Ford's My Key technology keeps teens from getting carried away behind the wheel
On David Bass' recent road trip, about all he could talk about was "my key."
Or more specifically, "My Key."
The high-tech fob, developed by Ford Motor Co., has four special powers. It limits the driver to 80 mph, restricts the radio volume to 44 percent of maximum, mutes the sound when seat belts aren't engaged and can sound chimes when the car reaches 45, 55 or 65 miles per hour.
Ford developed the technology so parents could protect teenagers, who are the most inexperienced motorists.
Parents access a programming unit to punch in the control codes, which are activated by the special MyKey, given to the teenaged driver. Adults would keep an override key, which would not be restricted.
Bass, a Ford representative, recently toured Maryland, Virginia and the Carolinas-including Charleston-to promote the carmaker's new technology. The innovation will appear in new vehicles for sale by the end of the summer, starting with the Ford Focus.
The company plans to tour the country to spread the word about My Key. Trips started about six weeks ago in Maine.
"It really is different technology, unique to Ford," said Bass, who is based in Richmond, Va., and works on behalf of the carmaker via the Alliance Group public relations firm. "Parents are responding very favorably," he said.
A survey by Harris Interactive found many parents would allow teens to drive more often if their vehicle was equipped with MyKey, according to Ford promotional materials.
The carmaker intends to roll out the technology in the Ford Escape sport utility vehicle, Ford F-150 pickup and the Lincoln MKT crossover before eventually including it in most all models, said Bass, who drove a specially designed Mercury Mariner hybrid SUV.
In a press release, Ford Motor said the system helps teens drive safer and conserve fuel while giving parents peace of mind.
Bass, who showed off the MyKey system one day last week in Charleston, started by pressing the "set up" button located to the left of the steering wheel, which is used to program various functions, After scrolling to the MyKey display, he activated the 80 mph governor, volume control, audio mute button when seat belts aren't locked and the chime at certain speeds.
In a demonstration drive, he showed how the gas pedal, when the car reaches 80 mph, stops operating. The seat belt recognition, called Persistent Ford Beltminder, takes about 15 to 20 seconds to give people time to buckle up. The driver and all passengers must have their seat belts on for the radio to work. The chime is designed to warn teens, who may be distracted, that they are gaining speed too fast.
The volume limit, he said, is a tradeoff: "at that level, it still plays loud enough to enjoy music, but you're able to hear noises around you."
Also with MyKey, there's a low fuel warning at 50 miles to empty, whereas the regular system on Ford Motor models emits the warning at 75 miles to empty.
"My Key can help promote safer driving, particularly among teens, by encouraging seat belt use, limiting speed and reducing distractions," Susan Crischke, Ford group vice president of Sustainability, Environment and Safety Engineering, said in prepared remarks.
Reach Jim Parker at 937-5542 or jparker@postandcourier.com.
