Posted by Sturman and Larkin Ford on 10:08 AM
Don't forget to like Sturman & Larkin Ford on Facebook! Like us today and for the remainder of the month and be entered automatically to receive a $50 gas card! Entering is simple, after "liking" us, simply fill out your contact info, and you will be entered to win! Hurry tho, this opportunity may not last long!
To view the official page, click he...
Posted by Sturman and Larkin Ford on 10:57 AM
Celebrate the Holiday's with us with our low prices on Oil Changes, state and emissions inspections, Free Collision estimates, and much mo...
Posted by Sturman and Larkin Ford on 12:37 PM
Super Duty has come through for the LONG TERM. For the 3RD YEAR IN A ROW, the F-Series Super Duty has won KBB’s 2012 Best Resale Value Award for full-size pickups. Take your pick – Best-in-Class Max Towing & Horsepower/Torque or ever-lasting Built Ford Tough durability – all guarantee a superior customer value for the long haul. Get the facts:
http://www.kbb.com/new-cars/best-resale-value-awards/best-resale-full-size-pickup-tru...
Posted by Sturman and Larkin Ford on 6:41 AM
Ever wondered about the psychology behind road rage? Read on to find out more! So what do you think of when you hear the term "road rage"? It's one of those catch phrases everyone has heard, and yet there is no common definition we can all use. Often, people use terms like "road rage" and "aggressive driving" interchangeably. And while some might say that aggressive driving includes everything from cutting someone off on purpose to tailgating to making obscene gestures andcursing at other drivers, others might claim road rage refers only to incidents where violence erupts between drivers and passengers -- in or around cars. (There are...
Posted by Sturman and Larkin Ford on 5:35 AM
Great news for parents! Would you use this technology for your children? The safety of teen drivers remains a top priority for Ford, with the automaker’s manager of Safety Planning and Strategy, Andy Sarkisian, recently saying: “We are continually listening to our customers and responding to parents’ desire to make sure their kids are paying attention to the road, not their cell phone.” The latest Ford effort? Building on its innovative MyKey system, which already has made a name for itself by helping parents eliminate potential driving distractions when teens are behind the wheel, the company will launch an innovative “Do Not Disturb”...
Posted by Sturman and Larkin Ford on 6:37 AM
Good Taste! Pittsburgh will be held on Saturday, November 5th from 9 am to 5 pm at the Monroeville Convention Center. GoodTaste! Pittsburgh showcases food as entertainment and the kitchen as theater in a one-day foodie and lifestyle fest that promotes the region. Featuring national and local chefs, cookbook authors,workshops, food and wine sampling, local restaurants, product sales and more! General admission tickets are $15 at the door and $10 if ordered online. Some of the workshops offered are Saving Dollars with Extreme Couponer Nathan Engels, Do you have Dairy, Nut, Egg or Gluten Allergies?, Cake Decorating Taught by award-winning...
Posted by Sturman and Larkin Ford on 9:00 AM
Sync My Ride Clinics will be held November 5th & 19th 2011 from 10 am to noon at Sturman and Larkin Ford. Limited space is available. Please call 412-892-2300 for more details and to reserve your space.
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Posted by Sturman and Larkin Ford on 1:33 PM
Keep your pet safe while driving, not only for your animal’s health and well-being, but for your wallet’s sake as well! States Cracking Down On Dogs Behind The Wheel If it's any indication of the danger free-roaming pets face in a vehicle, New Hampshire, the country's only state that does not have a mandatory seat belt law, actually requires dogs to buckle up. Live free or die, goes the state's motto, but Spike and Spot don't have that liberty. And with due reason. Seven other states, Connecticut, California, Massachusetts, Nevada, Washington, Oregon and Rhode Island require owners to kennel or tether animals because...
Posted by Sturman and Larkin Ford on 3:55 PM
All the more reason to buy a Ford! For Darrell Edwards, chairman and founder of Strategic Vision—one of the auto industry’s top resources for quality research—determining the quality of a vehicle involves a comprehensive analysis of everything that goes into satisfying customers: “Decades ago, we decided to measure ‘Quality’ from the ‘Total’ perspective of the driver/owner, because this is how people actually judge ‘Quality’ in terms of the decision to purchase or not. The number of complaints is considered, but there is absolutely justification—even requirement—for also considering the total positive experience created for the owner/driver.”...
Posted by Sturman and Larkin Ford on 6:31 AM
How cool is this? Using more than 380,000 LEGO bricks, a full-size version of the Ford Explorer made its debut at the Blue Oval’s Chicago Assembly Plant this week. The eye-catching Explorer recreation marks a new partnership between Ford and the LEGOLAND Florida theme park. Twenty-two designers were needed to create the LEGO Explorer, which sites atop a 768-pound interior aluminum base. For now, it will be featured at the historic Chicago plant that produces the Explorer, but soon it will make the journey Florida where it will remain parked at LEGOLAND. “Ford is excited to support the alliance between LEGOLAND Florida and...
Posted by Sturman and Larkin Ford on 7:19 AM
Are we approaching an era of self-driving cars? “Fred Flintstone had a car that he had to power with his own feet; by that standard, all of today's cars are pretty easy to use. But cars are becoming even more user-friendly -- so user-friendly, in fact, that they may not even require a user at all. That's because much of the new car technology involves taking over the role of the driver. For instance, no longer does a driver need to mind the blind spots, as certain cars come with detection systems that will alert the operator to obstacles in other lanes. If a driver should start to drowse off and drift into another lane, the steering...
Posted by Sturman and Larkin Ford on 6:26 AM
Is rustproofing your car worth it? In short, yes! Rust is a car’s natural enemy. More than just a discoloration of metal, rust is the corrosive result of a chemical reaction between oxygen and iron. Though rust technically corrodes just the surface of iron or an iron-based alloy (such as steel), fresh iron is exposed during this process of corrosion, which in turn can become “infected” with rust. Given enough time, this cycle will repeat over and over to the point when the rust completely disintegrates the metal. Put simply: Rusted metal is not as structurally strong as rust-free metal. Since most cars are made of metal (especially...
Posted by Sturman and Larkin Ford on 8:27 AM
Check out the following tips for driving in the rain from Smart Motorist. First and foremost: slow down! It takes longer to stop or adjust in wet weather. Stay toward the middle lanes - water tends to pool in the outside lanes. Maintain proper following distance (3 Second Rule). This needs to be increased in wet weather. Drive in the tracks of a car ahead of you. Don't follow large trucks or busses too closely. The spray created by their large tires reduces your vision. Take care when passing them as well; if you must pass, do so quickly and safely. Be more alert when driving in wet or slippery conditions....
Posted by Sturman and Larkin Ford on 5:52 AM
Ford aims to create a world-class in-car experience for consumers. Ford is determined to transform the in-car experience. Consumers are increasingly demanding integrated communications, voice-controlled operations, and more in-car entertainment options — and Ford is happy to deliver on those requests. But to truly develop the most innovative in-car experience possible, Ford isn’t relying on its own skilled engineers in Europe and the United States. The Blue Oval continues to forge partnerships with leaders in the consumer electronics industry to bring new features to consumers faster — and cheaper — than ever before. “By harnessing...
Posted by Sturman and Larkin Ford on 6:00 AM
Recently, Ford debuted the 2012 Harley-Davidson F-150. A full-size pickup that offers a full-size dose of performance, style and power. As is always the case when these two brands get together, the new H-D F-150 offers a bold and aggressive look, in this case highlighted by exterior details like a six-bar billet-style bright chrome grille with “Harley-Davidson” badging, 22-inch machined-aluminum wheels, deployable running boards, and a choice of two premium paint schemes: The traditional Tuxedo Black and, for the first time, White Platinum Tri-Coat. Especially eye-catching will be unique bodyside graphics that feature a...
Posted by Sturman and Larkin Ford on 9:36 AM
Is texting while driving really worse than drunk driving? That’s the question that Christopher Neiger from “How Stuff Works” asked. Read more to find out his conclusion. Texting, or short message service(SMS), is a quick form of communication that allows users to send 160 characters or less to and from their cell phones and smartphones. A study by the Pew Research group in 2009 and 2010 reported that out of the number of Americans who have cell phones, 58 percent of adults and 66 percent of teens use them to text [source:Motavalli]. With these high percentages of Americans using text messaging every year, many are bringing...
Posted by Sturman and Larkin Ford on 9:27 AM
U.S. News and World Report Names Ford Fusion “Best affordable family car.” Although the Fusion is largely unchanged for the 2011 model year, it does feature attractive new features such as Integrated Blind Spot Mirrors and HD Radio. The interior is otherwise well-engineered and well-appointed. Families will especially appreciate two exciting technologies on the Fusion — MyKey and SYNC. MyKey comes standard on the Fusion, and it keeps young people safe by limiting their top speed to 80 mph, limiting radio volume to 45 percent, chiming continuously when seat belts aren’t buckled and providing low-fuel warnings. SYNC is Ford’s award-winning...
Posted by Sturman and Larkin Ford on 7:38 AM
Five Ford’s named 2011’s “Most Wanted American Cars” by Motor Trend. After all, fully half of the entries on the list (which only considered American-branded vehicles) were built by the Blue Oval, including: Fiesta—The top choice in the Subcompact category, the Fiesta, was a huge hit, with MT editors writing that: “You know that solid CRACK a baseball makes when it meets an oak bat, sweet spot to sweet spot? The Fiesta does that in two significant areas: styling and build quality. Everywhere we took the Fiesta, eyebrows rose and admiring glances caressed the car. This is clearly a good-looking automobile, a shot glass brimming with European...
Posted by Sturman and Larkin Ford on 8:37 AM
Red-light cameras may seem technologically cut-and dry, but that's far from reality. They've saved lives, but they've also stirred up more controversy that most other traffic control devices on the roads to date. See how knowledgeable you are about some of the more picayune and esoteric aspects of this growing debate. Follow the link to get started: http://auto.howstuffworks.com/red-light-camera-quiz.htm...
Posted by Sturman and Larkin Ford on 11:30 AM
Ford Motor Company and Toyota Motor Corporation – the world’s two leading manufacturers of hybrid vehicles – today announced they will equally collaborate on the development of an advanced new hybrid system for light truck and SUV customers. Ford and Toyota have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on the product...
Posted by Sturman and Larkin Ford on 1:05 PM
Ford SYNC hits a home run with consumers. With pennant races beginning to heat up—in the major leagues as well as their fantasy equivalents—Ford has introduced an all-new SYNC feature designed just for fans of America’s national pastime. Now, leveraging the comprehensive SYNC with Traffic, Directions and Information Services system, SYNC users can get hands-free access to a Fantasy Update featuring the weekly hitting and pitching leaders in both the American and National Leagues. After giving a quick and simple series of voice commands— “Sports,” “Baseball,” then “Fantasy Update”—a wide range of information will be provided verbally...
Posted by Sturman and Larkin Ford on 1:49 PM
Check out these hot weather tips for your car. The prolonged hot weather we've been having is hard on vehicles, but a little preventive maintenance can go a long way toward ensuring that you don't wind up stranded on the side of the road withering in the heat while waiting for a tow truck. Cars are complicated beasts and, of course, anything can go wrong at any time. But experts say there are four main problem areas that crop up as the mercury rises: batteries, tires, radiators and air conditioners. "The extreme heat makes the acid and the fluid inside of them (car batteries) expand, which can cause them to start leaking," says Jim...
Posted by Sturman and Larkin Ford on 9:00 AM
With its powerful and fuel-efficient 3.5-liter twin-turbocharged V6 engine, the 365-horsepower Ford F-150 EcoBoost® is outselling all other competitive six-cylinder trucks combined. "Both of our new V6 powerplants are changing the way customers think about truck engines," said Doug Scott, Ford's truck group marketing manager. "The 3.7-liter has more horsepower than two of the three V8 engines we offered in last year's F-150. The 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 engine, at 365 horsepower and 420 lb.-ft. torque, is in a class of its own – no one has anything even remotely close to this engine, which can tow as much as 11,300 pounds and deliver 22...
Posted by Sturman and Larkin Ford on 9:34 AM
The J.D. Power and Associates 2011 Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout (APEAL) Study examines how gratifying a new vehicle is to own and drive. The study reveals that the industry average APEAL score in 2011 increases by 3 index points from last year—to 781 (on a 1,000-point scale) from 778 in 2010. The 2011 APEAL Study is based on owner evaluations of more than 90 vehicle attributes, and complements the recently released J.D. Power and Associates 2011 US Initial Quality Study (IQS), which focuses on problems experienced by owners during the first 90 days of ownership. The APEAL Study measures owner satisfaction in 10 categories:...
Posted by Sturman and Larkin Ford on 12:26 PM
Ford Edge with EcoBoost gets EPA-rated 30 MPG highway. The Ford Edge has long been one of the most fuel-efficient offerings in its class. However, with the all-new 2.0-liter EcoBoost four-cylinder engine, the Edge now boasts an EPA-rated 30 mpg highway and 21 mpg city. The new EcoBoost engine will complement the best-in-class Edge V6 fuel economy, giving customers expanded fuel efficient choices. With 30 mpg on the highway, the Edge EcoBoost bests all SUVs its size or larger. Even cars that are far smaller, like the Honda Civic Si and the Saab 9-3 automatic, don’t get 30 mpg highway. Other features that enhance the crossover’s efficiency...
Posted by Sturman and Larkin Ford on 9:26 AM
Check out the tips below on how to properly wash and wax your car. More than one-third of car owners use damaging non-automotive products when washing their cars-products that could contain harmful detergents, abrasives and additives. And almost half of motorists don't ever wax their vehicles. "Waxing at least twice a year is recommended for maximum protection, yet surveys show that 48 percent of motorists don't wax their vehicles at all," said Jeffrey Webb, director of retail marketing at Turtle Wax, Inc. Motorists should avoid dish detergent, which contains harsh chemicals that, intended to cut through grease, will strip away...
Posted by Sturman and Larkin Ford on 2:14 PM
Today, President Obama announced the next phase in One National Program for fuel economy standards that will help significantly improve fuel efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas emissions while protecting jobs and the economy. Ford President and CEO Alan Mulally, along with other industry and government leaders, joined President Obama in Washington today for this announcement on a framework for standards for 2017 through 2025. Although more work remains, this important step allows us to move toward a formal proposed regulation this fall and a final rule by July 2012 that all stakeholders can support. And continuing with One National Program, rather than a patchwork of state-by-state regulations, gives Ford and other automakers the regulatory certainty we need in the decade...
Posted by Sturman and Larkin Ford on 1:13 PM
The all-new Ford Explorer has been a tremendous success, as it’s a far cry from the model it replaces. The hot-selling new model also boasts ample power and class-leading efficiency thanks to its standard 3.5-liter V6 engine. However, the latest Explorer will set a new standard for SUV fuel efficiency with the launch of the all-new 2.0-liter EcoBoost engine, the first application of this advanced engine in North America. The EcoBoost will the help the Explorer deliver a class-leading EPA rating of 28 mpg on the highway, besting the Honda Pilot by more than 20 percent and the Toyota Highlander by 12 percent. In the city, the Explorer...
Posted by Sturman and Larkin Ford on 9:00 AM
Parents.com in conjunction with Edwards.com Names Three Ford Vehicles “Best Family Cars of 2011.” The goal was to find only those vehicles that could handle a family with young children, handle their cargo, too, and do it all while fitting into a “tight budget.” And while those requirements narrowed the field considerably, Ford still had three vehicles on the list—no other automaker had more. The completely redesigned Ford Explorer led the way, earning honors in the Big Car segment for its “modern and quiet” cabin, “crisp” ride and high levels of family friendly standard content, including four power outlets, overhead reading lights...
Posted by Sturman and Larkin Ford on 9:08 AM
Ford Receives 2011 Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award. The honor—sponsored by the National Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR)—was first introduced 16 years ago and is the highest employer-recognition award given by the Department of Defense. Ford support for its employees who are serving (and have served) this country is wide ranging and long standing. For example, the company has an ongoing relationship with the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) that dates back to 1922. That’s when Henry Ford organized a 50-strong squad of Model T’s to help disabled vets from throughout the nation make...
Posted by Sturman and Larkin Ford on 7:46 AM
Summer is here, which often means that road trips are ahead. As you tackle screaming kids, traffic, road work, and scorching weather, safety should always come first. By taking a few extra precautions you’ll ensure your trip is fun and that you and your family remain secure. Ford in particularly understands the importance of safety. New vehicles from the Blue Oval not only have been earning coveted safety awards, but they also offer some innovative safety technology that’s only available on Fords. If you have a summer road trip planned, you might want to look over some helpful safety advice directly from Ford, including: Buckle...
Posted by Sturman and Larkin Ford on 1:04 PM
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) Names Ford F-150 SuperCrew 2011 “Top Safety Pick.” It’s a significant accomplishment, as the IIHS recently implemented new, more rigorous testing procedures for the 2011 model year, including one that evaluates roof strength as a measure of rollover crash protection. To be named a “Top Safety Pick,” the F-150 SuperCrew scored the best possible rating in this test, as well as tests of front-, rear- and side-impact crash protection, and offers electronic stability control, too. The latter is standard on the popular F-150—it’s still the best-selling vehicle of any kind in America—as are a wide...
Posted by Sturman and Larkin Ford on 7:10 AM
I love to see the starry flag That floats above my head. I love to see its waving folds With stripes of white and red. “Be brave,” say the red stripes. “Be pure,” say the white. “Be true,” say the bright stars. “And stand for the right.” Author Unknown...
Posted by Sturman and Larkin Ford on 9:16 AM
Great tips on saving for a car from ehow. Before you can decide how much you should save up for a car, determine which car fits your needs. Buying a car that doesn't do what you need it to do will end up causing you frustration and lost time/money. Do you commute to work every day and need something gas efficient like a Toyota Prius hybrid? If you haul lots of cargo, how about a Ford F150? Can you save more money buying it used? Buying a used car that is just 2-3 years old (or 10-40,000 miles) is very smart because it allows the first owner(s) to take the major depreciation hit during the first few years while the car still likely...
Posted by Sturman and Larkin Ford on 9:23 AM
Ford launches new virtual showroom on PlayStation Home. The Blue Oval is the first automaker to launch a space within the North American version of PlayStation Home, which currently has more than 20 million users. PlayStation Home is a free-to-play, dynamic social game platform developed for the PlayStation 3 system and can be accessed by users via the PlayStation Network. “The Ford Showroom gives players an opportunity to check out our vehicles in an environment where most people wouldn’t expect to see Ford,” said Brian McClary, Ford social and emerging media specialist. “It’s another example of how we’re providing customers...
Posted by Sturman and Larkin Ford on 2:04 PM
As Ford dominates the World Rally circuit, the Blue Oval is eager to get fans more involved, and has invited Fiesta RS WRC enthusiasts to choose exciting one-off roof liveries for Ford’s world rally championship challenger. Ford Abu Dhabi World Rally Team fans have the unique opportunity to choose unique roof artwork for cars competing in next month’s Rally Finland. Fans simply need to visit the team’s Facebook page and vote for one of the three designs that will grace the Fiesta RS WRCs driven by Jari-Matti Latvala, Mikko Hirvonen and Khalid Al Qassimi. “Up until now the Ford Abu Dhabi Team Fiesta RS WRCs have simply featured the...
Posted by Sturman and Larkin Ford on 2:50 PM
The National Auto Dealers Association (NADA) Names Ford Taurus On Its 2011 “Must Consider List.” It’s an annual roster of vehicles that are known for flying under most people’s radar while still offering the kind of value that simply can’t be overlooked. According to the NADAguides team, the Taurus Limited earned its place on the list thanks to features like: “A handsome and quiet cabin” “Vast storage space” “A comfortable ride” “Industry-leading technology such as Ford SYNC” Top Safety Pick status from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) “The Ford Taurus has made leaps and bounds with its sporty new...
Posted by Sturman and Larkin Ford on 2:10 PM
Ford is quickly adding its fuel-sipping EcoBoost powertrains into every vehicle it sells in North America, and the automaker will soon add a new 1.0-liter EcoBoost three-cylinder – the smallest engine Ford has ever built – to the lineup as well. “In the last five years, we have made a record investment in new powertrains and fuel-saving technologies,” said Derrick Kuzak, Ford group vice president of Global Product Development. “Today, we have the freshest powertrain lineup in the industry. And there is plenty more coming.” Ford’s 1.0-liter EcoBoost and eight-speed auto will help strengthen the company’s lineup of fuel-efficient vehicles....
Posted by Sturman and Larkin Ford on 2:11 PM
The Ford Focus was named “Top Safety Pick” By the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. It also received the five-star overall safety rating from the Euro NCAP. Both IIHS and Brussels-based Euro NCAP independently test the safety levels of vehicles and present major safety awards and rankings based on their findings. In all tests, the Focus performed well thanks to a strong body structure engineered to meet global safety standards. Other standard safety features for the 2012 Ford Focus include: AdvanceTrac® Electronic Stability Control SecuriLock® passive anti-theft system SOS Post-Crash Alert System™ ...
Posted by Sturman and Larkin Ford on 1:02 PM
Ford demonstrated its vehicle-to-vehicle communication system in Europe. The goal of this innovative research project is to develop the systems and infrastructure that would allow vehicles to update each other with hazard, driving condition, and traffic information. Using localized radio frequencies and the latest mobile phone network technology, Ford’s vehicle-to-vehicle communication system allows individual cars to broadcast messages to other vehicles. During the demonstration, Ford used two S-MAX vehicles to show how vehicle could “talk” to each other. When one S-MAX began to brake hard, it triggered an emergency signal that...
Posted by Sturman and Larkin Ford on 10:32 AM
How are you planning to celebrate/ honor Memorial Day weekend? Is the holiday a chance to barbeque and hang with friends, or is it a more solemn occasion as you remember a loved one? Share with us! But no matter how you choose to spend your weekend, we want you to stay safe. Here are some tips for grill safety this weekend: Keep food covered or refrigerated until ready to be cooked. Cook meat to 170 degrees Farenheit as a minimum. Cooking (by any method) of meats (particularly red meat and chicken) at very high temperatures until surface charring occurs can cause cancer causing substances (Heterocyclic...
