Happy New Year to all of our fans!
Monday, December 31, 2012
Monday, December 24, 2012
Thursday, December 20, 2012
Winter Travel Checklist
Planning on doing some holiday travel this weekend? While your Ford can get you there safely, it's still important to prepare for an emergency. Here are a few things you'll want to stash in your trunk before you leave for the holidays:
Blanket, just in case. You might also consider taking along some newspaper for extra insulation in extreme conditions.
Chains, if you plan to travel to ski areas or other places where chains are required. If snowy weather looms in the week before your trip, consider packing your chains just in case. Even major highways require chains during some winter conditions.
Defroster. Make sure this is operating correctly before you go.
Heater. Yeah, that better be working. Enough said.
Sand or other substance to use for traction under wheel in icy conditions.
Shovel. Useful in the snow.
Snacks. Pack a few non-perishable or long-life snacks and a bottle of water for your trip. An energy bar can be a beautiful thing when you’re snowed in and the truck stop vending machines are empty.
Warm clothes, including gloves with a good tread to help you hold tools in inclement weather. If you plan to bring along tire chains, throw in a pair of work gloves. Regular gloves often tear.
Windshield scraper. You need to have one of these if you’re planning to park overnight, or even park for a dinner break in the cold. (Heck, if it’s cold enough, you might need one for a brief gas and bathroom break.) A small broom to sweep off snow will also help. The snow make look festive atop your car, but it can be darn distracting when it starts falling on your windshield while you’re driving on the highway.
Courtesy of SharpMan.com (http://www.sharpman.com/checklist_for_a_winter_road_trip.htm)
Thursday, December 13, 2012
Should You Lease Or Buy A Car?
Buying
Who Owns It
Up-front Costs
Future Value
End of Payments
Leasing
Who Owns It
Up-front Costs
Future Value
End of Payments
Best Cars to Lease
Friday, December 7, 2012
Ford Explorer History
All of this helped make the Ford Explorer not only the sales champ of its class but also
one of America's most popular vehicles. Though not always the best SUV for design,
performance or other qualities, Explorer regularly finished among the top-10 sellers
through 2000 -- and was often in the top five. Needless to say, the Explorer became
as vital to Ford Motor Company's bottom line as the full-size F-Series pickup truck line
(America's top-selling vehicle of any kind since 1980).
But nothing lasts forever, and the Explorer has lately lost much of its sales luster in a
market where truck-type SUVs are increasingly seen as anti-social against the backdrop
of global warming, record gas prices, concerns about future energy supplies, and other
troubling global realities. The sharp drop in Explorer sales is one reason Ford Motor
Company continues to post huge losses in the North American market -- a record $12.8
billion in calendar 2006 alone -- and is now fighting for its very survival.
Read more: bit.ly/TseYMl
Thursday, November 29, 2012
41st Annual Medora Christmas Festival
The 41st Annual Medora Christmas Festival will be Saturday, December 1st. Planned events for this year will include the Light Up the Town contest for residents of Carr Township with judging to be held the night before the festival. The festival will start off with Breakfast with Santa from 8AM to 10:30AM. There will be a Baking contest, Baby contest, Pet Pictures with Santa to benefit Red Sky Rescue and a Cake Walk. Vendors will line the streets starting at 9AM, the Crowning of the 2012 Prince and Princess will take place on stage at 12:30 and the Parade will begin at 1:00PM. There will be stage entertainment throughout the day and a Tree Lighting at 5:30 in front of Medora Public Library to conclude the day’s events.
Additional Info: For more information please call 812-966-8887 or 812 528-0142 or email sbowers85@yahoo.com.
Wednesday, November 21, 2012
Avoid “Turkey” of a Weekend with Pre-Trip Vehicle Check
One way to avoid a turkey of a Thanksgiving road trip is to make sure the vehicle you will be driving is running well. A 10-minute pre-trip check is small potatoes compared to a big helping of inconvenience if you break down many miles away from home, according to the Car Care Council.
“A pre-trip vehicle check provides peace of mind, helping reduce the chance of costly car trouble and providing an opportunity to have any repairs performed by one’s own trusted technician before hitting the road,” said Rich White, executive director, Car Care Council. “While no inspection can guarantee a car’s performance, it’s comforting to know proper precautions were taken to ensure a stress-free Thanksgiving road trip.”
The Car Care Council suggests the following 10-minute vehicle check to help ensure safety and reliability on the road:
- Check the tires, including tire pressure and tread. Uneven wear indicates a need for wheel alignment. Tires should also be checked for bulges and bald spots.
- Check all fluids, including engine oil, power steering and brake and transmission, as well as windshield washer solvent and antifreeze/coolant.
- Check the hoses and belts that can become cracked, brittle, frayed, loose or show signs of excessive wear. These are critical to the proper functioning of the electrical system, air conditioning, power steering and the cooling system.
- Check lighting to identify any problems with exterior and interior lighting as the chance of an accident increases if you can’t see or be seen.
- Check wipers. Wiper blades should be replaced every six months. Make sure the windshield wipers are working properly and keep the reservoir filled with solvent.
The Car Care Council also recommends that motorists restock their emergency kit. To save on fuel costs during the trip, the council suggests that motorists avoid aggressive driving, observe the speed limit and avoid excessive idling. Gas caps that are damaged, loose or missing should be replaced to prevent gas from spilling or evaporating.
Courtesy of: http://www.carcare.org/2012/11/avoid-turkey-of-a-weekend-with-pre-trip-vehicle-check/
Thursday, November 15, 2012
Bird Dog Club at Bedford Ford Lincoln
At Bedford Ford Lincoln Mercury we realize that our best form of advertising is you, our satisfied body of customers! Realizing this, we have developed a program to thank you for sharing your positive experiences with others and recommending us to them. Our commitment is to treat your referrals with the same level of respect and dedication to satisfaction we gave you.
The sales staff at Bedford Ford Lincoln Mercury is excited about having you endorse or "Hunt" for us with your friends and family, and we are committed to making your "Hunting" season as fun and rewarding as you hope it will be.
Just think, successfully referring a couple of "Birds" (friends, family, co-workers) per month and you could receive $3225 or more (depending on the pay scale) per year as our way of saying, "Thank You"! What would 4 "Birds" per month reward you? You won't believe the possibilities!
The best part of the whole “Bird Dog Club” is getting a “Bone” or a reward for successfully recommending us to your family, friends and co-workers. So, here's how the "Bone Chart" works |
1st Bird.................................................$50 2nd Bird...................................................$75 3rd Bird.......................................................$100 4th Bird...........................................................$100 5th Bird..............................................................$125 6th Bird.................................................................$125 7th Bird....................................................................$150 8th Bird......................................................................$150 9th Bird.........................................................................$175 10th Bird..........................................................................$175 Each Additional Bird..........................................................$200 |
Seeking out birds (customers) is a learned behavior that can be mastered with the help of your hunter (salesperson) and a few tips listed below.
- Always remember everyone you know is a bird.
- Listen for birds who are talking about buying.
- Hunt in locations where you know lots of birds:
- Work
- Church
- Social Events
- School
- Clubs
- Friends
- Relatives
- Co-workers - Tell the bird about your personal experience with
Bedford Ford Lincoln Mercury - Be ready to answer questions:
- What is Bedford Ford Lincoln?
- Where are they located?
- Who should I talk to?
- Can I just stop in at any time?
- Do they take in trade-ins?
- Can I go online and view their inventory?
- What is their phone number?
Learn more: http://www.birddogclub.com/Birddog_Rules.asp
Friday, November 9, 2012
Tempered Safety Glass
With all the new technology that can go into a car today, it is easy to forget about the older, but no less important innovations that help to protect us. Laminated and tempered safety glass used for car windows makes for one less thing to worry about in a car accident.
"Laminated safety glass has two other additional benefits:
-It reduces transmission of high frequency sound.
-It blocks 97 percent of ultraviolet radiation.
Laminated safety glass is also used in:
Thermometers for taking body temperature
-Cutting boards
-Greenhouse windows
-Shower enclosures
-Office partitions
-Laminated safety glass resists falling out of its frame during an earthquake or a tornado.
Tempered safety glass is a single piece of glass that gets tempered using a process that heats, then quickly cools, the glass to harden it. The tempering process increases the strength of the glass to five to 10 times that of untempered glass. Tempered safety glass breaks differently than regular clear glass. When tempered safety glass is struck it does not break into sharp jagged pieces of shrapnel-like glass as normal window panes or mirrors do. Instead, it breaks into little pebble-like pieces, without sharp edges. It is used in the side and rear windows of automobiles. Eyewear uses tempered glass that has been tempered using a chemical process.
Courtesy of Howstuffworks.com
Thursday, November 1, 2012
Tips for Driving on Snow and Ice:
It’s that time of year again, winter! Check out tips from The Weather Channel on how to drive on snow and ice.
The best advice for driving in bad winter weather is not to drive at all, if you can avoid it.
Don't go out until the snow plows and sanding trucks have had a chance to do their work, and allow yourself extra time to reach your destination.
If you must drive in snowy conditions, make sure your car is prepared (TIPS), and that you know how to handle road conditions.
It's helpful to practice winter driving techniques in a snowy, open parking lot, so you're familiar with how your car handles. Consult your owner's manual for tips specific to your vehicle.
Driving safely on icy roads
- Decrease your speed and leave yourself plenty of room to stop. You should allow at least three times more space than usual between you and the car in front of you.
- Brake gently to avoid skidding. If your wheels start to lock up, ease off the brake.
- Turn on your lights to increase your visibility to other motorists.
- Keep your lights and windshield clean.
- Use low gears to keep traction, especially on hills.
- Don't use cruise control or overdrive on icy roads.
- Be especially careful on bridges, overpasses and infrequently traveled roads, which will freeze first. Even at temperatures above freezing, if the conditions are wet, you might encounter ice in shady areas or on exposed roadways like bridges.
- Don't pass snow plows and sanding trucks. The drivers have limited visibility, and you're likely to find the road in front of them worse than the road behind.
- Don't assume your vehicle can handle all conditions. Even four-wheel and front-wheel drive vehicles can encounter trouble on winter roads.
If your rear wheels skid...
- Take your foot off the accelerator.
- Steer in the direction you want the front wheels to go. If your rear wheels are sliding left, steer left. If they're sliding right, steer right.
- If your rear wheels start sliding the other way as you recover, ease the steering wheel toward that side. You might have to steer left and right a few times to get your vehicle completely under control.
- If you have standard brakes, pump them gently.
- If you have anti-lock brakes (ABS), do not pump the brakes. Apply steady pressure to the brakes. You will feel the brakes pulse — this is normal.
If your front wheels skid...
- Take your foot off the gas and shift to neutral, but don't try to steer immediately.
- As the wheels skid sideways, they will slow the vehicle and traction will return. As it does, steer in the direction you want to go. Then put the transmission in "drive" or release the clutch, and accelerate gently.
If you get stuck...
- Do not spin your wheels. This will only dig you in deeper.
- Turn your wheels from side to side a few times to push snow out of the way.
- Use a light touch on the gas, to ease your car out.
- Use a shovel to clear snow away from the wheels and the underside of the car.
- Pour sand, kitty litter, gravel or salt in the path of the wheels, to help get traction.
- Try rocking the vehicle. (Check your owner's manual first — it can damage the transmission on some vehicles.) Shift from forward to reverse, and back again. Each time you're in gear, give a light touch on the gas until the vehicle gets going.
Read more: http://www.weather.com/activities/driving/drivingsafety/drivingsafetytips/snow.html
Friday, October 26, 2012
Tips for Driving in the rain:
How do we deal with hydroplaning and low view distance? AAA offers these tips of advice:
Go slowly. Slow down and increase following distances. Speed limits are set for ideal road conditions. When it rains, visibility is reduced and braking distances increase.
Light up. Use low-beam headlights to help others see your car and increase your visibility. Remember Maryland law requires headlights to be on when windshield wipers are in use.
Be careful of standing and running water. As little as six inches of water on a road can cause most drivers to lose control of their vehicle. Nearly half of all people who die in flash floods are in cars and have underestimated the power of flood waters or have not acted quickly enough to escape. Do not drive through moving water or flooded areas. If floodwaters arise around your car, abandon the car and move to higher ground if you can safely do so. If not, do not open your car doors, stay within your vehicle and call 911.
Be a follower. Driving in the tracks of other vehicles can improve traction and help avoid hydroplaning.
Read more: http://www.abc2news.com/dpp/weather/safety/safety-tips-for-driving-in-heavy-rain#ixzz28wNQwICo
Friday, October 19, 2012
2012 Sorghum Festival!
This year’s Sorghum Festival will be tomorrow, October 20th at the Crawford County High School. Don’t miss out on fun for the whole family. It will feature local artists, craftsmen, live demonstrations, food booths, homemade sorghum and lots of entertainment.
Friday, October 12, 2012
Fall Forest Fun Day at Murray Forest Park Tomorrow!
Don’t miss out on Fall Forest Fun Day at Murray Forest Park on Saturday, October 13th from 10AM to 2:00PM. This event is free and will include many activities for kids with a chance to see live wildlife and take guided hikes. There will also be live Hawks and Owls from 10AM-1PM, a possible appearance by Smokey the Bear and Hydrilla Man from 10AM to11AM, concessions, shelters, tables and restrooms will be available. During the event there will be numerous stations with activities such as a scavenger hunt, paper crafts, nature crafts, animal calls, nature hike, bug hunt, bird feeder making and much more, with a Raptor program beginning at 1PM. For more information call the Bedford Parks Department at 812-275-5692
Friday, October 5, 2012
October is Fall Car Care Month
The Car Care Council recommends 10 basic maintenance procedures to keep your vehicle operating at its best:
1. Check all fluids, including engine oil, power steering, brake and transmission as well as windshield washer solvent and antifreeze/coolant.
2. Check the hoses and belts to make sure they are not cracked, brittle, frayed, loose or showing signs of excessive wear.
3. Check the battery and replace if necessary. Make sure the connection is clean, tight and corrosion-free.
4. Check the brake system annually and have the brake linings, rotors and drums inspected at each oil change.
5. Inspect the exhaust system for leaks, damage and broken supports or hangers if there is an unusual noise. Exhaust leaks can be dangerous and must be corrected without delay.
6. Schedule a tune-up to help the engine deliver the best balance of power and fuel economy and produce the lowest level of emissions.
7. Check the heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) system as proper heating and cooling performance is critical for interior comfort and for safety reasons such as defrosting.
8. Inspect the steering and suspension system annually including shock absorbers, struts and chassis parts such as ball joints, tie rod ends and other related components.
9. Check the tires, including tire pressure and tread. Uneven wear indicates a need for wheel alignment. Tires should also be checked for bulges and bald spots.
10. Check the wipers and lighting so that you can see and be seen. Check to make sure that all interior and exterior lighting is working properly and replace worn wiper blades so you can see clearly when driving during precipitation.
To help motorists follow a vehicle maintenance program, a free digital Car Care Guide can be found on the council’s website at www.carcare.org/car-care-guide. The guide is available in English and Spanish, and includes information on service interval schedules, questions to ask a technician and tips to drive smart and save money.
Article courtesy of: http://www.carcare.org/2011/09/fall-into-a-vehicle-maintenance-program/
Wednesday, October 3, 2012
It's A Boy!
While checking the baby’s health is obviously the most important objective of that ultrasound, parents anticipate the ultrasound for other reasons as well.
The first ultrasound confirms the pregnancy and establishes a due date. That ultrasound also allows mom to see this baby she has been carrying around for the past seven or eight weeks or so…a rewarding and emotional experience even if the parents can’t make out exactly what they are seeing on that blurry, black and white screen. Typically, the next regularly scheduled ultrasound is the big day when parents find out if they are having a girl or boy.
Kevin and Ashley are having a BOY! Kevin is so excited! Here at Quick Lane and Bedford Ford Lincoln we feel our customers and those we work with are our family. Kevin would like to share with you the pictures they got yesterday of their baby boy..
Monday, October 1, 2012
Quick Lane Giving Away Free Stuff
We have had several winners of the Friday's Question. Last weeks winner was Ray Lindsey. (Pictured below with our Quick Lane guys, Jason Johnson and Kevin Langley)
Come on over and like our Facebook Page for a chance to win. You can also email us at kim.powell@bedfordfordlm.com and we can send you the question and the link to answer. This way you do not miss out on a chance to win Free stuff...
Stay tuned for what we will be giving away this Friday!!!!
Friday, September 28, 2012
Psychopath at Sleeping Bear Retreat
Have fun while being chased by monsters and demons! Every Friday and Saturday in October from dark until 11PM, experience Psycho~Path at Sleeping Bear Retreat. Tickets are $10 each. Children under 14 shouldn’t attend without an adult. The Psycho~Path is in the woods with big hills and obstacles so it’s not handicap accessible.
Visit http://www.sleepingbearretreat.com for more information.
Thursday, September 20, 2012
What to do when you’re in a car accident
1. Keep an Emergency Kit in Your Glove Compartment. Drivers should carry a cell phone, as well as pen and paper for taking notes, a disposable camera to take photos of the vehicles at the scene, and a card with information about medical allergies or conditions that may require special attention if there are serious injuries. Also, keep a list of contact numbers for law enforcement agencies handy. Drivers can keep this free fill-in-the-blanks accident information form in their glove compartment. The DocuDent™ Auto Accident Kit ($19.95), supported by AAA and insurance companies, offers a comprehensive kit that includes a flashlight, reusable camera and accident documentation instructions. A set of cones, warning triangles or emergency flares should be kept in the trunk.
2. Keep Safety First. Drivers involved in minor accidents with no serious injuries should move cars to the side of the road and out of the way of oncoming traffic. Leaving cars parked in the middle of the road or busy intersection can result in additional accidents and injuries. If a car cannot be moved, drivers and passengers should remain in the cars with seatbelts fastened for everyone's safety until help arrives. Make sure to turn on hazard lights and set out cones, flares or warning triangles if possible.
3. Exchange Information. After the accident, exchange the following information: name, address, phone number, insurance company, policy number, driver license number and license plate number for the driver and the owner of each vehicle. If the driver's name is different from the name of the insured, establish what the relationship is and take down the name and address for each individual. Also make a written description of each car, including year, make, model and color — and the exact location of the collision and how it happened. Finally, be polite but don't tell the other drivers or the police that the accident was your fault, even if you think it was.
4. Photograph and Document the Accident. Use your camera to document the damage to all the vehicles. Keep in mind that you want your photos to show the overall context of the accident so that you can make your case to a claims adjuster. If there were witnesses, try to get their contact information; they may be able to help you if the other drivers dispute your version of what happened.
5. File An Accident Report. Although law enforcement officers in many locations may not respond to accidents unless there are injuries, drivers should file a state vehicle accident report, which is available at police stations and often on the Department of Motor Vehicles Web site as a downloadable file. A police report often helps insurance companies speed up the claims process.
6. Know What Your Insurance Covers. The whole insurance process will be easier following your accident if you know the details of your coverage. For example, don't wait until after an accident to find out that your policy doesn't automatically cover costs for towing or a replacement rental car. Generally, for only a dollar or two extra each month, you can add coverage for rental car reimbursement, which provides a rental car for little or no money while your car is in the repair shop or if it is stolen. Check your policy for specifics.
The final question in dealing with an accident is usually who will pay for the damages? If the accident was minor, you and the other drivers may decide to handle the damages yourselves without the involvement of an insurance company. But this isn't always the best idea, for several reasons.
While the other driver may agree to pay for the damage to your car on the day of the accident, he may see the repair bills and decide it's too high. At this point, time has passed and your insurance company will have more difficulty piecing together the evidence if you file a claim.
Also, keep in mind that you have no way of knowing whether another driver will change his mind and report the accident to his insurance company. He may even claim injuries that weren't apparent at the scene of the accident. This means that your insurance company may end up paying him a hefty settlement or worse yet, you could be dragged into a lawsuit. So make sure that your company has your version of what happened and check your policy — if the damages paid out by your insurance company are below a certain amount, the accident may not be considered chargeable. And you will avoid the penalty of a premium hike.
Auto accidents take a tremendous toll on everyone involved, both financially and emotionally. If you're one of the lucky ones who have thus far avoided a serious accident, hopefully the tips on prevention will help keep it that way. The chances are high, though, that at some point you will be involved in a minor accident. Just keep your head and make safety your primary concern. You'll have plenty of time to deal with the consequences later.
Article courtesy of: http://www.edmunds.com/car-safety/what-to-do-after-a-car-accident.html
Thursday, September 13, 2012
Defensive Driving Tips
There are an estimated 250 million vehicles on U.S. roads today. This is a recipe for more traffic jams and longer commutes which can lead to shorter tempers. Read the following tips and live by them – they will make a difference to your well-being while in the car, as well as others who are on the road with you.
- Be cognizant: When driving, remain aware of others around you. Do not get sucked into a situation that can lead to unsafe behavior or triggering an emotional dispute with another driver.
- Be generous: When in traffic and someone wants to cut in front of you, let them. You getting to your exit, through the tunnel or to the toll gate one car length behind, will not greatly impact your arrival time at all. It will, however, insure your getting there safely.
- Be spacious: Do not tailgate. Leave plenty or room between you and the car ahead of you – even if the driver behind you is tailgating.
- Be consistent: When driving in a highly trafficked area, attempt to maintain the car at a steady speed. Do not drive at inconsistent speeds to pass someone unsafely or to ‘get away’ from another vehicle.
- Be present: Phone calls, incoming texts, makeup or children can all be a distraction to you. All of these can impact your driving. Stay present to your driving responsibility as well as the driving responses of others.
- Be schooled: For many adult drivers, the last time they took a drivers education class was when they got their driver’s license. How many years ago was that? Through local continuing adult refresher classes, enroll yourself in a program to see what is new as well as get a refresher on some things you may have forgotten. Make this fun – do it with your girlfriend, teen driver, husband or partner.
Article courtesy of: women-drivers.com