Dial Shifter -- accidentally bumping the shifter dial and it going into neutral while driving

[Mr Pibb]

Happened to me going up the Continental Divide on a snowy day. Was going for slippery mode and clumsily bumped the shifter. A vehicle was approaching from behind as I was losing momentum. Caught it just in time. Unnerving as hell.

Yeah, Ford should design the dial with more resistance to movement when in position.

Maybe a trim piece add on that insets the dial instead of it being proud. It'd be a bit more annoying to shift but it'd protect from accidentally bumping it. Could probably combine it with a flip top cover for the mode switches behind it.

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[Dbarr]

I may just be clumsy, but does anyone else have issues which accidentally bumping the shifter dial and it going into neutral while driving. I have done this several times when reaching for a drink or something out of the console in front of the shifter. I like the dial shifter but think it should have some kind of catch for each position. Creates the potential for an accident.

No issue

 

[MakinDoForNow]

No. I wish it was a column shifter to save space in center, but works fine.

They could put it in the center of the steering wheel but they would have to put a mini air bag where the L button is.

 

[MakinDoForNow]

Maybe a trim piece add on that insets the dial instead of it being proud. It'd be a bit more annoying to shift but it'd protect from accidentally bumping it. Could probably combine it with a flip top cover for the mode switches behind it.

I have an old style rotary dial phone I could adapt?
Could have 9 modes plus 0 for over the air help.

 

[PNWMaverick]

No issue.

 

[Bob S]

The first month or two I bumped it several times but haven't done it in awhile now, must have adapted to it without trying. The first time it happened was scary though.

 

[ZZbuggs]

I may just be clumsy, but does anyone else have issues which accidentally bumping the shifter dial and it going into neutral while driving. I have done this several times when reaching for a drink or something out of the console in front of the shifter. I like the dial shifter but think it should have some kind of catch for each position. Creates the potential for an accident.

what dial shifter ?

 

[SLJ]

No problems on my Mav and had it on my Bronco Sport for three years with no problems.

 

[Duke Nukm2001]

I agree, haven't had an issue with the dial, but it could have been in a different location, like in the Ram Warlock. I would have been fine with a column shifter.

 

[twindux]

I may just be clumsy, but does anyone else have issues which accidentally bumping the shifter dial and it going into neutral while driving. I have done this several times when reaching for a drink or something out of the console in front of the shifter. I like the dial shifter but think it should have some kind of catch for each position. Creates the potential for an accident.

done that once whilst getting something out of the console.

Overall, I hate dial shifters (and buttons for that matter), and especially hate the Maverick incarnation—the infinite turn "feature" of the transmission and hvac controls. I want the trans knob to stop when it gets to P and stop when it gets to D and have deep, easily discernible detents at R and N. Same with the 7-speed fan.

Not deal killers (love the truck in my first 600 miles), but just not sure what good the infinite turn of the dial does for us.

 

[Sykotyk]

Done it a couple times over the years. Once on a freeway and suddenly had no pedal. Thought the transmission went and was freaking out but no warning lights. Then saw it in N and realized I had bumped it with my knee somehow.

Another times was much lower speed.

 

[Duke Nukm2001]

Sometimes I reach for climate control by mistake. Or I get in another vehicle and forget how to use a conventional shifter for a second.

I do the same thing.

 

[Bilbo_B]

Has only happened to me once so far- had a brief moment of terror because I thought I was about to live the horror story of truck dying on the interstate that I've read about on the forums.

Way more common is I accidently turn the dial too far and slam it unto park when I'm trying to reverse.

Overall don't like the dial much, but don't hate it as much as I thought I would.

Same here. I don't hate it but when sunlight is shining brightly on it, I have to look on the dashboard to see what gear I'm in because you can't see the red light on the dial.

 

[Walter56]

Try a bmw with stick. Push up to reverse d9wn to park or something like that. We've had it 3 years and I swear it changes evertime I drive it

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