How to Make the Most of Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS)?

Driving a vehicle equipped with advanced driver assistance technology is a major step forward, but to get the most out of it, it is essential to understand and know how the safety systems your car incorporates work. A good example is the Korean brand Kia, which, through its sub-brand DRiVE WISE, has managed to position itself at the forefront of this field, developing technologies that not only make driving safer but also reduce stress at the wheel. Here we explain how you can make the most of these systems to enjoy a safer and more pleasant driving experience.

1. Assistance, not substitution

The first thing every driver must understand is that advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) are designed to support the driver, not to replace them. Their main function is to warn of possible dangers and help avoid them, not to take full control of the vehicle. Even with technologies as advanced as the highway driving assist system (HDP) on the Kia EV9, which allows “hands-free” driving in certain markets, the driver must always remain attentive and ready to intervene if necessary.

2. Knowing and mastering the assistants

Understanding which safety systems your vehicle is equipped with and how they work is crucial to using them correctly. It is advisable to become familiar with these systems in different driving situations, so that they do not surprise you at critical moments.

Kia is committed to the training of its customers, and its dealer network in Spain provides ongoing support, ensuring that drivers understand how their vehicle’s technologies work from the very first moment. One example is the Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist (FCA), which not only warns of frontal collision risks but can also brake automatically if you do not react in time. Furthermore, on some models this system includes additional functions such as Junction Turning and Junction Crossing detection, which warn of vehicles approaching from the sides in crossing situations.

Another system that deserves attention is the Navigation-based Smart Cruise Control (NSCC-C), which adjusts the vehicle’s speed according to the curves in the road, ensuring safer and more comfortable driving. Knowing these functions allows for a smoother integration between driver and vehicle, improving road safety.

3. Personalise your experience

Many of the assistance systems in Kia allow custom adjustments to suit the driver’s preferences. Through the menus of the infotainment system, you can configure parameters such as the following distance of the Smart Cruise Control or the reaction time of the FCA when detecting a hazard. You can even adjust the volume of the alerts or activate haptic warnings, ensuring the systems work in the way that best suits your driving style.

4. Don’t turn off the ADAS

Although it may be tempting to turn off the assistance systems, especially if you find them intrusive or excessively noisy with beeps and chimes, it is important to remember that they are there to protect you. These systems are designed to intervene in situations where safety could be compromised, such as not keeping a safe distance or changing lanes without signalling. Disabling these systems reduces safety and increases the risk of accidents, especially in moments of distraction or fatigue.