Blind Spot Information System (BLIS™)

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2010 Mercury Milan, 2010 Lincoln MKZ, and 2010 Ford Fusion. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

When the vehicle is started, both exterior mirror BLIS™ /CTA amber LEDs briefly illuminate to indicate that the system is operating. If a BLIS™ fault is present, the LEDs remain illuminated and a message in the Instrument Panel Cluster (IPC) message center displays "BLIND SPOT SYSTEM FAULT". System faults can occur that cause the associated left or right exterior mirror BLIS™ /CTA amber LED not to illuminate; only the IPC message center message fault is displayed.

BLIS™ becomes active the first time the transaxle is placed in DRIVE (D) after starting the engine and driving forward at a vehicle speed greater than 5 km/h (3 mph). Upon that initial sequence, BLIS™ remains active for all speeds including 0 km/h (0 mph). BLIS™ is also active if the transaxle is placed in NEUTRAL (N). If the transaxle is selected out of DRIVE (D) or NEUTRAL (N) the system has entered the CTA mode. When the transaxle is shifted back into DRIVE (D), BLIS™ is activated once the vehicle is driven above 5 km/h (3 mph).

NOTE: BLIS™ does not normally detect parked vehicles, pedestrians or objects such as fences, guard rails, trees, etc. BLIS™ does not provide any additional warning when the turn signal is activated.

BLIS™ can trigger an alert for vehicles that enter the blind zone from the rear or merge into the blind zone from the side. The exterior mirror BLIS™ /CTA amber LED illuminates in the right and/or left exterior mirror. For vehicles that are being passed or vehicles that enter the blind zone from the front, the system can trigger an alert only after the vehicle is present in the blind zone for more than 2 seconds. For vehicles that pass through the blind zone quickly, typically less than 2 seconds, BLIS™ cannot trigger an alert.

BLIS™ utilizes 2 modules that have integral radar sensors located rearward of the rear wheel under the rear bumper cover. The 2 modules, SOD-L and SOD-R , are hardwired to the exterior mirrors to illuminate the LEDs. For correct operation of BLIS™ , the rear side bumper cover should be free of obstructions such as a large build up of mud, snow or ice. Small build up of debris and materials does not hinder the operation of the system. There should be no bumper stickers of any type placed in this area of the bumper cover.

Due to the nature of radar technology, false alerts and missed targets may occur under certain circumstances. False alerts are when the LED illuminates with no target present. False alerts up to 3% (3 out of 100 targets) is normal operation. Circumstances that cause false alerts are freeway divider, concrete walls, cyclone fencing, sharp turns around a pole or building and coming to a stop with a vehicle directly behind and very close. False alerts are temporary and self-correct.

Missed targets are when a target is present and the LED does not illuminate. Missed targets up to 1% (1 out of 100 targets) is normal operation. Circumstances that cause missed targets are:

Debris build up on the rear quarter panel fascias
Certain maneuvering of vehicles entering and exiting the blind zone
Vehicles passing through the blind zone at very fast rates
Severe weather conditions
When several vehicles forming a convoy pass through the blind zone

The exterior mirror indicators may not operate correctly when the vehicle accelerates from a standing-start with a vehicle alongside.

BLIS™ can be turned off by selecting the blind spot ON/OFF function in the message center. BLIS™ is turned off in the IPC by selecting the blind spot system with the SETUP switch for the message center and selecting the system on or off with the RESET switch. The message "BLIND SPOT SYS OFF" is displayed in the message center. When turning BLIS™ from on to off or off to on, the exterior mirror BLIS™ /CTA amber LEDs flash twice. When BLIS™ is off, the driver cannot receive any alerts. The system is reactivated on the next ignition cycle.

BLIS™ can be disabled permanently (even after an ignition cycle) by using a scan tool. When using the scan tool disable function in the programmable parameters menu, BLIS™ remains disabled until it is reactivated using the scan tool. When the system is disabled the IPC message center displays "BLIND SPOT DISABLED". A system fault occurs if BLIS™ is not disabled in both the SOD-L and the SOD-R .

There are some system faults that can set DTCs which are logged in the SOD-L or SOD-R . These DTCs can set a message in the IPC message center that displays "BLIND SPOT SYSTEM FAULT". There are also symptom based faults that do not set a DTC. GO to SYMPTOM TABLE .