lane centering and lane drift

[Gulfstream]

First, just let me say that this post references TSB 22-2109 for driveability concerns.

I have been unhappy with my 2021 Ford's lane keeping/centering capabilities for quite some time now and will not renew my subscription if Ford cannot improve this function. First, my truck would not update OTA with "normal" updates and I had to take it to a dealer and leave it for only 9 DAYS(!!) to get the updates installed with no loaner/rental car provided despite my "enhanced" loaner/rental car benefits in my 2+ thousand dollar extended warranty!! Then, after that, I noticed when using BC that the truck is wandering all over the road, bouncing between the lines like a drunken driver. I, again, decided to take it to my dealer which, this time, required a 2 MONTH(!!) lead time for an appointment, which lasted 8 days(!!), after which, I was provided with a list of the services performed as shown on the attached photo. Apparently, it was all BS!! After this "service" nothing has changed. The BC/Lane Centering/Keeping is still too unpredictable to be called "Hands-Free-Self-Driving" because it I cannot trust the system to function safely when passing vehicles on the right or left.

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[Snakebitten]

I wish I had better understanding of exactly how the logic (software) and participating hardware (cameras and sonar) worked. I mean beyond the theory or surface.

The main reason I'm curious is to at least ponder on what might be the explanation for variation between trucks. Some of these posts reveal that my truck is nothing like what others are, yet similar to others. There has to be an explanation.

And since we can assume that it isn't the logic that is different between two trucks, that would imply that the hardware/components are introducing the variations? Is it a camera problem? Or is it slop in the steering mechanism? Is it a suspension or tire contributing?

Admittedly there are a lot potential factors, but it's not infinite.

 

[parkerdog]

I had to go experiment tonight because they painted the stripes today on the 2 lane highway where I drive the most.

My lane centering had not been working so well with the road conditions around here but with the new paint it was back to like it was when I bought the truck back in Feb. Should have taken some pics because the crew didn't paint a dead animal but I saw a couple of places where they painted the gravel shoulder.

I hadn't used the lane centering for a while and it did seem like there was a learning moment when I first turned it on because it went from side to side at first until it straightened out. I had quit using it because it felt unsafe because you never knew when it was going to cancel. Same curves as before but now it goes around them like it did 6 months ago. It's still frustrating though that I keep my hands on the wheel but it requires such a light touch that the truck keeps telling me to put my hands on the wheel. So I guess I'll save the lane centering for long trips on the interstate. (with a weight?)

 

[powerboatr]

I wish I had better understanding of exactly how the logic (software) and participating hardware (cameras and sonar) worked. I mean beyond the theory or surface.

The main reason I'm curious is to at least ponder on what might be the explanation for variation between trucks. Some of these posts reveal that my truck is nothing like what others are, yet similar to others. There has to be an explanation.

And since we can assume that it isn't the logic that is different between two trucks, that would imply that the hardware/components are introducing the variations? Is it a camera problem? Or is it slop in the steering mechanism? Is it a suspension or tire contributing?

Admittedly there are a lot potential factors, but it's not infinite.

variations...of components. i would hope ford or the engineers took that into account.

i was wondering not only the gear (cameras, sensors) but you touched on steering. how about tire brands or tread.
i have the scorpion AWR ( i call em round tread) they are not my 1st choice. the tread is to round.
maybe we need tires brands and model to add to the list to find a common factor or outlier


my truck Scorpion AWR 20" chrome pvd wheels factory OEM at 38 PSI all round right now. I am still playing with pressure versus ride and feel.
truck sits stock, no level , no lift, a tad over 2k miles total

 

[Snakebitten]

KingRanch Powerboost 6.5' with the Pirrelis. (20")
Truck rolls really true with no AI engaged.

I'd love to come across an engineering document describing the calibration procedure and the tolerances that are being aimed for. You know there has to be parameters that must be met because the system has the ability to cancel the various features when those thresholds aren't met.

As easy as it is to criticize the shortcomings that some have experienced, I bet we'd be impressed with just how sophisticated it all is. I suspect execution and things like quality control are the real culprits?

 

[STM]

My truck is less than a month old with about 1200 miles on it..
A lot of my driving is on freeways inside the city.. All these freeways have BC enabled.. PB Lariat with BAP, So factory installed 20" wheels with Hankook Dynapro AT2 tires..
The truck does not weave or wander... Holds fairly true.. My only issue is, it runs a little close to the right lane markings.. It seems like it goes closer to the lane marking particularly when there is a vehicle in the lane to my right..
I have tow mirrors and when I check, the space on each side appears fairly even, even though it feels like it is closer to the right..
What I don't understand is why BC disengages and reengages randomly... Also, I don't think there is a way to engage BC.. The truck seems to do it on its own accord..
BC does a great job in complete stop and go traffic..

Overall, both ACC and BC seem to work really well..to the extent that I use BC every time it is available..

 

[Demps]

I think a lot of the BC and Lane Keeping wondering may be the line striping. To us the lines look straight but the truck's "eyes" may be seeing that the lines aren't quite perfect, especially as the lines fade. When we see a line that isn't quite straight, we compensate. I doubt truck is "smart" enough, yet.
I noticed when BC cancels when not exiting it seems to be near multilane exits. May be the same as seeing posted speed limit on a service road.
Overall I use BC when I can. Like Lane Keeping still too close to the right for me. As I get used to BC I will be able to predict how it will react and proactively adjust to circumstances.

 

[Ajzride]

I've asked before and not gotten any answer, so I'll ask it here. Has anyone ever gotten the panic "Resume Control" message. It mutes the stereo, beeps, and flashes on the dashboard. I'm pretty it is being caused by road glare, because I got it consistently 5-8 times yesterday while driving westbound around 5:30 PM. I got it so many times it was enough to capture a video. I left it alone for about five seconds while I was getting the video, and it brake checked me to try and get my attention.

 

[RedTXV]

I've asked before and not gotten any answer, so I'll ask it here. Has anyone ever gotten the panic "Resume Control" message. It mutes the stereo, beeps, and flashes on the dashboard. I'm pretty it is being caused by road glare, because I got it consistently 5-8 times yesterday while driving westbound around 5:30 PM. I got it so many times it was enough to capture a video. I left it alone for about five seconds while I was getting the video, and it brake checked me to try and get my attention.

I get it frequently as well. Most, but not all of the time mine is caused by glare as well heading westbound.

On that same highway, if the glare is strong enough, BC won't even activate.

290 westbound is where I experience it the most.

 

[powerboatr]

KingRanch Powerboost 6.5' with the Pirrelis. (20")
Truck rolls really true with no AI engaged.

I'd love to come across an engineering document describing the calibration procedure and the tolerances that are being aimed for. You know there has to be parameters that must be met because the system has the ability to cancel the various features when those thresholds aren't met.

As easy as it is to criticize the shortcomings that some have experienced, I bet we'd be impressed with just how sophisticated it all is. I suspect execution and things like quality control are the real culprits?

as far as truck staying straight on typical road surfaces with just me in control is very good, as have my last 5 fords
they drive straight on good roads and will tend to follow the wear point on the interstate
whats funny for me, is i would accept the truck hugging to the left as normal. but by happenstance i drove my moms maverick (22) on a 3 hr trip and it held very center with same system engaged, it was a completely different driving experience, which sort of proves the technology is working, and it didnt fight me. it did ride like a buckboard and was noisy as heck. so IMO it has to be how the technology is tuned for the 150.

we need some expedition, aviator or navigator vehicle input

no doubt there is huge computing going on. think about how you as the driver are constantly making adjustments and or watching other things around you. so yes we are asking the system to digest tons of data in a blink of an eye. and yes thats impressive as you know what. i still get thrilled over the safety stuff and how well it protects me and my loved ones

road markings is an interesting theory. lines are not straight or consistent . you bet
i am ok with truck following those lines,
i just want a LESS than to the left setting or re-calibration, especially on 2 lane roads. maybe the system knows the road layout and computer trims it to move to the right 4 or 5 inches??
on 4 lane or more roadways, staying center is even more important, especially if your in the center lane

i really like how truck drives in cruise, just not thrilled with lane centering.
i will get mine checked for calibration then make a few more drives to see.
i also go the reverse brake assist is not available yesterday out of the blue, in a parking lot when i tried to back out of a spot. have no idea why it kept tripping ?

 

[Snakebitten]

^ great post.
Interesting that the Maverick was substantially more accurate considering that, as you stated, there must be shared technology between the two models.

 

[F150Platinum22]

My Mach E lane centers way better than my F150. Both are 2021 Job 1 vehicles with FDRS updates. The F150 has gotten much better with the updates, but still no where near as good as my Mach E. I suspect it has to do with how much bigger and heavier the F150 is over the smaller vehicles, along with steering ratios and other vehicular specifics. I think it is something Ford should be able to compensate for, but hasn't figure it out yet obviously.

Mine 22 Platinum does the same, Nice looking color scheme in your picture, by the way.

 

[Ajzride]

Ford needs to hire someone from Honda to start optimizing the lane centering and blue cruise software. I had an Accord rental this week, and the lane center was so good on the way out, that on the way back, I just had to try it with a weight to see how good it really was without any input from me. The Accord went 97 miles on I-40 from Wilmington to Raleigh and I only had to touch the steering wheel once, and it's a pretty curvy interstate. It was amazing, never hit the stripe, never hit the rumble strip, never canceled or cut out. My F150 cancels lane centering at least one every 10 - 15 minutes, sometimes only for a few seconds, but I've never gone 20 minutes straight with it working, much less 90 minutes.

 

[powerboatr]

Ford needs to hire someone from Honda to start optimizing the lane centering and blue cruise software. I had an Accord rental this week, and the lane center was so good on the way out, that on the way back, I just had to try it with a weight to see how good it really was without any input from me. The Accord went 97 miles on I-40 from Wilmington to Raleigh and I only had to touch the steering wheel once, and it's a pretty curvy interstate. It was amazing, never hit the stripe, never hit the rumble strip, never canceled or cut out. My F150 cancels lane centering at least one every 10 - 15 minutes, sometimes only for a few seconds, but I've never gone 20 minutes straight with it working, much less 90 minutes.

agreed
my moms maverick is pretty darn true center and not wandering.
it has to be the size of the f150 or ????
would think it would be easy enough to tweak the software?? they read here, maybe by chance its moving along ????

 

[KGanz]

Found this thread while trying to do some research on my own issues.
Recently traded my 2015 FX4 for a 2021 Powerboost and I am pleased overall with the improvements. One of the reasons for the trade, beside the Pro Power, was the adaptive cruise and lane centering. Like a lot of people we travel a lot and prefer our truck for space and comfort.
Now to a minor issue, my vehicle also seems to drift right towards semis when passing them, not dangerously but sometimes very uncomfortably. I don't know why, wondered whether it was the wind/pressure created by the larger vehicle.
My main issue is on nearly every long drive (4 of 5 now) the lane centering disengages, sometimes seemingly without warning, and can't be reengaaged without shutting off the truck. I can try over and over for miles and it just says Lane Centering Not Available.
It sometimes disconnects on badly marked roads which is understandable but usually will reengage when you get to a well marked road.
Only one of my long drives has it made it all the way.
The manual states:
"Note: If your vehicle slows down due to your inactivity twice within a key cycle, the system disables. To reset the system, when the vehicle is stationary, return the gear selector to park (P) and turn the vehicle off. Then, restart the vehicle with your foot on the brake pedal."
However my truck has never had to slow down due to my inactivity.
When lane centering works, it is fantastic. No left or right hugging issues except with the semi trucks.

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