If you own a Ford with Adaptive Cruise Control, congratulations! You have a feature designed to make your driving experience safer, easier, and more relaxing. But if you’re new to this technology, you might wonder: What exactly is Adaptive Cruise Control? How does it work? And when is the best time to use it? Don’t worry; we’ve got you covered.
The team at Mike White Ford in North Idaho are big fans of Ford’s Adaptive Cruise Control feature, but if it’s unfamiliar to you, here’s a breakdown of everything you need to know about it—from what it does to how you can use it safely and effectively.
What Is Adaptive Cruise Control?
Adaptive Cruise Control is an advanced driving feature that goes beyond traditional cruise control. While standard cruise control lets you maintain a set speed without having your foot on the gas pedal—ideal for long trips on flat, straight, uncrowded highways—Adaptive Cruise Control automatically adjusts your speed to maintain a safe distance between you and the car in front.
This system monitors traffic using radar and cameras and can slow down or speed up your Ford as needed. Some Ford models even come with Stop-and-Go and Lane-Centering Assist, allowing smoother, semi-automated driving in certain conditions.
How to Activate Adaptive Cruise Control
Activating Adaptive Cruise Control is simple.
To turn It on, locate the cruise control buttons on your steering wheel. The control buttons are in a single cluster on the left side of your steering wheel. The ON button will have an icon of a speedometer and the car. This activates the cruise control feature.
To set your speed, drive at your desired speed and press the SET button. This locks in your speed, just like traditional cruise control. There will be a SET+ button as well as a SET- button. These allow you to change your cruising speed in one-mph increments. Depressing these buttons for a few seconds will allow you to change your cruising speed in 5 mph increments. You can temporarily deactivate cruise control by hitting the brakes or pressing the “X”/Resume button adjacent to your SET+ and SET- buttons. To resume cruise control, simply press the Resume button.
So far, the system operates like traditional cruise control. However, the following distance feature of Adaptive Cruise Control is a game changer. On the right side of the same control cluster is an additional button with an icon that shows a car with horizontal lines in front of it. That feature allows you to set the distance between your vehicle and the vehicle in front of you. This button will enable you to set a distance of one, two, three, or four car lengths between you and the vehicle in front. The “car length” in this sense is not strictly the length of your vehicle but a set distance based on your cruising speed—you can conceptualize it, essentially, as the distance your vehicle would travel in one, two, three, or four seconds.
After setting the distance buttons, your Ford will automatically decelerate or accelerate based on traffic flow. Your instrument cluster or heads-up display will show your set speed and the distance setting. If the car in front of you slows down, your vehicle will automatically reduce speed to maintain the distance you set. If the road clears up in front of you—for example, the car in front changes lanes—your vehicle will automatically resume the original speed you set.
When to Use Adaptive Cruise Control
Adaptive Cruise Control is a fantastic tool for many driving situations, but it’s most effective in the following scenarios:
- Highway Driving: Perfect for long road trips or daily highway commutes, it reduces the stress of maintaining speed and distance during changing traffic conditions.
- Stop-and-Go Traffic: If your Ford has Stop-and-Go capability, Adaptive Cruise Control can automatically bring your vehicle to a stop, then resume driving when traffic starts moving again.
- Steady Traffic Flow: Adaptive Cruise Control makes for a smoother, more enjoyable ride on roads where vehicles are moving at consistent speeds.
When NOT to Use Adaptive Cruise Control
While Adaptive Cruise Control is a helpful tool, it’s essential to know when it’s not suitable:
- In Heavy Rain, Snow, or Fog: Bad weather can interfere with the system’s radar and camera sensors, potentially affecting performance. In addition, when dealing with iffy road conditions that may include slick surfaces, setting your vehicle to a fixed speed is unwise. Stick to manual driving in these conditions.
- On Winding or Steep Roads: Adaptive Cruise Control works best on straight, flat roads. Sharp turns or steep hills often require manual control.
- In Congested City Streets: While Stop-and-Go functionality can help in a highway traffic situation where an accident or road work causes delays, crowded city streets where drivers engage in frequent lane changes and there are pedestrians about are better navigated manually.
- During Aggressive Driving Situations: If traffic is unpredictable or vehicles are darting in and out of lanes, it’s safer to rely on your own reflexes and sharp attention to changing situations.
Tips for Using Adaptive Cruise Control Safely
To get the most out of your Ford’s Adaptive Cruise Control, follow these tips:
- Stay Alert: Adaptive Cruise Control is a driver-assist feature, not an autopilot. Always keep your hands on the wheel and pay attention to the road.
- Be Ready to Brake: While the system works hard to maintain safe distances, unexpected situations may require manual braking.
- Keep Sensors Clean: Dirt, snow, or debris on your Ford’s front sensors can impair the system’s ability to detect vehicles. Clean these areas regularly for optimal performance.
- Understand System Limitations: Each Ford model may have slightly different features or capabilities. Review your owner’s manual to understand precisely how Adaptive Cruise Control works in your vehicle and how it may work with other features such as lane-centering, predictive speed assist, lane-change assist, and BlueCruise.
Adaptive Cruise Control: Another Helpful Ford Innovation
Ford’s Adaptive Cruise Control isn’t just about convenience; it’s about safety and reducing stress. By helping you maintain a safe following distance, you can focus on other aspects of your drive instead of constantly adjusting your speed. It’s one of the most intelligent tools in modern vehicles for families, commuters, and road-trippers alike. Whether you’re cruising along the open highways of North Idaho or navigating heavy traffic, this system gives you the confidence to drive smarter and more safely.
If you have questions about using Adaptive Cruise Control or want to explore Ford’s latest vehicles equipped with this feature, contact Mike White Ford or visit one of our showrooms in Coeur d’Alene or Sandpoint. Our team would be happy to demonstrate how it works and help you make the most of your Ford’s advanced technology.