Ford of Canada plays Cupid by offering six tips to keep the love alive this Valentine's Day

Ford of Canada plays Cupid by offering six tips to keep the love alive this Valentine's Day

OAKVILLE, ON, Feb. 6, 2013 /CNW/ - What if your car could help keep the spark alive in your relationship? Ford Motor Company of Canada, Limited wants to remind Canadian drivers of some unique vehicle features and technologies that can put the brakes on common car-travel arguments and help make this Valentine's Day the most romantic ever.

In-car arguments can take many forms, including disagreements over speed, parking prowess, temperature control and navigation. In fact, according to a recent study out of Great Britain and published in The New York Times, nearly 70 per cent of drivers admitted to being involved in an argument in a car at least once a month; 18 per cent confessed they had in-car fights at least once a week.

No matter where you're headed with your sweetheart this February 14(th), Ford of Canada recommends the six easy tips below to ensure you both arrive as in love with each other as when you departed.

Show me the way to your heart:

    --  The number one argument-inducer on the road? One-third (33 per
        cent) of respondents said navigation was 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 - don't get lost. The new MyFord
        Touch has an updated navigation system that's easy to use,
        simply enter your destination and Ford will do the rest. Or if
        you procrastinated and haven't planned the details for your
        date, simply 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.
    --  New 3D landmarks and junction views which deliver
        photorealistic intersection images, and state of the art voice
        recognition, can even help you to find a romantic spot to park.

Don't get hot and bothered:
    --  Often the most heated conversations involve temperature control
        and compromise is no fun if one person usually ends up
        unhappy...and cold.
    --  Nearly all new Ford vehicles feature dual zone climate control,
        so it's easy for both you and your soul mate to stay
        comfortable. Select Ford models even offer individually
        controlled heated and cooled seats.

Drive your partner wild:
    --  No one knows how to push your buttons like your significant
        other, and no one is more likely to engage in backseat driving
        by pointing out your driving missteps than your loved one.
    --  Luckily Ford's new vehicles have advanced technologies that
        correct bad habits, assist in stressful situations and impress
        your significant other with your improved driving skills. 

Features include: o Curve Control, designed to help drivers maintain control of their

    vehicle when entering a turn. The system senses when a driver is
    taking a curve too quickly and rapidly reduces engine torque,

ensuring the driver safely completes the turn. o Adaptive Cruise Control, which helps to minimize tailgating by

monitoring the vehicle in front and automatically adjusting the

speed of your vehicle accordingly, keeping a safe distance. o Active Park Assist, to hands-free parallel-park your vehicle.

    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. It's magic.

Invest in your relationship...not the gas pump:
    --  According to a recent survey of married or cohabitating couples
        by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, 27
        per cent of respondents say
        disagreements over finances
        are most likely to erupt into an argument, ahead of arguments
        over children, chores, work, and friends. With money already
        such a thorny subject, why add fuel to the fire?
    --  Ford Ecoboost engines feature fuel-saving technology, such as
        turbochargers, direct-injection and variable valve timing to
        deliver up to a 20 per cent gain in fuel economy. So, why not
        spoil your sweetheart with the money you save?

Make a true connection:
    --  Ford's voice-activated SYNC technology lets you easily connect
        any mobile device to your vehicle, so pre-prepare a romantic
        music playlist on your MP3 player featuring your better half's
        favourite songs. Barry White, anyone?
    --  Should uncomfortable moments of silence arise, you can also
        keep your date occupied in the passenger seat thanks to
        constant connectivity from Ford's Wi-Fi hotspot. Shakespeare's
        sonnets should do the trick.

Tame your wandering eye:
    --  When you have the person you love beside you, you may find it
        difficult to concentrate on the task at hand.
    --  Ford's Lane Keeping Assist can help. With the use of 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 lane-keeping aid then
        steers the vehicle to the centre of the lane...and safely back
        onto the road to love.

For news releases, related materials and high-resolution photos and video, 
visit www.media.ford.com. Follow at www.facebook.com/ford, 
www.twitter.com/FordCanada  or www.youtube.com/fordvideo1.

Josh Norton, NATIONAL Public Relations jnorton@national.ca 416-586-1903

Erin Voth, NATIONAL Public Relations evoth@national.ca 416-848-1385

SOURCE: Ford of Canada

To view this news release in HTML formatting, please use the following URL: 
http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/February2013/06/c3532.html

CO: Ford of Canada
ST: Ontario
NI: AUT ECOSURV 

-0- Feb/06/2013 14:56 GMT