Why does the shift knob rotate past Drive?

[JohnFoxeSheets]

Does anyone know if there is any utility in the shift knob rotating past Drive (clockwise), or Park (counterclockwise)? I ask because it's happened to me a few times where I accidentally rotated clockwise to shift the car from Drive to Reverse rather than counterclockwise. Obviously this is user error, and a dumb one at that. (It generally happens when I'm in a hurry and I am maneuvering back and forth a couple times in a tight spot.) But it made me wonder if Ford has a specific reason why the shift knob works this way.....? I can't think of any reason for it to work like this.

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[Murse-In-Airy]

I’ve been driving Mach-E for two years now. I still try to rotate further clockwise to get to Reverse sometimes. Can’t help with why Ford chose this “feature.” Just wanted to say, you’re not alone.

 

[HGxxx]

My last car before MME was. Ford fusion, ok that car the gear dial does not keep turning beyond D or P. So I don't know why they did this with MME.

 

[Maquis]

It’s to facilitate the automatic shift to “P” on shutoff without needing a motor to rotate the knob.

 

[DR.J56]

Rotating it past D or P makes it engage in those gears faster. It’s the same as pushing the elevator button many times quickly. The elevator knows at that point you are in a hurry.

 

[hybrid2bev]

The engineer that designed the shifter is a big fan of the Wheel of Fortune show. Give that wheel a spin!

 

[Blue highway]

Does anyone know if there is any utility in the shift knob rotating past Drive (clockwise), or Park (counterclockwise)? I ask because it's happened to me a few times where I accidentally rotated clockwise to shift the car from Drive to Reverse rather than counterclockwise. Obviously this is user error, and a dumb one at that. (It generally happens when I'm in a hurry and I am maneuvering back and forth a couple times in a tight spot.) But it made me wonder if Ford has a specific reason why the shift knob works this way.....? I can't think of any reason for it to work like this.

It's an optical encoder... it will not wear out with use.

 

[JohnFoxeSheets]

It's an optical encoder... it will not wear out with use.

Good to know, though I wasn't worried about it wearing out!

 

[JohnFoxeSheets]

I’ve been driving Mach-E for two years now. I still try to rotate further clockwise to get to Reverse sometimes. Can’t help with why Ford chose this “feature.” Just wanted to say, you’re not alone.

Thanks Rod. I'm not sure if I should be happy that I'm not alone, or sad that after two years you still make the same mistake sometimes! ?

It’s to facilitate the automatic shift to “P” on shutoff without needing a motor to rotate the knob.

I suppose you're right. In other words, to save cost. While I wouldn't expect them to use a motor to auto-shift it into Park, they already have the ability to lock the knob, so one would think they could have made the lock such that it prevented over-rotation once it is in Drive. (I really don't care about over-rotation in any other scenario.)

 

[MarkP213]

It’s to facilitate the automatic shift to “P” on shutoff without needing a motor to rotate the knob.

My 2018 Expedition has P and D stop points and automatically shifts into Park on shutoff without rotating the knob on its own - just goes into Park. I’ve heard something to do with unassisted automatic parking, and or cost savings. ?‍ Wouldn’t it be nice if Ford could just answer our curiosity questions? I’m sure it’s no trade secret why they do things. We just want to know!

 

[RedOctobrrr]

It’s to facilitate the automatic shift to “P” on shutoff without needing a motor to rotate the knob.

Who let ol' big brain in here?

 

[Maquis]

My 2018 Expedition has P and D stop points and automatically shifts into Park on shutoff without rotating the knob on its own - just goes into Park. I’ve heard something to do with unassisted automatic parking, and or cost savings. ?‍ Wouldn’t it be nice if Ford could just answer our curiosity questions? I’m sure it’s no trade secret why they do things. We just want to know!

If the knob doesn’t rotate, the stops must.

 

[MacherAWD]

If the knob doesn’t rotate, the stops must.

Agreed, something is mechanical in that scenario, vs the MME setup may be purely software related.

 

[JohnFoxeSheets]

Agreed, something is mechanical in that scenario, vs the MME setup may be purely software related.

The MME locks when in Park (and the brake isn’t applied), so there’s something mechanical in the mechanism… (Yes, I know that statement is kinda redundant!?)

 

[MacherAWD]

The MME locks when in Park (and the brake isn’t applied), so there’s something mechanical in the mechanism… (Yes, I know that statement is kinda redundant!?)

damn it! there goes that theory. Then I am going with 25% too many engineers, they arent talking to each other, no consistency.

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