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Adaptive Steering - impressions? (2016 Edge)


mjonis

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So, for those of you with a 2016 Edge *with* Adaptive Steering:

 

Impressions?

 

The way I heard it described, it sounded like at lower speeds, it would compensate so that you didn't have to turn the wheel as much, and it was easier to turn (ie, in parking garages, or pulling in/out of parking spaces), and at higher speeds, it would adjust itself since you're moving faster?

 

It's a $1500 add-on and it seems on the 2016 Titanium trim, it's almost impossible in my area to find one (with AWD, Turbo, and 302A package with 19" wheels), so I'm debating if it's something I can "live without". LOL.

 

Since none of the competitors that I'm looking at (Kia Sorento, Hyundai Santa Fe Sport) offer it either, I *think* I can deal without it, but wanted some real world input.

 

Thanks!

 

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when i test drove a 2016 edge that had adaptive steering, it was very noticeable pulling out of the dealer lot. it just quickens the steering at slow speeds and does nothing at city or highway speeds. my totally subjective opinion is that it's nice but i wouldn't pay for a package to get it. maybe if it were a hundred bucks or even two, i would get it but not as part of a more expensive package of stuff i don't want/need.

i think you would get used to it very quickly and its novelty would disappear. therefore it is of limited value. i don't find it a problem turning the wheel a half-turn rather than a quarter-turn (those are just random amounts, i have no idea of changes in the ratio).

i got my car without it and it's fine.

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t0lkman - I don't know what you're turning off, but it's not the Adaptive Steering as it cannot be toggled on or off. It's in the owner's manual page 218. You can chose between two modes.

 

 

mjonis - It's part of the Driver's Package and the package is $1,800 at retail. I got it because I really like the Adaptive Cruise Control and have

/had it on four cars now. The dealer I go to found my car on anther lot 37 miles away. It came with all the options I wanted and none of the options I didn't want like 20" wheels and the trailer hitch.

 

Here's a pretty good explanation of the Adaptive Steering.

Edited by Hermans
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We have the drivers package on our 2016. I ordered it for the adaptive cruise - which I love, and actually really like the adaptive steering as well. The only time I over steered a little was in the dealers lot at delivery. The adjustment was easy and very intuitive. It's not a huge difference from regular steering but just enough to make slow speed steering a little quicker. I see no down side to it other than the cost. I would order the drivers package again if given the opportunity.

 

Also, I switch between driving cars with and without adaptive steering with no problem.

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t0lkman - I don't know what you're turning off, but it's not the Adaptive Steering as it cannot be toggled on or off. It's in the owner's manual page 218. You can chose between two modes.

 

 

mjonis - It's part of the Driver's Package and the package is $1,800 at retail. I got it because I really like the Adaptive Cruise Control and have

/had it on four cars now. The dealer I go to found my car on anther lot 37 miles away. It came with all the options I wanted and none of the options I didn't want like 20" wheels and the trailer hitch.

 

Here's a pretty good explanation of the Adaptive Steering.

 

Turned off for Normal drive, turned on for S drive

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I'll try one more time....the D stands for normal drive for adaptive steering. Not as in normal drive for Edge's without adaptive steering. S stands for sport drive which actually means the steering becomes heavier. You cannot turn adaptive steering off. If it were off you would get warnings and the car would steer as if it didn't have power steering. Next time your at the dealer....check it out.

Edited by Hermans
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^^^^^^

Maybe you could clarify your sentence? Adaptive steering changes the steering ratio in both modes. When in Drive mode I can really tell the difference when turning the steering wheel. It becomes very evident when making a u-turn.

 

T0lkman - try making a u-turn and see if you don't feel the difference. The turning radius is noticeably reduced.

 

From the article I earlier referenced:

 

"You swerve. You reverse. You weave in and out of tight spaces. Constantly. Wrist fatigue should not be synonymous with steering. With that in mind, Ford's Adaptive Steering System is giving customers a breather, supplying an invisible but powerful technology that makes maneuvering your vehicle a little less labor-intensive and a lot more fun.

 

Ford describes the system as one that "changes the ratio between the driver's actions at the steering wheel -- the number of turns -- and how much the front wheels turn." In traditional vehicles, the steering ratio is fixed. With Ford's Adaptive Steering, this ratio continually varies with vehicle speed. This helps drivers to exert less effort in steering their cars.

 

The system uses an actuator -- an electric motor and gearing device -- that weighs in at a mere 2 pounds. And unlike adaptive steering systems we've seen before, Ford's is tucked inside the steering wheel and is simply an added feature, meaning that it requires no change to a vehicle's regular steering system. The actuator serves to boost or reduce the exertion required to steer based on how much you turn the wheel".

Edited by Hermans
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Thanks all! I'd somehow forgotten that it was part of the Driver's Package (the Adaptive Steering itself is listed separately and before the Driver's package on Ford's website). both items are $1800 add-on, so obviously the Driver's Package would be the one to get (since it has the Adaptive Cruise Control, which is one of the items on my "must have" list).

 

So it sounds like, for me, I'd probably notice it (and then get used to it) since I have to drive in and out of a parking garage 5 days a week and lots of turning and stuff.

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