Discover Ford Co-Pilot360 — Advanced Driver Assistance

Today, roads are busier, and foot traffic and distraction are increasingly prevalent, making day-to-day driving even more stressful. Ford saw this problem and created the Ford Co-Pilot360 system — an advanced driver-assistance system that acts as your extra set of eyes and feet.

Ford Co-Pilot360 consists of several intelligent technologies that work in tandem with Ford's impressive lineup of vehicles. As of 2020, Co-Pilot360 comes standard in over 90% of Ford's North American models. Since its introduction, this suite of safety features has saved millions of lives. Check out this guide from our team at Stivers Ford South in Union City, Georgia, to learn more about this game-changing technology.

Core Features of Ford Co-Pilot360

The standard package contains many useful driver-assistance features, keeping you safe and confident on the road.

Blind-Spot Information System with Cross-Traffic Alert

Think of how many times you've tried changing lanes, only to see a car suddenly appear from nowhere. The Blind-Spot Information System (BLIS) uses radar sensors at the rear corners of your Ford to stop you from colliding with cars in your blind spot. Once it detects a nearby car, it illuminates warning lights in the side-view mirrors. Once the light deactivates, it's safe to change lanes.

When reversing, these radars scan for oncoming traffic on both sides and alert you with a warning beep. Your side-view mirrors and SYNC screen will also indicate approaching vehicles.

Pre-Collision Assist with Automatic Emergency Braking

This vital feature uses radar and camera technology to scan the road in front of you and identify any potential collision risks, such as debris, other vehicles, or even pedestrians.

When the precollision assist spots an obstacle, it activates visual and audible warnings. If you ignore the alerts or fail to take action, the system will activate the automatic emergency braking to either mitigate or prevent a frontal collision.

Adaptive Cruise Control

This modern feature maintains a set speed and consistent distance from the vehicle ahead. For example, if you're stuck in traffic, it can slow the vehicle down or bring it to a complete stop and then accelerate back up to the preset speed once traffic clears up. This feature reduces your input in heavily congested areas or on highways.

The adaptive cruise control incorporates other features, such as:

• Lane-Centering Assist: It works with the steering wheel to recenter the vehicle if you start to veer out of line.

• Evasive steering assist: This feature gives you extra steering control to help you avoid collisions.

• Intelligent speed assist/speed sign recognition: The feature uses cameras to monitor speed limits and alert you or automatically adjust the vehicle's speed.

• 360-degree camera: This camera makes parking easier by showing you the lane markings and potential obstacles.

Lane-Keep Assist

Long drives can make you tired or distracted, causing you to drift lanes without meaning to. The lane-keeping system uses cameras at the front of the vehicle to monitor the road markings. If these cameras detect that your vehicle is slowly veering out of the lane without the turn signals activated, the system will gently correct the steering and slowly get you back on track.

Sometimes, this feature makes the steering wheel vibrate as an alert. When it does this, it's called Lane-Keeping Alert.

Rearview and 360-Degree Cameras

The Ford Co-Pilot360’s sophisticated camera system enhances visibility and safety. The basic rear mirror comes standard for all cars, but a 360-degree camera system is available, giving you a larger field of vision.

Multiple cameras in the front grille, below the side mirrors, and on the tail tag work together, displaying a bird's-eye view of the car's surroundings on the infotainment touch screen. The system helps in slow-speed maneuvers such as off-roading, parking, and navigating tight spaces.

Although other automakers offer a similar camera system, Ford's Co-Pilot360 integration and exclusive off-road camera angles give it a competitive edge.

Automatic High-Beam Headlamps

Automatic high-beams make night driving easier by alternating your vehicle's headlamps between low and high beams. It uses various sensors and cameras to detect the light from oncoming traffic and adjust your vehicle's headlights accordingly.

The cameras are mounted on the windshield next to the rearview mirror to scan the road, the taillights of cars ahead, and light from the oncoming vehicles. Using data from the cameras, the system decides when to change your headlights from high to low beam or vice versa. The light sensors, on the other hand, measure the ambient light and decide whether the high beams should be low or off.

The control unit processes the information from the cameras and sensors in real-time. Every time oncoming traffic passes, the system processes the light levels and adjusts the headlights accordingly.

Beyond the Standard Suite: Exploring Assist Packages

The core Ford Co-Pilot360 suite offers practical safety features. However, optional packages such as the Ford Co-Pilot360 Assist and the Ford Co-Pilot360 Assist Plus (also referred to as Ford Co-Pilot360 Assist 2.0) add onto the standard features to make the system even more convenient and useful. Specific features vary depending on the model and trim level.

Making the Most of Ford Co-Pilot360

Get the most out of your Ford Co-Pilot360 experience by learning about its range of features. For a safer and more confident driving experience, take the time to learn how the technology works:

• Personalize your settings by adjusting the sensitivity and alerts to suit your driving preferences.

• Practice using the features in various conditions to get more comfortable with them.

• Use these features every time you drive.

• Know the system's limitations. They're meant to help you, not replace you.

• Stay up to date with new Co-Pilot360 features.

Is the Ford Co-Pilot360 Feature Worth Your Time?

The value of this technology is clear: It helps prevent accidents and eases the stress of everyday driving. No technology can completely prevent accidents, but the Ford Co-Pilot360 is your first line of defense. To experience Ford's Co-Pilot360 system in person, visit us at Stivers Ford South in Union City, Georgia. Contact us to get answers to all your questions about Ford's Co-Pilot360 and get help setting up a test drive.

Images By Ford Media