Thursday, June 7, 2012

5 DIY Car Maintenance Tips to Save You Money

BRIGHTON, Mich. June 7, 2012 – Everyone is doing everything they can to save money these days. Many people have stared doing many do-it-yourself projects to save money on projects around the house and on car care. At Brighton Ford we wanted to provide you with 5 quick money saving DIY tips for quick car maintenance. Take a look:

1. Windshield Wipers – Windshield wipers don’t last forever. In fact most windshield wipers need to be changed about every 6 months. If you want to get the most out of your wiper blades, the best way to add life to them is to keep them clean. Wipe the rubber edge off with a paper towel moistened with glass cleaner or warm water and dish soap to help keep them clean.

A clean headlight lenses can make a huge difference.

2. Treating Hazy Headlight Lenses - Most of today’s vehicles have clear plastic covers on the headlights that can become hazy from exposure to the elements over time, especially with the salt from the roads during the Michigan winters, as well as dirt and mud from all of the Livingston County back roads. You can pick up a head light restoration kit to spare you from having to replace the whole headlight reflector. They typically contain an abrasive cloth and a special finishing liquid to help you get your covers looking like new.

3. Light Bulbs – Changing a light bulb in today’s vehicles is pretty simple. Most are a simple twist and pull operation. Bulb specifications are usually found in the owner's manual. Consult a service manual or look online if access to the bulb isn't obvious. We carry replacement bulbs for all makes and models in our Auto Parts Stores. If you're replacing a halogen headlight bulb take care not to touch the glass with your bare fingers. Skin oils on the quartz glass are said to shorten its life.

4. Wash and Wax Your Vehicle – Your car, truck, or SUV is a work of art, help keep it that way by regularly washing and waxing it to help preserve that beautiful paint job. Your local car wash professionals can do a nice job cleaning it for you but we also recommend giving your vehicle a hand wash too. This allows you to get up close to inspect it for dents, scratches, and paint chips you might not have noticed otherwise. Spray waxes should be used weekly or for special occasions. Other waxes can be used less often, about every 2-3 months.

5. Touch-up Paint – Touching up small paint chips and scratches can save you bundles in the long run. At the Brighton Ford Service Center our paint specialist can help you find exactly the right color to match your vehicles paint job. Once applied you will want to let the paint dry and cure for about 72 hours before washing or polishing the vehicle.

We are your automotive service and repair experts, so feel free to contact us with any questions on your car maintenance projects. Big or small we can handle them all!

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. Brighton Ford proudly serves the Brighton Ford dealership needs, Howell Ford dealership needs, Fowlerville Ford dealership needs, South Lyon Ford dealership needs, Whitmore Lake Ford dealership needs and Ann Arbor Ford dealership needs. For more information on Brighton Ford visit BrightonFord.com or give us a call at (800)-836-8206.

Wednesday, June 6, 2012

Five Components and Tips for Safe Teen Driving around Livingston County

BRIGHTON Mich. June 6, 2012 – Getting your drivers license can be a very exciting experience for teens but can also be quite stressful for parents. The GDL (Graduated Drivers License) is a trend that is spreading, one where states put restrictions on novice drivers in a bid to reduce accidents and lower death rates. An analysis conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety and the Highway Loss Data Institute has found that if every state adopted all five components of the toughest driving laws in the nation, then more than 9,500 collisions could be averted, saving at least 500 teen lives annually.

The five components described by the IIHS are permit age, practice hours, license age, night driving, and passengers. We will go through these five components and give you the IIHS best recommended GDL provisions and see how Michigan compares to other states in the country. Let’s take a look:

1. Permit age of 16 – There are 8 states and the District of Colombia that have a minimum age requirement of 16 to get a learners permit. In Alaska teens only have to be 14 years old to obtain a learners permit. In Michigan teens can begin drivers education at 14 years and 8 months and will have to demonstrate supervised driving experience before moving onto segment 2 of driver education.

Michigan teens must complete 50 hours of supervised driving.

2. Practice hours – The majority of the states require a set number of practice hours before a teen driver can get their license. Pennsylvania has the most required amount with a minimum of 65 hours. Some states like South Dakota, New Jersey, and Arkansas have no minimum supervised driving requirement. In Michigan teens must practice at least 50 hours of supervised driving and at least ten of those hours must be driven at night.

3. License age – In South Dakota teens that are 14 years and 3 months old can obtain their license if they have completed driver education. In states such as Idaho, Montana and North Dakota teens can get a license at 15 years old, but New Jersey teens won’t be getting behind the wheel by themselves until they are 17. Michigan falls in with the majority of the country with an age requirement of 16 years old and completion of driver education and a driving skills test.

Here is the age requirement by state for teens to get their drivers license

4. Night Driving – Most states have restrictions on night driving for teen drivers. In states like Connecticut and Arkansas teens cannot drive at night until their 18^th birthday. South Carolina teens can only drive until 6:00 PM. Michigan teens are restricted from driving between the hours of 10:00 PM and 5:00 AM.

5. Passengers – Teen drivers are already at risk of being involved in an accident simply because driving is a newer experience to them. Add the distraction of additional teen passengers and the chance of an accident significantly increases, and in some cases can be deadly. About 15 states and the District of Colombia do not allow teen passengers at all. The Michigan GDL requirements states,

“ Drivers shall not operate a motor vehicle at any time with more than one passenger in the vehicle who is less than 21 years of age except: when additional passengers are immediate family members; when driving to or from in the course of employment; while performing an authorized activity; or when accompanied by a parent or legal guardian or a licensed driver 21 years of age or older designated by the parent or legal guardian.”

In general Michigan GDL requirements are above the average standards compared to the rest of the states. Teen drivers should remember, getting your license is a privilege and something to be proud of but it also comes with a tremendous amount of responsibility. Parents, share this article with your teen and our other Teen Driving Tips articles to help them stay safe behind the wheel.

Monday, June 4, 2012

10 Tips to Help Extend The Life of Your Car

Taking care of your car or truck is the only way to ensure that it lives a long life. Bringing it in to Brighton Ford for an inspection is one of the easiest ways to make sure everything's in order, but we've compiled a list of 10 simple things you can do yourself to prolong the life of your vehicle.

Break it in like they tell you
First thing’s first. If you’re driving a new car BE PATIENT during the break-in period! I know it’s hard not to step on it and see what your new ride’s got, but you’ll be thankful you waited later on. Think of it like an extra-long first date -- take it easy.

Don’t fill up if the tanker’s there
Okay, so it this one might sound a little backward to some of you. After all, if the tanker’s there you’re getting the fresh stuff, right? Not necessarily. When the tanker is filling the underground tanks at your local gas station there’s a pretty good chance the pour is stirring up all sorts of nasty sediment, which could end up in your car and cause serious damage. Come back another day or go somewhere else.

Pay for good insurance
Finding the cheapest deal out there isn’t always the best way to go. It might good for your bank account on the short term, but it probably won’t be good for your car. When you’re searching for insurance find and insurer that will pay for OEM parts and guarantee the work that they authorize.

Fix bad weather-stripping
If your doors or windows are letting rainwater or melting snow seep into your car, take a look at it. Many times you’ll be able to repair it with adhesives or foam rods available from local auto parts stores. If you can’t fix it don’t use generic products, they won’t last and you will just be wasting money. Matching weather-stripping can be ordered to fit your car exactly and it’s the best way to protect your interior.

Fix small scratches and nicks, ASAP
Sure, they’re not an eye sore now, but if you try to put touch up paint on spot that has already started to rust you won’t have much luck. If you do it right away you’ll prevent it from rusting at all and your car will stay looking good longer. Touch up paint is relatively cheap, so its not a bad idea to keep some on hand.

Tape that cracked taillight
A crack in your taillight or headlight really isn’t a big deal, but it can allow water to get inside, and that could cause serious problems. Pick up a roll of the red or clear tape designed specifically for this and you could save yourself a bundle.

Wash in winter
You’re not the only who doesn’t wash your car in the winter, but it really isn’t the best way to go. The problem is washing is even more important in winter than any other time. Sand, slush and ice mixed with salt from the road is exactly what you need to make your car rust. Be sure to keep the undercarriage and other areas prone to rust as clean as possible during the winter.

Buy a fender cover
Simple maintenance and fixes can be an entertaining project for a summer afternoon, but things can turn bad quickly if your dropping wrenches on that freshly shined paint job. A fender cover drapes over the side of your car and provides a safe place to rest tools while also protecting the paint from your belt buckle as you lean into the engine compartment.

Rotate your tires
This one is pretty basic and definitely worth doing every 6,000 to 7,500 miles. Rotating your tires will spread tire wear evenly and is a very necessary way to make sure you get the maximum life out of them before buying a new set. Consult your Owners Manual for the correct rotation pattern.

Run your AC in the winter
What!? Yea, I know. It sounds crazy, but you’ll be thankful you did it when summer rolls around. Turning the system on a few times during the colder months will help prevent moving parts of the compressor from seizing up. The circulating refrigerant will also keep seals in good shape.

If you have any questions about car or truck maintenance please feel free to Contact Us or Schedule an Appointment. We would be happy to help in any way we can.

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. Brighton Ford proudly serves the Brighton Ford dealership needs, Howell Ford dealership needs, Fowlerville Ford dealership needs, South Lyon Ford dealership needs, Whitmore Lake Ford dealership needs and Ann Arbor Ford dealership needs. For more information on Brighton Ford visit BrightonFord.com or give us a call at (800)-836-8206.

Friday, June 1, 2012

The 2013 Shelby GT500 is here at Brighton Ford

BRIGHTON, Mich. June 1, 2012 – We have just received a Shelby GT 500 and are displaying it proudly on our showroom floor. The car pays homage to all of the amazing work that the late Carroll Shelby put into the vehicles he helped make. The 2013 Shelby GT500 pumps out an astounding 664 horsepower – the most horsepower in any V8 engine! This pony is a must have for any Shelby or race enthusiast. You’ll be breaking track records when that Christmas tree light turns green and you let off the break allowing the GT500 to give it everything it’s got.

This is one of the most gorgeous cars we have to offer. Scratch that. This is one of the best looking rides on the road today. The iconic Cobra gleaming off the grill and the handsome tuxedo black exterior is sure to turn heads as you cruise down Main Street and Grand River to visit one of your favorite downtown eating establishments. Not only will you look good while your cruising around, but you’ll also feel good as well with amenities like SYNC, a beautiful moon roof, and a premium sound system.

It’s in this car’s nature to go fast and you can expect that it will be out of the showroom and on the road before you know it. Don’t miss out come into Brighton Ford today and check out the 2013 Shelby GT500 for yourself!

Wednesday, May 30, 2012

2012 Ford Focus Review – Smart Choice for College Grads

BRIGHTON, Mich. May 30, 2012 – 2012 Ford Focus Review - Even after putting in 4, 5, or more years at the university (you know a lot of people go to college for 7 years), many college grads are not experts in the field of purchasing new vehicles. An article from TotalCarScore.com identifies the top 10 best cars for college graduates, and right up at the top of the class is the Ford Focus. The 2012 Ford Focus pulled several all-nighters studying and scored well on the test for several reasons.

One of the reasons the Ford Focus scored well is the price. We all know how expensive tuition and books can be and that the vast majority of college grads walk off the graduation stage with a diploma and lots of debt. Grads are going to need a car to get them off to that new job and chances are your old high school chariot probably doesn’t have much life left in it. The 2012 Ford Focus has a sticker price of just over $16,000 making it affordable while your working off those student loans.

The 2012 Ford Focus is an excellent choice for college grads

The 2012 Ford Focus aced the fuel economy exam. With numbers like 28 miles per gallon city and 38 miles per gallon highway the Focus can get you off and running into the real world without giving you the post-college blues at the pump. This great fuel efficiency is all thanks to the Ford EcoBoost engines featured in the 2012 Ford Focus.

Be smart, contact us for a test drive or for more information on the 2012 Ford Focus.

Friday, May 25, 2012

Super Summer Used Car Sale at Brighton Ford

Visit Our Used Car Inventory

BRIGHTON, Mich. May 25, 2012 – Brighton Ford is having a record-breaking sales month for the month of May! Ownership has authorized us to Break ALL Livingston County Sales Records. We have loaded our lot with fresh, hot inventory. We have the cars and trucks you want. We are READY to DEAL! WE WANT THAT RECORD, and our customers are going to benefit. – If you're in the market for a great used car, truck, SUV or cross-over, in almost every make or model. Come to Brighton Ford or visit our website www.BrightonFord.com.

The 2013 Ford Escape Review Brighton, MI – The 2013 Ford Escape is Here at Brighton Ford!

BRIGHTON, Mich. May 25, 2012 – We just got our first shipment of the new 2013 Ford Escape here at Brighton Ford. We have been eagerly awaiting the arrival of the 2013 Ford Escape since its unveiling and now its finally here! We had the opportunity a couple months back to share a sneak peek of the 2013 Escape but we didn’t get a chance to take it out for a spin, but now we can.

The new 2013 Escape was a dream to drive. The EcoBoost engine provided the powerful feel of the V6 but was providing the fuel economy of a 4-cylinder. The intelligent 4WD system is something to take note of as well. When your driving power is shifted between wheels to provide you the most stability and control possible and you can see the transfer of power on the LCD driver display monitor. The new 2013 Ford Escape like many new Ford vehicles, has the available SYNC technology with MyFord Touch which allows you to access your smartphone, use navigation features, get a vehicle health report, and use the climate control features among other things with just the flick of a button and the sound of your voice. My favorite feature by far is the available hands free liftgate. Simply making a kicking motion under the blue oval opens and shuts the liftgate – perfect if your hands full of groceries or golf clubs.

We had heard dome criticism about the size and look of the new Escape. The notion that the new Escape is smaller is false. You actually have a few more cubic feet of cabin room than the previous model year had. As far as looks go, the new 2013 Ford Escape is FRESH! When you actually see it up close in person for yourself that the new design is a fresh take on the modern SUV/crossover. Big things come in small packages too. With the 2.0L EcoBoost Towing package you get up to 3,500 lbs of towing capacity – perfect for getting your boat or jet skis to Woodland Lake.

Come into Brighton Ford today and take a spin and one and see for yourself just how amazing the new 2013 Ford Escape is. Take it home with you and be the first one on your block with the new Escape!

A Brief History Of Memorial Day

Happy Memorial Day Weekend! To kick off the upcoming days of remembrance we at Brighton Ford thought it would be a good idea to share with you a brief history of one our country’s first national holidays by diving into its Civil War roots as Decoration Day. So, before you fire up that BBQ and light the tiki-torches take a minute to get feel for what we’re actually celebrating every May.

Memorial Day sprung up after one of the bloodiest times in American history – the Civil War. So many lives were taken during the war it required the formation of the country’s first national cemeteries. While it’s unclear where the tradition actually originated, by the late 1860’s towns and villages were holding annual springtime tributes to the countless fallen soldiers, during which they would decorate graves with flowers.

Decoration Day
On May 5th 1862 the leader of a Northern Civil War Veterans group, General John A. Logan, called for a nationwide day of remembrance.

“The 30th of May, 1868, is designated for the purpose of strewing with flowers, or otherwise decorating the graves of comrades who died in defense of their country during the late rebellion, and whose bodies now lie in almost every city, village and hamlet churchyard in the land,” proclaimed Logan.

Considering the Civil War was spread across countless battles, May 30th was chosen as Decoration Day because it wasn’t tied to any particular Civil War event and presumably allowed the country to be more unified despite past differences.

Memorial Day Established
Decoration Day was created as a time to remember only those who were lost in the Civil War, but during World War II the United States found itself losing countless more lives. Because of this the holiday eventually grew to become a day to remember those who perished in any war.

So, what about the May 30th date established by General Logan? In 1968 Congress passed what is known as the Uniform Monday Holiday Act, which established Memorial Day as the last Monday in May. Why did they do this? Well, Congress wanted to create a three-day weekend for federal employees, so they did. The change went into effect in 1971 and the same law declared Memorial Day a federal holiday, cementing it in U.S. culture.

Traditions
Being a time of remembrance for fallen soldiers, many towns hold parades incorporating branches of the military. Many also visit cemeteries and memorials to pay their respects to those we’ve lost.

Gatherings of family and friends around a BBQ are also very common during Memorial Day weekend, as many people also see the holiday as a sort of unofficial marker for the beginning of summer.

[Source: History.com]

If you have any questions please feel free to Contact Us and remember to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Pintrest and Google+!

Thursday, May 24, 2012

2013 Ford Flex – Flex-able for Family, Fun, and Functionality

BRIGHTON, Mich. May 24, 2012 – Summer is just about here and you know what that means – the kids are out of school, many sports seasons are beginning or underway, and it’s the best time to take vacations and camping trips. The 2013 Ford Flex is the best vehicle to take the little leaguers up to the Brighton Schools baseball diamonds, or to take the kids for a fun-filled educational day at the Howell Nature Center. Everyone riding in the flex can enjoy the beautiful summer sky thought the multi-panel Vista sunroof while they are enjoying the smooth ride provided by the available 3.5L EcoBoost Engine. The Ford Flex is so much more than just a fun taxicab for the kids. The Ford Flex has many versatile technology features and plenty of cargo room for you to get the most out of this vehicle.

Let’s talk tech. The 2013 Ford Flex has all of the latest and greatest technologies you could want in any vehicle. For starters you can equip your Ford Flex with the familiar SYNC with MyFord Touch for complete hands-free media control, navigation, mobile use, and cabin climate control, to name a few SYNC commands. BLIS will alert you when there is something in your blind spot, which makes merging or switching lanes on the highway much safer and easier. Parallel parking has never been easier then by simply engaging the Active Park Assist and letting the 2013 Ford Flex do the rest!


The inflatable 2nd-row safety belts help keep your precious cargo safe in the event of a crash

What about safety and functionality? Available in all Flex models, the industry-exclusive inflatable 2nd-row safety belts help distribute crash force energy across more of the torso area than a traditional belt, which helps reduce the risk of injury while providing support to the head and neck. In the event of a frontal or side crash, the inflatable safety belts hold the passenger in the appropriate seating position, helping to reduce risk of injury. These safety belts are compatible with child safety seats too! Need to haul a big item, take all of your camping and fishing equipment up north, or move your recent grad off to college? Fold those 2^nd and 3^rd row seats down and enjoy 83.2 cubic feet of cargo space!

There is plenty of legroom in both the 2nd and 3rd row for everyone to ride comfortably

Come into Brighton Ford today and take a test drive and fall in love with the 2013 Ford Flex!

Wednesday, May 23, 2012

Ford Racing unveils 2013 NASCAR Ford Fusion paint scheme!

Back in January Ford unveiled their new NASCAR stock car based on the 2013 Ford Fusion. While the reveal gave fans a look at the new racer’s shape, fans will finally be able to see the new stock car in full race livery this Thursday during the Roush Fenway Fan Day in Concord, North Carolina.

As you can see from the photos the new paint scheme sports the red and white of Ford’s parts division, Motorcraft, as the Wood Brothers will be racing it in this year’s Sprint Cup. Surprisingly, the vehicle in the photos is actually a full-size clay mock-up created by the Ford Design Center in Dearborn. After the Roush Fenway Fan Day the Motorcraft Fusion will spend the weekend in the Ford consumer display at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

So what about the rest of us? When will we have chance to get up close with this beast? Soon it seems. The 2013 Motorcraft Ford Fusion mock-up is scheduled to hit the road as part of a traveling exhibit throughout the 2012 season. All you have to do is keep those fingers crossed in hopes that it swings by your town – or one close to it.

Watch the Ford Racing video below to see Greg Biffle and Ricky Stenhouse Jr. take the 2013 NASCAR Ford Fusion for it’s first hot lap!

If you have any questions about the 2013 Ford Fusion please feel free to Contact Us. We would be happy to address any of your questions.

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. Brighton Ford proudly serves the Brighton Ford dealership needs, Howell Ford dealership needs, Fowlerville Ford dealership needs, South Lyon Ford dealership needs, Whitmore Lake Ford dealership needs and Ann Arbor Ford dealership needs. For more information on Brighton Ford visit BrightonFord.com or give us a call at (800)-836-8206.

Brighton Ford – Livingston County’s Ford Auto Dealership, Used Cars, Auto Service, Auto Parts and Collision

Brighton Ford in Brighton, Michigan is Livingston County's Largest Ford car, SUV & truck dealership. Serving our customers is our #1 priority. We offer New Vehicles and Used Cars, Trucks, SUVs, and Vans, while our Service Department and Collision Shop services all makes and models of vehicles.

Our auto dealership is packed with 20 acres of cars, trucks, crossovers, SUV's and a huge selection of used cars available for you to choose from to ensure you can get the car you want with the options you need.