Vehicle "Must Have" Option

[Dennis The B]

Wednesday, I picked up my newly leased 2017 Escape. This is my second one, and the lease cost for a loaded Titanium is quite a bit less than the Explorer XLT.

One of the options available for 2017, is the adaptive cruise control. I've had cruise control on cars since 1977, and I've always appreciated how much fatigue they prevent.

Adaptive cruise control uses the vehicle's front sensors to determine the distance to the vehicle in front. A rocker switch on the steering wheel allows you to set the distance you believe is safe for maintaining distance.

As the traffic in front of you speeds up, or slows down, the cruise control now modifies your speed setting down, or up to the speed you've set. It also has a feature which will start vehicle braking in the event someone pulls in front of you, and the distance is too little.

Friday, I had the first-hand opportunity to see just how effective the system is. I was on I-75 southbound, and south of Findlay, OH. We were strung out in a line in the left lane, while semis and slower drivers were in the right lane. As part of my normal driving, I watch drivers, to see if they "telegraph" their intention to change lanes - head and body movement, etc.

The driver of a later model Acura, was actually tailgating a semi. In an instant, and less than 50 feet in front and to the right, he suddenly changed lanes; no signal, no warning. His speed was probably no more than 55 mph, versus my cruising speed of 70.

In less than a half-second, the cruise control system, not only sensed his movement, but it immediately applied the brakes to my vehicle. There are six red LED's on the dash which reflect in the windshield when the brakes are applied by the system.

I still have good reflexes, but I had barely gotten my foot off the floor when I was slowed safely, but firmly. Would I have reacted quickly enough? I like to think I would, but this system added a real reactive margin.

If you're planning to buy/lease a new car, and this option is available, don't hesitate to pay the additional cost. It can be a life saver.

 

[amazingflapjack]

We have a 2015 that we are fond of; does the newer model have a larger rear camera screen than the previous model? Thanks.

 

[Tom S.]

Can you set it to a few inches so you can draft like a NASCAR driver?

 

[vonn]

I just don't feel like I want to trust a computer with my well being.

 

[Dennis The B]

We have a 2015 that we are fond of; does the newer model have a larger rear camera screen than the previous model? Thanks.

The rear camera actually "sees" the license plate frame. The screen shows about three feet more lateral image.

 

[Dennis The B]

Can you set it to a few inches so you can draft like a NASCAR driver?

It probably would, if you could trust the dopes in front of you.

 

[mike from st pete]

I just want a good stereo with a CD player.

 

[Targets Guy]

My 2014, 2015 and 2016 Subaru Forester's had and have the EyeSight system. Will never be without it. Glad to see Ford has arrived with one.

 

[ChattanoogaPhil]

Sounds like an excellent system. My Tundra turned 16 years old and I've been considering a new truck. I'll keep it in mind.

Over time I wonder if folks will begin to rely on these type systems to the point of degrading skills. Kinda like before I had a cell phone that stored numbers I could remember everyone's phone number. Now I don't remember anyone's. Or maybe I've just got older....

 

[Muss Muggins]

I'm sure it works wonderfully until it doesn't, and the driver is then at a loss as to what to do (at 70 mph . . . )

 

[BearBio]

4WD==living in an area where services are few and far apart, weather changes in an instant (Have had to chain up on Memorial Day to get home), passes close (some for all season), mudslides abound, "widow-makers" go down almost every day==4WD is a MUST. Rear TV? Collision assist? (will it stop a deer or elk from jumping out in front?)

Wife has cruise control, it is nice on a long drive but not so good on winding roads through tight passes. I don't use it enough to really get used to it, but it's nice on the freeway (1 1/2 hours away). Lots of the women like it, it seems.

 

[CBus660R]

Wife has cruise control, it is nice on a long drive but not so good on winding roads through tight passes. I don't use it enough to really get used to it, but it's nice on the freeway (1 1/2 hours away). Lots of the women like it, it seems.

I couldn't live without cruise control, but I am a flatlander who does at least a thousand miles a month on the interstate lol

I amm looking forward to having adaptive cruise control, but that is several years away, I'm only 1 year into my latest vehicle and she better last me 6 or 7 more!

 

[Hillbilly77]

Over time I wonder if folks will begin to rely on these type systems to the point of degrading skills.

I guarantee it.

Then when they rear-end somebody because they were busy texting it'll be the car's fault.
Just like when people crash into a building and insist that their GPS told them to go that way.

 

[Mike SC Hunter]

MY vehicle must haves are......A V8 engine......150 on the speedometer &.....Dual exhaust.........Life's TOO SHORT TO DRIVE A WIMPY 4 CYLINDER WEENIE MOBILE.

btw.....We drive Mustangs....have since 89.

 

[kozmic]

Friday,
The driver of a later model Acura, was actually tailgating a semi. In an instant, and less than 50 feet in front and to the right, he suddenly changed lanes; no signal, no warning. His speed was probably no more than 55 mph, versus my cruising speed of 70.

Now if they'd just hood mount a 50 cal with a remote trigger on the steering wheel, you could eliminate the problem for everyone who doesn't have adaptive cruise!

 

[JJEH]

Over time I wonder if folks will begin to rely on these type systems to the point of degrading skills.

They already do. Around here if you see a crappy driver they are either drunk and/or on the phone. Then of course, adaptive cruise control, lane assistant and speed limiter come in handy.

Just like those fancy scopes that calculate everything for you. Some probably come with an integrated tactical microwave for the time you are stalking your target, in case you get hungry.

If you have a machine do everything for you and you rely on it to 100% you can only lose your skills...

I'm just afraid that in 20 years from now you can't buy a regular vehicle anymore. We are probably flying by then. Combustion engines are outlawed and you can only buy electric powered vehicles that produce electricity with your feces. Because that's one thing people never stop doing so why not put it to good use...

 

[Jingles]

I'm still using crank windows.

 

[vt_shooter]

There is a downside to these new bells and whistles: Maintenance costs. The Auto Dealers Association lobbyists will petition each state’s governments to make it a requirement for all these things to work for a car to pass its annual inspection (great for the service dept’s bottom line), and if you think repairing the tire pressure sensor system can be an expensive PITA in order to pass inspection, just wait until the you have to pay to have the Adaptive cruise control and associated sensors replaced so your car can pass inspection.

 

[Dennis The B]

For me, it's another tool in my box. Almost 40 years of cruise control hasn't dulled my senses, only allowed me to monitor other drivers without the distraction of eyeing the speedometer, and as I first noted, easing driver fatigue.

We just can't ignore technology, otherwise it's back to the Model T.

How many folks want to go back to having a tuneup every 3000-5000 miles. Do you want to go back to gapping your own spark plugs, or setting the point gap? How about the lacquer building up in the carburetor jets? How many of us carried a spare set of points and a feeler gauge in the trunk tool box?

Don't forget about general computer reliability. 30 years ago, you wouldn't trust your desk top not to get the "blue screen of death", and inconsistent reboots. Now, the same advances in technology allow fuel injectors to micromanage fuel usage and maximize fuel efficiency.

Storing numbers on your phone is just another convenience; just the same as storing my contacts in Outlook. I can concentrate on other things that are more important.

 

[NYlakesider]

I'm old school (very old school) I leaned to drive when most cars had a non syncro 3 spd column mounted manual shiftier. Many did not have power steering or power brakes. You also had to take a drivers test parallel parking into a somewhat tight space to get a license. Back then most people new how to drive. Now with the overly complicated vehicles, bad drivers and celling /texting its a real zoo out on the public roads.

There is so much foo foo on cars/light truck that you almost need a copilot to leave your driveway.

I'm now driving a 16 Toyota 4x4 with so many superfluous gadgets that its not even funny. At least on this truck many of the nanny's "help" you way too early. Just to plow snow and disable the nanny's you have to push two different buttons and of course any time you shut it off it defaults to full nanny mode.
Lights going on bells going off.

I also in good weather drive a new Vette that car has way too much junk on it. Of course that stuff also raises the prices.

You have so much that you can personalize but the owners manual is about as large as the NY City phone book and written by engineers that only other engineers can understand. Push a wrong button on the steering wheel (there are over 12) and no telling how long if ever you can get back to where you were. Then there is a screen on the dash that has about 75 more things to screw with.

The title of this thread is Must have Options I would most certainly like a vehicle that I could get that has option deleteS available.