Steering wheel audio/AC controls...

[tdc_worm]

what was the first year/model the steering wheel audio and AC controls were available on?

thanks
worm

[coldpizza]

My guess is 2002. Sometimes I wish I got it on mine.

Len

[cturrisi]

They are not what they seem.....

The only things they control are next and mode.

Antoher words, if you are listening to the radio you can only skip to the next pre-set station. To go back you need to go through all the presets. Same with CD's.

The mode button changes modes, but you must go through all of the modes. Antoher words, you to change from FM radio to CD you need to press it 3 times, 1 for FM2, 1 for AM and 1 for CD. Then to go to FM again, you need to press it 2 times again. 1 for CD/DVD, and 1 for FM.

Now on my Jeep, in radio mode, you could go through the presets and you could also scan up or down through the radio or change CD tracks forward or backward.

Oh well, another place Ford tried, but didn't quite make the mark.

Later,

[989171]

Yeah, they are functional and thats about it. Its not that big a deal in the SD & Xs because the radio is so close. I had a 95 Town Car that had the exact setup, shape, size and placement of buttons. But in the Town Car the radio was a mile away and I'm a short guy. So its been unchanged for at least 9 years so it must be reliable. Fords good a keeping designs. I had a 1970 F100 that the inside door unlatch handle broke. Went to the junk yard and went ahead and bought 3 (you never know). Years later I had a 1987 E150 van, the same part broke and guess what? I still had the extra handles in my junk drawer, exactly the same 17 years later. Now I go out and look at my 2004 X, guess what? From what I can see, its the same except that its plastic instead of metal. So for 34+ years that part has remained the same. So I guess what I'm getting at is, don't expect the remote buttons to change much.

[neilc88]

I think the steering wheel controls are great. They also control the temperature and fan speed. You know, some people are never happy. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shrug.gif[/img]

[PPrash]

I hate the heater controls. I would much rather have the dial knobs. Reason is you can control the fan speed and air mix door (temp) from the wheel. Well, it is a rocker switch and it gives you no feedback when using them. So, guess what. You have to look over at the dash control readout to see temp or fan readout setting. So, for every single change to the temp or fan speed you have to take you eyes off the road for up to 2-3 secs. You guys with manual controls can reach for the fan or temp knob by "feel" and rotation direction combined with detents, etc. not ever have to look or just quickly glance. We have to look and watch for the slow moving temp or fan speed readout. Here is the worst part. When you get in your cold truck you turn the temp to full hot until you get the cabin warm. I must do the same but have to hold down the temp control until it goes to 90. (if you leave it at 71 it blows luke warm air like the manual temp knob sitting at "middle" position. Takes about 6-10 secs to get there from 71 where I run it when things warm up. Radio volume is nice, but as said before the radio is so close I use it 50% of the time anyhow.