What Does FCW Mean in a Car?

Accidents are unpredictable when you’re on the road一before you know it, a distracted driver has already rear-ended your vehicle, and you’re occupying one of the lanes, causing traffic.

This type of situation is where an FCW system comes in handy. FCW stands for “forward collision warning,” a security feature that alerts the driver when there’s an obstacle in front of the vehicle.

Forward Collision Warning Systems: Saving Lives and Preventing Collisions Since 2000

In 2000, Mercedes-Benz introduced the first forward collision warning system in the US. The safety feature began as an optional feature for luxury vehicles.

The earliest FCW systems used visual, aural, and tactile methods to alert the driver of potential danger, but they only went as far as sending out warnings.

In recent years, however, FCW systems have become more advanced. Automakers integrated automatic emergency braking (AEB), pedestrian detection, intersection turn assistance, and other features into their FCW systems.

Substantial Results

There’s no denying that forward collision warning systems have made an impact on automotive safety. By 2016, 40% of the models offered in the US came with AEB-integrated FCW systems, and 21% came with the standard FCW system.

This technology was able to reduce front-to-rear crashes with injuries by 27% and cut accident rates by as much as 56%, according to a report by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

How Do Forward Collision Warning Systems Work?

Many forward collision warning systems rely on speed and distance sensors, radar, lasers, or cameras to determine the distance and position of pedestrians, vehicles, and other obstacles.

Inputs from these components are used to alert the driver if the vehicle is getting dangerously close to what’s in front of it.

Forward Collision Warning System Variations

Forward collision warning systems have become more advanced over the years, incorporating various features that improve vehicle safety.

Standard Forward Collision Warning

Standard FCW systems have distance sensors that detect traffic. When paired with speed sensors, the system will be able to alert the driver if braking is absolutely necessary.

Standard FCW systems are only limited to sending out warnings and have no control over the vehicle when it’s nearing an obstacle.

Forward Collision Warning with Automatic Emergency Braking

FCW systems with automatic emergency braking have become more popular over time because of their effectiveness in preventing crashes and related injuries.

AEB autonomously engages the brakes when the FCW system detects a possible collision.

There are some FCW systems with AEB that only work at low speeds, but there are also others that can be activated at high speeds.

Radar-Based Forward Collision Warning System

Some forward collision warning systems use radar technology. These systems emit radar waves that reflect off objects and other obstacles.

The FCW system uses radar reflection information and the vehicle’s speed and distance to identify whether or not a collision is about to take place.

The Future of Forward Collision Warning Systems

In May 2023, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) proposed new federal standards that would require new vehicles to standardize AEB and FCW systems.

The NHTSA also plans to increase the braking speed in these systems. New vehicles are expected to have braking speeds of up to 62 mph with manual braking and 50 mph without manual braking.

These numbers are a drastic improvement compared to the average speed of AEB systems today, which sits between 12 and 15 mph.

If the proposed standards will be approved, new vehicles will have to satisfy the following requirements for their AEB systems:

• Provide the driver with a forward collision warning at any forward speed greater than 6.2 mph.
• Automatically apply brakes at any forward speed greater than 6.2 mph when a collision is imminent.
• Prevent the vehicle from colliding with another vehicle or pedestrian test mannequin when tested.
• Have the ability to detect AEB system malfunctions and notify the driver of performance-related issues.

If the proposal is approved, it will apply to vehicles manufactured four years after the final rule is issued.

As automakers continue to make ground-breaking technologies that aim to improve the quality of daily drivers, they’ve also started to work on incorporating safety features in something other than four-wheelers.

Early in 2023, German automaker BMW hinted at developing a modified collision warning system that will soon apply to their motorcycles.

According to news reports, the collision warning system is expected to work similarly to BMW’s current FCW system.

If the bike is tailgating, an alarm will send proximity warnings to the driver. The system is also capable of slowing the bike down on its own.

What Can Go Wrong with Forward Collision Warning Systems?

FCW systems can fail for a number of reasons. In some cases, it can also send out inaccurate signals.

This was the issue found in some Tesla Model 3s, which prompted one owner to file a lawsuit against Tesla.

According to the plaintiff’s statement, his Model 3’s forward collision warning system gave out false warnings while driving through parking lots and making turns. The plaintiff also argued that his vehicle produced distractingly loud and unobtrusive warning noises.

The lawsuit alleged Tesla was failing to issue a recall and provide the necessary repairs for the affected owners.

Tesla, however, issued a recall in November 2021 for some 2017-2021 Model S, 3, X, and Y vehicles to address false forward collision warnings and phantom braking incidents.

Despite this recall, the plaintiff argued that Tesla did nothing to resolve the problem and added that the false warnings were the reason behind his inflated insurance. The plaintiff’s safety score determines his insurance premium. This score is given by Tesla based on driving habits.

According to the plaintiff’s statement, the false warnings greatly affected his safety score, which led him to pay more for insurance.