2005 Ford F-150 Xlt Extended Cab Pickup 4-door 5.4l on 2040-cars

Auto blog

Airbag recall widens to include BMW, Chrysler, Ford and Toyota

The recall of faulty airbag inflators supplied by Takata has exploded today to grow to seven automakers. In most cases, only models in certain high-humidity regions were affected because the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration found in its investigation that moisture played a roll in determining whether there would be a problem. However, some companies opted for national campaigns. The exact number of affected models for these campaigns isn't yet known at this time.
BMW is recalling an undisclosed number of 325i, 325Xi, 330i and 330Xi models from the 2001 through 2005 model years and the 2001-2006 model year versions of the 325Ci and 330Ci for the driver side and passenger side inflators. Only vehicles currently registered in Florida, Puerto Rico, Hawaii and the US Virgin Islands are covered under this recall.
Neither Chrysler's filing with NHTSA nor its press release list the specific models affected, but a company spokesperson told Autoblog that at this time it only covers the driver and passenger side inflators for the 2006 Dodge Charger in Florida, Puerto Rico, Hawaii and the US Virgin Islands

Ford preparing camera-based Front Lighting System

Ford's European Research and Innovation Center in Aachen, Germany is in pre-development on two new lighting technologies that Ford expects to be available "in the near-term." The Camera-Based Advanced Front Lighting System uses GPS and a video camera in the rear-view mirror housing to move the adaptive headlights with the road terrain. When the car detects a roundabout or an intersection, for instance, the light beam widens to offer a bigger view of what's coming from the side. If GPS detected the intersection, the location is tagged so that the beam automatically widens when it is encountered again. The Spot Lighting system uses an infrared camera behind the grille, and is similar to but less complex than systems employed by Mercedes-Benz and Audi. When the infrared camera detects a potential hazard like a person or an animal in or near the road up to 390 feet ahead, it can shine one of two LED spotlights on the danger. A display in the dash cluster will highlight the object with a yellow or a red box, depending on the how close it is and how dangerous it might be. Even though there are only two spotlights, mounted next to the fog lights on the lower front bumper, the system can detect up to eight objects at a time. Don't expect to see these features come to the US, though. Our regulations remain opposed to such headlight trickery, so until that changes, Ford says it's focusing these developments on the European and Asian markets. The video above shows how it works, the press release below has more details. FORD DEVELOPING ADVANCED HEADLIGHTS THAT POINT OUT PEOPLE, ANIMALS IN THE DARK, AND WIDEN BEAMS AT TRICKY JUNCTIONS - Ford is developing advanced lighting technology that enables drivers to more easily see potential hazards when driving at night - Camera-Based Advanced Front Lighting System widens beam at junctions and roundabouts after interpreting traffic signs - GPS-enabled system uses forward-facing camera to remember roadways and direct lighting to help drivers better see bends in the road – effectively lighting the way home on previously travelled routes - Spot Lighting uses infra-red camera to detect pedestrians, cyclists, and animals, and highlight the potential hazards; system can detect up to eight potential hazards and highlight two highest priorities using specially designed headlights and on-screen display AACHEN, Germany, July 17, 2015 – Driving at night, particularly on unlit roads, can be a nerve-wracking experience.

Mercury rises around sexy Cougar pack

With a slightly larger body and a more luxurious interior, the Mercury Cougar doesn't carry quite as much cachet among pony car enthusiasts as the venerable Ford Mustang. But don't try to make that argument around Cougar super-fan Mike Brown. Since starting his Cougar collecting in 1988, Brown has become an absolute expert on the model, and he claims to have owned 400 of the Mercury pony cars in that time. Ten of them are in his collection today, not to mention a heap of spare parts in the garage. Check out some of the rarer members of Brown's fleet and allow him to tell you about them in this interesting interview from Electric Federal.