Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Cars
  3. News

Ford’s Breadcrumbs technology helps off-roaders find their way home

Ronan Glon
By

Ford stitched together existing technologies to create a feature called Breadcrumbs that helps off-roaders find their way back to civilization. It’s available on most of the company’s trucks, including the Ranger and members of the F-Series family.

Recommended Videos

Like Hansel and Gretel, the Ranger leaves behind digital breadcrumbs so adventurers can glance at the dashboard-mounted touchscreen to quickly see where they’ve been, and, perhaps more significantly, know where they haven’t been. The technology is relatively simple, according to Ford. It works with navigation data to drop one virtual pin per second when traveling off the beaten path. The reference points show up as little blue dots on the map. Breadcrumbs needs to be manually turned on with a few taps of the touchscreen, so it doesn’t track your real-time location if you want to explore incognito.

Related

The Breadcrumbs feature has been available on Ford trucks sold overseas for years. To enable it, tap your way into SYNC 3’s navigation settings, select the menu labeled “map preferences,” and toggle it on. The dots will automatically appear on the screen. To turn it off, go back to the preferences menu via the navigation settings, and tap the Breadcrumbs button again.

1 of 6
2019 Ford Ranger
Image used with permission by copyright holder
2019 Ford Ranger
Image used with permission by copyright holder
2019 Ford Ranger
Image used with permission by copyright holder
2019 Ford Ranger
Image used with permission by copyright holder
2019 Ford Ranger
Image used with permission by copyright holder
2019 Ford Ranger
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Hardcore off-roaders will appreciate this feature because it shows them the way they came. In a city, there are numerous landmarks, street signs, and other recognizable points of reference to help motorists get around, and even the most basic navigation software can provide reasonably accurate directions from point A to point B. Out in the wilderness, trails often aren’t programmed into navigation systems, and getting out the way you came sometimes makes the difference between making it home before dark, and spending an hour and a half in dense fog looking for a way around a river.

Breadcrumbs is programmed into the Ranger’s navigation system, though the feature is only compatible with the XLT and Lariat trim levels respectively priced at $28,460 and $32,500 before navigation ($995 or $895, depending on the model) enters the equation. Motorists who explore the great outdoors in the entry-level XL model will need to leave actual breadcrumbs on the trail to find their way home. It’s also available on other Ford trucks, including the perennially popular F-150, as long as they’re equipped with the SYNC 3 infotainment system and navigation.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Ronan Glon
Ronan Glon
Contributor
Ronan Glon is an American automotive and tech journalist based in southern France. As a long-time contributor to Digital…
This vintage Ford Bronco off-roader has a modern electric powertrain
Zero Labs electric Ford Bronco

Previous

Next

Read more
Rivian R2 vs Hyundai Ioniq 5: Should you wait for the Rivian R2?
Rivian R2

Rivian has taken the wraps off of the Rivian R2, an electric SUV that's similar to the much-loved R1S, but smaller and, crucially, cheaper. But the R2 goes up against some serious competition. The likes of Hyundai have been building solid EVs for some time now -- including the Hyundai Ioniq 5.

The R2 and the Ioniq 5 each make a compelling case for themselves, and they're likely to end up being similarly priced if the Ioniq 5 doesn't get much cheaper and the R2 does end up being sold at $45,000. To be fair, the cars are pretty different -- the R2 is more of an SUV, while the Ioniq 5 is much more crossover-sized. But because of their similar price, you might be deciding between the two. How do they compare? We put the Rivian R2 and the Hyundai Ioniq 5 head-to-head.
Design
The differences between the Rivian R2 and the Hyundai Ioniq 5 are perhaps no more apparent than when it comes to design.

Read more
The 6 best remote car starters in 2024
Best car remote starters

While some modern vehicles come standard with remote start features, it's still relatively uncommon. That's a shame because if you live somewhere where cold weather, snow, and ice are frequent concerns, a remote car starter is one of the best auto accessories you can have. If you're not familiar with them, a remote car starter works similarly to a key fob, except it will actually start your car from a distance instead of just unlocking the doors or trunk. That means you can start your car from the warm comfort of your home or office before venturing out. If you live somewhere hot, you can even start your car and let the AC run for a little bit. You'll never enter a freezing cold or scorching hot vehicle again.

The best remote car starters have long ranges, replaceable batteries, and other handy features — but how do you know which is best for you? We’ve compiled a list of the best car starters in a range of prices and features. Keep in mind that while you can install some yourself, some will require a professional.
The best remote car starters in 2024

Read more