Visibility

[Bmore]

Wow this car has some serious blindspots. I can't even see anything when I turn my head due I think to the beefy seats and pillars. The seats really get in the way a lot, including the rear head rests. Today I just happened to be driving around with the back seats down and realized damn the visibility out the back is SOOOOOO improved. I may keep them down!

The big big side mirrors definitely help, but I find that when I am coming around a corner/sidewalk to the left, that the mirror totally shields the curb from sight and I can't see if I'm going to hit it. That is pretty annoying and a safety issue. Happens when I come out of work everyday.

I am really really enjoying the rearview camera. I didn't think I would and was like shoot why do I have to pay for this I didn't need this for the last 20 yrs of my life driving. But I have totally become a huge fan. In the Target parking lot, with its wide angle view, it helps me not take out people walking through the lot. Before I was always coming close to taking out someone, especially with all the huge SUVs and trucks that could be parked next to you shielding your view. I don't have the AVM and am wondering if I would enjoy that as well. What have you all thought about that? Useful or really just a techie thing that is more of a neat idea than useful or practical? I hear they are going to be included in most packages in 2010. So we'll have missed out on that.

I'm new to Navi too and find myself looking off the road too much at the screen!

[CaribMon71]

AVM is a blast. It's incredible to see that "birds eye" view of your car when parking. Always amazes new passengers.

I agree, the A pillars are an issue. I've nearly hit people who were crossing the street when I turn left. The pillar and the mirror can completely hide them. I believe I had this issue with my VW Touareg. I'm kind of used to leaning to the front quickly before making a left turn.

[dividedhighw]

I agree that the visibility rearward is terrible. However, with the AVM, it's tolerable. Just make sure you don't simply rely on the cameras though because for faster moving objects (vehicles and even some people), the cameras don't give a wide enough view. If you turn around, you can catch someone coming into your "zone" that you might not see using only the cameras.

As for the everyday usefulness of AVM, I absolutely recommend it!

Here are a couple more threads with related discussions:

zer...h-avm

zer...00025

Cheers,David

[AWGD8]

That A pillar can hide a big buick car! Good thing I lean forward and saw

him.

Terrible driver side mirror blind spot also, no matter how you adjust the

side mirror. Highway merging is a bit tough without leaning or turning your

head to the side.

[Mike EX]

Since I almost never have passengers in the rear seat, I've removed the headrests and it is a HUGE improvement in rear visibility.

The AVM is off the charts. It's amazing the turns to park that I now make when looking at the car with my naked eye I would have thought that I was way too close to an adjacent car.

And as far as keeping your eyes on the NAV screen, switch to status, and hit the button a few times -- it will give you audio information on top, and your next turn (with distance) on the bottom. It's less seductive looking than the map and gives very clear instructions.

[RioD007]

You think yours is bad try it with my tint haha.