Annoying "features" when using a tow bar

[JIS]

We have our two electric bikes which we transport using a Thule bike krack. So when you attach the bike rack, the car immediately de-acticates lane assist (great !), rear reversing sensors but also the cruise control! This is a VERY annoying feature as I can see no logic behind it whatsoever. I use the ICC all the time here in SW France where there are many roads with long straights and little traffic, so remining withing the 80 or 90 kph limit is sometimes challenging. With ICC I simply set it and can concentrate on the road not my speed.
So, when using my bike rack I am obliged to revert to old style driving where drifting well above the speed limit is far fat too easy. I have tried to manually slect ICC but it's geyed out with the bike rack attached, so impossible.
So I am not very happy about this. Perhaps it's a software "glitch" that can be resolved ?
I do hope so
Thanks
John

 

[OriginalBigAl]

Could you set the speed limiter to 90 kmh on alert only? Trying to see if it starts flashing is distracting when you need your eyes on the road.
You will see that emergency braking is also de-activated, perhaps it turns off the radar so ACC will also be turned off as a default.

 

[ReintjeWA]

I suspect the reasoning is that MG doesn’t want the car to brake autonomously in towing mode for fear of jackknifing the trailer. Same reason for disabling lane assist, to stop the car from harsh inputs that could upset the balance of the trailer.

 

[T1 Terry]

I suspect the reasoning is that MG doesn’t want the car to brake autonomously in towing mode for fear of jackknifing the trailer. Same reason for disabling lane assist, to stop the car from harsh inputs that could upset the balance of the trailer.

I'd add to that, my 51 has a habit of creeping up to 5km/h over the speed setting, then suddenly slowing to 5 kms below the set limit, that would be some what destabilising if it did in the middle of a bend and turning it from a cruise around the corner to inspecting both sides of the trailer in the mirrors ..... if you had time to look at them of course ......

The other one is the tendency to freak if it sees another car approaching on a bend ..... seems to think the other car is on our side of the road and getting closer ..... then by the time it has realised it's made a mistake, it attempts to return to the selected speed .... by this time, you are already committed into the same corner, and a stab on the throttle was last thing you needed .........


I gotta ask, what tells the control system you have a bike rack attached with bikes on it? I thought towing was a selection in one of the menu windows .......

T1 Terry

 

[JIS]

Could you set the speed limiter to 90 kmh on alert only? Trying to see if it starts flashing is distracting when you need your eyes on the road.
You will see that emergency braking is also de-activated, perhaps it turns off the radar so ACC will also be turned off as a default.

I suspect I could yes. But my point was why disable the ICC in the first place.
Anyway, I guess that no one else uses a tow bar or is not concerned with this problem.

 

[OriginalBigAl]

The ACC is linked in the other disabled features not separate , so is also disabled . Whether or not this is NCAP policy or its just easier ( cheaper ) to implement in both hardware or software is anyone's guess. My guess is that the easiest way is to just switch off the radar.

 

[Kithmo]

What happens if you don't use towing mode, does it set off the rear sensors with a bike rack on ?

 

[wattmatters]

What happens if you don't use towing mode, does it set off the rear sensors with a bike rack on ?

It would appear theirs automatically selects tow mode.

So when you attach the bike rack, the car immediately de-acticates lane assist (great !), rear reversing sensors but also the cruise control!

Mine needs to be manually selected.