Did you know that your Proton X50's Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) won't work if you don't wear your seatbelts? Bet you didn't know that. How did I know? It's actually in the X50's Owner's Manual. No, really.

There's more, as I will detail in some of the Proton X50's more advanced features, especially in the Advanced Driving Assistance Systems (ADAS) suite. There really is a treasure trove of information to be gleaned from the Owner's Manual. Wanna find out more? Let's get into it.

Also read: Here’s how you care for your DCT-equipped Proton X50

Blind spot monitor (BLIS)

The Proton X50 features a blind spot monitor that helps the alerts the driver if he/she has a vehicle in their blind spots. It is quite a useful feature to reduce blind spots in everyday commuting. 

However, there are always limitations to the functionality of the system. For example, the blind spot monitor will only be activated when:

• Vehicle speed is at 30 - 140 km/h
• Gear lever is selected in D
• The target vehicle has stayed in the blind spot long enough

In general, the blind spot monitor can detect most vehicles like cars, buses, lorries and motorbikes in its blind spot. What it can't detect are small power-assisted motorbikes, or e-bikes, which you don't see a lot on our roads. 

The system also has a detection range of 3 metres x 3 metres on the left and right. Its accuracy can also be affected by road conditions with pools of water, gravel or grass. Suffice to say, it has its limitations.

So, yes, while the blind spot monitor in your Proton X50 is great help, you should never rely 100% on it, especially after learning its limitations. 

Also read: Why isn’t Proton accepting Apple CarPlay/Android Auto yet? The simple answer is user data

Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB)

This is a party piece of many ADAS systems, and it's no different for the X50. This, however, is no magic bullet. In the best case, AEB can avoid a collision. Otherwise, it will merely mitigate it. Because the system relies on a camera and radar combo to detect objects, there are things to be mindful of. 

For a start, the system's efficacy will deteriorate in conditions such as rain, fog or snow (well, this one's unlikely here). Even your own vision is affected by such conditions, what more a camera, right?

Scenarios such as guardrails, tunnels (sudden change in brightness, vehicles with no lights on), sharp bends will also affect how well the AEB system works. AEB also works in conjunction with ESC. Therefore, if you deactivate ESC, AEB will not work. 

The same goes if you don't wear your seatbelt, the AEB system will not function. Why, you ask? Well, if AEB activates emergency braking to avoid/mitigate a collision, you'll go flying out the windshield.

Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) and Intelligent Cruise Control (ICC)

Another much-touted feature in the X50, ACC also uses the radar (in the AEB system) to adjust cuising speeds according to traffic ahead. Selecting ICC will then activate the camera system to help detect road markings to keep the X50 in its lane. 

So what do you need to know? ACC and ICC have an operating range from 0 - 150 km/h. While in operation, ACC/ICC cannot detect pedestrians, 2-wheel/3-wheel vehicles or vehicles with irregularly shaped goods (that's quite a common sight here). 

In addition, just like the AEB system, ACC and ICC's functionality will deteriorate in conditions like rain, fog, and very windy roads (the radar has limited vision). It's best to always self-drive in conditions like these and not rely on ACC nor ICC. 

Conclusion

As modern cars become more and more complex, owners too need to keep up with how to operate the advanced features in their cars. Features that were once the reserve of much more expensive cars, have now trickled onto the mainstream.

Apart from researching on the internet, your Owner's Manual holds the answers to the many features and functions of your car. But, as detailed above, once you've gone through it, you'll understand how your car works, and get the best out of it.