The Rotary Dial Is Great Design (Not Joking)

[Ozarkbeard]

Love the dial, think it's a great design. Spin a bunch to the right, it's in Drive. Spin a bunch to the left, it's in Park. Reverse is the only time I need to pay attention to ensure it's in the right spot, and that's most often leaving my driveway. At that point, I've already gone through a button-pushing spree, anyway (Seatbelt nanny, Ready to drive, Eco mode), so one more thing to look at isn't too big a deal.

All of this.

No need at all for it to stop spinning when it hits Park or Drive. For either one of those I know what mode it's in without looking. For Reverse, I glance at the PRNDL near the speedo display, where it's been on automatic transmission trucks & cars for ages. Don't even need to look down.

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[Vols44]

The rotary dial gives me more space in the middle just like Ford intended. I also shift into neutral on downward slops to boost MPG. The safety feature when accidentally shifting into reverse at speeds over 5 MPH is a plus. Ditto, the auto park feature after turning the engine off or opening a door (while stationary).

 

[RichardCranium]

I also don't mind the rotary shifter although my wife did struggle with it for a few months.

In her defense, before the Mav, she drove a Pontiac Vibe with a 5 speed manual for over 12 years so moving to an automatic with an electronic shift mechanism took her some time to adjust.

I miss my Vibe. 330,000 trouble free miles. I hade the 5 speed as well. I currently drive a Chevy Cruze with a 6 speed, and whenever I drive my Wife's prius, I forget it is and automatic (I Know, eCVT) and will always reach for the non existent clutch and try to pop the gear shift in neutral.

 

[SLINGSHOT]

I also don't mind the rotary shifter although my wife did struggle with it for a few months.

In her defense, before the Mav, she drove a Pontiac Vibe with a 5 speed manual for over 12 years so moving to an automatic with an electronic shift mechanism took her some time to adjust.

I also have a 5 speed stick shift Polaris SlingShot in my garage next to the Ford. Each time I crawl in, I have to shift my brain from one to the other. If you get bored, check out the difference in the operation of the cruise control from a 2017 RAV4, the SlingShot and the Maverick. It's as if they were designed on different planets.

 

[Guv]

The rotary dial gives me more space in the middle just like Ford intended. I also shift into neutral on downward slops to boost MPG. The safety feature when accidentally shifting into reverse at speeds over 5 MPH is a plus. Ditto, the auto park feature after turning the engine off or opening a door (while stationary).

How does shifting to neutral save gas when the engine would normally shut down.

 

[Ozarkbeard]

How does shifting to neutral save gas when the engine would normally shut down.

This.
By shifting into neutral in the hybrid, one loses the benefit of regenerative braking, which charges the HV battery. So doing so shouldn't increase MPGs. But if it does, somebody please ELI5.

 

[Guv]

This.
By shifting into neutral in the hybrid, one loses the benefit of regenerative braking, which charges the HV battery. So doing so shouldn't increase MPGs. But if it does, somebody please ELI5.

Don’t hold your breath

 

[AutobahnSHO]

I also shift into neutral on downward slops to boost MPG.

You're just adding wear to whatever shifts the transmission gears. PLUS I read the gas engine cannot turn on or turn off when it's in Neutral! So if it's still running you're wasting gas. And if it's not running, it's NOT using any gas. So shifting to Neutral is actually bad for the truck with no benefit.

If you want to coast more, the "Slippery" mode has given people the best gas mileage.

 

[Benilla]

Love it, spin it right and go, spin it left and get out, simple. Yet, so am I hahah

100000% this! So easy

 

[Limeymav]

i hate the thing ,gimme a shifter anytime , how much space does it really save anyway, shifters are so stubby these days anyway,if you want space saving should ve gone with paddle shifters

 

[Vickram]

Chrysler came out with those in the late fifties early sixties. So much crap! They did away with them by 64 I think. Leave it to Lincoln to resurrect the dead!

I had a 1964 Chrysler ,with pushbuttons .

 

[710-oil-614]

I absolutely enjoy the space saving design of the rotary dial. I do think there is a little room for improvement maybe in the detents or heavier clicks between PRDNL, but the electronic shifter in F-150s, or Chevy's buttons in the Tahoe, or Nissan's electronic shift knob in the Pathfinder aren't massive improvement's either.

Space saving design > any issues I have with the rotary dial.

 

[EIlig]

I'm used to it and have grown like it... Especially when backing out of a tight spot I can rapidly shift from R to D and back again just by feel...

All the manufacturers are playing with assorted interpretations on the shifting mechanism

...

 

[Jeff D.]

I like the rotary shifter knob. I had one in my Ram, too, and more than once thought I put it in park and actually just turned the fan off. The knobs were much closer and on the same plane, so required actually looking at what knob you're reaching for, but other than that.

 

[FloodingdowninTX]

I learned to drive on gravel & dirt in my granfathers old Chevy pick-up with manual 3 speed column, reinforced by the uncle's column manual Biscayne on the road. Our other car now is a 6 speed manual on the floor GTI.
The Maverick hybrid XL with rotary shift is cool too even without the wooden plank truck bed floor.

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