Ford Adds Adult-Content Blocker To Sirius-Equipped Cars

No Howard For You!

FORD MOTOR COMPANY has created a system that allows parents to block 16 channels on SIRIUS XM's more risque programming so their driving teenagers couldn't tune in. According to USA TODAY, the censorship feature will be added in late 2011 to FORD's MyKey system, which lets parents limit the car's top speed and audio volume.

The system, which uses a special key, is standard on most FORD models. It currently provides an early warning of low fuel and mutes the audio until the seat belt is buckled.

"There's a lot of mature-content programming out there, and it could be somewhat of a distraction for less-mature ears," FORD safety planning and strategy manager ANDY SARKISIAN said, noting that 60% of the parents it surveyed liked the MyKey approach, because they get to be the censors. "Mom and Dad still have their own key and can listen to HOWARD."

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