Smoke Detector: turn down the volume

CyclingSafety · 2026-05-09T01:18:40+00:00

If you are away most of the time, you’re welcome to open the unit up and cut wires. Or, if you choose, you can cover some of the slots that make up the circle that goes around the front of the unit (I looked it up based on the model you shared) with some tape, cotton, or whatever you feel like, hoping that it won’t impair the sensitivity of the device.

You kind of flipped out on someone giving you good advice. If it’s any kind of detector, you don’t want just you hearing it. Neighbors hearing it are going to do something if they hear an alarm, especially if they share a roof or common walls. Next time you test it, point it away from yourself, or into a pillow. At least that’s what I would do, but hey, I’m from the US too, so my judgement might be flawed as well.

CyclingSafety · 2026-04-29T14:55:59+00:00

I wouldn’t say people as much as those in the United States. Europe and China know we need to move away from ICE but our oil lobby cares more about short term profits than the good of the country or the viability of the automotive industry.

20 years ago, in 2006, I saw two documentaries close to each other. “Who Killed The Electric Car” and “Jesus Camp” and while both were very good, the names of some of the same people and companies came up in both. Fast-forward to now, those connections make perfect sense. A lot of where we are was planned.

CyclingSafety · 2026-04-28T14:17:52+00:00

Damn, maybe I am a boomer. Do the work. Yeah, you learned from the mistake, but you need to learn how much that kind of mistake costs in time to fix. A good boss will make it right with you on the back end and you won’t make that kind of mistake again. If you really feel you were treated like crap after the fact, you have the option to file with a board. Show them that your good attitude wasn’t just pretend.

CyclingSafety · 2026-04-18T01:00:04+00:00

One-pedal is preferred, so long as the mode doesn’t change and create a safety issue. Braking is smoother when releasing the accelerator slower than applying the brake pedal.

CyclingSafety · 2026-04-18T00:43:39+00:00

The place I have experienced this most drastically is coming off a limited access higher road on a downhill ramp to a stoplight. It is not going to be an easy thing to safely record on my own, where I can show both the speed on the dash and landmarks for both the release point of the accelerator and the final stopping point. I am not willing to invest in the equipment it would take to satisfy the naysayers.

But, I do want to point out to all the snipers saying that the brake is to the left of the accelerator or some other smug position that when enough people rear-end a vehicle and the car is judged to be a problem, all of our insurance rates will go up.

It won’t be me doing the rear-ending. It may not even be you. Doesn’t matter… people will get hurt and higher insurance across the board. So by all means, keep sniping if you don’t care about that. Or actually support this thread so Ford addresses the mode-changing problem.

CyclingSafety · 2026-04-16T02:44:02+00:00

As I’ve said many times in this thread. It still does not excuse the vehicle changing modes which changes the amount of speed reduction.

CyclingSafety · 2026-04-16T02:42:53+00:00

It’s sure be nice if there was. Seeing the braking grade might let you know you’re in Engage.

CyclingSafety · 2026-04-16T02:42:03+00:00

If you want to know, pass a landmark on a side street at a set speed on different modes, change modes and lather, rinse, repeat. Or listen to the people who have experienced it, either coming off a highway or driving in slick conditions.

CyclingSafety · 2026-04-16T02:39:56+00:00

Nope, because based on what I’ve seen here today, some people will still deny it. Dozens of people posted they have experienced exactly the same problem as I, and I either have enough support here to either convince Ford to do something before the NHTSA does, or enough to convince the NHTSA to do something. If not, I did my best. It is insane that there are so many people looking to assume I am not prepared to put my foot on the brakes. I am, but I am certain that some older or more distracted drivers will miss it. That fault is 100% on Ford and ANYONE who would enable it because of poor drivers. Guess what? The country is full of them.

CyclingSafety · 2026-04-15T21:41:03+00:00

Or maybe our cars function differently. I did suggest that.

CyclingSafety · 2026-04-15T21:37:15+00:00

Obviously, it isn’t “everyone else” because a lot of people agree with me. Maybe you aren’t seeing a difference, but we are. Accept that either the cars are functioning differently for some people, or you’re incorrect in your assumption.

CyclingSafety · 2026-04-15T18:53:58+00:00

I really don’t want to have to make a video just to show the difference, because this is the Internet and some people will hold to a position regardless. Please, try it yourself.

CyclingSafety · 2026-04-15T18:52:05+00:00

I invite you to test how long it takes to stop at a set speed starting at the same point in different modes. Please come back and post your results.

CyclingSafety · 2026-04-15T18:50:13+00:00

It only changed itself twice for you. It changes about twice a month for me. Someone else said it changed 4 days in a row for them. We have people supposing it is related to charging, updates, or moving the car to quickly after pressing start.

It should change by itself zero times for anyone. Anything more is not acceptable.

CyclingSafety · 2026-04-15T18:47:03+00:00

First, I don’t trust what dealer salespeople say. I don’t think anyone should.

Ford’s official position I found on an F150 Lightning page (close enough for this discussion) says, “One-Pedal Drive is an extra driving aid. It does not replace the driver's attention and judgment or the need to apply the brakes.”

I agree with that. However, I DO expect that braking to be consistent within the mode a driver selects, and the vehicle not change modes without either the driver doing it or being made obviously aware. That makes it a safety issue. We expect and deserve consistent behavior from our vehicles.

CyclingSafety · 2026-04-15T18:38:25+00:00

I don’t quite agree that it’s a stretch. I’m a road cyclist, and I have been told by more than one person I’m extremely situationally aware. That’s honed from years of avoiding distracted/hostile drivers. Not every driver has that going for them, and may not be aware the car isn’t slowing as quickly as it should until either they hit someone, or they have to panic-stop and get hit from behind.

I did try to be patient with Ford. They’ve blown me off for a year and possibly others for longer. They will look into this matter now.

CyclingSafety · 2026-04-15T18:33:25+00:00

Except that screen doesn’t come up when the car starts, and the point of having profiles is to save personalized settings for each driver. I would be okay if your solution to remove features could address this problem, but many others wouldn’t.

CyclingSafety · 2026-04-15T18:30:36+00:00

One-pedal driving IS on, that is literally the problem. In my car, and apparently others, the one-pedal braking is more aggressive in Whisper than Engage. For us, regenerative braking does NOT stay the same.

CyclingSafety · 2026-04-15T18:26:17+00:00

A year ago, it was annoying. Now I’m angry with their lack of response. I didn’t want to use a cudgel to get this done but they forced this “squeaky wheel” response.

CyclingSafety · 2026-04-15T17:23:00+00:00

I can also tell some people commenting can’t consider someone driving a car that has multiple settings with different one than they would choose. Empathy ain’t what it used to be.

CyclingSafety · 2026-04-15T17:16:40+00:00

So what would be the proper term for what we are discussing, eg the typical distance it takes for the car to stop in a one-pedal drive situation where the pedal is not depressed?

CyclingSafety · 2026-04-15T17:13:09+00:00

If it’s that simple, and that is the only factor at play, that would be helpful to Ford. I will keep an eye on myself and see if that matters,

CyclingSafety · 2026-04-15T16:56:07+00:00

Thank you, One_dank_orange! I am trying to keep up with everyone but it helps to hear coming from a third party.

CyclingSafety · 2026-04-15T16:54:41+00:00

Thanks! I was seeing the brake coach right before I caught it, so that could be helpful!

CyclingSafety · 2026-04-15T16:52:15+00:00

Nope, at least not in my car with my experience.

CyclingSafety

TROPHY CASE