Lightning Experience Improvement Suggestions

[Nftypjs]

For those that mention having drive mode default to last used, I believe it is an EPA thing, just like it is ICE vehicles to maintain maintain the EPA rating. That is why engine start/stop always turns on as well as drive mode returns to normal.
Honestly, I the improvements I’d like to see is a button on the fob to open the frunk. Most of these recommendations are superficial, which is fine, but what Ford really needs to do is to have the service soon notification tell you what needs to be serviced, not generic powertrain fault. Maybe focus on getting through a year with minimal recalls, and work with the dealers to actually do the work Ford pays them for and we as customers expect. Not just order a part based on what the customer says, but actually pull codes to see what’s wrong.

edit: I realized I meant to say ability to remote start from the fob. I know there is the app but it would be easier to just use the fob. Way too early in the morning when I wrote the original post. Lol

I drove my truck for the first 9k miles or so in regular mode. Up hills, down hills, head wind tail wind, City highway mix. My trip 1 info has never been reset since I received the truck. Occasionally tow the boat. My average mileage is 2.5 mi/kW.
For the last 1k miles I've run the truck exclusively in sport mode. Same situations, uphill, downhill, wind both ways, City highway mix. Occasionally tow the boat My average mileage.....2.5 mi/kW. Why the EPA estimates should have any gauge on functional use of the truck is silly, considering electric trucks are completely different beasts than ice trucks.

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[BabyDoc1012]

I drove my truck for the first 9k miles or so in regular mode. Up hills, down hills, head wind tail wind, City highway mix. My trip 1 info has never been reset since I received the truck. Occasionally tow the boat. My average mileage is 2.5 mi/kW.
For the last 1k miles I've run the truck exclusively in sport mode. Same situations, uphill, downhill, wind both ways, City highway mix. Occasionally tow the boat My average mileage.....2.5 mi/kW. Why the EPA estimates should have any gauge on functional use of the truck is silly, considering electric trucks are completely different beasts than ice trucks.

I completely agree, it is ridiculous, but that is the reasoning behind it. At least from everything I have seen and heard. I remember reading somewhere, maybe motortrend or car and driver that if the manufacturers wanted to be able to have to set to last mode the vehicles would have to be tested in each mode and that the worse mode would be the figure the EPA used.

 

[NW Ontario Ford Lightning]

Had the truck since January, driven 38,000km so far, (24,000 miles) What would I like to see them change/update:

1. When I am backing up, the cameras come on automatically to show me the rear view,
often I need to pull ahead a bit and steer the front to get a better angle for backing - the cameras immediately switch off when I shift to forward (WHY?) it would be nice if they remained on and sense if the driver is just adjusting the truck angle and then continuing to back up.

2. The truck will often pick A/C mode even when it is cool outside already. Not sure why it does this.

3. When I put the tail gate down, the camera mounted to it shows the ground when I go into reverse and beeps at me. - it would be nice if the truck switched to the bed camera instead when the tail gate is down and I shift to reverse, no beeping thanks.

 

[Timeless Epoch]

Had the truck since January, driven 38,000km so far, (24,000 miles) What would I like to see them change/update:

1. When I am backing up, the cameras come on automatically to show me the rear view,
often I need to pull ahead a bit and steer the front to get a better angle for backing - the cameras immediately switch off when I shift to forward (WHY?) it would be nice if they remained on and sense if the driver is just adjusting the truck angle and then continuing to back up..

Look for a setting called “Rear Camera Delay”. I think it does exactly what you are hoping for.

Items 2 and 3 I agree completely.

 

[RickKeen]

On the topic of suggestions, how about a "Never F-ing Change the Camera from What I Specifically Selected" mode.

Ford engineers should try hooking up a trailer on a slope sometime. When you think you are aligned, and put the truck into park, it of course rolls another inch or two. Would be super nice to leave that trailer hitch camera on the screen when you have to put the truck into drive to pull forward 6 inches and try again.

 

[TaxmanHog]

Ford engineers should try hooking up a trailer on a slope sometime. When you think you are aligned, and put the truck into park, it of course rolls another inch or two.

Set the parking brake once in the perfect position.

 

[NW Ontario Ford Lightning]

Look for a setting called “Rear Camera Delay”. I think it does exactly what you are hoping for.

Items 2 and 3 I agree completely.

Thanks Chad !!
I checked out your suggestion for Item 1 and sure enough that was the ticket. So much better now.


Just need to deal with Items 2 and 3 now...

 

[Robocop]

Some interesting ideas in this thread but I guess I've got simpler tastes than others here because I would really like to see dual auto-tilt down rearview mirrors for reversing and a set-it-and-forget-it clock that actually stays on 24 hour time.

I agree with the swag comments though being dismal/lacking/needing improvement. I want to give Ford my money for merch and even some free advertising for this awesome truck that I love so much and tell everyone about but I can't!!! help me!! hear me!!!

 

[Ford Motor Company]

Some interesting ideas in this thread but I guess I've got simpler tastes than others here because I would really like to see dual auto-tilt down rearview mirrors for reversing and a set-it-and-forget-it clock that actually stays on 24 hour time.

I agree with the swag comments though being dismal/lacking/needing improvement. I want to give Ford my money for merch and even some free advertising for this awesome truck that I love so much and tell everyone about but I can't!!! help me!! hear me!!!

What kind of merch do you want? The Model e comms team that supports owner experience / the clubs often creates special merch, I can pass along your thoughts.

 

[Albern]

What kind of merch do you want? The Model e comms team that supports owner experience / the clubs often creates special merch, I can pass along your thoughts.

1/18 scale die cast model of our truck.

 

[fvineyard]

What kind of merch do you want? The Model e comms team that supports owner experience / the clubs often creates special merch, I can pass along your thoughts.

I would be happy with more offerings like the merch we see for Bronco and Mustang branded for the Lightning. The Electrified offerings are not nearly as plentiful. For example, the Lightning has one page vs five pages for the Bronco. I understand sales volume of the vehicle plays a role. But that is what I would like to see.

Oh, and Carhartt brand with the Ford Lightning logo would be super nice.

 

[Flipper]

I'd like that when backing down a sloped driveway the truck doesn't speed up on it's own like it was put in neutral

 

[VTbuckeye]

Enhancing the value of something the customer already paid for seems counterintuitive. But it builds brand loyalty and lets a company that does it bank on that future value.

Tesla shipped the Cybertruck without the software implemented yet for several off-road functionalities. But Tesla buyers all *knew* they would get that functionality in a software update. In the Ford, there is not ability to count on future updates. The truck ahs the features it has when I buy it. So not paying any premium for future update capability.

In fact, Ford has generated the opposite sentiment. I fear that Ford will disable existing functionality and take away value. For example, no more scales in the app.

No more zone lighting in the app...I think I remember being able to turn on the lights and control them in the app. It has been a while.

 

[ruhrooh]

What kind of merch do you want? The Model e comms team that supports owner experience / the clubs often creates special merch, I can pass along your thoughts.

I would love a better hat selection, trucker style etc.

 

[ZeusDriver]

Wow!! What a list of complaints!

Years ago, I worked as a consultant for Ford, and met lots of great people. I am no doubt biased, but I think the Lightning is great just as it is.

My experience immediately prior to owning this Ford probably increases my comparative delight with the Ford: My Tesla Model Y was the lowest quality car I have ever owned (in 60 years of driving) and it became clear that I was putting myself at risk, when the issues with suspension members falling off of Models Y and M became published.

Maybe if I bought the Ford right after selling my Chevy Volt, I would be thinking "pretty nice truck, but I wish it had a range extender, or was a little more 'flickable' in its handling. " The Volt was faultlessly reliable, and never required a visit to the dealership. I replaced the 12 volt battery myself, and had a very small number of oil changes (because the engine rarely ran). I put a set of tires on it. Nothing failed. Absolutely nothing.

The Tesla failures began on the way home from the sales center. The wipers (which are advertised as rain sensing) did not work correctly, running at the slowest intermittent setting in a deluge... only to later go full speed in very light rain. I was told that they might work after a software update, but they never did. I am happy to see the 200M+ settlement against Tesla for falsely advertising FSD. It never worked correctly on my car and I know of no Tesla in which Full Self Driving means "Full" self driving. Their system is among the "pretty much OK" driver assistance packages, but, as they demonstrated in Austin, the car does not drive itself in a safe, meaningful way, unless there is a safety driver on board.

My fifth graders, two decades ago, engineered a Lego robot to follow a path on a table, in about the same way that the Tesla follows road markings. I'd happily put them up against a team of Tesla's video game developers. I have flown aircraft with real autopilots that I could rely upon for safe flight. FSD is lightyear's worse than that.

So thus primed, the Ford was a revelation. Smother, quieter, better handling, better ergonomics, better steering feel -- it drives like a real truck instead of a toy. Maybe I'll come back later and add suggestions for future Ford products, but right now, there is nothing I can think of... the Lightning is just so stunningly much better than my Model Y was. I could only stomach the 2024 Model Y for a year before buying a 2022 Lightning. What a relief to have a vehicle with good fundamental engineering , no rattles (despite it being older than the Tesla), and good, safe ergonomics! And, obviously, far greater utility.

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