Whatdaya think of the goofy transmission buttons?

[walkabout]

I really like them, although they get panned by a lot of reviewers.  Reminds me of the way Saabs used to have the key on the floor mounted console, and it was kind of a trademark Saab feature.  Just an odd way of doing something that is a unique twist. The trans buttons are only in Lincolns, so it stands out and looks cool.

 

Its also way more useable than a lot of the bizarre electronic shifters you see around these days .  It can be a drag when making three point turns, but I otherwise like it.

 

I still think a conventional floor mounted shifter makes more sense, but those seem to be going the way of the dodo bird.

 

Anyway, I hope Lincoln keeps it, and it stays a Lincoln only feature.  

Edited January 5, 2017 by walkabout

[akirby]

I like it.   I thought I would miss the shifter since I like to rest my hand on it, but I don't miss it at all.   I especially like the fact that it automatically parks itself when you turn off the key.

 

I also like showing it off to friends and seeing how long it takes them to find the shifter.   So far it's close to 1 minute.

[walkabout]

Yeah, that automatic parking thing is really cool, and a nice touch. 

[NOTMY911]

Took a bit of time to get use to it and I did turn the car off once while doing a u-turn in bumper to bumper trafic...

 

I really like the fact that it goes to park as soon as you open the door.

[walkabout]

LOL.  I think we all did something like that at least once, NOTMY911. 

[Cosmos36]

I luv the buttons, but after 15 months of driving I still find myself hesitating sometimes for just an instant as I select a gear. With a console shifter, selecting a gear was always totally automatic without giving it any thought. First-time passengers always notice and comment.

[walkabout]

Console shifters generally are way easier to use, IMO.  I like the buttons because they are funky, but I do think the console shifter in the EDGE is easier to use.

[thisguy159]

I absolutely love the buttons and cannot for the life of me figure why all the reviews hate them. It's a button you press twice during your entire trip why would you want a shifter taking up all the space. It's not like it's a manual. I love that I open the door and it goes into park I love when I turn off the car with out pressing park and it goes into park just so much easier. Frankly anybody that disagrees with me is wrong and should be shot.

Edited January 6, 2017 by thisguy159

[akirby]

For those who find the shifter easier to use - how long have you been using a shifter - 5, 10, 20, 30 years or more? Versus a few months with the buttons? Of course the shifter seems more natural.

[Cosmos36]

Yes, that's the problem Allen...it's an issue involving many years of ingrained habit developed over (in my case) approximately 45 years of using console shifters (or the occasional column shifter with the same pattern. If I keep driving my MKX until I'm ~ 100, perhaps I'll get it right. But, I still luv the feature. LOL

[NOTMY911]

Same here, since1965.  I don't think it would good for VIP security details work.

[akirby]

I switch back and forth to my Fusion a few times per week and it took me about 6 months to get over reaching for the shifter in the MKX or reaching for buttons in the Fusion.  Now it's automatic (pun intended).

 

What I don't understand is some people (and I've seen several on different forums) who claim people who like console shifters for automatics are "pretending" they're driving a manual.    That makes no sense to me.  I just like to rest my arm on the armrest and my hand on the shifter - it's not like I'm trying to change gears with it.

 

Now the real question is would you prefer push buttons, a tiny stalk on the steering wheel or a rotary dial.   I think the buttons are far easier to see and use.

[walkabout]

The buttons are way, way, way better than the various dials and electronic shifter setups out there. It's not even close.

 

One could argue, that it is a lot of real estate though. Without those buttons,for example, sync 3 might have a larger screen.

[punch-card]

If I remember correctly, my Dad had a Dodge in the late 50's or early 60's with a dash push buttons...  I really do like them now, but I have backed out of the driveway, not looking and pushed the kill but instead of drive button more than once....

[enigma-2]

One could argue, that it is a lot of real estate though. Without those buttons,for example, sync 3 might have a larger screen.

Welllllllll, they could move them to the center of the steering wheel. Have to give it a new, special name though. They could call it "Teletouch". (Falls in the "new and improved" category.)

[walkabout]

LOL.  Enigma, you kill me.

 

I do think SYNC 3 needs a bigger screen and some kind of split screen feature, or at least some better integration with the little tft window in front of the steering wheel (which is frankly kind of clunky to use).

 

I hope Lincoln keeps the tranny buttons though.  Goofy, but lovable. 

[enigma-2]

As long as they don't try to also bring back the "horse collar" grill ...

 

I drI've a 2016 MKX as s loaner, found the buttons annoying but inasmuch as you hardly ever need to use them, not thst big of a deal. But, I still prefer a shifter. After renting hundreds of cars over the years, the only thing I want to be confused about is which stall is gor the wipers and which for the lights.

[enigma-2]

I do think SYNC 3 needs a bigger screen and some kind of split screen feature

Personally I like the Cadillac screen really let's you know it's there.

[walkabout]

As long as they don't try to also bring back the "horse collar" grill ...

 

I drI've a 2016 MKX as s loaner, found the buttons annoying but inasmuch as you hardly ever need to use them, not thst big of a deal. But, I still prefer a shifter. After renting hundreds of cars over the years, the only thing I want to be confused about is which stall is gor the wipers and which for the lights.

 

You don't use them much, but if you are doing parking maneuvers or a three-point turn, you may find yourself going back and forth between D and R, and then it gets slight more annoying.

 

What I really hate is when I am parking and trying to use the front camera.  Everytime I go back and forth between R and D, I have to go through a bunch of button pushes to get the camera back. 

[akirby]

Personally I like the Cadillac screen really let's you know it's there.

 

This one?   Looks the same to me (XT5).

 

[Timmer]

As long as they don't try to also bring back the "horse collar" grill ...

 

Hmmm... MKX Reserve, MKX Black Label, MKX Edsel...

 

Very retro... ;-))

[walkabout]

This one?   Looks the same to me (XT5).

 

 

I think its about the same size. 

 

I've never used CUE but the reviews of it are not good. 

[LinkedMe]

If I remember correctly, my Dad had a Dodge in the late 50's or early 60's with a dash push buttons...  I really do like them now, but I have backed out of the driveway, not looking and pushed the kill but instead of drive button more than once....

 

In 1972, at 17 years of age, I bought a 1963 Dodge Polara, 383 "Wedge" 4-barrel.  It had a push-button trans. If you pressed Drive, Neutral or Reverse the button remained indented in toward the dash.  Park was a lever below the push-buttons that as you slid it over to Park the button would detent from either Drive or Reverse to Neutral.  Brings back memories :-)

[jbiggs]

I like using a center console shifter better, but I do really like the layout of the console of the MKX, so I guess you can't have everything.  I think the buttons would be easier to deal with if the actual gear change happened much faster than it currently does.  Right now it seems like it takes 2-3 times the time it should take to switch gears, but I'm sure there is more to making all that work than is obvious.  

 

My new Reserve is in queue to be built soon, so I haven't done any parking w/ the multi-camera's, but from what others have said above it sounds a bit cumbersome when you really need them.  Isn't there a way to keep the cameras all on at a slow speed?

[walkabout]

Yes. You can have the front our rear camera at slow speeds. The obstacle sensors are always on.