2009 Ford Flex Limited: I Wanna Hold Your Hand

Agreed on all counts, including carguy's comment.

Ford's cruise control interface is crap--where in the heck is the 'cancel' button? And no telltale for its state (whether it is 'on' or 'off')? How about leaving the cruise 'armed' at all times like other automakers do, and just lose the on/off nonsense altogether?

@ carguy: It's not just a Ford problem. Any vehicle with multifunction buttons on the steering wheel has very similar issues (M-B comes to mind). So manufacturers use cryptic looking icons on their controls (BMW)

Also moving controls for audio/climate/nav/voice activation so that you can have one hand free defeats the purpose of said buttons don't you think? If that hand is not on the steering wheel then why not just reach for audio or climate controls with that hand.

@gdm
BMW's cruise control stalk has got to be the most straightforward device in the automotive world. Nothing cryptic about pushing a stalk forward to speed up and pulling it back to slow down. Plus the nifty indicator on your speedo that lets you know what speed its set to and the digital readout of said speed is nifty too.

Just 6% of cars sold in the U.S. are manual so nope, audio controls on there right side of the wheel where they belong.

The whole point of having the most frequently used controls on the left of the wheel is to not interrupt the right hand and whatever it may be doing (shifting gears, holding hands, saluting, etc.) you should notice that any car made for the US with an option of a manual tranny will not have volume controls on the right side of the wheel even if it is equipped with the automatic.

@tcd: Re-read my post. I mentioned multi-function steering wheels, not just those equipped with cruise control.

I think a lot of manufacturers still have an on off feature, we have new Infiniti products that require you to turn cruise on b4 you set it. I also don't understand what is so hard about Ford's cruise control. You turn it on, hit set and the task is done (the cruise control icon illuminates). Tap the brakes lightly and it disengages big deal.

I agree/disagree.

Yes, control buttons need to be differentiated so your tactile feel will identify the button. Power window buttons located on doors are a prime example. You should be able to identify which of the four window buttons your finger touches without looking.

No, the cruise needs to be on the left side. Most drivers have their left hand on the wheel most of the time, so any need to change or alter the forward motion of the vehicle via the cruise control should take precedent over your listening pleasure.

While we are at it, can't we put the gas filler tube on the same side of all cars?

I suspect this is a non-issue for people who don't jump between a dozen cars a month.

The volume control knob is on the right, so I would think that steering wheel audio controls are more likely to be used if they're on the left than if they're on the right. I think that, more than anything, explains why they're generally on the left.

Also, I think that the easiest controls for cruise use stalks: Toyota/Lexus/Scion & Mercedes-Benz. I prefer the M-B controls, although I don't particularly appreciate how they displace the turn signal stalk.

Last thing: I think there's a benefit for an on/off button (much harder to accidently activate the cruise control), but I think that if there is to be an on/off switch, then there must be two idiot lights on the IP for "Cruise On" and "Cruise Set."

"you should notice that any car made for the US with an option of a manual tranny will not have volume controls on the right side of the wheel even if it is equipped with the automatic."

not true, i drive an hhr ss with a manual, and the volume controls are on the right side of the wheel.

Acura probably has the most controls on the steering wheel but they are very easy to use. Cruise, audio, voice command, phone, and trip computer controls are all on the steering wheel but they are well placed and spaced out and lit at night.

I think cruise buttons on the steering wheel are better than stalks with the exception of Toyota and Mitsu; those are great. GM makes the best cruise systems (not controls, that multi function control stalk was awful) from what I remember because it was the only system I experienced that would floor the throttle. My friend's Silverado would routinely floor the throttle when climbing hills while towing. I mean that literally because the accelerator would actually move up and down under the system's control. This must have been an American car thing because all domestics had moving accelerators.

I totally agree: Audio on the left, cruise buttons on the right. In my house I live it both ways: my TSX has the proper layout, while the wife's Passat has them reversed.

To me, it is silly that, on the right, the audio controls are where you could use that very same hand to adjust the volume or change the station.

On the other hand, from the day I got my TSX three years ago, I have found everything to work intuitively. I have no issues working the cruise buttons, since, in cruise, I still have both hands on the wheel.

That F1 steering wheel on the right has a lot of flair.

@eljefe68

Agreed. Your hand's almost there anyway, so why bother?

@gdmstrb

The big deal is that when you tap the brake, you activate the brake lights, often causing others to do the same, when all you really are doing are coasting down, creating the slinky effect. It wastes gas and increases traffic jams. It's shameful that Ford and GM still hold out on this feature. Also, the point of cruise is to not to have to use your feet.