CapeDave

The point here is the overall poor design of the panel. That is undeniable. Sure, some claim they "like" it, or think it is pretty, or whatever. But that is not the point. The point is the vertical tach is simply one big standout of the poor design.

This thread is NOT about who needs a tach, or whether a tach is necessary with automatic. That is an entirely different thread.

I will pay closer attention next time I take the Edge out for a drive in 2 days, but I probably should have noticed it by now if it was normal

It really is strange. You know those GM ignition switches that they got sued for? Well, I remember times riding in GM cars with keys dangling from that and the sound is almost like the keys hanging down from a keychain and snicking together as one drives down the road, but much fainter. That is as close as I can get to describing the noise.

Are you hearing the clicking from the inside or outside? I do not hear any clicking at all unless my windows are down and I am making tight turns. Since I am hearing it with the windows being down, it is probably standard EPAS rack and pinion steering related noises as all of the adaptive ratio hardware is inside the steering wheel itself. I would stop by a dealer and just have one of the technicians or the shop foreman go on a ride with you.

It is inside. Seems to be inside the steering "column" for lack of a better word. Does not happen all the time, and is feint. Very hard to point out to someone.

When it was non functioning and had to be replaced it was disengaged. My wheel would be full 720 degrees like a normal car but never clicked.

 

Malcolm

I may have been unclear. The wheel does not click when it turns, the unit itself clicks when driving straight, seems to come from inside the steering assembly somewhere. It is as if the damn adaptive module is sensing and correcting minutely and somehow clicks in the process. My best guess. Ironically, it is most noticeable when going perfectly straight and there is near zero motion of the steering wheel itself.

Yeah I don't believe I have ever had a clicking in it even when it was disengaged. Does it make the noise in sport and normal in the adaptive menu? I only use sport myself.

 

Malcolm

I only have it in the Normal/normal mode. Have never tried changing it after the module replacement. I may try it just to see if I can feel a difference. But you use the word disengaged? How can I disengage the adaptive steering feature? I thought that was not possible???

I don't think i'v ever heard clicking out of my wheel can you take a video of it so we can hear what you mean? My driver window seals water fine but wind noise is high on that side and they have even replaced the weather stripping so I just live with it. It's still way quieter than my old celica which had no dampening whatsoever. Perhaps I just can't hear this noise, does it make it while idling and just turning the wheel?

 

Malcolm

It is a very gentle clicking only when driving. I hear it mostly when driving straight. I do not think I would be able to get a good recording. Hard to tell precisely where it is coming from, seems like inside the steering column area. It is like Ford made the car quiet just so one could hear this noise. Clickclick. ClickClick. Clicketyclick. I could care less about adaptive steering and the noise is certainly not what I expect from a luxury level car. But if you are going to force that feature upon me, please do not add in extra noise. Please!

Here is a valid follow up question to those who have had their issue fixed, either by module/clock spring replacement or by a replacement steering wheel assembly. Do you still hear that infernal "clicking" as supposedly the "adaptive steering module" figures out what signals to send to the steering wheel?

I still hear the clicking like crazy. Not all the time,but when I hear it, it keeps on clicking for awhile. All the more frustrating because the cabin is otherwise very quiet. So to have a noise that pertains to a feature that I did not even really want introduced into a cabin they worked so hard to make quiet is very frustrating for me.

There are things I really like about this car, but with these annoyances/issues/problems I really hesitate to get a Ford for my next car, and often daydream about trading it in, taking the hit, but at least being happy with my ride.

 

Maybe you guys need glasses. I can see the blue vertical tach gauge just fine. Like I keep saying, this is a personal preference thing (which is fine).

But can you see it and get the correct info from it in a super quick glance? I doubt it. You need to stare at it, figure out where the indicator is, then figure out where on the scale that is, then process where is that in relation to the (non-existent) "redline", then maybe you have what you need to know.

 

I don't prefer the digital tach but whatever. My issue is with that pathetic vertical thing with huge numbers on a blue background with a blue filler that is supposed to tell me my rpm's. It's pointless even for a random glance. You're fine with the gauges, ok. I'm not, they suck. It'll be interesting to see where Ford goes in future models.

Amen Brotha, Amen!

I do watch the tach sometimes, much less now than when I first got the Edge, to get a feel for how the power band and shifting are designed in this case. When you take O/D off, it works pretty similar to a manual trans, so it is a good idea to know what is "normal" to know when something happens that is "not normal". Plus you can intuit better when you know how the sound of your ride matches the revs and the gears, which makes you a better driver, even when the computer is really making 99% of the decisions for you

 

Not that I want to go back to a stickshift mind you, the traffic around here just doesn't allow it. If I could have a "weekender", then most definitely!

Very well spoken, thank you.

 

Why do I need to watch the tach in the first place?

 

Ok, we're not going to agree on this one so to each his own. Back on topic since I can't split this out to its own topic.

Roger that. Over and out on this topic. At least while it is in this thread

The Sport doesn't have a different cluster. European models of the Edge do, but not in NA.

Oh, again I stand corrected. Thanks. Even though I have alot to learn, I know I could teach Ford a thing or two. I will start a separate thread before I "pontificate" about the seats There are some things I like about this car also. The engine is superb. The quietness is excellent. And the tech generally works great. And on a smooth road, it drives impeccably.

I leave mine on the circle tach and temp and fuel, I mean come on if you get the sport and want to try to get good mileage your kidding yourself lol. I agree the euro tach and explorer one looks nicer but at the same time my vision is not as good as many so having the speedo in the middle does help and I prefer an analog speedo to digital. The entertainment portion of the cluster though does suck and shows almost no information. If people want the other cluster look here: http://www.fordedgeforum.com/topic/22024-north-american-2016-ford-edge-sport-instrument-cluster-upgrade/

 

Now we should get back on topic I think this thread has been derailed lol.

 

Malcolm

Ah, I was right, I knew the Sport had a different cluster, albeit as an option Next time any of you are able take a look at the 2016/17Honda Accord cluster. I parked next to one at night and had the honor and pleasure of viewing it. I stood there staring at it, mesmerized by its pureness of design.

Give me one example of something that is "unusable".

Poor UI design is generally "unusable" on the web. I do not have any specifics. But try keeping a sharp eye on the tach when in vertical mode. Ouch.

As a diehard smartphone user and a person who really appreciates the thought that goes into good UI, I can say that the Edge cluster really has a lot of room for improvement. akirby, you've been very accepting of the design. Perhaps you just don't have the same passion for great UI?

Amen Mike, you get it! If that were on a website it would be unusable I will now be stopping my "rant" even though it was most informative The original topic of this thread is way more important.

No it's almost exactly like the Edge cluster. Google images of it.

 

This is why I also don't love the look. It's barely evolved since the the 2011 Edge when it was introduced. A little bit cleaner, and sharper but still the same basic design and colors.

Oh, ouch. I stand corrected. I will do that. I may have been thinking of the Lincoln equivalent model cluster, THAT actually is different. Still needs huge improvement though. I will not make this mistake in my next car. I'll go back to the classic look of the BMW cluster even though that car is not as quiet as my Edge. It is also too much $$$

I went to Ford's site to check on this. The Sport has essentially the same cluster. As a side note, I noticed that they used a female model in the car who looks not old enough to drive. Her hips fit in the narrow seat. Mine, quite average for a 65 year old male, definitely do not.

When in doubt, blame it on the Canadians since they build the Edge.

LOL, but they did not design it. I love Canada!

I have a 2013 Fusion titanium - maybe that's why I like it.

Yup, that is a 100% different cluster

I don't sell cars.

 

I'll say it again - this is just personal preference. I bet a lot more owners like it than hate it.

Many pardons, I misinterpreted from your info that said Ford Edge Legal Resident and the fact that you are a moderator that you worked for Ford. I guess I am dreaming that they would read these forums as I knew more about my steering issue than they did at the service center. Anyways, my bad. But I still disagree wholeheartedly

I don't get this either. I think Ford has nailed the dash cluster out of the park in terms of readability and usability. It has to be personal preference as my Fusion Titanium was just like this and I was pleased to see that Ford kept the exact same setup for our Edge Sports.

I have never driven a sport, but I suspect that they might well have a different cluster than the one I speak of. As a matter of fact, I am pretty sure now that I think about it. Gauges that need to disseminate information clearly and quickly without eye strain is SCIENCE, not personal preference. I assure you of that. Ask any airline pilot And take a look at a Porsche cluster next chance you get. Maybe the moderator should break this out into a separate thread?

Functionally I like it. Just wish the colors weren't so Crayola. Doesn't match anything else in the interior and gives a very juvenile look.

Yes. You nailed it. There should never be more that two colors on that panel. Look at just about every other car to check if I am right OK maybe a third for an "check engine" warning light or the like. Plus, the green headlight indicator is WAY too bright. I mean what were they thinking?

I think it's personal preference.

I disagree completely. But I am very glad that you took notice because you would sell alot more cars with a better design on the gauge cluster.

 

Coming from IT, the cluster is just dumb. The screen space is completely under utilized and the color scheme poor. Seeing better variants in vehicles like my Mustang, the new 2018 Mustang's all digital cluster, the F150, and the variations in Europe proves that Ford does know how to do a good cluster, but for some reason, the guy assigned to the Edge got way lazy.

 

Coming from IT, the cluster is just dumb. The screen space is completely under utilized and the color scheme poor. Seeing better variants in vehicles like my Mustang, the new 2018 Mustang's all digital cluster, the F150, and the variations in Europe proves that Ford does know how to do a good cluster, but for some reason, the guy assigned to the Edge got way lazy.

Amen! It is so hard to read and the colors are highly confusing and the layout is pretty much insane because it does not utilize space properly at all. I think it is so hard to read and distracting that I could argue it as a safety issue. BIG FAIL. And the tach, really? I mean is it even possible to read? Come on Ford, admit it, and get going. I mean like maybe square tires would look "Slick and modern and edgy" but they would not really get the job done, would they? Volvo better. BMW classic design, and Porsche, well very close to perfection But Ford has already proven on other vehicles they can do better.

 

You must have loved these....

 

Ever day I do not have to look at one of those green (or sometimes orange) screens is a really great day! LOL!

 

Agreed. Probably some millennial at Ford thought it'd be cool. Sometimes, different isn't always better.

 

Anyway, got a call from the dealer. They said they went ahead and ordered a new steering wheel yesterday and it came in this morning and they've already replaced it.

 

I'll be sure to make sure everything is working when I pick it up. Hopefully that fixes it. Pretty surprised at the turn around on the part considering how others here had to wait awhile.

That is an amazingly short turnaround time. Please let us know if it is the same exact steering wheel or something that is different like one or two have mentioned here.