As reported by Ford
DEARBORN, Mich., – The 2011 Ford Super Duty contains a wealth of new technologies – from all-new powertrains to software designed to take full advantage of the truck’s continuing best-in-class towing and payload capability – so that customers can get the job done efficiently. Ford research shows that 97 percent of Super Duty customers tow, underscoring the importance of the new Super Duty’s best-in-class towing capability.
Key to helping customers of the all-new Super Duty take advantage of this capability is an all-new available 4.2-inch LCD (liquid crystal display) productivity screen. This screen offers menu options, giving the customer important information related to fuel economy and towing performance. The menu is navigated through a five-way button on the steering wheel.
“Our research told us that Super Duty customers use their vehicle as a mobile office every day to get the job done, and they want technology that will help them be more productive,” said Dante Williams, applications engineer.
“Our new LCD productivity screen helps them manage their trucks and their work for the benefit of their customers through more visual data, text data and displays,” Williams said. “The information is more complete and more detailed, but presented in an engaging, easy-to-use manner.”
Ford used this extensive customer feedback to develop the system, which interfaces easily to meet their needs. The new LCD is positioned between the tachometer and speedometer, and the familiar Built Ford Tough “slam” greets the customer at key-on. A closer look at the six base menu options, each of which can be customized by the customer:
1. Gauge mode: Checking direction and temperature
* Graphical compass display can be configured to rotate directions
* Actual temperature of the oil and transmission (gas engine); turbo boost gauge for diesels
2. Trip computer: Counting the miles
* Information on two trips available
* Trip time and mileage
* Gallons of fuel used and miles per gallon
3. Fuel economy: Up-to-the-second information
* Fuel history can be broken down to three time periods
* Five resets are available to track fuel history
* Fuel economy displays miles to empty, as well as average and instantaneous mpg
4. Truck applications: Engaging off-road mode; towing functionality
* Off-road screen allows customers to see the lateral, vertical and turning radius of their maneuvers
* Customers can access information about various features, depending on the model, such as Electronic Locking Differential, Hill Descent Control™, 4x4 system and traction control to help make informed decisions on what technologies might be of use in a given situation
* Trailer tow customers can:
o Name and change a trailer, allowing customers to track mileage and store gain settings via the Trailer Brake Controller on the instrument panel
o Delete trailers
o Access information on features such as Trailer Brake Controller or Tow Haul
o Choose the type of trailer connected and go through a connection checklist – conventional, fifth wheel and gooseneck options are supported
“The checklist can be especially helpful to a novice tower,” said Williams. “The screen takes customers through the process, so no matter what sort of connection they are using, they can tow with greater confidence.”
Three distinct checklists can be accessed, and include:
* Ball coupler connected and locked?
* Tongue jack raised?
* Mirrors adjusted?
* Electrical wiring connected?
* Lights functioning correctly (running lights, left/right turn and brake lights)?
* TBC (Trailer Brake Controller) gain setting adjusted?
* Wheel chocks removed?
* Safety chains connected?
5. Settings: Customers are able to
* Turn features on or off
* Change duration of lamps
* Change compass zone
* Change operating condition for maintenance schedules
* Set oil life percentage
6. Information: Set MyKey, navigate and view warnings
* The MyKey™ feature allows the owner to set driver preferences
* The System Check screen displays information such as oil life, engine hours, engine idle hours and open doors
* Warnings, such as “left rear door ajar,” can be displayed graphically
* All-new messages and warnings include Trailer Sway Control, Hill Descent Control, tire pressure monitoring system and diesel-specific messages
photo:Ford
DEARBORN, Mich., – The 2011 Ford Super Duty contains a wealth of new technologies – from all-new powertrains to software designed to take full advantage of the truck’s continuing best-in-class towing and payload capability – so that customers can get the job done efficiently. Ford research shows that 97 percent of Super Duty customers tow, underscoring the importance of the new Super Duty’s best-in-class towing capability.
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| (Photo: Ford) |
Key to helping customers of the all-new Super Duty take advantage of this capability is an all-new available 4.2-inch LCD (liquid crystal display) productivity screen. This screen offers menu options, giving the customer important information related to fuel economy and towing performance. The menu is navigated through a five-way button on the steering wheel.
“Our research told us that Super Duty customers use their vehicle as a mobile office every day to get the job done, and they want technology that will help them be more productive,” said Dante Williams, applications engineer.
“Our new LCD productivity screen helps them manage their trucks and their work for the benefit of their customers through more visual data, text data and displays,” Williams said. “The information is more complete and more detailed, but presented in an engaging, easy-to-use manner.”
Ford used this extensive customer feedback to develop the system, which interfaces easily to meet their needs. The new LCD is positioned between the tachometer and speedometer, and the familiar Built Ford Tough “slam” greets the customer at key-on. A closer look at the six base menu options, each of which can be customized by the customer:
1. Gauge mode: Checking direction and temperature
* Graphical compass display can be configured to rotate directions
* Actual temperature of the oil and transmission (gas engine); turbo boost gauge for diesels
2. Trip computer: Counting the miles
* Information on two trips available
* Trip time and mileage
* Gallons of fuel used and miles per gallon
3. Fuel economy: Up-to-the-second information
* Fuel history can be broken down to three time periods
* Five resets are available to track fuel history
* Fuel economy displays miles to empty, as well as average and instantaneous mpg
4. Truck applications: Engaging off-road mode; towing functionality
* Off-road screen allows customers to see the lateral, vertical and turning radius of their maneuvers
* Customers can access information about various features, depending on the model, such as Electronic Locking Differential, Hill Descent Control™, 4x4 system and traction control to help make informed decisions on what technologies might be of use in a given situation
* Trailer tow customers can:
o Name and change a trailer, allowing customers to track mileage and store gain settings via the Trailer Brake Controller on the instrument panel
o Delete trailers
o Access information on features such as Trailer Brake Controller or Tow Haul
o Choose the type of trailer connected and go through a connection checklist – conventional, fifth wheel and gooseneck options are supported
“The checklist can be especially helpful to a novice tower,” said Williams. “The screen takes customers through the process, so no matter what sort of connection they are using, they can tow with greater confidence.”
Three distinct checklists can be accessed, and include:
* Ball coupler connected and locked?
* Tongue jack raised?
* Mirrors adjusted?
* Electrical wiring connected?
* Lights functioning correctly (running lights, left/right turn and brake lights)?
* TBC (Trailer Brake Controller) gain setting adjusted?
* Wheel chocks removed?
* Safety chains connected?
5. Settings: Customers are able to
* Turn features on or off
* Change duration of lamps
* Change compass zone
* Change operating condition for maintenance schedules
* Set oil life percentage
6. Information: Set MyKey, navigate and view warnings
* The MyKey™ feature allows the owner to set driver preferences
* The System Check screen displays information such as oil life, engine hours, engine idle hours and open doors
* Warnings, such as “left rear door ajar,” can be displayed graphically
* All-new messages and warnings include Trailer Sway Control, Hill Descent Control, tire pressure monitoring system and diesel-specific messages
photo:Ford