Ford’s BlueCruise hands-free highway driving assist feature has undergone a few notable changes in the past couple of months, all as it continues to expand its user base. The latest version of BlueCruise – 1.4 – debuted in late September bearing a variety of updates, and roughly a week later, Ford lowered the price of the feature and added a new one-time purchasing option. Now, just a couple of weeks later, BlueCruise 1.5 has debuted, bringing with it one big update.
That notable update is the addition of a hands-free lane change feature called Automatic Lane Change, which enables BlueCruise to initiate precisely that when the vehicle approaches slower-moving traffic. Developed by the Ford Advanced Driver Assistance (ADAS) team, Automatic Lane Change enables users to stay engaged in hands-free mode longer than before, even in traffic. BlueCruise 1.5 will try to avoid merging with traffic that’s moving much faster than the vehicle, as well as the right-hand lane where off-ramps and inconsistent lane markings are present, or merging with traffic that requires the driver to put their hands back on the wheel.
According to Ford’s own testing, these updates resulted in BlueCruise 1.5 being able to automate up to 45 percent of lane changes. In order to work properly, the feature must first detect a clear adjacent lane and sense that there is enough time to complete the lane change smoothly, after which the system will inform the driver with visual and audio prompts to let them know that the vehicle is about to change lanes, along with the reason for the change – whether that be to pass slow-moving traffic or move out of the passing lane once that process is complete.
If users don’t want BlueCruise to change lanes, they can simply tap the turn signal in the opposite direction or hold onto the steering wheel. Alternatively, Automatic Lane Change can be disabled via the Driver Assistance settings page. The 2025 Ford Mustang Mach-E will be the first Blue Oval model to get BlueCruise 1.5, after which it will roll out to additional models. For now at least, Ford hasn’t shared any sort of timeline regarding when that might happen, however.
Comments
All we KEEP HEARING IS Mach E, Mach E, Mach E????? We who ALREADY PURCHASED The BLUE CRUISE FEATURE and “PAID” The $1995.00 Up Front Cost are NOT Receiving ANY Updates to our BLUE CRUISE on our F-150’s and Expeditions????? For Nearly “THREE YEARS” We been dealing with the Antiquated “1.0” Original Launch Software????? My 3 YEARS that are already PAID FOR in 2022 are going to Lapse in JUNE 2025 and I haven’t enjoyed the Newer Features on our $88,000.00 F-150 Pick Up?????? W H Y F O R D????? What are we???? CHOPPED LIVER????? You Took Our Hard earned MONEY???? And Didn’t Bat an EYE!!!??? 😮💨😥???
Don’t worry. Nobody is getting 1.5 either. Ford is just saying that to get people to buy EVs that nobody wants and they are stuck with.
There is no 1.5 or 1.4. Ford software developers are the worst in the business. They can’t even figure out how to make rain sensing wipers to work after 15 years.
I can see a class action lawsuit in their future. And it will be here before 1.4 gets deployed.
The lack of BlueCruise software updates to my (and most) vehicles is 100% the reason that this will be my last Ford or Lincoln product I ever own. I feel bad for folks still using version 1.0. I have a 2023 Lincoln Corsair GT that is at least running version 1.2, which isn’t bad but could be better. The last thing I want to hear is that I’m now 2 versions behind on the BC software. I’ll be trading in this vehicle for a GM with Super Cruise as soon as GM builds a midsize hybrid SUV with Super Cruise. I’m not sure what the Ford execs are thinking by limiting the updates to only the Mach-E. Even though I’ll eventually move to an EV, I would never buy a Ford EV simply because they refuse to update the BC software on existing vehicles. Instead of enticing me to purchase a Mach-E, it’s completely turned me off from the brand. And it doesn’t help that they change the pricing structure about every 6 months. Count me in on the class action lawsuit!
I agree on all the ABOVE. I contacted “EVERYONE” At FoMoCo, and they just say it’s coming (Blue Cruise Updates), but they don’t know or can’t say when. And YES, they tell me the same Lame Garbage every time. The Mach E’s and New Builds get the Newer Software, then all the PAID FOR ALREADY people, “MIGHT GET” an Update. 👎. And the Dealerships???? Forgetaboutit!!! They are pretty much as LAME as the Whole Of FORD Motor Company!!!
The Mach E is the Mavericks ugly little brother, both designed by the same moron.