Is BlueCruise 1.4 worth it?

[TheNoname]

Hello all!

I have a 2023 and I have been waiting patiently for BlueCruise 1.4. I currently have 1.2 and use it every day during my commute, but there are sections where it just disengages and I don't fully trust it. I am considering getting a license for FDRS and the equipment needed to just do the upgrade myself to BC 1.4 to see if it's any better before my free trial runs out. Does anyone who currently has 1.4 think it's worth it?

Thanks in advance for your opinions!

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[generaltso]

Going from BC 1.0 to 1.4 is a big upgrade. But 1.2 to 1.4 is probably only marginally better. That being said, are you sure the needed updates are even available for your car in FDRS?

 

[TheNoname]

That's a great point. I am not sure if they are available. I was reading some threads last week and the posters were dating they were available, but reading more, it seems like only some of the control systems updates are available. Is there a way to see without purchasing a FDRS license? Is that what that thread is for with the VINs?

 

[bshaw]

That's a great point. I am not sure if they are available. I was reading some threads last week and the posters were dating they were available, but reading more, it seems like only some of the control systems updates are available. Is there a way to see without purchasing a FDRS license? Is that what that thread is for with the VINs?

How much time do you have left on your trial?
Since you use it everyday currently, it sounds like you should renew your subscription and when BC 1.4 hits, it will get even better for you.

 

[generaltso]

Is that what that thread is for with the VINs?

Yes.

 

[TheNoname]

How much time do you have left on your trial?
Since you use it everyday currently, it sounds like you should renew your subscription and when BC 1.4 hits, it will get even better for you.

I think only about a month or so left. I agree I should just renew, it's just the price is so high...

 

[kdonnel]

It feels very much improved over the 1.0 my car came with. I have not driven a car that came with 1.2 or 1.3 so I can't say how much improved it feels in those cases.

It no longer hugs the right side of the lane. Normally I had to keep my hands on the wheel forcing the car to the middle of the lane. Now I can actually drive hands free though it feels odd so I usually keep my hands on the wheel just no longer applying pressure.

I like how well in lane repositioning works. I can see a visible difference in the lane placement when passing or being passed by a large vehicle. It feels much more natural and how I drive when I am the one steering.

The lane change assist seems to work well.

I don't think I like the slowing down that automatically occurs in anticipation of curves and speed limit changes. I feel like it slows down way to early and way too much.

I have not noticed a big improvement in hands free remaining active. In the places I have driven there are still many places where it reverts to hands on mode for short segments.

I have yet to drive it much with BC 1.4 so my opinion may change.

 

[bshaw]

[...] I should just renew, it's just the price is so high...

We all agree that Ford has set the BC subscription price high.

As to whether it's "worth it", probably depends on how you use the car:

* Number of BC highway miles driven annually
* Quality of road lines (we have places with faded lane markers in Massachusetts)
* Traffic, weather, construction, etc that make BC less useful

 

[TheNoname]

We all agree that Ford has set the BC subscription price high.

As to whether it's "worth it", probably depends on how you use the car:

* Number of BC highway miles driven annually
* Quality of road lines (we have places with faded lane markers in Massachusetts)
* Traffic, weather, construction, etc that make BC less useful

Yeah those are all great things to calculate and factor in. I was just hoping I could do the update and just see if it tipped the scales for me. Sounds like that might not be possible though.

I really appreciate everyone's help though

 

[Keeperofthe7keys]

Meanwhile, I'm still stuck on 1.0 with no 1.2 in sight.

 

[TheNoname]

Meanwhile, I'm still stuck on 1.0 with no 1.2 in sight.

I'm sorry you have to deal with that ?

 

[RLW]

It feels very much improved over the 1.0 my car came with. I have not driven a car that came with 1.2 or 1.3 so I can't say how much improved it feels in those cases.

It no longer hugs the right side of the lane. Normally I had to keep my hands on the wheel forcing the car to the middle of the lane. Now I can actually drive hands free though it feels odd so I usually keep my hands on the wheel just no longer applying pressure.

I like how well in lane repositioning works. I can see a visible difference in the lane placement when passing or being passed by a large vehicle. It feels much more natural and how I drive when I am the one steering.

The lane change assist seems to work well.

I don't think I like the slowing down that automatically occurs in anticipation of curves and speed limit changes. I feel like it slows down way to early and way too much.

I have not noticed a big improvement in hands free remaining active. In the places I have driven there are still many places where it reverts to hands on mode for short segments.

I have yet to drive it much with BC 1.4 so my opinion may change.

I agree with your assessment. I had a 2021 Mach E with BC 1.0 and really enjoyed using it on long road trips. I traded my 2021 Mach E in December for a 2023.5 Mach E with BC 1.3 installed. The improvements are for real! I used to never trust BC when I drove next to an 18 wheeler. Now it does not bother me at all and I don’t find myself grabbing the steering wheel because BC makes the adjustments so much better now. BC handles curves so much better now and of course the other minor tweaks are nice. But as mentioned, I don’t like the sudden drop in speed based on speed limit signs. Unfortunately, you can’t override that option. But overall, I enjoy using BC and decided to purchase the subscription when my trial period ran out two weeks ago.

 

[Jimrpa]

Hello all!

I have a 2023 and I have been waiting patiently for BlueCruise 1.4. I currently have 1.2 and use it every day during my commute, but there are sections where it just disengages and I don't fully trust it. I am considering getting a license for FDRS and the equipment needed to just do the upgrade myself to BC 1.4 to see if it's any better before my free trial runs out. Does anyone who currently has 1.4 think it's worth it?

Thanks in advance for your opinions!

Nobody knows. No version of BlueCruise beyond BlueCruise 1.3 has been released by the Ford Motor Company to the public.
Of course, this being the internet, I should let you know that I have a super-duper, tippy-top secret version of BlueCruise - BlueCruise 4.3.9! It's tied into the iOS 18 Siri+Gemini on my pre-production iPhone 17, and it relies on Neuralink to determine where I want to go while I'm watching a great movie in 4-D on my Apple Vision Ultra 3.0 ???

 

[LincolnLuvr]

Do we even know the 1.4 improvements? Please tell me they've expanded BC coverage; it's looking woeful compared to SuperCruise coverage.

 

[bshaw]

I don’t like the sudden drop in speed based on speed limit signs.

There is a setting to turn off speed limit sign recognition. I turned mine off and haven't missed it.

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