes of operation for the detection of the trailer length:

Automatic Mode — When “Auto Mode” is selected, the system will use the blind spot sensors to automatically determine the presence and length of a trailer. The presence of a trailer will be detected using the blind spot radar within 90 seconds of forward movement of the vehicle. The vehicle must be moving above 6 mph (10 km/h) to activate the feature. Once the trailer has been detected, the system will default to the maximum blind spot zone until the length has been verified. You will see “Auto” in the instrument panel cluster
.
Maximum Mode — When “Max Mode” is selected, the system will default to the maximum blind spot zone regardless of what size trailer is attached
.

Note:

Selected setting is stored when the ignition is placed in the OFF position. To change this setting, it must be selected through the Uconnect Settings UCONNECT SETTINGS.

Trailer Length Detection

Once the trailer presence has been established, the trailer length will be established (by making a 90 degree turn) and then the trailer length category (e.g. 10-20 ft (3 m to 6 m)) will be displayed. This can take up to 30 seconds after completing the turn.

Note:

During the same ignition cycle, if the vehicle is at a standstill for a minimum of 90 seconds, a new “trailer detection request” is enabled by the system once the vehicle resumes motion.

Maximum length supported by the Trailer Merge Assist feature is 39.5 ft (12 m). Trailer length is considered the forward most portion of the trailer hitch to the rearward most portion of the body, fascia/bumper, or ramp of the trailer.

Maximum width supported by the Trailer Merge Assist feature is 8.5 ft (2.59 m). Trailer width is measured at the widest portion of the trailer and may include wheels, tires, finders, or rails.

Note:

Fifth wheel or gooseneck trailers are not supported by Trailer Merge Assist.

Trailer Length Detection

1 — Trailer Length
2 — Trailer Hitch
3 — Trailer Width

Trailer length will be identified and placed into one of the following categories:

Trailer length up to 10 ft (3 m) — Blind Spot zone will be adjusted to 10 ft (3 m)
.
Trailer length between 10 ft to 20 ft (3 m to 6 m) — Blind Spot zone will be adjusted to 20 ft (6 m)
.
Trailer length between 20 ft to 30 ft (6 m to 9 m) — Blind Spot zone will be adjusted to 30 ft (9 m)
.
Trailer length between 30 ft and 39.5 ft (9 m to 12 m) — Blind Spot zone will be adjusted to Max distance
.

Note:

Trailer length is determined within +/- 3 ft (1 m) of actual length. Trailers that are the same size as the category limit, 10/20/30 ft (3/6/9 m), could be subject to being placed in the category above or below the correct one.

Trailer Merge Warning

Trailer Merge Warning is the extension of the blind spot function to cover the length of the trailer, plus a safety margin, to warn the driver when there is a vehicle in the adjacent lane. The driver is alerted by the illumination of the BSM Warning Light located in the outside mirror on the side the other vehicle is detected on. In addition, an audible (chime) alert will be heard and radio volume reduced Blind Spot Modes.

Note:

The Trailer Merge Alert system DOES NOT alert the driver about rapidly approaching vehicles that are outside the detection zones.
The BSM system may experience dropouts (blinking on and off) of the side mirror warning indicator lights when a motorcycle or any small object remains at the side of the vehicle for extended periods of time (more than a couple of seconds).
Crowded areas such as parking lots, neighborhoods, etc. may lead to an increased amount of false alerts. This is normal operation.

Warning!:

The Blind Spot Monitoring system is only an aid to help detect objects in the blind spot zones. The BSM system is not designed to detect pedestrians, bicyclists, or animals. Even if your vehicle is equipped with the BSM system, always check your vehicle’s mirrors, glance over your shoulder, and use your turn signal before changing lanes. Failure to do so can result in serious injury or death.