Landmark Ford’s Blog

The latest commerical with American Idol finally features one of the favorites… the mustang GT.  It may not be a typical mustang commercial but it definately has some flare!

These days you hear everyone talking about how we need to be “green” and the different types of fuel and emissions of vehicles.  But do you feel comfortable with what they are talking about?  Here is a crash course in some of the most popular terms you may hear when looking at new vehicles.

• E85-a mixture of 85% ethanol and 15% gasoline, used in only compatible vehicles.
• Flexible Fuel Vehicle- a vehicle that is capable of operating on an alternative fuel, like ethanol or methanol, and on gasoline.  (example: Ford F150)
• Hybrid Electric Vehicle- combines an internal combustion engine with an electric motor for improved fuel economy and/or performance than a conventional gasoline engine vehicle.  It may also contain regenerative braking to charge the electric motor battery, shut down the gasoline engine when stopped and operate partly on just the electric motor.  (example: Escape Hybrid)
• Low Emissions Vehicle (LEV) - designations are applicable only to vehicles that are to be registered and/or operated in states that have adopted the California emissions standards.  These designations can be followed by a I or II indicating compliance with the first or second version of the emission standard.  Version II replaced version I will more stringent standards. (examples: Escape 2.3L/3.0L, F150, Mustang Bullitt/Shelby, and Ranger 4.0L)
• Ultra Low Emissions Vehicle (ULEV) - reduces hydrocarbon emissions by 46% from the LEV standards, and is the standard that the average 2008 model year meets. (examples: Edge, Fusion 3.0L, Explorer, Expedition, and Sport Trac)
• Super Low Emissions Vehicle (SULEV) - gives off substantially lower levels of hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide and nitrous oxides compared to a conventional vehicle and is 75% cleaner than the average vehicle.  (examples: Escape Hybrid, Focus (Duratec 20E), Taurus, Taurus X, Fusion 2.3L)
• Partial Zero Emissions Vehicle (PZEV) - have the least impact on air quality of any vehicle that uses a gasoline engine.  Vehicles certified PZEV are sold in “California Emissions States” and their bordering states.  They meet a very strict standard that establishes very low combined tailpipe emissions and zero fuel-based emissions by virtually eliminating the escape of fuel vapor.  They produce 76% les smog-forming emissions than the average new car.  For example, the Focus PZEV would have to be driven more than 2,100 miles or five trips between L.A. and San Francisco, to equal the emissions produced by an hour’s use of the leading 5.4-horsepower lawn mower!!
• Advanced Techonology Partial Zero Emissions Vehicle (AT-PZEV) - not only meets both the SULEV and PZEV standards, but also uses some innovative new technology that helps improve fuel mileage.  Hybrid drivetrain components are a good example, like the Escape Hybrid.
• Zero Emissions Vehicle (ZEV) - offers zero tailpipe and evaporative emissions and does not require any emission-control systems that can deteriorate over time.  These vehicles include hydrogen fuel cell vehicles or battery electric vehicles.  Ford currrently operates a number of fuel cell vehicles in California, Florida, Michigan, Canada and Germany.

Haven’t checked out American Idol lately?  Then you have missed the latest two Ford commercials as well.  Two weeks ago the top 6 contestants featured a chase between a Ford Fusion and an Explorer to the sounds of “Tainted Love”….

Then this week we got to watch the top 5 singers “Catch the Wind” and clean up the streets with some help from a Focus and an Escape Hybrid.  Haven’t seen them yet?  Well, then here is your chance.

This week’s American Idol Ford video featured the finalists singing “I Want to Break Free” and the new 2008 Ford Fusion.  Check it out and let us know what you think?  Have you driven a Fusion yet?

For those of you following American Idol you may have seen some of the new Ford commercials featuring the finalists.  They film a new commercial every week with the remaining singers.  Check out this week’s video with the new 2008 Focus and the remaining 7 finalists singing “I Just Want to Celebrate.”  And check back next week for the next video in the series….

You may have seen the commercials for sync on tv or even online, but how familiar are you with it?  Have you had a chance to try it out for yourself?  As a person who never leaves the house without my cell phone, and rarely without my mp3 player, I have become completely enamored with SYNC.  No longer do I have to shuffle around my cds or put my cell phone in a noticeable spot so that I don’t miss a call due to the radio playing. 

For those of you who aren’t familiar with SYNC by Microsoft, it controls your blue-tooth equipped cell phone, iPOD, Zune, or other MP3 player. And it’s more than just a hands-free way to stay connected. Exclusive to new Ford, Lincoln, and Mercury products, SYNC uses state-of-the-art voice recognition software to operate your cell phone and digital media players. You no longer have to fumble to scroll through long play-lists or telephone contact lists while driving. You simply tell SYNC what you want to hear or who you want to call, and then let SYNC do the rest.

So if you haven’t tried out SYNC yet… what are you waiting for?  Come on in today and we will demonstrate how SYNC can work for you.

If you are looking for a quality vehicle that has the features you are looking for… then look no further!  Check out the following article and see how Ford is one of the best in the business.

The following is an article that was just posted on Automotive News on April 7, 2008:

DETROIT- Ford Motor Co. is trumpeting its quality gains as it launches an advertising campaign designed to get consumers to reconsider its vehicles.  Quality is one of four virtues Ford touts in its new “Drive One” campaign that kicks off Tuesday April 8th, with commericals on the top-rated TV show, Fox’s “American Idol.”

“In the last three or four years, we’ve really built a strong case to go out to customers and present them with how we’re doing on quality, so we can encourage them to consider Ford products,” said Mark Fields, Ford’s president of the Americas, in an interview today.  He was speaking from Las Vegas, where executives are meeting with dealers this week to showcase Ford’s plans for product introductions, marketing and dealer incentives for the next 12 months.

Ford today released the results of an internal quality study that executives say shows the automaker’s quality is on par with Honda and Toyota.  The study results for the first quarter show Ford’s domestic brands improved 8 percent from last year with a combined average of 1,284 things-gone-wrong per 1,000 vehicles during the first three months of ownership, according to Ford.  That compares with 1,250 things-gone-wrong for Honda and Toyota.  Ford, which commissions RDA Group, of suburban Detroit, to conduct the study, called the results a statistical dead heat.

In addition to quality, the “Drive One” compaign also aims to promote safety features, environmentally friendly initiatives at Ford and smart technology such as the Sync system that allows in-vehicle voice operation of music players and mobile phones.  Ford’s challenge, Fields said, is overcoming “the perception gap on our quality, the perception gap on how green we are, the perception gap around the technology and the features we have in the vehicle.”

To commemorate the legendary driver Dan Gurney, Saleen is releasing a 2008 Saleen Gurney Signature edition H281SC.  Complete with 465 hp, this limited edition Saleen is sure to catch the eye of many collectors.  Here are just a few of the special edition features:

• Saleen H281 SOHC V-8 4.6L 3V engine
• Horsepower: 465 @ 5800 RPM
• Torque: 425 ft.-lbs @ 4000 RPM
• Saleen Series VI integrated screw type supercharger
• Saleen dual-stage water to air intercooler system
• 5-speed short throw manual transmission
• Saleen springs, shocks and struts
• 14″ vented front brake system w/4-piston calipers
• Exclusive 19″ Gurney Edition Anthracite coat 5-spoke wheels
• Gurney edition white front chin spoiler, metal mesh front driving light covers and rear “duck bill” spoiler
• ‘69 Heritage “Stinger Style” aluminum hood with accent race graphic
• Gurney Edition leather performance driving seats with white leather racing stripe insert and accent color stiching
• And much, much more!!

With only 300 of these special edition Saleens being made don’t let the opportunity to own one of these unique cars slip by you!  For more information call us at (503) 639-1131 or toll free at 1-877-883-5386.

As gas prices continue to rise wouldn’t it be nice to be able to improve the MPG of our cars.  Well, sometimes it is the little things that can actually help.  Here are a few little tips that might help you get a little more from your fuel.

• Drive Sensibly- aggressive driving such as speeding, rapid acceleration and braking wastes gas.  It can lower your gas mileage by 33% at highway speeds and by 5% around town
• Observe the Speed Limit- each vehicle reaches its optimal fuel economy at different speeds, however, gas mileage usually decreases rapidly at speeds over 60 mph.  As a rule of thumb you can assume that for each 5 mph you are traveling over 60 mph you are paying an additional $.20 per gallon of gas!
• Remove Excess Weight- avoid keeping unnecessary items in your vehicle, especially heavy ones.  An extra 100 pounds in your vehicle can reduce your mpg by up to 2%. (Extra weight will affect smaller cars much more than larger ones.)
• Avoid Excessive Idling- idling gets 0 mpg and the larger the engine typically the more wasted gas.
• Use Cruise Control- it keeps you at a constant speed, therefore helping to reduce fuel usage
• Use Overdrive Gears- it slows your engine speed down, saving not only gas but also on engine wear
• Keep Your Engine Properly Tuned- fixing a car that is out of tune or failing an emissions test can improve your mpg by an average of 4%.  While fixing a more serious maintenace problem such as a faulty oxygen sensor can improve mileage by as much as 40%!! 
• Check and Replace Air Filters Regularly- replacing a clogged air filter can improve your mileage and help protect your engine
• Keep Your Tires Properly Inflated- not only can you improve your mileage by around 3.3% by keeping your tires inflated to the proper pressure but properly inflated tires will last longer and are much safer

Source: www.fueleconomy.gov