Fiat Chrysler America Expands Role of Emergency Safety Systems

Like other auto manufacturers, Fiat Chrysler America (FCA) is expanding the role of driver assist safety features in their vehicle lines: Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge, Ram, Fiat, and Alfa Romeo. In 2015, FCA and 20 other auto companies voluntarily committed to including automatic emergency braking (AEB) and forward collision warning (FCW) as standard in virtually all new light-duty cars and trucks by 2022.

The agreement was made with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) who provide annual updates on manufacturer progress. Recent research by IIHA, the Highway Loss Data Institute (HLDI) and Consumer Reports indicate that cars, SUVs, and trucks equipped with AEB and FCW are involved in nearly 50 percent fewer front-to-rear crashes than vehicles without these systems.

While FCA integrated some new emergency safety and security systems as standard in most of their 2021 vehicles, the company added safety systems as standard in luxury vehicles or offered options with more expensive trims in other models. Here's a rundown of the driver assist technologies being added to the FCA vehicle fleet.

Forward Collision and Automatic Emergency Braking Systems

Fiat Chrysler America offers FCW and AEB with active breaking to avoid collisions in several different brand names of Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge, Ram, Fiat, and Alfa Romeo vehicles.

Depending on the vehicle, FCA has branded their FCW systems as Full-Speed Forward Collision Warning Plus or Forward Collision Warning with Active Braking. The systems use radar sensors to detect if the FCA vehicle is approaching another vehicle too fast and alerts the driver with a chime and visual warning in the instrument panel. It then preloads the brakes for a better stopping response. These systems also brake to a complete stop to prevent a crash if the driver doesn't respond. The Full-Speed Forward Collision Warning Plus system in the Jeep Grand Cherokee and Compass, Ram 1500, and Chrysler Pacifica are capable of avoiding crashes at speeds up to 40 mph, depending on road conditions.

Another AEB system by FCA is the Advance Brake-Assist. This system works with the Full-Speed Forward Collision Warning Plus by increasing the deceleration when the driver does not apply sufficient force to the brake pedal in response to a collision condition. Such situations can happen when the driver panics and presses both pedals. Drivers also can override the brakes in emergencies with forceful use of the throttle.

As a standard form of AEB braking on many Dodge models, Ready Alert Braking anticipates when the driver might initiate an emergency stop. Ready Alert Braking then uses the ESC control pump to set the brake pads against the rotors, which decreases the time necessary for full application of the brakes by the driver.

To optimize brake control and reduce stopping distances, FCA has introduced the Electronic Brake-Force Distribution as standard in 2021 Dodge Durango and Journey models. Brake Force Distribution electronically regulates the breaking pressure in the front and rear of the vehicle to keep the vehicle from swerving.

Finally, Brake-Throttle Override, a standard feature on all FCA US vehicles, allows the driver to stop faster when the brake and throttle inputs happen simultaneously by causing the electronic throttle control to reduce the power output of the engine.

Rain-Sensing Windshield Wipers with Rain Brake Support

The 2021 Jeep Cherokee comes standard with Rain Sensing Windshield Wipers. The technology is also available as an extra option on other Jeep models and FCA US makes. Moisture sensors activate the wipers automatically when condensation hits the windshield, and the wiper control increases or decreases wiper speed according to the intensity of the rain. Teamed with the Rain Sensing Wipers, the Rain Brake Support system occasionally pushes the brake pads against the rotors to keep them dry when moisture activates the wipers.

Blind Spot Monitoring and Rear Cross Path Detection

Blind Spot monitoring alerts drivers of approaching vehicles passing into the blind areas on both sides of your vehicle by lighting an amber icon in the corresponding right or left outside mirror. The radar sensors also activated an audible chime to alert the driver.

The Rear Cross Path Detection system warns drivers when vehicles are approaching the path of your vehicle when backing up. The same two rear-bumper-mounted radar sensors detect oncoming traffic and illuminate the matching side mirror icon while sounding a chime. Rear Cross Path automatically activates when the vehicle is put in reverse. Even with this system, drivers still need to l

Return to Article Listing