Pet Driving Tips

WESTLAND, Mich. – Do you feel guilty leaving your furry friends at home alone all day? We sure do! Especially when they do the cute little "head to the side" thing that all dogs do, you know what we're talking about. No that the warmer weather is finally rolling in, we have the freedom take our furry friend along for the ride with us! Whether it's to the park, the beach, the lake house, or on a road trip, it's good to have some pet driving tips to fall back on! Take a look at these; you'll definitely be ready to head out on the road with your favorite pup!

• Before you hit the road, it's important to do some research. Investigate the pet-friendly hotels, restaurants, and parks along the way. This way, both you and your pet can benefit from a well-deserved break together.

• You would never let you child ride without a seat belt, would you? Well, we feel that should go for your pet as well! Be sure your little buddy is always secure in some type of carrier that is properly attached to the vehicle. This will not only benefit the safety of your four-legged friend, but also will keep you free from distraction and harm as well. 

• Most importantly, and we are sure you've heard this time and time again – NEVER leave your pet alone in a vehicle! Even if you think the temperature outside is just right, whether it's cold or hot, the temperature in a vehicle can change in a matter of minutes, leading to serious health problems for our little friends.

• Just like us, it's critical to always make sure your four-legged friend is hydrated. Pack a frozen bowl of water for them to lick – no more messy water spills all over the car!

• If you know you have a long road trip ahead, take the time to walk or play with your pet beforehand. This will help them to get most of their energy out, resulting in a relaxing car ride for all. 

• Before any long trip, it's crucial to make sure your pet is up to date on all vaccines – preventing them from picking up any threats that could be lurking in the new environment. 

• Consider bringing along something your pet is familiar with like a special toy or blanket. Pets love the scent of something well known because it gives them a sense of comfort and content, helping to eliminate any fear they may have while riding in the car. 

Do you have any pet driving tips you use, share them with by posting them to our Facebook wall! Looking for a great vehicle to share with your furry friends? Try the 2015 Ford Escape, EVERYONE in your family will love it, even those with four legs and a tail! North Brothers Ford is located at 33300 Ford Rd. Westland, MI 48185, is proud to be one of the premier dealerships in Southeast Michigan and is committed to exceptional customer service! Stop by or give us a call at (888) 806-7163, our knowledgeable sales team will be more than happy to help!

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Ford Buys Startup Company to Reshape the Connected Car

WESTLAND, Mich. - Ford has announced that they have recently purchased an in-vehicle connectivity software company named Livio, for less than $10 million. Ford has bought this startup company to reshape the connected car which means it will become easier to connect your smartphone to your vehicle - great news for those who love the convenience of technology!

Ford hopes to use Livio to raise the standard for how smartphones connect to the screens in Ford vehicles. By using this software, they hope to remove the complexity of in-vehicle connectivity - to put it simply, they want to make it as easy as possible for you to connect your phone to your vehicle.

Livio currently allows users to put popular broadcasts and streaming music services directly into their stereos. It also allows you to integrate apps from Escort, Accuweather and Waze. Although Livio is now part of the Ford Motor Company, it will continue to support existing customers.

Ford has bought Livio to reshape the connected car, which means over the next year or two we'll be able to see how much easier it becomes to seamlessly connect your phone to your car. While this system is still being worked into Ford vehicles, we currently have great in-car connectivity systems such as AppLink, Ford SYNC and SYNC with MyFord Touch. If you'd like to discuss the various technology options, we'd love to go over it with you! So stop by your Ann Arbor Ford Dealer today!

North Brothers Ford, located at 33300 Ford Rd Westland, MI 48185, is proud to be one of the premier dealerships in Southeast Michigan committed to exceptional customer service! Stop by or give us a call at (888) 806-7163, our knowledgeable sales team will be happy to help!

Visit our website: www.northbros.comFollow us on: Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Google+ 

Safe Driving Tips for Teens

WESTLAND, Mich. - New drivers are always a concern when you're on the road, especially when the weather is not ideal. That's why it's necessary to make young drivers aware of how important a safety belt can be and how distractions on the road are extremely risky. To help make them aware, we've compiled a few safe driving tips for teens to help keep them focused on the road and out of harms way.

According to data gathered by Ford Motor Company, more than half of teens say that they become easily distracted by others in the car. This could be anything from actual passengers to phone conversations to texting friends. Teens are believed to look away from the road for longer and more frequent periods of time than more experienced drivers, which can often result in severe injury or worse. So make your teens aware of how dangerous distracted driving can be.

Also, teens often get excited about having passengers and/or driving their friends around. Make your teens aware that, by law, they are only allowed a certain number of passengers in their vehicle. Then stress to them the importance of not losing focus when they are on the road.

One good way to discourage distracted driving habits is to set a good example! Put your phone away, only take important calls, and use hands-free technology when possible - all of this will set a good example of how your teen should be driving.

Another way to encourage safety through example is wearing your seat belt! Ford data revealed that 78 percent of teens wear a safety belt while driving, but there is still a percentage that doesn't. Make your teens aware of how effective seat belts are - not to mention, let them know it's against the law to not wear one. By requiring your kids to buckle up the minute they get in the car, you'll get them into the habit of wearing it all the time. By making it habit, they'll most likely continue to buckle up when they have their own vehicle. 

While we hope these safe driving tips for teens help ease your mind about your young driver being on the road, we can also help you find a car with a great safety rating and safety features. So stop by our Ann Arbor Ford Dealer today and let us help you find a vehicle that is both safe, and affordable. North Brothers Ford, located at 33300 Ford Rd Westland, MI 48185, is proud to be one of the premier dealerships in Southeast Michigan committed to exceptional customer service! Stop by or give us a call at (888) 806-7163, our knowledgeable sales team will be happy to help!

Visit our website: www.northbros.com
Follow us on: Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Google+