Love the truck, but a few minor gripes that I hope they improve.

[Elemental_Garage]

It's too bad Ford pulled out of SEMA; otherwise, I'd probably corner one of the reps to give them a list of things they're being left behind on. I've had my truck for a little over 1.5 weeks (yeah, not much time), and I love 99% of this thing. One of my favorite vehicles to date, and I've gone through a lot of them. But here are a few things that gnaw at me.

1. They need better logic around seat temp controls relative to ambient temps. This morning it was 48°F out, so we used heated seats and steering for a trip to the park. This afternoon it was 90*, and the screen showed 90*, but when I started the truck (via button press, not remote), it defaulted to heated seats and heated wheel on. Compare this to some of the Jeeps I've had, even from a decade ago, and if it were cold out, it would turn heated seats on, and if it were warm out, it would turn cooled seats on. If Jeep of all groups can get this right, surely Ford can do it .

2. Give us a camp mode that enables power outlets for overnight use without having to have screens/other features in the vehicle on. If fans/cooling loops need to run to keep inverters cool, that's fine, but we shouldn't need to turn it all on and then selectively turn stuff OFF just to keep outlets going. Let us turn on camp mode (or just a generic Timed Power) from our phones and just set a timer for outlets to stay on, without a minimum draw required to keep them active. It's like they implemented Pro Power without fully understanding how people would want to use it. My understanding is that Chevy has addressed this. Ford shouldn't let them have the high ground on this one.

3. Give us one-off planned departure time programming. Don't make me set a schedule and then delete it just to get a programmed departure time once. My work life does not revolve around a regular commute or leave time. I may work from the shop for 2-3 days, and then on a random Thursday, I have to go somewhere in the AM. In winter, I'd love to precondition the batteries, but as it is now, I'd have to set the schedule, use it, and then delete it. Ford has given us one-time charging; why not a one-time departure as part of that functionality?

If any of these grips are just my ignorance, I'd love to be shown the light!

Outside of these, I really do love the truck. It's leaps and miles better than my 4xE, which is why it's so annoying to see the Jeep have some better behaviors than our software.

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[Yellow Buddy]

If any of these grips are just my ignorance, I'd love to be shown the light!

Your gripes aren't ignorance, and I know you're referring to as built, but figured I'd try to help with options in case you weren't familiar.

First...

1. They need better logic around seat temp controls relative to ambient temps. This morning it was 48°F out, so we used heated seats and steering for a trip to the park. This afternoon it was 90*, and the screen showed 90*, but when I started the truck (via button press, not remote), it defaulted to heated seats and heated wheel on. Compare this to some of the Jeeps I've had, even from a decade ago, and if it were cold out, it would turn heated seats on, and if it were warm out, it would turn cooled seats on. If Jeep of all groups can get this right, surely Ford can do it .

I'm pretty sure my wife would want the outside temperature to be 120F and at the beach before the heated seats wouldn't come on...but I would certainly find this helpful.

2. Give us a camp mode that enables power outlets for overnight use without having to have screens/other features in the vehicle on. If fans/cooling loops need to run to keep inverters cool, that's fine, but we shouldn't need to turn it all on and then selectively turn stuff OFF just to keep outlets going. Let us turn on camp mode (or just a generic Timed Power) from our phones and just set a timer for outlets to stay on, without a minimum draw required to keep them active. It's like they implemented Pro Power without fully understanding how people would want to use it. My understanding is that Chevy has addressed this. Ford shouldn't let them have the high ground on this one.

There's a mode already available, but it's just not enabled. Forscan can enable it, it's called Silent Mode (AKA campground / dark mode)

Creates a SYNC toggle to turn on/off Silent Mode. Silent Mode turns off cluster lighting, welcome lighting, courtesy lights, and SYNC screen when opening doors; also silences the horn when locking doors.

Reference Link: https://www.f150lightningforum.com/forum/threads/f150-lightning-forscan-thread-version-2.23634/

Additionally, in 2024+ the outlets can be used with the truck fully off...still waiting for that update on older trucks.

3. Give us one-off planned departure time programming. Don't make me set a schedule and then delete it just to get a programmed departure time once. My work life does not revolve around a regular commute or leave time. I may work from the shop for 2-3 days, and then on a random Thursday, I have to go somewhere in the AM. In winter, I'd love to precondition the batteries, but as it is now, I'd have to set the schedule, use it, and then delete it. Ford has given us one-time charging; why not a one-time departure as part of that functionality?

On that random Thursday in the winter, just go into the app and click the fan/climate button. Once you start the climate, it will preheat the cabin. If it's plugged in, it will also draw to keep the batteries topped off as well as begin heating the batteries as a result. I usually do mine 15-30 minutes prior to leaving when I'm making my coffee to go.

 

[K6CCC]

1. They need better logic around seat temp controls relative to ambient temps. This morning it was 48°F out, so we used heated seats and steering for a trip to the park. This afternoon it was 90*, and the screen showed 90*, but when I started the truck (via button press, not remote), it defaulted to heated seats and heated wheel on.

There is no logic to that at all. It simply operates in whatever mode it was in when the truck was shut down. Same thing as the cabin heating / cooling unless you have that in Auto.

 

[Elemental_Garage]

There is no logic to that at all. It simply operates in whatever mode it was in when the truck was shut down. Same thing as the cabin heating / cooling unless you have that in Auto.

I would assume there is SOME logic associated with it for remote start given that they let you choose Auto vs. Last.

 

[Elemental_Garage]

Your gripes aren't ignorance, and I know you're referring to as built, but figured I'd try to help with options in case you weren't familiar.

First...



I'm pretty sure my wife would want the outside temperature to be 120F and at the beach before the heated seats wouldn't come on...but I would certainly find this helpful.



There's a mode already available, but it's just not enabled. Forscan can enable it, it's called Silent Mode (AKA campground / dark mode)

Creates a SYNC toggle to turn on/off Silent Mode. Silent Mode turns off cluster lighting, welcome lighting, courtesy lights, and SYNC screen when opening doors; also silences the horn when locking doors.

Reference Link: https://www.f150lightningforum.com/forum/threads/f150-lightning-forscan-thread-version-2.23634/

Additionally, in 2024+ the outlets can be used with the truck fully off...still waiting for that update on older trucks.



On that random Thursday in the winter, just go into the app and click the fan/climate button. Once you start the climate, it will preheat the cabin. If it's plugged in, it will also draw to keep the batteries topped off as well as begin heating the batteries as a result. I usually do mine 15-30 minutes prior to leaving when I'm making my coffee to go.

So cabin preconditioning while plugged in preconditions the batteries too?

TY for the Forscan info. I'm about to do the headlight upgrade and will add the Silent mode.

 

[Yellow Buddy]

So cabin preconditioning while plugged in preconditions the batteries too?

TY for the Forscan info. I'm about to do the headlight upgrade and will add the Silent mode.

Yes, but only when it's plugged in. It won't if it's unplugged.

Reference: https://www.fordservicecontent.com/...Owners_Manual_version_1_om_EN-US.pdf#page=424

 

[K6CCC]

I would assume there is SOME logic associated with it for remote start given that they let you choose Auto vs. Last.

Yes, you can MANUALLY change it via Remote Start using FordPass.

 

[Caliber357x]

If we are adding gripes to the list - a default volume setting for the infotainment each time you start the truck. My Audi had this…and there have been a few times that my other half drove the truck and I started it to find the volume at 14

 

[Elemental_Garage]

If we are adding gripes to the list - a default volume setting for the infotainment each time you start the truck. My Audi had this…and there have been a few times that my other half drove the truck and I started it to find the volume at 14

That would be jarring lol

 

[P-38]

I don't think hitting the fan button in the app preconditions the battery even when plugged in. I believe the only way to precondition the battery is to be plugged in and have a departure time set. @TaxmanHog would know as he did a bunch of monitoring this past winter

 

[Elemental_Garage]

I don't think hitting the fan button in the app preconditions the battery even when plugged in. I believe the only way to precondition the battery is to be plugged in and have a departure time set. @TaxmanHog would know as he did a bunch of monitoring this past winter

The manual is a little ambiguous in plain reading (italics mine):

"You can precondition your vehicle by using the departure and comfort settings to warm or cool the cabin and the high voltage battery when you have your vehicle plugged in. By using energy from the charging source prior to your departure, the system can manage the battery temperature for the best driving performance and use less energy for heating or cooling the cabin at the start of your drive. This helps maximize your driving range."

Would this mean either can do it, or both are required to precondition the "vehicle," meaning both cabin and batteries.

 

[watts/up]

They are independent. The truck will automatically precondition the battery if it is plugged in and certain conditions are met and requires no input from you. You can modify the cabin settings after remote starting.

Edit: here's an existing thread that will probably answer this question better.

 

[Yellow Buddy]

The manual is a little ambiguous in plain reading (italics mine):

"You can precondition your vehicle by using the departure and comfort settings to warm or cool the cabin and the high voltage battery when you have your vehicle plugged in. By using energy from the charging source prior to your departure, the system can manage the battery temperature for the best driving performance and use less energy for heating or cooling the cabin at the start of your drive. This helps maximize your driving range."

Would this mean either can do it, or both are required to precondition the "vehicle," meaning both cabin and batteries.

It’s both. The page has an additional preconditioning section on the bottom right of the page as well to try to clarify that one is the schedule departure and one can be initiated prior to departure.

When you schedule, in the schedule departure it clearly has an option (on iOS) to precondition even off plug and notes the battery will not be preconditioned. If on plug it’ll do its own thing in scheduled.

When you hit the remote start, it will do its own thing. In the winter it’s what I use as my truck sees Northeastern temps outside. I don’t keep a schedule either as my commuting days are unpredictable.

 

[TaxmanHog]

I don't think hitting the fan button in the app preconditions the battery even when plugged in. I believe the only way to precondition the battery is to be plugged in and have a departure time set. @TaxmanHog would know as he did a bunch of monitoring this past winter

Correct, battery condition occurs when severe cold conditions are present and the truck is plugged into an EVSE which is able to send energy to the truck spontaneously when needed, I've seen it a couple of times during the winter of 2024/2025, note my old comments in another thread where I said to @RickLightning that I had not seen it happen, well that observation is now superseded.

The other condition, is tightly associated with using the departure timer, in this situation the battery warming phase usually commences within 60 minutes of planned leave time, while the cabin begins it's warming phase 5, 10 or 15 minutes prior based on your "Remote Start" settings in Sync.

 

[Elemental_Garage]

Correct, battery condition occurs when severe cold conditions are present and the truck is plugged into an EVSE which is able to send energy to the truck spontaneously when needed, I've seen it a couple of times during the winter of 2024/2025, not my old comments in another thread where I said to @RickLightning that I had not seen it happen, well that observation is now superseded.

The other condition, is tightly associated with using the departure timer, in this situation the battery warming phase usually commences within 60 minutes of planned leave time, while the cabin begins it's warming phase 5, 10 or 15 minutes prior based on your "Remote Start" settings in Sync.

Is 15 minutes sufficient to fully prewarm the batteries, or for optimal range in cold weather is 60 minutes preferred?

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