AFIL: accidental line crossing warning

The AFIL system, installed on the most recent cars, consists of an alarm that is triggered when you inadvertently cross the lane markings on the road. It is one of many devices that can improve the safety of a vehicle on the move.

🛑 How does the lane departure warning work?

Lane or Lane Crossing Warning is better known as AFIL system... Thus, its role is to signal the driver when his vehicle is in progress. cross the lane on the road.

Ce safety device appeared on end of 1990 and was developed by the manufacturer Mercedes-Benz to equip the manufacturer's trucks. Its original purpose was to inform the driver when he started go to another line without your blinking.

AFIL has become mandatory for everyone since 2015 new trucks sur-le-et trucks over 3,5 tons in 2018... This falls under European law to limit the number of accidents.

Currently, an increase in the number of accidents is associated with sleepiness while driving encouraged manufacturers integrate this warning system into new cars adapting it. Therefore, today the fight against falling asleep while driving, which leads to a loss of trajectory and related accidents, is more in demand.

⚡ What are the different technologies of the AFIL system?

Depending on the manufacturer of your vehicle, the technology for the AFIL system will be different, but each of them has more or less the same functions. There are currently 2 different systems:

1. AFIL system by camera : There is one or more cameras under the vehicle chassis. They are positioned towards the ground to detect when the vehicle is crossing a line on the ground. When the camera captures this type of behavior, it informs the sensors, which relay information back to the car's dashboard.
2. AFIL infrared system : In this model, the cameras are replaced by infrared diodes connected to the sensors. Typically located at the front of the vehicle, they also point to the ground and allow sensors to signal line crossings by exploiting differences in roadway reflections.

The two systems do not come into operation if the indicator was activated by the upstream driver. The crossing warning is the same no matter what system your vehicle has.

In most cases, this manifests itself as beeps or vibrations at the driver's seat.

On some vehicles, the two alert modes are combined for optimal safety performance.

⚠️ What are the symptoms of an HS lane departure warning?

If your vehicle has an AFIL system, it may be malfunctioning due to exposure to sensors, cameras or diodes. The defect of the latter will manifest itself in the following symptoms:

1. The system starts randomly : it will fire intermittently due to a bad connection in electrical harnesses ;
2. The system remains active at all times : this phenomenon occurs due to a malfunction of sensors, diodes or cameras;
3. The system doesn't work at all : one part of the AFIL system is completely out of order and requires repair.

As soon as one of these symptoms appears, you will have to go to a professional workshop so that he can determine the cause of the malfunction and correct it as soon as possible in order to restore the normal functioning of the system.

💶 How much does it cost to install the AFIL system?

For motorists with a vehicle not equipped with the AFIL system, it can be installed by going to the garage or dealer. Beforehand, you will need to make sure that the installation is compatible with the electronic device of your car.

On average, this intervention costs from 400 € and 600 € depending on the model and make of your vehicle.

Lane Departure Warning is a very good device to improve the safety of your vehicle and reduce the risk of an accident if you accidentally leave your lane. It joins other driving assistance tools which are very useful for the driver when traveling on board.