Ford burnout-assist option goes standard on 2018 Mustangs

For some, it’s an annoyance. They don’t like the sound. They don’t like the smell. They cast a bothered glance at anyone who creates one. They just don’t see the point. For others, however, it’s almost an intravenous infusion of adrenaline. Their hearts beat faster, they start tapping their feet and they feel a little sweaty in the palms. It’s called a burnout and, for sports- and muscle-car enthusiasts, it’s the equivalent of giving a jet fighter just a touch of its afterburners.

Of course, a driver can do a burnout in their car for more than the adrenaline rush. For NASCAR drivers, it’s a way to celebrate after winning a race. But, for drag racers, it’s a way to heat up the tires before racing – before the light comes down to green on the Christmas tree. Drag racers want their tires hot and sticky so that they’ll grab when it’s time to hit the gas (and let out the clutch, if they have a stick). They want to take off in a hurry and hot-sticky tires help.

Ford Motor Company must appreciate the motivations that drive drivers to do burnouts. In 2015, Ford introduced a feature on its V8 Mustang GT and Shelby GT350 models – an electronically controlled device designed to help the cars do burnouts. The device locks down the front tires so that the driver can hit the case and make the rear tires spin – make the rear tires burn rubber.

A FOXNews story makes the assertion that “Ford is escalating its war on tires” with the device, which is known as ‘Line-Lock.’ And, by escalating, the story is referring to the news that Ford is making the device standard equipment on all its Mustangs, “including those equipped with the 2.3-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine.”

Lest anyone think that the device is intended for any other purpose, when it is engaged, a symbol of a rubber-burning tire appears on the dashboard.

Wikipedia traces the origin of burnouts to drag racing. Drag racers would often get their tires wet to enhance the ability of a burnout to heat the tires. In some cases, they used bleach or rosin to further increase the effect of a burnout.

Today, there are burnout competitions. In 2016, NOPI held its National Burnout Competition in Myrtle Beach (NOPI is a distributor of replacement and performance auto parts). Do a search on Youtube and you can find video of that competition, as well as others, including drag racers doing burnouts and street rodders doing burnouts. You won’t be able to smell the rubber burning but, otherwise, you can get a taste of burnouts before you hit the street.

http://www.foxnews.com/auto/2017/06/29/tire-torturing-line-lock-feature-to-be-standard-on-all-2018-ford-mustangs.html

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