Most unreliable optional features
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Joined: Aug 2011
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Thought that might be a typo for a second until I googled blend door servo and found that it is related to the dual zone climate control. I guess that would kinda suck for the A/C to go out on half the vehicle so it wouldn't really be an optional repair.
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Joined: Aug 2011
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I would have figured the servos would have had similar quality as the motors that run the windows. I initially got my extended warranty on my other vehicle because of all the servos and motors moving stuff around but it seems to be the tracks or control arms that bit the dust by getting bent up.
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Joined: May 2010
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From: Savannah, GA
im just gonna say after ten years of driving the same truck the last thing you are going to worry about is your power folding mirrors i would be worrying about rebuilding engines, rust, frame cracks, if you are able to keep your truck showroom quality for 10 years you probably don't need a truck but this is america
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Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,781
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From: NV
IMO:
rain sensing wipers: not necessary and could be expensive to repair, and why repair something thats not necessary...I've never been driving along and thought * man I wish my wipers could sense rain and turn on for me so I don't have to move my arm...*
Heated/cooled seats: Could be an expensive fix if they fail. and do you really need them? I live in the high desert where it gets 100+ degrees in the summer and below zero in the winter, and I have never wished I had heated/cooled seats. My wifes Subaru has heated seats and I never use them (she does but I think its more of a novelty thing)
Power sliding rear window: I could see myself getting this option, however I could also see going without it. Just another electrically controlled mechanical device that could fail and cost a chunk of change to fix. Its all dependent on if you will use it more than once in a while.
Heated mirrors: My 04 has them and I never use them because I forget I have them....I forget because I rarely need to defrost my mirrors, It seems that they defrost on their own quite quickly when driving.
Power folding mirrors: meh....Will you ever use the feature more than once a year? not worth it to me. I rarely have to fold in my passenger side mirror. And when I need to fold my dirvers side mirror (going through the ATM at the bank) I reach out and pull it in...simple, and less likely to fail.
Moon Roof: Never had one in any of my vehicles, never really wanted one. My wifes Subaru has a huge moon roof and it rarely gets used. Its one of those parts that is going to surely begin to leak when the truck gets some years and weather on it.
Power pedals: Never understood the need unless your extremely short. sliding seat has always done the trick.
Power sliding seat: My current truck has this (driver's side only) and while it does what its supposed to (for now, until the motor gives out), whats the point? the simple lever under the front has done fine for years and will give you less headaches when the truck is 10+ years old. Besides, How often are you going to adjust the seat?
rear view camera and/or proximity sensors: IMO the rear view camera could potentially cause tunnel vision when backing out of spots/driveway etc, unless its being used mostly for backing up to a trailer or parking. I like to look around as much as possible when backing into potential traffic/pedestrians. And I dont like the idea of listening for a sensor when parking (when reading up on the sensors on Ford's site, they have a disclaimer saying adverse weather conditions etc could cause the sensor to not operate like it should. Not what I want to happen when parking next to a Mercedes and relying on the sensor to stop me before swapping paint.) Another option that wouldn't get used as much as you may think (at least in my eyes)
Keyless entry keypad on the door: Waste of money. Would be nice to have if you ever lock your keys inside the truck....but a hide a key will also do.
*All that being said, I would personally forgo all of the above and use that money for the navigation and the upgraded sound system. But its all about what you prefer. Im all about functionalilty and practicality...and saving money where possible. If there's a proven mechanism that is likely to last, why replace it with a luxury item that could fail and be a costly repair?
Your butt will warm up or cool down with the heater/ac. Its better to look around see your whole surroundings, check blind spots, and watch for traffic/people from all angles when backing. Its not hard to reach up and turn a lever when it starts raining. You get my jist.
Satellite radio is worth its weight in gold. Remote start could be useful in cold weather to warm the truck up from the comfort of the front room with coffee and the paper in hand. Baseline sound system in the F150 is crappy so I'd go for the upgraded Sony sound system. Navigation is nice to have when travelling. Those options are where I'd spend my money when getting options. Heck, Im not even sure I'd splurge on the navi either. A Garmin is cheaper and will do the same thing.
I've put a lot of thought into all of these for when I do get my new truck.
rain sensing wipers: not necessary and could be expensive to repair, and why repair something thats not necessary...I've never been driving along and thought * man I wish my wipers could sense rain and turn on for me so I don't have to move my arm...*
Heated/cooled seats: Could be an expensive fix if they fail. and do you really need them? I live in the high desert where it gets 100+ degrees in the summer and below zero in the winter, and I have never wished I had heated/cooled seats. My wifes Subaru has heated seats and I never use them (she does but I think its more of a novelty thing)
Power sliding rear window: I could see myself getting this option, however I could also see going without it. Just another electrically controlled mechanical device that could fail and cost a chunk of change to fix. Its all dependent on if you will use it more than once in a while.
Heated mirrors: My 04 has them and I never use them because I forget I have them....I forget because I rarely need to defrost my mirrors, It seems that they defrost on their own quite quickly when driving.
Power folding mirrors: meh....Will you ever use the feature more than once a year? not worth it to me. I rarely have to fold in my passenger side mirror. And when I need to fold my dirvers side mirror (going through the ATM at the bank) I reach out and pull it in...simple, and less likely to fail.
Moon Roof: Never had one in any of my vehicles, never really wanted one. My wifes Subaru has a huge moon roof and it rarely gets used. Its one of those parts that is going to surely begin to leak when the truck gets some years and weather on it.
Power pedals: Never understood the need unless your extremely short. sliding seat has always done the trick.
Power sliding seat: My current truck has this (driver's side only) and while it does what its supposed to (for now, until the motor gives out), whats the point? the simple lever under the front has done fine for years and will give you less headaches when the truck is 10+ years old. Besides, How often are you going to adjust the seat?
rear view camera and/or proximity sensors: IMO the rear view camera could potentially cause tunnel vision when backing out of spots/driveway etc, unless its being used mostly for backing up to a trailer or parking. I like to look around as much as possible when backing into potential traffic/pedestrians. And I dont like the idea of listening for a sensor when parking (when reading up on the sensors on Ford's site, they have a disclaimer saying adverse weather conditions etc could cause the sensor to not operate like it should. Not what I want to happen when parking next to a Mercedes and relying on the sensor to stop me before swapping paint.) Another option that wouldn't get used as much as you may think (at least in my eyes)
Keyless entry keypad on the door: Waste of money. Would be nice to have if you ever lock your keys inside the truck....but a hide a key will also do.
*All that being said, I would personally forgo all of the above and use that money for the navigation and the upgraded sound system. But its all about what you prefer. Im all about functionalilty and practicality...and saving money where possible. If there's a proven mechanism that is likely to last, why replace it with a luxury item that could fail and be a costly repair?
Your butt will warm up or cool down with the heater/ac. Its better to look around see your whole surroundings, check blind spots, and watch for traffic/people from all angles when backing. Its not hard to reach up and turn a lever when it starts raining. You get my jist.
Satellite radio is worth its weight in gold. Remote start could be useful in cold weather to warm the truck up from the comfort of the front room with coffee and the paper in hand. Baseline sound system in the F150 is crappy so I'd go for the upgraded Sony sound system. Navigation is nice to have when travelling. Those options are where I'd spend my money when getting options. Heck, Im not even sure I'd splurge on the navi either. A Garmin is cheaper and will do the same thing.
I've put a lot of thought into all of these for when I do get my new truck.
Last edited by Buck; Aug 19, 2011 at 12:26 AM.
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 19
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I have a sunroof on a 1976 vehicle and it's never had a problem or a leak. My guess is that the moonroof will be reliable for good while on these trucks. Also, my wife has a moonroof on a 2005 that hasn't had any issues.
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 187
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From: Canada
Not sure where you live, but for me where there is TONS of snow and extremely cold temps, anything mechanical becomes a liability. In the winter the pop-out side steps on the bed are useless because they are constantly frozen with ice/snow.
Otherwise those are one of my favorites!
Otherwise those are one of my favorites!
Thread Starter
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Joined: Aug 2011
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IMO the rear view camera could potentially cause tunnel vision when backing out of spots/driveway etc
*All that being said, I would personally forgo all of the above and use that money for the navigation and the upgraded sound system.
Not sure where you live, but for me where there is TONS of snow and extremely cold temps, anything mechanical becomes a liability.
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Joined: Oct 2007
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From: NV
Well, I guess what it comes down to is this..If you can afford it and justify having it, then by all means, load it up.
In all actuality the rain sensing wipers has got to really be the only option that I just can't find any way to justify having. Whats the point? How well do they work? just how much moisture do you need to have them activate on their own? If its a lot then why have them, if its a little are they going to activate when not needed? I can sense rain and my own need for wipers better than any computer sensor can.
In all actuality the rain sensing wipers has got to really be the only option that I just can't find any way to justify having. Whats the point? How well do they work? just how much moisture do you need to have them activate on their own? If its a lot then why have them, if its a little are they going to activate when not needed? I can sense rain and my own need for wipers better than any computer sensor can.
Last edited by Buck; Aug 19, 2011 at 09:51 PM.
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From: In a cave, on the moon.
Originally Posted by Buck
Well, I guess what it comes down to is this..If you can afford it and justify having it, then by all means, load it up.
In all actuality the rain sensing wipers has got to really be the only option that I just can't find any way to justify having. Whats the point? How well do they work? just how much moisture do you need to have them activate on their own? If its a lot then why have them, if its a little are they going to activate when not needed? I can sense rain and my own need for wipers better than any computer sensor can.
In all actuality the rain sensing wipers has got to really be the only option that I just can't find any way to justify having. Whats the point? How well do they work? just how much moisture do you need to have them activate on their own? If its a lot then why have them, if its a little are they going to activate when not needed? I can sense rain and my own need for wipers better than any computer sensor can.