Car Chat

[MX793]

Problem is that it does mess up  the  interior  because  where  the  manual  transmission  is  that's  where  the  touchpad  is  located on  the  A/T  models. That position is ideal for the touchpad from an ergonomic POV. As  a  result of the M/T being there, the touchpad has  been  pushed  back  to  a  rather  unergonomic  position.

Here's how it looks on the A/T models. Perfect place in terms of ergonomics.

Your logic falls apart when one points out that there is no such thing as an ergonomic touchpad in a car.

[Soup DeVille]

Ford hasn't offered an MT in the F150 in at least 15 years.

A couple years ago at least, the only manuals in pickups came from Dodge (no, I will not call them Rams), and even there, you needed to get a 3/4 ton diesel to get one.

[cawimmer430]

Your logic falls apart when one points out that there is no such thing as an ergonomic touchpad in a car.

I'm talking about the seating position and the position of your right arm in regards to the position of the touchpad. It's located in the perfect spot for you to operate it with your fingers.

In the M/T version, it's pushed back like half a foot to a really terrible and illogical position.

[12,000 RPM]

MX is right; a touchpad has no place in a car, even if it's ergonomically optimized.

[cawimmer430]

MX is right; a touchpad has no place in a car, even if it's ergonomically optimized.

I only use it when the car is idle or I am driving at low speeds.

At higher speeds I use the touchpad controls on the steering wheel, the touchscreen or simply voice commands. I have four choices of how to operate things here.

[FoMoJo]

I only use it when the car is idle or I am driving at low speeds.

At higher speeds I use the touchpad controls on the steering wheel, the touchscreen or simply voice commands. I have four choices of how to operate things here.

Why have they made driving so complicated?

[cawimmer430]

Why have they made driving so complicated?

I don't consider the interaction with the touchscreen/touchpad to be "part of driving". Driving the car is just like every other car, and once you get used to the simple and logical layout of the digital display, you can go through it blindly - either by touch or by the steering wheel and center console touchpads.

[FoMoJo]

I don't consider the interaction with the touchscreen/touchpad to be "part of driving". Driving the car is just like every other car, and once you get used to the simple and logical layout of the digital display, you can go through it blindly - either by touch or by the steering wheel and center console touchpads.

The most convenient features of newer vehicles, imo, is the GPS and the little indicator on the rear view mirrors that tell you if someone is in your blind spot.  All the other stuff is just unnecessary. 

[cawimmer430]

The most convenient features of newer vehicles, imo, is the GPS and the little indicator on the rear view mirrors that tell you if someone is in your blind spot.  All the other stuff is just unnecessary. 

I used to feel that way and I still do for the most part. However, I also cherish things like the 360-degree parking camera and of course the vocal interaction and command/request function of MBUX. It's quite handy when you need it. I mainly use the voice command feature for navigation letting the system know where I want to go, and for weather reports on the way to a shoot.

For everything else like switching between radio and my MP3s, changing the station/song, asking what my fuel economy is or how much fuel remains in the tank etc. I do it manually by pressing the right buttons.

[MX793]

The most convenient features of newer vehicles, imo, is the GPS and the little indicator on the rear view mirrors that tell you if someone is in your blind spot.  All the other stuff is just unnecessary. 

I hate those blindspot monitor lights.  Very distracting, especially at night.  If you adjust your mirrors properly, it's possible to not have a blind spot.  At least in most vehicles I've driven.

Rear view camera is probably the most useful piece of tech I've found in new cars.  Especially as vehicles and belt lines have gotten taller.

[Galaxy]

This car was like 10 years to late, and much to expensive. Still a nice engineering exercise.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1E4Cqx4S7K4

[FoMoJo]

I hate those blindspot monitor lights.  Very distracting, especially at night.  If you adjust your mirrors properly, it's possible to not have a blind spot.  At least in most vehicles I've driven.

Rear view camera is probably the most useful piece of tech I've found in new cars.  Especially as vehicles and belt lines have gotten taller.

As for blind spots, I always used to glance at the mirror and then over my shoulder.  I do think the blind spot monitors are handy, but am concerned they might suddenly stop working.  Another feature that I like is the warning beeps when reversing, especially when parked beside SUVs where the back of them block all vision to the sides.  As for the rear view camera, I don't find it very useful as the perspective is rather hampered.

[Soup DeVille]

I'm so conditioned to use the mirrors that I almost never look at the rear view camera monitor; until I can't see well enough with the mirrors.

[Eye of the Tiger]

How are convex mirrors are not standard equipment on everything? Cameras are dumb, except backup cameras because nothing has rear visibility anymore.

I cover my stupid flat mirrors with huge convex mirrors. I even have a convex center mirror. Not just blind spot elimination, but huge overlapping coverage.

[Galaxy]

How are convex mirrors are not standard equipment on everything? Cameras are dumb, except backup cameras because nothing has rear visibility anymore.

I cover my stupid flat mirrors with huge convex mirrors. I even have a convex center mirror. Not just blind spot elimination, but huge overlapping coverage.

But they cause distortion and you lose a sense of scale and distance.

[CaminoRacer]

This is terrifying

https://www.reddit.com/r/Justrolledintotheshop/comments/e2yprg/fords_new_dual_gas_pedals_are_pretty_scary/?utm_medium=android_app&utm_source=share

[giant_mtb]

This is terrifying

https://www.reddit.com/r/Justrolledintotheshop/comments/e2yprg/fords_new_dual_gas_pedals_are_pretty_scary/?utm_medium=android_app&utm_source=share

Uhhhhhh.  Yeah, fuck brake-by-wire. Some things should be left mechanical.

[Eye of the Tiger]

But they cause distortion and you lose a sense of scale and distance.

That is true, but it's a reason that only applies to people that shouldn't be driving in the first place.

[Soup DeVille]

This is terrifying

https://www.reddit.com/r/Justrolledintotheshop/comments/e2yprg/fords_new_dual_gas_pedals_are_pretty_scary/?utm_medium=android_app&utm_source=share

What the hell?

[Soup DeVille]

Uhhhhhh.  Yeah, fuck brake-by-wire. Some things should be left mechanical.

They're completely brake by wire?

[giant_mtb]

They're completely brake by wire?

I do not know, but if the brake pedal is modulating the throttle instead of the brakes...there's likely a total disconnect between the pedal and the actual braking system, no?

[CaminoRacer]

From the comments:

OP: "We called this one the all go, no woah Ford. It was working as intended until detail got ahold of it. Still not sure why this was able to happen or how it happened."

"Is it fly by wire? If yes, is the brake pedal pinching the wires that go to the accelerator petal? More importantly, can you tie in the horn to the brake pedal? :)"

OP: "That's what I thought too, but when we looked under the wires were completely separate and nowhere near each other. We cleared the engine codes and it stopped, so my guess is the goo detail used on the floor got into a sensor or something and did a number to it? We honestly have no idea haha"

[MX793]

I do not know, but if the brake pedal is modulating the throttle instead of the brakes...there's likely a total disconnect between the pedal and the actual braking system, no?

My guess is that either something in the control module is shorted or there's some kind of electro-magnetic interference or cross-talk happening on that vehicle if the brake pedal is revving the engine.

IIRC, there has to be a mechanical backup/failsafe to safety critical systems like steering and brakes, which prevents true x-by-wire functionality, even if that is the primary mode of operation.  Also, brake pedal application information is sent to the engine ECU, so even if it was a "traditional" mechanical system, this could still happen if there was some kind of short or cross-talk between the brake circuits and the DBW throttle circuits.

[giant_mtb]

You are a wealth of knowledge, my friend. A true engineer.

[CaminoRacer]

My guess is that either something in the control module is shorted or there's some kind of electro-magnetic interference or cross-talk happening on that vehicle if the brake pedal is revving the engine.

IIRC, there has to be a mechanical backup/failsafe to safety critical systems like steering and brakes, which prevents true x-by-wire functionality, even if that is the primary mode of operation.  Also, brake pedal application information is sent to the engine ECU, so even if it was a "traditional" mechanical system, this could still happen if there was some kind of short or cross-talk between the brake circuits and the DBW throttle circuits.

The guy said it was fine until the detailer got his hands on the truck, so the goo he put on everything must have gotten into a sensor or connection.

[MX793]

Did the detailer hose out the engine bay?

[Soup DeVille]

I do not know, but if the brake pedal is modulating the throttle instead of the brakes...there's likely a total disconnect between the pedal and the actual braking system, no?

From what I can tell there's a failsafe gate that opens when 12v power is lost, and connects the brakes to the pedal directly, otherwise the brakes operate off of a pressure sensor on the pedal side of an isolated system.

[CaminoRacer]

From what I can tell there's a failsafe gate that opens when 12v power is lost, and connects the brakes to the pedal directly, otherwise the brakes operate off of a pressure sensor on the pedal side of an isolated system.

I don't get how that's better than a normal brake booster system.

[giant_mtb]

From what I can tell there's a failsafe gate that opens when 12v power is lost, and connects the brakes to the pedal directly, otherwise the brakes operate off of a pressure sensor on the pedal side of an isolated system.

Looks like the safe failed.

[Soup DeVille]

I don't get how that's better than a normal brake booster system.

If its a hybrid or electric vehicle that is capable of regenerative braking, the system can balance between electric and hydraulic braking automatically. It can also reduce pressure during ABS activation and apply it during traction control independent of driver input.