How to adjust the Pre-Collision Assist Settings on Mustang Mach E

2 min read

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The Pre-Collision Assist in the Mustang Mach E forces and helps the car into evasive maneuvers. It’ll only do this if it detects a slow-moving or stationary object dangerously close to your vehicle’s front. The system helps you avoid a collision by temporarily taking control of the brakes and assisting your steering input.
Pre-Collision Assist uses a radar sensor and a camera to measure the distance to the nearest road user ahead. This could be a stopped car, a slow vehicle, or a pedestrian. You’ll find the camera behind the top center of the windshield, and the radar sensor is behind the lower grille fascia (also in the middle).
You can’t turn the Pre-Collision Assist system itself off. It’s always on and activates the moment you switch the ignition on. Although you can’t turn the program off, you can deactivate the brake and steering assists (see below).

Pre-Collision Assist speed limitations on the Mustang Mach E

The Mach E’s Pre-Collision Assist system doesn’t work at all speeds for all road users.

  • You’ll need to travel above 3 mph before the system activates. This means you can creep into tight parking spaces or into your garage without the car stopping in its tracks. Pre-Collision Assist should work for any vehicle ahead at all speeds above 3 mph.
  • Cyclists and pedestrians can only be detected up to 50 mph. There are other affecting factors too, like speed cycling, walking in a group, or past a complicated background. Always be aware, and don’t ever rely on the Pre-Collision Assist!
  • Turning into an oncoming vehicle’s path at an intersection – Pre-Collision Assist only works up to 19 mph.

How to turn Pre-Collision Assist automatic braking off

Switching the automatic braking off in the Pre-Collision Assist system also deactivates the steering assist. To turn the steering assist off without affecting the emergency braking, see the next section.
Here’s how to turn the Mach E’s Pre-Collision Assist automatic braking off.

  1. In the vehicle drawer, go to Settings.
  2. Choose Driver Assistance.
  3. Tap on Pre-Collision Assist.
  4. Find Automatic Emergency Braking.
  5. Select on or off.

Automatic emergency braking (and evasive steering) turn back on after you turn the Mach E off and back on.

How to turn the Pre-Collision Assist steering assist off

The evasive steering assist in the Pre-Collision Assist system doesn’t turn the wheel for you. Don’t expect your Mach E to magically maneuver around a road user in front of you. Instead, it applies even more torque to the wheel, allowing your vehicle to change direction quicker.
Turning the automatic braking off in the Pre-Collision Assist menu also deactivates the steering assist. If you want to turn the steering assist off but keep the automatic braking:

  1. Open the vehicle drawer.
  2. Select Settings.
  3. Tap Driver Assistance.
  4. Go to Pre-Collision Assist.
  5. Choose whether Evasive Steering is on or off.

Evasive steering (along with automatic braking) switches back on every time you restart the ignition.

Distance sensitivity in the Mach E’s Pre-Collision Assist system

In the Mach E, you can adjust the stage at which the Pre-Collision Assist system warns you and kicks in. To alter these settings:

  1. Go to the vehicle drawer and access Settings.
  2. Choose Driver Assistance.
  3. Select Pre-Collision Assist.
  4. Tap Alert Sensitivity.
  5. Choose the distance sensitivity that best suits your driving.

Depending on the option you choose, a warning light will illuminate when you get too close to an object in front. The exact distance at which this happens depends on the selected sensitivity setting. It won’t light up if you have standard or Adaptive Cruise Control switched on.

  • Gray with no car (three empty spaces) – this is the standard light. It means the road ahead of you is relatively open, or you’re a safe distance away from any other cars.
  • The car icon appears in the third space, the second space illuminates yellow, and warning arrows appear – you’re getting dangerously close to an object.
  • The car icon moves to the second space, the first space illuminates red, and arrows remain – danger! You’re too close!

Always stay alert and never rely on the Pre-Collision Assist system. It’s there as a last resort to minimize (or avoid, if possible) crash damage. It isn’t a self-driving program.
See a Mustang Mach E owner’s manual screenshot here:

owners manual


By Ben Kitchen Ben is a qualified car mechanic with experience working in the industry. He now works as an automotive author, writing about all things vehicle-related. He’s excited about the potential held by electric cars of all shapes, sizes, and types.

Ben Kitchen Ben is a qualified car mechanic with experience working in the industry. He now works as an automotive author, writing about all things vehicle-related. He’s excited about the potential held by electric cars of all shapes, sizes, and types.

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