Despite ardent preparations, one might never truly be ready for the chilled winds blowing and the drop in temperatures that quickly cool you to the core.
Ford, responding to customer inquires and demands, is now offering items often laughed at in other makes.
A factory remote starter will initially be offered in its Ford, Lincoln and Mercury brands after it launches on the 2011 Ford Super Duty while a heated steering wheel option will first be seen on the 2011 Lincoln MKX.
2011 Ford Super Duty will offer a factory remote starter as an option
Although Ford notes it’s offered a dealer-installed remote starter kit since the late 1990s (ranking as one of the top 3 Ford accessories for the past 5 years), sales shot up some 40 percent when the Blue Oval started installing the remote kits at centers near assembly plants. A J.D. Power study also found that 90 percent of customers prefer the units to be factory-installed. It also has a 1,000-foot distance to activate the starter on the key fob.
Ford engineers calculate that using a remote start system could help reduce hydrocarbon, CO and nitrogen oxides emissions by up to 75 percent, since it preheats the catalyst on cold starts (where up to 95 percent of emissions typically occur), prior to those first few accelerations
“What was once a feature only available on luxury cars or in the aftermarket is now becoming a factory-installed option for Ford customers,” said Michael Kan, research and development engineer with Ford Customer Service Division (FCSD). “Customers want the peace of mind that comes with a factory-installed option; now Ford is meeting this demand with a high-quality, affordable solution.”
The new factory-installed remote start, when integrated with the available automatic climate control system, measures the temperature and quickly creates a comfortable atmosphere with heating or air conditioning, heated or cooled front seats, and the front and rear defroster if needed.
“When you jump in a Ford car or truck, no matter the weather, it’s ready to go,” said Lisa Boran, a technical expert with Ford Body and Security Electronics. “We’ve been able to integrate these two features to improve upon the traditional remote start system.”
Ford also addressed the concerns about emissions while a car idles.
John Shanahan, manager, Ford Powertrain Feature Calibration, explains: “The vast majority of a vehicle’s emissions are made during the drive-away after the car is started. Once the catalyst is warmed up, it will convert up to 99 percent of the engine-out emissions into less harmful gases. With remote start, along with getting the passenger compartment comfortable, you’re warming the catalyst while the vehicle is in neutral with lighter loads on the engine. We employ engine control features that maximize the catalyst warm-up, even if the engine is only idling. This will result in a more active catalyst when you drive away.”
That warmed-up catalyst can represent up to a 75 percent emissions reduction, depending on how cool the catalyst is and how hard the driver accelerates those first few times after a typical engine start.
2011 Lincoln MKX
Heated Steering Wheel
The heated steering wheel option, coming to the Lincoln lineup is also about responding to customer needs, said Cole Buccafurri, Ford’s feature and branding manager. “Market research told us that a heated steering wheel was something our target Lincoln customer was definitely interested in,” he noted.
Ford knows that the body works better when it’s warm. Drivers can driver better without a glove hand upon the wheel and use more dexterity as well. And, let’s face it: It’s offered in other high-end luxury cars and it must have turned up in focus group surveys somewhere as one factor that may keep a driver in a Ford product and not someone else’s.
Pricing was not released for the options.
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Published February 2, 2010 by Gerry Miles
Filed Under: Gadgets, Lifestyle