Ford Backup Assist

# 9 :B

I can't decide if this is a good thing or not. Anybody used it?

Not a fan solely from the aspect of not learning how to drive correctly. I can't back a trailer up worth spit, but I'd rather gain the ability to do so rather than rely on something electronic. What if it malfunctions?

I do not see me ever using it but would put it into the same category as cruise, automatic transmissions, blind spot indicators, etc. Just another function to make driving easier and/or safer for the general public.

I wonder what comments our grandparents made about automatic transmissions. 'How can you ever learn to drive if you can't shift gears?"

backing up a trailer isn't that hard. seems like a giant waste of money to me

mich800 wrote:
I do not see me ever using it but would put it into the same category as cruise, automatic transmissions, blind spot indicators, etc. Just another function to make driving easier and/or safer for the general public.

Yea I really liked the the add for either Volvo or BMW with some guy driving down the road thinking about every think except driving. The "Features" saved him like four times during the ad, what if he missed a red light or kids running into the street!!!
That is all we need is MORE distracted drivers.

Jack_Diane_Freedom wrote:
I wonder what comments our grandparents made about automatic transmissions. 'How can you ever learn to drive if you can't shift gears?"

Well the best thing I ever did for both of my girls, was their first cars were sticks! Oldest lives in Ireland were about 90%+ of cars and trucks are sticks!!!
Good luck on renting an auto in Europe, they are a very in limited supply!!!

rhagfo wrote:

mich800 wrote:
I do not see me ever using it but would put it into the same category as cruise, automatic transmissions, blind spot indicators, etc. Just another function to make driving easier and/or safer for the general public.

Yea I really liked the the add for either Volvo or BMW with some guy driving down the road thinking about every think except driving. The "Features" saved him like four times during the ad, what if he missed a red light or kids running into the street!!!
That is all we need is MORE distracted drivers.

It is coming. Automatic stop and driverless cars. You will be able to sit back and read the newspaper or kindel on your way to work. :D

Crowe wrote:
What if it malfunctions?

If you're concerned about a trailer backing system failing, you may want to stay away from fly-by-wire airliners. :)

gbopp wrote:

Crowe wrote:
What if it malfunctions?

If you're concerned about a trailer backing system failing, you may want to stay away from fly-by-wire airliners. :)

Yes, but fly by wire doesn't mean a pilot doesn't still need to know the physics of flight. Fly by wire and auto-pilot aren't the same. Also, auto features are a supplement, not a replacement to knowing how to fly.

I intend on buying a manual transmission jeep in the next year or so and teaching my kids to drive a stick but you can get buy on an automatic just find in the U.S. You should still know how to back a trailer in case the system breaks or you get a new TVV without it. I was guilty recently of over-relying on the backup sensor in my truck. It's a great feature but quit working temporarily after a car wash. I realized I had gotten careless backing up because I could depend on technology to let me know when to stop.