Many of us are hitting the road to fitness after over-indulging during the festive period, whether it’s running, cycling, or going to the gym. The only problem is, when we get in the car afterwards, our exertions sometimes lead to the inside of the windscreen misting up – delaying our journey home, if only by a few minutes.
Ford’s Windscreen Weather Station prevents this before it even happens. It can detect moisture in the air as well as detect changes in the temperature of the glass, automatically activating the air-con if needed, and selecting the required airflow setting to pre-empt the windscreen misting over. *
With indoor fitness options limited due to the Covid-19 pandemic, it is more often the case that people are unable to shower after exercising. Last year, a survey conducted by Sport Ireland revealed that more than half of the adult population (52%) reported that they were engaging in sufficient levels of activity to meet the National Physical Activity Guidelines as people tried to stay active during lockdown (research carried out in May 2020).
The Windscreen Weather Station is located on the glass, near the rear-view mirror. The 5 cm X 3 cm system consists of several sensors. The latest version, already introduced to the Ford Kuga and Explorer SUVs, also helps improve fuel efficiency and lower CO2 emissions by reducing the usage of the air-con’s compressor.
Ford recently teamed up with outdoor experience experts komoot to enable drivers to plan, navigate and enjoy an adventure in the great outdoors (including routes from across Ireland); and drivers of selected electrified Ford vehicles can utilise FordPass to defrost the windscreen and set the cabin temperature before starting their journey. ** For the outside, Ford’s patented QuickClear technology de-ices the windscreen in seconds at the touch of a button.
“Waiting for your windscreen to clear after exercising is one of life’s little irritations – but driving without being able to clearly see the view ahead can be dangerous. This technology anticipates the problem and deals with it without the driver even knowing.”
Ingo Krolewski, supervisor, Climate Controls and Attributes, Ford of Europe
* The sensor system is included on vehicles with Dual Electric Automatic Temperature Control.
** In regions where permitted by law.
