2010 Ford Focus: We Take a Ride and Drive With the New MyKey Safety Feature

Ford's Key to Teen Safety Focus with MyKey

Some of you may remember TheCarConnection.com’s report on the MyKey™ announcement back in early October of last year. Well, this week I had the opportunity to take a spin in Ford’s Key to Teen Safety Focus featuring the MyKey™ technology. Now I have to admit I was a little skeptical about how the system would be integrated and how it would behave. However, I was pretty surprised and maybe you will be too.

The MyKey™ option is expected to be available starting this summer on the 2010 Ford Focus and then be quickly offered on a wide variety of Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles. From the exterior you wouldn’t know that there is anything different, no it is when you get behind the wheel that all the bells start to go off—literally. The way MyKey™ works is through an upgraded version of Ford’s SecuriLock passive anti-theft system. When the Admin key is inserted into the ignition the MyKey™ system programs the RFID chip into the system and allows the admin user to program other sets of keys as the designated MyKeys. So when the MyKey™ is inserted into the ignition the RFID chip is read by the system and the MyKey™ system is activated.

Ford MyKey Message Center-- System Active

The intent behind this system is to give parents a tool that will help encourage their teenage drivers to adopt safer driving habit, be more fuel efficient and increase seat belt usage. How does the system work? Once you set the MyKey™ you can then program the system in the car (via the admin key) with several key features: Speed Alert, Top Speed Limiter (Set at 80 mph), Persistent Ford Beltminder™, Early Low Fuel Warning (at 75 miles instead of 50 miles left) and Audio Volume Limiting. Once you set all the specific features you want activated you are then ready to give the MyKey™ to you teenager or another driver you feel needs safety guidance.

Ford MyKey Message Center-- Buckle Up

When the MyKey™ driver starts the car the car’s message center will display a message that the MyKey™ system is activated and run through the options that are selected by the admin in the system. When I tried it out for myself I was actually impressed at how well integrated the system is and that doesn’t seem overly obnoxious, especially in the manner that it warns you. First, I tested the Persistent Ford Beltminder™, which after the first minute of driving will display a seat belt warning message and mute the stereo until both front passengers buckle up. In fact, the message displayed says “BUCKLE UP TO UNMUTE AUDIO.” Now the system won’t disable the vehicle and it won’t call your mom, but for most people not having the radio will be incentive enough.

The next feature I tested was the Speed Alert, which can be set at 45, 55 or 65 mph. In this case I left it set at 45 mph and when the warning activates it is simply a chime and another message on the information display. So again, no call to your mother, but the car does ask you to drive safely. The final option I atested was the Audio Volume Limiting, which limits the volume to 44% of the full volume capability of the audio system. You might have guessed by now that the MyKey™ system allows you to turn up the volume to the limited point and then alerts you via the message center that you are at the maximum allowed volume.

Bottom line—the MyKey™ system isn’t meant to be a parent substitute, instead it is a way for worried parents to have a tool to remind their teenage drivers that they have set rules when it comes to borrowing the family car. Did I mention the system check will give a report on how many miles the car has been driven with the MyKey™? Could this be the end to secret city expeditions or will teenagers get good at taking someones car that doesn’t have the MyKey™ technology? Either way, teens that want to break the rules will, but for the average teenager the MyKey™ system may be just enough of a reminder to keep them out of trouble.

Find out more about what Ford is up to via previously posted articles like the 41 mpg Challenge, To Fusion Hybrid or To Fusion Sport, Focus EV Report and more. Have comments? I would love to hear them! Drop me a comment right here on the site or send an email to JEMblogger at Gmail dot com.

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