Adaptive Cruise Control - do other drivers know you're using it?

[CuriousGary]

Your suspicion is correct. ACC is just cruise control that keeps a set distance from a vehicle in front of you. It also has the ability to stop and go as the traffic in front of you stops and goes. However, it is completely oblivious to stop lights and stop signs. It is not autonomous driving. But it is very good.

Can you control/adjust the distance that determines when the slowdown is initiated by the Mav’s ACC radar?

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[Spook]

Great comment. One question. One comment.

1) Do you have ACC in your Lariat and if so, have you experienced your Mav initiating an emergency stop? If so, do you mind describing your experience?

2) My BIL has a Tesla. Its multiple cameras do see stop lights and do initiate slowdowns, stops and emergency stops per my BIL.

I do not have my Lariat yet. However, my Honda with ACC has slowed down to a stop but not any emergency stop. I had my foot above the brake pedal to observe if it was working as it should and it was. I have to assume that it will do the same in an emergency.
A comment on your comment: My Honda does read road speed signs and displays the speed limit on my overhead viewer on my windshield along with my speedometer. However, it does not adjust the speed. I have to do that.

 

[Naranjita]

Can you control/adjust the distance that determines when the slowdown is initiated by the Mav’s ACC radar?

There are 4 distance settings. Also, by using shift modes Eco, Normal and Sport, you can adjust how quickly you speed up to get back up to speed after slowing down or a stop.

 

[CuriousGary]

Yes. All the time. It even worked on a deer I did not see at sunset. I didn't understand why it was slowing at first. When I did finally see the deer, I wonder if I would have had time to completely stop. Either way, I was impressed. Although it would probably not work in a deer situation where they were running across the road.

2 or 3 times in 25k miles, it made hard emergency stops. When that happens, it also flashes red on the center stack screen telling you to apply brakes while it also is applying the brakes. The brake pump cannot quite apply the amount of pressure needed for the most severe stop. You will have to assist the assist, so to speak.

Thanks for your reply. I am ordering an XLT which doesn’t allow ACC as an option but I am fairly certain I will get the vehicle retrofitted for ACC after it is delivered.

 

[Naranjita]

I do not have my Lariat yet. However, my Honda with ACC has slowed down to a stop but not any emergency stop. I had my foot above the brake pedal to observe if it was working as it should and it was. I have to assume that it will do the same in an emergency.
A comment on your comment: My Honda does read road speed signs and displays the speed limit on my overhead viewer on my windshield along with my speedometer. However, it does not adjust the speed. I have to do that.

The Maverick works better than any ACC system I have ever used. It will slow down and stop pretty severely. Especially with greater distances used on the separation. Intervention is only needed in the most severe situations. I have only had to assist 2 or 3 times is 25k miles. And I drive in stop and go traffic nearly every day in the Seattle metro.

 

[MikeyCNY]

The Maverick works better than any ACC system I have ever used. It will slow down and stop pretty severely. Especially with greater distances used on the separation. Intervention is only needed in the most severe situations. I have only had to assist 2 or 3 times is 25k miles. And I drive in stop and go traffic nearly every day in the Seattle metro.

Before I ordered I debated heavily between XLT Lux AWD FX4 (for bigger screen) and Lariat Lux AWD.

The few extra things for Lariat - 18" wheels, ACC, "Intelligent Access", "Acoustic Windshield", ActiveX seats (faux leather) - I didn't know if it would be worth the $4K upcharge, butttttttt

The ACC (and lane keep/assist) works great, when the snow starts falling and I can't use it I'll be bummed
Intelligent Access and Push-Button Start are so convenient. Took some getting used to but now I can't imagine going back to regular key start.
Acoustic Windshield - certainly quiet, haven't been in another Mav so can't compare sound.
ActiveX seats, aside from getting hot in the summer, are quiet comfortable. Should be easy to keep clean.

 

[Naranjita]

The ACC (and lane keep/assist) works great, when the snow starts falling and I can't use it I'll be bummed

This is a great point. We had a lot of snow last winter. The Maverick AWD is great in the snow. But the ACC cannot be used if the snow is sticking. It also doesn't like big fat flakes even when it is not sticking. It will disengage. It also will disengage in hard rains or dense fog. Anything that sticks to the sensor, obscures the sensors or obscures the camera, no ACC.

But we probably shouldn't use any cruise control in the snow anyway.

 

[midcoastme]

This is a great point. We had a lot of snow last winter. The Maverick AWD is great in the snow. But the ACC cannot be used if the snow is sticking. It also doesn't like big fat flakes even when it is not sticking. It will disengage. It also will disengage in hard rains or dense fog. Anything that sticks to the sensor, obscures the sensors or obscures the camera, no ACC.

But we probably shouldn't use any cruise control in the snow anyway.

Must remember this winter to clean the windshield, the lights, AND the sensor frequently. I usually keep a small spray bottle with washer fluid for use between fuel stops!

 

[Joe Kelly]

I have driven in traffic with my ACC and it worked great. In the set up menu there are two options one with brake the other is without break. I chose not to have the truck to apply the brake. The truck used the engine to slow down and worked real good. I chose not to have the auto breaking because of curves, rain and other unpredictable Road conditions where I want to give the brake input. I have the maximum gap set on my ACC which appears to be 6 to 8 car lengths Which I am comfortable with. I do watch for tailgaters when driving with the ACC on So I can react if required.

 

[Joe Kelly]

I do not know how they would know. I set it to the speed of the traffic. You always have some one who wants to drive 85 + in traffic. I just sit back let them pass and enjoy the drive.o

 

[colinl]

Thanks for your reply. I am ordering an XLT which doesn’t allow ACC as an option but I am fairly certain I will get the vehicle retrofitted for ACC after it is delivered.

I'm absolutely certain you will not find any dealership or independent garage willing to add ACC, even using Ford factory parts, to a truck that did not come with it. The potential for issues and liability for them is way too high. Likewise I don't think anyone other than a chinese company (whom you will never be able to sue or in any other way hold responsible) would sell ACC as an add-on.

I have seen crazy people buy the Ford parts and add it onto their non-ACC vehicles. ACC with lane centering has been in various Ford vehicles for quite some time, even available as an option for mid-grade trims instead of only coupled to lariat luxury like in the Maverick, and a few people have installed all the components and used Forscan to turn them on.

It's a terrible idea. I wouldn't trust it at all. Change your order to a lariat lux if you want ACC, or just change your expectation to live without it. There's a massive price difference between non-lux XLT and lariat lux. Probably not worth it for ACC alone, but personally, I enjoy all the features.

 

[CuriousGary]

I'm absolutely certain you will not find any dealership or independent garage willing to add ACC, even using Ford factory parts, to a truck that did not come with it. The potential for issues and liability for them is way too high. Likewise I don't think anyone other than a chinese company (whom you will never be able to sue or in any other way hold responsible) would sell ACC as an add-on.

I have seen crazy people buy the Ford parts and add it onto their non-ACC vehicles. ACC with lane centering has been in various Ford vehicles for quite some time, even available as an option for mid-grade trims instead of only coupled to lariat luxury like in the Maverick, and a few people have installed all the components and used Forscan to turn them on.

It's a terrible idea. I wouldn't trust it at all. Change your order to a lariat lux if you want ACC, or just change your expectation to live without it. There's a massive price difference between non-lux XLT and lariat lux. Probably not worth it for ACC alone, but personally, I enjoy all the features.

Thank you.

 

[Hardening2753]

ACC definitely illuminates the brake lights. I have followed my vehicle before when my wife was using it and also see it light up the night behind me when it engages the brakes using ACC.

Mistery solved by Senor(a) naranjita

 

[GPSMan]

On this same note I can say REGEN even very strong regen DOES NOT illuminate the tail lamps.

Just FYI and something to be aware of.

Regen from pressing the pedal, why sure. You are pressing the pedal. Regen while coasting, no.

 

[Naranjita]

Mistery solved by Senor(a) naranjita

Also, interestingly, the AUTO HOLD brake also triggers the brake lights. I use the AUTO HOLD a lot. Especially at drive thrus, instead of standing on the brake pedal. When you let off the brake pedal in AUTO HOLD, the taillights stay illuminated until you hit the throttle and start going again.

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