Safety Innovations Feature in Ford 2004 Lineup

By: Cheryl Eberwein | Ford Communications Network

DEARBORN, Mich. – Some of the most advanced technologies in today's vehicles are those the auto companies would rather you not have to use. A contradiction? Not when it comes to automotive safety systems.

Ford Motor Company is uncompromising in its commitment to occupant safety – from conducting safe-driving campaigns to developing state-of-the-art protection and avoidance technologies.

"We are committed to continuous improvement in the safety of all of our vehicles and have been leaders in the introduction of safety features across all of our vehicle lines," says Susan Cischke, Ford Motor Company vice president, Environmental and Safety Engineering. "We also believe that safety is a shared responsibility between vehicle manufacturers and vehicle operators. We will continue our long-standing efforts to promote increased safety-belt usage and to encourage responsible driving."

Safety innovations feature in the all-new 2004 F-150 pickup (top) and the new 2004 Freestar (bottom). "Ford has more five-star-rated vehicles than any other automaker," Cischke continues. "Safety technology is what keeps Ford vehicles at the forefront of protecting our customers on the road."

Ford's approach to safety is well-rounded. The company's safety leadership includes innovations in energy-managing crash structures, restraint systems and accident-avoidance technologies.

Ford is introducing major safety innovations in offset crash performance on the all-new 2004 F-150 pickup, as well as on the 2004 Freestar and Mercury Monterey minivans. Based on internal tests, Ford expects these three vehicles to perform very well in offset crash scenarios and meet new federal requirements for offset crash safety. For the 2004 model year, 38 percent of Ford vehicles will meet this standard – nearly double the 20-percent government requirement.

The 2004 Ford F-Series, Freestar and Taurus, and the Mercury Monterey and Sable now feature Occupant Classification Sensing as part of Ford's Personal Safety System. If the passenger-seat sensor detects no weight on the seat – or very little weight, such as a newspaper or a half-dozen bagels – the passenger air bag automatically is switched off.

Ford's Safety Canopy system with rollover sensor – which was the industry's first – now is available on the Ford Freestar and Mercury Monterey minivans, as well as most of Ford Motor Company's sport utility vehicles. The Safety Canopy provides enhanced side-impact and rollover protection by deploying from the headliner in certain types of accidents. On SUVs equipped with the system, approximately 65 percent of the window surface area in the first two rows is covered. Ford's S2RV safety concept vehicle The system on the new Ford Freestar and Mercury Monterey covers most of all three rows.

Ford's S2RV concept – for Safety Scientific Research Vehicle – demonstrates future infotronics systems that promote driving safety. The vehicle is fitted with TrafficView, a Ford-patented technology that uses forward-facing cameras mounted in the side mirror housings to provide a better view around nearby traffic.

Personal Safety System Ford led the industry in 1999 by introducing its Personal Safety System as part of the most comprehensive suite of safety technologies available at the time. The Personal Safety System is designed to provide increased protection in many types of frontal crashes by analyzing crash factors and determining an appropriate vehicle response in milliseconds. The system uses dual-stage driver and front-passenger air bags that are capable of deploying at full or partial power. In less severe frontal crashes, air bags inflate with reduced force – or not at all – helping to reduce the risk of injury due to the inflation of the air bag. The system helps to ensure the appropriate level of air bag pressure is used.

The Personal Safety System uses an electronic crash severity sensor, a restraint control module, a driver's seat position sensor, safety-belt pretensioners, energy-management retractors and front outboard safety-belt usage sensors to help protect the driver and front-seat passenger in certain frontal collisions. Its pretensioners tighten the front safety belts during the first moments of a crash, and energy-management retractors gradually slacken them when necessary to help reduce the force of the belt on the occupant's chest. The best line of defense in crashes remains the safety belt.

The Personal Safety System is available as standard equipment on the 2004 Ford Focus, SVT Focus, Taurus, Crown Victoria, Freestar, F-150, Explorer and Expedition; the Mercury Monterey, Sable, Marauder, Grand Marquis and Mountaineer; and the entire Lincoln range.

Occupant Classification Sensing Occupant Classification Sensing builds on the strength of the Personal Safety System to tailor deployment of the front outboard passenger air bag. If the passenger-seat sensor detects no weight on the seat – or very little weight, such as a newspaper, a half-dozen bagels or work gloves – the passenger air bag automatically is switched off.

If more weight is on the seat, as with a small child, the air bag remains turned off and a light on the instrument panel alerts the driver with the message "PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF." If an adult is seated properly in the passenger seat, the air bag automatically is switched on and is ready to inflate within milliseconds, if needed. The safest place for children is in the rear seat.

Ford's Occupant Classification Sensing system is standard equipment on the 2004 Ford Freestar and F-150, and the Mercury Monterey and Sable.

Safety Canopy

The available Safety Canopy covers most of all three rows in the 2004 Mercury Monterey. Ford's Safety Canopy provides enhanced side-impact and rollover protection by deploying from the headliner in certain types of accidents. On SUVs equipped with the system, approximately 65 percent of the window surface area in the first two rows is covered. The system on the new Ford Freestar and Mercury Monterey minivans covers most of all three rows.

A sensor monitors the vehicle's roll angle and roll rate. If the system determines that a rollover may be imminent, the Safety Canopy deploys and can remain inflated for several seconds. It also can be triggered in certain side-impact collisions.

The Safety Canopy system is available on the 2004 Ford Freestar, Explorer and Expedition; the Mercury Monterey and Mountaineer; and the Lincoln Aviator and Navigator. Side-curtain air bags, similar to the Safety Canopy but without rollover detection, also are available on the Lincoln LS.

BeltMinder The most effective way to help save lives on the roadways is one of the simplest safety technologies on the market – the safety belt. Ford's BeltMinder system provides drivers with a gentle reminder to fasten their safety belts. Research indicates the BeltMinder system can be a successful tool in promoting safety-belt usage. In a recent report issued by The National Academies' Transportation Research Board, preliminary research shows an increase of five percentage points in safety-belt usage among drivers of Ford vehicles that are equipped with the BeltMinder system. The report cites estimates made by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) that with each percentage point increase in safety-belt usage, 250 lives could be saved annually.

BeltMinder is standard on all Ford, Lincoln, Mercury and Volvo vehicles in the United States and Canada.

AdvanceTrac AdvanceTrac uses seven sensors to monitor steering wheel angle, throttle position, wheel speed, the vehicle's yaw rate and other factors every seven milliseconds (about once every four inches of travel at 30 mph) to determine if the vehicle is following the driver's intended path. If the system detects the car is about to fishtail (oversteer), the system applies a braking impulse to the outside front wheel to help the driver stabilize the car. If the system detects the front of the car is drifting to the outside of a turn (understeer), it applies a similar braking impulse to the inside rear wheel. The AdvanceTrac system also will reduce engine power, if necessary.

But even advanced technology cannot overcome the laws of physics. It's always possible to lose control of a vehicle due to inappropriate driver input in given conditions. When AdvanceTrac engages, it is an indication that at least some of the vehicle's tires have exceeded their ability to grip the road. The LATCH system's universal metal anchoring points help provide security and ease.

AdvanceTrac is available on the 2004 Ford Freestar, Explorer and Expedition; the Mercury Monterey and Mountaineer; and the Lincoln LS, Aviator and Navigator.

LATCH The LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren) system incorporates universal metal anchoring points in the vehicle seat bight (where the seat back and cushion meet), providing secure and easy installation of compatible child safety seats. The child safety seat is connected directly to the metal anchor points in the second- and third-row seats of the vehicle. Lower anchor points also reduce the variability associated with different vehicle safety belt/child safety seat designs and components in the past.

LATCH is standard on all Ford Motor Company vehicles.