one2gamble Posted December 30, 2008 Share Posted December 30, 2008 I, for one, don't understand the need for this feature for two reasons: 1. In the 30 years I've been driving, I've had to parallel park maybe three times (and one of those was on the driving test) I dont even think they make you do that anymore 2. Parallel parking isn't that hard Neither is driving but if you spend 10 minutes on the road in California you would wonder how the hell some of these people got a license. It was a stupid idea when Lexus added it. I wish Ford had spent the development money on something more useful. It may be stupid but its a gadget, people like gadgets and they like to show off their gadgets. You have to keep up with the neighbors. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
old_fairmont_wagon Posted December 30, 2008 Share Posted December 30, 2008 While I can parallel park E-350 extended length cargo vans just using the side mirrors and a quick survey of the size of the space, my wife can't even parallel park the little 90s era civic coupe she used to drive. I can see where she'd be all over this feature if she had to work downtown. ITs a little more complex than just nav+rear parking sensors+EPS. You need the front distance sensor from adaptive cruise control, two more of the backup sensors surreptitiously hidden on the front corners, and the Emergency Brake Assist feature tuned so that it can do full brake application and a good link between whichever computer is controling the parkin assist (some systems have it in the nav system, others have it in a seperate box, still others have it integrated with an upgraded ABS system) and good links between that system and the transmission (reverse/1st shifting) and the electronic throttle control. Its not a very simple system at all, but, since most of thoses systems are already there on luxury cars, it makes it cost effective. We might see this trickle down to the Taurus at some point since the 2010 will likely have most of the hardpoints already in place to mount the various bits needed by the system. If they choose to offer it on the MKX, it could wind up on the Edge. And, also, the MkZ-Milan-Fusion connection. I can't possibly see it winding up on anything cheaper than a Fusion SEL in the next half decade at Ford. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deanh Posted December 30, 2008 Share Posted December 30, 2008 http://jalopnik.com/5120352/ford-active-pa...lincoln-mkt-mks gets my vote for the most redundant features EVER....barring extreme senior citizens and people in neck braces...Lincolns target audience? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichardJensen Posted December 30, 2008 Share Posted December 30, 2008 Emergency Brake Assist feature tuned so that it can do full brake application and a good link between whichever computer is controling the parkin assist (some systems have it in the nav system, others have it in a seperate box, still others have it integrated with an upgraded ABS system) and good links between that system and the transmission (reverse/1st shifting) and the electronic throttle control. You work the brakes, gas, and shift lever yourself with the Ford system. All it does is steer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jpd80 Posted December 30, 2008 Share Posted December 30, 2008 You work the brakes, gas, and shift lever yourself with the Ford system. All it does is steer. And here I was thinking it was Valet Parking. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deanh Posted December 30, 2008 Share Posted December 30, 2008 And here I was thinking it was Valet Parking. It also does the grocery shopping......... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blazerdude20 Posted December 30, 2008 Author Share Posted December 30, 2008 You work the brakes, gas, and shift lever yourself with the Ford system. All it does is steer. it says some where in the article there is an emergency brake system that will apply the brakes to prevent an accident should you forget "p.s. - Putting a system like this on a turd is equal to polishing it. Its still a turd. The MKT and MKS are crap. If you have to buy an American "luxury" car, you obviously go Cadillac. Lincoln is nothing more than a rebadged mercury - at best." from autoblog responses, what a tool. i must have fallen asleep for 8 months because i didnt even know the mkt was out yet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deanh Posted December 30, 2008 Share Posted December 30, 2008 it says some where in the article there is an emergency brake system that will apply the brakes to prevent an accident should you forget "p.s. - Putting a system like this on a turd is equal to polishing it. Its still a turd. The MKT and MKS are crap. If you have to buy an American "luxury" car, you obviously go Cadillac. Lincoln is nothing more than a rebadged mercury - at best." from autoblog responses, what a tool. i must have fallen asleep for 8 months because i didnt even know the mkt was out yet last I looked was lincoln actually doing relitively well in comparison with cadillac? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
battyr Posted December 30, 2008 Share Posted December 30, 2008 BTW, a massive to Lexus & Toyota. Their system is CAMERA based? You MUST be kidding me. No wonder it's lousy. Here I thought they were using the car's adaptive cruise control & rear parking assist.... CAMERA BASED? ZOMG...... Ford's fault is that it's system requires you to start the process before you pass the parking spot. You are required to drive past the parking spot for the system to measure the space before you can back into it. Ford turn's it around by saying that the system has the benefit of being able to find an adequate space for you. Toyota requires the cost of the Camera, etc. The Ford system just needs the software added to other options. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
battyr Posted December 30, 2008 Share Posted December 30, 2008 I can understand the age/mobility issue with parallel parking, but not the alleged difficulty of it. Although I will say that parallel parking on the 'wrong' side of a one-way street is a particularly interesting experience. Sort of like changing the second pair of shoes on drum brakes. The difficulty depends on hair color and sex. I see this more as a way of making your car a status symbol. Car people might not want it in their car, but a computer geak will. I don't think GM has anything like this, do they? Could hurt Cadillac. How about BMW and Benz? Ford could license it to Jag and Land Rover. Make some money. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NickF1011 Posted December 30, 2008 Share Posted December 30, 2008 The difficulty depends on hair color and sex. I see this more as a way of making your car a status symbol. Car people might not want it in their car, but a computer geak will. I don't think GM has anything like this, do they? Could hurt Cadillac. How about BMW and Benz? Ford could license it to Jag and Land Rover. Make some money. I'm a computer geek. I have no use for this sort of thing. Of course, most computer geeks probably don't prefer manual transmissions either. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichardJensen Posted December 30, 2008 Share Posted December 30, 2008 Ford's fault is that it's system requires you to start the process before you pass the parking spot. You are required to drive past the parking spot for the system to measure the space before you can back into it. I don't think that's a problem. You turn the system on, and then drive down a street looking for a parking spot. The system will let you know when it 'finds' one. I don't know how long it will stay on before it turns off, but I would argue that this is a plus. The Lexus system requires (AFAIK) that you line up for the spot before you engage the system. With the MKT, turn it on and 'fuhgeddaboutit', it says, "Hey knucklehead--there's a spot" and then it parks the car for you. My guess is that it will take a pass on a number of spots that a skilled parkist could easily park in, though. BTW, how come no one's mentioned that the picture illustrating the story shows a 2010 MKT? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rmc523 Posted December 30, 2008 Share Posted December 30, 2008 1. In the 30 years I've been driving, I've had to parallel park maybe three times (and one of those was on the driving test) They don't require that anymore. Ford's fault is that it's system requires you to start the process before you pass the parking spot. You are required to drive past the parking spot for the system to measure the space before you can back into it. Ford turn's it around by saying that the system has the benefit of being able to find an adequate space for you. Toyota requires the cost of the Camera, etc. The Ford system just needs the software added to other options. I don't think that's a problem. You turn the system on, and then drive down a street looking for a parking spot. The system will let you know when it 'finds' one. I don't know how long it will stay on before it turns off, but I would argue that this is a plus. The Lexus system requires (AFAIK) that you line up for the spot before you engage the system. With the MKT, turn it on and 'fuhgeddaboutit', it says, "Hey knucklehead--there's a spot" and then it parks the car for you. My guess is that it will take a pass on a number of spots that a skilled parkist could easily park in, though. BTW, how come no one's mentioned that the picture illustrating the story shows a 2010 MKT? As RJ said, I think you turn it on and it'll tell you when you pass one. Also, as RJ said, I do think with Lexus you need to line up, then it determines if you'll fit, then continue. Also, you mentioned how you'll have to drive past the space. Really you'd have to do that anyways to get into the space. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rmc523 Posted December 30, 2008 Share Posted December 30, 2008 BTW, how come no one's mentioned that the picture illustrating the story shows a 2010 MKT? I guess I didn't really notice it at first. http://jalopnik.com/photogallery/fordactiv...=thumb1280x1280 But, looking at the picture, I'm going to say a few things now: 1) It appears the MKT will have a full (or close to full) glass roof, unlike Flex. 2) If you look very closely, you'll see the first and second glass roof panels do not line up completely - therefore leading me to believe that the entire front glass panel will open, ala MKX or Edge (pictured behind the open spot). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
timmm55 Posted December 30, 2008 Share Posted December 30, 2008 For you MANLY MEN who don't want to be become emasculated......don't use the feature! You can still show off your parking prowess by doing it the old fashioned way. It's not like Power Windows where the handle is no longer there. But!!! The first time you bump/scratch parallel park your $45,000 Lincoln without using the assist, you'll hear about it from your spouse/significant other......forever!!!!!! LOL I'm one of those guys who doesn't park next to anybody if I can help it (front, rear or side) because I don't like scratches. I haven't ll'd the Mustang in ages. Can I? Yes. But why? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomServo92 Posted December 30, 2008 Share Posted December 30, 2008 They don't require that anymore. I guess I'm showing my age.... I'm curious though, is that nationwide or depending on the state? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichardJensen Posted December 30, 2008 Share Posted December 30, 2008 Also, you mentioned how you'll have to drive past the space. Really you'd have to do that anyways to get into the space. Really? GEORGE: Me? You see what he did here, you see how he tried to sneak into my space? MIKE: Hey, just 'cause I went in front first doesn't mean I'm sneaking in. GEORGE: You only went in front first 'cause you saw me backing up and you didn't have room to parallel park! MIKE: I only went in front first 'cause I could make it in front first and if you pull out I'll show you! GEORGE: You haven't got a prayer. KRAMER: I go in front first all the time. JERRY: Front first, that's how you park when you're pulling a bank job. http://www.seinology.com/scripts/script-39.shtml Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rmc523 Posted December 30, 2008 Share Posted December 30, 2008 I guess I'm showing my age.... I'm curious though, is that nationwide or depending on the state? I don't know, but I didn't have to here in Florida. I thought about that after I posted it - I'm not sure if it's just statewide or if it's national. Really? http://www.seinology.com/scripts/script-39.shtml That's funny, I watched that one last night. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomServo92 Posted December 30, 2008 Share Posted December 30, 2008 I don't know, but I didn't have to here in Florida. I thought about that after I posted it - I'm not sure if it's just statewide or if it's national. I guess I'll find out soon enough if it's still required in Texas. My daughter just turned 16 and will getting her learners permit soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
probeGT Posted December 30, 2008 Share Posted December 30, 2008 If Meadow Soprano had one of these new Lincolns, the last Sopranos episode could have been about a minute shorter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkFive Posted December 30, 2008 Share Posted December 30, 2008 (edited) Video of Active Park Assist (didn't see this posted yet). Edited December 30, 2008 by MarkFive Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
battyr Posted December 30, 2008 Share Posted December 30, 2008 I'm a computer geek. I have no use for this sort of thing. Of course, most computer geeks probably don't prefer manual transmissions either. Your not supposed to use it. Just show off all the buttons and lights. You show off how smart your car is. It's like developing a computer that can think, but not caring about talking to it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichardJensen Posted December 31, 2008 Share Posted December 31, 2008 Video of Active Park Assist (didn't see this posted yet). By way of contrast: http://www.automobilemag.com/multimedia/vi...ideo/index.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rmc523 Posted December 31, 2008 Share Posted December 31, 2008 Video of Active Park Assist (didn't see this posted yet). 2 things I noticed from that video: 1) It was an EcoBoosted MKS - it had paddle shifters 2) The MKS (or at least the EB version) will be getting new guages next year - it had a 3 ring setup (like the new Fusion, without long binnacles like Taurus), rather than the current two ring with info in the middle. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rmc523 Posted December 31, 2008 Share Posted December 31, 2008 By way of contrast: http://www.automobilemag.com/multimedia/vi...ideo/index.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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