Ford feature sets teens' speed, volume and more

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By The Associated Press

If mom and dad think you’re a little too lead-footed when you’re driving the family car, next year Ford Motor Co. will give them the power to do something about it.

The company will roll out a new feature on many 2010 models that can limit young drivers to 80 mph, using a computer chip in the key.

Parents also have the option of programming the teen’s key to limit the audio system’s volume, and to sound continuous alerts if the driver doesn’t wear a seat belt.

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Starting next year, Ford Motor Co. will roll out a new feature, called MyKey, controlled by a computer chip in the key, that allows parents to limit the car's speeds to 80 mph and set a maximum volume for the audio system on some 2010 models. (AP Photo)

Starting next year, Ford Motor Co. will roll out a new feature, called MyKey, controlled by a computer chip in the key, that allows parents to limit the car's speeds to 80 mph and set a maximum volume for the audio system on some 2010 models. (AP Photo)

“Our message to parents is, hey, we are providing you some conditions to give your new drivers that may allow you to feel a little more comfortable in giving them the car more often,” said Jim Buczkowski, Ford’s director of electronic and electrical systems engineering.

The feature, called “MyKey,” will be standard on an unspecified number of Ford models when the 2010 cars and trucks come out late next summer. The feature will spread to the entire Ford, Lincoln and Mercury lineup as models are updated, spokesman Wes Sherwood said.

Ford arrived at the 80 mph limit even though freeway speed limits are lower in most states because it wanted to leave a margin in case an unusual situation arises, Buczkowski said. In some states, freeway speed limits are above 70 mph, Sherwood said.

“Just lopping it off at exactly 70 mph was felt to be too limiting,” Buczkowski said.

The company already uses computer chips in its keys to prevent thefts. The car won’t start unless it recognizes the chip in the key.

MyKey also limits the volume of the audio system, and it will sound a six-second chime every minute if seat belts are not fastened.

Parents also have the option of having the car sound a chime if the teen exceeds 45, 55 or 65 mph.

Ford said its market research shows 75 percent of parents like the speed and audio limits, but as you might expect, 67 percent of teens don’t like them.

Ford’s research also shows that parents would be more likely to let teens use their vehicles with the system, Sherwood said, and if it gets them the car more often, the number of teens objecting drops by nearly half.