Some despise this day, while others look forward to it all year. Alas, the day for lovers is finally here, and the Ford Blog team wants to wish our readers a very Happy Valentine’s Day to you and yours!
For those who plan to drive with their loved one, be warned – statistics show that there is a pretty good chance you might get into an argument.
A recent study out of Great Britain – published in The New York Times – reported that almost 70 per cent of drivers admitted to being involved in an argument in a vehicle at least once a month, while 18 per cent confessed they had in-car fights at least once a week.
To help you avoid any clashes and ensure you’re still in love when you arrive at your destination, here’s a list of ways Ford vehicles can help you keep the peace.
No love lost with MyFord Touch
According to the study, the No. 1 argument-inducer on the road is navigation. One-third (33 per cent) of respondents deemed it the most common point of contention; 85 per cent revealed the argument started when the driver refused to stop for directions.
Ford has a smart solution for this – simply don’t get lost. The new MyFord Touch system in many Ford vehicles has an updated navigation system that’s simple to use. Just enter your destination and it will do the rest.
Say you’ve procrastinated and are scrambling for a place to dine with your date? Just say “I’m hungry,” and MyFord Touch will list nearby restaurants. Choose one from the list on the screen and the system will automatically plot your route.
Keep the peace with duel zone climate control
Temperature control in the vehicle is another source of disagreement. Your lover may feel too hot, so you turn the heat down and then you’re too cold – it’s tough to compromise.
Luckily, most new Ford vehicles feature dual zone climate control, while some models even offer individually controlled heated and cooled seats. This will make it easy for couples to stay comfortable and avoid getting hot and bothered.
Save on gas with EcoBoost; spoil your lover
Gas prices are soaring, but that doesn’t mean you have to stop spoiling your lover. Ford’s EcoBoost engines, which are offered on various vehicles including the Escape and F-150, feature fuel-saving technology such as turbochargers, direct-injection and variable valve timing.
Because the EcoBoost delivers up to 20 per cent better fuel economy than conventional engines, you’ll be saving some serious cash. And we don’t need to tell you where you should be spending that extra money (wink, wink).
Whether it’s Valentine’s Day, or just a regular date, spend the extra gas money on a gift for your lover!
How Sweet It Is (To Be Using SYNC)
Music can be key to setting the right mood – and staving off potential arguments – in your vehicle. And Ford’s voice-activated SYNC technology is ready to help you with this.
Make a romantic playlist ahead of time and then, using SYNC, easily connect your mobile device or MP3 player to your ride. Put on some Marvin Gaye or Barry White and you’re good to go.
No need for a backseat driver
Backseat drivers are annoying. When behind the wheel, there’s nothing worse than having your significant other constantly point out your driving missteps.
Our new vehicles have many advanced technologies that help correct bad habits and assist in stressful situations – so you can impress your significant other with your improved driving skills.
- Active Park Assist – enables you to parallel-park your vehicle, without using your hands! Rather than circling the block to avoid parallel parking, impress your date by simply pulling up to the spot, taking your hands off the steering wheel and letting the vehicle do the work.
- Adaptive Cruise Control – helps to minimize tailgating by monitoring the vehicle in front and automatically adjusts the speed of your vehicle to ensure you’re keeping a safe distance.
- Lane Keep Assist – Using a small camera behind the windshield, the system detects when a vehicle drifts too close to lane markings, delivering an alerting vibration in the steering wheel. The system then steers the vehicle to the centre of the lane.
Now, that’s enough reading for you. Go out and enjoy the rest of the day with that special person in your life. But before you go, let us know in the comments below if you have any more tips on how to avoid in-vehicle arguments.