How to Use Ford Adaptive Cruise Control

If you’ve just bought a new Ford vehicle or you’re thinking about it, you’ve probably heard about something called adaptive cruise control (ACC). It’s one of those features that can make driving a lot easier, especially on highways or long road trips. But how exactly do you use it? Don’t worry—it’s actually pretty simple. We’ll break down how to use Ford adaptive cruise control, explain what it does, and go over why it’s such a helpful feature in your Ford vehicle.

What Is Ford Adaptive Cruise Control?

You’ve probably heard of regular cruise control, which lets you set a speed so your car can maintain it without needing to press the accelerator pedal. It’s great for long stretches of highway driving where you don’t want to keep your foot on the gas the whole time.

Adaptive cruise control, or ACC, takes this idea and turns it up a notch. Not only can you set your cruising speed, but the system also adjusts the speed for you based on the traffic around you. If there’s a vehicle ahead that slows down, the ACC system will automatically slow down your Ford to maintain a safe following distance. If the vehicle speeds up or moves out of your lane, your Ford will return to the speed you set earlier.

How Does Ford Adaptive Cruise Control Work?

The adaptive cruise control system in Ford Models uses radar and cameras to detect cars in front of you. When you turn it on, it watches the traffic ahead and makes adjustments to your vehicle speed to keep things safe and comfortable.

You’ll start by turning on the system with a button on the steering wheel. On many Ford vehicles, this button will have a small speedometer icon. Once it’s activated, you can set your desired speed just like you would with regular cruise control. The system will then maintain that speed unless it detects a car in front of you, in which case it’ll adjust accordingly.

Most Ford models also have a setting for how close you want to follow the car in front of you. You can adjust the following distance using the buttons on the steering wheel, so you can choose between close, medium, or far distances based on your comfort level. The system will do the rest.

Ford Adaptive Cruise Control With Stop-And-Go Traffic

One of the best features of Ford’s adaptive cruise control is how well it handles stop-and-go traffic. If you’re driving in heavy traffic where cars are constantly speeding up and slowing down, the system will automatically bring your car to a complete stop when necessary. If traffic starts moving again within a few seconds, the system will resume driving without you needing to do anything.

This is a huge help in city traffic or on busy highways. It means you don’t have to constantly hit the brakes and gas pedal. The adaptive cruise control system handles all that for you, giving you one less thing to worry about during stressful drives.

How to Set Up Ford Adaptive Cruise Control

Using Ford adaptive cruise control is easy, but let’s walk through the steps so you can feel confident next time you’re behind the wheel.

• Turn It On: Look for the button on your steering wheel that activates the adaptive cruise control system. In most Ford vehicles, it’ll be labeled with a small speedometer icon.
• Set Your Speed: Once the system is on, use the buttons to set your preferred cruising speed. This is the speed your car will maintain when there’s no vehicle ahead slowing things down.
• Adjust the Following Distance: You can choose how closely you want to follow the car in front of you by adjusting the following distance with the controls on the steering wheel.
• Let the System Work: After everything’s set, you’re good to go. Your Ford will automatically adjust its speed based on traffic and keep you at a safe distance from the car in front of you.
• Stop-and-Go Feature: If you’re in traffic and come to a stop, the system will pause your car and automatically resume driving when traffic moves again. If the stop is longer than a few seconds, you may need to hit the resume button on the steering wheel to start moving again.

Ford Intelligent Adaptive Cruise Control

Some newer Ford models, like the Ford F-150, Ford Expedition, and Ford Escape, come with intelligent adaptive cruise control. This version of ACC takes things a step further by also recognizing speed limits. It can adjust your car’s speed based on posted speed limits, so you’re always driving at a safe and legal speed without having to adjust the system manually.

Ford vehicles that come with intelligent ACC are designed to make driving even easier, especially in areas where speed limits change frequently. The system will read the signs and adjust your speed for you.

Ford Co-Pilot 360 and Lane Centering

Many Ford vehicles come with Ford Co-Pilot 360, a collection of different driver-assist features that include adaptive cruise control. One of the coolest features paired with ACC is lane centering. This system helps keep your vehicle centered in its lane while the cruise control is active, reducing the amount of steering you have to do on long drives.

When adaptive cruise control with lane centering is turned on, the car will not only manage your speed but also gently adjust the steering wheel to keep you in your lane. It doesn’t replace steering entirely, so you’ll still need to keep your hands on the wheel, but it helps reduce fatigue on long trips by making small steering adjustments for you.

Ford BlueCruise

Some Ford models, like the F-150 Lightning and the Ford Expedition, take things even further with BlueCruise. BlueCruise allows for hands-free driving on certain highways. It’s an advanced version of adaptive cruise control that combines ACC with advanced lane-keeping systems to make highway driving almost completely hands-free in certain areas.

While you can’t use BlueCruise on every road, it works on approved sections of highways across the country, making long drives much easier. Just remember that it’s important to always stay alert, even with BlueCruise active.

Using Adaptive Cruise Control While Towing

If you’re driving a Ford truck, like the Ford F-150 or the Maverick, you might be wondering how adaptive cruise control works while towing. The good news is that Ford adaptive cruise control works even when you’re pulling a trailer.

The system will still adjust your speed based on the traffic ahead and help keep a safe distance between you and the car in front, even with the extra weight behind you. Just make sure you’re aware of your vehicle’s limits and always check your owner’s manual for specific instructions on using adaptive cruise control while towing.

Test Drive Ford Adaptive Cruise Control

The best way to get familiar with Ford adaptive cruise control is to take a test drive. Head to Northside Ford in San Antonio and ask one of our staff members to try out ACC on a vehicle like the Ford Escape, Ford Expedition, or F-150. We’ll walk you through the system step by step, and you’ll get a feel for how it works on the road. To find a Ford vehicle right for you, Northside Ford has you covered.