I many never get used to this thing. What to do and when to do it?

[Warped9]

Unknown techie: “This will be great! All in one place and it’ll be better”

Every customer: “No, it’s not.”

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[smcBronco]

Oh yeah, the auto stop/start is not the issue and I do not find that to be intrusive. But on or off, Eco Normal or Sport, acceleration from a stop is a stutter, unless I floor it. A gentle smooth take off eludes me. That's only a minor irritation, but it is an irritation. Maybe me or the vehicle will sort that out soon.

Could it be the "auto hold" is on? That makes a smooth acceleration from a stop impossible.

Oh no You bought a Santa Fe hope you don't have the transmission go out at 5,000 miles like other guy on here did that had a 2025 Santa Fe.

I had a 2025 Santa Fe Hybrid for 6 months. It was at the dealership more than with me. Hyundai bought it back (and the accessories I added) at full price and that's when I bought the BS OB.
BTW, my issues with the Santa Fe turned out to be with the wiring harness, which seem to be largely with the hybrid.

 

[GoHack]

The technology is continuing to frustrate me (old, not tech savvy, hate computers and smart phones), I really dislike that damn screen, and I am regretting this purchase. I also find it most difficult to smoothly take off from a start, in any setting, and the brakes are difficult to make a smooth stop. My '25 Heritage is showroom condition with 1000 miles. Should I try to trade it now, or just live with it for a year or two before moving on? I'll take a hit either way but don't want to be totally stupid about it. Any advice?

I know exactly what you mean.

The only problem is, the screens are getting even bigger, not smaller. You're better off staying w/what you have.

The way I look at it, the more technology, the more problems later on.
I'm in the belief of "Make it Simply Stupid".

You look at some vehicles now-a-days, like the latest Corvettes for example, and sooner or later the electronics in them will fail. Then there's the fact that they don't really make that many, will become a real issue later on when trying to get parts for them.

 

[hcrews1955]

Maybe go to the dealership and ask them to tutor you a little on using the features and technology, might help you enough to want to keep the car. Hell, I’m 75 and I can relate about figuring out technology but if you learn how to use the stuff you need, you go on from there.

Maybe go to the dealership and ask them to tutor you a little on using the features and technology, might help you enough to want to keep the car. Hell, I’m 75 and I can relate about figuring out technology but if you learn how to use the stuff you need, you go on from there.

Model T comes to mind

 

[jkernitzki]

Model T comes to mind

A Model T would be more alien to most ppl than a 2025 anything. Try teaching anyone today about adjusting the spark advance. From the steering column.

 

[RidingTheBronco]

I'm conflicted. It's cute as a bug and I like the way it drives, which is why I bought it. I just wish that all radio and AC controls were on dedicated knobs, and the steering wheel controls were not so small and so many of them. I can't safely change temperature while driving and that pisses me off! I actually really like the adaptive cruise control and lane centering, so I am open to new things. I will probably try to get used to it as there is little out there that is what I want, which if probably a return to the vehicles of eight years ago or so. Thanks to all for the replies.

Have you tried talking to the car? I know that sounds funny, but there is a "hey ford" feature that is probably already on in your car. You say, "hey ford." The car replies "what can I do for you?" You say, "lower the temperature." It may do it. If not, write to Ford and tell them to program that into the feature. They really have an onboard app like Alexa. Actually, I was able to load Alexa onto the BS, too.

 

[RidingTheBronco]

The technology is continuing to frustrate me (old, not tech savvy, hate computers and smart phones), I really dislike that damn screen, and I am regretting this purchase. I also find it most difficult to smoothly take off from a start, in any setting, and the brakes are difficult to make a smooth stop. My '25 Heritage is showroom condition with 1000 miles. Should I try to trade it now, or just live with it for a year or two before moving on? I'll take a hit either way but don't want to be totally stupid about it. Any advice?

Your question is really two parts.
1) Can you learn this car? I say "yes." I was offered a call to an instructor to help me understand all the features of the car. Contact Ford for the instructions (maybe ask your dealer). Also, there is a feature where you can talk to the car. I say "Hey Ford," and it replies with a prompt. You can ask anything. Not everything works, but I assume the programming will get better with time.

2) Should you give up and just get a different car? We can't answer that. But I think any new car might be difficult for you.

good luck

 

[Ernest T]

Your question is really two parts.
1) Can you learn this car? I say "yes." I was offered a call to an instructor to help me understand all the features of the car. Contact Ford for the instructions (maybe ask your dealer). Also, there is a feature where you can talk to the car. I say "Hey Ford," and it replies with a prompt. You can ask anything. Not everything works, but I assume the programming will get better with time.

2) Should you give up and just get a different car? We can't answer that. But I think any new car might be difficult for you.

good luck

Too reasonable reply for an Internet forum!

 

[Mark S.]

A Model T would be more alien to most ppl than a 2025 anything. Try teaching anyone today about adjusting the spark advance. From the steering column.

Don't forget the mixture and choke.

 

[Escape2Bronco]

Model T comes to mind

I do have the manual if needed. Not many pages though.

 

[Warped9]

As I mentioned upthread I sell computers and tablets and such. It can be very intimidating for many people. And an often heard remark when I talk to someone coming in to get a computer or whatever is, “I’m not techie.”

Sometimes, at some point, I might say, “You drive, right? You have a driver’s licence? Well then you must know how everything under the hood and underneath the car works?” The usual reply is no, not really.

It’s very much the same. We all use technology of various kinds and few of us know how any of it really works. And given that it’s not really necessary to know how it works as long as it does what we want. The key, as I mentioned upthread, is to focus on what you need to know and don’t seat the rest.

Watch tutorial videos Ford provides on the features you need. Go to the dealership and find someone who can help explain and show you how to do want you need to do. Or ask for help from friends and/or neighbours who might have the same or similar vehicle.

Although I know (mostly) how to use my car’s info screen I still don’t care for it. I think the system my 2024 BS has is not as confusing as a lot of others I’ve seen, but I know that can change with later models as manufacturers look to add ever more features to these systems to replace physical switchgear. It’s dumb. And none of it is intuitive to use.

You have a smartphone that uses Android or Apple iOS. Your computer is Windows or Mac OS. Your damned television is its own operating system. And within those systems individual apps have their own layouts. It’s crazy. And now your car is a whole other thing. This madness is a big reason people like the Apple ecosystem because everything is near exactly the same from one Apple device to another, but thats another discussion.

Now I’m not certain, but I think some vehicle systems can mimic the look of your smartphone. If so then that can simplify things to a degree.

But it would be far better for everyone if the info screen were focused on the backup camera, connecting to your phone, entertainment and using GPS. The rest of the cars functions should be physical switchgear.

Furthermore configurable instrument panels and multiple driving modes are largely a waste of money and unnecessary complexity—get rid of it.

 

[Ernest T]

My wife uses the “I’m not a tech person” line when she really means “I don’t want to put in the effort to learn how to do something new.” on her laptop or phone. She’s had a laptop for 20 years, an iPad for almost 20 years and an iPhone for 15 years and knows how to use all three so not being tech savvy is not the issue.

I think having to touch a screen multiple times to do something that a simple twist of the knob can accomplish is crazy, even if it saves a few dollars on every vehicle. I also think manufacturers think that’s what people want and they may be right about that demographic most marketers aim for which tends to skew younger.

 

[Mark S.]

I also think manufacturers think that’s what people want and they may be right about that demographic most marketers aim for which tends to skew younger.

Reading through this thread makes it fairly clear that not everyone wants touchscreen controls. I think it started as a "cool factor" in higher-end vehicles (operate your car just like your smartphone!!!), but manufacturers have come to realize it's far less expensive to implement vehicle component controls using a touchscreen rather than actual switchgear. Touchscreens tend to be far more reliable as well, which reduces warranty claims. As long as consumers remain cost-conscious touchscreen controls will continue to proliferate.

Almost all control of critical flightdeck avionics (communication, navigation, engine monitoring/management, pressurization, etc.) in modern aircraft is given over to touchscreen interfaces. Obviously, some interfaces are better than others, and de facto standards are slowly emerging as one manufacturer (Garmin) dominates the market. I predict that trends in automotive touchscreen control layout and function will follow the same trajectory. We already see standards in Android's Android Auto and Apple's CarPlay, and if the hype regarding upcoming technology is to be believed, Ford is set to incorporate vehicle control functions into those interfaces. Once manufacturers start down that road standard interfaces between brands will be inevitable.

 

[jkernitzki]

Almost all cockpit control of critical flightdeck avionics (communication, navigation, engine monitoring/management, pressurization, etc.) in modern aircraft is given over to touchscreen interfaces. Obviously, some interfaces are better than others, and de facto standards are slowly emerging as one manufacturer (Garmin) dominates the market. I predict that trends in automotive touchscreen control layout and function will follow the same trajectory.

If only the same interface standards were in our ground-bound "cockpits". I can't stand the lazy UI implementations in cars and would prefer a more regimented approach to information display. For that matter, I'd gladly pay extra for a Garmin reimagining of what we have now. Even the G1000 is leaps & bounds above Sync (IMHO), and that came out over 20 years ago.

I should also be able to display any available engine performance data on demand, rather than what some marketing dweeb thinks I need at the time. Way too much being recorded but not available for display, or dumbed down to the point of uselessness. Numbers. I want numbers.

 

[Dude]

Numbers. I want numbers.

Numbers? You don’t need no stinking numbers

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