9 key safety features of the Ford F-150

At almost 20 feet long and seven feet wide, that’s has the length of a bus and the width of a king-sized bed, this 13-generation Ford F-150 could be the biggest version of itself yet.

In case you haven’t driven one, it takes some getting used to. You do get a very good vantage point of the road because of its height, but this thing is a behemoth, and that’s even when you compare it to mid-sized SUVs. Extra precaution must be observed, especially when turning and cornering.

That’s not to say that it’s nerve-wracking to drive an F-150, because it’s not and like I said, you’ll get used to the size and heft very quickly and you’ll be driving comfortably in no time.

What makes that transition a lot easier and faster are the new technologies put in by Ford into the F-150. A lot of old-fashioned drivers would pout at these driver-assist features because while it does make the whole driving experience safer, it does take a bit away from the necessary habits all new drivers must have.

But as that is the direction of the industry, it does seem smart for Ford to take advantage of these technologies which is why we put the spotlight on them to see how the Co-Pilot 360 Safety Suite and other safety features make the ride of the F-150 a whole lot better and safer.

1. Blind Spot Information System or BLIS (Ford Co-Pilot360 Safety Suite)

Known as BLIS, it comes with Cross Traffic Alert and Trailer Coverage. The BLIS part comes as an orange dot on the top, far end of the side mirror automatically lights up indicating that the presence of another vehicle in the range of up to 10 feet from the beyond the rear bumper. It’s a great assist from Ford but doesn’t mean that drivers neglect their duty to visually check the exterior mirrors before changing lanes.

Cross Traffic Alert is designed to do just that – detect other vehicles approaching or crossing behind the F-150 as you back up. This is only activated in you’re in reverse gear. Once it detects a vehicle, a sound will go off and a light in the corresponding wing mirror (left or right depending on the direction of oncoming traffic), like the BLIS system, and a message will show in the information display.

Trailer Coverage is an enhanced version of available BLIS. It provides coverage for not only the truck you’re driving but also the conventional trailer you’re towing. The system supports conventional trailers only and automatically turns off if you select a fifth-wheel or gooseneck trailer. Trailer dimensions up to nine feet wide (measured at the trailer front) and up to 33 feet long can be input into the system.

2. Lane Keeping System (Ford Co-Pilot360 Safety Suite)

This is a bit unsettling at first because of the haptic feedback on the steering wheel, but think of it as a “shock collar” for drivers too lazy to use the turn signals.

Using cameras to detect lane markings, should you intentionally veer out of it without signaling or inadvertently do so, steering will stiffen just a bit to get your attention. Pull it back or activate turn signal to release feedback and merge onto new lane.

3. Pre-Collision Assist with Autonomous Emergency Braking (Ford Co-Pilot360 Safety Suite)

In a country with so many pedestrians crossing roads mindlessly and sometimes away from crosswalks, this feature is a lifesaver.

It uses camera technology to detect a potential collision with a vehicle or pedestrian directly in front of the F-150, day or night.

The system can help reduce the severity of, and in some cases can eliminate, a frontal collision.

Once a potential collision is detected, a sound goes off and a warning message displays in the message center. If the driver’s response is not enough, the system pre-charges and increase brake-assist sensitivity to provide full responsiveness when you do brake.

If the driver still doesn’t take corrective action, brakes can apply automatically.

4. Auto High Beam (Ford Co-Pilot360 Safety Suite)

There are times during a drive at night when you just forget to turn your high beams up because you’re either lazy or having to constantly turn it back down every time there’s oncoming traffic is gets annoying.

That’s when Ford’s Auto High Beam comes in handy because it will do this automatically.

Using a windshield-mounted camera, it scans the road at speeds above 40 kilometers per hour and turns high beams come on when there’s no traffic. But when a vehicle with headlamps on is approaching up to 2,000 feet or traveling ahead of you with taillamps visible up to 500 feet, the system will dim to low beams to reduce glare and avoid bothering the other motorist.

5. Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop-and-Go (Ford Co-Pilot360 Safety Suite)

Think of it as cruise control with a brain.

Using radar, it detects the distance between you and the vehicles in front (up to 600 feet) and works to slow or speed up the F-150 to keep up with traffic or just the pace you set. This works even in rainy conditions. The system measures distance as a function of speed and can monitor the traffic ahead while ignoring stationary objects such as road signs and telephone poles. Set the distance you want to maintain with vehicle in front of you and voila, it does all the legwork for you.

The Stop-and-Go feature can bring the vehicle to a full stop and resume acceleration automatically. If the vehicle is stopped for longer than three seconds, the driver must intervene and press the "RES" button or accelerator pedal to resume system operation.

6. 360-Degree Camera

The 360-Degree Camera comes with a Split-View Display on the F-150. It gives the driver a bird’s-eye view all around the pickup truck. This feature uses four cameras — one in the grille, one on the tailgate and one under each sideview mirror — to stitch together four images to create a 360-degree view. It also comes with a dynamic hitch assist feature that provides a sight line to help you direct your hitch ball to your trailer tongue.

7. Active Park Assist

Ford’s Active Park Assist is a blessing for the parallel-parking impaired.

As big as the F-150 is, this feature can steer it into a parking space just 20% longer than itself. Simply push a button and the sensors will signal you once you drive past a suitable slot. It will then give you detailed step-by-step that will be impossible to get wrong.

Just obey, do your part (when prompted by the system), and it will automatically steer you in.

8. Curve Control

Using technology found in AdvanceTrac with RSC (Roll Stability Control) is it a preventive and corrective feature that helps slow down the F-150 if you’re driving too fast on a curve. It does this by detecting the speed of the pickup truck while entering a curve. If it finds out that the speed is excessive, it reduces engine torque and can even go as far as applying four-wheel braking to slow the vehicle down at a rate of 10 mph per second.

9. Trailer Sway Control

A standard feature on the F-150, Trailer Sway Control or TSC also uses the AdvanceTrac with Roll Stability Control System or RSC). It has two gyroscopic sensors that measure vehicle roll and turning rates. By selectively braking and adjusting engine power, TSC is able to maintain trailer control and help prevent sway, resulting in improved stability and providing greater driver confidence.

Extra safety features

Additionally, the Ford F-150 also comes with Hill Start Assist, SOS Post-Crash Alert System, rain-sensing wipers, a reverse sensing system, dual-stage front airbags, front-seat side airbags and Safety Canopy system with side-curtain airbags and rollover sensor, safety belt pretensioner, safety belt energy-management retractors, safety belt usage sensors, driver’s seat position sensors, crash severity sensor, restraint control module, front-passenger sensing system, individual Tire Pressure Monitoring system, SecuriLock Passive Anti-Theft system, ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) with EBD (Electronic Brakeforce Distribution), perimeter alarm, and rear safety belts (inflatable on the Platinum, regular on the Lariat).

The F-150 3.5L V6 EcoBoost 4x4 Platinum AT is priced at P2.998 million while the F-150 3.5L V6 EcoBoost 4x2 Lariat AT goes for P2.698 million.