Open Letter to Lincoln - How I'd Improve the Nautilus

[WhiteLightning]

The 48” display was intended to serve the same purpose as the heads up display,

maybe so, but one is not looking ahead at the road when looking down at the darkened display.

 

[angore]

I am used to the piano key. I caught myself reaching for it in the primitive MKZ.

 

[hinckley]

I am used to the piano key. I caught myself reaching for it in the primitive MKZ.

I'm curious, can you change gears without looking down?

 

[Rssherms00]

Why would you change gears while driving?

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[bbf2530]

Hi gang. In case it helps: For those who may not have noticed, the Park key is much larger and shaped differently. And the RNDL shifter keys are alternately marked with what I will call "hash-marks". In my opinion, they are easy to differentiate without looking, in the dark, etc.

This part is simply my opinion: I understand how change can be hard to adapt to. And some will feel an old school shift knob was easier to negotiate. However, this is the layout Lincoln uses. And I do find it far easier to use than some, like the Acura shift button mess and others.

And while I don't own a 2024 Nautilus (and the buttons are arranged differently in my MKZ), I have driven the 2024 Nautilus more than once, and had no issues learning the piano key layout, and shifting without looking.
In fact, I found them easier to differentiate without looking than those in my 2018 MKZ, although the MKZ shift button layout is located higher (and vertically stacked), so there is no need to look down quite as far anyway.
I am not trying to be a wiseguy, but if visually impaired/blind people can read braille, the rest of us should be able to learn a few keys/buttons which are clearly differentiated by size, shape, and marked for touch.

It took a short time to adjust to the shift button layout of my 2018 MKZ, versus the traditional shift lever/knob on the center console layout of my 2007 MKZ. However, once I became used to it, I found now always myself reaching for buttons on the dash when I try to shift my 2007.

Again, just an opinion.

And good luck to all, no matter our opinions.

 

[hinckley]

Why would you change gears while driving?

I hate to take up space in this thread on this issue, as it's something that I'm sure Lincoln would not consider changing, at least for some time. As I said earlier, it's become a signature design element for them. But, to answer your question . . .

I would guess that there's a significant number of owners whose first drive of the day is the same as mine - reversing out of a driveway and into a public road where you must stop, look down, and shift gears. I'm aware of the raised portion of the Drive and Reverse buttons, but the buttons are not within reach without leaning forward and they simply do not fall into place naturally.

This is not about fighting change. I travel and rent cars frequently. I have no problem with the various column-mounted shifters out there, or the now wide assortment of console-mounted levers, nubs, buttons and dials. It's the reach forward to select from a row of five dash-mounted buttons which is simply not ergonomic, and simply unsafe imo. It's a very different thing than having a shifter or a Ford knob fall into your hand and counting one to Reverse, or one-two-three to Drive, without ever looking away from the road.

 

[hinckley]

I am not trying to be a wiseguy, but if visually impaired/blind people can read braille, the rest of us should be able to learn a few keys/buttons which are clearly differentiated by size, shape, and marked for touch.

I'm not being a wise guy either. Really. But by comparing learning how to shift gears in a car to learning how to read braille, you've made my point more eloquently than I have.

 

[bbf2530]

I'm not being a wise guy either. Really. But by comparing learning how to shift gears in a car to learning how to read braille, you've made my point more eloquently than I have.

Hi hinckley. Well, eloquent or not......what I was stating in my analogy is the complete opposite of how you interpreted it, but that is okay.
In my opinion, being able to differentiate keys which are clearly different sizes, clearly marked for touch etc., is not what I consider to be a difficult task. Some, like you, disagree. And that is okay too.

However, I don't see it being worth our time to debate opinions, so as I stated, good luck to all, no matter our opinions.

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[hinckley]

However, I don't see it being worth our time to debate opinions, so as I stated, good luck to all, no matter our opinions.

As I learned many, many years ago, intelligent people can agree to disagree.

 

[Houtex]

Like the piano keys, I don't think that there's much chance of the return of physical controls. However, I think that at least one manufacturer - Porsche - did retreat on their version of electronically controlled air vents.

I think the physical keys I miss the most are the heated and ventilated seats. Having to press on the seat icon three times to turn off really takes your eyes off the road. Sometimes it takes more than three times if your touch isn’t recognized

 

[JMAB]

I think the physical keys I miss the most are the heated and ventilated seats. Having to press on the seat icon three times to turn off really takes your eyes off the road. Sometimes it takes more than three times if your touch isn’t recognized

Right on Houtex! It was so much easier and consistent with the physical toggle switches for the heat and cool seats. So so so so miss them. Currently, the only workaround is voice control.

 

[RAB]

I think the physical keys I miss the most are the heated and ventilated seats. Having to press on the seat icon three times to turn off really takes your eyes off the road. Sometimes it takes more than three times if your touch isn’t recognized

Right on Houtex! It was so much easier and consistent with the physical toggle switches for the heat and cool seats. So so so so miss them. Currently, the only workaround is voice control.

I got used to the touchscreen buttons for heated/ventilated seats on my 2014 MKZ, but the "buttons" were an easier target on that car. Now I usually rely on "Hey Google, turn off the driver's seat cooling" (or something like that).

But I'm really happy that the ventilated seat actually gets so cold that I sometimes want to turn it off.

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[angore]

After my 650 mile trip, the touch sensitivity needs to be better and for the ventilated seats the indicaters on seat setting needs to be in a more contrasty color. Sometimes touches are not recognized.

I would like to see a command list for the car functions like temp.

The passenger seat for basic seats lacks support so only tolerable on an 11 hr trip. The driver seat is better but could be improved. It less about how many ways but just basic support.

On the left steering wheel control there is space for blue cruise quick disable or enabled to be added. BC was active often but always had at least one hand on wheel.

My wife and I tag teamed driving and the car was confused on who was driving when starting a trip leg.

The Perilli tires were fine except noise on some surfaces and really whined on grooved pavement.

A couple of bug splats set off the wipers. I think you can go through a lot of wiper fluid with the many hole blades and looks impressive in operation,

 

[angore]

One more observation, The blindspot has a limited area of scanning and should watch at least 10 ft back from rear corners and would like to see some dash indication in addition to the mirrors. Detection area seems small.

 

[Rssherms00]

Agree with you angore about the too small indicator lights on the side mirrors.

 

[angore]

In thinking about it, I would leave the overhead vehicle icon up and out dots in the lower corners to light up

There is so much they can do now due to being software but we will never see it so not as to change everyone's car and annoy those who are happy

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[RAB]

One more observation, The blindspot has a limited area of scanning and should watch at least 10 ft back from rear corners and would like to see some dash indication in addition to the mirrors. Detection area seems small.

I would also like to see longer range and a more prominent indicator.

Another thing that bugs me is that the edge of the side view mirror turn signal indicator is close enough to the blind spot warning light that I sometimes think "uh-oh" when I signal a lane change and see that flashing yellow light.

 

[NCNautilus]

I am used to the piano key. I caught myself reaching for it in the primitive MKZ.

The piano keys are SOOO much better than the rotary dial thing that was in my wife's Edge and is in my son's Fusion. I would constantly twirl that thing all the way to park when I was trying to back up!

 

[Jacyte]

The piano keys are SOOO much better than the rotary dial thing that was in my wife's Edge and is in my son's Fusion. I would constantly twirl that thing all the way to park when I was trying to back up!

Yeah the dial shifter in my edge ST took some getting used to. I did eventually develop some muscle memory but it took a few scares. The piano keys are extremely simple and don't require passing through an undesired gear position to get to an intended gear.

 

[JLPicard]

1 Many more widgets to take advantage of the screen real estate. Photo viewer, screensavers..or better yet a music spectrum analyzer that moves with the music
2 More wallpapers for entire dash
3 A quicker way to enable the 'calm screen' for main display instead of settings...display..calm. I like style for a default home screen on main display.