Ford SYNC: Nothing Else Comes Close

Posted on June 25, 2010 by randall

Starting with select Ford and Lincoln 2008 models, a new technology was added that would revolutionize the way people thought about communications and entertainment in their cars. The SYNC technology was developed through a partnership with Ford and Microsoft, and it is in millions of cars already.

The technology is great, and if you have it in your Ford or Lincoln, I’m probably telling you something that you already know! But, if you haven’t had the chance to try it out for yourself, I’ll go over some of the things that make the SYNC system so sought after.

Communication & entertainment all in one package.

Mobile
With a Bluetooth-enabled phone, you can simply speak out loud who you’d like to call and you can talk hands-free. Plus, with the sound coming out of stereo speakers, it will be like that person is riding along next to you. A really cool feature is the ability for the SYNC software to read aloud incoming text messages. The software is so advanced, it even understands Internet phrases, like “LOL.”

Entertainment
SYNC supports a variety of entertainment devices and most USB drives. Some of the most popular file formats that you can use are: MP3, AAC, WMA and WAV. You can also browse your music collection with your voice by saying the genre, artist, or song that you want to hear. While you’re listening to your music, the SYNC system is charging your media player via the USB port, so you don’t have to worry about a low battery when you get out of the car. If you have a Bluetooth-enabled device, you can stream your music to the SYNC system wirelessly. You also get podcast and audiobook support, so all of your entertainment bases are covered.

Traffic & Directions
Forget printing off maps or calling someone for directions because the SYNC technology gives you turn-by-turn directions over the car’s speakers to get you where you need to be. Curious if there’s a traffic jam on your favorite route home? Simply say “traffic” and you will get real-time traffic updates. Also, you can get personalized news, sports, and weather, plus horoscopes, stocks, and movie showtimes.

Driver Assistance
One of the most important features of the SYNC that I hope you never have to use. If you’re in an accident and the airbag deploys, 911 will be notified through your paired mobile phone. If you’re unable to speak, the system delivers an urgent message to the emergency operator, so that’s a great safety blanket. By simply speaking “vehicle health” the SYNC system will generate a report that shows vehicle diagnostics, scheduled maintenance information recall information, and lets you schedule service online.

Posted in Ford History, Ford Technology, Parts and Accessories, Tips and Hints | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Ford Mustang: The Birth of a Legend

Posted on June 23, 2010 by randall

The Ford Mustang is arguably the most iconic car ever made in America. The years pass and the models change, but the true heritage of the Mustang never does. One look at a new Mustang brings back feelings of nostalgia for any long-time fan of the pony car.

In April 1964, the Mustang went on sale for the first time and dealers received over 22,000 orders for it. One special piece of Mustang history lives right here in Garland, TX: the day the car was first available, 15 bidders were wanting the same model, and the winner slept in his car overnight until his check cleared the following day.

Sales were expected to reach about 100,000 for the brand new Ford Mustang, but the sales reached over 4x that amount at over 418,000 units sold. According to ford.com, within three years, some 500 Mustang enthusiast clubs had formed.

Here’s the original sneak peek ad for the 1964 Mustang:

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MBot2MAewpY

Today, the Mustang has appeared in over 300 movies, with my favorite being Bullitt, starring Steve McQueen. And, The U.S. Postal Service issued a 33-cent stamp featuring the original 1964 Mustang.

You don’t just pay that kind of homage to just any car. But, then again, the Ford Mustang isn’t just any car.

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Car Financing: Your Annual Percentage Rate

Posted on June 18, 2010 by randall

The annual percentage rate (APR) you get when financing a new car is important and not something you want to overlook. First let me explain what APR is, and then I’ll fill you in on how it’s affected. APR is the amount of interest that will be added to your financing bill, and it’s important in making sure that you get an auto loan that you’ll be able to afford and pay off by the end of the agreed to loan term. If you go with a shorter loan term, you can usually get a lower interest rate, but your monthly payments will be higher.

OK, so now that you have an understanding on what APR is, let me explain how your APR is determined. Your credit history plays a big role here, but there are some other factors that affect APR, too:

  • Credit rating and history
  • Current finance rates
  • Competition and market conditions
  • Manufacturer incentives

With those other items in your favor, in addition to a high credit rating, you should have no trouble getting the best APR available. Never underestimate the importance of your credit rating when it comes to a major purchase like a new car. Routinely checking your credit score with the major credit bureaus is a good way to stay on top of your rating and make sure that all of the information is correct and up-to-date. A lot of credit reports contain serious errors or mistakes, and the last place you want to learn that is when you’re sitting down to finance!

Take a little time and watch the video below to get a better understanding on the importance of your credit score in today’s market:

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ud7DchMDvv0

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How RAD is Your Ride?

Posted on June 17, 2010 by randall

Reed Auto Design (RAD) is something that I am very excited about. RAD is a cutting-edge, turnkey automotive engineering provider. I founded it to fill a need in the aftermarket automotive community, and we design, build, and help create some amazing vehicles that are sure to turn heads and get attention.

Take a look:

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5B2-lzv7mlM

RAD’s turnkey vehicle program is like nothing else in the automotive marketplace today. RAD can not only provide you with the vehicle, it can take your car and turn it into something special.

One of many RAD rides.

If you want to check out some of the custom rides we’ve done, visit www.rad-rides.com

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Ford Work Solutions: Cable Lock

Posted on June 15, 2010 by randall

When you’re headed out to a job in your new Ford truck, you probably have hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars in tools in the back of your truck. Unfortunately, thieves know this and they also know how much those tools are worth. That’s where the Cable Lock system from Ford Work Solutions comes in!

When Ford was designing this locking system they went to a specialist in the lock industry: Master Lock. Ford was very specific in what they wanted to offer its customers, and Master Lock answered the call by designing rugged, retractable, vinyl-coated cable spools that come out of a case-mounted cargo box.

These cables are 3/8-in. thick and run through the handles and frames of your tools to keep them locked down and secure for when you need them. Not only are the cables tough and durable, they are also weather resistant, so you can get years of use out of the Cable Lock system.

When not in use, the cables retract into a corrosion- and impact-resistant housing, and a spring-loaded retractor stows the cable neatly when not in use. Another great use for this cable system is if you use your work truck for recreation, too, because you can secure your personal and recreational items.

If you’ve used any feature of the Ford Work Solutions package, I’d love to hear what you think. Leave a comment below and let me know what you like about it the most.

Posted in Ford Technology, Parts and Accessories | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Lincoln and the Presidential Limousine

Posted on June 11, 2010 by randall

Did you know that Lincoln automobile co-founder Henry M. Leland admired President Abraham Lincoln so much that he named the car company after him? More interestingly, Ford Motor Company purchased the Lincoln company in 1922, and shortly after started customizing Lincoln automobiles as presidential limousines. Pretty fitting, isn’t it?

Ford.com has some great information on the history of these limousines, and if you like automotive history like I do, you might find it interesting:

Lincoln L Series
In 1924, two years after Ford Motor Company purchased Lincoln, the Lincoln Model L had the distinction of being the first car that was used by—and was a favorite of—a U.S. president: Calvin Coolidge.

The 1939 Lincoln "Sunshine Special"

The “Sunshine Special”
The “Sunshine Special,” an armor-plated Lincoln custom-built in 1939 for President Franklin Roosevelt, traveled around the world—as far as Yalta, Casablanca, Tehran and Malta—and was retired in 1950, still in full working order.

Another Lincoln soon found its way to the White House following the retirement of the “Sunshine Special.” The 1949 Lincoln Cosmopolitan was the first all-new Lincoln to be produced after World War II. It featured a modernized independent front suspension and a new V-8 engine that reinforced its appeal to customers. The White House ordered a customized fleet of limousines of this reliable luxury vehicle in February 1950.

Lincoln Continental
The 1961 Lincoln Continental was one of the most enduring Lincoln designs of all time. It had clean, classic, sharp-edged styling that remained a Lincoln look for two decades. The 1961 model was one of the few automobiles ever awarded a medal for excellence by the Industrial Design Institute. The Continental’s doors had a famous and distinctive “center opening” design.

A model of the 1961 Lincoln Continental

A stretch version of the 1961 Lincoln Continental, complete with retractable footstands for the Secret service, was developed and delivered to the White House for use by President John F. Kennedy. Following President Kennedy’s assassination, the vehicle was retrofitted for greater security and used until 1977.

A 1968 Lincoln Continental, with 1969 trim, was used by President Richard Nixon, and a 1972 stretch Lincoln Continental was used by Presidents Gerald Ford, Jimmy Carter and Ronald Reagan. Later, a 1989 Lincoln Town Car was ordered and modified under President Reagan and was used by President George H.W. Bush.

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Ford Time Machine: The 1960s & 1970s

Posted on June 10, 2010 by randall

Ford was a huge name in the automotive business before, and the unveiling of the Ford Mustang in the 1960s only made the company more popular. You’ll want to watch this installment of the Ford Time Machine series featuring my wife Sherry and me, if only to see the original Mustang commercial.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=daqxjeG4qCI

Hey, the 1970s brought a lot of great things, too, and I’m not just talking about The Godfather movie! As you saw, “going green” was the way to go, and Ford was right there with advancements in emissions and alternative-fueled vehicles.

These advancements made it a great time to be driving a brand new Ford, too.

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Ford F-Series: The Truck That Started it All

Posted on June 8, 2010 by randall

Without looking it up, take a guess when the first Ford F-Series truck went on sale. Have a guess? Did you guess somewhere around the end of World War II?

1949 Ford F-Series

It’s hard to believe that the F-Series has been around for over six decades, but it’s no surprise that the truck line has stood the test of time. What started out as a farmer’s truck around 1948, has turned into a line of trucks that offers something for every truck driver out there. In the mid-1950s, Ford changed the numbering of the trucks to reflect how you know them now; for instance, the F-1 changed to F-100, then the F-2 and F-3 combined to make the F-250.

By the end of that decade, the F-100 and F-250 became the first Ford trucks to offer a four-wheel drive option, and within a few years, 2/3 of F-Series owners were using these work trucks for recreational use. Driving a Ford truck wasn’t just about farming and hard work anymore — it was about fun, too.

1977 Ford F-150

One of the best selling trucks of all time, the F-150, came along in the mid-1970s and changed the truck landscape completely. This amazing truck was included in the sixth-generation lineup that covered 1973-1979.

1997 was a great year for the Ford F-Series trucks because the awards started rolling in and they haven’t slowed down over the years, either. The ’97 F-Series was named “North American Truck of the Year” by a selection of journalists, and “Truck of the Year” by Motor Trend magazine.

What started out as a farmer’s work truck has developed into what is arguably the most recognizable truck on the road today. Engine, cab, and bed options have changed over the years, but the truck line has only gotten better. More towing power, cleaner burning engines with no sacrifice of power, and envy from truck drivers that aren’t driving an F-Series.

What’s your favorite generation of Ford F-Series trucks? Still have one you drive from the first few generations? I’d love to see pictures if you have them!

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What is GAP Insurance & Do You Need It?

Posted on June 7, 2010 by randall

GAP (guaranteed auto protection) insurance came along in the early 1980s as a way to help customers if their cars are lost or stolen while they’re still making payments on it. GAP coverage is useful if there’s a gap between the actual value of your vehicle and the amount of money you owe to the lender, so it basically covers the difference between what your car is worth and what you owe on the car.

So, do you actually need it? That depends on how long you plan to keep your car and what your loan terms are. If you expect to be “upside down” (when the amount owed on your car loan is more than the actual value of the vehicle) or you’re leasing, then GAP insurance is a good idea.

To give you a visual example of how GAP coverage works, look at this example using made-up numbers from carinsurance.com:

  • You choose a car that costs $25,000 and you drive it off the lot.
  • After paying the down payment you owe $24,000 in car payments over 5 years (0% interest loan = $400 car payments).
  • You purchase physical damage insurance (comprehensive and collision) with a $500 deductible to protect you against damages and loss.
  • You have an accident while you are still upside down on your loan or lease (“Upside down” means owing more on a car than it’s worth) and your vehicle is totaled.
  • The insurance company determines that the actual cash value of the car is only $22,000, but at the time of the loss you still owe $23,500.
  • GAP insurance should pay the difference plus your deductible totaling $2000. (Not all GAP policies pay the deductible)

You don’t have to get GAP coverage, and it’s a lot like any other type of insurance where you get it and hope to never use it. But, some insurance companies will include GAP coverage with some coverage plans, so if you want it see if you might already have it with your insurance provider.

If you have any questions on auto insurance or have a comment about this post, feel free to contact me.

Posted in Driving Safety, Insurance, Tips and Hints | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

Ford Time Machine: The 1950s

Posted on June 3, 2010 by randall

It’s the 1950’s and the average salary is up to $5,000 a year! But, that’s not all; let’s not forget that the post-war economy was booming, and advances in technology were reaching new and exciting levels. And, the 1954 Ford Thunderbird became an instant classic and it’s not hard to see why.

Jump back in the Ford Time Machine with my wife Sherry and me to see it all unfold:

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_VVODyxE-Gw

How did you like that vintage commercial that started the two Ford family concept? These videos were so much fun to put together, and Sherry and I would love to get your feedback on what you think about them. Come on over and let us know!

Posted in Ford History, Ford Technology, Just for Fun | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment