Ford Transit Connect (2018 year). Manual — part 36

The Blind Spot Information System
illuminates an amber alert indicator in the
outside mirror on the side of your vehicle
the approaching vehicle is coming from.
When the Blind Spot Information System
is alerting on a vehicle and the
corresponding turn signal is ON, the Blind
Spot Information System alert indicator
flashes as an increased warning level.

The alert indicator dims when the system
detects nighttime darkness.

Note: The alert indicator flashes in case of
an alert and the turn signal is set to that side
at the same time.

System Sensor Blockage

WARNING

To help avoid injuries, NEVER use the
Blind Spot Information System as a
replacement for using the interior

and exterior mirrors or looking over your
shoulder before changing lanes. The Blind
Spot Information System is not a
replacement for careful driving.

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The system uses radar sensors that are
located behind the bumper fascia on each
side of your vehicle. Any dirt, mud and
snow in front of the sensors and/or driving
in heavy rain can cause system
degradation. Also, other types of
obstructions in front of the sensor can
cause system degradation. This is referred
to as a ‘blocked’ condition.

Note: Do not apply bumper stickers and/or
repair compound to these areas, this can
cause degraded system performance.

If the system detects a degraded
performance condition, a message warning
of a blocked sensor will appear in the
information display. Also the BLIS alert
indicators will remain ON and BLIS will no
longer provide any vehicle warnings. You
can clear the information display warning
but the alert indicators will remain
illuminated.

A "blocked" condition can be cleared in
two ways:
•

After the blockage in front of the
sensors is removed or the
rainfall/snowfall rate decreases or
stops, drive for a few minutes in traffic
to allow the sensors to detect passing
vehicles.

•

By cycling the ignition from ON to OFF
and then back ON.

Note: If your vehicle has a tow bar with a
factory equipped trailer tow module and it
is towing a trailer, the sensors will
automatically turn the Blind Spot
Information System off. If your vehicle has
a tow bar but no factory equipped trailer
tow module, it is recommended to turn the
Blind Spot Information System off
manually. Operating the Blind Spot
Information System with a trailer attached
will cause poor system performance.

System Errors

If the system senses a problem with the
left or right sensor, the telltale will
illuminate and a message will appear in
the information display. See Information
Messages (page 87).

Switching the System Off and On

You can temporarily switch the Blind Spot
Information System off in the information
display. See General Information (page
84). When the Blind Spot Information
System switches off, you will not receive
alerts and the information display shows
a system off message. The telltale in the
cluster also illuminates. When you switch
the Blind Spot Information System on or
off, the alert indicators flash twice.

Note: The Blind Spot Information System
remembers the last selected on or off
setting.

You can also have the Blind Spot
Information System switched off
permanently at an authorized dealer. Once
switched off permanently, the system can
only be switched back on at an authorized
dealer.

CROSS TRAFFIC ALERT

WARNING

To help avoid personal injury, NEVER
use the Cross Traffic Alert system as
a replacement for using the interior

and exterior mirrors and looking over your
shoulder before backing out of a parking
space. Cross Traffic Alert is not a
replacement for careful driving.

Cross Traffic Alert is designed to warn you
of vehicles approaching from the sides
when the transmission is in reverse (R).

Using the System

Cross Traffic Alert turns on when you start
the engine and you shift into reverse (R).
Once shifted out of reverse (R), Cross
Traffic Alert turns off.

Note: Cross Traffic Alert only functions
while your transmission is in reverse (R).

Cross Traffic Alert is designed to detect
vehicles that approach with a speed up to
37 mph (60 km/h). Coverage decreases
when the sensors are partially, mostly or
fully obstructed. Reversing slowly helps
increase the coverage area and
effectiveness.

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In this first example, the left sensor is only
partially obstructed; zone coverage to the
right is nearly maximized.

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Zone coverage also decreases when
parking at shallow angles. Here, the left
sensor is mostly obstructed; zone coverage
on that side is severely limited.

System Lights, Messages and
Audible Alerts

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The Cross Traffic Alert illuminates an
amber alert indicator in the outside mirror
on the side of your vehicle the approaching
vehicle is coming from. Cross Traffic Alert
also sounds an audible alert and a
message appears in the information
display indicating a vehicle is coming from
the right or left. Cross Traffic Alert works
with the reverse sensing system that
sounds its own series of tones. See Rear
Parking Aid (page 140).

E225619

The system uses radar sensors that are
located behind the bumper fascia on each
side of your vehicle. Do not allow mud,
snow or bumper stickers to obstruct these
areas, this can cause degraded system
performance. See Blind Spot
Information System (page 146). If the
Blind Spot Information System is blocked,
Cross Traffic Alert is also blocked. A
corresponding message appears in the
information display as soon as you shift
the transmission into reverse (R).

System Limitations

Cross Traffic Alert has its limitations;
situations such as severe weather
conditions or debris build-up on the sensor
area may limit vehicle detection.

The following are other situations that may
limit the Cross Traffic Alert performance:
•

Adjacently parked vehicles or objects
obstructing the sensors.

•

Approaching vehicles passing at
speeds greater than 37 mph
(60 km/h).

•

Driving in reverse faster than 7 mph
(12 km/h).

•

Backing out of an angled parking spot.