Will That Last Minute Gift Fit? The All-New Ford Fusion Swallows The Flat Screen

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Happy Holidays from Ford Social -- Motor Me: Ford Mustang

Car Maintenance Tip of the Week

Tires

A car tire inflated to 35 pounds per square inch (psi) can lose one psi every month or for every 10 degrees Fahrenheit of temperature change, so your car maintenance checklist should include checking tire pressure. Find the recommended level in the owner’s manual or on a sticker on the driver’s side door jamb. And don’t forget the spare.

Rotate tires every 6,000 miles to prevent uneven wear, replace them when they become worn and have the alignment checked if the car pulls to either side when driving or if you notice uneven tire wear.

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Ford to Equip 2014 Fiesta with Updated MyFord Touch System

Following a trend that has seen everything from laptop and desktop computers to smartphones and tablets shrink in size and grow in capability, the folks at Ford say they are equipping the 2014 Fiesta with an updated and downsized version of its MyFord Touch infotainment system.

The 2014 Fiesta, which gets the new Ford corporate fascia up front, will feature a 6.5-inch LCD touchscreen in the dash. Ford said the previous screen in the Fiesta was 4 inches, but it was not a MyFord Touch screen. Rather, it was used solely to display radio information. And it was monocrhomatic. The new MyFord Touch screen is, of course, full-color, and it’s smaller than some of the MyFord Touch screens offered in current Fords. The 2013 Fusion featured an 8-inch screen, for example.

Among other improvements Ford says it has made to the 2014 Fiesta’s infotainment and connectivity features, it says pairing a phone via Bluetooth is now simpler, voice recognition software now allows users to speak more naturally, and controlling navigation and radio tuning by voice involves less words and steps.

Ford Cross-Vehicle Marketing Manager Michelle Moody said, ““We are seeing strong brand lift from MyFord Touch amongst in-market shoppers, with 65 percent of those intending to purchase a vehicle reporting SYNC definitely plays a role in their purchase consideration. Take rates for MyFord Touch on new vehicle orders, such as the 2013 Escape and Fusion, continue to outpace our internal projections. We expect the same trend for Fiesta.”

Courtesy of technologytell.com

Car Maintenance Tip of the Week

Headlights and brake lights

With your car turned on and parked, have someone walk around to see that your lights are working – headlights, brake and tail lights, turn signals, etc.

Replacing bulbs in today’s vehicles can be a challenge. Have a mechanic do the job, particularly replacing and aiming headlights. A pro also knows if the problem is a blown fuse, not a burned out bulb.

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2014 Ford Fiesta hands-on review: 45 mpg from a 1-liter gasoline engine?

As the world searches for cars that use less fuel, a small car with a powerful small engine seems obvious. But four cylinders has been the absolute minimum in the US. Few cars have engines smaller than 1.5 liters, and only the soft-selling Smart Fortwo has three cylinders. Ford poured on the technology to give the engine 123 hp via a turbocharger, gasoline direct injection, and variable valve timing. Some customers may have trouble seeing themselves buying a car of three cylinders in a country so vast. Based on a day-long drive, I believe most people won’t know, or care, how many cylinders the Fiesta 1.0-liter has. It should be a non-issue.

To damp the vibration and roughness in a three-cylinder engine design that is inherently unbalanced (unlike an inline six, V8 or V12), Ford engineers unbalanced the flywheel (in the opposite direction to the engine’s imbalance) rather than resort to a power-draining, counter-rotating balancer shaft. To keep the engine noise down, the bottom of the timing chain runs through an engine oil bath. All this tech lives in an engine footprint that is covered (looking straight down) by a standard sheet of paper. It would take three Ford Fiesta engines to equal the displacement of the 3-liter turbo engine in the BMW 3 Series, but the Ford engines would put out a combined 363 hp to BMW’s 300 hp.

The power-to-weight ratio of 123 willing horsepower driving a 2,500-pound car yields a subcompact that feels quick, especially if you work the five-speed manual gearbox. Despite the quick feel, the 0-60 mph time will be around 10 seconds, which hasn’t been quick for a decade. But adequate, yes. The upside is miles per gallon. Ford says the EcoBoost Fiesta will get more than 40 mpg highway and also says it will deliver a highway rating better than any non-hybrid car sold in the US. The manual transmission Chevrolet Cruz Eco gets 42 mpg highway from gasoline; the larger Volkswagen Passat sedan with a diesel engine gets 43 mpg. Thus the Fiesta will be at or close to 45 mpg if Ford’s projections are on target.

A co-driver and I got a bit less than 30 mpg overall pushing the car hard in hilly country but that was city-highway driving and nobody is going to get close to EPA ratings on Malibu Canyon Road.

4-5 years to pay off the $1,000 EcoBoost price premium

Will a highly efficient EcoBoost Fiesta save you money? Yes, after four or five years. It could be longer. To see how long, build your own Excel spreadsheet or try to follow the arithmetic here without nodding off. If the Fiesta EcoBoost costs $1,000 more, gets 35 mpg city, 45 mpg highway and an average of 40 mpg — our estimates — in a year driving 12,000 miles, it will burn 300 gallons — $1,050 of regular gasoline, at $3.50 a gallon.

In comparison, the Fiesta with a decent 1.6-liter, 120-hp normally aspirated (no turbo) engine runs $14,200-$20,000 and gets 29-39-33 mpg (city driving counts for 55% of the average.) Over 12,000 miles, the non-turbo Fiesta will use 364 gallons or $1,273 of gas, making the difference $223 a year and the break-even period about four years. If the combined mpg rating of the new Fiesta is 38 not 40 mpg, it would be a five-year payback, still not bad compared to the 10-year payback for some of the less efficient hybrids. If gasoline jumps to $4.50 a gallon, you’re in luck, sort of: The payback for 12,000-mile drivers drops to from five to three and a half years. If you drive just 7,500 miles a year, you’re using less gas, saving only $140 a year, and you’ll need seven years to break even.

It will be unclear if Ford will continue the SFE (special fuel economy) package on the current Fiesta. For $695 extra you get a modified 1.6-liter non-turbo engine, aerodynamic wheel covers, aerodynamic underbody cladding, 1-2 mpg better highway rating (40 mpg), and the same 33 mpg overall rating. Chevrolet has a similar package in the Cruz Eco, also in an attempt to keep pace with the 40 mpg Hyundais (now 39 mpg after Hyundai fessed up to misstating results). Buyers have been staying away from the Ford and Chevy eco packages in droves. You’d need at least 10 years to earn back those premiums. And you have to be skilled to even find the SFE models at Ford.com. Only Jimmy Hoffa is better hidden.

Courtesy of extremetech.com

Car Maintenance Tip of the Week

Engine oil

Checking and changing oil is critical to keep today’s engines running properly and efficiently. Follow manufacturer guidelines for changing the lubricant – generally, every 3,000 miles or three to six months.

Check the oil level with the engine off and the car parked on a level surface. Open the hood, remove the dipstick, wipe it clean with a cloth or paper towel, then return it to the oil reservoir. Take it out again and see whether the level is within the acceptable range marked on the dipstick. If you add oil, don’t overfill, which can damage the engine.

Ford Social Gives Citizen Journalists Access to the 2012 SEMA Show

Monthly Coupon Specials: November

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New 2014 Ford Fiesta Adds MyFord Touch with Improved Voice Recognition, Navigation and Phone Pairing

The latest trend in consumer electronics is the miniaturization of the gadgets we love, while packing them with even more performance such as a razor-thin phone that doesn’t bulge in a pocket, smaller tablets that can be held with one hand, or music players that can be worn on the wrist. Ford is following suit, and beginning next year it will offer MyFord Touch^® with a new 6.5-inch LCD touch screen available on the 2014 Ford Fiesta.

“Technology features are important to all of our customers including small car buyers, and MyFord Touch continues to drive up purchase consideration of our vehicles,” says Michelle Moody, Ford cross-vehicle marketing manager. “MyFord Touch is appealing to customers, as it consistently ranks among the top 10 purchase considerations with new owners. We’re excited to bring it to the small car segment, where it will really help Fiesta stand out from the crowd.”

The migration of this technology comes right as Ford hits the five year anniversary of its award-winning SYNC^® in-vehicle connectivity system that was co-developed with Microsoft; more than 5 million cars and trucks have been sold with the system. Ford first launched SYNC on the 2008 Focus, then its smallest and most affordable car. Now, unveiling MyFord Touch for Fiesta cements Ford’s commitment to making technology affordable and accessible to everyone.

“We are seeing strong brand lift from MyFord Touch amongst in-market shoppers, with 65 percent of those intending to purchase a vehicle reporting SYNC definitely plays a role in their purchase consideration,” says Moody. “Take rates for MyFord Touch on new vehicle orders, such as the 2013 Escape and Fusion, continue to outpace our internal projections. We expect the same trend for Fiesta.”

Besides the new MyFord Touch 6.5-inch color touch screen, which is an upgrade over the currently available 4-inch screen, the 2014 Fiesta will launch with the latest SYNC software that adds new features including:

• Simplified Bluetooth^® phone pairing: When pairing, the driver simply has to hit “OK” if the PIN on the phone and touch screen match each other
• More natural voice recognition: Drivers can now simply say “Play <name>” when requesting a specific artist, song, album or genre of music (i.e. “Play jazz” versus “Play genre jazz”)
• Improved voice recognition accuracy: The latest version of Nuance’s speech software, VoCon^® 3200 v4.2, improves overall voice recognition performance
• Flattened audio command structure: At any time, drivers can say the station frequency, “AM 760,” or the official name of the Sirius station, like “Hits 1,” to tune in; drivers no longer need to say “Radio” or “Sirius” to indicate their desire to listen to those audio sources
• Simplified navigation controls: The destination entry screen has been improved to help make it easier to enter an address

With MyFord Touch powered by Microsoft, Fiesta drivers will be able to stay connected to their lives, easily getting the information and entertainment they want while keeping their hands on the wheel and eyes on the road.

Courtesy of media.ford.com

Car Maintenance Tip of the Week

Engine oil

Checking and changing oil is critical to keep today’s engines running properly and efficiently. Follow manufacturer guidelines for changing the lubricant – generally, every 3,000 miles or three to six months.

Check the oil level with the engine off and the car parked on a level surface. Open the hood, remove the dipstick, wipe it clean with a cloth or paper towel, then return it to the oil reservoir. Take it out again and see whether the level is within the acceptable range marked on the dipstick. If you add oil, don’t overfill, which can damage the engine.

 

Car Maintenance Tip of the Week

Brakes and brake fluid

Check to ensure that brake fluid levels are within tolerance. How often you need to replace brake pads or other components depends on how you drive and typical driving conditions. Warning signs of a brake problem include noise, vibration or “grabbing” when you apply the brakes. Working on your brakes is a job probably best left to the professionals.

Freeway Ford - Thanksgiving Sale

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Because You Asked...What is Driver Alert?

New/Used Inventory Online

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Ford Introduces New Seven-Passenger People Mover with a Difference: Transit Connect Wagon First to Exceed 30 MPG

Ford, the most fuel-efficient full-line manufacturer, introduces the first seven-passenger people mover expected to break the 30 mpg-plus highway barrier with the all-new Transit Connect Wagon, which drives like a car, has the flexibility of a utility and can haul the payload of a full-size pickup.

“Transit Connect Wagon gives young families and people on the go the fun-to-drive and efficient vehicle they’ve been looking for,” said Mark Fields, Ford’s President of The Americas. “It’s an all-new, smaller seven-seater that has better mileage than larger vans and creates a segment of its own. Customers also will love the unique combination of style, adaptability and affordability this wagon brings.”

Transit Connect Wagon is offered in two wheelbase lengths, in five- and seven-passenger configurations, and in XL, XLT and Titanium series levels. No other wagon in the market today offers the convenience of fold-flat seating, at least a 1,200-pound payload and more than 100 cubic feet of cargo space.

When properly equipped, this versatile wagon is approved to tow up to 2,000 pounds, 500 pounds more than a four-cylinder Toyota Highlander SUV.

Have it your way

Transit Connect Wagon offers customers a choice between two fuel-efficient four-cylinder engines – a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine and an optional 1.6-liter EcoBoost^® that is estimated to deliver 30 mpg-plus on the highway. This powertrain makes Transit Connect Wagon the gas mileage leader among seven-passenger vehicles.

Both engines come mated to a convenient six-speed automatic transmission, geared for around-town responsiveness and low-rpm highway cruising.

Transit Connect Wagon is available in a wide variety of configurations and series levels, offering unexpected features in a high-value package with low operating costs.

This stylish, contemporary design is offered in two wheelbase lengths, a choice of five- or seven-passenger seating arrangements, and offers meaningful options like a full-glass panoramic roof, rear view camera, 6.5-inch touch screen display with navigation, and SYNC^® with MyFord Touch^® – Ford’s highly acclaimed voice-activated communications and entertainment system.

Transit Connect Wagon’s global design includes premium cues throughout such as available full body-color exterior accents with jewel-like chrome trim and high-gloss interior trim pieces. A range of seating surfaces, from luxurious leather, comfortable cloth and heavy-duty vinyl, is available to suit the specific needs of a wide variety of potential customers.

Commercial-strength DNA in a family versatility vehicle

Transit Connect Wagon’s work-hard/play-hard nature is reflected in cargo-carrying capacity and room for up to seven comfortably seated passengers, wrapped in a high-strength body engineered to rigorous global commercial vehicle durability standards.

The all-new Transit Connect Wagon builds on the foundation of reliability and durability established by the current Transit Connect compact van. Introduced in North America in 2009, Transit Connect has become the must-have vehicle for small business proprietors, thanks to its unmatched combination of payload and cargo capacities, adaptability, fuel efficiency, maneuverability and overall ease of driving.

Transit Connect was recognized as an innovative “white space” vehicle – literally carving out a new category in the market – by the automotive industry press corps when it was named North American Truck of the Year in January 2010 at the North American International Auto Show.

Now selling at a pace of 35,000 units per year, Transit Connect has become a favorite of small businesses, corporate fleets, taxi operators and a few individualistic owners who find its combination of a car-like ride and the cargo capacity of a van just right for their personal use.

“The all-new Transit Connect Wagon will expand the personal-use audience for this versatile nameplate by offering up to seven-passenger capacity across three rows of seating in a fully trimmed interior,” said Hau Thai-Tang, Ford vice president of Global Engineering, Global Product Development. “It has an extensive selection of comfort, convenience and connectivity options, and a full complement of safety features – making it a modern, family-friendly alternative to oversized minivans.”

All Transit Connect Wagon models feature first-row frontal, pelvis and side airbags, with first-, second- and third-row side curtain airbags in long-wheelbase models. Short-wheelbase versions get first- and second-row side curtain airbags.

Ford’s award-winning MyKey^® programmable ignition key enables restricting maximum vehicle speed and audio system volume, bringing additional peace of mind to both parents and fleet administrators alike.

Transit Connect Wagon even offers a child observation mirror so parents can keep track of children safely belted in second- and third-row seats.

Infinite adaptability

Inside, the Transit Connect Wagon package is a rolling showcase for adaptability in hauling both people and cargo.

From its 60/40 three-passenger second-row bench seat through fold-flat second- and third-row seating with third-row independent fore-and-aft sliding capability, Transit Connect Wagon quickly adapts to accommodate multiple combinations of people and cargo.

Also available is an electric windshield defroster, making short work of icy windshields in wintry conditions and when parking Transit Connect Wagon on the street.

The versatile Transit Connect Wagon offers far better fuel efficiency than traditional minivans, compact-car-like maneuverability and handling, combined with unprecedented payload and cargo capabilities.

Look for Transit Connect Wagon to appear in North American Ford dealerships in the fourth quarter of 2013

Courtesy of corporate.ford.com

Car Maintenance Tip of the Week

Engine coolant

Replace most engine coolant or antifreeze every 30,000 miles – or every two to three years. Newer formulas, however, may last up to 50,000 miles. To check coolant level, turn the car off and wait for the engine to cool. Locate the coolant reservoir (usually a translucent plastic tank) and eyeball the level of the coolant against the full and low indicators.

Ford's New EV+ Feature

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2013 Ford F-Series Super Duty Raises the Bar with Best-in-Class Towing and Payload Benchmarks

Ford continues to strengthen the F-Series lineup for 2013, raising the bar for Super Duty towing, hauling and braking to again set the standard among heavy-duty trucks.

“Super Duty pickups and chassis cabs are the segment benchmarks, chosen by tradesmen more than any other heavy-duty truck to get the job done,” said Raj Nair, Ford group vice president, Global Product Development. “To help our customers continue to become more productive and efficient, we’ve increased our towing and payload capability yet again.”

Best-in-class towing and payload

F-Series Super Duty trucks are engineered to meet the demands of the toughest customers. With their needs in mind, Ford engineers have raised conventional towing capacity to a class-leading 18,500 pounds, besting the nearest competitor by 500 pounds.

Increased towing brawn goes hand-in-hand with improved payload capability to a class-leading 7,260 pounds.

Improved brakes

F-Series Super Duty’s best-in-class payload numbers are supported by an improved brake system that delivers increased capability and usability.

Braking engineers increased brake rotor swept area by 16.4 percent in front and 14.5 percent in the rear for maximum braking to help dissipate heat, especially on long downhill grades.

These changes support a 700-pound increase in the maximum Gross Vehicle Weight Rating to a best-in-class 14,000 pounds. Improved brake pads and a retuned booster enable enhanced pedal brake feel to increase driver confidence.

“We’ve really improved brake feel,” said Michael Watkins, brake system engineer. “There’s refined modulation in the pedal – you really feel the stopping power. With a full load of cargo, drivers will notice strong, confidence-inspiring brakes.”

A larger parking brake for F-250 and F-350 models also allowed an increase in maximum payload rating.

Available adjustable pedals also enhance customer comfort by personalizing the interface between driver and brake system.

All-new F-Series Super Duty Platinum

Other changes for 2013 include the introduction of the all-new Platinum series model and the availability of SYNC^® with MyFord Touch^®.

The Platinum series makes a bold statement with a grille that features a satin chrome surround highlighted by perforated mesh inside, plus other special exterior upgrades. The interior showcases luxury in the form of premium wood grain appliqués, a heated and leather-wrapped steering wheel, and other high-end luxury touches.

The 2013 F-Series Super Duty builds on the foundation of SYNC with MyFord Touch, which is available for the first time. A new 8-inch, high-resolution touch screen display gives drivers easy access to phone, climate control, entertainment and navigation features, along with a dramatically expanded voice control vocabulary.

The 8-inch display screen also provides a large, clear view behind the truck when in reverse to help drivers maneuver in tight spaces or line up conventional trailers with the truck’s hitch.

Unique to Ford F-Series, the physical interface for MyFord Touch has been optimized to accommodate truck users who may be wearing work gloves by providing easy access to climate controls and audio presets on the center stack.

Expect more

Leadership is expected of F-Series, which has been the best-selling truck in the U.S. for 35 straight years.

Historically, best-in-class towing and payload capability and legendary Built Ford Tough durability have driven F-Series customer loyalty. The 6.7-liter Power Stroke^® diesel and 6.2-liter V8 gasoline engines – with class-leading fuel economy – give Ford customers even more reasons to stay loyal in the years ahead.

Courtesy of blueovalnews.com

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Ford Announces SVT Raptor Off-Road School

Ford Racing Raptor Assault program provides hands-on experience in high-performance off-road driving over a variety of terrain at the state-of-the-art Miller Motorsports Park outside Salt Lake City. The 2013 season offers several opportunities for enthusiasts and the curious alike to participate

Raptor Assault allows drivers of all skill levels to get behind the wheel for their own extreme off-road adventure. A variety of terrain, including an eight-acre rock-crawling course, a 22-acre high-speed off-road short course, and a 900-acre desert racing course are available to demonstrate Raptor's portfolio of off-road capabilities

The 2013 SVT Raptor demonstrates Ford's focus on raising the bar for off-road capabilities in a production truck, offering customers more of the tools they need to tackle everything off the beaten track including industry-exclusive beadlock wheels to help increase grip in low-traction conditions

DEARBORN, Mich., Oct. 23, 2012 – Owners and fans of the ultimate high-performance off-road vehicle – the Ford F-150 SVT Raptor – now have a unique opportunity to experience it at a state-of-the-art off-road course at Miller Motorsports Park in Utah.

Introduced in 2009, the Ford F-150 SVT Raptor is the only production-ready vehicle on the market that combines the best of on-road driving and Ford tough truck capability with high-performance off-road ability. Ford has sold more than 28,000 Raptors, making it the best-selling specialty truck ever from Ford.

To broaden the experience behind the wheel of the F-150 SVT Raptor, Ford – with Miller Motorsports Park – has created the Ford Racing Raptor Assault program.

This new program provides hands-on experience in high-performance off-road driving over a variety of terrain at Miller Motorsports Park outside Salt Lake City. The 2013 season offers numerous dates where those interested can sign up to participate in the fun.

"We're very excited about the Ford Racing Raptor Assault program," said Mickey Matus, Marketing Communication manager for Ford Racing. "The variety of terrain offered at Miller Motorsports Park is unique in North America, and perfectly suited to showcasing the high-performance off-road capabilities of the formidable F-150 SVT Raptor."

Robust capability and sales
The 2013 F-150 SVT Raptor demonstrates Ford's focus on raising the bar for off-road capabilities in a production truck, offering customers more of the tools they need to tackle everything off the beaten track.

Strong sales reflect the work Ford engineers have put into making Raptor a dynamic presence on- and off-road. In September, sales were up more than 40 percent from the year before – part of a more than 30 percent increase year-to-date over 2011.

Raptor's newly available forged wheels combine the proven reliability of a conventional wheel with the capability to convert to a true beadlock wheel. These wheels secure the edges of a tire to the wheel between two surfaces, so the tire is unlikely to roll off the rim if it's aired down to very low pressure, providing extra grip on the trail.

A Raptor development imperative has been to continually improve off-road prowess in every dimension, from rock-crawling to hammer-down desert-running. Last year, Ford began offering a grille-mounted camera to improve driver visibility when climbing over rocks and other obstacles that might be obscured by the front of the truck.

The 2012 model year saw Raptor add a Torsen® limited-slip differential to the 4WD system enabling the truck to balance traction between both front wheels. If the left front wheel loses traction, the system forces torque to the right front wheel, and vice versa. The system is optimized to help minimize steering kickback when navigating challenging surfaces.

The SVT Raptor is available exclusively with a 6.2-liter V8 engine producing best-in-class 411 horsepower and 434 lb.-ft. of torque, mated to an electronic six-speed automatic transmission with tow/haul mode and SelectShift Automatic® functionality. The 4WD system features electronic shift-on-the-fly capability for the transfer case.

Opportunities to drive and ride off-road
The Raptor Assault program allows drivers of all skill levels to get behind the wheel for their own extreme off-road adventure. A variety of terrain, including an eight-acre rock-crawling course, a 22-acre high-speed off-road short course, and a 900-acre desert racing course are available to demonstrate Raptor's portfolio of off-road capabilities.

Three experiences are offered: a hot laps ride-along program; a three-hour Raptor Assault Experience that includes driving on the rock-crawling course and off-road short course, plus hot laps with a professional driver; and a one-day school that includes driving on all three off-road facilities in addition to hot laps with a professional driver. Special discounted pricing is available for Raptor owners.

The Ford Racing Raptor Assault is the latest addition to a portfolio of high-performance experiential opportunities -- supported by Ford Racing – designed to provide Ford performance enthusiasts with professional opportunities to take their skills to the next level and to experience exciting new Ford products in a controlled environment. The other programs include road course instruction, rallying, and drag racing.

Courtesy of Autoblog

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Monday Maintenance Tip!

It's time for the  Monday maintenance tip! Does your car key share a chain with a dozen or more other keys?

That’s a pretty heavy load hanging off the ignition. The weight, combined with bouncing while you drive, can wear out the tumblers inside the ignition and eventually lead to ignition switch failure. Drive with only the ignition key in your ignition. If your ignition key “sticks” when you try to turn on the car, it’s a warning that your ignition switch is about to fail. Replace it before you get stranded. Stay safe out there!

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Special: $179.95 Motorcraft Complete Brake Service

End of the month special! Get it while it lasts! $179.95 for a Motorcraft complete brake service!

Details: Offer includes brake pads or shoes, machining rotors or drums and labor included. Per-axle front or rear price on most cars and light trucks. Taxes extra. See Service Advisor for vehicle exclusions and details. Offer valid with coupon. Valid only at Freeway Ford MN. Cannot be combined with any other specials, discounts, or offers. See Freeway Ford MN for complete details. Offer expires 10-31-2012

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Ford Expands Support for Professional Drifting; Announces Official Partnership with Formula DRIFT

Ford is expanding its involvement in professional drifting competition by becoming an official partner of Formula DRIFT and the 2013 Formula DRIFT championship.

“Our involvement with Formula DRIFT is not new, but we are taking it to the next level with this announcement,” said Jamie Allison, director, Ford Racing. “Enthusiasts can now see our great Mustangs on the track with great drivers like Vaughn Gittin Jr. and Justin Pawlak, and they'll get a better chance to interact with our stars as well as our exciting production vehicles off track through consumer outreach at all the events. Formula DRIFT is a major part of our action motorsports program targeting new audiences for Ford.”

Ford has actively supported the professional drifting efforts of Team Falken Tire and drivers including Gittin, Pawlak and others since 2005. Two-time D1 Grand Prix champion Gittin won the 2010 Formula DRIFT championship at the wheel of a Mustang GT and leads the 2012 series going into this weekend’s finale. Pawlak, the 2011 Formula DRIFT series runnerup, won the first two rounds in 2012 and currently sits fourth – 70 points behind Gittin.

Initially popularized by fans of import sport compacts, professional drifting has taken root with a younger, more active audience that’s interested in nontraditional, emerging motorsports. Formula DRIFT estimates 87 percent of its fan base is 18 to 34 years old. Ford involvement in Formula DRIFT is a significant part of the company’s outreach to this group that might consider a Ford vehicle like the Fiesta, Focus, Mustang or Raptor.

Drifting is one of many nontraditional approaches Ford is using to reach new customers including social network conversations, soliciting user-generated content through programs like Fiesta Movement and Social.Ford.com, cross-platform marketing programs like Random Acts of Fusion, and the Octane Academy experiential program featuring Gittin, Ken Block, Brian Deegan and Tanner Foust.

“Ever since Ford came into the series competitively in 2005, we have seen the power of what a factory-backed effort can do,” said Ryan Sage, co-founder/vice-president, Formula DRIFT. “Now we are even more excited to have them on as an official partner for the final event of the year and into 2013.”

The finale of the 2012 season of the Formula DRIFT championship is taking place this weekend at Irwindale Speedway (east of Los Angeles) on October 12-13, 2012 for the final event of its ninth season. The Mustangs of Gittin and Pawlak are both in contention for the championship. 

Ford Formula DRIFT competition highlights:

• 2005-2007 – Ford Racing uses an entry in Formula DRIFT for an engine development program for supercharged 4.6-liter V8 crate engines; Mustang driver Ken Gushi wins first-ever Formula DRIFT event for Mustang (Houston)
• 2008 – Ford Racing shifts its technical and product support to the Team Falken Tire’s drift program, featuring Vaughn Gittin Jr.’s teal and blue Mustang; driving his Mustang, Gittin wins Formula DRIFT season finale (Irwindale)
• 2010 – Gittin introduces Monster Energy to Team Falken Tire and Formula DRIFT, securing partner support; wins two Formula DRIFT events (Long Beach, Infineon) and earns six podium finishes in seven events on his way to Formula DRIFT championship; Pawlak joins Team Falken as the driver of that program’s teal and blue Mustang
• 2011 – Pawlak rides Team Falken Tire Mustang to two Formula DRIFT victories (Long Beach, Road Atlanta) before finishing as the series runnerup just 5.75 points behind first place
• 2012 – Both Pawlak (Long Beach, Road Atlanta) and Gittin (New Jersey, Washington) score two wins each for Mustang before entering the season finale at Irwindale, sitting fourth and first in the championship, respectively, setting Mustang on the podium at five of the six Formula DRIFT events
• 2005-2012 – Mustang has earned one Formula DRIFT championship, 10 Formula DRIFT event wins and a total of 22 podium finishes

Keep up the great service Freeway Ford team!

"Coupon for an oil change. Prompt, friendly, timely..." -Anonymous

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Maintenance Tip #4

We have a great Monday Maintenance tip for you today... Tip #4 - Don’t fill up if you see the tanker.
If you happen to see a gasoline tanker filling the tanks at your local gas station, come back another day or go to a different station. As the station’s underground tanks are being filled, the turbulence can stir up sediment. Sediment in your gas can clog fuel filters and fuel injectors, causing poor performance and possibly necessitating repairs.

Great job Freeway Ford service team!

"Every time I have brought my Truck in for service it's been outstanding. All has been the best. Keep up the good work." -Plumber

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Random Acts of Fusion: Kate Works It at Fashion's Night Out

Did you know?

Did you know that former President Bill Clinton drives one of the top ten presidential cars?

Clinton embodied the baby boomer generation in many ways. The first boomer president owned the most iconic car of that generation, a 1967 Ford Mustang convertible. Originally, the Clearwater Aqua car belonged to his younger brother Roger, but it didn't leave the president's driveway from soon after college until he became president. Even during his presidency, he was allowed to drive it briefly at a celebration of the car's 30th anniversary in 1994. The 250 feet it covered was the longest distance a sitting U.S. President has driven their own vehicle.

Courtesy of Cars.com

Ford Motor Company’s Michigan Assembly Plant Named Plant Of The Year By ASSEMBLY Magazine

Ford Motor Company’s Michigan Assembly Plant has been named Assembly Plant of the Year by ASSEMBLY Magazine. It is the first time an automaker, as well as a plant in Michigan, has earned the honor.

 “MAP is an example of Ford manufacturing at its best – a flexible facility that is using a highly trained work force to build fuel efficient vehicles in an environmentally friendly manner,” said Jim Tetreault, Ford vice president of North America Manufacturing. “We are proud that our hard work has been recognized by experts who know manufacturing.”

The goal of the Assembly Plant of the Year award is to identify a state-of-the-art facility that has applied world-class processes to reduce production cost, increase productivity and shorten time to market or improve product quality, said Austin Weber, senior editor for ASSEMBLY Magazine.

“We chose MAP as our 2012 winner because the plant is a showcase for flexible, green, lean manufacturing,” Weber said. “We were also impressed that Ford took a plant that produced large SUVs and turned it into a state-of-the-art facility that makes fuel-efficient small cars. That’s not something that we often see in manufacturing.”

Following a $550-million transformation, Ford re-opened MAP in early 2010 with production of the 2012 Focus. Ford has since added the Focus Electric zero-emission battery electric vehicle and the Focus ST performance model. The company is now ramping up production of the C-MAX Hybrid and C-MAX Energi plug-in hybrid.

In May, MAP added a third production crew with 1,200 new jobs. The plant currently employs 5,170 workers.

Courtesy of Ford Media

Thanks to all of our wonderful customers for these amazing reviews!

"Highly recommend Freeway Ford for those tough repairs. Very friendly and knowledegable staff." -Anonymous

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Freeway Ford's Go Further with Ford Night - Nov. 15th!

Join us for Freeway Ford's Go Further with Ford Night on Nov. 15th!

Register to win a trip and two tickets to see American Idol!

Register here http://bit.ly/V2IXIb

Go further is about giving people the power of choice in the 2013 Ford Fusion with the widest-ever portfolio of fuel-efficient powertrains offered in the Fusion, including EcoBoost®, hybrid and plug-in hybrid engines; automatic and manual transmission offerings; and auto start stop technology.

Great job Scott, Denise & Sandy!

"I purchased a used car from Freeway and have taken it in twice for service. Scott, Denise and Sandy all ensured that I had a great experience. Service was timely and fairly priced"-SHEVVI

Click here to see this review!

Keep up the great service team!

"Went in to have a turn signal bulb replaced and they noted another bulb that also needed to be replaced -- I was pleased with the quick turn-around and with them watching out for me and my safety!! Thank You!!" -Anonymous

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Random Acts of Fusion: Go Further With Ford Night

Five stars for our service team!

"I called up Freeway Ford and they said bring it in.......without an appointment I brought it in and they diagnosed the problem as the battery, replaced it and I was on my way." - Duane

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BLOOMINGTON CITYWIDE HALLOWEEN PARTY!

Check out this fun and safe way to celebrate Halloween with your kids!

Date: Wednesday, October 31, 2012 

Time: 6 - 8 p.m.

Where: Bloomington National Guard Armory
             3600 W. 98th Street – NEW LOCATION

This event is for preschoolers through fourth graders accompanied by an adult. Children will enjoy Trick or Treat Alley, games, prizes and much more. Admission is free. A donations of a non-perishable food item for the VEAP food shelf is greatly appreciated. 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place prizes will be awarded for each grade.

 

Jay Leno Reviews 2013 Mustang Boss 302

The new Mustang Boss 302 has been at Jay’s Garage once before, but this time he actually gets to drive it. And it’s not a ridiculous red or yellow one. It’s a properly manly black Boss! This 444-hp muscle car is tuned for track use. Muscle cars hate corners, yes, but with this 302 Ford seems to have made one that can actually go round a bend without embarrassing itself.

The Boss benefits from some unusual features for a Mustang. It gets unique, lightweight 19-inch black alloy racing wheels in staggered widths: 9 inches in front, 9.5 inches in the rear. The Pirelli PZero summer tires are sized specifically for each end of the car, with the front wheels receiving 255/40ZR-19 tires while the rear stays planted thanks to 285/35ZR-19 rubber. It’s engine is proper muscle though. And the noise it makes is fantastic.

Courtesy of Motorward

Great job team! Keep these positive reviews coming!

"The service was very good..." - Fusion

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Random Acts of Fusion

We have extended our offer!

$179.95 for a Motorcraft Complete Brake Service

Offer includes brake pads or shoes, machining rotors or drums and labor included. Per-axle front or rear price on most cars and light trucks. Taxes extra. See Service Advisor for vehicle exclusions and details. Offer valid with coupon. Valid only at Freeway Ford MN. Cannot be combined with any other specials, discounts, or offers. See Freeway Ford MN for complete details. Offer expires 10-31-2012

Click here to get this offer http://on.fb.me/Qc4M6k

Another Five-Star Review for Barry!

The service team listened to my concerns, asked good questions to further understand what my expectations were..." -Flex Fanatic

GM & Ford work on 9-speed and 10-speed transmissions

GM, the largest U.S. automaker, will lead the design of a nine-speed gearbox for front-wheel drive vehicles, the publication reported citing people familiar with the matter.

No. 2 U.S. automaker Ford will head the effort to develop the 10-speed transmission for rear-wheel drive vehicles such as pick-ups, SUVs and performance cars, Automotive News reported.

GM and Ford could not be immediately reached for comment.

The auto industry is scrambling to find ways to boost fuel economy by 2025, when U.S. government standards mandate that automakers show a corporate average fuel economy (CAFE) of 54.5 miles per gallon.

That translates to about 39 mpg in real world driving, or more than 70 percent higher than the average fuel economy of 22.8 mpg for the 2011 model year vehicles.

Courtesy of Reuters

Great job team on all these amazing reviews!

"Upon my arrival for quick lane service,being second in line,I was greeted immediately.The service writer was very friendly and professional,while listening to my concerns." -deal seeker

 

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Celebrate the 1908 Ford Model T!

One hundred and four years ago today in 1908 -- Ford Motor Co. revealed its 20th attempt at building a car for the masses. Production of the Model T continued for 20 more years and would transform the automobile industry forever.

This 1909 Ford Model T is an icon of American innovation. Introduced in October 1908, the Model T was an immediate success and would soon transform the automobile industry, the nation and the world. The innovative design of the Model T set it apart from other cars of the day. A flexible and lightweight chassis allowed it to adapt well to rough American roads. A simple and efficient engine provided enough power to take a family on a Sunday drive in the country or run farm equipment. The Model T was easy to operate and repair. And it was affordable. Priced between $825 and $1000, the Model T fell within the price range of many Americans. Henry Ford's intent was to produce a car "for the great multitude." His inexpensive, efficient and reliable Model T put car ownership within the reach of many people - and planted the desire for ownership in the mind of nearly everyone. It put the world on wheels.

Courtesy of Yahoo News

 

2013 Ford Police Interceptors

Keep up the great work Freeway Ford Team!

Scott
Eagan, MN
Sep 25, 2012

Thank You! Freeway Ford took our 2011 E250 Super Duty Work van in on a repair that has been attempted to be fixed by another Ford Dealership 4 times. I credit Freeway Ford Management & Service Staff for handling this with professionalism & care! Thank YOU Dean & Scott for your efforts! I will be taking all of our fleet to Freeway Ford from now on! They have won our business! Best Regards, Patterson Medical Service & Operations Manager.

Plow Truck
Preston, MN
Sep 24, 2012

What a pleasure doing business with a dealership that follows through with everything they say they will. I had the feeling right away that our salesman Barry was the real deal. He was very knowledgeable and prompt to reply to all my e-mail questions.I will definitely be back for all my car or truck needs.

Customer
Bloomington, MN
Sep 24, 2012

Have been a service customer for 2 years having moved here from out-of-state. Closest Ford Dealership to residence.

Cheryl
Bloomington, MN
Sep 24, 2012

Service was done immediately. Nice, quick and out! Thank you.

$179.95 Motorcraft Complete Brake Service!

Check out our great Motorcraft complete brake service special before its gone! Only $179.95 and it includes brake pads or shoes, machining rotors or drums and labor!

Offer includes brake pads or shoes, machining rotors or drums and labor included. Per-axle front or rear price on most cars and light trucks. Taxes extra. See Service Advisor for vehicle exclusions and details. Offer valid with coupon. Valid only at Freeway Ford MN. Cannot be combined with any other specials, discounts, or offers. See Freeway Ford MN for complete details. Offer expires 09-30-2012

Click here to get it http://on.fb.me/Qc4M6k

Ford - Police Interceptors

Ford’s new Police Interceptors led the pack in recent testing conducted by the Michigan State Police.

The Police Interceptor sedan equipped with the 3.5-liter EcoBoost^® V6 engine topped the competition in 0-60 mph, 0-80 mph and 0-100 mph acceleration. These fast closing-in speeds are critical for first responders and law enforcement professionals.

In testing at Grattan Raceway, the Ford Police Interceptor with EcoBoost V6 engine and all-wheel drive posted the fastest single lap and best average lap times.

Competitors with larger V8 engines could not keep up with the superior advanced engineering of the Ford EcoBoost V6. The purpose-built Police Interceptor is designed to outperform the competition by optimizing handling and control in combination with a high-torque engine and robust brakes.

“This year’s testing by the Michigan State Police once again proves Ford Police Interceptors are industry leaders, offering government agencies the desired combination of capability, technology and long-lasting value,” said Lisa Teed, Marketing manager for the Ford Police Interceptor program.

The 3.7-liter V6 all-wheel-drive sedan also boasted the shortest stopping distance for all police vehicles tested.

The Police Interceptor all-wheel-drive utility vehicle posted top 0-60 mph and 0-80 mph times in the acceleration tests and also achieved the quickest lap times versus competing police utility vehicles. The Police Interceptor utility vehicle combines the performance of a sedan with a larger interior package for agencies that require increased cargo capacity.

“We are very proud of the test results,” said Bill Gubing, Ford Police Interceptor chief engineer.

“During post-event inspection, the vehicles show proof of purpose-built durability,” he adds. “The status of the tires and brake pads still show useful life, and are ready for more grueling testing.”

A tough lineup
Ford’s Police Interceptor engine strategy provides a V6 lineup that performs better than V8 engines of years past. The Police Interceptor sedan lineup now comes with three powertrain options, allowing police to choose the engine that best meets their patrol requirements. The sedan is available with a standard 3.5-liter V6, the new 3.7-liter V6 and the performance powerhouse 3.5-liter V6 EcoBoost – all paired with all-wheel drive as standard equipment.

The 3.7-liter V6 engine with 305 horsepower is now available on the all-wheel-drive Police Interceptor sedan and is common with the utility vehicle.

A high-capacity six-speed automatic transmission is uniquely calibrated and adapts to pursuit mode for responsiveness to an officer’s demands. All-wheel drive is standard on both sedan and utility vehicle Police Interceptors to optimize handling and control, which is important to meet the needs of first responders in their daily environment.

To develop the all-new Police Interceptor, Ford engineers worked hand-in-hand with Ford’s Police Advisory Board of law enforcement professionals, who provided input on key vehicle attributes such as safety, performance, durability, driver comfort and functionality.

Building on Ford’s safety leadership, the Police Interceptor is engineered to pass 75-mph rear-end crash testing.

Ford Police Interceptor sedan and utility vehicles recently earned top safety ratings in National Highway Traffic Safety Administration New Car Assessment Program testing, which combines vehicle performance in frontal and side-impact crash tests and resistance to rollover.

Courtesy of Ford News