Ford is rolling out automatic lane changes for vehicles equipped with BlueCruise 1.5. The update will allow the vehicle to automatically switch lanes under certain conditions, making highway driving even more convenient. What do you all think about this feature?
https://media.ford.com/content/fordmedia/fna/us/en/news/2024/10/21/ford-introduces-automatic-lane-changes-on-bluecruise-1-5.html
How do they decide which vehicles get the 1.5 update? Obviously, it depends on having the right sensors, but what else qualifies a truck for the upgrade?
Noel said:
How do they decide which vehicles get the 1.5 update? Obviously, it depends on having the right sensors, but what else qualifies a truck for the upgrade?
I used to work on BlueCruise. It’s mostly about when Ford does the final testing and signs off on each model. If you have a Lightning or higher-trim F-150, you’ll probably get it eventually.
@Ezra
Good to know. Are there specific things that might disqualify a vehicle from the update?
Noel said:
@Ezra
Good to know. Are there specific things that might disqualify a vehicle from the update?
As long as you’ve got a Lariat or higher with BlueCruise, you should be good. Maybe a newer steering module could affect it, but that would likely happen during a mid-cycle update.
@Ezra
Why not include lower trims with BlueCruise?
Wylie said:
@Ezra
Why not include lower trims with BlueCruise?
Oops, my bad! Any F-150 with BlueCruise should be able to get the update, regardless of trim level.
Wylie said:
@Ezra
Why not include lower trims with BlueCruise?
Oops, my bad! Any F-150 with BlueCruise should be able to get the update, regardless of trim level.
Awesome, thanks for clearing that up!
Wylie said:
@Ezra
Why not include lower trims with BlueCruise?
Oops, my bad! Any F-150 with BlueCruise should be able to get the update, regardless of trim level.
I used to have a 2024 XLT with BlueCruise that could change lanes on its own. Now I’ve got a 2023 Lightning that doesn’t. Only models with the special sensors near the steering wheel will get BlueCruise and updates, I think.
@Ezra
Did you ever try to get them to stop the system from hugging the lines between lanes? It gives me a heart attack every time I pass a truck!
Arin said:
@Ezra
Did you ever try to get them to stop the system from hugging the lines between lanes? It gives me a heart attack every time I pass a truck!
Haha, trust me, the other options we tested were even scarier!
Does stop-and-go still need a lot of work? That’s really all I’d use BlueCruise for.
@Ezra
Hey, could you answer a couple of questions? Does wheel alignment affect BlueCruise performance? And why does my 2022 Platinum sometimes drive straight and other times feel wobbly?
@Ezra
Yikes! I guess that explains why it asks you to take over on tight corners.
Arin said:
@Ezra
Did you ever try to get them to stop the system from hugging the lines between lanes? It gives me a heart attack every time I pass a truck!
Now I’m curious… got any stories?
Jonah said:
@Ezra
Hey, could you answer a couple of questions? Does wheel alignment affect BlueCruise performance? And why does my 2022 Platinum sometimes drive straight and other times feel wobbly?
Ask away! Alignment shouldn’t matter unless it’s way off. Which version are you running? Earlier versions had issues with staying centered.
@Ezra
What do you think about Tesla’s Autopilot and their camera-only system? Did Ford try testing it out?
Owen said:
@Ezra
What do you think about Tesla’s Autopilot and their camera-only system? Did Ford try testing it out?
Yeah, we tested it a lot. Tesla does some things really well, but a camera-only setup struggles with accurately measuring distance. For anything beyond Level 2 self-driving, you need radar or Lidar for safety.
@Ezra
Thanks for explaining. I can’t see Tesla ever making their Robotaxi thing happen without adding Lidar.