Does the Ford BlueCruise Actually Work the Way You’d Expect?
Do you remember riding your bicycle without putting your hands on the handlebars? The first time you did it was a bit wobbly, but once you got the hang of it, you felt like you’d conquered the world. You might find a similar feeling when you use the Ford BlueCruise system. This feature is trickling out to new Ford models as the hands-free driving system you want in your next Ford truck or SUV.
How does the Ford BlueCruise work?
As we draw ever closer to that time when fully-autonomous vehicles are the norm, we see advanced technology offered to give us some hands-free driving. This Ford system uses a combination of cameras and radar to keep the vehicle centered in the lane and a set distance from the vehicles ahead.
Can you use this system on every road?
No, similar to the GM SuperCruise system, these mapped roads are included in the software. These roads are mostly highways, giving your hands and feet a rest when you’re out on a long stretch of highway.
Can you sleep while the Ford BlueCruise is enabled?
No, the system uses cameras to ensure the driver is paying attention while engaged. If a driver fails to pay attention, audible warnings are issued by the system. This system does work while a driver wears sunglasses, making it easy for you to be comfortable when your hands aren’t on the wheel.
How does this system center a vehicle in the lane?
The Ford BlueCruise system does something you won’t be used to when engaged. The vehicle will determine the outer boundaries of the lane by drifting right then left before centering. This only happens when first engaged, but it can be a bit unnerving if you’re not sure why the vehicle is moving toward the boundaries of the lane.
Is Ford BlueCruise available yet?
Yes, the system was recently made available for some previous model year Ford F-150 pickups. This feature comes standard in the Platinum and Limited trims of the current F-150 as well as the Mustang Mach-E SUV. It won’t be long before this hands-free driving system is offered on every Ford truck and SUV.
Do you have to pay for BlueCruise?
Some have reported the vehicle sticker showing the feature included for three years at a $600 cost. After the three-year subscription, a vehicle owner would need to renew for a predetermined time to continue enjoying the benefits of this Ford feature.
How do I activate BlueCruise?
Ford tells us that you must enable the BlueCruise feature using SYNC and then activate it with our steering wheel. The steps to do this are:
- Touch Settings on the SYNC screen
- Tap Driver Assistance
- Select Cruise Control
- Press Lane Centering with Hands-Free
- Touch Activation Prompts
- Press the Adaptive Cruise Control button on the steering wheel
- Press the Lateral Support button on the steering wheel
This seems like several steps, but once you get the hang of it, enabling BlueCruise will become second nature to you.
Next, check out the Ford Expedition, or watch the Ford BlueCruise video below:
