UP-Charging Bluecruise Subscription

[roadPilot]

The 90 day trial period is almost up on my 24 KR, and I will not be ponying up the 495 bucks for a year subscription. I have used the BC a few times, it is cool and all, but not $495 a year cool, for me at least.

Heaven forbid someone give up that once a week Starbucks latte or every other week Big Mac meal for a Level 2 autonomous driving experience.

And not that many roads are BC compatible up here in the sticks anyway, so it would only be used once in a while. I do like the adaptive cruise control, that is way more useful for the type of driving I do.

That's a valid excuse.

I really despise the way the automakers are going with this "subscription for everything" BS.

"Everything"? LOL. Nope. Not even close.

Ford has to constantly update maps and put in a ton of R&D effort to continue improving how BC works. This isn't a 1977 F150 with manual windows, a heater, and an AM radio. You don't have a subscription for your brakes or starter, which are necessary to use your vehicle. BlueCruise and other non-essential subscription-based features are not necessary or operate the vehicle, so if you want it, subscribe. If you don't, don't. But to act like it should be "free" is, IMHO, unreasonable.

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[roadPilot]

Im disparaged at how ford is deleting some of the cool stuff. Auto park assist, auto trailer hitch alignment. Ect 2022 hybrid platinum was the last year that they offered up the most technological advanced trucks. Now they are dumbing down.

If someone needs gizmo features to park their vehicle or to hook up a trailer ... you've now identified what 'dumbing down' really applies to: The driver, not the truck.

 

[Spiffy]

If someone needs gizmo features to park their vehicle or to hook up a trailer ... you've now identified what 'dumbing down' really applies to: The driver, not the truck.

Whats that supposed to mean? I was using that as an example.

 

[roadPilot]

Whats that supposed to mean? I was using that as an example.

It means exactly what it says. If someone can't park or hook up a trailer without relying on newfangled technology to help them do it, the problem is with the driver, not the truck.

It's a general comment about any/all drivers in general. Its' not intended to be something to get personally offended at (if that's what you are eluding to).

 

[mwf5888]

I can back into any space my truck will fit and hook up any trailer, all without any fancy technology like 360-Degree Cameras and Smart Hitch.

That being said, it's a whole lot easier with the fancy technology! And even with the technology, I still have my mirrors set up so I can do it all without the technology.

 

[Spiffy]

It means exactly what it says. If someone can't park or hook up a trailer without relying on newfangled technology to help them do it, the problem is with the driver, not the truck.

It's a general comment about any/all drivers in general. Its' not intended to be something to get personally offended at (if that's what you are eluding to).

That's why I asked. This us reddit after all. Sometimes is hard to understand. No problems brother

 

[Spiffy]

I can back into any space my truck will fit and hook up any trailer, all without any fancy technology like 360-Degree Cameras and Smart Hitch.

That being said, it's a whole lot easier with the fancy technology! And even with the technology, I still have my mirrors set up so I can do it all without the technology.

Ya i have auto park and trailer hook up.
I can both twice as fast. But having them available gives me bunny feelings.
I have 5 bathrooms and use only one. Having 5 bathrooms makes me feel like I'm getting my money's worth.

 

[HammaMan]

Heaven forbid someone give up that once a week Starbucks latte or every other week Big Mac meal for a Level 2 autonomous driving experience.

I mean, it'd be wise to forgo both, no? I've had a kuerig for 18 years now and that's about as deluxe as the coffee gets. Not the cheapest route, but it's fast and consistent. Fast food on the other hand ends up being a wash on price vs the alternatives sans a ramen diet when intelligently sourced.

For ADAS the best product out there is the comma 3x so long as you don't mind its screen. For less than a 3yr sub to BC, it's lifelong until you get an encrypted can bus vehicle.

I can back into any space my truck will fit and hook up any trailer, all without any fancy technology like 360-Degree Cameras and Smart Hitch.

Lots of folks have been able to do the same but license plates and bumpers don't lie; the collateral damage is pretty obvious. An all-chrome bumper will be a little forgiving when parallel parking so long as you're bumping into softer vehicles. There's really no replacement for a camera allowing you to put the rear end an inch from wall though.

 

[gnikdaor]

Heaven forbid someone give up that once a week Starbucks latte or every other week Big Mac meal for a Level 2 autonomous driving experience.

That's a valid excuse.

"Everything"? LOL. Nope. Not even close.

Ford has to constantly update maps and put in a ton of R&D effort to continue improving how BC works. This isn't a 1977 F150 with manual windows, a heater, and an AM radio. You don't have a subscription for your brakes or starter, which are necessary to use your vehicle. BlueCruise and other non-essential subscription-based features are not necessary or operate the vehicle, so if you want it, subscribe. If you don't, don't. But to act like it should be "free" is, IMHO, unreasonable.

Heated seats, heated steering wheel, and remote start are examples of what I already paid for on the truck, and require virtually no “updates” from Ford. For now, I don’t have to pay a subscription to keep using those things. However, Toyota requires a subscription to use remote start, and BMW was going to require a subscription to use their heated seats, although I believe they relented after much public pushback. But I wouldn’t be surprised if they eventually go back to requiring a subscription to be able to use them. The trend is clear, subscriptions to be able to use creature comforts is coming. It is BS since we already PAID for heated seats, etc.

As far as the navigation and BC, I give you that, Ford needs to regularly update those, which costs them money. And if your reading comprehension was good, you would see that I don’t want to pay for it, since I live in the sticks, and most roads around here aren’t BC compatible. My commute to work is short, it would essentially be a useless feature for ME. Not worth 495 bucks a year. I CAN afford it, but I don’t want to WASTE my money on a feature I would seldom use.

If I had a 100 mile round trip daily commute on the superslab, where BC would be useful, I would probably spring for it. And when my navigation trial expires, ending the live traffic data and updates, I won’t pay the subscription for that, either. I don’t use navigation often, but I will still have use of the navigation feature, and if I want live traffic data, I can just use Waze or Google maps through Carplay.

I have noticed that many of your replies to other members on here are often nasty, spiteful and condescending. You come across as a hateful, spiteful little troll. Therefore, I will do both of us a favor. This will be the last time I ever reply to one of your posts. You can insult me all you want, but my policy on trolls is I do not feed them. So enjoy your last meal from me.

 

[roadPilot]

I mean, it'd be wise to forgo both, no? I've had a kuerig for 18 years now and that's about as deluxe as the coffee gets. Not the cheapest route, but it's fast and consistent. Fast food on the other hand ends up being a wash on price vs the alternatives sans a ramen diet when intelligently sourced.

Bottom line, some folks can't see the forest for the trees ...

 

[HammaMan]

Heated seats, heated steering wheel, and remote start are examples of what I already paid for on the truck, and require virtually no “updates” from Ford. For now, I don’t have to pay a subscription to keep using those things. However, Toyota requires a subscription to use remote start, and BMW was going to require a subscription to use their heated seats, although I believe they relented after much public pushback. But I wouldn’t be surprised if they eventually go back to requiring a subscription to be able to use them. The trend is clear, subscriptions to be able to use creature comforts is coming. It is BS since we already PAID for heated seats, etc.

BMW did the heated seat sub for less than a year before pulling it because buyers weren't having it. GM still charges $15 for the basics that fordpass app gives us for free. The worst part about it is that even if you connect the vehicle to wifi when parked, GM will use the wifi for its data but still won't let the owner use the app despite not needing any cellular connectivity. Their selling of owner telemetry has gotten them slapped around pretty good -- still hard to believe they did that nonsense in the first place.

 

[roadPilot]

Heated seats, heated steering wheel, and remote start are examples of what I already paid for on the truck, and require virtually no “updates” from Ford. For now, I don’t have to pay a subscription to keep using those things.

Question: Are you aware of ANYONE who has purchased a vehicle with a feature that was NOT defined at the time of sale as subscription-based feature, but the manufacturer change it to a subscription AFTER the purchase, and it no longer works? I'm not.

As far as the navigation and BC, I give you that, Ford needs to regularly update those, which costs them money.

100% agree, as that is exactly what I posted earlier.

And if your reading comprehension was good

No need to act a douche ...

... you would see that I don’t want to pay for it, since I live in the sticks, and most roads around here aren’t BC compatible. My commute to work is short, it would essentially be a useless feature for ME. Not worth 495 bucks a year. I CAN afford it, but I don’t want to WASTE my money on a feature I would seldom use.

Considering your previous insult, did you NOT see where I said, "That's a valid excuse. "?

I have noticed that many of your replies to other members on here are often nasty, spiteful and condescending. You come across as a hateful, spiteful little troll. Therefore, I will do both of us a favor. This will be the last time I ever reply to one of your posts. You can insult me all you want, but my policy on trolls is I do not feed them. So enjoy your last meal from me.

Do I hurt your feewings? Do you get up every morning and ask yourself, "Gee, how can I be offended today?" Bummer.

Keys to a happy and successful life:

1. Sense of humor
2. Thick skin
3. Good work ethic

Learn it. Know it. Live it. - Brad Hamilton, Fast Times at Ridgemont High.

 

[roadPilot]

BMW did the heated seat sub for less than a year before pulling it because buyers weren't having it. GM still charges $15 for the basics that fordpass app gives us for free.

Yes, but unless my recollection is incorrect, buyers knew UP FRONT, before they bought, that they would have to pay for these later.

 

[gnikdaor]

I mean, it'd be wise to forgo both, no? I've had a kuerig for 18 years now and that's about as deluxe as the coffee gets. Not the cheapest route, but it's fast and consistent. Fast food on the other hand ends up being a wash on price vs the alternatives sans a ramen diet when intelligently sourced.

I use a French press to brew my morning coffee. On weekends I make Turkish coffee. So much better than drip coffee. And still cheap. I hate most Starbucks coffee, but I do like their nitro brewed iced coffee.

Fast food is garbage anyway, but I will have a quarter pounder with cheese and a small fry from McD’s once or twice a year as a guilty treat. I brown bag my lunch for work, I eat a healthy diet (with a cheat day here and there), it helps keep the weight off and saves me money, so I can spend it on King Ranches and European vacations instead. ?

 

[gnikdaor]

BMW did the heated seat sub for less than a year before pulling it because buyers weren't having it. GM still charges $15 for the basics that fordpass app gives us for free. The worst part about it is that even if you connect the vehicle to wifi when parked, GM will use the wifi for its data but still won't let the owner use the app despite not needing any cellular connectivity. Their selling of owner telemetry has gotten them slapped around pretty good -- still hard to believe they did that nonsense in the first place.

We are lucky that using the features of the Fordpass is free, that puts them above most auto manufacturers as it pertains to that benefit. But the writing is on the wall, Ford will likely feel the pressure to follow the other automakers and charge money to use the creature comforts and other features that we currently get to use for free. There is simply too much money to be made off of it. Although heated seats and such isn’t free, it is an option we paid for already in the price of our trucks. And those things do not require regular updates like nav and BC do.

In my opinion, selling our data should be illegal, but I highly doubt our Congress critters will ever pass that law.

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