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It's interesting how this varies between manufacturers, even though they're all using the same sensors. I've used a Nissan SUV and a Honda car with the ACC/LKA

It's interesting how this varies between manufacturers, even though they're all using the same sensors. I've used a Nissan SUV and a Honda car with the ACC/LKAS systems. The Nissan has automatic steering more than just lane keep 'assist' - there's a somewhat sharp curve on a highway where the Nissan takes it well, but the Honda has limited steering torque available and just gives up + turns off LKAS in the middle - which is a bit scary, especially since the audio alert is either quiet or not always triggered. On the other hand, the Nissan has the same issue with merging cars that you mention, but the Honda seems to have an uncanny ability to recognize it and slow down / make space, just like a human would. Maybe their camera system detects blinkers, or their radar is more sophisticated? I haven't driven it enough to get a lot of insight on this. Overall it seems like all three systems are just bad enough to require constant attention - each has weaknesses that make it unreliable in the right scenario, and other manufacturers have those specific issues resolved but have their own issues. Except maybe Tesla. Nissan has had this since 2018, I wonder how their latest implementation is doing. And also the ones from more expensive brands. Honda's 2020 systems also have low speed follow which works for city driving where you come to complete stops, but my car is a manual transmission so I don't have that feature to try.

bradknowles 6y ago
The real danger with Nissan, IMO, is the fact that their internal combustion engines are “interference mode”, which means that there are parts inside that pass through the same space, and the only thing that keeps them from colliding with each other is the timing chain. And when the timing chains goes, that wipes out the engine — to the tune of $10k or more. So, whatever value you think your Nissan vehicle has, subtract at least $10k from that, due to the fact that you’re driving a rolling time bomb. It’s going to blow up on you, it’s just a matter of when and where. Ask me and my former Nissan Juke how we found out this lesson, the hard way.

bradknowles 6y ago

The real danger with Nissan, IMO, is the fact that their internal combustion engines are “interference mode”, which means that there are parts inside that pass through the same space, and the only thing that keeps them from colliding with each other is the timing chain. And when the timing chains goes, that wipes out the engine — to the tune of $10k or more. So, whatever value you think your Nissan vehicle has, subtract at least $10k from that, due to the fact that you’re driving a rolling time bomb. It’s going to blow up on you, it’s just a matter of when and where. Ask me and my former Nissan Juke how we found out this lesson, the hard way.