FORD ENGINEERS AGREE: WINTER-WEATHER DRIVERS CAN HEAT THINGS UP AND FEEL GUILT-FREE ABOUT EXTRA EMISSIONS WITH REMOTE START SYSTEMS
• Ford engineers calculate that using a remote start system could help reduce up to 75 percent of hydrocarbons, CO, and nitrogen oxides emissions, since it preheats the catalyst on cold starts (where up to 95 percent of emissions typically occur), prior to those first few accelerations
• For the 2011 model year, Ford will add a new factory-installed remote start system option; along with continuing to sell its successful dealer-installed remote start kits
• Ford’s factory remote start system, when combined with automatic climate control, will measure inside and outside temperature to determine best settings to quickly achieve comfortable cabin environment. Heating, heated seats and defrost activate on colder days; air conditioning, cooled seats kick in when the weather is warm
• Ford’s remote start factory option will quickly migrate across the entire Ford, Lincoln and Mercury lineup after launching on the 2011 Ford Super Duty in January 2010
DEARBORN, Mich., Dec. 3, 2009 – Winter-weather drivers can feel good about their decision to pre-heat their rides with Ford’s new factory-installed remote start system, says Ford powertrain engineers and emission experts.
Although remote start systems have been given a bad emissions rap in the past, the idea that leaving a car at idle pumps more hydrocarbons, CO and nitrogen oxides into the air is simply not true.
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.
Warm my ride
Ford will ring in the New Year by adding a factory-installed remote start system for the 2011 vehicle lineup. The system will debut on the 2011 Ford Super Duty in January 2010, followed by a full migration to Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles.
Ford has been offering a dealer-installed remote start kit since the late 1990s that has proven popular with customers. The kits rank as one of the top three Genuine Ford Accessories sold nationally for the past five years. In the past year, sales have increased 40 percent since Ford started installing the dealer remote starter kits at modification centers located near assembly plants.
The new factory option comes in response to strong customer demand. A recent J.D. Power Emerging Technology Study found 90 percent of customers would prefer remote start systems be factory installed.
“We are all about offering options,” said Michael Kan, research and development engineer with Ford Customer Service Division (FCSD). “Whether it’s installed at the factory, whether it’s something the dealer installs prior to delivery or something the customer wants to add, we’ll have what our customers are looking for.”
Throw aside the market research, the biological fact is that the human body – no matter its age – craves warmth. The body’s initial response to cold is to preserve heat by reducing the blood flow to the hands and feet. For those who live in a winter-weather area, it’s that familiar tingle or numbness felt when hands and feet start getting cold.
That reduced blood supply equates to reduced dexterity in the fingers and hands, for example, which can hinder performance of simple tasks, such as screwing in a light bulb, opening a door, or steering a vehicle out of a tight parking spot; adding additional merit to creature-comfort vehicle features such as a remote start system.
Ford’s new factory-installed remote start is integrated with the vehicle’s available automatic climate control system to measure the inside and outside cabin temperatures and determine how best to create a comfortable atmosphere. Settings that will be automatically activated include the proper level of heat or air conditioning, heated or cooled front seats, and the front or rear defroster if needed.
“When you jump in 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 enhance a fairly typical remote start system, thus giving customers another reason to check out a Ford.”
Ford currently offers two dealer-installed remote start options: a one-way system, which will remotely start the vehicle from a key fob from up to 1,000 feet away; and a two-way, bidirectional option, in which the vehicle transmits a signal back to the fob verifying the start-up.
Launching later this month is an optional system that’s compatible with the Intelligent Access with Push Button Start system available on the 2010 Ford Taurus and Lincoln MKS, soon followed by the factory-installed system.
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About Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Mich., manufactures or distributes automobiles across six continents. With about 200,000 employees and about 90 plants worldwide, the company’s automotive brands include Ford, Lincoln, Mercury and Volvo. The company provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For more information regarding Ford’s products, please visit www.ford.com.
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About Christopher DeMorro
I use an antiquated technique called a garage.
I use an antiquated technique called a garage.
Use a electric enginblockheater with a timer as most people in Sweden.
Use a electric enginblockheater with a timer as most people in Sweden.
Use a electric enginblockheater with a timer as most people in Sweden.
Even if this is true, you’re still spewing C02 into the atmosphere. Catch 22, I suppose…
Even if this is true, you’re still spewing C02 into the atmosphere. Catch 22, I suppose…
Well everytime you take a breath you spew out CO2 too. And not everyone can have a garage…or fills them with other cars. My Jeep spends its nights outside.
Well everytime you take a breath you spew out CO2 too. And not everyone can have a garage…or fills them with other cars. My Jeep spends its nights outside.
Well everytime you take a breath you spew out CO2 too. And not everyone can have a garage…or fills them with other cars. My Jeep spends its nights outside.
Well everytime you take a breath you spew out CO2 too. And not everyone can have a garage…or fills them with other cars. My Jeep spends its nights outside.
Well everytime you take a breath you spew out CO2 too. And not everyone can have a garage…or fills them with other cars. My Jeep spends its nights outside.
Seems like the best of both worlds would be to have a preheater
(e.g. electric coils like a toaster) inside the catalytic converter. Instead of running your engine to heat the CC, you
can either plug it in or have it run off the battery 5 minutes before you leave. It could be set up to start with a remote as well (presumably with a green button).
Seems like the best of both worlds would be to have a preheater
(e.g. electric coils like a toaster) inside the catalytic converter. Instead of running your engine to heat the CC, you
can either plug it in or have it run off the battery 5 minutes before you leave. It could be set up to start with a remote as well (presumably with a green button).
According to this study, idling the engine may be better for the catalytic converter, but it seems like such a waste of fuel – to run an entire engine just to warm up the catalytic converter. I wish all cars in cold climates had block heaters but then it only works if you have a plug. One option that is also quite common outside the US and solves both of the above problems is a small engine heater that warms the coolant by burning a bit of the fuel. That way you won’t have to have a plug, it doesn’t burn near as much fuel as running the entire engine, and it still warms things up for reduced emissions.
According to this study, idling the engine may be better for the catalytic converter, but it seems like such a waste of fuel – to run an entire engine just to warm up the catalytic converter. I wish all cars in cold climates had block heaters but then it only works if you have a plug. One option that is also quite common outside the US and solves both of the above problems is a small engine heater that warms the coolant by burning a bit of the fuel. That way you won’t have to have a plug, it doesn’t burn near as much fuel as running the entire engine, and it still warms things up for reduced emissions.
According to this study, idling the engine may be better for the catalytic converter, but it seems like such a waste of fuel – to run an entire engine just to warm up the catalytic converter. I wish all cars in cold climates had block heaters but then it only works if you have a plug. One option that is also quite common outside the US and solves both of the above problems is a small engine heater that warms the coolant by burning a bit of the fuel. That way you won’t have to have a plug, it doesn’t burn near as much fuel as running the entire engine, and it still warms things up for reduced emissions.
According to this study, idling the engine may be better for the catalytic converter, but it seems like such a waste of fuel – to run an entire engine just to warm up the catalytic converter. I wish all cars in cold climates had block heaters but then it only works if you have a plug. One option that is also quite common outside the US and solves both of the above problems is a small engine heater that warms the coolant by burning a bit of the fuel. That way you won’t have to have a plug, it doesn’t burn near as much fuel as running the entire engine, and it still warms things up for reduced emissions.
According to this study, idling the engine may be better for the catalytic converter, but it seems like such a waste of fuel – to run an entire engine just to warm up the catalytic converter. I wish all cars in cold climates had block heaters but then it only works if you have a plug. One option that is also quite common outside the US and solves both of the above problems is a small engine heater that warms the coolant by burning a bit of the fuel. That way you won’t have to have a plug, it doesn’t burn near as much fuel as running the entire engine, and it still warms things up for reduced emissions.
Well, I think its time for me to buy an electric car.Global warming is quite alarming with the huge icebergs floating in different parts of the ocean.So aside from using biodegradable cleaning solutions, I think I need to change my car to an eco-friendly one too!Great blog, thanks for sharing!
Well, I think its time for me to buy an electric car.Global warming is quite alarming with the huge icebergs floating in different parts of the ocean.So aside from using biodegradable cleaning solutions, I think I need to change my car to an eco-friendly one too!Great blog, thanks for sharing!
Well, I think its time for me to buy an electric car.Global warming is quite alarming with the huge icebergs floating in different parts of the ocean.So aside from using biodegradable cleaning solutions, I think I need to change my car to an eco-friendly one too!Great blog, thanks for sharing!
@Christopher DeMorro
…Except breathing is essential to life, idling your car is not. I would think someone who writes for Gas2.0 would know that…
Oh, and I don’t have a garage either…
@Christopher DeMorro
…Except breathing is essential to life, idling your car is not. I would think someone who writes for Gas2.0 would know that…
Oh, and I don’t have a garage either…
@Christopher DeMorro
…Except breathing is essential to life, idling your car is not. I would think someone who writes for Gas2.0 would know that…
Oh, and I don’t have a garage either…
@Christopher DeMorro
…Except breathing is essential to life, idling your car is not. I would think someone who writes for Gas2.0 would know that…
Oh, and I don’t have a garage either…