Friday, March 30, 2012

Tips for Surviving Driving Emergencies


When something unexpected happens involving your vehicle while driving, it can make you feel like you’re going to have a heart attack. A great article from Edmunds.com called, “How To Survive the Top 10 Driving Emergencies” gives great instructions for how to handle potentially life-threatening situations to keep you from getting seriously hurt in the event something goes wrong on the road.  We are sharing the first four emergencies with you. Take a look:

 Emergency #1: Tire Blowout
To survive a tire blowout, pretend you're the bad guy in a police chase: Push the gas and drive straight ahead. The shotgun-blast noise of a tire blowout makes most law-abiding drivers do exactly the wrong thing: attempt to slow down quickly and get off the road. With a rear-tire failure, any turning at high speed will likely result in a crash.

If you experience a blowout DO NOT immediately hit the brakes - use the accelerator to maintain control and allow the car to slow down to a safe speed before turning onto the shoulder.
I've taught hundreds of drivers how to correctly handle a tire blowout: I sat in the passenger seat and exploded a gaping hole in the tire with plastic explosive. Not one lost control. Here's how they did it.
If a tire blows:

·       Squeeze the gas pedal for a couple of seconds. This puts you in control of the car and directs the car straight down the road. It also prevents you from committing the mortal sins of braking and turning. After a couple of seconds, gently and smoothly release the accelerator pedal. The drag force of a completely flat tire is so potent that pushing the gas will not allow the vehicle to go faster.
·       Most importantly, drive straight down your lane. Keep your feet away from the brake (or clutch).
·       Allow the car to coast down to as slow a speed as is safe (30 mph is good). Engage your turn signal and gently turn toward the shoulder of the road that's on the same side as the blown tire: This lessens your chance of losing control and will make the tire change safer. If the situation requires, you may ever so lightly squeeze the brakes.

Almost all highway blowouts and tread separations occur with the car traveling in a straight line on a very hot day at high speeds with an underinflated tire. The repeated flexing of an underinflated tire causes the failure. Check your tire pressures!

Emergency #2: Tread Separation

Though the recovery techniques are nearly identical, a tread separation is more dangerous than a blowout. This is where the tread rubber and underlying steel belt partially or completely come off the tire. This creates a giant Weed Eater with a blade of steel-backed rubber spinning around at about 1,000 rpm. It'll scythe through the fuel tank, brake lines, inner fender panels, rear seats, side windows and, of course, flesh and bone.

An impending tread separation is usually announced by a consistent thumping noise, which will increase to a slapping sound, and then a metal-tearing jackhammer pounding. Sometimes this process takes days, other times only seconds. If you hear this, immediately slow down and take the tire to a professional for inspection. If you can see damage, put on the spare before proceeding.

If the tread begins to fly off:
·       Squeeze the gas pedal for an instant and gently release it.
·       Drive straight down your lane.
·       Allow the car to coast down as much as is safely possible. You will likely have to apply the brake slightly in order to reach a safe turning speed.
·       Engage your turn signal and smoothly turn toward the shoulder of the road that's on the same side as the damaged tire.

Tread separation incidents are similar to blowouts but the outcome can be much more dangerous
Another reason why tread separations are more dangerous than blowouts: When the tread leaves the tire, the bad noise stops and some people think the car has magically cured itself. But instead of rolling along on grippy rubber, they're riding on fabric. Polyester will offer little grip when they take that next freeway off-ramp.

Emergency #3: Stuck Throttle

Thanks to things like loose floor mats and a poorly placed race car throttle cable, I have experienced stuck throttles. Although this will be a rare occurrence for most drivers, if your engine starts racing away uncontrollably, it must be stopped immediately.

Take these actions:
·       If the engine started racing when you pushed the brake, release the brake. If the engine stops racing, you were actually pushing the gas by mistake.
·       Put the transmission in Neutral (and/or push in the clutch). Don't worry about the engine when you shift into Neutral: Engine speed limiters on modern cars will prevent damage. And it's OK if you get Reverse: The engine will either stall or act as if it were in Neutral.
·       If you can't get Neutral, switch off the ignition as a last resort. Today's cars don't allow the key to turn to the locked position if the car is not in Park, and the car will be much harder to steer once the engine is off since the power-assist will not be working. Fortunately, with the engine off, there's still plenty of reserve braking power to stop the car. Of course, if the car is equipped with a newfangled keyless ignition, getting Neutral may be your only hope.

Remain calm - shift your car into neutral, if necessary shut the engine off completely
If you're a passenger in this situation and the driver fails to act, you can reach over and put the car in Neutral or switch off the engine. But to have any hope of acting properly with a stuck throttle, both driver and passenger must practice first. Find a training partner and an empty parking lot. First practice with the car stopped, just to make sure you know the drill. Move the shift lever from Drive to Neutral. Then turn the key off. Next, restart the car and accelerate to no more than 10 mph, then push the gas pedal to the floor (to simulate a stuck throttle) and hold it there through the rest of the exercise. Immediately, put the car in Neutral and switch off the key. Repeat the process but with the passenger working the shifter and key while you're still in the driver seat. Then, swap seats and repeat.

Emergency #4: Sudden Acceleration

Also called "unintended acceleration," this is identical to a stuck throttle...except it's not a mechanical failure but rather the driver accidentally pressing on the gas. As an instructor, I have had numerous panicked students push the gas in the mistaken, but unshakable, belief they were on the brakes. (Left-foot brakers more familiar with automatics frequently push the clutch.)

Know this: In every well-maintained modern car, the brakes will easily overpower the engine. If you're truly pushing the brakes as hard as you can, the car will stop even with the engine going full speed.

The corrective actions for sudden acceleration and a stuck throttle are identical. Check the list above.

Be sure to check out our other articles on Driving Tips as well! Come into Brighton Ford and see our great selection of safety award winning New Ford’s.

Brighton Ford is located at 8240 Grand River Ave. just north of I-96 in Brighton. We are a family owned and operated business that strives on customer satisfaction. For more information on Brighton Ford, visit www.BrightonFord.com or give us a call at (800)-836-8206.

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Thursday, March 22, 2012

2012 Ford Mustang in: ‘Project Detroit’


Earlier in the week Microsoft officially unveiled “Project Detroit” – a West Coast Customs 2012 Ford Mustang project. In short, Project Detroit takes the best of the past, combines it with the best of the present, and launches it into the future with the latest technologies and futuristic look. Mustang Daily has more details in their blog post, “Microsoft and West Coast Customs team up to build tech-filled Ford Mustang” Take a look:

Project Detroit - Micro Stang
Earlier this week Microsoft officially unveiled “Project Detroit,” a 2012 Mustang converted to 1967 bodywork created to inspire developers to think about building apps and automotive technologies of the future. The car was built in cooperation with West Coast Customs of Corona, CA as part of their television series, Inside West Coast Customs.

Connected-device scenarios featured in the car incorporate Kinect for Xbox 360, Xbox 360, the Windows operating system, Windows Phone, Windows Azure, Bing, Ford Sync and more. Project Detroit can be remotely located, unlocked and started all from the Viper SmartStart app for Windows Phone. Swiping the touch screen instrument cluster toggles between different dashboard skins, and one can use the tablet embedded in the passenger-side dash to do anything from surfing the Web to sending messages that display on the rear windshield for other cars. Kinetics embedded in the car also allow for live audio and video streams to be remotely heard or watched using a Windows phone.

 
You can watch the build of Project Detroit on Inside West Coast Customs this Sunday, March 25th at 6:00pm Pacific (9:00pm Eastern) on the Discovery Channel’s Velocity.

Don’t forget to check out our selection of sweet 2012 Ford Mustangs too! Come in and test drive one today!

Brighton Ford is located at 8240 Grand River Ave. just north of I-96 in Brighton. We are a family owned and operated business that strives on customer satisfaction. For more information on Brighton Ford, visit www.BrightonFord.com or give us a call at (800)-836-8206.

2012 Ford F-150 EcoBoost – Work, Play, Perfection


We took the 2012 Ford F-150 4X4 SuperCrew with EcoBoost out around Brighton to show off this great truck and its features. The F-150 is the perfect vehicle for both work AND play. Whether you are heading out to pick up supplies for a big project or off on your next adventure the trusty F-150 has your back.

Under the hood the 2012 F-150 SuperCrew’s 3.5L V6 EcoBoost engine provides drivers with an astounding 365 horse power and 420 pounds of torque – not bad for a V6 eh? It’s more than just ‘not bad,’ the F-150 has the best in class towing! Ford F-150 can haul more cargo and tow a heavier trailer than any of its competitors. And F-150 has a fully boxed frame that's the strongest in its class. The F-150 has been engineered and tested to withstand more punishment than your most difficult tasks can subject it to.

The F-150 isn’t just muscles either, this truck has swag to spare. We got in the truck and adjusted our seats and after getting to Home Depot and shutting the engine off the driver seat automatically moved back so I could easily get out. Once I jumped back in and put the key in the ignition the seat moved right back to where I had originally adjusted it! The improved SYNC added a level of sophistication with its futuristic look and more responsive interface. The heated seats in this F-150 EcoBoost work great for keeping you warm and relaxed on drives during the cold winter months, and the cooled seats help keep you chilled on a hot summer drive (which surprisingly we had one in March!).

Talk about spacious – the legroom in the 2012 F-150 4X4 SuperCrew’s back seat was more than we have seen in large vans and SUVs! Usually if you and your friends are carpooling in a truck is a race for shotgun you don’t want to lose but with the extra room and comfortable seating in the back you won’t mind giving up ‘shotty.’ 


Whether your off to the next jobsite, hauling the sleds of north for some snowmobiling, or taking the boat to the lake for fishing and fun on the water the 2012 Ford F-150 4X4 SuperCrew with EcoBoost is the perfect truck to get you there.

Brighton Ford is located at 8240 Grand River Ave. just north of I-96 in Brighton. We are a family owned and operated business that strives on customer satisfaction. For more information on Brighton Ford, visit www.BrightonFord.com or give us a call at (800)-836-8206.




Wednesday, March 21, 2012

The New and Improved MyFord Touch®


The ultimate hands-free solution for driving around Livingston County just got even better. MyFord Touch and SYNC just got some major upgrades including a more responsive interface and improvements to the voice activated commands. The Ford Social blog has the details in their post, “A Faster, Simpler, Better MyFord Touch® is Here” Take a look:

The upgrades to MyFord Touch provides a more responsive user interface
The Ford SYNC® and MyFord Touch® connectivity systems are resonating with buyers, ranking as an important part of their vehicle purchase decision. In fact, 56 percent of drivers of 2011 and 2012 models said in owner surveys that SYNC and MyFord Touch were important to their purchase decision. The popular and flexible systems are receiving an upgrade, launching on 2013 Ford Taurus and Flex, as well as for current customers with eligible systems.

For current U.S. customers, Ford will mail out MyFord Touch and MyLincoln Touch upgrade packages that include a USB flash drive with the updated software, a notification letter, detailed instructions for the 60-minute download and an updated user guide. Navigation-equipped vehicle owners also will receive an updated SD card with all-new, updated map data. If preferred, customers also can elect to take their vehicle to a Ford or Lincoln dealer for installation of the upgrade.

There are three videos in the playlist above that share more information about the features and changes in this upgrade. As capable and popular as MyFord Touch is now, the flexibility of the underlying SYNC software platform allows for regular updates and upgrades as the technology evolves.

The touch screen interface has been enhanced with simpler graphics and bolder text that is easier to use. The response time of the touch screen is now much faster so drivers can tap controls and focus on driving. Already popular voice controls now provide even better recognition so drivers can tell their cars what to do, keeping their eyes on the road and hands on the wheel.
 

In addition to the simplified interface and faster performance, Ford engineers added new features including better phone compatibility, support for tablet computers and Audible audiobooks, improved navigation maps and destination entry.

If you have any questions about the improved MyFord Touch and SYNC feel free to ask them in our comments section or you can Contact Us here.

Brighton Ford is located at 8240 Grand River Ave. just north of I-96 in Brighton. We are a family owned and operated business that strives on customer satisfaction. For more information on Brighton Ford, visit www.BrightonFord.com or give us a call at (800)-836-8206.

Friday, March 16, 2012

Everything St. Patrick’s Day!


Happy St. Paddy’s Day to all of you lads and lass’! In the spirit of this fair holiday we wanted to share the history of St. Patrick’s Day, how people around the world celebrate, and the myths surrounding the holiday.

History:

Saint Patrick, who lived in the 5th Century, is the patron saint and national apostle of Ireland. Patrick was born in Roman Britain, but was kidnapped at the age of 16 and brought to Ireland as a slave. He escaped and later returned to Ireland and was credited with bringing Christianity to the people of the emerald isle. One of the most well known legends is that St. Patrick used the three leaves of the Irish clover, the shamrock, to explain the holy trinity (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit). Followers of St. Patrick adopted the custom of wearing a Shamrock on his feast day. St. Patrick was believed to have passed away on March 17, 461, which is why the holiday is celebrated on the 17th of March each year.
St. Patrick

The people of Ireland have been honoring the Roman Catholic feast day of St. Patrick’s Day since around the ninth or tenth century. Interesting enough, the first St. Patrick’s Day parade wasn’t held in Ireland, but here in the United States. On March 17, 1762, Irish soldiers who were serving in the English military marched through New York City. The parade helped the soldiers reconnect with their Irish roots, as well as with fellow Irishmen serving in the English army.

St. Paddy’s Myths

We went to Discover Ireland.com and George Mason University’s History News Network to clear up some of the misconceptions about St. Patrick’s Day.

Myth – St. Patrick drove all of the snakes out of Ireland
Fact – It is true that there are no snakes in Ireland (except for the ones at the zoo) but the absence of snakes has little to do with St. Patrick and probably more to do with the fact that there have never been any indigenous snakes in Ireland. Driving the snakes from Ireland was most likely symbolic of putting an end to pagan practices, which disappeared from Ireland in the centuries after St. Patrick introduced the seeds of Christianity.

Myth – Everyone wears green on St. Paddy’s Day
Fact – Its seems that people wishing to become ‘Irish for the day’ have opted for the green of the Irish flag to express their “Irishness”. In fact, in the US, it’s not uncommon to spot folks sporting hand-drawn shamrocks on their cheeks with streaks of green running through their hair. The Irish didn’t always look so kindly on donning the color green. Irish folklore considered the color unlucky, as it was the favorite shade of the Good People – leprechauns. Those who wore too much of the color – especially children – could be stolen away. Some cynics may tell you there are no such things as leprechauns, but there are those who beg to differ. True believers will swear that if you take a stroll along a quiet country lane in Ireland, you can actually hear the mischievous leprechauns giggling by the side of the road.

Direct from HHN -

Leprechauns Are Cute Little Elves
This is a traditional depiction of a Leprechaun
Stop right there, turn around slowly, and DROP that picture in your mind of the little guy on the Lucky Charms cereal box. That jolly little imp, and his counterparts on greeting cards, pub signs, and your Aunt Margaret’s stationery, bears almost no resemblance to the leprechauns of Irish mythology. To borrow a phrase from a long-dead philosopher writing about something entirely different, they were "nasty, brutish, and short." Leprechauns were grumpy, alcoholic, insufferable elves in the employ of Irish fairies. They made shoes for fairies (hence their depiction as cobblers) and guarded their treasure, which to the leprechauns’ eternal frustration was revealed occasionally to mortals by a rainbow. Somewhere in the course of the Irish American experience, the leprechaun took on the characteristics of the loveable, but ultimately contemptible, stage Irishman.

"Luck of the Irish" Refers to the Abundance of Good Fortune Long Enjoyed by the Irish
Really? What sort of luck is it that brings about 1,000 years of invasion, colonization, exploitation, starvation and mass emigration? In truth, this term has a happier, if not altogether positive, American origin. During the gold and silver rush years in the second half of the 19th century, a number of the most famous and successful miners were of Irish and Irish American birth. For example, James Fair, James Flood, William O'Brien and John Mackay were collectively known as the "Silver Kings" after they hit the famed Comstock Lode. Over time this association of the Irish with mining fortunes led to the expression "luck of the Irish." Of course, it carried with it a certain tone of derision, as if to say, only by sheer luck, as opposed to brains, could these fools succeed.

St. Paddy’s Celebrations Around the World

Lets have a look at how St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated around the globe:

Ireland –

St. Patrick’s feast day has been celebrated been celebrated by the Irish in Europe since the 9th and 10th century. It is both a religious celebration and a celebration to showcase Irish culture by offering a national festival that ranks amongst all of the greatest celebrations in the world and promote excitement throughout Ireland via innovation, creativity, grassroots involvement, and marketing activity, as well as to provide the opportunity and motivation for people of Irish descent, (and those who sometimes wish they were Irish) to attend and join in the imaginative and expressive celebrations. The St. Patrick’s Day festival also aims to project, internationally, an accurate image of Ireland as a creative, professional and sophisticated country with wide appeal.

Several major sporting events also take place including the Lenister Schools Rugby Senior Cup, The All-Ireland Club Football Championship, and the All-Ireland Hurling Club Championship.

 
The United States –


In the United States St. Paddy’s Day is celebrated by wearing green, attending festive parades and religious observances, and for those of the legal age – enjoying green beer. In Chicago each year the Chicago River is dyed green, a practice that started in 1962 when the city’s pollution control used dyes to detect illegal sewage discharges, after they quickly realized that it could be a unique way to celebrate the holiday.

The Chicago River is one of the most amazing sites to see on St. Paddy's Day
Argentina –

In Argentina, and especially in Buenos Aires, all-night long parties are celebrated in designated streets, since the weather is comfortably warm in March. People dance and drink only beer throughout the night, until seven or eight in the morning, and although the tradition of mocking those who do not wear green does not exist, many people wear something green. In Buenos Aires, the party is held in the downtown street of Reconquista, where there are several Irish pubs

Canada –

One of the longest-running Saint Patrick's Day parades in North America occurs each year in Montreal, the flag of which has a shamrock in one of its corners. The parades have been held in continuity since 1824.  The Toronto Maple Leafs hockey team was known as the Toronto St. Patricks from 1919 to 1927, and wore green jerseys. In 1999, when the Maple Leafs played on Hockey Night in Canada on Saint Patrick's Day, they wore the green St. Patrick's day-themed retro uniforms.

Japan –

Parades are held in many cities throughout Japan each March in honor of the holiday. The first parade, in Tokyo, was organized by The Irish Network Japan (INJ) in 1992. Nowadays parades and other events related to Saint Patrick's Day spread across almost the entire month of March.

March 17th is a day where everyone gets to be Irish and celebrate the culture. Have a Great St. Patrick’s Day this year! Have lots of fun, but remember to Be Safe!

St. Patrick’s Day History References:


Wearing green is a great tradition on St. Paddy’s day, but how about driving around in something green? We’ve got green vehicles on our lot like this Ford F-350!

Brighton Ford is located at 8240 Grand River Ave. just north of I-96 in Brighton. We are a family owned and operated business that strives on customer satisfaction. For more information on Brighton Ford, visit www.BrightonFord.com or give us a call at (800)-836-8206.





Thursday, March 15, 2012

Brighton Ford – Quality Used EVERYTHING


BRIGHTON, Mich. March 8, 2012 –Brighton Ford is more than just a Ford dealership. We carry quality vehicles of ALL makes and models on our used lot. Last month over 140 drivers left our store driving in a quality used vehicle. That’s more than every other Livingston County auto dealer combined!  We carry Certified Pre-Owned Ford vehicles, quality Chevrolet, Mercedes-Benz, Hummer, Cadillac, Dodge, Chrysler, Jeep, Hyundai, and GMC vehicles and many more on our used lot. We are your number one choice for quality used vehicle because we keep the quality inventory that people want.

If your looking for a particular used vehicle and we don’t currently have it on our lot, no problem we will find it for you! We have found used vehicles that our customers requested from all over. We don’t carry old clunkers that feel like they are going to fall apart when your turn the ignition. Every used vehicle on our lot has been put through a multi-point inspection to ensure that it’s safe and road worthy.


Do you currently have a used vehicle that you’re looking to sell or trade in towards your next vehicle? We want to buy it from you! We like to keep a large selection of vehicles on our lot, between 150-200, so if you have a quality used vehicle we’d love to make you a great offer. We can even give you an estimate by simply filling out the Value Your Trade form on our website.

So if you are looking to buy or sell a quality used vehicle then there really is no better place to go than Brighton Ford. Come in today and let us put you behind the wheel of a great new car, truck, SUV, or crossover or take one of your hands for a great price.  

Brighton Ford is located at 8240 Grand River Ave. just north of I-96 in Brighton. We are a family owned and operated business that strives on customer satisfaction. For more information on Brighton Ford, visit www.BrightonFord.com or give us a call at (800)-836-8206.



Monday, March 12, 2012

Congratulations Brighton Bulldogs – The 2012 State Hockey Champions


Photo credits: Gillis Benedict/Daily Press & Argus
BRIGHTON, Mich. March 12, 2012 – Congratulations to the Brighton Bulldogs Hockey team on their state championship! The Bulldogs had a tremendous season that was capped off by Chet Daavettila’s late championship winning goal against Grosse Point North with only 1:32 left in the third period on Saturday. This was the first state hockey title win for Brighton since the Bulldogs took states in 2006. Jason Fellwock, a BHS alumni who played for the 2006 Bulldogs state championship team was in attendance at Saturday’s game. After the victory, Fellwock told coach Paul Moggach, “Tell them, ‘welcome to the club.’”

The National Anthem is sung and the Bulldogs have one thing on their mind - Victory
We wanted to express how proud we are of the BHS hockey team. The guys did a great job of representing Brighton throughout the season. These guys have shown great dedication in workouts, at practice, in the classroom, and during games. The Bulldogs went 24-4-2 this season that ended with a nail-biting double-overtime victory over Orchard Lake St. Mary’s in the semi-finals and then the late 3rd period victory over Grosse Point North for the championship.

Enjoy the victory Bulldogs, you deserve it. We’re sure the smiles won’t be fading from their faces for quite some time.

Congrats on a well deserved championship!
Brighton Ford is located at 8240 Grand River Ave. just north of I-96 in Brighton. We are a family owned and operated business that strives on customer satisfaction. For more information on Brighton Ford, visit www.BrightonFord.com or give us a call at (800)-836-8206.