They finally did it

[pteronaut]

 

Speaking of the "blind spot warning", am I the only one who thinks it would be a LOT more effective if the little light was a tiny bit bigger AND placed on the inside edge of the mirror instead of the outside ?? And maybe blinking too ??

I like it but find that it doesn't get my attention when it should.

I'm finding more that the BLIS is active when I can see the vehicle in my mirrors and not always when it isn't, can the dealer re-calibrate it?

[murphy]

If your mirrors are adjusted properly there will not be a blind spot on the driver's side. You should be able to see a car that is passing you appear in the side view mirror just before it disappears from the rear view mirror. Then you should be able to see the car appear in your peripheral vision just before it disappears from the side view mirror. A spotter mirror is not required to achieve this. With your head positioned straight ahead place it against the left window. Adjust the side view mirror so you can just barely see the side of your car. With your head back in normal driving position you should not be able to see the side of your car in the side view mirror.

[acdii]

Not 100% accurate. There as some cars, Smart, and these ugly new Fiats, that are so small that they can be in your blind zone even with the mirrors adjusted properly. This is where BLIS is worth its weight. Same goes for bikes, they can be in such a position to be just outside your mirrors, but BLIS will see them. I have mine adjusted as described above and there were times that the BLIS was lit up and nothing was in the mirror, but a glance my my left, and sure enough there was this little go cart of a car. For those of us who wear Progressive lenses, and have a narrow FOV, BLIS is a great option to have.

[hybridbear]

Not 100% accurate. There as some cars, Smart, and these ugly new Fiats, that are so small that they can be in your blind zone even with the mirrors adjusted properly. This is where BLIS is worth its weight. Same goes for bikes, they can be in such a position to be just outside your mirrors, but BLIS will see them. I have mine adjusted as described above and there were times that the BLIS was lit up and nothing was in the mirror, but a glance my my left, and sure enough there was this little go cart of a car. For those of us who wear Progressive lenses, and have a narrow FOV, BLIS is a great option to have.

Yep! I also have my mirrors adjusted as murphy describes and rarely a small car or a motorcycle will be invisible in any mirror but will be detected by BLIS. I also really like BLIS for lane changes, because even with looking in the mirrors and turning your head sometimes you can still miss a car. I have come to trust the BLIS light to make sure that I haven't missed anything as the light is the last thing I look for to check and make sure it's safe to change lanes, it is my last line of defense.

[acdii]

That split second decision when you may have to either swerve into the next lane, or slam on the brakes is where BLIS comes in handy, one glance, and if that light is on, easy ,hit the brakes. If you can see a car, and it is not on, then yo know you have room to get over if you need to.

[weebee]

With the side view mirrors that Ford has been using that have the built in convex blind spots mirrors isn't the BLIS system a bit redundant? I like the mirror on my Escape and the Edge I just traded in. They work great for seeing what's in the lane next to you. The Subaru I just purchased didn't have these type mirrors. So the first thing I did was buy a set of stick on blind spot mirrors. Ugly, true, but it gives me piece of mind. But I've always used them. I can't swing my head around well. Stupid accident saw to that years ago.

Edited May 26, 2014 by weebee

[acdii]

BLIS mirrors dont have the convex. I test drove a Cmax and almost backed into something due to 1/4 of the mirror being taken up by that little mirror. I prefer the full mirror over the one with the grandpa mirror on it. Next you will want a knob on your steering wheel. :) J/K

[Easy Rider]

If your mirrors are adjusted properly there will not be a blind spot on the driver's side.

 

Oh sure.....IF your mirrors are adjusted perfectly AND you happen to be looking in the right place at the right times.

I'm glad that your technique is perfect......but that is not true for most folks......who need a little help keeping track of things.

[acdii]

Well you know, for some people, new fangled technology skeeres the heck out of them. I have been using BLIS for 4 years now and was excited to find out Ford added it to the Flex, which needs it badly, that bugger has blind spots that even properly set mirrors cant see.

[weebee]

BLIS mirrors dont have the convex. I test drove a Cmax and almost backed into something due to 1/4 of the mirror being taken up by that little mirror. I prefer the full mirror over the one with the grandpa mirror on it. Next you will want a knob on your steering wheel. :) J/K

 

Hey! That hurts!! I'm 51, close, but not quite! J/K

[corncobs]

 

Hey! That hurts!! I'm 51, close, but not quite! J/K

Don't worry acdii is in your neighborhood it's all good ;)

[SteveB_TX]

Next you will want a knob on your steering wheel. :) J/K

 

I love the knob on my steering wheel! My lawn tractor steering wheel... but still. :)

[acdii]

:drop:

[tr7driver]

+1 on the nob

[nv rick]

Because of various injuries, the ability to turn my head is very limited. I have had backup cameras on my last three cars and they have been a godsend. I will want CTA on my next car as that will eliminate the (actual) pain of turning to see if anything is coming while backing out of a parking space.

When you are young and/or healthy, it is easy to criticize the "nanny' equipment now available. For those of us with physical limitations, these have allowed us to remain safe drivers.

[GrySql]

 

I love the knob on my steering wheel! My lawn tractor steering wheel... but still. :)

Back in the '40's when I was growing up a lot of cars had a 'knuckle buster' steering wheel knob, because cars and small trucks didn't have power steering.

I remember standing in a Pep Boy's Auto Parts store with my Dad and slipping over to the steering wheel knob display, my brother and I liked the special ones with the scantily clad girls on them, wow - for then....

You got one of those 'special' ones Steve?

[md13ffhguy]

I feel better actually looking with my own eyes... The BLIS option just didn't seem worth it to me. When I use my mirrors AND turn my head, I really don't feel like I have a blind spot. However, if someone feels they need it, then I guess I'm glad they can get it.

[SteveB_TX]

Back in the '40's when I was growing up a lot of cars had a 'knuckle buster' steering wheel knob, because cars and small trucks didn't have power steering.

I remember standing in a Pep Boy's Auto Parts store with my Dad and slipping over to the steering wheel knob display, my brother and I liked the special ones with the scantily clad girls on them, wow - for then....

You got one of those 'special' ones Steve?

 

40's? Wow! I wasn't even a thought of a glimmer in my parents eyes. In fact, my parents had just met. Wow! (Not hinting anything about you g! ) ;)

 

Anyway, no, it's just the standard Craftsman Steering Wheel Knob. :)

[acdii]

I didn't have my phone or a picture would accompany this. I was at home Depot and what did I see? One of those knobs in the gardening section. LOL

[lolder]

I think the steering wheel knobs became illegal in many states a long time ago.

 

In the 2010-12, the BLIS comes with the CTA. The BLIS is not a big deal because you don't have a blind spot if the mirrors are adjusted correctly. The CTA is a BIG help when backing from between two vehicles. It gives some false alarms but I wouldn't have another car without it.

[acdii]

My CTA has been acting up and I noticed that it doesn't detect cars in time, or at all. Add it to my list.

[Easy Rider]

I feel better actually looking with my own eyes... The BLIS option just didn't seem worth it to me. When I use my mirrors AND turn my head, I really don't feel like I have a blind spot. However, if someone feels they need it, then I guess I'm glad they can get it.

 

You know, I kind of felt that way too UNTIL.......

 

I realized that the camera (and sensor) is mounted on the BACK of the car.

What that means is that IT can see around trucks and SUVs parked beside you LONG before you can, no matter how much you crank your head and squirm around in the seat.

 

Very useful, in my opinion; it just takes a little getting used to.

 

And you can't rely on it 100% as it appears that it will only audibly alarm ONCE and the field must clear before it will beep again.

That means that pedestrians 10 feet apart do not result in a new alarm; you still have to watch too.

[Easy Rider]

I think the steering wheel knobs became illegal in many states a long time ago.

 

Really ? What leads you to believe that ??

 

They are very handy on any vehicle that does a lot of backing and sharp turning.......including lawn mowers and small tractors.......and I assume trucks too, unless they really are illegal for street use.

[murphy]

http://www.suicideknob.net/state_laws.html

[lolder]

Well it was a long time ago that I shopped for a "Suicide Knob" and I believe the store said they were illegal. I guess they were out of them.

 

Clean the lower rear of the rear fender and see if the CTA improves.