entropy Posted October 7, 2013 Share Posted October 7, 2013 BE REAL CAREFUL if you try this... I recently watched a kinda so-so vid with 3 guys driving around in a new MKZ, doing a review. They mentioned that the MKZ automatically goes into Park if you exit the car while it's Drive. Hmmmmm... this caught my attention. Maybe lots of cars have this feature, but it was news to me. So, with the car in a parking lot, slight uphill grade, car not moving or just BARELY creeping, if at all. Opened the door, put my left foot on the pavement and unweighted the seat, and clunk! it immediately went from Drive into Park by itself. There was no drama whatever, I WAS CAREFUL. Please take my word for it. It does work, But this test could go South in a heartbeat, PLEASE DO NOT DO IT. yet another "surprise & delight" of the MKZ Hybrid. Karl Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Harris Posted October 7, 2013 Share Posted October 7, 2013 Lol, I think I saw that video and they failed at getting it to activate. Good to know you have to remove weight off the seat Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
md3184 Posted October 8, 2013 Share Posted October 8, 2013 I think the triggr is opening the door not any weight sensor. I've noticed this a few times when exiting a car wash and at a low rate of speed opening my car door (as compared to rolling down the window) to hand an attendent a ticket; the car is forced into park. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
exploder48 Posted October 8, 2013 Share Posted October 8, 2013 (edited) Opening the door is the key. This is designed, I'm told, as a safety feature. However, if you do not want to have the car go into Park automatically, just hit the N (Neutral) button twice before you open the door, and the vehicle will not lock into Park. It will stay in Neutral so you can coast. This feature is addressed in the Owner's manual. Edited October 8, 2013 by exploder48 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xgman Posted October 24, 2013 Share Posted October 24, 2013 I absolutely HATE THIS! If I'm trying to park in the garage and open the door without my seat belt on so I can lean out the door and look at where my wheels are, it slams ungracefully into park like hitting a wall. Can't be too good fro the transmission. If you leave your seat belt on it doesn't do that but it's hard to lean out the door to watch your parking in a garage when your seat belt is on. Seems like this is the only car that does this. Don't like it one bit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NickF1011 Posted October 24, 2013 Share Posted October 24, 2013 (edited) I absolutely HATE THIS! If I'm trying to park in the garage and open the door without my seat belt on so I can lean out the door and look at where my wheels are, it slams ungracefully into park like hitting a wall. Can't be too good fro the transmission. If you leave your seat belt on it doesn't do that but it's hard to lean out the door to watch your parking in a garage when your seat belt is on. Seems like this is the only car that does this. Don't like it one bit. Stop the car when you open the door to look. ...or do as I do and hang something on a string from the ceiling so your windshield taps it (or make a mark on the wall that lines up with the side mirror, etc) when it's at the right depth in the garage. Edited October 24, 2013 by NickF1011 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fordmantpw Posted October 24, 2013 Share Posted October 24, 2013 Stop the car when you open the door to look. ...or do as I do and hang something on a string from the ceiling so your windshield taps it (or make a mark on the wall that lines up with the side mirror, etc) when it's at the right depth in the garage. We have a busted wiffle ball hanging from a string in our garage. Pull in too far, you can't walk through the front. Not far enough and the hatch won't open. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NickF1011 Posted October 24, 2013 Share Posted October 24, 2013 We have a busted wiffle ball hanging from a string in our garage. Pull in too far, you can't walk through the front. Not far enough and the hatch won't open. I use a tennis ball. My garage is pretty tight. If I pull in too far I can't walk around the car to get to my toolbox. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akirby Posted October 24, 2013 Share Posted October 24, 2013 We have laser pointers on the ceiling attached to the garage door openers. When you break the sensor it turns on for a few minutes. Just line up the red dot on the dash and you're all set. Tennis or wiffle balls also work along with several electronic sensors on the back wall. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NickF1011 Posted October 24, 2013 Share Posted October 24, 2013 We have laser pointers on the ceiling attached to the garage door openers. When you break the sensor it turns on for a few minutes. Just line up the red dot on the dash and you're all set. Tennis or wiffle balls also work along with several electronic sensors on the back wall. Well aren't you high tech? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fordmantpw Posted October 24, 2013 Share Posted October 24, 2013 We have laser pointers on the ceiling attached to the garage door openers. When you break the sensor it turns on for a few minutes. Just line up the red dot on the dash and you're all set. Tennis or wiffle balls also work along with several electronic sensors on the back wall. Lasers are way cooler! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akirby Posted October 24, 2013 Share Posted October 24, 2013 (edited) Lasers are way cooler! Actually it's pretty simple and cheap - $30 for a Chamberlain opener, $40 for a universal one. http://www.chamberlain.com/garage-tools/safety-and-convenience/universal-laser-parking-accessory Edited October 24, 2013 by akirby 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fordmantpw Posted October 24, 2013 Share Posted October 24, 2013 Actually it's pretty simple and cheap - $30 for a Chamberlain opener, $40 for a universal one. http://www.chamberlain.com/garage-tools/safety-and-convenience/universal-laser-parking-accessory Very cool! Added to the list for the new house.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
V8-X Posted October 24, 2013 Share Posted October 24, 2013 Or maybe learn the dimensions of your vehicle, adjust your mirrors appropriately to see where your vehicle is at when parking. I back into my garage with the F150, with the passenger side mirror maybe 3-4 inches away from the wall. Have plenty of items stored behind the truck and must pull in just enough to ensure the door shuts. People are always amazed when they see how close I get to the wall and wonder how I get the truck in/out. The tennis/wiffle ball has always been a good tool, but never needed them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NickF1011 Posted October 24, 2013 Share Posted October 24, 2013 Or maybe learn the dimensions of your vehicle, adjust your mirrors appropriately to see where your vehicle is at when parking. I back into my garage with the F150, with the passenger side mirror maybe 3-4 inches away from the wall. Have plenty of items stored behind the truck and must pull in just enough to ensure the door shuts. People are always amazed when they see how close I get to the wall and wonder how I get the truck in/out. The tennis/wiffle ball has always been a good tool, but never needed them. Just a peace of mind thing for me. I park as close as absolutely possible to where the door shuts down with the Mustang to save space where my workbench is in the garage in front of the car. I'd hate to miss it by 1/4 inch just once. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fordmantpw Posted October 24, 2013 Share Posted October 24, 2013 Just a peace of mind thing for me. I park as close as absolutely possible to where the door shuts down with the Mustang to save space where my workbench is in the garage in front of the car. I'd hate to miss it by 1/4 inch just once. Exactly! And it's not like it's in the way. It takes the guess work out, and heck, probably saves me a few seconds trying to gauge it. Not to mention, that's my wife's normal parking spot. I park in my 34' deep shed so I don't have any concerns. Oh, and mirrors on cars absolutely suck! I hate them! Of course, the mirrors on my truck are as big as the windshield on many small cars... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NickF1011 Posted October 24, 2013 Share Posted October 24, 2013 (edited) Oh, and mirrors on cars absolutely suck! I hate them! Of course, the mirrors on my truck are as big as the windshield on many small cars... My Edge is a pretty wide pig with the mirrors not folded also. I usually fold them in before putting it in the garage (it usually parks outside) just to make it easier. Edited October 24, 2013 by NickF1011 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fordmantpw Posted October 24, 2013 Share Posted October 24, 2013 (edited) My Edge is a pretty wide pig with the mirrors not folded also. I usually fold them in before putting it in the garage (it usually parks outside) just to make it easier. This, is a mirror. I have extra-wide garage doors on my shed, and I can fit the truck in with the mirrors unfolded as long as they aren't extended. But extend them, and the truck is too wide to fit... Edited October 24, 2013 by fordmantpw Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xgman Posted October 31, 2013 Share Posted October 31, 2013 Stop the car when you open the door to look. ...or do as I do and hang something on a string from the ceiling so your windshield taps it (or make a mark on the wall that lines up with the side mirror, etc) when it's at the right depth in the garage. Slamming the car into park is a bad idea no matter what the reason period. No other car I know does this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NickF1011 Posted October 31, 2013 Share Posted October 31, 2013 Slamming the car into park is a bad idea no matter what the reason period. No other car I know does this. I very much doubt it's a Ford exclusive feature. And it won't do it at any speeds over a few MPH. Chances of any damage occurring because of it are minimal. Certainly lower than the chances of a car accidentally driving over something or someone because they accidentally left it in gear when they opened the door and got out of it. :shrug: Only end advice: adapt. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akirby Posted October 31, 2013 Share Posted October 31, 2013 How many other cars have you driven with a push button/fully electronic gear selector? It's not possible with a normal mechanical shifter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xgman Posted November 8, 2013 Share Posted November 8, 2013 I very much doubt it's a Ford exclusive feature. And it won't do it at any speeds over a few MPH. Chances of any damage occurring because of it are minimal. Certainly lower than the chances of a car accidentally driving over something or someone because they accidentally left it in gear when they opened the door and got out of it. :shrug: Only end advice: adapt. I have to disagree, This can't be any good for the transmission and I've been driving since 1970 and have never come close to accidentally leaving it in gear when opening the door and getting out of it. :shrug: Anyway, I still hate it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NickF1011 Posted November 8, 2013 Share Posted November 8, 2013 I have to disagree, This can't be any good for the transmission and I've been driving since 1970 and have never come close to accidentally leaving it in gear when opening the door and getting out of it. :shrug: Anyway, I still hate it. Any guesses that Ford's lawyers advised them to include this feature? A damaged transmission won't result in as expensive a lawsuit as a car accidentally left in gear running somebody over would. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xgman Posted November 14, 2013 Share Posted November 14, 2013 Any guesses that Ford's lawyers advised them to include this feature? A damaged transmission won't result in as expensive a lawsuit as a car accidentally left in gear running somebody over would. So why not add this in all Ford cars? I suppose that some people forget to push a "P" button? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NickF1011 Posted November 14, 2013 Share Posted November 14, 2013 So why not add this in all Ford cars? I suppose that some people forget to push a "P" button? What other Ford cars have push button transmissions? You can bet your bottom dollar the MKC will have it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.