Adaptive steering doesn't reduce the turning circle...just makes you turn the steering wheel less turns...but the wheels don't turn any sharper than a non-adaptive steering truck.

 

The screen on the dash of my truck says my F-350 dually will turn to 40* max angle. Not that it matters, but I don't have adaptive steering.

 

Excellent analogy. I specifically ordered it and I am glad I did. To get into my garage I have to make a 110 degree turn from the driveway & it makes it much easier. Seems to require just a little less effort than my 2011 F250 and almost a full turn less from straight to lock. The funny thing is I went from a bumper pull trailer to a fifth wheel at the same time as getting the 2017 F350 and the quicker steering has helped to offset the slower reacting fifth wheel when backing.

As far as not being able to "go back" to a non adaptive steering truck, I do not see this as a problem. The human mind is amazing at reacting to changing conditions and adjusting. Sure it took me a little time to get used to less turns of the wheel for the same steering result, and I might oversteer a little to parallel park occasionally, but I adjust and finish the maneuver. I typically drive three vehicles and each is much different. A Ford Edge, Focus and F350. Throw in a Corolla rental car last week (it was half the price of a Focus otherwise it would have been a US manufacturer) and that is the only one I did not like because the interface is so different.

Three point turns and parking are much easier, especially with multiple layers on in winter and trying to shoe horn her into a tight parking lot.

 

The change in turning radius is a result of the difference between your previous F-150 and your new Super Duty truck, not the adaptive steering feature or lack of it.

 

The TOW TECHNOLOGY PACKAGE gives you.... 1. Adaptive steering 2. Automatic headlight dimmer 3. Rain sensitive wipers 4. 360 degree cameras.

I ordered this package for 2 reasons :
1. The automatic headlight dimmer is wonderful----you meet a car, boom it dims the lights and then goes to high beam after the car passes. Cannot say enough good about this feature.
2. The 360 degree camera...it's an absolute must have on something this big. You cannot see over that huge hood or the fenders...and lining up a gooseneck trailer is a snap.

The adaptive steering is "nice" especially in tight spots, but I wouldn't pay extra for it. The rain sensitive wipers are nice also...better than intermittent wipers that cycle whether or not there is any rain on your windshield.

My advice, get the TOW TECHNOLOGY PACKAGE....it's expensive (like everything on this truck), but I think this might be worth the extra $$$.

 

Mgjfam,

I agree about 50% with you. The auto high beams are great. They really seem to work very well; previous versions of this technology could often be very slow to react to oncoming cars and blind them.

The 360 cameras...well, I disagree. I did not order them on my Lariat Ultimate. The image quality is fairly grainy, and in 8500 miles and 7 months, I've yet to hit anything...even in my wide dually. I tow very frequently, and so far no issues. The truck I experienced with them...well, its nice but not necessary.

Adaptive steering: the steering effort is heavy with or without adaptive steering. It does not reduce your turning circle. It may make life a little easier during low speed and parking maneuvers, but I wasn't about to pay for it.

Rain-sense wipers: I like them. The technology is surely not perfected, but they are fully automatic if you just leave then switched on. I leave mine about halfway on the sensitivity scale. Sometimes I have to 'help' the wipers when its raining, though. They delay too long or go to fast.

 

Haven't experienced the auto high beam yet but I think it could be handy. Have to make a night trip soon.
99% love the 360% camera, leaving 1% unhappy with the nanny state that will only let me use it when they deem it necessary.
Adaptive steering, got it, don't notice it.
Rain Sense; Worked very well overall, agree with the help term.

 

Auto high beams are nice, especially on dark roads. They switch quickly in response to changes in lighting or oncoming traffic so I never feel like they are obtrusive. Adaptive steering is not noticeable until you drive a Denali or Ram right before or afterwards and realize that you don't need as much steering input at slow speeds. Otherwise, it will feel and react like any other big vehicle you may have driven before.

The 360 degree camera system makes parking this thing so, so, so much easier. In some parking spots where I go, there are signposts and barriers right up near the concrete tire stops. Either you guess right, park well and avoid hitting anything, or you guess wrong and spend the same amount of money replacing/repairing a bumper that you would otherwise spend getting the cameras. In my mind, pay the costs, keep the bumpers pristine, and let it enhance your driving experience. I admit, it's never a necessity. While some may never feel they need the system, it's like getting a smart phone. Once you get one, you never realize how much you end up using the extra features. Get those cameras so you can back that thang up like a boss on day one!

 

What is the sensor for the auto high beam? Could UV deterioration on the lense or lense shield affect its operation over time?

 

The auto high beam uses a camera mounted high in the windshield, basically behind the rearview mirror. It is the same camera used for the lane change warning. The camera looks for oncoming headlights, red taillamps, and street lights. The high beams are also kept off if speeds are below a certain speed...32mph maybe.

I don't think operation would be affected over time, but I could be wrong. The camera could be replaced, I guess. We have this feature in our 2010 Lincoln with xenon headlamps. It does not work as well as the one in my Super Duty, for sure...I just assumed the technology was not perfected back in 2010, and maybe the location of the Super Duty camera being up much higher was helpful to operation...