Help Your Ford Beat the Heat

Posted on August 12, 2015 by reed

We all know just how brutal the summer heat can be around Houston. Triple-digit temperatures and high humidity are par for the course, but what can often be overlooked is the debilitating effects these conditions can have on your car. MyFord Magazine released a helpful article full of tips on how to keep your Ford running smoothly during the hottest months of the year, as well as tips for keeping yourself and your passengers comfortable in the blazing Texas heat.

When your car has been sitting in the hot sun, waiting for the air conditioning to kick in can feel like an endurance test. To cool your car down as quickly as possible, it is best to put the air conditioning on full blast and set it to blow from the lower vents, with the windows rolled down. This will help push the hot air up and out of your car. Also, while the recirculate function (the button with a silhouette of a car and a circular arrow on your climate control panel) works well when the air conditioning is already blowing cold, it is not as effective when you’re initially trying to cool your car off. This is because it draws air from the interior of the car, and since the air in your car is well in excess of 100 degrees at this point, it will take much longer to cool down.

This will seem obvious as a way to keep your car cooler, but it is always best to find a shady spot in which to park. This is not always possible, so it is useful to have high-quality sun shades for your front and rear windows. Using sun shades will also help protect the interior of your car from the damaging effects of ultraviolet rays. Leaving your windows cracked gives the hot air trapped in your car a way to circulate out of the cabin as well.

These tips can help keep you cool in your car during the summer, but the intense heat can have more long-term consequences for the health of your car. Regular maintenance checks and cursory inspections of your tire pressure, coolant, and battery will help keep your car healthy in the heat. There are other things to factor in as well, and these guidelines can be found in the MyFord article here. Keeping up with scheduled maintenance can greatly extend the life of your car, so consult your owner’s manual and schedule your next service visit at Randall Reed’s Planet Ford in Humble, TX (serving Houston, Conroe, Katy, and Atascocita)!

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Keep Your Ford Healthy This Summer

Posted on August 12, 2015 by reed

This summer has been brutally hot, peaking this previous week with temperatures approaching 110 degrees. The heat can have all sorts of implications for your Ford, and it is important to take the proper steps to make sure your car stays healthy. These ten tips will help you keep your Ford in fighting shape all summer. Keeping up with your scheduled maintenance is essential to the health of your vehicle, so make a point to visit the service department at Randall Reed’s Planet Ford in Humble, TX – serving Houston, Humble, Crosby, and Conroe.

10. Check Your Tires

High temperatures can cause your tire pressure to fluctuate as much as a pound per square inch every ten degrees. Be sure to regularly check your tire pressure to keep your tires healthy, as tires that aren’t inflated to the proper pressure can reduce your fuel economy and even run the risk of a blowout.

9. Change Oil and Oil Filter

The oil in your Ford is essential to its continued health and functionality. The summer heat in the Houston area can cause your oil to thin out, which can reduce its effectiveness and cause overheating, and eventually can lead to mechanical failure. It is recommended that your change the oil in your Ford ever 7,500 miles, but high heat and hard driving during the summer may require more frequent changes.

8. De-Winterize Your Car

While there is usually no need for snow tires in Texas, the snow and ice storms we’ve experienced in recent winters mean that there will be salt on the roads for much of the season. Salt and grime can build up on the undercarriage of your Ford, and salt deposits will start eating away at the metal. Make sure to hose off the undercarriage if you have not done so already.

7. Check Hoses and Belts

Check all the hoses for cracks and leaks, and your belts for any cracks or significant wear. Broken or leaking hoses can cause the radiator in your Ford to fail, which will cause overheating and lead to many more problems.

6. Change the Air Filter

Have you replaced your air filter lately? A clogged air filter can seriously impact your fuel economy. Salt from the winter, pollen and other airborne particles in the spring, and general road debris can build up very quickly. Make sure to check your air filter regularly.

5. Replace Windshield Wipers

Thankfully, the massive rains of May and June are behind us, but Texas summers are notorious for sudden thunderstorms. Ensure your ability to drive safely in heavy rain by checking your windshield wipers regularly. If the blades are brittle, cracked, or worn down, it’s time for new wiper blades.

4. Check Your Brakes

Your bakes are one of the most crucial components in your Ford. Regular inspections of your brakes are essential; brake repair service gets more and more expensive over time if a problem is left unchecked.

3. Check The Coolant and Radiator

Cars already run at high temperatures, but without a well-maintained cooling system metal parts can begin to soften or even melt and fuse together, causing serious mechanical problems. Make sure to check your coolant levels regularly and make sure the radiator is clear of insects and debris.

2. Clean Your Battery

The summer heat can cause the chemicals inside the battery to expand. If the chemicals expand enough, battery acid will leak up through the poles and cause corrosion. This can lead to having to replace not only the battery, but the cables and terminals as well. Regular battery service is important, as the anti-corrosion pads and treatment will protect your battery and extend its life.

1. Maintain Your Air Conditioning

Air conditioning is the biggest part of making summer commutes bearable in the Texas heat. Make sure to have your refrigerant levels checked as recommended by your Ford owner’s manual. If it is not blowing cold, try the Recirculate function once the car has been running for a few minutes. If it still blows hot, refrigerant levels could be low, there could be a leak in the system, or the compressor could have failed.

These tips will go a long way toward keeping your Ford running properly and giving you peace of mind. The most important part of owning a vehicle, more than any items on this list, is keeping up with your regularly scheduled maintenance. Randall Reed’s Planet Ford in Humble, TX employs highly skilled and knowledgeable service technicians, and we strive to provide the highest level of service for your Ford car, truck, or SUV. Visit our website and check out our current Service Specials to get great deals, like a free brake inspection or rebates on select brands of tires!

For more information about how to protect your car from the summer heat, you can read the full article here: http://auto.howstuffworks.com/car-driving-safety/accidents-hazardous-conditions/summer-car-maintenance.htm#page=0

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Planet Ford Summer Air Conditioning Tips

Posted on August 7, 2015 by admin

Screen Shot 2015-08-07 at 1.03.06 PMTexas temps this time of year are hot, hot, hot. It’s crucial that you’re car, truck or SUV’s air conditioning system is working properly to keep you cool — especially on during your summer road trips. Randall Reed’s Planet Ford in Humble on Hwy. 59 (serving Houston, Kingwood, Atascocita, Katy, Conroe) has some quick tips to help ensure your car’s comfort and that vehicle’s A/C is running efficiently.

Quick Tips:

  • Did you know that selecting a lighter exterior color and/or a lighter interior color can aid in reducing heat buildup in your parked vehicle?
  • When you get into your car, lower the windows for a few minutes to allow the hot air to be pushed out of the vehicle.
  • Don’t hold back on the A/C, set it to max to help  quickly cool down the vehicle.
  • If you get too cold, don’t switch the A/C on and off; instead set the temperature or fan speed to help keep the temperature both comfortable and consistent.
  • For some the challenge is that it is too cold in the front, and not cool enough in the back of the vehicle. Instead of shutting the A/C vents in the front, redirect them to the ceiling or sides of the vehicle to keep air flowing to the rear.
  • When the temps do betting to cool down, consider the option of driving around town with the A/C off and the windows rolled down.
  • Park in the shade whenever possible and utilize a reflective windshield shade. It can greatly aid in the reduction of heat buildup in a parked vehicle. Cabin temperature at startup will be much lower, and temperature comfort will be achieved much sooner on your drive.
  • If your vehicle is equipped with a moonroof or large panoramic roof, it is best to  close the shade to help reduce heat buildup.
  • For vehicles equipped with a remote start, be sure to set the climate control system up for automatic operation so you can start the cool-down process before getting into your  vehicle.

Ford engineers have dedicated a great amount of time and energy in developing smart a A/C system, as well as helping drivers understand how to get the most from their car’s cooling systems.

Fast Facts:

  • Previous A/C cooled all of the processed air to just above freezing, then reheated the air to the desired temperature. However, Ford’s newer system cools the air down to just below the desired temperature, then reheats it slightly, which improves fuel efficiency.
  • Ford’s system is smart, too. If the sun is beating down on one side the car, the A/C’s sensors will detect an imbalance and emit cooler air on that side to help keep the overall cabin environment consistently cool and comfortable.

Service Matters:

  • It’s important to follow your vehichle’s maintenance schedule for when the cabin air filter should be replaced. Never just remove the filter; you should always replace it.
  • If your vehicle isn’t cooling as it should or cooling becomes inconsistent, bring it in for service right away.
  • After being on the road for several years, it is entirely possible some refrigerant may escape from the A/C system in your car which can result in the system not working properly. The only way to restore the system to peak its peek operating condition is to have the remaining refrigerant removed and a proper quantity of refrigerant added. It is best to have this work done at a certified dealership, such as Planet Ford on Hwy. 59, that uses only original replacement parts and supplies for your vehicle.

Need to service your Ford’s air conditioning system, our team of service experts at Planet Ford in Humble can help. Take the short drive on Hwy. 59 or log on to book your appointment today at www.PlanetFord59.com!

Learn more about Ford’s system at: https://media.ford.com/content/fordmedia/fna/us/en/news/2015/07/22/tips-for-staying-cool-with-your-ford-vehicle-this-summer.html

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The Shelby Mustang GT350R Has Space-Age Tech

Posted on July 23, 2015 by reed

They say you can’t reinvent the wheel. Ford begs to differ. Ford Performance has revealed that the Shelby Mustang GT350R, its new street-legal track car, will offer the world’s first mass-produced carbon fiber wheels as a standard feature. Using highly advanced manufacturing methods and exhaustive batteries of testing, Ford and wheel supplier Carbon Revolution have created wheels that are purpose-built to handle the high-stress environment of the race track.

Weight reduction is one of the most immediate benefits of using carbon fiber wheels. Unsprung weight is significantly reduced, thereby drastically improving acceleration, handling and braking. These wheels weigh nearly fifty percent less than equivalent aluminum wheels; they are so light, in fact, that the Mustang GT350R’s suspension had to be completely recalibrated. Each wheel is molded in a single piece and undergoes intensive testing to ensure quality; 61 individual checks, over 246,000 data points, and more than 18,000 individual X-ray images are used to determine any flaws in the wheel before it is finished and shipped.

A car as advanced and powerful as the GT350R presents engineers and designers with a unique set of challenges, especially when dealing with a material like carbon fiber. It was necessary for Ford and Carbon Revolution engineers to ensure the carbon fiber wheels were strong enough to absorb impacts such as high-speed curb strikes. Thanks to the low weight and sky-high impact strength of the wheels, the suspension reacted so quickly to the curb strike that the driver performed the test twice to ensure that the impact had actually happened!

Additionally, resistance to heat, ultraviolet rays, and road chemicals were priorities in the design of these wheels. Temperature readings on the GT350R’s beastly brakes came in at more than 900 degrees Celsius, or 1,652 degrees Fahrenheit! A specially-designed ceramic plasma arc coating inspired by the process used on the space shuttle’s engine turbines effectively shields the wheels from this intense heat.

The initial production run of the new Shelby Mustang GT350 and GT350R will be limited to just 137 units to honor the 50th anniversary of the original 1965 Shelby GT350. Production will be ramped up for the 2016 model year. Visit Randall Reed’s Planet Ford in Humble, TX for more information, and watch for these track-born beasts to hit dealership showrooms starting this fall!

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Ford Offers a Tough F-150 with Luxurious Side

Posted on July 21, 2015 by admin

ford f150 limited houston Ford F-150s are the toughest trucks in their class with amazing hauling and towing capabilities. It’s no surprise that it has been the No. 1 truck selling truck in the US for over a quarter of a century.

As the love for trucks grow, so does the discerning taste of our customers at Randlal Reed’s Planet Ford in Humble (serving Houston, Atascocita, Kingwood, Katy, Conroe).  The Ford F-150 Limited is a stylish truck meets the growing needs of that discerning truck customers interested in exclusivity, capability and craftsmanship. The F-150 is perfect for drivers that want to differentiate themselves from other high-series truck buyers.

It is especially appealing for those looking for innovation? That comes standard in Ford’s F-150 Limited, which includes SYNC® 3 with AppLink™, and class-exclusive1 features such as a 360-degree camera system, adaptive cruise control, quad-beam LED headlamps, remote tailgate release and multicontour massaging front seats.

Check out this video:

ford f150 limited interiorThe Ford truck is stylish inside and out.  It has exclusive exterior and interior elements including a raised LIMITED lettering on the hood, unique custom satin-chrome grille and tailgate, 22-inch wheels, genuine fiddleback eucalyptus, Mojave leather seating surfaces, unique instrument cluster face and laser-engraved VIN plate with production number.

Come check out the good looks and rugged charm available in Ford’s Ford F-150 Limited edition at Randall Reed’s Planet Ford. The dealership is conveniently located at on Hwy. 59. You can shop online anytime at www.PlanetFord59.com!

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Ford’s New Cameras Can See Around Corners

Posted on July 6, 2015 by reed

There are countless occasions every day in which drivers have to back out into high-traffic areas or turn around blind corners. These scenarios pose a high risk of collisions, and even though rearview cameras are quickly becoming the norm, it can be a gamble that is hard to avoid. This will soon cease to be the case, however. Next-generation camera technology that eliminates these risky blind spots has already been implemented in some models and will soon be available in nearly every global Ford vehicle.

Split-view cameras that can be mounted in both the front and rear of a Ford vehicle will offer a 180-degree field of view via 1-megapixel wide-angle lenses. In addition to providing cross-traffic warnings, these cameras will also play a key part in the Dynamic Hitch Assist and Pro Trailer Backup Assist systems that will be present in the 2016 F-150.

Ford Motor Company intends to make rear-view cameras standard across its entire North American model lineup by 2018. In addition, front-view cameras are to become an available feature on most of its vehicles by 2020. The new split view cameras will be available on every new Ford SUV by 2020 as well, and they are already available on the 2015 Edge and the new 2016 Explorer. This is the most advanced camera technology yet from Ford, and it is quickly making Ford an industry leader in the area.

These cameras and the driver assist systems they augment address a new trend among younger drivers that has emerged in recent years: 88 percent named other drivers as their biggest fear, winning out over those who fear death, spiders, public speaking or snakes. This is exactly what Ford hopes to address with its new advanced camera technology. To see just how successful these new on-board cameras are at minimizing the risks of cross traffic and blind spots, test drive a new Ford Edge or Ford Explorer today at Randall Reed’s Planet Ford in Humble, TX!

Fact Sheet About Ford’s New Camera Tech

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Ford Looks Toward the Future of Sustainability

Posted on July 6, 2015 by reed

Ford Motor Company continues to live up to its title as one of the greenest companies worldwide. The release of its 16th annual Sustainability Report highlights a number of impressive strides that Ford has made in making its facilities and manufacturing processes as environmentally friendly as possible. Having been named the #1 Global Green Brand by Interbrand last year, Ford has high expectations set before it. What is clear from Ford’s recent Sustainability Report is that no one and nothing sets higher expectations for Ford than Ford itself.

Highlights of the report include Ford’s Hermosillo Stamping and Assembly Plant achieving zero waste-to-landfill status. The Hermosillo plant is the final Ford facility in Mexico to become landfill-free, which collectively have redirected 1.5 million pounds of waste this year from going to landfills. Ford intends for their Mexico facilities to continue to hit this target each year moving forward, as well as reducing their global waste-to-landfill factor by 40 percent per vehicle by the end of 2016. Hermosillo is the latest Ford plant to join the ranks of 27 other facilities worldwide under the Ford banner to achieve this status.

Over the last 15 years, Ford has invested more than $300 million in reducing energy consumption and improving efficiency across the board, and in doing so it has reduced energy consumption per vehicle by a large margin. Ford’s goal is to have reduced its energy draw by 25 percent from 2011 levels by next year; a goal that the Blue Oval is well on its way to achieving. Additionally, Ford is using material from millions of discarded plastic bottles to produce REPREVE fiber for the interiors of a number of vehicles. Ford is the only automaker to use REPREVE fibers in its vehicles; the 2015 F-150 is the fifth vehicle worldwide to use this material. The new F-150 production line alone will repurpose more than 5 million bottles that would have otherwise ended up in a landfill.

Ford is committed to keeping our planet healthy and green, and Randall Reed’s Planet Ford in Humble, TX is proud to offer clean, efficient and sustainable vehicles from such a forward-thinking automaker as Ford Motor Company. Visit the link below to find out more about how Ford is planning to make the future a better place, one vehicle at a time.

Ford Motor Company Sustainability Report

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The 1-Liter EcoBoost: Ford’s Little Engine That Could

Posted on July 1, 2015 by reed

Ford’s 1.0L EcoBoost engine has made a huge mark on the automotive industry, for a number of reasons. Not only is it Ford’s first three-cylinder engine to go into production, but it has won the International Engine of the Year award three years in a row! It’s small enough to fit as a carry-on item on a commercial airline flight, and yet it produces 123 horsepower and 125 lb.-ft. of torque. The engineering behind the power output and outstanding mileage is truly a wonder. The 1.0L EcoBoost is available on select trims of the 2015 Ford Fiesta and the 2015 Ford Focus.

The highlight of this little engine is the tiny turbocharger that concentrates the flow of air into the engine, allowing it to produce more power without increasing fuel consumption. The 1.5-inch-diameter turbocharger probably doesn’t sound like much – in fact, it is one of the smallest turbochargers ever put in an engine. This turbocharger actually spins at a mind-blowing 248,000 RPM! That’s faster than a turbine in a jet engine, and the small size of the pinwheel requires much less air to make it spin than most turbos. This results in a very responsive boost that is immediately noticeable when driving a new Fiesta or new Focus equipped with the 1.0L EcoBoost engine.

This award-winning engine grants its owners outstanding fuel economy while still delivering a solid driving experience. The new Fiesta equipped with the 1.0L EcoBoost achieves 36 combined MPG, while the new Focus clocks in at 35 combined MPG. Ford vehicles equipped with this robust little engine are available at Randall Reed’s Planet Ford in Humble, TX. One test drive will convince you of its capabilities, and it will be very clear why Ford EcoBoost continues to push the envelope of engine design.

Meet the 1-Liter EcoBoost

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Ford Edge Receives Top Safety Rating

Posted on June 9, 2015 by reed

The 2015 Ford Edge, which just set a May sales record with sales up 34 percent, was awarded a five-star overall safety rating by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. This is the highest rating the government can give a vehicle, and it is well deserved. An extensive suite of standard and available safety and driver-assist features help make the new Ford Edge one of the safest cars on the road. Buying a 2015 Edge from Randall Reed’s Planet Ford in Humble means you can be sure that you’re getting a great deal on a vehicle that will keep you and your family safe.

The passenger cabin of the Ford Edge surrounds its occupants with features dedicated to keeping them safe. Available second-row inflatable safety belts deploy in certain collisions and distribute force across five times the surface area of a passenger’s torso than a regular seat belt. This substantially reduces the risk of head, neck, and chest injuries in the event of a crash. There is also a standard knee airbag in the front of the glove box, which improves protection for the front-seat passenger. Standard side-impact airbags and the two-row Safety Canopy System increase passenger protection even further.

The available adaptive cruise control detects decreased speed in vehicles ahead of your Ford Edge and adjusts cruising speed accordingly. If the distance is closing too fast, the available collision warning system triggers audio and visual cues and can even preemptively engage the brakes if necessary. An available front-facing camera offers a 180-degree view of what’s ahead of you; this camera feeds into the available Lane-Keeping System to combat drifting out of your lane. Additionally, the available Blind Spot Information System keeps the driver aware of their blind spots by activating an indicator light in the side mirror. This system also alerts the driver to cross-traffic when backing out of a parking space. The Electric Power-Assisted Steering increases responsiveness and control via pull-drift compensation technology, making the car more nimble and maneuverable in an emergency situation.

Drivers in the Houston area who are in the market for a new family vehicle will love the security of knowing their loved ones are protected by a comprehensive system of safety features working together to create one of the safest vehicles on the road today. Randall Reed’s Planet Ford in Humble is stocked with plenty of Ford Edge models, and we are ready to help you get the right model for you and yours. Call or visit our dealership for great deals on new Fords, and schedule a test drive in the 2015 Ford Edge. You’ll be glad you did!

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Ford Super Duty: Any Job Worth Doing

Posted on June 4, 2015 by reed

The Ford F-Series has long been the best-selling truck in the United States, and for very good reason. It is, simply put, the best at what it does. The 2015 line of Ford Super Duty trucks continues to expand on a tradition of rugged excellence and pure, raw capability. Ford’s Turbo Diesel engine continues to lead the pack among the various diesel workhorses on the market, powering a truck that boasts best-in-class fuel economy, tow capacity, horsepower, and torque.

The standard 6.2L V8 gasoline engine in the 2015 Super Duty is also at the top of its class, delivering 385 horsepower and 405 lb.-ft. of torque. No other heavy-duty pickups with gas engines offer that kind of power. However, the real star of the Ford Super Duty series of pickups is the 6.7L Turbo Diesel. This turbocharged workhorse gives your new Ford truck the requisite power to take the top spot among heavy duty pickups for payload and towing capacity.

There are a vast array of combinations of bed and cab sizes, trim levels, and chassis variations available for the Super Duty, so you’ll have no issue finding a new Ford truck to fit your needs and your budget. There are trims that are built for getting dirty work done as well as more upscale, luxurious trim levels, like the King Ranch edition that features beautiful wood accents and soft, rich leather seats sourced from Texas’ famed King Ranch. Whatever level of luxury you roll out of the Ford dealership in, know that the truck you buy from Randall Reed’s Planet Ford in Humble, TX was purpose-built to be the toughest truck on or off the road. More than 10 million miles of cumulative testing ensures that your Turbo Diesel engine can excel in even the harshest conditions. Visit Randall Reed’s Planet Ford dealership and discover what it means to be Built Ford Tough®.

Read what KBB.com has to say about the Super Duty

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