How to Make Sure Your Steak is Done this Fourth of July

WESTLAND, Mich.– Summer in general is a season for grilling, but holidays like Independence Day are when Americans really like to show off their tong-handling, meat-searing, steak-flipping skills. Regardless of how slick you are with the grill tools, it’s vital that you know how to make sure your steak is done this Fourth of July before serving it to anyone. Here are some tips:

Rare Steak

Some are puzzled by others’ affinity for undercooked meat, but you or someone you know might be the guy celebrating the Fourth of July with a hunk of red meat on their plate. To test for a properly cooked rare steak, form a circle with your index finger and thumb. With your other index finger press the palm under your thumb. Yup, that’s what a rare steak feels like!

Medium-Rare Steak

This one is just as simple. Make a circle with your middle finger and thumb, and press the palm under your thumb. Are you starting to see a pattern here?

Medium Steak

You guessed it: Make a circle with your ring finger and thumb. Press the palm. There’s your medium steak.

Well-Done Steak

Bet you’re expecting a curveball with this one. Well, you’re wrong, we’re sticking with the same pattern. Make a circle with your pinky and thumb– press and feel the toughness of a well-done steak.

Regardless of what secret rub recipe you’ve concocted and love to brag about, despite your shiny new grill and aside from your tong-mastery, to be a true grill master you need to know how to make sure your steak is done this Fourth of July the way your guests like it! 

If you're a Ford driver, you already have an eye for great vehicles like the New Ford Vehicles and Used Vehicles at our Westland Ford Dealership, so all you have to do is carry that over to the grill to spot when a steak is ready to serve!

North Brothers Ford is located at 33300 Ford Rd Westland, MI 48185 and proudly serves as one of the premier dealerships in Metro Detroit, committed to exceptional customer service! Stop by, or give us a call at (888)806-7163, our knowledgeable and helpful sales team will be more than happy to assist you!

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New Ford MoDe:Flex Electric Bike Makes City Living Easy

WESTLAND, Mich. –– Urban dwelling is making a comeback, and Ford Motor Co. is searching outside the bounds of its automotive territory for solutions that could improve livability in places with swelling populations. The new Ford MoDe:Flex electric bike makes city living easy and is one of the automaker's most impressive answers to the transportation dilemma of owning or driving a vehicle in an urban setting. The newest Ford eBike and its prototype smartphone app make daily travel, such as commuting to and from work, feasible in a metropolis.

As Ford’s third and most functional eBike, MoDe:Flex has the ability to adjust to customers’ specific needs. The center frame assembly consists of a motor and battery to assist riders, and the front and rear assemblies and wheels can be adjusted for road, mountain, or city riding. The bike folds to fit inside any Ford vehicle where it can charge while stowed, making transportation easy for those who drive into a city for work –– or play –– but prefer to get around by bike while in town.

Similar to the MoDe:Me and MoDe:Pro eBikes Ford debuted in March 2015,  the new Ford MoDe:Flex electric bike makes city living easy by syncing with the MoDe:Link app on an eBike rider’s smartphone. The app forwards important information concerning weather, congestion, parking prices, time, traffic, and public transportation to ensure the journey is efficient, cost-effective, and safe.

A new extension of MoDe:Link for the smartwatch puts all of this real-time data and functionality on an eBike rider’s wrist, and includes features like the no-sweat mode, which boosts electric pedal assist based on the rider’s heart rate and keeps them sweat-free. Other functions of the MoDe:Link smartwatch extension include safety notifications such as vibrating handlebars and beeping to indicate upcoming obstructions or hazards, such as potholes, in the rider’s path.

Ford is also experimenting with ways MoDe:Flex could act as a data receptacle. Sensors installed on the bike could collect data on traffic and pedestrian patters, and road conditions to help city officials develop better bike lanes through urban landscapes, while riders could benefit from insights on the best or worst routes to take.

Ford’s development of the MoDe:Flex eBike may seem peculiar coming from a company that initiated automotive mass production. But when you think about Ford's goal to develop technologies and transportation that drive humanity down better roads, it makes sense why it would create room in its project space for two-wheeled transit. Who knows, maybe one day we’ll sell eBikes on the same lot as the New Ford Vehicles and Used Vehicles at our Westland Ford Dealership.

North Brothers Ford is located at 33300 Ford Rd Westland, MI 48185 and proudly serves as one of the premier dealerships in Metro Detroit, committed to exceptional customer service! Stop by, or give us a call at (888)806-7163, our knowledgeable and helpful sales team will be more than happy to assist you!

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Ford Moves Closer to Autonomous Vehicle Development

WESTLAND, Mich.– Ford is transitioning its autonomous vehicle research into an advanced engineering program headed by 29-year Ford veteran Randy Visintainer and comprised of a global team that includes Ford Research and Innovation Center Palo Alto. 

As Ford moves closer to autonomous vehicle development, the advanced engineering program headed by Visintainer takes them into the second of three phases that make the journey of taking autonomous driving technology to market. The second phase will include the testing of sensing and computing technology, and polishing algorithms.

The much-discussed Ford Smart Mobility plan umbrellas the advanced engineering team’s driver-assist technology focus areas that are intended to carry Ford vehicles in the direction of connectivity, mobility, autonomous vehicles, the customer experience and big data.

SBD North America determined that as of now, Ford vehicles dominate driver-assistance features in Four U.S. vehicle segments: the F-150 in the large-duty pickup segment; the Edge and Explorer in the midsize SUV segment; the Fusion in the midsize car segment; and the Taurus in the large car segment.

In the next five years Ford will spread driver-assist technologies across their product lineup to promote even more automated driving capability, According to Raj Nair, Ford group vice president, Global Product Development,

With driver-assist technologies such as active park assist, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning with lane-keeping aid and blind spot monitoring, it’s not hard to imagine the future as Ford moves closer to autonomous vehicle development.

Ford is also collaborating with Silicon Valley start-ups and innovators to discover mobility solutions and extend them globally to millions of people. 

One of the major Silicon Valley companies Ford is collaborating with is Carbon3D from Redwood City, CA., which created Continuous Liquid Interface Production Technology– a 3D printing technology that uses UV curable resins to grow parts 25 to 100 times faster than traditional 3D printing processes. Ford has used this technology to produce elastomer grommets for the Ford Focus Electric and damping bumper parts for the Transit Connect, and intends to use the technology to produce other high-quality automotive-grade parts.

By measure of Ford’s willingness to delve into research and advanced engineering at full speed, it only makes sense that these future vehicles will be of the highest quality. We see the technology Ford has come out with so far, and expect it to continue progressing. That’s why we’re loud and proud about the New Ford Cars or New Ford Trucks at our Westland Ford Dealership

North Brothers Ford is located at 33300 Ford Rd Westland, MI 48185 and proudly serves as one of the premier dealerships in Metro Detroit, committed to exceptional customer service! Stop by, or give us a call at (888)806-7163, our knowledgeable and helpful sales team will be more than happy to assist you! 

Visit our website: www.northbros.com

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5 Unique Father's Day Gifts

WESTLAND, Mich.– This Sunday is Father’s Day– the one day a year dedicated to your dad. For most fathers some affection, a car wash or cleaning up the yard is enough to make them feel appreciated. But getting your dad a quality gift can do the job, too. Check out these 5 unique Father’s Day gifts that will make your Dad’s day:

45-Second Omelet Maker

So many dads are perpetually busy. Think about it: Work, family, housework. When does it end? End the days of your dad running out the door for work each morning with a piece of toast dangling from his mouth. This 45-second omelet maker is the perfect solution to help him get a hearty breakfast instead.

RC Helicopter

You know how the saying goes: “There’s a child in all of us.” Help your dad release his inner kid this Father’s Day. RC helicopters are trending right now, and flying them around in the backyard could be perfect way for him to unwind after a long day.

Golf Mug

With the warm weather that accompanies June, Father’s Day is right around when many dads start playing the links on a regular basis. Help your dad get his swing back for this golf season by making sure he practices from the time he has his first cup of joe in the morning.

All-In-One Phone Case and Wallet

Does your dad have a history of losing things– say his wallet or phone? Let’s banish that problem for him. Give him an all-in-one phone case and wallet so everything he needs on his person is in one place.

Sedum Terrarium

As the years go by, dads tend to pick up more and more obscure but interesting hobbies. If your dad already bakes bread and gardens, take him to another level and get him a sedum terrarium kit. Now he can have a miniature ecosystem from his green thumb right on his office desk.

Make Father’s Day a memorable occasion for your dad this Sunday. Go out on a limb and get him one of these 5 unique Father’s Day gifts that he’ll always remember. If you’re looking for something else to go along with the gift, consider taking your dad to look at some New Ford Cars or New Ford Trucks at our Westland Ford Dealership. Everyone knows dads love Ford!

North Brothers Ford is located at 33300 Ford Rd Westland, MI 48185 and proudly serves as one of the premier dealerships in Metro Detroit, committed to exceptional customer service! Stop by, or give us a call at (888)806-7163, our knowledgeable and helpful sales team will be more than happy to assist you! 

Visit our website: www.northbros.com

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North Brothers Ford Sponsors Drive 4UR Community

WESTLAND, Mich.– Here at North Brothers Ford, we love getting our hands dirty and doing things for our community. That’s why North Brothers Ford sponsors Drive 4UR Community, a Ford Motor Company fundraising event intended to raise money for the Garden City Rotary Club.

To raise funds, North Brothers Ford is giving members of the local community the chance to test-drive all-new Ford vehicles! For each person who test-drives a vehicle at the event, Ford Motor Company and North Brothers Ford will make a $25 donation to the Garden City Rotary Club, with a limit of one donation per household and a maximum donation of $6,000.

North Brothers Ford Sponsors Drive 4UR Community on Saturday, June 27, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Garden City Lucky Squirrel Festival located in the Kroger parking lot at Ford and Middlebelt roads in Garden City, Mich. To get an idea of what you can test-drive on June 27, check out our inventory of New Ford Vehicles! Be sure to contact us if you have any questions.

North Brothers Ford is located at 33300 Ford Rd Westland, MI 48185 and proudly serves as one of the premier dealerships in Metro Detroit, committed to exceptional customer service! Stop by, or give us a call at (888)806-7163, our knowledgeable and helpful sales team will be more than happy to assist you! 

Visit our website: www.northbros.com

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Military Members Take Ford Vehicles for a Spin

WESTLAND, Mich.­– There are many creative ways we can support our troops, but the best idea we’ve seen yet was letting American military members take Ford vehicles for a spin at the Ford Driving Freedom ride-and-drive event in Germany.

At Ford Driving Freedom, Ford handed over Mustang and F-150 keys to troops who are stationed across Europe and let them burn some rubber at Hockenheimring, the German Grand Prix track. The test-drive event gave military members a break from their day-to-day routine, but was still something exciting and invigorating to fit their appetite for the extreme.

By having military members take Ford vehicles for a spin at a central location like Hockenheimring, Ford was able to extend the event to troops stationed in many different areas of Europe. Military members weren’t the only ones to benefit from the occasion. The event provided Ford a rare opportunity to show off two of its most popular cars to men and women stationed overseas.

Overseas Military Sales Corporation– the only on-base, factory-authorized Ford Motor Company distributor to military personnel– also got in on the action by hosting a contest that generated 125 winners out of 300 entrants. The contest was another way Ford found to boost morale for U.S. military members who are away from their friends and family back home.

Ford has a close relationship with military members that started long before this event was put on. In 2014, the F-150 was the highest-selling vehicle to military members, and Overseas Military Sales Corporation was the world’s leading Mustang retailer. No wonder the Ford Driving Freedom event had such a wonderful turnout!

The Ford Driving Freedom event was a test-drive in itself, used by Ford to gauge how effective similar future events might be. However, considering how well things went this time around, we expect Ford to mimic the event in the future. But you don’t have to wait to test-drive a New Ford Vehicle like the Mustang or the F-150. Come into our Westland Ford Dealership and get behind the wheel of a Ford!

North Brothers Ford is located at 33300 Ford Rd Westland, MI 48185 and proudly serves as one of the premier dealerships in Metro Detroit, committed to exceptional customer service! Stop by, or give us a call at (888)806-7163, our knowledgeable and helpful sales team will be more than happy to assist you!

Visit our website: www.northbros.com

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North Brothers Ford is Open on Saturdays

WESTLAND, Mich.– Like most Americans, you probably have a ridiculously busy schedule from week-to-week. We understand that the weekend is probably the only time you have to get things done, and that time can fly. That’s why North Brothers Ford is open on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Whether you’re looking for a new vehicle or your current vehicle needs service, we’re ready to get the job done on a schedule that works for you.

We strive to be your No. 1 Ford dealer, and that’s why North Brothers Ford is open on Saturdays– to make life easier for you. But service and sales aren’t the only things we offer our customers who visit us on Saturdays. Now, only on Saturdays, customers who come into North Bros also have the chance to register to WIN a 2-year lease on a 2015 Ford Fusion!

Whether you’re looking for a New Ford Vehicle or a Used Ford Vehicle, or simply need your vehicle serviced, our Westland Ford Dealership is open on Saturdays for your convenience! North Brothers Ford is located at 33300 Ford Rd Westland, MI 48185 and proudly serves as one of the premier dealerships in Metro Detroit, committed to exceptional customer service! Stop by, or give us a call at (888)806-7163, our knowledgeable and helpful sales team will be more than happy to assist you!

Visit our website: www.northbros.com

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Ford SYNC 3 will Debut this Summer

WESTLAND, Mich.– Once again, Ford is taking technology that is already deeply integrated into our daily routines and connecting it to our vehicles. The latest version of Ford SYNC 3 will debut this summer with the 2016 Ford Escape and Fiesta in North America.

The latest edition of Ford’s popular communications and entertainment system will feature a number of useful tools for drivers, including:

• Faster performance
• Conversational voice recognition
• A perceptive touchscreen
• A simpler graphical interface
• AppLink to incorporate smartphone apps
• Siri Eyes-Free capability for Apple iPhone
• Software updates via Wi-Fi
• Enhanced 911 Assist

Ford SYNC 3 will debut this summer with the automaker’s highest-volume vehicle, the Escape, and its most affordable, the Fiesta. Drivers will be able to access their smartphone’s features more readily and hands-free, allowing them to stay focused on the road. Adding this breadth of technology to two of Ford’s most revered vehicles will make them that much more valuable and safer.

With Ford placing such a heavy emphasis on technology and safety in their vehicles, it’s no surprise that New Ford Cars and New Ford Trucks fly off the lot at our Westland Ford Dealership! Come by later this summer to check out the 2016 Escape and Fiesta with SYNC 3.

North Brothers Ford is located at 33300 Ford Rd Westland, MI 48185 and proudly serves as one of the premier dealerships in Metro Detroit, committed to exceptional customer service! Stop by, or give us a call at (888)806-7163, our knowledgeable and helpful sales team will be more than happy to assist you!

Visit our website: www.northbros.com

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Summer Car Care Tips

WESTLAND, Mich.– The summer months are finally in sight, and that means it's time to do regular checkups on your vehicle to make sure the heat doesn’t get the best of it. These summer car care tips will help you drive safer this summer! Here are some things you’ll want to keep an eye on:

Coolant (antifreeze)

First and foremost, it’s extremely important to check your vehicle’s coolant level on a regular basis. Hot weather can quickly cause your vehicle to overheat if its coolant level isn’t where it should be. Check if your coolant is below the minimum level on the coolant reservoir. If it is, add enough coolant to get the level where it should be. If you notice your vehicle overheating again, you may have a coolant leak on your hands. This might require a technician to replace damaged or worn components.

Air Conditioning

During the winter, lack of heat in your vehicle can be a major issue. In the summer it’s the exact opposite! You want your car to be cool enough for you to drive comfortably in, and keeping the windows down constantly can drag down your gas mileage. The best thing to do is to make sure cool air blows out of your vents consistently. If your vehicle isn’t cooling as well as it should, you might need an air conditioning recharge to bring back that chill you need for hot summer days!

Brakes

When you’re on a long road trip this summer, you want to make sure you’re safe. If your brakes are too worn, things could get dangerous. Make sure your brake pads are what they should be. Look for warning signs like the brake system warning light, squealing or grinding sounds, and a burning odor, just to name a few.

Tires

Again, summer is vacation season, and many of our customers like to tough it out on road trips. But when your vehicle is traveling long distances it’s vital for your tires to be in good condition. Before hitting the road, make sure you follow our PART rule:

• Pressure: Make sure your tires aren’t underinflated or overinflated
• Alignment: Correct wheel alignment helps proper steering and handling
• Rotate: Frequently rotate your tires so they wear evenly
• Tread: Check your tires for uneven wear or smooth spots

Wiper Blades

Although it usually rains the most in spring, the summer months definitely get their fair share of wet days. Visibility is important when you’re on the road and it suddenly begins to pour. If you’re noticing streaks or smears on your windshield, it’s definitely time to replace your wiper blades!

These are just a few summesr car care tips that can help you make the most of your driving experience this summer. There are definitely more tips and tricks as well as routine maintenance that you can use to keep your vehicle in great condition. All of the New Vehicles and Used Vehicles at our Ford Dealership meet these safety standards, and your vehicle should, too. Schedule a maintenance appointment today to ensure your vehicle is ready for summer!

North Brothers Ford is located at 33300 Ford Rd Westland, MI 48185 and proudly serves as one of the premier dealerships in Metro Detroit, committed to exceptional customer service! Stop by, or give us a call at (888)806-7163, our knowledgeable and helpful sales team will be more than happy to assist you!

Visit our website: www.northbros.com

Follow us on social media: Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram, YouTube and Google+