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...
