Rotary shifter confusion going into R from D

[Jonno21]

Funny - coming out of the Model 3 I feel like I'm turning a bus around most of the time I need a quick maneuver.

I think the turning radius being great could be interpreted as either:

The turning radius is too large. (Most likely)

The turning radius is small and therefore great. (Least likely)

The English language can be imprecise sometimes. ?

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[Ghost Ryder]

I recall reading several criticisms of the MME rotary shifter previously and I think I also read instances of people turning the knob the wrong way when trying to shift from D to R and moving forward instead of backward. This has happened to me a few times over the past few months while making a quick K turn. Fortunately I've realized it with enough time to hit the brakes and move the dial to R but I've had a few close calls and it makes me nervous. I think my brain is just used to turning the knob clockwise from P to R and maybe that's why when I'm stopped after the first part of the K turn, and in a rush to complete it, my brain is momentarily confused and thinks I'm going from P to R so I rotate clockwise instead of counter clockwise.

I've never had a car with a rotary shifter like this and in many (>40) years of driving cars with more typical shifters (either automatic or manuals transmissions) I've never had this issue. I do realize that in those other cars I also have to change the direction when shifting to D to R compared to going from P to R, but maybe there's something about rotation that my brain interprets differently from linear motion.

Is anyone aware whether this is more common with rotary compared to linear shifters? Would a potential solution be to make it so that a clockwise turn from D shifts the car into N? I wouldn't think that would be hard for Ford to program but maybe there's a down side that I'm not anticipating.

Yes, happens to me about once a week. Simple solution is to have a hard stop after D to the right and P to the left. The mechanism is already there, its just need software. Don't know why Ford wouldn't implement it. Its a safety issue.

 

[ctenidae]

I think the turning radius being great could be interpreted as either:

The turning radius is too large. (Most likely)

The turning radius is small and therefore great. (Least likely)

The English language can be imprecise sometimes. ?

Context would indicate it was "great" as in "fantastic," since that would obviate the need for quick 3-point turns. I agree with your probability rankings, though, which is what led to my comment.

 

[engnrng]

Good point. I will have to watch what I do the next time I go from D to R. That does not happen very often for me because the turn radius of this car is so great.

I finally got to drive my wife’s Mach E again. Yes, going from D to R, I always look at the knob. I don’t count clicks.

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