Monday, December 31, 2012

Happy New Year!

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Friday, December 28, 2012

What Your Car Color Says About You

Do you drive a red car? If so, you could be sensual, dynamic, and outgoing. The car color you choose says a lot about who you are - after all, if you’re going to purchase a new, top-of-the-line vehicle with all the bells and whistles, it should be in a color you like. What you may not know is that other people will pick up different vibes from the color you choose. Here’s what the color of your car could say about you:

Gold: Warm, Intelligent, Glamorous
Gray: Neutral, Sober, Practical
Dark Green: Well-Balanced, Trustworthy, Traditional
Light Green: Organic, No-Fuss, Understated
Dark Blue: Confident, Credible, Authoritative
Light-Mid Blue: Calm, Faithful, True
Brown: Powerful, Unique
Beige: Natural, Down-To-Earth
Black: Powerful, Classic, Elegant
White: Pure, Pristine, Direct
Silver: Futuristic, Prestigious, Elegant
Red: Sensual, Dynamic, Outgoing


Learn about what other colors could say about you and read the original article here: http://bit.ly/Kqr9EV

Wednesday, December 19, 2012

Highmark First Night 2013 Is Coming!

What are you doing this New Year’s Eve? It’s not too late to get your buttons for Highmark First Night 2013! This cultural institution happens throughout downtown and is chock-full of musical performances, dance lessons, magicians and other fun, family-friendly activities. There’s even a parade and a fireworks show. Why plan a New Year’s Eve party when you could bring all your friends and family to Downtown Pittsburgh?


All events are free with the purchase of a button. You’ll need to make sure you display it prominently on your coat or outfit. Some events that have limited seating also require vouchers, but these are free. You simply need to register and print them online to get into the events. Each button-holder is entitled to four vouchers - make sure you get one for every member of your group.


Avoid this mess and stress that comes along with planning a party and head to Highmark First Night 2013 instead! Check out their website for more information about activities and to learn where to buy buttons.

Friday, December 14, 2012

Keep Your Ford Sparkling Clean This Season

A Ford truly shines when it’s sparkling clean. If you’re interested in showing off the beauty of your card, check out these tips straight from the manufacturer on how to keep your car in great condition:

Removing sticky spots
Bugs, bird droppings and other sticky gunk should be removed as soon as possible. If you aren’t able to get to the spot before it dries and don’t have Motorcraft® Bug and Tar Remover on hand, try removing it with a soft cotton cloth and a bit of cooking oil or grease. Then be sure to clean the area with soap and water afterward to remove the oil.
Exterior cleaning
Hose off any accumulated grime, especially in the wheel wells and under the bumpers. Scrub your vehicle with a clean sponge and Motorcraft® Detail Wash. Rinse, then dry it with a terry-cloth towel. Wax your car with Motorcraft® Premium Liquid Wax.
Paint touchups
To fix chips or scratches in your paint, you’ll need to find the correct color of touch-up paint. This information is usually located on a sticker in your driver’s-side door or in your Owner Guide. If you can't immediately apply (or get) the paint, dab the chip or scratch with some clear nail polish. The polish will prevent corrosion under the paint and resultant rust.
Cleaning windows and mirrors
Traditional ammonia-based glass cleaners can leave streaks that become blinding in bright sunlight. Instead, use a non-ammonia-based automotive glass cleaner, such as Motorcraft® Ultra-Clear Spray Glass Cleaner or a mild mixture of water and vinegar.

View the original article and get more tips on Ford’s site here: http://bit.ly/RB9prD

Friday, December 7, 2012

Do you have to change the oil every 3,000 miles?


If you check your car's user manual, you'll probably find you've been changing your oil more often than you need to, at least according to the people who designed your car. Most carmakers abandoned the 3,000-mile (4,828-kilometer) interval long ago, opting instead to advise their customers to go 5,000 or 7,500 miles (8,046 or 12,070 kilometers) between oil changes [source: MEMA]. Some people even go 10,000 miles (16,093 kilometers) or more without any guilt -- or damage to the engine.
The 3,000-mile guideline dates back to a time when motor oil wasn't quite as advanced as it is now. It used to be that if oil were left in the crankcase too long, it would start to degrade, causing a buildup of sludge [source: Torbjornsen]. But over the years, as tailpipe-emissions regulations have changed, so have engines and the oils that keep them running smoothly. Today's motor oils don't break down as quickly. Under ideal driving conditions, some synthetic oils can go about 25,000 miles (40,233 kilometers) [source: CIWMB].
Of course, driving conditions are seldom ideal. Lots of idling, stop-and-go traffic, extremely hot or cold weather, humidity and towing can all decrease the lifespan of engine oil. Plus, every car is a little different. The interval that is perfectly fine for one car could be way too long for another. So in reality, very few drivers will go 25,000 miles without an oil change, even if they spring for high-grade synthetic oil. And most of them shouldn't, although some can go 10,000 without a problem [source: CIWMB].
And yet most people still aim for 3,000-mile changes, perhaps because they don't know it's excessive, or perhaps because they adhere to an extreme better-safe-than-sorry principle. The result is millions of extra dollars wasted on oil changes and millions of extra gallons of oil potentially polluting the environment.
The best advice, then? Ignore the oil industry and go by your car's user manual, which will probably advise an interval of 5,000 miles or more. You'll save some money -- and possibly keep the world a little greener in the process.

Read more: http://auto.howstuffworks.com/under-the-hood/vehicle-maintenance/change-oil-3000-miles.htm

Friday, November 30, 2012

Top 5 Signs of Engine Trouble

5. Warning Lights: If your car is working properly, these are what Audra Fordin of "What Women Auto Know" calls "hello, good morning" lights. You fire up theengine and the dashboard lights up like carnival. This is the car's computer checking everything out. One by one, each of the lights turns off and you're ready to drive.

If they don't turn off, though, that's bad. Either very bad or slightly bad, depending on which light remains lit. These lights are connected to sensors that monitor everything your car does. If something seems out of whack, the computer will use these lights to tell you what it is. It can't use its words; it's not KITT, you know.

The lights you'll probably want to pay the most attention to are:

  • Check Oil/Oil Level Low
  • Oil Pressure Low
  • Check Engine

The "Check Engine" lamp is perhaps the most troubling of lights because it could mean so many different things, from "you didn't screw the gas cap on tightly enough" to "look out for pistons flying through the hood and into the stratosphere." The easiest way to find out what this light is telling you is to hook your vehicle up to a scan tool. This diagnostic tool looks a little like an oversized calculator and plugs into a communication port inside the car. After you instruct it to perform the scan, it "speaks" with your car's computers to find out exactly what's prompting the light to turn on.

You can purchase your own tool from an auto parts store for less than $100, but then what? You're probably not going to put on your coveralls and crawl under the hood yourself. Instead, visit a service station, where a technician will use the scan tool to identify the trouble.

4. Doing the Jerk: Driving should be free of jerking, surging, or stalling. It should be smooth and easy, more like ballet than Beyonce. What's cool in the club is not cool in an engine.

But if your car is popping and locking, that's a pretty strong sign of engine trouble. It could be due to fouledspark plugs, clogged fuel lines or fuel filter, the main computer reading the driving situation wrong, or many, many other issues.

The last thing you want is for your vehicle to take its own sweet time accelerating, or to give out entirely, as you're merging onto a busy highway with other vehicles barreling down behind you. Likewise, high revving at idle or acceleration that's out of your control are situations you should have a qualified technician investigate and repair as soon as possible.

Preventive maintenance, including regular oil changes and belt replacements at recommended intervals help to keep you out of the danger zone.

3. Rude noises: A tapping or popping that sounds like Barney doing deep knee bends (which never happens), for instance, could indicate detonation taking place within the engine's cylinders. This happens when gasoline ignites prematurely in the combustion chamber of the cylinders and can potentially result in expensive piston damage.

If you hear a grinding noise when you attempt to start your car, your starter motor might need to be adjusted or replaced. If you hear grinding when shifting between gears, it could be transmission replacement time! It's not as fun as it sounds. And if you're driving a manual transmission, do not listen to Uncle Barney when he says, "Grind it 'til you find it."

In most cases, a little bit of noise from either your car or Uncle Barney -- like a mild ticking or clicking -- might be normal. Cars with roller rockers in their valve trains, for instance, emit some ticking noise; and fuel-injected vehicles also produce slightly audible clicks from the injectors [source: 2CarPros.com].

If in doubt, listen intently, try to track down the general area of the noise as best you can and then attempt to explain it in as much detail as you can to a qualified service professional.

2. Foul Smells: Cars rarely smell delightful. They're burning gasoline or diesel fuel, there's hot metal under the hood, and your brother ate a burrito just before he got in the passenger seat. There's not much you can do about your brother besides open all the windows and monitor his lunch intake, but any other automotive smells that make it into the passenger compartment spell trouble.

The scent may signal oil or coolant leaking from their normally closed-loop systems, or it may indicate dangerous exhaust gases invading your car's interior. Car and truck exhaust contains toxic gases such as carbon monoxide, so if the inside of your car smells as if you were standing behind your car, get out and get it fixed. Fight the urge to take a little nap first. So sleepy. That's the carbon monoxide talking, friends. At least open a window on your way to the shop.

The smell of burning rubber could mean you just did an awesome smoky burnout, or it could be telling you that drive belts or accessory belts beneath the hood are damaged, loose, or worn out. It could also mean that a rubber hose carrying important fluids is touching something that it shouldn't -- something that's too hot and is melting the rubber.

In any case, it's a good idea to act sooner rather than later, as these nasty smells could be linked to a much more crucial and expensive component.

1. Smoke Signals: Smoke can come from the front or back of the car, and it's not good in either case. But the tailpipe will send-up colored smoke in attempt to tell you what the problem is. Here is your secret decoder ring:

Blue smoke: Oil is escaping from its intended passageways within the engineand is being burned along with fuel. Of course, you could always keep adding engine oil to the crankcase to prevent it from being all burned up (and risking serious engine damage), but the smart thing to do would be to take the car in to have any worn or damaged seals repaired [source: Torbjornsen].

White smoke: Water condensation or antifreeze has mixed with the fuel supply. Again, adding coolant or antifreeze to your car's cooling system will keep your car from overheating for as long as you remember to keep feeding the reservoir, but the wise move is to have it checked out as soon as possible.

If the smoke is coming from under your hood, that probably means you ignored white smoke coming out of the tailpipe, and now your engine is overheating. Or maybe you completely forgot to add coolant at all, and the engine overheated.

Article courtesy of: http://auto.howstuffworks.com/under-the-hood/diagnosing-car-problems/mechanical/5-signs-engine-trouble.htm#page=5

Wednesday, November 14, 2012

Avoid “Turkey” of a Weekend with Pre-Trip Vehicle Check

One way to avoid a turkey of a Thanksgiving road trip is to make sure the vehicle you will be driving is running well. A 10-minute pre-trip check is small potatoes compared to a big helping of inconvenience if you break down many miles away from home, according to the Car Care Council.

“A pre-trip vehicle check provides peace of mind, helping reduce the chance of costly car trouble and providing an opportunity to have any repairs performed by one’s own trusted technician before hitting the road,” said Rich White, executive director, Car Care Council. “While no inspection can guarantee a car’s performance, it’s comforting to know proper precautions were taken to ensure a stress-free Thanksgiving road trip.”

The Car Care Council suggests the following 10-minute vehicle check to help ensure safety and reliability on the road:

  • Check the tires, including tire pressure and tread. Uneven wear indicates a need for wheel alignment. Tires should also be checked for bulges and bald spots.
  • Check all fluids, including engine oil, power steering and brake and transmission, as well as windshield washer solvent and antifreeze/coolant.
  • Check the hoses and belts that can become cracked, brittle, frayed, loose or show signs of excessive wear. These are critical to the proper functioning of the electrical system, air conditioning, power steering and the cooling system.
  • Check lighting to identify any problems with exterior and interior lighting as the chance of an accident increases if you can’t see or be seen.
  • Check wipers. Wiper blades should be replaced every six months. Make sure the windshield wipers are working properly and keep the reservoir filled with solvent.

The Car Care Council also recommends that motorists restock their emergency kit. To save on fuel costs during the trip, the council suggests that motorists avoid aggressive driving, observe the speed limit and avoid excessive idling. Gas caps that are damaged, loose or missing should be replaced to prevent gas from spilling or evaporating.

Courtesy of: http://www.carcare.org/2012/11/avoid-turkey-of-a-weekend-with-pre-trip-vehicle-check/

Wednesday, November 7, 2012

How to Protect Your Car’s Interior

Inside

Try to add up the hours you spend in your car. It’s a lot, isn’t it? Commutes, errand runs and road trips can have you sitting in those bucket seats for hours on end, and during that time, you and your passengers are actually living in the interior. That means smudges on the windows, scratches on the dash and food in the seat crevices accumulate and leave you wondering what happened to the spotless interior you swear it had when you first bought the car.

A Quick Clean

Luckily, it’s not that difficult to keep a car’s cabin from looking a little too, well, lived in. First things first, get something to stuff your trash into. Just use a plastic bag or a container you don’t use around the house and throw it in the backseat. You can even affix a temporary hook to the door or seat to keep things even neater. Every once and awhile, take it out and relish in the fact that you haven’t spent an hour cleaning up. Keeping trash off the floor also preserves your carpets, which can get stained from any number of items.

The idea of taking a rag to your dash and leather seats is made easier if you have them on-hand. The key here is to just use a little bit of soapy water to wipe the surfaces of your car – some cleaning products contain alcohols that prematurely dry and age the materials by reducing the flexibility in the vinyl. Store a small spray bottle of your homemade cleaning fluid and a rag under your seat or in a storage bin for access when you’re waiting for your kids to get out of school or sitting in that crazy-long drive-through line. This will also come in handy when an emergency spill happens. Lastly, keep your car smelling like roses (or at least a laundromat) by adding dryer sheets under the seats.

Weather Resistant
You can’t discount the impact weather has on your vehicle either. In summer, sandy feet can quickly make a mess of an interior, and dare we mention the destruction caused by mud and snow? If you spend a lot of time ducking in and out of the elements, you might want to grab some all-weather floor mats. They’re easy to clean and do a great job of keeping the muck in one place.

The sun’s rays can also wreak havoc on your car’s surfaces, causing vinyl to crack over time and materials to fade. A simple solution is to regularly put a sunshade on the windshield. They’re inexpensive and help to keep your interior looking new.

Saving money on repair work and cleaning comes more easily when you take the time to make preventative care a priority. Not only will these tricks make your car a nicer place to be, keeping grime out of your ride will cut down on large maintenance costs in the future and will help to retain its value over time

Wednesday, October 31, 2012

Happy Halloween!

Don’t know what to do to celebrate Halloween? Here’s a few ideas:

halloween

Allen's Haunted Hayrides
Fayette County
Now in its 33rd year, Allen's Haunted Hayride bills itself as the oldest haunted hayride in America. Ghosts and ghouls await you in the dark woods and fields, and haunted barn. Campfire sites, carnival rides and concessions invite you to make an evening of it.

Castle Blood
Westmoreland County
The MacCabre Family is back for their 20th year in an all-new indoor location in Monessen in Pittsburgh's Mon Valley. This popular haunt includes thrills, chills, awesome special effects, and a very interactive experience. Daytime "no scare" tours also available on Sunday October 21 & 28, 2012.

Demon House
Washington County
The gorgeous old 17-room McCue Mansion in Monongahela, PA, is completely revamped and transformed as a Halloween haunt. This is not your typical haunted house full of gimmicks, however. Owner Billy McCue says there won't be a "guy with a chainsaw running after you." Instead he calls Demon House a "haunted experience."

Wednesday, October 24, 2012

Tips for Driving on Snow and Ice

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It’s that time of year again, winter! Check out tips from The Weather Channel on how to drive on snow and ice.

The best advice for driving in bad winter weather is not to drive at all, if you can avoid it.

Don't go out until the snow plows and sanding trucks have had a chance to do their work, and allow yourself extra time to reach your destination.

If you must drive in snowy conditions, make sure your car is prepared (TIPS), and that you know how to handle road conditions.

It's helpful to practice winter driving techniques in a snowy, open parking lot, so you're familiar with how your car handles. Consult your owner's manual for tips specific to your vehicle.

Driving safely on icy roads

  1. Decrease your speed and leave yourself plenty of room to stop. You should allow at least three times more space than usual between you and the car in front of you.
  2. Brake gently to avoid skidding. If your wheels start to lock up, ease off the brake.
  3. Turn on your lights to increase your visibility to other motorists.
  4. Keep your lights and windshield clean.
  5. Use low gears to keep traction, especially on hills.
  6. Don't use cruise control or overdrive on icy roads.
  7. Be especially careful on bridges, overpasses and infrequently traveled roads, which will freeze first. Even at temperatures above freezing, if the conditions are wet, you might encounter ice in shady areas or on exposed roadways like bridges.
  8. Don't pass snow plows and sanding trucks. The drivers have limited visibility, and you're likely to find the road in front of them worse than the road behind.
  9. Don't assume your vehicle can handle all conditions. Even four-wheel and front-wheel drive vehicles can encounter trouble on winter roads.

If your rear wheels skid...

  1. Take your foot off the accelerator.
  2. Steer in the direction you want the front wheels to go. If your rear wheels are sliding left, steer left. If they're sliding right, steer right.
  3. If your rear wheels start sliding the other way as you recover, ease the steering wheel toward that side. You might have to steer left and right a few times to get your vehicle completely under control.
  4. If you have standard brakes, pump them gently.
  5. If you have anti-lock brakes (ABS), do not pump the brakes. Apply steady pressure to the brakes. You will feel the brakes pulse — this is normal.

If your front wheels skid...

  1. Take your foot off the gas and shift to neutral, but don't try to steer immediately.
  2. As the wheels skid sideways, they will slow the vehicle and traction will return. As it does, steer in the direction you want to go. Then put the transmission in "drive" or release the clutch, and accelerate gently.

If you get stuck...

  1. Do not spin your wheels. This will only dig you in deeper.
  2. Turn your wheels from side to side a few times to push snow out of the way.
  3. Use a light touch on the gas, to ease your car out.
  4. Use a shovel to clear snow away from the wheels and the underside of the car.
  5. Pour sand, kitty litter, gravel or salt in the path of the wheels, to help get traction.
  6. Try rocking the vehicle. (Check your owner's manual first — it can damage the transmission on some vehicles.) Shift from forward to reverse, and back again. Each time you're in gear, give a light touch on the gas until the vehicle gets going.

Read more: http://www.weather.com/activities/driving/drivingsafety/drivingsafetytips/snow.html

Friday, October 19, 2012

Scarehouse

Looking to get REALLY scared? Check out Pittsburgh Scarehouse one of America's most horrifying attractions!

The ScareHouse in Pittsburgh, PA is ranked as one of "America’s Scariest Halloween Attractions" by Travel Channel and as one of America's best haunted houses by USA Today, Forbes, Fangoria, and Haunted Attraction magazine. The ScareHouse offers three haunts for just one price: The Forsaken, Pittsburgh Zombies, and NEW for 2012: Creepo's Christmas in 3-D. "Pittsburgh’s Ultimate Haunted House" is located just minutes from downtown and open on select dates from late September through October.

Visit http://www.scarehouse.com/ for more information

Wednesday, October 10, 2012

Safe Driving Tips: Heavy Rain


Fall is here, and with it come the dangers of driving in heavy rainfall... something we all have to deal with.  So how do we deal with hydroplaning and low view distance?


AAA offers these tips of advice.

Go slowly. Slow down and increase following distances. Speed limits are set for ideal road conditions. When it rains, visibility is reduced and braking distances increase.

Light up. Use low-beam headlights to help others see your car and increase your visibility. Remember Maryland law requires headlights to be on when windshield wipers are in use.

Be careful of standing and running water. As little as six inches of water on a road can cause most drivers to lose control of their vehicle. Nearly half of all people who die in flash floods are in cars and have underestimated the power of flood waters or have not acted quickly enough to escape. Do not drive through moving water or flooded areas. If floodwaters arise around your car, abandon the car and move to higher ground if you can safely do so. If not, do not open your car doors, stay within your vehicle and call 911.

Be a follower. Driving in the tracks of other vehicles can improve traction and help avoid hydroplaning.

Read more: http://www.abc2news.com/dpp/weather/safety/safety-tips-for-driving-in-heavy-rain#ixzz28wNQwICo.

Friday, October 5, 2012

The 2013 Ford Focus

Unknown Reviewer:

The 2013 Focus may be a car that sits in the back of your mind... it's really just... there. It's not supposed to be a luxury sedan, and if price is of no major consequence you would probably purchase a sporty looking Mini Cooper or something of that nature. But there's one thing the auto industry needs to know... the 2013 Focus is a force to be reckoned with.

For months I have been droning on and on about how I need to drive the 2013 Dodge Dart. It has sexy outward appearance, bears the oh so trusty dodge emblem, and is allegedly all things tech crammed into a neat tasty package. So I got my chance to drive both, a mid-package Focus and Dart.

The Dart was certainly a smooth ride and the looks were everything I thought they would be. At 6'5" I fit comfortably in the drivers seat with enough room for a passenger behind (although they would be a bit cramped"... but that was where the amazement ceased. The dash was admittedly a bit bland (although pretty and fitting for the car) and the engine felt little more exciting than a 2000 Dodge Neon.

Then there was the ford Focus... a oasis in the midst of a desert. My uncle managed to pick one up for around $13,000 after rebates and discounts and it proved to be magnitudes more exciting.

Let's start with thing number one... Ecoboost is amazing. This car can get real-mpg up to about 38mpg even with my lead foot and the acceleration feels like a V-6. The car isn't light and pushy like previous generations and the center console, while intimidating at first, fits the look of the car very much.

The other features looked and felt very practical and the interior is built of solid materials as well as comfortable seats. If anyone knows about seat comfort it would be me at 350lbs. This car is more than I expected overall and my expectations were low. Needless to say... I now drone on and on about owning a 2013 Ford Focus... and purchasing is in my future.

Wednesday, September 26, 2012

Ford Reducing Use of Rare Minerals

Ford is making strides to make their Hybrids more efficient and more cost effective eliminating minerals such as: Neodymium, cerium, lanthanum and praseodymium – rare earth metals used in the manufacture of nickel-metal-hydride batteries for hybrid vehicles.

Now lighter, more efficient, more powerful batteries are expected to reduce the company's use of rare earth metals by up to 500,000 pounds a year including dysprosium, the most expensive rare earth metal, which has reduced around 50 percent in the new lithium-ion batteries now powering Ford hybrids.

Get more info on how Ford is making a better tomorrow by visiting: http://rareearthinvestingnews.com/8039/ford-rare-earth-elements-electric-vehicles-lithium-ion-batteries/.

Friday, September 21, 2012

The Future Of Ford

In the past whenever we thought of cars from the future the first thing to come to mind was often flight visualizing hovercraft or "Skycars", but in recent times the Disney-style imagination has changed to something much more practical often utilizing a greater form of technology similar to what we currently have.

Ford follows exactly this line of thought by breaking down into 3 tiers of progression: 0-5 years from now, 5-10 years, and 10-15 years from now.

Techcrunch writes:


Some of the speakers at today’s Techonomy Detroit conference talked about how entrepreneurship and technology can help Detroit diversify its economy beyond automobile manufacturing. But that doesn’t mean we have to give up on the car companies.

Ford, for example, seems to be in the middle of a reinvention. At the conference, I had a chance to interview Paul Mascarenas, the company’s CTO and vice president of research and innovation, about Ford’s vision for the car of the future — a vision includes some pretty dramatic changes.

Mascarenas distinguished between the near-term (the next five years), the mid-term (5-10 years from now), and the long-term (10-15 years and beyond) future. In the near-term, he said Ford vehicles will look more-or-less the same, but they’re going to be more fuel efficient and increasingly electric. We’re also going to see more driver assistance features that try to improve safety.

Read more: http://techcrunch.com/2012/09/12/ford-paul-mascaneras-techonomy/

Thursday, September 13, 2012

Date Night With Ford

There's pretty much an app for everything these days and recently those apps have started migrating to the automobile sector with improvements to cars such as Ford Sync and My Ford Touch, but this one is REALLY interesting.

With a new partnership with Dates.fm Ford Sync will now support an app for people on the go looking for fun date ideas.

CNet has the details:


Seeking new apps to integrate with its cars through Sync AppLink, Ford hosted its annual Developer Challenge at TechCrunch Disrupt. This year's winner is startup Dates.fm, a Web site and app designed to give couples suggestions about what to do on date nights.

Dates.fm and its sister site, BeCouply, are currently in beta. A counter on the BeCouply site says it will launch in 3 days and 21 hours. The founders of Dates.fm, Becky Cruze and Pius Uzamere, attended the TechCrunch Disrupt event and entered the Dates.fm app in the Ford Challenge, using the Sync API to develop voice commands and interface elements that would make the app usable in a car.

Read More: http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-13746_7-57510647-48/ford-sync-advises-what-to-do-on-a-date/

Friday, September 7, 2012

2013 Mustang - Anything But Conventional

The Ford Mustang touts power, good fuel economy AND style breaking the conventional mold other models stick to making sure to not make any sacrifices.

Cnet did a review on the Mustang saying the following:


Conventional wisdom says you must trade power for fuel economy, or vice versa. In that case, the 2013 Ford Mustang GT must be either unwise or unconventional.

The newest generation of Ford's pony car, in GT form, sticks with a V-8 engine, displacing a big 5 liters, good for 420 horsepower and 390 pound-feet of torque. At the same time, the car's EPA numbers reach 18 mpg city and 25 mpg highway. I would have thought Ford found a way to game the EPA tests, until CNET's review car wound up with an average of 20 mpg over city, freeway, and back-road flogging.

Lacking direct injection, forced induction, or a colony of hamsters helping to spin the crankshaft, how does Ford defy our notions of power and fuel economy? Mostly by letting the engine run very slow in 90 percent of driving situations. Driving the Mustang GT along freeways at 70 mph or in the city at 20 mph, the tach needle stayed resolutely under 2,000 rpm, usually hovering just about 1,000. The sweep from 2,000 to redline only feels the needle on those rarer roads when you can keep the gears low and the power up.

Read more: http://reviews.cnet.com/coupe-hatchback/2013-ford-mustang-gt/4505-10867_7-35432450.html

Thursday, August 30, 2012

Do You Multitask While Driving?

A new study commissioned by Ford has found that an alarming amount of drivers multi-task, exercising bad habits while driving.

Fortunately Ford is also attempting to lower this number, and safely accommodate drivers who do like to multi-task during their commute offering a wide range of hands-free options as well as new safety features that will warn drivers to certain risks on the road.

Freep.com writes:


Dearborn – Drivers admit to bad driving habits that can make them less attentive and prone to accidents but they welcome technology that makes them more aware of their surroundings, a new survey released today shows.

A study by Penn Schoen Berland and commissioned by Ford surveyed 2,506 drivers in the U.S. in May and found 99% think they are good drivers, even though 76% eat or drink behind the wheel, 55% speed, 53% talk on a handheld phone, 37% drive when too tired and 25% will pick up their phone and search for contacts.

“People are saying they are safe drivers but they are engaging in other things while behind the wheel,” said Billy Mann, managing director of Penn Schoen Berland.

Read more: http://www.freep.com/article/20120828/BUSINESS0102/120828080/Ford-Penn-Schoen-Berland-study-safety-technology-2013-Fusion?odyssey=nav%7Chead



Thursday, August 23, 2012

Ford Planning To Produce 800,000 Turbo Charged Vehicles.


Ford is making a huge leap in the hybrid market, but that’s not the only place they’re leaving traces of Ford greatness. Next year Ford is set to produce over 800,000 turbo charged cars that use Ecoboost technology such as the Fusion.

The Detroit News writes:


Ford has said for years — ever since the launch of its EcoBoost 3.5-liter V6 in 2009 — that it planned by 2013 to make 90 percent of its North American lineup available with EcoBoost, which is a marriage of turbocharging, direct-injection and twin independent variable camshaft timing.

The plan is taking full effect this year, particularly with high-volume vehicles like Fusion and Escape. The technology has already been a success on the F-150; Ford has sold more than 200,000 F-150s with EcoBoost engines in 18 months.


Friday, August 17, 2012

How to Use Jumper Cables


Need a jump? Seems like a basic thing to do for your car, but you'd be surprised how many people can't use jumper cables properly.

● Find a car to serve as the boosting car.

● Park the two cars -- the dead car and the boosting car -- close to one another, making sure that they're not touching each other.

● Make sure both cars' engines are turned off, and both cars are in park.

● Clamp the red jumper cable (i.e. the positive cable) to the dead car's positive battery terminal, which is marked with a "+." Make sure that the clamp is firmly connected to the battery.

● Clamp the other end of the red jumper cable to the booster car's positive battery terminal, also marked with a "+." Make sure that the clamp is firmly connected to the battery.

● Clamp the black jumper cable (i.e. the negative cable) to the booster car's negative battery terminal, which is marked with a " - ". Make sure that the clamp is firmly connected to the battery.

● Clamp the other end of the black jumper cable to a bare, metal surface on the engine of the dead car. This can be a bolt or a screw. This provides grounding for the jump start [source: Brauer].

● Ensure that the jumper cables are not touching any engine parts.

● Start the booster car's engine and let it idle for a few minutes.

● Start the dead car's engine and let it idle for a few minutes.

● Disconnect the black jumper cable from the once-stalled engine. Then disconnect the black jumper cable from the booster car.

● Remove the red jumper cable from the booster car. Then remove the red jumper cable from the once-stalled car.

Original Article: http://auto.howstuffworks.com/how-to-use-jumper-cables.htm

Friday, August 10, 2012

Ford Sync Gets New Money Saving App

Ford as well as BMW have released a couple of new apps, but it's the one from Ford that really takes the cake.

It's a new app called Roximity and it's designed to quickly and efficiently save you more money while on the go.

The new app lets you select from several categories of interests such as Bars or Groceries, and then it shows you the current specials at the shown places, as well as how to get there!

Motortrend did a report on this new technology and featured the following article:


Ford’s application is called Roximity, and is the creation of Danny Newman, Austin Gayer, and Joe Mease. The three submitted Roximity in last year’s 2011 TechCrunch Disrupt Hackathon in Ford’s SYNC App Developer Challenge and won first place. Roximity might follow the same path as special daily-deal services like LivingSocial and Groupon, but allows registered users to fine-tune which deals they see. As it runs on an Apple iOS device, it uses the smartphone’s GPS to tell the user where the closest relevant deals are. Because they won the SYNC app challenge, Newman, Gayer, and Mease were given access to Ford’s SYNC programming interfaces; the result is full Roximity integration with the SYNC system, making your car a rolling bargain hunter.

The system only runs on SYNC AppLink, which is limited to non-MyFord Touch devices, and requires an iOS device like an iPhone to be connected to SYNC. Once everything is set, the driver can use SYNC’s voice-activation feature to search for particular deals. The app launched this morning and is available in the Apple App Store.

Read more: http://wot.motortrend.com/bmw-ford-unveil-in-dash-apps-including-daily-deal-and-stitcher-smart-radio-244567.html#ixzz23Ae5QcVp

Friday, July 27, 2012

Ford Making Cars From Soy?

We know you know about bio-fuels and alternative energy, you probably even know that a lot of Ford's factories run on alternate energies such as solar power to produce cars, but did you know that Ford is making more and more of their interior out of alternative goods such as soy?

Here's what SouthEast Farm Press says:


Back in my youth I lusted after the new Ford Mustang. The Pony frenzy paralleled my driving career and every teenage boy could see himself cruising around in a Mustang convertible.

One of my buddies had one, and it was the ultimate in cool. Perhaps as part of my mid-life crisis, I now drive a 2008 replica model of the 1966 Mustang. It’s not quite the same, but with the top down and the stereo cranked up loud to oldies tunes, it’s still pretty cool.

At this year's meeting of the Virginia Grain Growers Association, a lunchtime speaker drew my special attention.

Angela Harris is a biomaterials research engineer with Ford Motor Company. I’m sure she has more responsibilities, but one of them is working with farm groups and Ford engineers to develop car parts from crops and crop residue.

“Anytime we can use naturally grown products that perform as well and cost no more than products made from fossil fuel, we’re going to do that,” she says.

In fact, more than 3 million Fords have soy foam seats and 75 percent of the Fords produced in the U.S. have head rests made from soy foam. Compressed corn and wheat residues are also used extensively in Ford vehicles.

Read More: http://southeastfarmpress.com/blog/ford-developing-car-parts-crops-crop-residues

Friday, July 20, 2012

Why The Boss... Is The Boss

After a track day at Miller Motorsports, Complex lays out 10 reasons why the 2013 BOSS 302 is "the boss."


From Complex.com:

Paint:

Why It's Awesome: No matter which color's your favorite, you win. There's simply no bad color for 2013. Add in the new hockey stick graphic, and all colors look racey and badass. At night, those stripes are reflective -- which looks cool and is also a valuable safety feature. You know, in case you didn't think you'd be visible enough driving one of these in the first place. 

Power
Why It's Awesome: How do you feel about a 444hp engine with 380 lb-ft. of torque? We thought so. Its low-end torque is quite impressive, and the shifting with the 6-speed gearbox outfitted with a close-ratio short-throw shifter is incredibly smooth. You'd have to actually try to stall this thing -- well, unless you're a n00b to driving stick (in which case, we'll look the other way while you practice the basics). You can also have an optional Torsen limited slip differential installed from the factory.

See more reasons why the Boss... really is the boss:



Thursday, July 12, 2012

Ford Honors Tuskegee Airmen

They were the first African-American military aviators in the United States armed forces. During World War II, African Americans in many U.S. states were still subject to the Jim Crow laws. The American military was racially segregated, as was much of the federal government. The Tuskegee Airmen were subjected to racial discrimination, both within and outside the army. Despite these adversities, they trained and flew with distinction. All black military pilots who trained in the United States trained at Tuskegee... This car is dedicated to them.

In the spirit of honoring veterans for the month of July Ford has chosen to honor the United States' very own Tuskegee Airmen. For Oshkosh, Ford has created a one-of-a-kind "Red Tails Edition" Mustang, paying homage to the Tuskegee Airmen, the first African-American aviators in the U.S. Army Air Corps. This car will be auctioned to benefit the Experimental Aircraft Association (an international organization of aviation enthusiasts based in Oshkosh, Wisconsin) on July 26th.

For more info about the Redtail via USA Today visit: http://content.usatoday.com/communities/driveon/post/2012/07/ford-red-tail-mustang-pays-homage-to-tuskegee-airmen/1

Friday, July 6, 2012

Taking Care Of Your Car's Paint


Summer can be a great time! Fun in the sun can include camping, visits to your favorite water parks, relaxation and much more, but there's a downside to all the sun... It can be damaging to your car paint!

Sunlight can cause oxidation which causes fading, and that's bad news, but you're not at a total loss! There are steps the average person can take to PREVENT sun damage to their car.

1) Park in a shaded area: Obviously the easiest way to avoid sun damage is to avoid the sun altogether. Paint is tough, but if you're the typical 9-5 worker, that's 8 hours a day your car can be exposed to sun rays. We suggest seeking out shaded areas for parking, even if it means walking an extra block.

2) Clean off bugs: Insects not only make your car look gross, but the small amount of acid contained in some insects can be enough to penetrate your paint, so be sure to wash your car often... which brings us to our next step...

3) Dry thoroughly: Cleaning your car is great, but you don't want to let water settle. Water can leave behind minerals including salt, which is harmful to the outer coatings protecting your paint, which in the end, can lead to fading.

4) Finally... wax: Wax is the ultimate protector. Waxing fills in small scuffs, and rejuvenates the outer layers of your paint keeping them like new so be sure to wax after washing your car. It's a great way to insure it's dry, and keeps it looking as glossy as the day you bought it.

Friday, June 29, 2012

Steel City Pet Expo

Here's your chance to do something fun with your pet AND meet a celebrity!

Pet owners: Bring your pet to the Steel City Pet Expo which is FREE and has FREE parking, and you can meet "Pit Boss" star Shorty Rossi from the Animal Planet!

This event takes place Saturday, June 30 2012 from 10AM to 6PM  indoors at the Monroeville Convention Center. See live demonstrations, get great prizes from giveaways, take place in the Talent and Costume Contest, and get discounts on pet products.

Immunizations and Microchipping will also be available. The Monroeville Convention Center is located at 200 Mall Blvd, Monroeville, PA 15146

For more info visit: http://steelcitypetexpo.com/

Friday, June 22, 2012

When Should You Fill Up?

When do you wait to fill up your gas tank? Do you constantly keep it full, half empty, riding close to 'E'?

One blogger writes about what she thinks the advantages and disadvantages are of different fuel levels.


Kristy Welsh writes:



There has recently been a lot of talk on how you can get better gas mileage by driving when your tank is half full to empty or making sure you fill up when your tank is half full. Which is correct – or does either method hold any water?


The fill ‘er up when it’s half full foks proclaim that if you leave the gas tank empty, the gas will be evaporating in the empty space of the tank. Gas tanks are designed to force out all those gas fumes from the tank into the atmosphere and this gas is wasted. Yes, it’s true, but how much gas are you actually losing? To tackle this one, I woke up the engineering part of my brain (I used to be one) and looked at a paper published by the Environmental Protection Agency and their analysis of gasoline storage tanks and the evaporation rates.


At 60 degrees Fahrenheit, a gallon of vehicular gasoline weighs about 6.15 pounds. In the above paper on page 87 (if you want to chew through it), they go over what the gasoline vapor losses are for large storage tanks. For a 8400 gallon tank the total loss is 48 lbs (or about 8 gallons) a year.


Read more: http://www.creditinfocenter.com/wordpress/2008/07/24/increase-mileage-gas-tank-full-or-half-empty/

Friday, June 15, 2012

The Mustang Sees Improvements for 2015 Model Year

Spy photos point to a new suspension and underbody for the upcoming Mustang release in 2015, as well as additional features to spice up the car!

TorqueNews writes:

There has been much speculation about the next-generation Ford Mustang, and what type of suspension it will have. 


According to Car and Driver, a 2015 Ford Mustang prototype was spotted and it wasn’t much to look at on the outside, but underneath, the test mule revealed a noticeable change to the rear suspension. The solid rear axle was gone and a new independent suspension with aluminum control arms was clearly evident.


Read More: http://www.torquenews.com/1084/2015-ford-mustang-will-feature-all-new-performance-enhancement

Friday, June 8, 2012

Let's Roll For Summer!


It's time to "roll" for summer! This month at our service center take advantage of huge savings!

State inspection and emissions for the month of June is $39.99, Air filter replacements are $29.95, and four wheel alignments are $59.95!

Get a 30 day price guarantee on new tires, and FREE estimates on our complete collision service for all makes and models and get a warranty-covered repair!

Call us today at 412-892-2300 or 412-653-5800.

For even more offers click here!

Thursday, May 31, 2012

State Farm and Ford Teaming Up

Now when you purchase a Ford vehicle that includes the Sync system, you can save even more money.

MarketWatch writes:


Ford SYNC®-equipped drivers could save up to 40 percent per year through the State Farm Drive Safe & Save insurance discount program depending on their annual mileage


The discount is based on the vehicle odometer reading that is reported when the driver uses Vehicle Health Report, a standard feature of SYNC available on 2009 model year and newer Ford Motor Company vehicles


The nation's No. 2 automaker and the country's leading insurer of cars have joined forces to offer lower insurance premiums for drivers. Using Ford SYNC® technology, State Farm Insurance is expanding its Drive Safe & Save(TM) program.


Read More: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/ford-state-farm-collaborate-to-offer-auto-insurance-savings-using-sync-in-car-connectivity-system-2012-05-30

Friday, May 25, 2012

Memorial Day Safe Driving Tips

Want to keep your car out of the shop this Memorial Day weekend? PRWeb has some great tips for avoiding accidents and keeping your family safe so you and your family can experience the most fun possible while traveling this year!


Memorial Day marks the unofficial start of summer, which means many people will be traveling for cookouts, pool parties and vacations. With so many people on the roads this weekend, Amica Insurance reminds everyone to use extra care while on the road. 
Here are a few reminders: 


 Don’t drink and drive. Make sure you have a designated driver.


Wear your seatbelt at all times. Police in many states are cracking down on seatbelt violations.


Avoid distracted driving. Many states now ban the use of hand-held cell phones and/or texting while driving.


Don’t speed or drive carelessly.


Get plenty of rest before a long trip and stop for frequent breaks. Don’t drive when you’re tired.


Slow down for road construction and beware of detours.


Read More: http://www.prweb.com/releases/2012/5/prweb9542982.htm

Friday, May 18, 2012

Ford Expected to "Stay Fresh"

Ford is expected to stay fresh and ahead of its competition by releasing new models more frequently.

Ford Motor Co. will lead the industry in introducing new or refreshed vehicles in the U.S. at the fastest rate for model years 2013 through 2016, according to a Bank of America Merrill Lynch report.


Bloomberg writes:

Ford will replace 26 percent of its lineup during the period, analysts led by John Murphy wrote in the annual “Car Wars” report published today. The analysts said replacement rates will be 25 percent for General Motors Co. (GM) (GM), 24 percent for Toyota Motor Corp. (7203) and 23 percent for Nissan Motor Co., which will match the industry average.


Read More: http://www.businessweek.com/news/2012-05-16/ford-to-replace-u-dot-s-dot-models-fastest-bofa-says-in-report

Thursday, May 10, 2012

New Ford Fusion Redefines Midsize Sedan



Now with built in radar, sensors, lane keeping systems, active park assist, and many more features, the Ford Fusion has completely redefined what users now see as the American Mid-Sized sedan.

NewsBlaze writes:

"These new sensing technologies help extend the driver's own senses, providing a level of assistance never before available to the family sedan buyer," said Adrian Whittle, Ford Fusion chief engineer. "The new Fusion launches this year with these advanced technologies - making them more affordable and available than ever before."

Fusion's suite of driver assist technologies are the result of the addition of new sensors, including cameras and radar combined with existing technologies, such as electric power-assisted steering (EPAS) and data from the anti-lock braking and stability control systems.

Read More: http://newsblaze.com/story/2012051011220300001.pnw/topstory.html

Tuesday, May 1, 2012

“Go Further” Ad Campaign Begins Tonight!



Tonight, Ford will take a dramatic step out of the box with the launch of a new advertising campaign featuring some of our most exciting vehicles – the Ford Fiesta, Focus ST, 2013 Escape and the all-new 2013 Fusion Energi plug-in hybrid. 

This also marks the external debut of our new Go Further global brand promise here in North America.

For the first week of this campaign, none of the vehicles featured in the ads will wear the blue Ford oval and there will be no mention of the Ford brand. This unique – and somewhat unconventional – approach is designed to catch the attention of consumers who have perceptions of the Ford brand that don’t match up with the reality of today’s Ford Motor Company.  By running the ads for the first seven days of the campaign without any reference to Ford, we’re confident that the fuel economy, technology and design of our new vehicles will speak for themselves.  

After one week, re-edited versions of these spots will take over and be fully Ford-branded, but look similar in tone and feel to the first set of ads. These will air in a big media push for an additional six weeks. 

To read more about this, including Jim Farley’s perspective click here

Watch for the ads tonight during some of your favorite television programs like House, Smash, Dancing with the Stars and Jimmy Kimmel Live. 

And you can go here to see the 60-second version of the unbranded ad…and since changing the perception of our Ford lineup to match reality is so important to growing the business, we ask that you actively share the ads with your family and friends. 

Thank you for your support Ford Fans!

Thursday, April 26, 2012

The Re-Designed 2013 Ford Flex


Want to stand out from the typical crowd? Check out the all new re-designed 2013 Ford Flex featuring an improved standard 3.5-liter V-6, featuring the addition of twin independent variable camshaft timing that boosts power and efficiency. It delivers 287 horsepower — about a 25 percent horsepower increase over its predecessor.

SFGate writes:

Ford says its upgraded 2013 Flex appeals to consumers wanting to stand out from the crowd. While the exterior design of the boxy full-size crossover utility vehicle might lure those seeking a ride with styling that stands apart from the pack, the Flex also has a strong practical character.
 
The seven-passenger, three-row vehicle is an efficient people and cargo carrier that boasts a civilized ride quality. For 2013, the Flex — with a $30,885 starting price — is even more refined, with significant improvements in styling, power, fuel efficiency, handling, and noise, vibration and harshness.
 
Flex’s basic style remains the same, but changes have been made to the front end that make it look sleeker and more modern. The nose is a bit more rounded and the three-bar grille design has been replaced with a thicker single bar sans the blue oval. “F L E X” — in large letters — now spreads across the front of the hood. 

To read more of this article, click here!

Wednesday, April 18, 2012

Roll For A Cause 2012


Join Roll For A Cause 2012 hosted by Parkhurst Dining, Steel City Harley, Greater Pittsburgh Automobile Dealers Association, and Hot Metal Harley.

The event ride begins 10:30am at Hot Metal Harley-Davidson and the ride ends at 2:30 at Steel City Harley-Davidson. A picnic / Car show will follow beginning at 2:30. 

All proceeds from this benefit will go to the Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh Free Care Fund.

Don't forget to pre-register for this event to be entered to win a $100 gift card to Hot Metal Harley and Steel City Harley! (To pre-register print and mail the form located here)

If you're interested in attending this event and would like more details check out the flyer located here!

Friday, April 13, 2012

2012 Dessert Tasting for a Cause


Dessert Tasting For A Cause: 

It's a great way to help sponsor your community for underrepresented things such as youth education and athletics. This event will feature live jazz, desserts, various wines, silent auctions, shopping, and more!

The event is a fundraiser for nonprofit organizations founded by professional athletes that understand the importance of giving back. We are excited to offer you the opportunity to become a part of this special event.

For more information please visit: http://desserttastingforacause.com/


Friday, April 6, 2012

Ford Fusion to Get Mileage-Boosting Option




The new Fusion will be equipped with start-stop technology. This option will cost only $295 and will be available on Fusions equipped with a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine as well as boost the fusion to almost 40mpg!

Boston.com writes:

Many gas-electric hybrids and some luxury cars already have the technology, but Ford President of the Americas Mark Fields says the company wanted to offer it on a mainstream vehicle.

Buyers will get their money back in nine months to a year, depending on how they drive and the price of gas, Fields said.

“With gas prices in some parts of the country being upwards of $4.50 a gallon, I think this will be pretty appealing for folks,’’ he said.

To read more, click here!

Tuesday, March 13, 2012

Ford Super Duty Goes Platinum


Ford had announced its F 250, F 350 and F 450 pickup lineups will be getting platinum packages. These packages include new features such as wood trim, remote start, a rear view camera, and Ford Sync Navigation.

AutomotiveDiscovery writes:

Ford unveiled their new high end F-Series Super Duty pickup Platinum edition in Michigan. This Super Duty Platinum will be available in the market later this year, including F 250, F 350 and F 450.

The first Platinum model released by Ford was the F 150, way back in 2009. This new Super Duty Platinum joins the King Ranch and the Lariat models as called to be the ultimate in truck luxury.

To read more on this article, click here!
Interested in purchasing an F 250? Check out our inventory here.

Monday, February 27, 2012

Ford Fusion, Ford Explorer and Lincoln MKZ Rank Highest in Durability in 2012 J.D. Power Vehicle Dependability Study




DEARBORN, Mich., Feb. 15, 2012 /PRNnewswire/ -- 

  • Ford Motor Company has six vehicles among the top three in their respective award segments: Ford Fusion, Ford Explorer, Lincoln MKZ, Lincoln MKX, Ford Ranger and Ford Taurus
  • Ford Fusion received the Midsize Car award for the second consecutive year; Ford Explorer received the Midsize Crossover/SUV award; Lincoln MKZ received the Entry Premium Car award and has received an award in its segment for four consecutive years (Zephyr in 2009)
  • The study asks owners about problems they've experienced in the past 12 months with their three-year-old vehicles (for the 2012 study, 2009 model-year vehicles were surveyed)
Ford Motor Company's (NYSE: F) continuing emphasis on long-term quality is paying off for its customers.
Ford Motor Company has six vehicles ranked in the top three for long-term durability in their segment in the annual J.D. Power and Associates' 2012 Vehicle Dependability Study.

The vehicles are:
  • Ford Fusion, which also received the Midsize Car award for the second consecutive year
  • Ford Explorer which received the Midsize Crossover/SUV award (in a tie),
  • Lincoln MKZ, which received the Entry Premium Car award (in a tie) has received an award in its segment for the last four years (Zephyr in 2009).
  • Lincoln MKX, ranked second among Midsize Premium Crossovers/SUVs
  • Ford Ranger, ranked second among Midsize Pickups
  • Ford Taurus, ranked third among Large Cars
According to the study, other Ford models such as the Ford Mustang also performed particularly well, although there is no award in this segment.

The study asks owners about problems they have experienced in the past 12 months with their three-year-old vehicles (for the 2012 study, 2009 model-year vehicles were surveyed). Survey respondents were asked to indicate any problems they experienced with their vehicle in the past 12 months, choosing from a list of more than 200 issues in eight diverse categories.

"It's the customers who come out ahead," said Bennie Fowler, Ford Group Vice President, Global Quality and New Model Launches. "The vehicles we are building today are more reliable than ever. Ford has made significant strides over the past few years to achieve world-class levels of long-term quality and desirability."

According to J.D. Power and Associates, Ford models have performed very well in dependability during the past several years. Building vehicles with high levels of dependability is critical in shaping consumer perceptions, but such perceptions are also often based on historical experiences or anecdotes and may be out of line with the current reality. J.D. Power and Associates recommends that consumers gather as much information as they can on the latest models from a variety of sources to make an informed decision.

"The results of this study are extremely gratifying," said Fowler. "The ranking amongst the top 10 brands achieved by Ford and Lincoln speaks to our ongoing commitment to develop and deliver best-in-class products."

For more information on J.D. Power and Associates' 2012 Vehicle Dependability Study please visit JDPower.com.

About Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based inDearborn, Mich., manufactures or distributes automobiles across six continents. With about 164,000 employees and about 70 plants worldwide, the company's automotive brands include Ford and Lincoln. The company provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For more information regarding Ford and its products worldwide, please visit http://corporate.ford.com.

SOURCE Ford Motor Company
Francesca Montini, +1-313-845-0508fmontini@ford.com

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