Message Center

MESSAGE CENTER

The message center is an Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) located in a central position at the bottom of the instrument cluster. The LCD has a viewable area of 71 mm X 36 mm with a pixel size of 0.54 mm X 0.54 mm. When active, the message center is illuminated as follows:

^ At ignition on.
^ At ignition off when all current messages are being displayed to the driver.
^ At ignition off, each current message is displayed in turn for 3 seconds. The message center will remain active if KEY IN IGNITION or LIGHTS ON is displayed.

When the ignition is switched on and the lights are off, the message center will illuminate at full, normal brightness. If the lights are switched on, the intensity of illumination is reduced to a level determined by the PWM dimmer control located on the lighting control switch.

The majority of messages are generated by the vehicle subsystem modules on receipt of CAN bus message signals. The instrument cluster identifies the signals and displays the appropriate message in the message center.

Most messages are accompanied by a chime or series of chimes which is requested by the module generating the message. The chime is emitted by a sounder located within the instrument cluster.

The driver can view system status messages which are current within the instrument cluster software by cycling through the trip computer functions.

Message Center Display Arbitration
When the ignition is switched on, the message center displays the system check message for 3 seconds. If the ignition is switched off during this period, the display goes off.

After the system check, the message center shows the normal display for a vehicle without Terrain Response(TM) (display mode 3E, see following section for mode descriptions). The display shows the ambient temperature, adaptive cruise information (if applicable) and trip computer information. This display format is changed if the driver switches the ignition off or the instrument cluster detects a condition which needs to be relayed to the driver, low washer fluid for example. Driver intervention has the highest priority. If a driver request and a warning condition become active at the same time, the driver request will be displayed first.

If an adaptive cruise set-up message is received, the display will change to display mode 3 D or E (see following section for mode descriptions). This will display for 3 seconds when the display changes back to the normal display.

If a Terrain Response(TM) message is received, the display will change to a mode 3 display, appropriate for the additional information to be displayed. The instrument cluster reviews the information required to be displayed and shows the appropriate format.

Display Modes
The message center has four different display modes. Each mode is displayed depending on vehicle operating conditions and driver requests. The display modes are detailed in the following table:





Display Mode 0
This mode is entered when the ignition is off and the CAN bus system is 'asleep' and no characters or symbols are displayed. This mode is exited by switching the ignition on or if the driver selects the 'Customer Settings' mode.

Display Mode 1
This mode displays information to the driver and provides the driver with the option to change certain settings for the vehicle. The display is a full screen format. A number of displays are available to allow the driver to customise various vehicle functions. Refer to 'Customer Settings' in this section for further details.

Display Mode 2 - System Start-up
When the ignition is switched on, the LCD shows the 'SYSTEM CHECK IN PROGRESS' message. This message is displayed during the indicator lamp test period for 3 seconds after the ignition on is sensed. When the ignition is switched off, the LCD returns to the display mode 0.

Display Mode 3
Display mode 3 is the normal operating mode for the message center. There are seven different display formats (A to G) which cover all possible display formats and also provides for vehicles with or without the Terrain Response(TM) system. The seven displays are described below:
^ A = Display shows: Terrain Response(TM) Mode icon; Steering Wheel Direction Icons; Trip computer/Warning Messages
^ B = Display shows: Terrain Response(TM) Modes (Active mode in reverse image); Terrain Response(TM) description message
^ C = Display shows: Active Terrain Response(TM) Mode icon; Terrain Response " Description message; Trip Computer/Warning Messages
^ D = Display shows: Active Terrain Response(TM) Mode icon; Ambient Temperature; Text/Information/Advice/Warnings; Adaptive Cruise Control (if applicable)
^ E = Display shows: Ambient Temperature; Adaptive Cruise Control (if applicable); Text/Information/Advice/Warnings
^ F = Display shows: Ambient Temperature; Warnings/Information
^ G = Display shows: Active Terrain Response(TM) Mode icon; Ambient Temperature; Text/Information/Advice/Warnings

Message Priority
The messages are assigned priorities which are defined by the effect on driving safety and functional ability of the vehicle. New messages are displayed and accompanied by a chime from the sounder. Messages are divided into three priority groups; 1, 2, and 3 as follows:

Priority Group 1
^ This group of messages have a direct effect on the driving ability and safety of the vehicle, 'ENGINE SYSTEM FAULT' for example. This message would require an immediate reaction from the driver in response to the message. Priority 1 messages will also be accompanied by the appropriate warning indicator flashing and a continuous chime from the instrument cluster. If more than one priority 1 message is present, each message is displayed in turn at 3 second intervals.

Priority Group 2
^ This group of messages do not directly affect the driving ability or safety of the vehicle, 'CHECK BRAKE PADS' for example. This message must be noted by the driver and the cause rectified as soon as possible. Each of these messages is displayed once at ignition on or when the fault occurs for a predetermined time period. These messages can be recalled by the driver by pressing the trip reset button for more than 3 seconds.

Priority Group 3
^ This group of messages relate to low priority messages, 'WASHER FLUID LOW' for example. Depending on the message, some messages are only shown at the end of a journey to avoid annoyance to the driver. The messages will be accompanied by a chime when the ignition is switched off to alert the driver to their presence.

The messages are displayed in a language applicable to the market configuration of the vehicle and can be changed using T4. The following list shows the possible messages which can be displayed, other visual or audible warnings and a description of the message.























Ambient Temperature
The external ambient air temperature is measured by a sensor located on the right hand side of the bonnet locking platform, behind the front grill. The sensor is connected to the HEVAC module. The HEVAC module outputs temperature messages on the CAN bus which are used by the instrument cluster to display the current ambient temperature.

The message center displays the ambient temperature in the top right hand corner of the LCD display. The temperature is displayed until the message center is required to display system information. When system information has been displayed, the ambient temperature will reappear. The temperature is displayed in �F or �C depending the market configuration of the vehicle. The driver can also change the temperature reading using the 'Customer Settings' function.

Cold Warning Indication
When the ambient temperature is being displayed, if the temperature falls to 4 degree C (39.2 degree F) or below, the cold warning symbol will display. The cold warning symbol is in the form of a snow flake and will flash on and off, five times at a frequency of 2Hz. An audible warning will also be emitted by the instrument cluster to alert the driver. After the fifth flash of the symbol, the display will continue to display the snow flake symbol in place of 'EXT' until a temperature of 6 degree C (42.8 degree F) or higher is measured

The cold warning will only be displayed once during an ignition cycle. If the ambient temperature rises to 6 degree C (42.8 degree F) or above and then subsequently falls to 4 degree C (39.2 degree F) or below during the same ignition cycle, the warning will be repeated.

If the display mode changes to a mode which does not display the ambient temperature during the warning period, the cold warning will be cancelled.