Does Ford Mustang Have Adaptive Cruise Control? (Must Read)
Luxury and safety are two things people constantly look out for when purchasing vehicles.
For this reason, Ford cars have many innovative features that ensure optimum luxury and a trustable level of safety.
One of such features is the adaptive cruise control which doubles up in duty as a safety amenity and a comfort enhancer.
In the line of Ford vehicles is the Ford Mustang which, although a sports car, is fully equipped with an adaptive cruise control system. This driver-assist feature and other safety and comfort features like AWD, rain-sensing wipers, blind-spot monitor, and heated steering wheel make the Mustang easy to drive and safe.
What Is Adaptive Cruise Control?
Adaptive cruise control is an advanced form of cruise control, an electric system that automatically controls the speed of vehicles.
The adaptive cruise control adjusts the vehicle’s speed to match that of another in front of it.
It is an upgrade on the conventional cruise control, which only maintains a constant speed set by the driver.
Adaptive cruise control takes over the acceleration and braking of a vehicle whenever you turn it on.
So, the car accelerates and brakes automatically to maintain a safe driving distance between itself and the car in front of it.
Since its early days, acceleration control features have evolved, giving rise to the types available today.
These variants include the laser-based system, radar-based sensors, and the more recent one, the binocular computer vision system.
This driver-assistance system leaves the driver feeling somewhat chauffeur-driven as minimal effort is required to accelerate the vehicle.
However, it provides comfort and a feeling of safety for the driver, whose only concern is the steering wheel.
Adaptive cruise control is an excellent recommendation for drivers who constantly ply less busy highways.
How Adaptive Cruise Control Works.
Adaptive cruise control works by monitoring the surrounding of the vehicle through the aid of inbuilt sensors (radars and lasers).
These sensors detect changes in the car’s speed in front, and the cruise control system decreases or increases the vehicle’s speed accordingly.
The cruise control system consists of different modules and switches that work together to achieve the system’s objective.
The modules include the ACC module, the engine control module, and the brake control module.
These modules determine the presence of another vehicle in front and regulate the vehicle’s speed, slowing it down when necessary.
The switches include the cruise switches and the brake switches. These parts receive commands from the driver, activate the system, set the speed, and deactivate the setting when the driver steps on the break.
For a driver to activate the Ford Mustang’s adaptive cruise control system, he must input two primary commands.
These commands are the desired speed and distance between his car and the vehicle in front.
To activate the Ford Mustang’s adaptive cruise control, you can follow the steps below:
- Locate the cruise control. It is among the driver-assist options in the driver’s display.
- Select adaptive cruise control.
- Turn on the cruise control system and press the set button when you reach the speed you desire. You can adjust the pace with the steering buttons at an interval of +/-5mph.
- Set the distance you desire using the buttons. Switch through the four distances represented by bars and select one.
The first bar represents the closest distance, while the last bar represents the farthest.
While adaptive cruise control is a vital feature of contemporary vehicles, it is best not to activate it in some circumstances.
These conditions include extreme weather, rush hour, and winding road segments. The system may prove inaccurate or fail altogether when utilized under these conditions.
Where Is the Adaptive Cruise Control Sensor on the Mustang?
The adaptive cruise control sensor’s function is at the front of the vehicle.
Therefore, it is pertinent that it should be in a position on the car where it can carry out this function without impediment.
For this reason, the radar-based adaptive cruise control sensor of the Ford Mustang is built into the lower grille at the back of a bumper fascia.
From this position, the sensor can effectively carry out its function without obstruction from other vehicle parts.
However, the sensor may be impeded if it suffers from obstructions & dirt or if rain or snow interferes with the radar signals.
Likewise, water, ice, or snow on the road surface is likely to interfere with the normal functioning of the sensor.
What Is the Difference Between Adaptive and Intelligent Cruise Control?
Just like adaptive cruise control is an advanced form of cruise control, intelligent cruise control is a modern standard in Adaptive cruise control.
However, the conventional adaptive cruise control only locks the speed of a vehicle unto another to automatically adjust acceleration.
Superiorly, the intelligent adaptive cruise control utilizes road parameters to dictate the acceleration pattern of vehicles automatically.
The following are some factors that distinguish intelligent adaptive cruise control (i-ACC) from conventional adaptive cruise control (ACC):
#1. Speed Sign Recognition
The driver needs to adjust the speed by himself on the adaptive cruise control when he comes across a speed limit sign.
However, the intelligent cruise control recognizes speed signs and automatically adjusts to the speed indicated on the sign.
#2. Curves and bends cruise control
One of the major shortcomings of adaptive cruise control is inaccuracy in road courses that include curves and bends. The driver in such conditions needs to adjust the speed by himself.
The intelligent cruise control eliminates this problem by adjusting to a safe speed for such road segments with the help of curvature data.
#3. Stop and Go Cruise Control
Intelligent Cruise Controls like the Co-Pilot360 Assist 2.0 package on the Ford Mustang Mach-E completely stop and resume the car’s movement.
It happens if the vehicle ahead stops and resumes movement after 30 seconds. Adaptive Cruise control needs instant reactivation if the vehicle stops for three seconds.
#4. Road hazard prediction cruise control
Intelligent cruise control systems can predict road hazards or extreme weather conditions like obstacles and ice on roads.
It adjusts the speed of the vehicle after obtaining warnings about such. However, this is not possible with conventional adaptive cruise control systems.
#5. Speed adjustment for parking
Intelligent cruise controls under development are capable of adjusting the speed for parking.
However, the normal adaptive cruise control maintains a constant speed throughout a journey and requires human intervention for parking.
The Adaptive Cruise Control falls short of the intelligent cruise control because it only relies on sensors that acquire data within a short range.
The intelligent cruise control system uses features like the TomTom ADAS Map, which obtains data over a wide range.
Intelligent Adaptive Cruise Control is the present and the future of the Adaptive Cruise Control System.
It partners with other technologies like lane centering on developing autonomously driven vehicles which are the nearest future of cars.
Adaptive Cruise Control is AWESOME in my Ford Mustang Mach-E
Final Thought
As expected of modern cars, the Ford Mustang is fully equipped with adaptive cruise control.
In addition, the all-electric Ford Mustang Mach-E offers the system in its advanced form of intelligent cruise control.
This vital driver-assist system is Ford’s statement of comfort and safety for its vehicle users, which I recommend for drivers often using the highways.
