Blind Spot Information System - System Operation and Component Description: BLIS®

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2020 Ford F-150. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

NOTE: If a trailer is electrically connected to the vehicle, the BLIS® is disabled. To activate BLIS® with trailer tow, with a trailer connected to the vehicle, the trailer must be selected or the trailer information must be entered using the IPC message center.

The BLIS® provides alerts to the driver when the vehicle is in a forward gear and the vehicle speeds is greater than 8 km/h (5 mph).

The BLIS® can trigger an alert for vehicles that enter the blind zone from the rear, front, or merge into the blind zone from the side. The exterior mirror BLIS®/ CTA LED illuminates in the right and/or left exterior mirror when a target is present. For vehicles that pass through the blind zone quickly, typically less than 2 seconds, the BLIS® may not trigger an alert.

If a turn signal is active while BLIS® has detected a target in the blind zone, the BLIS®/ CTA LED flashes rapidly. When the turn signal is off, the BLIS® target warnings are a constant LED illumination.

NOTE: The BLIS® is not intended to detect parked vehicles, pedestrians, or objects such as fences, guard rails or trees.

Due to the nature of radar technology, false alerts may occur under certain circumstances. False alerts occur when the LED illuminates with no target present. False alerts up to 3% (3 out of 100 targets) is considered normal operation. False alerts are temporary and self-correcting. False alerts may be caused by sharp turns around a pole or building, jogging pedestrians or fast moving shopping carts.

Missed targets occur when a target is present and the LED does not illuminate. Missed targets up to 1% (1 out of 100 targets) is considered normal operation.

Circumstances that cause missed alerts are:

Debris build-up or damage to the rear lamp assemblies
Certain maneuvering of the vehicles entering and exiting the blind zone
Vehicles passing through the blind zone at high rates of speed
When several vehicles forming a convoy pass through the blind zone

The BLIS® may not detect an adjacent target immediately when the vehicle accelerates from a standing start with another vehicle alongside.

BLIS® With Trailer Tow

NOTE: The BLIS® With Trailer Tow is an extended feature of BLIS® and depends on the proper functionality of BLIS®.

NOTE: The transmission needs to be in park (P) in order to select a specific trailer or to input the needed measurements into the IPC message center.

NOTE: The BLIS® with Trailer Tow only functions with a conventional trailer. If 5th wheel or gooseneck is selected then BLIS® and CTA functions will turn off.

The BLIS® with Trailer Tow can be turned off through the IPC message center. If the BLIS® is turned off, then the BLIS® with Trailer Tow automatically turns off.

The following steps should be performed when setting up a trailer through the IPC message center:

Select the type of trailer: conventional, 5th wheel or gooseneck. If 5th wheel or gooseneck is selected then BLIS® and CTA functions will turn off.
Select whether or not the width of the new trailer is less than or equal to 2.6 m (8.5 ft).
Enter the length of the new trailer. The length is measured between the trailer ball hitch and the back of the trailer. BLIS® with Trailer Tow should turn on and CTA turn off. However, if the trailer length is entered as 3 feet, then CTA remain on (3 feet length is reserved for bike racks and cargo racks).

When the trailer is first connected a message appear in the IPC message center that says "Trailer connected". When connecting to a four pin trailer connector the brake pedal must be depressed immediately afterwards in order to get the "Trailer connected" message. If a preset trailer exists in the IPC then BLIS® with Trailer Tow automatically receives preset trailer information. If the trailer just connected is not the preset trailer, then select the correct trailer from the IPC menu or add a new trailer with the correct dimensions. If there are no preset trailers in the IPC, then the IPC automatically request trailer information. If at this point the driver exits the message center menus, then BLIS® and CTA automatically turn off. Otherwise, the driver must add new trailer information through the IPC.

False alerts are possible with a truck and trailer operating with BLIS® with Trailer Tow. If the ignition is cycled, the BLIS® with Trailer Tow continues to function using the last trailer selected.

The BLIS® with Trailer Tow is designed to work with any trailer whose front width is 2.6 m (8.5 ft) or less and the total length from the trailer hitch ball to the rear of the trailer is 10 m (33 ft) or less. Different trailers may cause a slight change in performance as outlined below.

Large box trailers may cause false alerts to trigger when driving next to buildings or near parked cars.
A false alert may also occur while making a 90-degree turns.
Trailers that are 2.6 m (8.5 ft) wide at the front and have a total length greater than 6 m (20 ft) may have delayed alerts from passing vehicles when the vehicle is passing at high speed.
A box trailer whose front width is 2.6 m (8.5 ft) may cause early alerts when over taking a vehicle.