Friday, February 26, 2016

What Goes Into Your Ford - Ford Material Testing

What Goes Into Your Ford - Ford Material Testing


WESTLAND, Mich.––You know your Ford looks good on the outside, but the interior is the part you spend time with the most. There's a lot of work that goes into designing the interior of a Ford, but there's also a lot that goes into the testing of the materials Ford uses. Ford is constantly innovating to make your driving experience top-notch and unforgettable, and it doesn't stop at the care they put into the interior. Take a look at what goes into your Ford - Ford material testing.

Owning a vehicle unfortunately means wear and tear. Your vehicle may never look as good as it does the day you drive it off the lot. Ford has taken this into consideration to give you quality materials that'll stand through regular wear and tear and be able to look just as good as when you first got it. Ford materials go through what they call SNIFF, SNAG, and SPILL tests. 

SNIFF

Not only do Ford vehicles contain materials run through durability testing, but also scent testing to make sure your driving experience is comfortable to all the senses. Testing materials are put into jars, then the jars are put through emulated climate like "humidity" or "sat in the sun all day". The qualified scent assessors then go through to determine what would be the most overall liked by Ford drivers. Check out the video below to see how they test scent: 



SNAG


The plastic surfaces and fabric can go through quite a bit of wear in a day, and most definitely throughout its complete ownership. Fabrics and plastics need to be able to withstand every normal action that comes along with its owner. Scratches from jewelry on the plastic, squeezing of the seats that stretches the fabric, snags from putting items in the backseat, etc. A few tests they use are:

  • The Five-Finger Scratch Test-which uses 5 spikey "fingers" to run across materials at different pressure levels to look for damage
  • The Resistance Dye Test-which rubs materials of different colors (think blue jeans) against leather to look for stains 
  • The Fabric Stretch Test-which is where fabric is stretched using different weight to find thresholds
  • The Mace Snaggin Test-which hits a spiky iron ball over fabric on a roller to test stength





SPILLS

Fabrics also go through spill testing. One in particular is The Soil and Cleanability Test which spills different liquids like grease, coffee, sunscreen, etc. onto the fabric to test for stains and to test how easy it is to clean.


All these intense tests benefit you, the driver, in the long run. All the tested materials that made it into your vehicle make it easier for you to enjoy your normal life without worrying about the wear and tear on your vehicle's interior. Haven't been inside a new Ford? You can come check out the quality on the inside and the quality drive with the 2016 Ford Fusion and the 2016 Ford Escape. Want more tips for taking care of your vehicle? Check out our updated FAQs section on our website! 

North Brothers Ford is located at 33300 Ford Rd Westland, MI 48185 and proudly serves as one of the premier dealerships in Metro Detroit, and is 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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Thursday, February 25, 2016

Downloadable 2016 Ford Transit-250 Brochure

WESTLAND, Mich. –– The 2016 Ford Transit-250 is available in two trim levels, Cargo Van and Extended Cargo Van. If you're looking for the perfect vehicle to run a business out of, the 2016 Ford Transit-250 can get the job done. Learn more about this unique vehicle and get details and photos when you download your 2016 Ford Transit-250 brochure below.

Downloadable 2016 Ford Transit-250 Brochure


The 2016 Ford Transit-250 can be outfitted with a variety of engines, ranging from a 275-hp 3.7-liter V6; or a 310-hp 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6; lastly a 185-hp 3.2-liter Powerstroke I-5 diesel. No matter what level of performance power you need to get your most arduous jobs done, the 2016 Ford Transit-250 offers a range of options that make it able to meet the needs of various business owners.

You can find all of the facts and details on the 2016 Ford Transit-250 in the downloadable 2016 Ford Transit-250 brochure and decide which specifications of each application and engine fit your needs best.

North Brothers Ford is located at 33300 Ford Rd Westland, MI 48185 and proudly serves as one of the premier dealerships in Metro Detroit, and is 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+


Tuesday, February 23, 2016

Service FAQs at North Brothers Ford in Westland, MI

Service FAQs at North Brothers Ford in Westland, MI

WESTLAND, Mich.–– Having a car, new or old, is a big investment! We understand how big of a commitment your vehicle is and want to help you keep it running it's best. Regular maintenance and auto service will not only help extend the life of your vehicle, but also keep you safe on the road. As there are many complicated components on your vehicle, there are also many questions about those components; how they work, why are they making that noise, when should you have them replaced, etc. We're here to help you answer all those questions and take care of your vehicle at our Service Center at North Brothers Ford in Westland, MI. We've updated our FAQs section on our website to help you better understand your vehicle and it's needs.

Service FAQs at North Brothers Ford in Westland, MI


Our updated Service FAQs at North Brothers Ford in Westland, MI includes:

  • General Car Care. This category includes topics you might expect like fuel types and engine care, but also topics you might not like driving styles and how it affects your vehicle. 
  • Under the Hood. We aren't all expert service technicians, but we can learn about components under the hood of our vehicles to better understand what's going on and how to maintain. This category explores everything from the alternator to belts and hoses to fluids. 
  • Oil Changes. This category covers all the questions you might have about this simple routine maintenance task from how often, to considering synthetic.
  • Tires. They're what connect you and your car to the road, so it's good to know how to properly maintain them, how to achieve even wear, and how to know when it's time to replace them.
  • Brakes. This category has answers on everything you want to know about your vehicles brakes. You'll learn why they make noise, when it's time to replace them, and what to look for when they need replacing.
  • Wiper Blades. Your wiper blades are another safety component that allow you to see the road ahead clearly. Explore this category for all wiper blade information.

Feel free to explore the updated Service FAQs at North Brothers Ford in Westland, MI page to find answers to your most needed service questions. For your convenience we offer online scheduling done on our website that'll help you save time. If you have any questions you need more information on, or would like to discuss with our service experts, feel free to fill out the form to submit your question or give us a call at (855) 739-2023. 

North Brothers Ford is located at 33300 Ford Rd Westland, MI 48185 and proudly serves as one of the premier dealerships in Metro Detroit, and is 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+

Friday, February 19, 2016

Show Your Car Some Love with a Pre-Spring Cleaning

Love Your Car with a Pre-Spring Cleaning

WESTLAND, Mich.–– One thing that goes a little neglected in the winter is our vehicles. There is routine maintenance we take care of to keep our cars running well in the winter, however the interiors of our cars probably need a little TLC. The cold weather and the early setting sun make it easy for us to head inside and snuggle up on the couch until bed time. Now that we're seeing a little warmer weather in Michigan, and we're getting closed to spring it's the perfect time to get a jump start on some spring cleaning. Valentine's Day is over but you can still show your car some love with a pre-spring cleaning. It doesn't have to be a complete overhaul, but there's a few things you can do to make your ride feel refreshed and get you prepped for that spring feeling.


  • Clean off your floor mats. Take them out of your car and give them a good whack to release the salty dust, and make sure to brush off any crumbs, dirt, etc. 
  • Vacuum your seats and floors if you can. There are vacuums available at some carwashes, otherwise you can use your home vacuum and an extension cord to get the job done. 
  • Wipe off your plastic surfaces. Lysol wipes are perfect for doing the job, and some varieties are anti-bacterial incase you've been driving around with a cold. You may also consider a plastic restoring polish to make the inside really shine, which you can find in the car isle at your local grocery/department store. 
  • Put the windows down. Weather permitting, you can air out any strange smells with a drive around the block with the windows open. 
  • Get a car wash. It's necessary if you want to care for your car during the winter, especially if you park in a garage. Rust and corrosion can occur when oxygen meets condensation on metal, and salt can speed up the process. Getting a car wash will make it look good on the outside and help get rid of the harmful salt buildup. 
  • Install an air freshener. There are plenty of choices of scents and types like ones that hang from your rearview mirror, ones that attach to your vents, and ones that sit in your cupholder that will make your car feel fresh.
  • Clean out the trash. Take out all the trash from your front and back seats including what's in the door and seat pockets. You can keep a bag to help store all your garbage in one place in the future. 

A new car is a big investment, and we want to encourage you to take care of it to extend it's lifespan. We can help you achieve the more complicated stuff like winter maintenance services including oil changes, brake inspections, tire installations, and more. We'll keep you updated on how to take care of your car all year on the seasonal maintenance page on our website! 


North Brothers Ford is located at 33300 Ford Rd Westland, MI 48185 and proudly serves as one of the premier dealerships in Metro Detroit, and is 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+



Thursday, February 18, 2016

How Ford is Making Driving During Winter and Pothole Season Easier

Ford is Making Driving During Winter and Pothole Season Easier

WESTLAND, Mich. ––In Michigan we're surrounded by beautiful lakes and four seasons of weather. Driving however, can be a more difficult during certain seasons because of changing weather and the continuous pop-up potholes. In an ideal world we wouldn't have to deal with any of that, but with the beauty of living in Michigan comes a little pain. Ford has always put their customers in mind and has been especially gracious with new features that will really benefit those of us in areas like Michigan. With the millions motorists around the world have spent on damage from rough roads, Ford is making driving during winter and pothole season easier with testing and development of new features on their vehicles. Let's take a look at what they've been up to.

2016 Ford Focus Winter Tire Package 



As you may know already, the 2016 Ford Focus will be one to watch out for. It's winning factors include All-Wheel Drive, increased structural strength, and the most powerful brakes in a production Focus yet. Those factors not only make it a more appealing car all around, but more appealing to a driver dealing with the snowy and rough road elements. Ford has just announced they will, for the first time ever, be offering a winter tire and wheel package for the 2016 Focus RS.

This winter tire and wheels package will arrive at dealerships ready for installation and is completely up to Ford Performance standards. Included in the package are Michelin Pilot Alpin PA4 tires and silver painted 18-inch wheels to hide salt spray, complete with center caps and tire sensors mounted and balanced. Overall the package provides a much more narrow tire and wheel for better snow traction. If you're looking for a confident and fun drive in the snow, this package is a must. Thanks to engineers testing in Northern Michigan and Sweden, you know it'll do the job.


2017 Ford Fusion V6 Sport Pothole Mitigation

On to talking about our favorite end of Winter/Spring complaint in Michigan: potholes. Even the word makes you cringe a little bit. If you've fallen victim to a pothole and had to pay too much money for the repair, we feel your pain, but you'll want to pay attention to what Ford is doing to help. Below you'll see a video of Ford's testing track in Lommel, Belgium which is a 50 miles worth of the bumps, cobblestones, and potholes to simulate the worst situations Ford customers might face all around the world. Engineers and test drivers take Ford vehicles loaded with sensors and monitoring technology on these strips at up to 46 mph. These tests help Ford innovate technologies like Electronic Stability Control and Tire Pressure Monitoring to help drivers on any road.


Thanks to some of these tests and the knowledge that U.S. drivers spend up to $3 billion annually on pothole damage repair, Ford has announced they will be including pothole mitigation technology in the 2017 Ford Fusion V6 Sport. It will be the first car in its class to offer this advanced suspension technology. The computer controlled shock absorber system - continuously controlled damping (CCD) - detects potholes through the 12 sensors located in the tire, which sends a message to the dampers to stiffen up when a pothole is detected. This holds the tire from dropping into the pothole like it typically would, and lessens the impact by quite a bit. Check out the video below to see how it works: 


Ford is always innovating in mobility with Electric Vehicles, connectivity technology, and vehicle features. You don't have to wait to experience all that Ford has to offer. You can check out the 2016 model lineup, including the 2016 Ford C-MAX Energi and 2016 Ford F-150, today at our dealership and our incredible used inventory, too. Whatever your vehicle need, even seasonal maintenance services, we can help you with it at North Brothers 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, and is 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+


Wednesday, February 17, 2016

Downloadable 2016 Ford F-250 Brochure

WESTLAND, Mich. –– Sometimes you don't just need a truck; sometimes you need a Ford Super Duty, and the 2016 Ford F-250 is an emblematic heavy-duty pickup prepared to power through your heavy-duty jobs. To learn more about the 2016 Ford F-250, download your brochure below for details and photos.

Downloadable 2016 Ford F-250 Brochure

Downloadable 2016 Ford F-250 Brochure

The 2016 Ford F-250 is available in the cab configuration Regular Cab and trim levels XL and XLT; cab configuration Super Cab and trim levels XL, XLT, and Lariat; and cab configuration Crew Cab and trim levels XL, XLT, and Lariat. The 2016 Ford F-250 offers multiple options for a variety of different pickup drivers.

You can find all of the facts and details on the 2016 Ford F-250 in the downloadable 2016 Ford F-250 brochure and decide which specifications of each application and engine fit your needs best.

North Brothers Ford is located at 33300 Ford Rd Westland, MI 48185 and proudly serves as one of the premier dealerships in Metro Detroit, and is 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+


Downloadable 2016 Ford C-MAX Energi Brochure

WESTLAND, Mich. –– The new vehicle of the 21st century is one powered by electricity, and the 2016 Ford C-MAX Energi is exemplary of this phenomenon occurring in the auto industry at a rapid pace. To learn more about the 2016 Ford C-MAX Energi plug-in hybrid, download the brochure below for insightful details and energizing photos that will make you fall in love with this futuristic auto.

Downloadable 2016 Ford C-MAX Energi Brochure

Downloadable 2016 Ford C-MAX Energi Brochure

The C-Max Energi plug-in hybrid uses Ford's powersplit technology to significantly improve fuel economy over similarly sized vehicles using conventional powertrains. The C-Max Energi uses a 2.0-liter Atkinson-cycle four-cylinder gas engine combined with a lithium-ion battery-driven electric motor. The 2016 Ford C-MAX Energi is a pioneer in its segment and you can find all of the facts and details on the 2016 Ford C-MAX Energi in the downloadable 2016 Ford C-MAX Energi brochure and decide which specifications of each application and engine fit your needs best.

North Brothers Ford is located at 33300 Ford Rd Westland, MI 48185 and proudly serves as one of the premier dealerships in Metro Detroit, and is 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+