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2012 Ford Focus

1316 messages,  Last post on Feb 25, 2013 at 4:53 AM

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What is this discussion about? Ford Focus, Ford, Car Buying, Future Vehicle, Coupe, Hatchback, Sedan, Wagon

Messages Page 57 of 132

#557 of 1316 Re: Auto parallel park/Touch system. ?? [pod] by creakid1

May 29, 2011 (6:36 pm)

Replying to: pod (May 29, 2011 9:47 am)
I am very happy with the buttons and dials on my 2010 Milan whose positions are memorized quickly.
 
Yeah, but those idiots probably can't memorize them anyway. So what's the difference...
 
Ford thought they have discontinued the volume-seller inexpensive roomy Focus (& replaced it w/ an expensive cramped "Ford Probe 4-dr coupe"), so they need to offer all those electronic gadgets (even including self-steering anti-lane-departure in some foreign markets ) in order to capture additional sales from idiots w/ no driving skill.
 
But then, by my standard, even drivers who can't enjoy stick are pretty unskillful.

#558 of 1316 Re: Auto parallel park/Touch system. ?? [pod] by lilengineerboy

May 29, 2011 (8:05 pm)

Replying to: pod (May 29, 2011 9:47 am)
he auto parallel park seen a some Focus ads make the ad seems like a parody. Does anyone really need this, especially with such a small car? Could it be used on a crowded city street (where it may be helpful for the few)? Wouldn't you set off a riot in the drivers held up behind you while the car does its machinations? Are you in the car or standing clear?
 
Focus Active Park Assist
 
So the way these guys work is you activate the system and it scans for a parking spot. Once it finds one, it has you stop take your hands off the wheel, put the car in reverse and control the speed with the gas and brake. Once it backs up as far as its willing to, it has the driver shift to drive and again control gas and brake. If its a really tight spot it keeps going back and forth a few times.
 
I guess the advantage is that it will find a spot that is smaller than most would be willing to try on their own. Its not totally autonomous since the driver is still controlling the gas and the brake.

#559 of 1316 Re: Auto parallel park/Touch system. ?? [lilengineerboy] by shipo

May 29, 2011 (8:07 pm)

Replying to: lilengineerboy (May 29, 2011 8:05 pm)
It's really cool to watch the clutch pedal and the stick shift swinging around on their own.

#560 of 1316 shipo... by iluvmysephia1

May 29, 2011 (8:38 pm)

It's really cool to watch the clutch pedal and the stick shift swinging around on their own.
 
Yeah, in a parallel universe!

#561 of 1316 Re: Auto parallel park/Touch system. ?? [pod] by gambit293

May 29, 2011 (8:54 pm)

Replying to: pod (May 29, 2011 9:47 am)
I'm a semi-luddite, though I'll have to try mytouch out myself to get a better idea. IMO, I don't think the concept itself is flawed. If it all works as planned, why is looking at digital controls on the console any different from looking at the center stack? But that's the problem of course. Everything I've read seems to suggest that Ford didn't execute very well.
 
As for the auto-park, I don't per se have a problem with the tech; it seems like a strange feature for the low/mid level Focus. I'm not exactly sure who it's targeting. Young drivers who generally suck at driving skills? But how could the young driver afford the expensive option? Maybe the older crowd with failing senses?

#562 of 1316 Re: Auto parallel park/Touch system. ?? [gambit293] by creakid1

May 30, 2011 (3:38 am)

Replying to: gambit293 (May 29, 2011 8:54 pm)
Actually, the auto park option is a very attractive feature, especially if it's available on an inexpensive stripped Focus, even w/ stick. You still have to move the clutch pedal & shifter yourself.
 
This system can detect exactly how close your bumpers next to the obstacles as well as not having your tires touching the curb through out the whole process.
 
But of course, all drivers should go through enough driver's training w/o using this feature or the stability control on slippery surface.

#563 of 1316 Re: Auto parallel park/Touch system. ?? [creakid1] by mikey38

May 30, 2011 (6:21 am)

Replying to: creakid1 (May 30, 2011 3:38 am)
Should probably disable the power brakes and steering too!

#564 of 1316 Re: Auto parallel park/Touch system. ?? [creakid1] by shipo

May 30, 2011 (6:40 am)

Replying to: creakid1 (May 30, 2011 3:38 am)
"Actually, the auto park option is a very attractive feature, especially if it's available on an inexpensive stripped Focus, even w/ stick. You still have to move the clutch pedal & shifter yourself."
 
Ummm, my comment about watching the stick and the clutch pedal move on their own was in jest, and unless I missed something, not possible on a car sold into the North American market. Why? Because the "Parking Technology Package" is only available on cars equipped with the automatic transmission. Said another way, the parking package is only available on the SEL and Titanium models, both of which are only offered in automatic trim.

#565 of 1316 Re: Auto parallel park/Touch system. ?? [mikey38] by creakid1

May 30, 2011 (5:39 pm)

Replying to: mikey38 (May 30, 2011 6:21 am)
Should probably disable the power brakes and steering too!
 
I almost did that on the '05 & '07 Focus ST. By tapping into the the wire coming out from the pwr-steering pump into the computer, either completely disconnect or changing the voltage /w a potentiometer/resistor, I actually achieved various results & have kept the power assistance down to the minimum.
 
Anyway, I am keeping my badly worn Mk1 Jetta for the "saltwater-fishing like" manual steering as well as the pwr brakes that feel almost like no pwr assist.

#566 of 1316 Re: Auto parallel park/Touch system. ?? [gambit293] by pod

May 30, 2011 (7:10 pm)

Replying to: gambit293 (May 29, 2011 8:54 pm)
To clarify. I don't have to look at the center stack since my brain (which is an old model) has, without effort on my part, memorized the position and function of the controls for the various HVAC, radio, etc. I don't need to look away from the road. There are no graphics I need to read. It's like flipping the directional blinker or turning on the wipers. No eyes necessary. That was my point in criticizing the touch system. By definition you have to look at a screen to make the adjustments unless the "touch" panels are actually raised a bit and each is dedicated to a specific function....even that may be beyond my capacity to memorize. I think the screen is a necessary component which displays different menus that you respond to by "touching another panel" I know which way to turn the dials and which buttons are where without taking my eyes off the road. That would seem a safety priority to me.
I'm glad to see it is an "add on" feature although often the "packages" are built into the higher end models and it is difficult to find a baser model without the features that annoy. I guess I could just leave it alone, but it must add a good bit to the price since there are sensors and control electronics of a sort not previously necessary that have to talk to the transmission and throttle and brakes.
I haven't seen the "touch system" in person so there may be some saving grace that escapes my notion of how it works. Does anyone out there use the touch system who would comment on my perceived deficiency.

Messages Page 57 of 132

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