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.

 

[TassieDi]

Driver of an MG ZS 2022, I also regularly carry two e-bikes on my Thule bike rack. The rear sensors are unhappy, but I have had no problem with the Adaptive Cruise Control. I agree, that would be a real pain! I wonder if your problem is a feature of your model or a fault.

 

[mg4ld]

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.

I have tow bar and wish ACC on too but without the harsh braking, just maintain the speed side of things, eg set at 90kph and keep it there with slowing down when vehicle in front is slower. For the number of times I have used the trailer, it’s probably not worth the effort, just drive it manually without the extra safety features on, ie towing mode.

 

[Jamesrr]

I think there's a fundamental issue.
AFAIK "towing mode" in the MG4 is for use when your car is being towed, not when you are towing!

[update]But no!

After looking through the manual "Towing mode" is indeed to be used when you are towing something

There's a whole section on how best to have the car towed away... and it doesn't involve putting the car in towing mode

 

[DerekH]

It would appear theirs automatically selects tow mode.

Mine needs to be manually selected.

Yep mine does not auto select tow mode. I also use a bike rack. Everything works as usual if I leave towing mode OFF. Just the nagging warning when I reverse that there is something too close to the rear buy I can live with that.

 

[wattmatters]

I also use a bike rack.

What do you use? It's something I am interested in now we are going to be offloading my Golf which has the roof racks. Mine are road bikes (and one track bike).

 

[DerekH]

What do you use? It's something I am interested in now we are going to be offloading my Golf which has the roof racks. Mine are road bikes (and one track bike).

I have a yakima rack. 2 x full susp ebikes. All up down weight exceeds 50kg down weight and no issues. I rarely take 2 x bikes and remove the 800wh battery from my bike when transporting, so mostly less than the max down weight. Gave the 77kw mg4 and have the bike rack and bike on very often. no issues and just coming up for the 40,000km first service.

 

[mg4mc]

I imagine it is plugging in of the light bar that enables towing mode? Could it be how the light bars are wired that is the difference in it auto enabling out not?

 

[wattmatters]

I have a yakima rack.

Thanks, which model?

 

[DerekH]

Yakima hold up 2

 

[wattmatters]

Yakima hold up 2

Thanks, yeah that one looks pretty decent for the price.

Do you use an auxiliary number plate for it / can one be fitted? Hard to tell from the website images. It's a requirement here in NSW.

 

[DerekH]

Thanks, yeah that one looks pretty decent for the price.

Do you use an auxiliary number plate for it / can one be fitted? Hard to tell from the website images. It's a requirement here in NSW.

Not really set up for an aux plate. I'm in wa and never needed one . Another of the yakima range has a specific area for aux plate but is a ball hitch type connection not thereece hitch so you would need an adapter. It's the fold click 2. I had one but found it tricky to lock onto bike frames if they were odd shape and with rear suspension. Also didn't like the fact it grips the bike frame so not so good on carbon frames.

 

[ReintjeWA]

You are required to have an auxiliary plate in WA if something blocks your license plate.

Apply for additional vehicle plates

You need to buy and attach an additional plate if a bike rack or mobility device blocks the view of your rear number plate.

www.wa.gov.au

Although you see so many blocked plates around I sometimes doubt the police are aware of this rule.