Do gas-saving devices really work?

Garage mechanics and auto enthusiasts are likely to be familiar with a certain type of advertisement. Appearing in car magazines and throughout car-focused Internet pages, these ads offer a range of products with a similar claim: that by bolting on, plugging in or pouring Product X into your vehicle, you'll experience an amazing boost in mileage efficiency.

Mileage-boosting gadgets have been around for years, and they seem to make a comeback every time gas prices spike. While the packaging may change to fit the times, one large question hangs over these products: Do any of them actually work?

The answer, all too often, is no. Many so-called fuel-saving devices are simply well-packaged hoaxes that base their claims on questionable science and offer little or no change in a vehicle's performance. In some cases, these devices can actually hurt mileage and cause engine damage.

So how can you avoid scams while getting the most out of your vehicle? A good first step is to learn the facts behind various mileage-boosting claims, to help you determine if a product you encounter is real or a fuel-saving hoax.

Mileage-boosting devices typically fall into one of three general categories: airflow manipulators, fuel-burn enhancers, and fuel or oil additives. First, we'll look at airflow manipulators.

The flow of air into your car's engine can play a big role in its efficiency. Modern cars are designed so that a precise amount of air enters the engine, is mixed with fuel vapor, and then flows into the cylinders for combustion. A number of devices on the market claim to enhance this process, often through the use of a vortex generator added to the intake. The claim behind these devices is that they'll improve the mixing of fuel and air, helping increase efficiency and horsepower.

The truth of the matter is that these devices often disrupt airflow, changing the intake conditions from what engineers intended. Modern cars' engine management computers compensate for this by adjusting fuel flow -- in some cases, by injecting more fuel than necessary to account for the altered airflow. Tests have suggested that these devices might also serve as restrictors, reducing the engine's horsepower

Article courtesy of: http://auto.howstuffworks.com/fuel-efficiency/fuel-saving-devices/gas-saving-devices-work.htm

Quick Lane Credit Card

Did you know????

• Quick Lane at Bedford Ford Lincoln offers a Quick Lane Credit Card... 
• 6 months same as cash 
• Free additional cards.
• Special offers on  tires and other service items

 Our factory-trained experts know all the ins and outs when it comes to your tires and have the right replacements on hand, based on your requirements. They can also help you get the most out of your tires with simple maintenance tips.

We offer 11 name-brand tires, including Michelin, Goodyear and Continental. On top of all that, we offer the guaranteed best price on the tires we sell.

You can go to Bedford Ford Lincoln's Website and schedule an appointment today for your oil change etc...

If you are interested in a Quick Lane Credit Card you can come into Bedford Ford Lincoln and get yours today!

Brown, green and blue are the next hot car colors

Silver, white and black will still make up about 50% to 80% of all car colors, but natural colors such as brown, blue and green will be the hot trend in the next five years, paint specialists at BASF say.

BASF, in its Global Automotive Color Trend Report that it released last week, says consumers want more color on their cars, or at least more variations on the tried-and-true silver, white and black. That's why some car models you see have three different grays.

What car color would you like to see?

Information courtesy of: http://content.usatoday.com/communities/driveon/post/2012/07/brown-green-and-blue-are-the-next-hot-car-colors/1#.UCzXGt1lQ-p

Is texting while driving really worse than drunk driving?

Texting, or short message service (SMS), is a quick form of communication that allows users to send 160 characters or less to and from their cell phones and smartphones. A study by the Pew Research group in 2009 and 2010 reported that out of the number of Americans who have cell phones, 58 percent of adults and 66 percent of teens use them to text .With these high percentages of Americans using text messaging every year, many are bringing the habit along with them when they drive. The same Pew study showed that 34 percent of teens who use their phone for texting said they've done it while driving, and 47 percent of adults who texted said they had done it while driving, too.

In 2008, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported that almost 6,000 fatalities and over half of a million injuries were due to accidents caused by drivers who were distracted The study wasn't focused on texting, but it does show the seriousness of driving while distracted. Like many other driving distractions, texting involves a certain amount of mental attention as well as physical application which may be why 28 states have banned drivers from texting while operating a vehicle.

But is there really proof that texting while driving is more dangerous than drunk driving? Even though research is just now being done to measure the effects of texting while driving, some in the automotive industry and others in research circles say that texting is definitely more dangerous than drunk driving. Mainly because taking a driver's eyes off the road significantly cuts down on his or her ability to react to changes.

Read more: http://auto.howstuffworks.com/texting-while-driving-worse-than-drunk-driving.htm

Overview Roush Stage 3 Mustang

Overview

The Stage 1 Mustang is the introductory model and the foundation from which all ROUSH "Stage" Mustangs grow from. It features the ROUSH styling at a price point. The ROUSH Stage 1 features a vast array of exterior styling enhancements including the 6th generation body package, referred to as the “R6” aerobody package.

Starting at the front of the car are the newly designed ROUSH upper grille, high-flow lower grille, corner fascia aero pockets with driving lamps and front chin splitter. Moving towards the back are the ROUSH rocker panel and rear fascia side splitters to give the car an aggressive, low stance. At the rear of the car sits the ROUSH three-piece rear decklid spoiler giving the car a sleek look without obstructing the view out the rear window. Rounding out the tail end is the new ROUSH rear aero valance featuring race-inspired diffusers and integrating ROUSH’s new dual chambered, chrome exhaust tips.  Read more.....

5 Car Repairs You Shouldn’t Skip

We often don’t think about maintenance on our vehicles until something is wrong. But keeping your car in top running condition is vital.
Angie’s List went to highly-rated auto repair professionals for the 5 auto service items you shouldn’t skip out on.

Oil Changes: Oil is the engine’s blood and it's critical to ensuring a car’s long life. Your vehicle’s oil should be changed depending on your driving habits, typically every 3,000-7,000 miles or around 3-6 months. You should check your car's oil level about every 1,000 miles.

"Keep your oil changed - it is the easiest thing to overlook and ignore but the most important thing anyone can do," says Terry Irwin of highly rated Aloha Auto Center in Hillsboro, Ore. "We see more worn engine parts due to the lack of oil changes."

Tire Maintenance: Properly maintained tires improve your vehicle's steering, stopping and traction. Tire pressure should be set to the manufacturer’s specifications, which can usually be found in the owners' manual, on a sticker inside fuel filler door or on the door well of the driver's side door.

"It’s important to keep your tires inflated to the pressure that is recommended by the manufacturer of the car; Proper inflation keeps your tires wearing correctly," says David Beck of highly rated All Star Tire & Auto Service in Indianapolis.

Over- or under-inflated wears tires out faster, can negatively affect fuel consumption and present a safety hazard. Get your tires rotated and balanced every 6,000-8,000 miles and get the alignment checked at least once a year to make sure there are not suspension problems.

Fluids: Transmission fluid, brake fluid, and coolant can break down over time and lose their effectiveness. All fluids should be checked and topped off every oil change. Have your transmission fluid flushed out every 50,000 miles, depending on your driving habits and your vehicle manufacturer's specifications.

Brake Check: A brake inspection should be part of your vehicle’s ongoing regular maintenance to ensure safety and reliability.

Have your brakes inspected at least once a year or more often if you experience grinding, vibrations or shaking when you break. Regardless of the vehicle, brakes generally  need to be replaced every 20,000-30,000 miles.

Scheduled Maintenance: Failure to follow the manufacturer’s recommended maintenance schedule could lead to loss of warranty coverage, breakdowns, poor fuel economy and a higher cost of ownership in the long run.

Having a certified professional inspect your car according to these schedules is an opportunity to catch problems before they get you stuck or escalate into larger repairs.

Build a relationship with a shop or mechanic. Bouncing from shop to shop may save a few dollars on particular jobs, but in the end the only one who will have any responsibility for the condition of the car will be you. "Having a reputable shop you trust means you having someone looking under the hood for any potential problems on a regular basis," says Mike Aronow, owner of highly rated Sunset Auto Imports Service in Henderson, Nevada.

A good mechanic, who is familiar with your needs, your expectations, and your car, will help you get the most from your car.

Read more: http://www.angieslist.com/articles/5-car-repairs-you-shouldnt-skip.htm?CID=OB7

Going Green

Ford Motor Company is wanting to go green, global and high-tech.  They are using using their  global resources to produce innovative technology for safer, cleaner, more fuel-efficient vehicles."

Roush Stage 3 Mustang

The Stage 3 Mustang is the pinnacle of the ROUSH "Stage" Mustangs. It builds off the styling from the Stage 1, the handling from the Stage 2, and adds its own piece of the pie, a supercharged 5.0L-4v powertrain. It is the perfect interfusion of styling, handling and brut power. The Stage 3 is everything a muscle car can and should be.

We here at Bedford Ford Lincoln are only 1 of the 2 in Indiana that carry the Roush.  Come in and see or call Greg Dalton to get all the information about your Roush.

At the heart of the Stage 3 is the supercharged 5.0L-4v powertrain pumping out a massive 565 horsepower and 505 lb-ft of torque, more than enough power to crush you into the back of your seat at the stab of the throttle. Creating the extra power is the R2300 supercharger featuring Eaton's® TVS (Twin Vortices Series) patented technology which delivers greatly enhanced thermal efficiency, produces higher volumetric capacity, and enables higher supercharger operating speeds, all of which allow for more power and better fuel efficiency in a smaller, lighter package. With the PCM calibrated by ROUSH engineers to the perfect combination of horsepower, drivability and durability, ROUSH feels completely comfortable offering an impressive 3 year/36,000 mile complete powertrain warranty.

Standard chassis components include a complete suspension system and an 18-inch by 10-inch cast aluminum, five spoke, chrome ROUSH wheel wrapped in the ROUSH/Cooper co-developed RS3 ultra high-performance tire. The suspension system consists of a larger, stiffer front stabilizer bar to reduce body roll and provide balanced, neutral handling. It also includes a unique ROUSH designed anti-wheel hop kit, twin-tube shocks with unique valving, increased rate springs as well as upgraded bushings and jounce bumpers. ROUSH chassis engineers spent thousands of hours in development and testing to create the perfect set up to aid in acceleration, cornering, stopping and ride quality.  Read more…….

Congratulations To Kevin Langley

We want to congratulate a member of our team, Kevin Langley and his wife Ashley.  They have announced they are having their first baby.

Kevin has been with Bedford Ford Lincoln for 11 years.  Kevin is the Quick Lane Manager and will take care of your tire needs and any routine maintenance that you may need on your vehicle.  We like to refer to Kevin around here as our “face of our Quick Lane".  Everyone loves him and is excited to see him mature into a really great representative of our company.  He is the customer's "car guy" to rely upon.  His specialty:   tires.  See him before you buy any new tires is my recommendation.    Kevin also loves to play golf in his spare time even though he says he is not very good at it.  

Kevin’s beautiful wife, Ashley has worked for 7 years at Bedford Hoosier Hills Credit Union.  Kevin and Ashley live in Bedford with their 6 year old boxer named, Boomer and attend Pinhook Christian Church.

We are so excited for them starting out on their new adventure.  If you have any great advice for them please leave them a comment below….

Ten Easy Ways to Keep Your Car Clean

Great tips to keep your car clean even if you’re pressed for time or just don’t feel like it.

10.) Don't eat in there

Why it's effective: If you can avoid eating in your car, you won't have to deal with all the wrappers, cartons, stains and crumbs that inevitably follow.

9.) Wax it occasionally

Why it's effective: It means you have to buy something and it means you have to spend some time after washing your car, but it's an investment that pays off. Waxing your car occasionally makes washing it the next time easier.

8.) Knock your shoes before getting in

Why it's effective: Wherever it snows and gets slushy, you really can't keep your car from getting dirty on the inside, but you can do a lot just by knocking your boots before you get in.

Sit down on the seat with your legs outside and knock your cold, block-like feet together. Then you just swivel in. It means your footwells won't be quite so grimy and icy.

7.) Keep kids out

Why it's effective: If at all possible, don't have kids and your car will stay much cleaner. If you do have kids, try and contain them in the family truckster and keep your car out of their grubby, dirty, smearing hands.

This may be a lost cause for many of you parents out there, but the rest of you need to stay vigilant.

6.) Clean messes up quick

Why it's effective: If you let a spill or a stain linger for any period of time in your car, it quickly becomes "character" and is impossible to remove.

Remember that time when Jim smacked his head on the doorframe and got blood on the armrest? Of course you do, because you didn't clean it up right away and now it's a stain you never have the time or the wherewithal to scrub away.

5.) Garage it

Why it's effective: While not everyone has a garage available, if you can find some enclosed space for your car, it will stay much cleaner. Mother Nature has a way of bringing every living bird to roost in the tree just above your parked car. There are a thousand other things the elements can bring unto your vehicle, so clear out your old BowFlex and stick your car in there.

4.) Keep a trashbag in the car

Why it's effective: Get either a small trash can or just a trash bag and keep it in your car. It keeps your junk from falling into the tiny cracks around the seats, or from rolling under the seats, and generally getting where you're too lazy to clean.

3.) Every time you leave, take something out

Why it's effective: There are three cleaning regimens that will keep your car clean. Each one requires a different degree of diligence, but they all work. Every time you stop for gas, reach into all the cubby holes and pull out the trash so you can throw it out. Every time you stop and get out of your car for any reason, grab all the trash in your car. If you stop and your car already looks clean, look around for one thing in your car that doesn't strictly need to be there and take it out.

2.) Make a routine for washing

Why it's effective: There's no quick fix to keeping your car washed regularly. You have to either set up a schedule for taking your car to a carwash, or you need to start a routine for washing your own car. Mark it out on your calendar and use the two-bucket method. One bucket has clean water and the other bucket is soapy. Scrub your car clean, soap it up, then wash it all off from the top down. Stay regimented and your car won't ever stay dirty.

1.) Keep it clean so it stays clean

Why it's effective: The easiest way to keep your car from getting dirty is to clean it once and make sure it stays that way. Once it's clean, it's easy to keep it clean, as readerhorspowr1001 explains:

If your car is always clean, you will be more inclined to toss out any trash right away. Similar to the dirty laundry analogy: If you have one pair of dirty socks on the floor, it's much easier to put that second pair there, then the third, then the.... Eventually it becomes a mess.

Also, if your passengers see a clean car, they will notice and clean up after themselves, not to mention compliment your ride.

Article courtesy of Jalopnik: http://jalopnik.com/5922778/ten-easy-ways-to-keep-your-car-clean

Ford Escape Soccer Challenge

The Ford Escape Soccer Challenge was a big success this past Saturday, July 28th, 2012 at Bedford North Lawrence soccer field.  The weather was great and the grass was green as soccer balls and shoes danced across the field. 

This year Bedford Ford Lincoln had the new 2013 Ford Escape shining and standing out as you entered the field.  To the left was the updated Ford Flex and the new Edge on the right. 

As temps were up and the athleticism and spirits were high, it was an entertaining morning for the parents as much as the kids.


"This was the first year for Ford doing the Escape Soccer Challenge and we had a great success.  We are looking forward to next year to make some improvements from what we learned this year", Steve Warrren said, with a smile.  Bedford Ford Lincoln was one of three hundred dealerships that was chosen to the Ford Escape Soccer Challenge. 

Monday evening the Ford Escape Soccer Challenge had the awards ceremony with trophy's handed out at Bedford Ford Lincoln by Richard Burton (owner of Bedford Ford Lincoln) and Steve Warren (General Manager of Bedford Ford Lincoln). 

Beginning in July and running through mid-September, Ford Dealerships will work with youth soccer clubs, YMCA's and local schools to sponsor hundreds of skills challenges in the Great Lakes Region.  One lucky parent/legal guardian will have a chance to win a two-year lease of an all-new 2013 Ford Escape.

A big thank you to all that were involved from the coaches to the soccer booster club keeping the kids hydrated.

Check out photos on our Facebook page.