Summer is officially upon us! I don't know about you, but when it's summertime, I think of road trips and vacations. Also, making sure my car is in tiptop shape to travel all over the country. Here are some of my personal favorites and a few of our staff's favorite places to road trip.
1: Myrtle Beach
Who doesn't love the beach!? This destination is one of the most popular vacation spots amongst all ages. There is so much to do, especially during the hot summer months! There are many places to eat, fun resorts to stay at, occasionally a festival or two, and (the best part) all the sun you can soak in!
2: Disney
The most magical place on Earth! No matter what season it is, this is always the most popular travel destination. With multiple locations (Disney Land & Disney World), this road trip could last you hours or days. You could easily spend a week there and enjoy all your favorite Disney characters, while catching some sun. Make sure your vehicle is full of snacks for the kids and the Disney stations are on repeat.
3: Route 66
This route is also known as the Will Rodgers Highway and stretches all the way from Chicago, Illinois to Las Vegas, Nevada (2,451 miles). While it is no longer in service, Rt. 66 is still a popular historical travel destination for those who like long road trips and that tourist who likes to visit as many states as possible at one time.
4: Geneva On The Lake
Conveniently located in Geneva, Ohio in Ashtabula County, this place is known as "Ohio's paradise beach". Not only can you spend a day at the lake, but you can walk to one of the many winery's they have along the strip. They have tours all the time and you can (responsibly) taste test their wine and food. I've been here countless times and it's always a good day to catch up on some sun without breaking the bank.
5: Cedar Point
Of course, I had to include an amusement park in here that isn't Disney or Universal Studios. Cedar Point is full of crazy rides, great food, and fun games for adults and the kids. Not only do they have rides and such, it is a popular place for Mustang drivers and they are modified to drag cars.
Friday, June 23, 2017
Friday, April 28, 2017
What You Need to Know About Ford Roadside Assistance
When it comes to roadside assistance through Ford, the first
thing you need to know is what exact kind of coverage you have based upon the
vehicle that you drive. For customers who have a Ford that is a 2007 or newer,
the warranty is a little bit more flexible at 5 years or 60,000 miles. If you
are a customer who has a Ford that is a 2006 or earlier, then your warranty is
at 3 years or 36,000 miles.
The benefits that we give our amazing customers through the
roadside assistance program are towing to the nearest Ford dealership within 35
miles, a battery jumpstart, flat tire change, fuel delivery and lock out
assistance. So when untimely events get
you down, you know that you can count on Ford to be there for you!
Therefore the question is, how do you take advantage of
these perks if you are stranded on the side of the road? Well, all you need to do
is call the toll free number at 1-800-665-2006 and have your VIN number at the
ready for the representative that answers your call. This will then give them
the information that they need to know on what kind of coverage you have
available to you and your vehicle. If in case your vehicle is out of warranty
range, the Ford Roadside Assistance will still be available to you, but a
credit card will need to be used for the one-time fee for the service in which
you need.
Friday, April 21, 2017
EcoSport Set to Come to North American Market in 2018
When it comes to purchasing an SUV, the typical idea in mind
is to have something with storage and capability. However, nowadays consumers
are looking for something that is on the smaller side, but still has the
functionality as that of an SUV. That is why in 2018, Ford is expanding the EcoSport
into North America from countries such as Australia and India. This particular
SUV is compact in size, but packs a punch when it comes to the technology and
comfort within.
Athletic and lean in design, the EcoSport is bound to make a
powerful mark in the North American market with its innovative "Blind Spot
Information System" which alerts the driver when other vehicles are
located in their blind spots. Another wonderful feature is SYNC 3 which allows
for Apple and Android users to connect their cellular devices to the vehicle
for added features such as voice recognition,
CarPlay, navigation, a WIFI Hotspot, Bluetooth, SYNC Connect and
FordPass. Friday, April 14, 2017
New EcoBoost Engine Making Headway in F-Series
Back in the day, the sole purpose of purchasing a truck was
to haul your heavy equipment. However, nowadays dynamics have changed and
consumers are setting their sights on a truck that can get the job done, in
addition to being eco-friendly.
The American Council has rated the F-150 4x2
with the 2.7 liter EcoBoost V6 engine as the only "greener choice,"
full sized truck. This truck is lighter, stronger, has an aluminum-alloy body
and an MPG of 19 city/26 highway. This new EcoBoost engine is the smallest that
the F-Series has seen in 68 years. 325 horsepower is created and automatic start and stop is embedded for added
technology. Having this engine in your truck allows for heavier hauling as it
can carry up to a 11,300 pound capacity. In addition, the 2.7 liter engine
utilizes a compacted graphite iron block for extra durability.
Another
prospect aside from the innovative technology is to consider future gas prices
when shopping for a new truck. Looking forward into the rest of 2017 and into 2018,
the U.S. Energy Information Administration is expecting natural gas prices to
average around $3.55 MMBtu (Million British Thermal Units) in 2017 and escalate
to $3.73 MMBtu in 2018. This forecast is up from an average of $2.57 MMBtu for
the years of 2015 and 2016.
Analyzing this data it is easy to
see that gas prices will be rising within the next two years. Therefore, when
shopping for your next Ford truck, it would be highly beneficial to choose one
with an EcoBoost engine so that you, the consumer, could put some money back in
your pocket.
With
technology like this, it is easy to see why for 40 years the F-Series has been
the best selling truck in America and will surely continue to do so with the
innovative and cost efficient technology as that of the EcoBoost engine.
Thursday, April 6, 2017
Ford Impacting Breast
Cancer Patients in a Powerful Way
For 23
years The Ford Motor Company has created a fund, "Warriors in Pink,"
to help breast cancer patients, survivors and co-survivors come together to fight
against this horrible epidemic. The "Warriors in Pink" Fund donates
100% of the proceeds from their apparel line to four breast cancer charities so
that the recipients may be able to live their lives to the fullest, while
battling this disease. The fund also runs a "Models of Courage"
campaign which highlights survivors and gives the world a glimpse into their
lives during and/or after fighting breast cancer. This campaign features what
these survivors do for a living, how long they have been in remission and gives
a Q&A so that the world may relate to them on a more personal level and for
everyone to see that they have not allowed what has happened to them define who
they are.
One of
the particular Models of Courage is Tony Savage, former 49 year old pro
football player from San Diego, California. Tony discovered that he had cancer
when he had been involved in an automobile accident and mentioned to the doctor
that he had noticed a lump in his breast. In a fight to get rid of the cancer,
Tony and his doctors opted to perform a mastectomy in addition to six rounds of
chemotherapy. In a testimonial
discussing his diagnosis, he stated, "none of those injuries (while
playing football) can come close to what your body goes through after you
undergo chemotherapy." He says that without the support from his family and
friends, he would have not been able to get through his darkest hours. Tony has
happily been a breast cancer survivor for three years. Reading Tony's story
shows that this disease does not discriminate against age or gender, but
instead can alter any one particular individual's life dramatically.
In efforts to keep patients upbeat throughout
their diagnosis, the "Warriors in Pink" also give their audience
helpful tips to stay positive through their fight, healthy recipes and
resourceful information to stay strong and fight on! A great testimonial of
continuing to stay positive throughout her fight is Karen Sherrod from Acworth,
Georgia who has was diagnosed in 2008. She is an accountant and mother of two
who says that time is her most treasured possession. Throughout her fight she has looked up to her
mother who was also diagnosed with breast cancer and fortunately beat it. To
keep in a positive state of mind she loves to plant flowers because she says
that it gives her complete peace.
So if you would like more information on how
you can donate, purchase apparel and impact the lives of those just like Tony
and Karen's in a positive way, please visit the website at
www.warriorsinpink.ford.com
Thursday, April 23, 2015
Spring Driving
It is often said that “April showers bring May flowers”, which is certainly true. Another thing the April moisture offers us is adverse driving conditions. Thawing snow can cause icy patches especially in shady areas, on bridges and on overpasses. Those hazards combined with rain water caused by all of that April inclemency can make driving situations treacherous. The roads become even more ferocious when rain and melting ice mixes with the oil and grind already entrenched on the streets. Thankfully there are some things you can do to prepare yourself for Spring driving season so you may enjoy one of the more refreshing times of the year without incident.
One major rule, which is standard for all seasons, is to maintain the proper tire pressure. When our tires are correctly inflated it helps us drive steadier and not slip and slide all over our streets. Finding the amount of air your tire keeps is easy when you refer to your vehicle's owner's manual. Speaking of tires, you should never get tired of rotating them every 5000 miles. That will keep equal tread on them and keep you driving safer. All tires should have at least 2/32 inch of depth on them to be considered good driving shape. A good rule of thumb is to have your tires checked at the beginning of each new season, or if you don't put as many miles on your car as most drivers, each time you get your oil changed. Then you can think of it as taking “your baby” out for a drink and some new shoes!
Large puddles can also make Spring driving disastrous. Splashing water adversely affects your breaks not to mention it impairs both you and other driver's vision. It is difficult at times to see these puddles while driving at night in the rain. That's why it is sage advice to have all of your lights checked before headed out of the garage. Those lights include headlights, tail lights, break lights, reflectors and turn signals. In other words, make sure it blinks so you don't sink! Having your wiper blades in nice working order goes hand in hand with keeping your lights shining. Any reputable service representative can tell you if your car's blades are acceptable, but basically if you can't see where you are going in a rainstorm you should probably consider changing your wiper blades. Remember, people are hard to see in rain and fog so you don't need any added obstacles reducing your chances of avoiding a horrible accident.
Not all Spring driving is done in stormy settings. This season is synonymous with sunshine and warmer days and that means more people are out and about. Be leery of individuals who are out jogging or walking. Many neighborhoods do not furnish its friends with sidewalks so the street is the only pavement those people have to trot on. Although there are beautiful bike paths in a lot of metropolis', bikers still need to get to those private paths or just choose to ride around the block. Slow down when you see your mountain bike brothers and sisters. Boys on bigger bikes are also more prevalent in the pretty weather. Make sure you allow motorcyclists the same honors you would any other motor vehicle operator. Of course, kids come out of their caves once the sun starts shining and they are usually careless when it comes to playing outside. Be on the lookout for youngsters running into the streets, especially when chasing toys are balls they are kicking around. All of the early season rain also leads to our lawns becoming lusher so be sure to pay attention to those people mowing their grass. As is the case for all of the above mentioned groups, lawn manicurists many times where headsets or ear buds to avoid the noise and listen to soothing music. While those tunes may tickle their fancy they may also put their minds in other dimensions, places where paying attention to cars is unnecessary. Lawn cutting service trucks and trailers are a staple of the season and are parked in areas that can be dangerous. Slow down and be extra sure there is no oncoming traffic before moving around these large obstructions. Be careful to avoid any unwanted flying objects shooting loose from the lawnmower too. These UFO's don't carry martians, but can carry heavy insurance claims if they strike your windshield.
People are not the only creatures that are crawling around in the Spring. Animals that have been sleeping all winter are eager to roam the roads in freedom. That freedom does not include being squashed by our newly inflated tires. Stay clear of animals big and small so they can enjoy their months of not being in a somnambulist state. If people and pets are at peace, you can be too as the Spring season saunters into Summer.
One major rule, which is standard for all seasons, is to maintain the proper tire pressure. When our tires are correctly inflated it helps us drive steadier and not slip and slide all over our streets. Finding the amount of air your tire keeps is easy when you refer to your vehicle's owner's manual. Speaking of tires, you should never get tired of rotating them every 5000 miles. That will keep equal tread on them and keep you driving safer. All tires should have at least 2/32 inch of depth on them to be considered good driving shape. A good rule of thumb is to have your tires checked at the beginning of each new season, or if you don't put as many miles on your car as most drivers, each time you get your oil changed. Then you can think of it as taking “your baby” out for a drink and some new shoes!
Large puddles can also make Spring driving disastrous. Splashing water adversely affects your breaks not to mention it impairs both you and other driver's vision. It is difficult at times to see these puddles while driving at night in the rain. That's why it is sage advice to have all of your lights checked before headed out of the garage. Those lights include headlights, tail lights, break lights, reflectors and turn signals. In other words, make sure it blinks so you don't sink! Having your wiper blades in nice working order goes hand in hand with keeping your lights shining. Any reputable service representative can tell you if your car's blades are acceptable, but basically if you can't see where you are going in a rainstorm you should probably consider changing your wiper blades. Remember, people are hard to see in rain and fog so you don't need any added obstacles reducing your chances of avoiding a horrible accident.
Not all Spring driving is done in stormy settings. This season is synonymous with sunshine and warmer days and that means more people are out and about. Be leery of individuals who are out jogging or walking. Many neighborhoods do not furnish its friends with sidewalks so the street is the only pavement those people have to trot on. Although there are beautiful bike paths in a lot of metropolis', bikers still need to get to those private paths or just choose to ride around the block. Slow down when you see your mountain bike brothers and sisters. Boys on bigger bikes are also more prevalent in the pretty weather. Make sure you allow motorcyclists the same honors you would any other motor vehicle operator. Of course, kids come out of their caves once the sun starts shining and they are usually careless when it comes to playing outside. Be on the lookout for youngsters running into the streets, especially when chasing toys are balls they are kicking around. All of the early season rain also leads to our lawns becoming lusher so be sure to pay attention to those people mowing their grass. As is the case for all of the above mentioned groups, lawn manicurists many times where headsets or ear buds to avoid the noise and listen to soothing music. While those tunes may tickle their fancy they may also put their minds in other dimensions, places where paying attention to cars is unnecessary. Lawn cutting service trucks and trailers are a staple of the season and are parked in areas that can be dangerous. Slow down and be extra sure there is no oncoming traffic before moving around these large obstructions. Be careful to avoid any unwanted flying objects shooting loose from the lawnmower too. These UFO's don't carry martians, but can carry heavy insurance claims if they strike your windshield.
People are not the only creatures that are crawling around in the Spring. Animals that have been sleeping all winter are eager to roam the roads in freedom. That freedom does not include being squashed by our newly inflated tires. Stay clear of animals big and small so they can enjoy their months of not being in a somnambulist state. If people and pets are at peace, you can be too as the Spring season saunters into Summer.
Thursday, April 9, 2015
Avoiding Potholes To Avoid Large Problems
Most everyone is familiar with that annoying house guest who comes to stay for a few days then ends up staying for months.
To us drivers, those unwanted visitors are the potholes that appear at the end of each winter and never seem to leave until the temperatures routinely reach the upper 80's. Not only are these potholes so ugly they make our streets look like some undiscovered planet from a science fiction movie, they are also very dangerous to commuters. So dangerous, in fact, that drivers appear as if they are playing a real life version of Frogger when avoiding these craters.
Potholes are caused by relentless freezing and thawing of water under pavement. Those continuous actions weakens our roads. Combine the freezing and thawing with the weight of the vehicles driving over the streets and the age of those streets and you have a recipe for driving disaster. Making matters even worse is that potholes come in more sizes than a pie from your favorite local pizza joint. There are tiny, small, medium, large, extra large, double extra large and some that are so big you expect them to have their own zip code. Unfortunately, these potholes don't discriminate either so it doesn't matter if you are driving a clunker or a $75,000 luxury auto......if you nail one of these holes your car is in big trouble. Potholes have been known to
cause structural damage to your tire(s), alignment problems, tire blowout and axle problems. Amazingly a pothole can cause as much damage to a car as a car crash at 35mph. Sometimes the impact can be so great it triggers the release of the car's airbags.
If you recently nailed one of these pains in the road and think that nothing has happened to your vehicle, don't be fooled. Your car may act normally the rest of that drive, but the next time you need to hit the road, the residual affect of the pothole damage may hit you back. If your car pulls (indicating alignment problems), if you have uneven tire wear, if the tire pressure is consistently low, if your tires bulge or blister, if you find dents in the wheel rims, if your car sways when making turns or if you feel excessive bouncing on clean roads, a pothole may have attacked your car.
Although it may seem as if there is no hope once you've been bitten by one of these monsters, there are steps you can take before you take to the road that may act as protection for your vehicle. The most important safety tip is to keep your car's tires properly inflated. That will help your rubber friends make enemies of the potholes. Look inside your front car door or refer to your owner's manual for proper inflation weight for your tires. Slowing down when approaching a huge hole is another helpful tip and when you are over the hole do not break because that can only lead to more damage. Make sure to hold your steering wheel firmly when hitting a pothole so you don't lose control of your car. Another sage piece of advice is to not be fooled by a puddle of water. Many times, those puddles are just masking those pesky potholes acting as Sirens luring your car to a rocky shipwreck. Finally, make sure to leave proper distance between you and the car in front of you so, just in case that car suddenly stops at the sight of a pothole, you don't end up with front end damage and an insurance claim to add to your troubles.
Speaking of the insurance companies, they usually do all they can to help you if your car has been hurt by a hole. Read over the fine print in your coverage documentation to see how much if any you need to pay and how much damage is covered. As far as recovering the cost of repairs from the city, county or state in which these potholes preside.....good luck! It is not a sure thing that any aid will be afforded to you. It all depends on where you live. Before filing a complaint, be positive what governing branch is in charge of the road where you hit the hole so you don't waste time complaining to the state when it's the county's jurisdiction for example. By the way, don't assume that if you drive on the opposite side of the road to avoid a pothole and a police officer stops you you'll escape without getting a ticket. In most circumstances, riding on the wrong side of the street is still a driving offense so you better find a very compassionate cop that will let you go free of a fine.
Thankfully, many of these holes are starting to be filled so flip a tip of your cap to the local city/county/state worker who is out there sweating behind a truck full of very hot patch. Meanwhile, to the potholes that still linger and await to cause headaches to both you and your beloved vehicle, flip those beasts something else.
To us drivers, those unwanted visitors are the potholes that appear at the end of each winter and never seem to leave until the temperatures routinely reach the upper 80's. Not only are these potholes so ugly they make our streets look like some undiscovered planet from a science fiction movie, they are also very dangerous to commuters. So dangerous, in fact, that drivers appear as if they are playing a real life version of Frogger when avoiding these craters.
Potholes are caused by relentless freezing and thawing of water under pavement. Those continuous actions weakens our roads. Combine the freezing and thawing with the weight of the vehicles driving over the streets and the age of those streets and you have a recipe for driving disaster. Making matters even worse is that potholes come in more sizes than a pie from your favorite local pizza joint. There are tiny, small, medium, large, extra large, double extra large and some that are so big you expect them to have their own zip code. Unfortunately, these potholes don't discriminate either so it doesn't matter if you are driving a clunker or a $75,000 luxury auto......if you nail one of these holes your car is in big trouble. Potholes have been known to
cause structural damage to your tire(s), alignment problems, tire blowout and axle problems. Amazingly a pothole can cause as much damage to a car as a car crash at 35mph. Sometimes the impact can be so great it triggers the release of the car's airbags.
If you recently nailed one of these pains in the road and think that nothing has happened to your vehicle, don't be fooled. Your car may act normally the rest of that drive, but the next time you need to hit the road, the residual affect of the pothole damage may hit you back. If your car pulls (indicating alignment problems), if you have uneven tire wear, if the tire pressure is consistently low, if your tires bulge or blister, if you find dents in the wheel rims, if your car sways when making turns or if you feel excessive bouncing on clean roads, a pothole may have attacked your car.
Although it may seem as if there is no hope once you've been bitten by one of these monsters, there are steps you can take before you take to the road that may act as protection for your vehicle. The most important safety tip is to keep your car's tires properly inflated. That will help your rubber friends make enemies of the potholes. Look inside your front car door or refer to your owner's manual for proper inflation weight for your tires. Slowing down when approaching a huge hole is another helpful tip and when you are over the hole do not break because that can only lead to more damage. Make sure to hold your steering wheel firmly when hitting a pothole so you don't lose control of your car. Another sage piece of advice is to not be fooled by a puddle of water. Many times, those puddles are just masking those pesky potholes acting as Sirens luring your car to a rocky shipwreck. Finally, make sure to leave proper distance between you and the car in front of you so, just in case that car suddenly stops at the sight of a pothole, you don't end up with front end damage and an insurance claim to add to your troubles.
Speaking of the insurance companies, they usually do all they can to help you if your car has been hurt by a hole. Read over the fine print in your coverage documentation to see how much if any you need to pay and how much damage is covered. As far as recovering the cost of repairs from the city, county or state in which these potholes preside.....good luck! It is not a sure thing that any aid will be afforded to you. It all depends on where you live. Before filing a complaint, be positive what governing branch is in charge of the road where you hit the hole so you don't waste time complaining to the state when it's the county's jurisdiction for example. By the way, don't assume that if you drive on the opposite side of the road to avoid a pothole and a police officer stops you you'll escape without getting a ticket. In most circumstances, riding on the wrong side of the street is still a driving offense so you better find a very compassionate cop that will let you go free of a fine.
Thankfully, many of these holes are starting to be filled so flip a tip of your cap to the local city/county/state worker who is out there sweating behind a truck full of very hot patch. Meanwhile, to the potholes that still linger and await to cause headaches to both you and your beloved vehicle, flip those beasts something else.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)