While the van is in the shop, they loaned me a 2025 Ford Explorer to drive. 

Until now, I’ve never had a first hand experience with these new fangled vehicles that seemingly do everything for you.

Here’s what threw me for a loop…

Starting the Darn Car

My first dilemma was starting the car – it’s keyless.

The guy who delivered the vehicle to me is a friend I’ve known since I was in my 20’s. He showed me how to start the engine and turn it off. Who would have guessed you put your foot on the brake, push a button, and there she blows?!

I knew he was chuckling inside at my naivety but he knew better than to laugh out loud 😉

Trying to Shift Gears

My friend left and I got in the car to pick up a Walmart curbside order.

The car started fine but several minutes were wasted hunting for the cotton-pickin’ gear shift.

Defeated, I humbly grab my phone to call the shop and ask where the gear-shift is when there it was… right beside my phone.

It’s a little knob, not a shifter thing!

Screens, Cameras, and Buttons – Oh My!

Backing up and pulling forward

After checking my surroundings and using the mirrors to back out of the parking spot, I notice the big screen in the middle of the dash showing me what’s behind the car.

I take pride in backing up without help of any kind. This car is stealing my thunder!

Using a backup camera feels very weird – like trying to write with my right hand (I’m a lefty).

When pulling forward into a parking spot, the car starts beeping and the front camera turns on. It shows me what I’m about to “hit” – even though I’m just parking and not planning on hitting anything.

Not for the faint of heart

During my turn to go at a 4 way stop, the car started beeping in a loud, fast, high pitched tone as a big red alert flashed in front of me (where the speedometer is). The alert read “Pre-collision assistance”.

Not sure what set the alert off or how it assists me but it could have caused a collision from the fright it gave me. The loud beep startled me. The big RED alert flashing before my eyes confused me. And slamming the brakes on could have caused a rear-end collision.

After making it thru the intersection, it takes a minute for my heart to stop racing. I’m just glad I used the restroom before leaving the hotel or there would have been more to the story 🙄

Buttons galore.

There are buttons on the screen, below the screen, and scattered about the cabin.

Most buttons have icons, hieroglyphics, or some sort of magical symbols. I have no idea what most of them mean.

I pushed a few but nothing happened nor do I know what was supposed to happen. Maybe I should quit pushing things I don’t know anything about 🤷‍♀️

A New Experience at Stoplights

The darn thing shuts off when at a stoplight (I assume this happens when sitting too long). To avoid this annoyance, I don’t make complete stops at stop signs – which could result in a traffic ticket.

The car turns back on when I put my foot on the gas pedal. But I need to be careful how far I push the pedal to the metal or I’ll shoot outta there like I’m racing the Indy 500.

Parting Thoughts

The car needs to be returned with a full tank of gas. Hopefully filling the gas tank is done the normal way.

Even with the new fangled kookiness, it’s fun to drive a different vehicle. This week was a fun (and startling) adventure in high-tech driving.

But honestly, I’m looking forward to getting my van back, where the key goes in the ignition, the gear shifter is right where I left it, and the “alerts” grab my attention without making me feel like I’m about to faint.

Connie 🌾