Ford Offers Satellite Radio Censorship Option in MyKey Upgrade

Ford is giving the parents of teen drivers one fewer thing to worry about. A major upgrade to its MyKey system — parents can limit a car’s top speed, stereo volume and more — will allow parents to block explicit satellite radio content, Ford announced today.

This development probably won’t make your teenager happy, but what’s new? This new feature works like a TV’s V-chip and blocks 16 stations on Sirius Satellite Radio that are labeled explicit. Some of the stations include Playboy, Hip-Hop Nation and Howard Stern.

The upgraded MyKey will also allow parents to limit a car’s top speed to 65, 70, 75 or 80 mph. The previous version limited the top speed to 80 mph.

This new version will be standard on the Ford Taurus and Explorer by late 2011 and later on some Ford and Lincoln models.

MyKey also features:

• Seat belt reminder: A chime sounds at regular intervals and the stereo system is muted until the driver buckles up. 
• Early low-fuel warning: The driver is alerted when the fuel tank has 75 miles until empty, unlike the usual warning that occurs at 50 miles to empty. 
• Always-on safety systems: Active Park Assist, which helps the driver select a parallel parking spot, the blind spot warning system and traction control cannot be turned off. 
• Speed alert: A chime sounds at 45, 55 or 65 mph. 
• Quieter stereo system: The stereo system’s volume can be limited to 44 percent of maximum volume.