Archive for the ‘Ford’ Category

You probably know the fastest way to get to your favorite places, but do you know the most fuel-efficient way to get there? New GPS systems such as Ford Eco-Route and Garmin ecoRoute HD can help you.

Ford Eco-Route is part of MyFord Touch’s SD-card-based mapping system. It accesses real-time traffic information from Sirius and then plots the greenest route for you to take. Eco-Route also uses historic traffic data and speed limits to choose the routes that will give you the most consistent speeds and least amount of idling time.

Customizable bar charts give you the power to review your vehicle’s fuel economy and make driving adjustments with Ford Eco-Route, which can improve your fuel economy up to 15 percent. These bar charts show you real-time fuel economy and allow you to track your fuel economy over set periods of time.

Garmin ecoRoute HD, a software update for Garmin nüvi GPS systems, gives you real-time engine performance data to help you improve your driving habits to increase your gas mileage. This program gives you a fuel report that includes time and distance traveled, cost of fuel used and average fuel economy

A route cost feature is also included with Garmin ecoRoute HD. This feature lets you see your trip before it even begins. You can see distance, time and estimated fuel costs and plan your route accordingly.
You can improve your fuel economy even further if you follow the tips below:

• Slow down and watch your speed: Aiming for a constant speed gives you the best fuel economy.
• Accelerate and brake smoothly.
• Minimize your use of heat and air conditioning.
• Empty out your trunk: Hauling unneeded items weighs your vehicle down and decreases fuel economy.
• Check and maintain correct tire pressure.
• Keep regular vehicle-check appointments to make sure your vehicle is running correctly and efficiently.

Higher gas prices can take a toll on your wallet, but using one of these fuel-friendly GPS systems and following our fuel-saving tips can help you save your hard-earned money and make fewer trips to the gas station.

Do current high gas prices have you wishing for more vehicles with better gas mileage? If so, you’re in luck with the 2012 Ford Focus! With is 2.0-liter 4-cylinder flex-fuel engine, the 2012 Ford Focus delivers 28 miles per gallon in the city and a whopping 40 miles per gallon on the highway.

At 40 miles per gallon, the Focus achieves better gas mileage than most of the competitors in its class. The only other vehicles to reach this milestone are the 2011 Hyundai Elantra and 2011 Chevrolet Cruze Eco.

Boron steel makes the 2012 Focus stronger than ever, giving it a solid frame. The new design provides a sleeker look, while narrower headlights and 11 different paint options give drivers a stylish ride. A new chassis and suspension for the 2012 Ford Focus allow for better handling and performance, and the new electronic power assist steering gives the driver better control.

New technology features makes the 2012 Focus even more fun to drive and offer the driver better access to the car’s entertainment features. New technology features include:

• MyFord Touch: A touch screen controls your phone, navigation and entertainment. Steering wheel-mounted controls give you more control while driving without having to take your eyes off the road.
• Voice-Activated Sync controls your MP3 players and Bluetooth-enabled phones
• MyKey: Allows you to set restrictions for teen drivers
• Keyless entry
• Push-button start

While driving, drivers and passengers can enjoy an even quieter ride in the 2012 Focus. Acoustic materials in the dash, hood, headliner and luggage compartment and a laminated acoustic windshield keep outside noise levels at a minimum.

The 2012 Ford Focus is also full of safety features to keep you and your passengers safe. These features include:

• Four-wheel ABS
• Front and rear head airbags
• Dual front side-mounted airbags
• Child seat anchors and rear door child safety locks
• Engine immobilizer
• Passenger airbag occupant sensing deactivation
• Stability control
• Traction control
• Electronic brakeforce distribution

If you’re ready to cruise in style with better gas mileage, stop in at Baxter Ford this spring and try out a 2012 Focus!

If you’ve ever wondered which vehicles are truly the greenest, you don’t need to wonder anymore. The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy recently released their list of the 12 greenest vehicles of the model year with seven of our Performance Auto vehicles topping the list.

Among the greenest vehicles on the list are:

Honda Civic GX, starting at $25,490

Available in Nebraska by the end of 2012, the partial zero-emission Honda Civic GX is powered by compressed natural gas and includes:

• 24 city/36 highway miles per gallon
• 113 horsepower
• 1.8-liter 16-valve SOHC i-VTEC 4-cylinder engine
• Five-speed automatic transmission

 

 

Smart Fortwo, starting at $11,990

The ultra-low emission Smart ForTwo features:

• 33 city/41 highway miles per gallon
• Five-speed automated manual transmission
• Water soluble paints on the entire body
• Fully-recyclable body panels

Toyota Prius, starting at $23,050

Known for its performance-driven hybrid capabilities, the Toyota Prius offers drivers:

• 51 city/48 highway miles per gallon
• Sealed nickel-metal hydride battery
• Easy to use hybrid system

Honda Civic Hybrid, starting at $23,950

The partial zero-emission Honda Civic Hybrid includes:

• 40 city/43 highway miles per gallon
• 1.3-liter 8-valve 4-cylinder gas engine and high-output electric motor
• Integrated motor assist system

Honda Insight, starting at $18,200

Aimed at helping drivers improve their driving habits to improve fuel efficiency, the Honda Insight offers:

• Combined 43 miles per gallon
• Continuously variable transmission
• 1.3-liter 8-valve iVTEC 4-cylinder engine
• DC-brushless electric motor
• Green ECON button that regulates certain vehicle functions to maximize fuel economy

Ford Fiesta, starting at $15,120

A fun-to drive, fuel-efficient car, the Ford Fiesta includes:

• 29 city/40 highway miles per gallon
• 1.6-liter, 16-valve Duratec I4 engine
• Rapid-fire shifting
• Aerodynamic details to improve fuel efficiency

Toyota Yaris, starting at $12,995

Designed to offer even more people the opportunity to own a hybrid, the Toyota Yaris offers:

• 29 city/36 highway miles per gallon
• 1.5 liter DOHC 16-valve engine with variable valve timing
• 106 horsepower

These green vehicles were chosen based on their total emissions, not just what’s coming out of the tailpipe. These emissions include how electricity for plug-in vehicles is created and what materials are used in the hybrid batteries.

All of these performance-driven vehicles get you where you need to go while helping you reduce your impact on the environment. Are you ready to go green?

Is using your vehicle’s four-wheel-drive settings a guessing game? The series of buttons, shifters, high and low gears and numbers can leave you feeling overwhelmed and confused. Ford recognizes this and is taking the guesswork out of four-wheel-drive with their new Ford Explorer Terrain Management System.

New for the 2011 Ford Explorer, the Terrain Management System offers drivers five settings: snow, sand, mud, hill descent and normal. Each setting is depicted by an easily-identifiable graphic. All the driver has to do is turn a knob to the correct graphic and the Explorer does the rest.

The new Terrain Management System gives drivers confidence and control through seamless transitions between driving modes. The system adjusts engine and transmission behavior, shift schedules and braking force to make the ride as smooth as possible.

“Intelligent 4WD with terrain management works by optimizing Explorer powertrain and braking systems to best suit a variety of situations, allowing vehicle behavior characteristics to provide appropriate traction and driver control,” said Jim Holland, Explorer chief nameplate engineer. “We anticipate the system will really be a stress-reducer and confidence-builder, especially when driving in adverse conditions.”

Drivers receive an added bonus with the Ford Explorer, better gas mileage. The 2011 Explorer has 30 percent better fuel economy than the previous model at a combined 20 miles per gallon.

Ford is currently taking a unique approach to showing drivers exactly what the Ford Explorer Terrain Management System is capable of. At the 2011 Chicago Auto Show, you can hop in a 2011 Ford Explorer with a professional driver and go through their course, complete with a 30-foot teeter-totter.

The easy-to-use Explorer Terrain Management System truly gives you the ability to use any road anytime. Are you ready to take the guesswork out of your four-wheel-drive?

Electric cars are making their way to Nebraska… are you ready? By 2013, you’ll be able to purchase electric cars from your favorite Performance Auto dealerships. Before you purchase an electric vehicle, though, you need to make sure your home is ready to support one.

Some of the vehicles that will be available from Performance Auto in the coming months include:

• Ford Focus Electric
• Smart Electric
• Mercedes-Benz Electric SLS AMG
• Toyota Prius Plug-In Hybrid
• Toyota RAV4-EV
• Volkswagen E-Up
• Volkswagen Golf Electric
• Honda small plug-in electric commuter car (not yet named)
• Honda mid-sized plug-in vehicle (not yet named)

When you decide to begin your search for an electric vehicle in Omaha, you should contact Omaha Public Power District (OPPD) and engage them in the process. They will be able to provide you with information on getting your home plug-in ready and make you aware of your charging options.

When looking for an electric vehicle, consider the following:

• How often will you use your electric vehicle? This will affect how often it needs charged, which will affect the wiring your will need in your home.
• Are you buying a plug-in hybrid or a battery electric car? Both types of vehicles have different charging times and different driving ranges.
• What type of charging is right for you: Level One or Level Two?

Level One Charging:  Level One charging is done on a standard 120-volt outlet and typically will not require a system upgrade. A full charge for a battery electric vehicle takes 12-24 hours.

Level Two Charging: Level Two charging is done on a 240-volt outlet and requires changes to your electric panel and adding a new circuit.

Once you’ve decided what electric vehicle options are best for you, make sure your home is prepared to charge your new vehicle. To prepare your home, follow these tips:

• Research and obtain any city permits needed for electrical work.
• Hire an electrical contractor to ensure any electrical work is done safely and properly.
• Contact OPPD and to estimate how much an electric car will impact your electric bill.
• Complete the electric vehicle readiness checklist at www.oppd.com/ev.

Follow these steps on you’ll be ready to take home your own electric vehicle when they hit our showroom floors!