Jump to content

Adaptive Cruise -> Ridiculous!


tneison

Recommended Posts

Of all the awesome tech features on the 11 Edge Limited, I have to say the adaptive cruise control even exceeded my expectations the most. Since I drive fairly fast it was always frustrating to have to cancel or hit the break every time someone was driving slow in the left lane using traditional cruise control - it almost became pointless to have it. No with this feature, all the 'stress' is gone. I still have trouble understanding why people drive slow in the left lane but that's a different story.

 

For anyone getting an Edge of these, if you can stretch the budget a bit I can't recommend this feature enough. Especially if you are already getting the Limited and were planning on adding package - I strongly suggest bumping up to the 302A. Suffice it to say all future vehicles I drive will have this.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

It uses radar. You'll detect yourself.

Don't be surprised when other folks come zipping up near you and then suddenly slow down because it triggers their detector. I had an alarm installed on a truck years ago that had a perimeter sensor (using radar). Even though the alarm was disarmed while driving the radar sensor remained on, therefore anyone that passed me (or most likely that I passed) with a radar detector began slowing down and frantically looking for a cop (lol).

 

And I must say, when I read the title of this thread, I thought for sure it was going to be another complaint...

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Don't be surprised when other folks come zipping up near you and then suddenly slow down because it triggers their detector. I had an alarm installed on a truck years ago that had a perimeter sensor (using radar). Even though the alarm was disarmed while driving the radar sensor remained on, therefore anyone that passed me (or most likely that I passed) with a radar detector began slowing down and frantically looking for a cop (lol).

 

And I must say, when I read the title of this thread, I thought for sure it was going to be another complaint...

 

No complaints from me at least not yet. That explains some of the alerts I get on my detector while driving around (before I had the Edge). I can't believe I didn't think of that before - I guess I thought cars were using laser not radar for adaptive cruise. Anyways, I have that top-end Escort 9500 like another poster mentioned so I'm going to read up on how I can hopefully have it 'learn' to ignore the frequency of at least my vehicle's sensors. I really want to be able to use both - this radar detector has saved me from multiple tickets.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I’m not sure about other radar detectors.

But I could quickly teach my Passport 9500ix to ignore the cars frequency.

 

http://www.escortradar.com/passport9500ix-details.php

 

ab

 

ab - i read the escort manual and searched their forum - i can't find here you do this? I have the 9500ix as well. Everything I read talks about locking out fixed signal locations (i.e. known false alarm spots, etc.). Any help would be appreciated!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

So, I just have to ask, for those with radar/laser detectors; how much faster do you really drive over the speed limit?? I bet my eyes have saved me as much as your detector has saved you...

 

I don't have a detector and typically drive 10 (to 15) over (except for residential areas and school zones). On the interstates I sometimes push it a little more but we have a super-speeder law where anything over 25 is double fines and then some if the officer feels like it.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Of all the awesome tech features on the 11 Edge Limited, I have to say the adaptive cruise control even exceeded my expectations the most.

 

I'm in the market for a used 2011 Edge and have been watching this forum for feedback on the adaptive cruise control. It's good to hear that Ford got it right on this piece of technology.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

ab - i read the escort manual and searched their forum - i can't find here you do this? I have the 9500ix as well. Everything I read talks about locking out fixed signal locations (i.e. known false alarm spots, etc.). Any help would be appreciated!

 

Try the TrueLock/GPS filter for your adaptive cruise.

 

I would start the cruise in my garage (or on a lonely road) with the detector on.

When the detector warns you, hit the mute button 3 times.

Hopefully it will remember your frequency, block it and ignore the fact that it is moving.

 

If that doesn’t work try Auto No X.

I use it when in town, ALL our school busses (we have thousands) use x band.

 

Here’s a good forum.

http://www.radardetector.net/forums/escort/

 

ab

Link to comment
Share on other sites

So, I just have to ask, for those with radar/laser detectors; how much faster do you really drive over the speed limit?? I bet my eyes have saved me as much as your detector has saved you...

 

I don't have a detector and typically drive 10 (to 15) over (except for residential areas and school zones). On the interstates I sometimes push it a little more but we have a super-speeder law where anything over 25 is double fines and then some if the officer feels like it.

Yeah if you stick with 10 to possibly 15 over on an interstate you will almost never get nailed, and in that case a RD isn't worth it. I have a tendency to push it higher than that when I feel it is safe to do so, and had a run for a while where I was getting too many tickets. The choice was to slow down or get a good RD - I know what the proper answer is but unfortunately I also know my driving habits.. So my issue is more when the speed limit is say 55 on an interstate and I'm going 75 - and in those cases the RD has helped. That said, the last two times I was pulled over I was just being an idiot and had actually passed an unmarked cop each time (they don't like that very much). No RD will prevent that ticket. My theory is that the RD gets me out of probably a few interstate travelling tickets a year, but when you drive like an idiot you deserve and most likely will get one.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Try the TrueLock/GPS filter for your adaptive cruise.

 

Here’s a good forum.

http://www.radardetector.net/forums/escort/

 

ab

 

Thanks for the info - and that is a very good forum. Interestingly, so far my Edge doesn't set off the 9500ix and I just had it running along w/ the active cruise for about 15 minutes straight this morning. Assuming this continues to work ok, I'm going to go ahead and hard wire the RD into the fuse panel so that it powers off automatically and the cord is out of the way.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Well they got it mostly right. I love the feature on my MKX but I've had the "sensor blocked" error falsely activating probably well over 100 times since I've bought the vehicle last October. When that happens I have to pull over and restart the car or I switch to normal cruise control. Of course I also lose collision avoidance when this happens so there's also a safety element here that you might think might concern Ford.

 

But there doesn't seem to be any solution to it - the dealer likes to take my vehicle for 1/2 test drives but of course "can't reproduce the problem". Recently, for the first time, I was able to complete a 6 hour trip I make often without losing the adaptive cruise even once. Usually it happens every 1 -1.5 hours of driving. I need to do something to get Ford's attention because my dealer sure doesn't seem to have a clue.

 

The next time it happens don’t turn it off and don’t switch to normal cruise.

Take it to the closest Ford dealer; MAKE sure they DO NOT turn it OFF!

You probably want to make it a dedicated day/trip.

 

I sympathize with the ford tech.

It doesn’t make the customer happy but “If it’s not broke we can’t fix it.”

 

Good luck

ab

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Wish I had this feature on my Sport, I use CC all the time. As far as radar detectors are concerned, the only thing they're good for is to remind you to pull over and collect your speeding ticket. most departments use instant on these days or laser which is fired through a gun w a scope on it so that the car timed is the car stopped.100% accuracy.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Wish I had this feature on my Sport, I use CC all the time. As far as radar detectors are concerned, the only thing they're good for is to remind you to pull over and collect your speeding ticket. most departments use instant on these days or laser which is fired through a gun w a scope on it so that the car timed is the car stopped.100% accuracy.

 

Wish we had it too, we do a lot of interstate driving.

 

Hate to disagree with you about detectors but.

 

In N Texas cities the police either don’t have instant on or don’t use it.

The have enough customers that they don’t need it.

They leave it on ALL the time, even when they have some one stopped.

 

Out on the interstates:

Texas does have instant on and they use it a little, most of the time they also leave it on.

They also have plenty of customers.

When they do use the instant on, I see it when they shoot the car a mile (or more) ahead of me and for some reason don’t stop them???

Just a couple of weeks ago instant on was used on me but I was doing 70 in a 70 because I knew he was in the neighborhood.

 

New Mexico usually pass me when I’m doing 80 in a 70, they wave bye bye.

 

Colorado leave theirs on.

 

Utah same.

 

Nevada, not sure didn't get hit by any last month???

 

Evidently laser is only as good as the steady hand using it.

I do have good reflexes or maybe he’s looking for that rice burner doing 80 in a 60???

 

Usually the laser is under a bridge and the rest of his pack is over the hill waiting for the radio call.

Here again they have plenty of customers???

 

ab

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Of all the awesome tech features on the 11 Edge Limited, I have to say the adaptive cruise control even exceeded my expectations the most. Since I drive fairly fast it was always frustrating to have to cancel or hit the break every time someone was driving slow in the left lane using traditional cruise control - it almost became pointless to have it. No with this feature, all the 'stress' is gone. I still have trouble understanding why people drive slow in the left lane but that's a different story.

 

For anyone getting an Edge of these, if you can stretch the budget a bit I can't recommend this feature enough. Especially if you are already getting the Limited and were planning on adding package - I strongly suggest bumping up to the 302A. Suffice it to say all future vehicles I drive will have this.

 

 

Just drove 1,100 miles with it and it works great and it does not set-off my radar detector. It takes a bit to ged used to but well worth it.

Edited by blankster
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Just drove 1,100 miles with it and it works great and it does not set-off my radar detector. It takes a bit to ged used to but well worth it.

Gotta have it!!!!!! It's going to be hard to find a used 2011 Limited with the adaptive cruise control option.... in white.... w/black interior.... but that's my goal.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

What would likely happen in that scenario is my vehicle would sit idling for hours before some tech would look at it...

 

But I do have this on video including a view of the unobstructed sensor location. I offered to show it to the service department but they told me at that time that they themselves have to reproduce the problem. Since then I have spoken to the service manager who tells me that they believe there's a problem but that Ford hasn't provided them with any information as to how they might fix it! Great technology isn't it - Ford can provide the feature but can't fix it when it doesn't work. Or maybe my dealer is just useless - I have accumulated a fair bit of evidence that may be the case. Next closest Lincoln dealer is a 5 hour round trip.

Again I encourage you work with your service dept.

 

Tell them you’ll bring it in with it not working and to be ready to leave it running until a tech can work on it.

 

“If it’s not broken, we're very sorry but we can’t fix it.”

 

ab

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 3 months later...

I FOUND ONE!!! White w/Black Interior and the 302A package. Only 3500 mi. on it. Adaptive Cruise Control is everything I'd hoped it would be. Drove the 101 and 405 here in LA yesterday, set the cruise control to 69 mph and gap distance on max. It handled all of the speed variations very smoothly, dealt with the other drivers swooping in front of me quickly, applying the brakes when necessary. As the original poster said, it's my favorite bit of technology on the vehicle. Bluetooth streaming Pandora is second.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 1 year later...

I see information saying the sensor is not blocked, but i don't know where the sensor is to be able to check it. I see nothing in the manual & can't find anything on line showing the radar sensor that maybe blocked. Can anyone tell me or send me to a photo showing th adaptive cruse sensor?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

Loading...
×
×
  • Create New...