Not all reversing cameras are created equal, but the majority these days offer active guidelines that turn to indicate the direction of travel… they can be switched off.

QUESTION: Hi there, I have bought a Ford Everest and it is meant to have active guidelines for its reversing camera, but mine doesn’t display them. I’m sure I saw them on the test drive. Is there a way to turn them on or off?

ANSWER: Thanks for the question. Yes, you’re correct, the Everest’s reversing camera does offer active guidelines which turn to indicate the direction of travel your vehicle is moving in. And, yes, they can be switched off.

For reference, both the Everest and the Ford Ranger have the same infotainment and communications unit (SYNC) with the same features. Ordinarily, the best answer would be checking the owner’s manual, but we’ve done that, and there’s nothing in the manual about turning on or off the active guidelines. So, we contacted Ford… of course, all of this would have been an easier solve if we’d been in an Everest at the time…

Ford’s media team assured us it was possible to turn the active guidelines on and off. It sent us this: “The active guidelines show the path of intended motion of the vehicle while reversing. The fixed guidelines assist a driver with backing into a parking space or aligning with an object behind the vehicle.

To turn this feature on or off when the vehicle is not in R (Reverse), do the following on the touchscreen:
1. Select Menu
2. Select Vehicle
3. Select Rear View Camera.”

Once you’re in the Rear View Camera menu item, you should be able to turn on or off things like camera delay which relates to leaving the reversing camera image displayed on the main screen even after you’ve selected D for Drive and started driving forwards. The image will only stay on the screen for a few seconds. This menu item should allow you to turn on or off the Active Guidelines on your Ford Everest. If you’ve turned it on, you’ll still see the fixed guidelines which show the path your car would travel if you kept the wheel straight, and then the active or dynamic guidelines which will be white and turn to indicate the direction of your vehicle with the wheel turned.

Question: Can a Ford Everest owner please take a photo of this menu item and post it below in the comments?