JACKSON, Mich. – Power steering is about to get a makeover
as Ford Motor Co. prepares to introduce an adaptive
steering system that will improve vehicle control for drivers.
“First and foremost, all Ford Motor Company products have to
offer a great driving experience,” said Raj Nair, Ford group vice president,
Global Product Development. “This new steering technology can help make
vehicles easy to maneuver and fun to drive.”
Most vehicles are equipped with a fixed-ratio steering system where
the direction of the front wheels directly correlates with the amount of times
you turn the steering wheel. Ford
adaptive steering improves vehicle control for drivers by altering the
relationship between how many times you turn the wheel and how the front wheels
respond to those turns.
The steering system will make it easier for you to handle
your vehicle according to the context of a driving situation. At low speeds the
steering wheel will require more turns to maneuver your vehicle, making it
easier to gauge your positioning in instances such as pulling into tight
parking spaces. At high speeds the steering wheel will require less turns so
you can maintain steady control while switching lanes on the highway, for
example.
Ford collaborated with engineers from TKAG, an automotive
supplier based in Germany, to develop the steering system. The steering wheel
contains a precision-controlled actuator – an electric motor and gearing
system – that adds or subtracts from your steering inputs, according to Ford.
It allows for steering accommodation, but doesn’t alter other aspects of a
conventional steering system.
Ford’s adaptive steering system will debut with the 2016 Ford Edge – available in our Ford Edge inventory in the near future – and down the road will be added to other Ford and Lincoln vehicles. With such an advanced steering system, you’ll have more control than ever and be less at risk for making driving mistakes that require expert car repair and auto service.
Seymour Ford Lincoln is located at 2601 Seymour Road in Jackson, Michigan 49201. We will work hard to ensure you never leave our dealership unsatisfied! Visit us at at SeymourFord.com and SeymourLincoln.net or give us a call at (517) 787-9500.
