So what your saying is that the Tilt Steering Wheels are not what they were 25 years, and that too much crap runs thru them???

 

I had a Mark VIII before this and it had just as much stuff in the steering wheel (air bag and crusie) as the Mustang and it's tilt range was much wider. Neither have redundant radio controls. This reminds me of an airplane seat! Like the 5 degrees (or whatever it is) matters much. At least the ergonomics are really good so the tilt range doesn't matter much anyway. Telescoping would be nice.

 

I guess I spoiled the party by deleting the quadruple posts

Personally I have no issues with the wheel as is. There are bigger things they could have refined in my opinion.

 

Agreed, like Auto Temp Controls.

 

Ditto - if it telescoped, it would be perfect

 

I love it. I always hated how sloppy the ball and socket style got after a lot of use. Plus, with that style tile, the ANGLE is changing more than the HEIGHT. Normally, I prefer the wheel to stay facing me. It's not like I'm driving a freaking trackor or something!

Nope. I would prefer they leave the S197 just like it is.

 

The wheel tilts?!?! I don't think I've touched that lever since I bought the car... :|

 

I hate climate control, its more trouble then its worth.

 

This is one of my biggest complaints about the S197. The tilt wheel is notably further away than the previous SN95's. With the low driving postion of the Mustang the new mechanism places the top of the wheel at a greater angle away from the driver making it harder to reach. As others have suggested, a telescoping opton would correct the problem, but I'll be suprised if Ford adds it.

 

I think the Sn95 had the WORST ergos of any modern car: Steering wheel way too close, pedals way too far forward, seat to upright, clutch pedal nearly 3" higher then the brake, and the shifter way too far forward. Seat flexed very badly too so under hard accelleration you had to reach an extra inch for 3rd gear(usually requiring you to pull on the wheel to get your arm up). I got USED to em when I owned em but when I get in a used one now it freaks me out how terrible it was. It was quite the torture chamber. Once you get the seat position right in the new car, it fits like a glove.

 

Same here, I forget it's there.

 

Jeff, I know your pain, ALL TOO WELL! The **** is a design flaw. If you look on the 500, Fusion, or, heck, a Focus, the **** is flat, and flush with the bottom of the column. It hurts SO BAD when my knee hits it. :bang: .

 

That is exactly how I feel. The sn95 tilted down just a bit more so the wheel was closer to a 90 degree angle to the floor. The top of the wheel is too far of a reach to be really comfortable and if I move my seat closer I hit my knees on the dash.

 

The wheel tilts???

No kidding.

( I never thought to move it, I like where it was when I got her)

 

The GM type tilt that Ford used up until they put the Mazda column is very comfortable to use. You would simply pull the little lever forward and you could move the steering wheel. Not the whole steering column.

On a long trip you could adjust the wheel to change the position for comfort. It was so easy you could just quickly move it out of the way to get out of the car etc. The new one is like making a permanent adjustment. It is a very expensive item for a one time useage.

This is how most of the japo cars offer a tilt wheel. It should be labeled "Adjustable steering column"

It is good for dusting the crevace

 

My 05 Accord has the same mechanism as the Mustang, but it has a telescoping feature almost equals the distance to the top of the wheel compared to the SN95. I keep the wheel pulled as far out as possible. I usually drive with my left hand at the top of the wheel or over at 1:00, so I need the wheel closer. If I drive at 9 and 3, it isn't as big of a deal.

As Kevin said, the rest of the car's ergonomics are a 100% improvement. I went through 3 seat backs on my 99 due to structural squeeks that developed in the frame. It was a weak seat design, and I weigh less than 200#.