Hillcrest Ford in Huntsville Texas wins Award

Huntsville, Texas- Hillcrest Ford in Huntsville Texas has obtained World Class Automotive Group’s most prestigious award for the very first time since its inaugural establishment in January. The award is given out the most covenant store in the Automotive Group that meets strict guidelines in order to be preserve the award integrity and value. Along with strict guidelines each store must also past the initial crucial test that allows it to be entered into the pool of other potential candidates.

Justin Wright managing partner of Hillcrest Ford stated that he was very happy that his store was one of the first establishments to obtain the award since its inaugural establishment in January. “I am happy to serve our local community and help people get into the vehicle of their dreams”, said Mr. Wright.

Hillcrest Ford, is located at 737 I-45 South, Huntsville, Texas 77388 and has a diverse selection of new and certified pre-owned Fords, Lincoln and Hyundais. They have the areas most comprehensive fleet service with six diesel technicians on staff. In addition, their Quick Lane service department is open twelve hours a day, six days week and no appointment is necessary. Lastly, their collision center was created with you in mind. Factory-trained professionals coupled with rental cars help to ensure that you get back on the road. For more information visit http://www.hillcrestford.com.

Top 100 Finalists For RADbrid Giveaway

Rosanne Kearsley Huntsville, TexasBecky Bryant Spring, Texas Doyle Harrell Houston, Texas Jeff Herrington Riverside, Texas Leonard Matthews Richardson, Texas Marion Gurka Houston, Texas Alton Hengst Spring, Texas Leah Owen Huntsville, Texas Paul Jones Fort Worth, Texas Kurt Knowles Kingwood, Texas James O. McHenry Houston, Texas Laurie Geiger Houston, Texas May Helen Bailey Fort Worth, Texas Timothy Briscoe Houston, Texas Charlene Narcisse Trinity, Texas Kristin Scarbrough Dallas, Texas Christain Goedde Cypress, Texas Edward Murrell Dallas, Texas Brenette Whitaker Houston, Texas Bob Englemann Fort Worth, Texas Jake Baker Madisonville, Texas Alvis Smith Forney, Texas Jesse Rios Rockwall, Texas Jennie East Trinity, Texas Michael Martinez Humble, Texas Cheryl Perkins Mesquite, Texas Randy Saldivar Rowlett, Texas Glen Woodard Porter, Texas Oscar Glanton Wylie, Texas William Lamkin Spring, Texas Beauty Phillips Centerville, Texas Wayne Kinsworthy Mesquite, Texas Larry Fuchs Huntsville, Texas Joe Walker Houston, Texas

Colin Bradley Allen, TexasBilly Blackerby Humble, Texas Josh Arnaud Spring, Texas Austin Conder Crowley, Texas Jose Juan Arias Cedar Hill, Texas James Morris Woodlands, Texas Sharon Valles Huntsville, Texas William Kamp III Dallas, Texas Ray Chesney Dallas, Texas Malissa Stec McKinney, Texas Greg Zimmerman Fort Worth, Texas Moses Rios Sugarland, Texas Jerry Hanson Garland, Texas Alexis DeJusus Huntsville, Texas Josh Sprabary Pilot Point, Texas Dominique Preston Houston, Texas Mike Gamble Humble, Texas Lisa Diep Killeen, Texas Michael Greer Dallas, Texas Beda Manor Temple, Texas Crissy Morgan Houston, Texas Kristopher Breazeale Houston, Texas Bethany Roy Bridge City, Texas Harry Winchell Allen, Texas Kim Fregia Huntsville, Texas Kathy Pender Midlothian, Texas Tammy Alvarado Sachse, Texas Keith Rigsby Mansfield, Texas Aaron McMorris Fort Worth, Texas Demetrius Obryant Huntsville, Texas Dan Miller Mesquite, Texas Bryan Walter Bedford, Texas James Roberts Spring, Texas

Corina Elkins Mesquite, TexasTaylor Woodall Huntsville, Texas Cruz Ball Porter, Texas LaToya O’Bryant Huntsville, Texas Javier Vital Garland, Texas Leslie McGee Fort Worth, Texas Larry Whiener Huntsville, Texas Joel Stanley Colmesneil, Texas Marcelo Romo Humble, Texas Linda Simmons Dallas, Texas Judy Spencer Willis, Texas Karon Worthy Little Elm, Texas Angel Ruiz Tomball, Texas Judith Armerdaier Fort Worth, Texas Carolyn Driskell Lovelady, Texas Ed Blass Porter, Texas John Kocurek Richardson, Texas Erica Washington Magnolia, Texas John Santa Cruz Spring, Texas Mary Cantu Houston, Texas Jim Shoecraft Dallas, Texas Johanna Briones Dallas, Texas Jose Gonzalez Fort Worth Texas Lucy Van Kirk Richardson, Texas Dale Gilliam San Antonio, Texas Adam Garland San Martin, Texas Sergey Nikulin Keller, Texas Linda Keene Willis, Texas Ruth Glorioso Wylie, Texas Cathy Rodriguez Edna, Texas Rosalinda Gonzalez Houston, Texas Delores Stallings Riverside, Texas Dennis Jones Spring, Texas

Drive One 4UR School Check

Huntsville High School was the latest high school to benefit from the Drive One 4 UR School program. With the help of GM/ Managing Partner Justin Wright and Executive Assistant Lian Rhodes from Hillcrest Ford the event was held last month to help Huntsville High School support and increase their school activities such as arts, school spirit and much more. The event was a huge success thanks to the great support from customers and students that participated at the Hillcrest Store location in Huntsville, Texas. The event however came at a cost to one of our employees who said, “I got sun burnt standing outside helping people test drive their cars, but I was all worth it for the kiddos”.

Although this was the first year that Hillcrest Ford participated in the Drive One 4 Ur School Event Justin Wright was optimistic and stated that, “We hope to continue to make this event even greater, we also hope that next year we get even greater support from local businesses and organizations”.
The Drive One 4 UR School program was developed as a fun, engaging way to help high schools raise money to support their sports and extracurricular activities. Ford and Lincoln Mercury Dealerships partner with a local high school to conduct the free test-drive fundraising event.

Good News For Our Huntsville High School Friends

We are happy to inform that we have met our goal for our Huntsville High School friends! Take a look at what the Drive One 4 UR School committed said to us in their recent letter.

Hello!

We hope this note finds you well!

We wanted to inform you that we have completed the validation process for the waivers and surveys from your Drive One 4 UR School event. For your background, we use a computerized system that is set up to recognize duplicate and/or fraudulent addresses, invalid vehicle test-drives as well as remove incomplete forms. After completing this process, the total donation will be $1,220 for 61 valid test-drives. Congratulations on raising these much-needed funds for your participating school!

We will be requesting your check this week. Requests take up to 10 business days to process, at which time checks are overnighted to their final destination.

Did you attend the event? Let us know by commenting on this post.

Want to Avoid a Traffic Ticket?

We came across this article by the National Motorists Association and they’ve got some pretty good tips on how to avoid traffic tickets.

Here’s the list:

1.) Try not to drive faster than 9 mph over the posted limit on the highway and about 5-6 mph above the posted limit on secondary roads.
In most places, most cops will not ticket you if you’re within this range. Part of the reason is simply that most car speedometers are not perfectly calibrated and so it’s easier to challenge such a trivial ticket in court. Exceptions to this include 25 mph/school zones — where you should never drive even a single mph faster than the posted limit.

2.) Don’t drive significantly faster (or slower) than the traffic around you.
If you do, you’ll stick out — and if there’s a cop around, he will notice and focus on you. Learn from the prey animals of the African savannah: There is safety in numbers. Even if you are driving faster than the speed limit, if you’re one of a dozen cars in a pack, there’s only a one in twelve chance the cop will target you.

3.) Never speed at night, especially after midnight.
There are more cops on the road during these hours — and fewer cars. You will stand out. And the cops are looking for any excuse to pull you over, because night-time is DWI time and every car a cop comes across will be closely scrutinized. Give him a reason — any reason — to pull you over and he will pull you over.

4.) Make sure your car’s registration, license plates and state inspection are always up to date.
Cops are trained to look for passed-due inspection stickers (and also things like cracked windshields and dead headlights/brake lights, etc.)

5.) Pay attention to the behavior of other drivers, especially if you’re driving in an unfamiliar area.
If you see cars ahead suddenly slowing down for no apparent reason (or oncoming cars are flashing their lights at you) it’s likely there’s a radar trap up ahead. Slow down now.

6.) Be on guard driving through small towns you don’t know, especially small towns just off an Interstate or when a major road goes directly through a small town.
Speed traps are a reality of life and you’re most likely to encounter one when driving through a small town in the middle of nowhere. Some towns get a large percentage of their budget from traffic tickets and the local yokel cops are on the lookout for cars with out of state plates because they know the driver is not likely to come all the way back there to try to fight the ticket in court — no matter how trumped-up the ticket might be. It’s unfair, but it’s the reality on the ground.

7.) Be on the alert for sudden (and often poorly indicated) reductions in the posted speed limit.
On many roads, the maximum will drop from say 55 to 45 for no obvious reason — and sometimes, there’ll be a cop just after the sign change, waiting for you with his radar gun. Watch for work zones — where the limit may drop by half (and the fines double).

8.) Educate yourself about photo radar, or automated tickets.
If you’re traveling to say Phoenix, AZ or Washington, DC — be forewarned that these areas use automated cameras to ticket people for both red light running and speeding. You may get no warning — and have no idea you just got a ticket — until it arrives in the mail a few weeks later.

9.) Familiarize yourself with the makes/models of cars that cops tend to drive.
The most commonly used cop cars (marked and unmarked) are the Ford Crown Victoria, the Chevy Impala and the Dodge Charger. The nice thing about the Vic is that it’s very easy to pick out because it’s very large and pretty much only cops and older people drive them. The Impala’s harder to sniff out because they are anonymous-looking and really blend into the crowd. The Charger’s even worse because it’s a popular car and also a car that younger, sporty drivers favor. But in general, be on the alert whenever one of these cars is around; be extra wary if you see telltale signs such as multiple low-profile antennas, large tires with inexpensive-looking trim rims/hub caps and a spotlight on the driver’s side door.

10.) Don’t exceed the posted in adverse weather such as heavy rain or when it’s snowy.
Not only is it unsafe, it may also be a moving violation even though you may not have been driving faster than the posted maximum. Keep in mind that the speed limit is just that — the lawful maximum — under ideal conditions. If a cop sees you driving faster than he deems safe for conditions, he can still pull you over and give you a ticket. And besides, this is a case where slower really is safer. Even if you have a 4WD vehicle, it takes longer to stop (and the vehicle is more prone to skidding out) if the roads are wet or slicked from snow/ice. - Thanks to National Motorists Association for this list.

Make sure if you decide to drive to Hillcrest Ford for a new vehicle to listen to all your local laws. We want you to be safe.

Local Story From Huntsville

HUNTSVILLE — The City of Huntsville recently purchased two new, fuel-efficient vehicles through a Houston-Galveston Area Council Cooperative Contract including a 2011 Ford Fusion Hybrid and a 2011 Ford Escape Hybrid.

On Thursday, City of Huntsville Fleet Manager Michael Clouds received the keys for the veh...icles, which will now be utilized in part by the Huntsville Police Department.

“I am excited to add the two new hybrids to the City’s fleet,” Clouds said. “With the increasing costs of fuel, the City needs to move to a more efficient fleet. The Ford Fusion Hybrid is expected to get approximately 41 miles per gallon in city mileage and 36 mpg highway mileage ratings, and the Ford Escape Hybrid is expected to get approximately 34 mpg city/31 mpg highway.”

According to Huntsville Police Chief Kevin Lunsford, the new vehicles will be used in part by the department’s non-uniformed personnel.

“We’re taking this opportunity to go into test and evaluation mode of these vehicles,” Lunsford said. “We’ll develop a rotation for evaluation purposes through our non-uniformed people, which will include our detectives, certain administrative staff and myself. The vehicles will be evaluated in various functions in the department to see where they will be best suited.”

Lunsford said HPD is very excited about the opportunity to test the new vehicles.

“I think we, as part of the City, have a duty to be as fiscally responsible as possible, and if we can do that with more fuel-efficient vehicles in certain areas of the department, we definitely want to do that,” he said.

The vehicles, purchased for a combined total of $56,767.87, will be used and monitored during the 2010-11 fiscal year in order to determine their effect on overall City spending.

“The City fleet is reviewed on a yearly basis to determine what the current and future operational needs of the departments,” Clouds said. “The fleet composition is determined as part of that fleet review process so that the departments and the City can strategically plan using fiscal responsibility.”

Hillcrest Ford Set To Help Out Local School

Hillcrest Ford is set to help out local schools this weekend with Ford's Drive One 4 UR School challenge.

The Drive One 4 UR School program was developed as a fun, engaging way to help schools raise money to support their sports and extracurricular activities. Ford and Lincoln-Mercury Dealerships partner with a local high school to conduct a test-drive fundraising event. For every valid test-drive completed, Ford Motor Company will donate $20 to the participating high school, up to $6,000!

So, the more people who test-drive a Ford, Lincoln or Mercury vehicle at the event, the more money can be raised!

So stop by Hillcrest Ford in Huntsville this weekend between the hours of 9 and 1 and test drive a Ford, Lincoln or Mercury car for your local schools.

What is that?!

My "Check Engine" light is on. Why is it doing that? Should I ignore it?

It means your vehicle's onboard computer system has self-diagnosed some kind of problem. The "Check Engine" light, which is also called a "Malfunction Indicator Lamp" (MIL) or "Service Engine Soon" (SES) lamp, is there to signal you when a problem occurs that may require attention. This can include anything from a momentary hiccup that has has little or no noticeable affect on engine performance or driving safety to a failure of a major electronic component. There's no way to know what the light means without running a diagnostic scan on the system to determine the nature of the fault.

At Hillcrest Ford we seen people ignored their check engine light and a after weeks of ignorance the problem turned into a costly mistake. We recommend you visiting Hillcrest Ford and running a full diagnostic scan to see what the problem is. We want you to protect your investment and highly recommend you seeing what the problem is.

2012 Ford Focus ST

There has been a lot of buzz about the Paris Motor Show for many auto manufacturers, and Ford is no exception. The biggest announcement is the first official viewing of the new high-performance Ford Focus ST, and it will be the first time that production-ready Focus body styles will be featured together. This will be the first peek before models go on sale in Europe and North America in early 2011, and I pulled some more information for you from The Ford Story site:

The new range-topping Focus — which will feature a unique version of the 2.0-liter Ford EcoBoost engine — will be true to heritage of Ford ST models. It will offer driving enthusiasts a mix of exhilarating performance and handling, accompanied by an addictive sound.

The dramatic new ST will launch in early 2012 and will be revealed on September 30, 2010, at the Ford stand by Alan Mulally, Ford President and CEO, and Stephen Odell, Ford of Europe Chairman and CEO.

Visitors to the Paris Motor Show will immediately notice the car’s highly distinctive sports exterior, which is finished in Tangerine Scream, a dramatic new body color that reflects the exciting and energetic character of the Focus ST.

Ford is also moving forward with its electrification program and will be displaying for the first time the technology destined to drive its C-MAX plug-in hybrid vehicle, that will be produced at the Valencia plant in Spain.

The formal launch of the full production-ready Focus range in Paris signals the introduction of the first truly global product developed under the company’s ONE Ford strategy.


Developed at Ford’s Global Center of Excellence for Small Cars in Germany, for sale in over 120 markets worldwide, the next-generation model is the most important Focus yet. It is created from the new Ford global C segment platform with up to 80 percent parts-commonality globally. This platform will underpin at least ten vehicles around the world, and it will account for approximately two million units of annual production by 2012.

Can I recharge my A/C system myself?

A person came to the shop yesterday and ask a very important question to one of our mechanics. the question was how he can recharge his A/C system himself?

Well to summarize the answer here is pretty much what we told him.

You have all the right to recharge your A/C system however you must first get your hands on the correct type of refrigerant required for your vehicle.

The major problem with that is that federal law prohibits the sale of R12 and R134 automotive refrigerants to "non certified" individuals (to become certified, you must pass a written test approved by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) -- something which all professional A/C technicians must do before they can legally work on your vehicle).


Our Hillcrest Service advisor informed that to our customer and suggested that he let the certified professionals at Hillcrest recharge his A/C system. The customer walked out a happy camper and a more knowledgeable person.

How Do You Know When Your Car Needs a Brake Job?

You need a "brake job" when your brake linings are worn down to the minimum acceptable thickness specified by the vehicle manufacturer or the applicable state agency in areas that set their own requirements. The only way to determine if new linings are required, therefore, is to inspect the brakes.

You may also need a brake job if you're having brake problems such as grabbing, pulling, low or soft pedal, pedal vibration, noise, etc., or if some component in your brake system has failed. But if the problem is isolated to only one component, there's no need to replace other parts that are still in perfectly good working order.

There is no specific mileage interval at which the brakes need to be relined because brake wear varies depending on how the vehicle is driven, the braking habits of the driver, the weight of the vehicle, the design of the brake system and a dozen other variables. A set of brake linings that last 70,000 miles or more on a car driven mostly on the highway may last only 30,000 or 40,000 miles on the same vehicle that is driven mostly in stop-and-go city traffic.

As a rule, the front brakes wear out before the ones on the rear because the front brakes handle a higher percentage of the braking load -- especially in front-wheel drive cars and minivans.

So stop by Hillcrest Ford today and see how you can improve your braking system on your investment.

Original Article

Customer Questions. Battery

Q: How can I tell if my battery is low and needs to be recharged?

The first and most likely indication of a low battery would be a hard starting problem caused by slow cranking. If the battery seems weak or fails to crank your engine normally, it may be low. To find out, you need to check the battery's "state of charge."

A battery is nothing more than a chemical storage device for holding electrons until they're needed to crank the engine or run the lights or other electrical accessories on your vehicle. Checking the battery's state of charge will tell you how much juice the battery has available for such purposes.

If your battery is low, it needs to be recharged, not only to restore full power, but also to prevent possible damage to the battery. Ordinary automotive lead-acid storage batteries must be kept at or near full charge to keep the cell plates from becoming "sulfated" (a condition that occurs if the battery is run down and left in a discharged condition for more than a few days). As sulfate builds up, it reduces the battery's ability to hold a charge and supply voltage. Eventually the battery becomes useless and must be replaced.

Recharging The Battery

CAUTION: Do not attempt to recharge a battery with low (or frozen) electrolyte! Doing so risks blowing up the battery if the hydrogen gas inside is ignited by a spark.

Your charging system should be capable of recharging the battery if it is not fully discharged. Thirty minutes or so of normal driving should be enough.

If your battery is completely dead or extremely low, it should be recharged with a fast or slow charger. This will reduce the risk of overtaxing and damaging your vehicle's charging system. One or both battery cables should be disconnected from the battery prior to charging it with a charger. This will eliminate any risk of damage to your vehicle's electrical system or its onboard electronics.

If you have any question feel free to contact or visit Hillcrest Ford's service department and ask for further assistance.

Remember be safe when working on electrical components.

Original Article Here

Ford Explorer History

The Ford Explorer can trace its roots back to the original Bronco that first put rubber to road during the 1966 model year. The initial Bronco was decidedly compressed and it proved popular for both off-roading as well as business purposes. Eventually, the Bronco transitioned into a full-size vehicle based upon the F-Series pickup; then in 1984, it resurfaced as the Bronco II, one of the first compact sport-utility vehicles as we know them today. In 1990, the Bronco II became the Ford Explorer, literally sparking the modern SUV market.

If you’re looking to buy a Ford Explorer Huntsville residents will send you to Hillcrest Ford. They have a vast inventory of new Ford Explorer and used Ford Explorer Huntsville drivers have depended on for years.

One of the first advantages of the Explorer is the heavy-duty frame design which is most useful in towing and off-road applications. It has a body designed for a truck but it also has the spacious, sound ride of a car.

The next trim package is the Eddie Bauer which includes 17” alloy wheels, heated front seats, leather upholstery, auto-dimming rear-view mirror, Ford’s sync package and satellite radio. To go all out you will want to buy the Explorer Limited which includes rear parking sensors, dual-zone automatic climate control, perforated leather upholstery, eighteen-inch alloy wheels, power-folding third row seat, driver memory functions, and an upgraded audio system with in-dash CD changer and steering wheel mounted controls.

The Ford Explorer has a very easy ride thanks to the independent rear suspension. The wheels stay stable when traveling on rough terrain. This is the supreme family SUV, you can haul your cargo around town with plenty of room for all the kids softball equipment.

In normal, day-to-day use, the Explorer still shines brilliantly for the very same reasons it has since its debut: The view from the driver’s seat is regal, steering and braking are effortless. Same goes for the upgraded options, but the adaptability, both on- and off-road are unmistakably elevated compared to the rest of its class.

What do you recommend for protecting aluminum wheels?

We at Hillcrest Ford always get asked what is the best way to protecting aluminum wheels. So we put our heads together and and did some research and this is what we found out.

According to Yahoo! Autos the most original equipment aluminum wheels are clear coated for corrosion resistance. You can generally use any type of wax or sealer specially formulated for alloy wheels, or any product that is designed for a base coat, clear coat finish.

CAUTION: Do not use any wax or polish that contains abrasives on a clear coated wheel (chrome polish, rubbing compound, ordinary wax designed for ordinary painted finishes or that "restores faded paint." The abrasives in such products will scratch and dull the clear coat on the wheels.If your wheels are not clear coated, or the original coating is worn away or damaged, you can clean the wheels with "mag wheel polish" or fine steel wool to remove surface oxide and dirt (and what's left of the old finish) -- then repaint the wheels with a durable clear coat epoxy or paint designed for this purpose.

Unprotected aluminum wheels quickly corrode and pit when exposed to road salt and excessive moisture. If the corrosion continues unchecked for too long, the cosmetic damage may be too great to reverse. So if you don't want to drive around with ugly, pitted alloy wheels, use some type of coating (wax, sealer and/or paint) to protect them from the elements.

You can also stop by Hillcrest Ford and get your car fully wash by one of our service representatives that specialize in car looks and maintance.

Original Article

Best Labor Day Road Trips

Its almost Labor Day and summer is one step closer to ending. That's why Yahoo! Travel came up with a list of America' best road trips for those people who have yet taken one this year.

So make the most of Labor Day this year by packing up the car and escaping for the weekend.

Highway 1: All-American Road
There's a reason Highway 1 is iconic, and if you haven't seen the breathtaking views from the California coastline, it's the only way to do it. Navigating the celebrated 123-mile stretch between Big Sur Coast Highway and San Luis Obispo North Coast Byway is no laughing matter--factor in switchbacks and narrow single-span bridge crossings--but the scenery more than compensates: The aquarium and canneries of Monterey, the greens of Pebble Beach, the soaring redwoods of Big Sur, sea otters loafing on the Pacific bluffs and the mysterious Hearst Castle perched on a cliffside.



Michigan's West Coast /Photo: NewscomMichigan's West Coast
Explore the bucolic beach towns along the western coast of Michigan, driving along U.S. 31 from Saugatuck to Mackinac Island. Lake Michigan's calm shorelines, great boating and pristine boardwalks boasting homemade corndogs are perfect for kids, as are the sloping sandy peaks for climbing at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. You'll have to ditch the car for the ferry trip to Mackinac--no cars are allowed on the island--so plan to grab a bike and explore the eight-mile loop of Lakeshore Boulevard on two wheels rather than four.



Big Bend National Park /Photo: LeafletBig Bend National Park
Everything is bigger in Texas, and in Big Bend National Park, it's larger than life. The 30-mile Maxwell Scenic Drive cuts through some of the park's most spectacular vistas: dusty ranches of long-ago rangers, terra-cotta cliffsides and a jaw-dropping expanse of sky that opens up each evening to exhibit a sea of stars that puts any planetarium to shame. Get out of the car for a two-day rafting trip along the Rio Grande.



Blue Ridge Parkway /Photo: Ken ThomasBlue Ridge Parkway
2010 marks the 75th anniversary of the country's most widely visited National Parkway, which connects Shenandoah and Great Smokey Mountain National Parks. The celebrations stretch from West Virginia to Tennessee. Walk in the Civil War footsteps of Stonewall Jackson and Robert E. Lee in Lexington, Va., or see the small town charms of Mount Airy, N.C., which was the basis for Andy Griffith's Mayberry. Stay at the Mountain Lake Resort in West Virginia; its idyllic cabins stood in for the Catskills in the classic summer rom-com Dirty Dancing.


Florida's Gulf Coast /Photo: NewscomFlorida's Gulf Coast

Do your part to help Gulf Coast tourism by skipping Orlando and heading further west instead. Driving the coastline along Highway 98 from Tallahassee to Silver Springs, you'll pass through wildlife refuges and citrus fields, kitschy mermaid shows and the remnants of early Spanish settlements. Want wildlife? Watch out for gators and turtles at Wakulla State Park, or snorkel with manatees at Crystal River Archaeological State Park.

Visit us at Hillcrest Ford and see how you can enjoy this road trip with a brand new car.

Original Article

When Should I Change My Oil?

Most vehicle manufacturers recommend changing the oil once a year or every 7,500 miles in passenger car and light truck gasoline engines. For diesel engines and turbocharged gasoline engines, the usual recommendation is every 3,000 miles or six months.

If you read the fine print, however, you'll discover that the once a year, 7,500 mile oil change is for vehicles that are driven under ideal circumstances. What most of us think of as "normal" driving is actually "severe service" driving. This includes frequent short trips (less than 10 miles, especially during cold weather), stop-and-go city traffic driving, driving in dusty conditions (gravel roads, etc.), and driving at sustained highway speeds during hot weather. For this type of driving, which is actually "severe service: driving, the recommendation is to change the oil every 3,000 miles or six months.

For maximum protection, most oil companies say to change the oil every 3,000 miles or three to six months regardless of what type of driving you do.

A new engine with little or no wear can probably get by on 7,500 mile oil changes. But as an engine accumulates miles, blowby increases. This dumps more unburned fuel into the crankcase which dilutes the oil. This causes the oil to break down. So if the oil isn't changed often enough, you can end up with accelerated wear and all the engine problems that come with it (loss of performance and fuel economy, and increased emissions and oil consumption).
Oil Analysis

Regular oil changes for preventative maintenance are cheap insurance against engine wear, and will always save you money in the long run if you keep a car for more than three or four years. It's very uncommon to see an engine that has been well maintained with regular oil changes develop major bearing, ring, cam or valve problems under 100,000 miles.

Remember that at Hillcrest Ford has a huge service department that can help you maintain your vehicle. So stop by and see what we can do for you.

Ford Plant to Get New Life

According to an article in ABC news a Ford planet used to manufacture millions on Models Ts will become a tourist attraction. According to the article the former planet of Ford will, "get a new lease in life".

It turned out that the Woodward Avenue Action Association intends to buy the Detroit-area plant so as to turn it into an automotive tourist attraction that will be able to celebrate long ties of the city.

In fact, the plant is situated near Detroit in Highland Park. In past Ford was the owner of the plant, but still part of the building is used for storage by the Blue Oval. In case the Woodward Avenue Action Association achieves its goal, the plant will be restored.

See Original article here.

Jay Leno & the 2012 Ford Mustang 302 Boss

I just came across this great video and writeup of Jay Leno visiting the 2012 Ford Mustang 302 Boss. Take a look at the video and be sure to read the Mustang Boss 302 history information beneath the player:

Anti-Aging Car

Yahoo! Autos has named the Ford Mustang as one of the cars that are guaranteed to grow old gracefully.

Blame the economy, or better engineering. The fact is, more and more people are looking to save money by holding onto their vehicles for a longer period of time.

Some cars are simply graced with timeless good looks. Put one in your garage, and you might start getting calls from Hollywood celebs seeking the latest anti-aging advice. Sound engineering and clever styling are not mutually exclusive, no matter your budget.

In 1964 the Ford Mustang inspired the term “pony car,” an entire breed of high-performance sports coupes with a budget price and good performance. With the exception of a few fallow years in the 1970s, the Mustang has remained at the cutting edge of the pony car market in both looks and performance.

Completely revamped for the 2005 model year, and freshened for 2010, the latest Mustang is arguably the best-looking pony car ever. For approximately $30,000, the 2010 Mustang GT offers a growling V-8 engine and enough attitude to make Russell Crowe think twice before picking a fight. For 2011, the Mustang is available with a 305-horsepower V-6 engine capable of 31 mpg on the highway (when equipped with the 6-speed automatic transmission).

So if you are looking for the cure for car aging, stop by Hillcrest Ford and invest your money on Ford Mustang. It is truly a timeless piece of engineering.

Original Yahoo! Article here

Second Public Appearance

* 2012 Mustang Boss 302 will make its second public appearance August 20-21 during Michigan's Woodward Dream Cruise.
* The special edition will be part of a larger display of more than 500 Mustangs.
* Mustang Boss 302 debuted last week at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca.

The 2012 Mustang Boss 302 will be part of a larger display of more than 500 Mustangs at the annual event, including 10 historic Boss Mustangs owned by Ford employees. The company is planning to bring four prototypes of the 2012 Mustang Boss 302 to the Dream Cruise.

Ford is also taking a rather conservative approach to showcasing the Mustang Boss 302 via social media. Kozleski said the new model probably will not get its own Facebook page. Instead, it will be part of a larger Mustang site on Facebook. The Mustang also has dedicated pages on YouTube, Twitter and Flickr.

Ford unveiled the 2012 Mustang Boss 302 at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca on August 13. The Mustang Boss 302 produces 440 horsepower and 380 pound-feet of torque from an upgraded version of the Mustang GT 5.0's V8.

Come to Hillcrest Ford and see our great selection of Ford Mustangs!

Read the full article here.