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As technology steadily advances, it's only natural that the features in automobiles become more cutting-edge. With this in mind, Ford offers more great new technologies than most other competitors in the vehicle market. From amazing safety features to integration with your smartphone, Ford definitely has a forward-thinking philosophy to technology and how it improves the experience of drivers. Here are just a few of the new technologies available in new Ford models. more Sync 3 The latest generation of the Sync system by Ford is an available option for all 2015 and 2016 Ford models. Sync 3 enables you to connect to the music, entertainment, and contacts of your smartphone. Virtually all smartphones connect to the Sync 3 system, which offers voice-activated music control and navigation, hands-free calling, and 911 assist in case of emergency. It also has an easy-to-use touchscreen to help navigate all the entertainment options of the vehicle. In comparison to other company's infotainment systems, the Sync 3 is definitely a cut above the rest. Active Safety Features Another great perk of Ford vehicles is the sheer amount of active safety features available standard and as options. That's what makes every Ford model either a four-star or five-star safety rating recipient from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Some of these features include: Tire Pressure Monitoring System. Adaptive Cruise Control. Blind Spot Information System with Cross-Traffic Alert. Lane-Keeping System. Adaptive High Beam Headlights. These optional safety features keep help Ford drivers and passengers safe while on the road and can make accidents unlikely compared to vehicles that are not so well-equipped. Trailer Backup Assist If you've ever tried to back a trailer into a tight parking spot, you know how difficult and frustrating it is. No matter which way you turn the wheel, you just can't get the trailer to go where it should. However, Ford took notice. Available on the 2016 Ford F-150, Trailer Backup Assist allows a driver to simply turn a knob. From there, the truck's electronic components take control of the venture, actively braking, steering, and accelerating, thus eliminating the hassle for the driver. If you frequently haul a trailer, this is definitely a technology you need to have. The EcoBoost Engine Available on many Ford models, the EcoBoost engine is Ford's answer to the decision of power versus fuel economy, but without turning to a full-fledged electric car or hybrid. Using Ford's own patented and highly secretive technology, the EcoBoost takes an engine with smaller displacement and gets it to perform like a larger engine. The big difference, however, is that it also achieves up to 20 percent better fuel economy, as well as a 15 percent reduction of greenhouse gases. You'll find many great new technologies in Fords, but words aren't enough to really experience the impacts made by these advances. The best way to truly understand how advanced these cars are is to go take a test drive today. That way, you can find the best features to add to your Ford wish list.

If you're in the market for a luxury vehicle, look no further than Lincoln. Since 1917, this automaker has made high-performance, aesthetically pleasing vehicles by the American for the American. There's really no other domestic manufacturer that presents such quality features for drivers who know luxury. Whether you've just started shopping for a car or recently narrowed down your search, here are a few reasons to consider a Lincoln for your next vehicle purchase. more Affordability Low sticker prices and luxury vehicles aren't exactly words you often hear in the same sentence. However, Lincoln is reinventing the upscale car market by providing models at prices that are low enough to entice many different types of buyers. Four out of six models in Lincoln's vehicle lineup start at under $40,000. Even the MKT and Navigator still have affordable price tags compared to other vehicles in their class, albeit above the $40,000 mark. The Black Label One thing that no other luxury car maker offers is an even finer mark of opulence above base models. That is, except Lincoln. Lincoln's Black Label, available on the MKZ, MKC, and MKX, gives a potential buyer the ability to customize a Lincoln for a car that fits his or her unique tastes. It all starts with a meeting with a local concierge, who will show you all the available options for your vehicle. Some of these features include Venetian leather seating and exotic wood interiors. You can also secure a personal liaison and other Black label membership perks. Safety Features No matter which of the Lincoln vehicles you choose, it will have either a four-star or five-star safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. This includes top marks for front, side, and rollover crash tests. Other passive safety features include airbags throughout the cabin of the vehicle, anti-lock brakes with brake assist, a rear-view or 360-degree camera, and electronic stability control. In addition, Lincoln has several other active safety features that help prevent accidents. Some of these features include forward collision warning, a Lane Keeping System, and Blind Spot Information System with cross traffic alert. Hybrid Luxury Lincoln understands that hybrid cars are the wave of the future, and as a result, the MKZ Hybrid offers affordable luxury with the addition of excellent fuel economy. Using a 2.0 liter, inline four-cylinder engine with a 1.4 kilowatt lithium-ion battery, the MKZ Hybrid delivers up to 41 miles per gallon city and 39 miles per gallon highway. It even has a little pop under the hood, providing 188 horsepower, which enables the hybrid to go from zero to 60 in just 9.4 seconds. The Return of a Classic Sometimes absence makes the heart grow fonder. If you're a Lincoln fan, than you probably know about the Continental, which returns to the Lincoln lineup in 2017 after a long absence. Unveiled during the Detroit Auto Show, the Continental aims to become the flagship of Lincoln, and you might just want to check it out. No matter what Lincoln model you choose, you'll undoubtedly get great luxury at an amazing price. So, the next time you're in the market for a vehicle, make certain to remember Lincoln. You won't be disappointed.

Here at Ford Lincoln of Franklin we are proud to announce our participation in the Friends & Neighbors Pricing Event being offered by Ford Motor Company. This is a national program that has been developed to offer all Ford customers the opportunity to buy a brand new vehicle using the exact same X-Plan pricing structure that Ford employees enjoy. The idea is that this program lets all Ford dealerships offer fantastic low prices to our friends and neighbors in the Franklin, TN area. more Offers Starts November 3, 2015 The Friends & Neighbors Pricing Event starts on November 3, 2015 and runs all the way through January 4, 2016. Those who are interested in buying a new Ford vehicle during this time will be able to see the discounted price of the vehicle at all Tier 1 and Tier 2 Ford websites and at all participating Ford dealerships. Those dealerships who are participating will also have window decals in place to let local residents know that they are taking part in this amazing sales opportunity. Ford has initiated this program during what is considered to be the busiest sales time of the year in order to provide complete pricing transparency to our customers. According to Ford Motor Co." Ford Employees have a special deal they can give to their Friends and Neighbors. Now, they’re making it available to everyone. During this rare opportunity the low price a buyer pays could be hundreds, even thousands lower on almost any Ford Car, Truck or SUV. No negotiation necessary." A Great Way to Buy a New Ford The Friends & Neighbors Program offers buyers in the Franklin area a great way to save money on a brand new Ford vehicle. This program allows you to buy most Ford vehicles at "no-haggle" prices that are typically within $200 of dealer invoice. It applies to all Ford vehicles with the exception of high performance Mustangs, F-150 Raptors, F-550 and up stripped chassis trucks, and the E-450. One thing worth keeping in mind is that the Friends & Neighbors program only sets the maximum price we can charge for each vehicle. It does not stop us from offering our own specials and discounts to help make your new Ford vehicle even more affordable. However, the program does take the place of any interest free financing programs currently in place. There has never been a better time to come in to Ford Lincoln of Franklin and invest in a great new Ford car, crossover, truck, van, or SUV. Come on in and explore the full range of incredible 2015 and 2016 Ford vehicles, take a few for a test drive and drive home in the vehicle of your dreams today!

With the colder weather closing in on most of us around the country, the Car Care Council says that now is a good time to take a good look at preparing your car for winter. Taking one or two hours out of your day to have it gone over by your favorite mechanic will reward you with the peace of mind that comes with knowing it is not likely to let you down when the thermometer drops into the chilly zone. more In fact taking this time out is a great way to avoid getting stranded and caught unprepared for the cost of emergency repairs. There are a number of things you need to ask your mechanic to go over on your car that are considered to be essential to keeping in top running condition during the winter months. Here are nine of the most important items to consider as part of your winterization program, be sure your mechanic looks at each of them for you. The Battery: Cold weather is very hard on car batteries. Have the mechanic check the condition of your battery and test your car's starting system. If there is any question of your battery's condition, have it replaced rather than being stranded. The Antifreeze: According to most manufacturers, the cooling system in your car should be flushed and the antifreeze should be replaced every two years. At the very least you should have the protection level and overall condition checked to ensure your cooling system will not freeze. The Tires: Check overall tread condition and tread depth, along with tire pressure. Low tire pressure can lead to loss of traction. If you live in an area where snow and ice are common, you should consider winter tires. The Wiper Blades and Heater: You should have your windshield wiper blades replaced every six months, and use a washer fluid designed for winter weather. Be sure your heater and defroster work properly to keep you warm and your windshield clear in colder weather. The Brakes: Now is a good time to have the brakes checked to ensure they aren't grabbing or working unevenly. This will help you avoid losing control in adverse driving conditions. The Engine Oil: Oil that is dirty or a heavier "summer" weight can make it harder for your engine to start when it is cold. Consider switching to a lighter "winter" weight oil for the colder months. At the same time have your transmission, fuel, and air filters checked or changed. The Tune-Up: If you have not taken your car in for a tune-up recently, now is a good time to do so as this will make it much easier for your car to start once the temperatures dip below freezing. Not doing so can result in your car running poorly or sluggishly and costing you more at the pump. The Exhaust System: Winter is never a good time to find out that your exhaust system leaks. This can lead to carbon monoxide entering your vehicle, which can be very dangerous during the months you tend to keep the windows rolled up. The Lights: During the winter months, the vast majority of your driving is likely to be done in adverse weather or when it is dark outside. This is a good time to make sure all of your lights work both on the inside and outside. It is also a good time to have your headlights aimed for maximum visibility at all times. At the same time you should try to make sure you never have less than half a tank of fuel as this reduces the risk of moisture forming in your tank, fuel filter, and gas lines. Water in your fuel system can freeze and cause your vehicle to stop running. You should always have an ice scraper/snowbrush on hand, along with a set of jumper cables, road flares, spare clothes, a blanket, food and water, a flashlight, and extra medicine if you take any on a regular basis. It is far better to be over-prepared than to find yourself stuck in a snowbank with nothing to keep you warm and safe.

The flagship Lincoln MKX has not seen any major changes for the past few years, all of this is about to change with the introduction of the 2016 model year. This year the MKX has undergone a complete and thorough re-design that includes a far more powerful EcoBoost engine under the hood and a number of changes to the interior. All of these changes have been made with the sole intention of not only making the Lincoln MKX more competitive, but also with making it one of the hottest crossovers on the market today. more Under the Hood and Chassis Power is always one of the first things crossover buyers tend to look at and in order to be even more competitive the 2016 Lincoln MKX has been given an upgrade under the hood. This comes in the form of an optional upgrade to a twin turbocharged 2.7 liter V6 engine that is rated at 330 horsepower and able to produce 370 ft-lbs. of torque. This new engine represents a huge jump in power from the original 3.7 liter naturally aspirated V6 that is still available. This standard engine is rated at 300 horsepower and pumps out 280 ft-lbs. of torque. NO matter which of these power plants you choose for your 2016 MKX, both models come mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. You do however get to choose between front and all-wheel drive to suit your personal tastes and the driving conditions you are likely to encounter. The chassis has also undergone significant upgrades, including replacing the rear suspension with one that now uses an integral link setup. The MKX represents the first vehicle from Lincoln to receive adaptive power steering for better control. An Interior Makeover Although the MKX has always had a luxurious interior, the 2016 MKX been given a complete makeover. For example you will find that both front seats now offer 22 different adjustments. These seats also feature four-way adjustable headrests, and offer adjustable thigh bolsters providing you with the most comfortable ride possible. To make getting in and out of your new MKX easier the interior features a new form of lighting. This new form of interior lighting has been designed to turn on in phases rather than all at once. Those lights in the footwells come on first, and then in sequence the cupholders light up, the center pass through, and finally the instrument panel. This unique interior lighting sequence adds an extra touch of pizzazz to an already extremely luxurious and comfortable interior. You can further custom tailor the interior of your MKX by going with the Lincoln "Black Label" program. When ordering your Black Label 2016 Lincoln MKX, there are two different themes from which to choose, one is a 1920s Paris theme which adds more luxury and also a touch of romance, or one that adds the excitement of horse racing. Finally the MKS will be the first model in the Lincoln lineup to offer Harmon Kardon's "Revel" sound system. This is their top of the line entertainment system that is sure to satisfy even the most dedicated audiophile. A Fresh New Look The 2016 Lincoln MKX is the third Lincoln model to undergo a complete makeover in the past three years. The first was the MKX which was completely overhauled for the 2013 model year, closely followed by the MKX the following year. Those discerning crossover buyers who would like to see the all-new 2016 Lincoln MKX for themselves are invited to come out to Ford Lincoln of Franklin and take one for a test drive. We are conveniently located at 1129 Murfreesboro Rd, Franklin, TN 37064 or call 615-800-6500 to schedule your test drive today!

Being a part of the community is a special responsibility for any business, and Ford Lincoln of Franklin is no exception. That’s why we were pleased to be invited to the 15th annual fundraiser for the Barefoot Republic Camp and Retreat center. Seeing an opportunity to give back to the community in a way reaching deep into the values of our neighbors here in Franklin, we are proud to have been selected as part of the evening. Not only was the evening for a good cause, it was also fun and filled with inspiration about the good work done at Barefoot Republic. more Helping Aspirations for a Better Future Here in Central Tennessee The gala itself was hosted by Amy Grant and Wes King at Amy’s farm located roughly 10 miles NW of Downton Franklin, a beautiful stretch of Tennessee country that embodies the cordiality of Tennessee charm. Hosting the event, Amy and Wes share their pride and aspirations for a better community in helping others, like us, support this wonderful program. Without this program, many young people without an opportunity to connect with others of diverse backgrounds in an environment of trust, fun, and healthy activity. Celebrating 15 years of heritage and hope, the fundraiser served an excellent round of dinner and entertainment for a great cause. Charting a Wholesome Path for Youth to Walk Bringing diverse groups of kids together for fun and faith in an environment of artistic, athletic, and team-building programs fostering a community of brotherhood in the spirit of interdenominational faith in Christ, the Barefoot Republic Camp is charting a path forward and helping young people walk that path. Kid’s all around love to come to Barefoot and experience the differences among all children and people and celebrate those differences as the “…best things about people; they tie us together in so many ways.” It’s all about a message of hope, happiness, and the promise of a better future by working with today’s youth and helping them see ways to extend the hand of friendship to others. The fundraising event was an extraordinary opportunity to be a part of this vision. The Many Rewards The gala event itself included a wonderful array of activity. Attendees were privilege to farm tours, camp activities, inspirational camp stories, youth performances, and live music by award winning artist. A wonderful dinner was followed by a silent auction filled with useful items such as an outing with Johnny Majors, a vacation package to Amelia Island, Predators tickets, professional family photo sessions, fitness center memberships, professional services, and much more. With the proceeds going to such a wonderful cause, it’s no wonder that the event was well attended and we are pleased to see that so many of our fellow friends come together in support of this group. We look forward to being part of next year’s event too. Our Commitment to our Community Our commitment to the community helps us build bridges to our neighbors that ensure we are continually a pillar of support for a thriving community. Here at the dealership, we work tirelessly to help each and every one of our employees, customers, and family members, and neighbors become fully invested in the community in which they live. We do that through our simple, honest commitment to doing what is best, and doing what is right. It’s a simple guiding strategy, and one we take great pride in. We would like to invite you to visit us here at the dealership and find out more about how we serve the community. Stop in and see us, we’re easy to get to at 1129 Murfreesboro Road, or give us a call at 615-800-6500. We’d love to talk with you about how great it is to be part of Tennessee culture.

Getting the best MPG out of your Ford truck is a no brainer of an idea, everybody wants it and there’s plenty of information out there on how to get it done. Some of it good, some of it, well, not so much. Sometimes we hear our customers tell us that their actual MPG don’t match up with what’s on the window sticker. We’re not going to tell you anything that’s not the truth, and the truth is your truck’s MPG rating is based on verifiable testing designed around average driving conditions. From these test results, the sticker lists the EPA estimated MPG. Here’s the bottom line, depending on where you fall in the range of what’s called average, your mileage may vary. Let’s take a quick look at why your mileage may vary from what’s on the window sticker. more Some Physics Like the muscles in your body, your engine requires fuel to move it along. And just like your body, things like terrain, wind resistance, how much you’re carrying, and if you’re walking or running make a difference in how fuel is used. Running into the wind, uphill, barefoot, and carrying a 50lb pack, you’ll work a heck of a lot harder than if you’re walking down the other side with the same stuff. Your truck isn’t any different. The engine is designed to produce the power you need under all kinds of conditions. But here’s the thing, just like when you chug up a hill on foot, how you prepare can make a ton of difference. How MPG is Rated The rating that’s on the window sticker is typically found in a lab with a procedure something like this, the truck is put on a machine called a dynamometer and a test driver runs it through the paces. The dyno can be dialed in to simulate wind resistance, grade, and hosts of other conditions that factor into MPG. But because there’s really no way to tell exactly how you’ll be driving, the dialing in is not going to be exactly how you drive, so the MPG you get won’t be exactly what they get in the lab. There are other things that engineers look at to consider making cars and trucks more fuel efficient. Take a look at this incredibly informative Ford lab aerodynamic video. Here you’ll see the facts behind the debate on leaving your tail-gate down or up affects MPG. FYI, the wind tunnel facts show that unloaded, your truck’s body is already optimized to give you the best advantage headed into the wind. Tail gate up or down makes no difference. Why your Actual MPG Doesn't Match Sticker Your actual mileage will vary from sticker for many reasons: how many hills you go up and down, how heavy your foot is on the accelerator, how well you keep your truck maintained, how often you haul heavy loads, and if you’re towing or not all go into your actual MPG number. It’s safe to say that your MPG will fall somewhere close, if not within the range listed on the sticker. But you shouldn’t be surprised if you see your mileage is a bit lower, or maybe even somewhat higher in certain situations. Having said that, there are some things you can do that will help get the most from every ounce of fuel you put into the tank. Simple Stuff to Help your Truck's MPG Keep the Load in the Bed You can see in the aerodynamic video that the slip stream across the bed flows just over the tail-gate in normal conditions. Anytime you put a load in the bed that affects this slip stream you’re affecting the aerodynamics. We know it’s not always practical to keep a load below the body line of the box, but if you can, you’ll be affecting wind resistance less. Keep your Tires Inflated Poorly inflated tires rob your truck of efficiency in a hurry, and the simple truth is you can take care of this easily. Always maintain the rated tire pressure in each of your tires and you’ll be doing your fuel budget a huge favor. Keep your Truck Maintained Along with keeping your tires properly inflated, keeping your truck up to speed with regular maintenance is key to fuel economy. Clean air and oil filters, good fluid levels, and general healthy maintenance of your running gear make crucially important differences in your vehicle performance. Go Easy on the Gas Pedal Lastly, be smart in how you power on your engine. If you’re always jamming down the throttle to get away from the light or ahead of traffic then you’re working the engine harder than you need to. Ease off the accelerator and watch your MPG numbers improve. Let Ford Lincoln of Franklin Help you get the Most MPG from your Truck Remember, part of keeping your MPG numbers up is keeping good maintenance. Here at Ford Lincoln of Franklin we can help. Our certified maintenance team is up to the job of keeping your truck running at its best for optimum efficiency. Come on in and see us at 1129 Murfreesboro Road here in Franklin to find out more, or give us a call right now at 615-800-6500 to set up a service for your truck. It will save you money in the long run.

Performance enthusiasts from coast to coast have been watching with wanting eyes their cousins across the pond rally around in the Ford Focus RS. Punchy, sure footed, and just tons of fun, the RS was only an object of admiration and maybe even some downright lustful feelings for drivers here in the states. more That’s all about to change. At the North American Auto Show in Detroit this past winter, Ford execs made it official that the pumped up Focus RS was destined for showrooms in America sometime around late 2016. This little hot-hatch looks to be a little monster with AWD and a Turbo 4 cranking out over 300hp through a tight shifting six-speed manual transmission. It’s hard not to get excited about the possibilities. Features Set up with some beefed up suspension components and channeling what looks like will be in excess of 320hp through an AWD powertrain, the RS looks like it’ll scream on the straight line and tear up cornering. Coupled with Ford’s Launch-control system that will let you dial in aggressiveness, and with a snappy 6-speed manual with a tight pattern and positive feel, driving this car will be like strapping into an F-16 and popping off the end of the runway in a full power vertical. And because it’s not set to compete with its legendary cousin the Mustang, the engineers have been given the go-ahead to pull out all the stops. So we’re thinking it’s only going to get better with age. Performance is the key design consideration here Sway bars front and rear are performance-refined spring rated that come together with unique two-mode shocks for a firm setting body and a minimum of pitch and yaw. Electric-assist power steering has been tuned to give you the maximum in responsiveness while at the same time reducing the amount of understeer. Launch-control, working with some advanced driveline control systems, manage acceleration profiles and deliver maximum traction to the road. From raw and aggressive to a little subdued, you can select how the car pops off the line. Other key elements include a rear diffuser, front and rear spoilers, and a large frontal opening that allows form maximum engine cooling air-flow. The body has been aerodynamically balanced to create an optimum-high-speed driving zero-lift-envelope. Turbo-charged goodness The power-plant starts with a 2.3L four with turbo-charged aspiration and is tuned to deliver in excess of 315hp. The six-speed manual transmission is coupled to the wheels through an advanced AWD drive system. The AWD includes a torque vectoring system that maximizes traction and helps the EPS minimize understeer. Goodies galore Inside the cabin leather covered Recaro® sport seats show off the RS themed design with enhanced stitching, and a race inspired flat bottom steering wheel sits in the console surrounded by a slew of instrumentation reporting boost pressure, oil temperature, and oil pressure to the driver. The RS logo carries throughout the interior with floor mats, steering wheel, and door scuff plates all badged with a prominent RS banner. Stay in touch for the showroom arrival of the Ford Focus RS at Ford Lincoln of Franklin We’ve been pondering the Focus RS for a while now, and we’re really thrilled this car is finally hitting the American shores. What makes it even more special for us is that it isn’t just an American car, it’s a global car. One that’s made a name for itself around the world. Kudos for that for sure. Ford Lincoln of Franklin is truly pumped up to be bringing this car to central Tennessee. There’s no doubt it’s going to be a blast to drive and we’d like to get everyone who wants one behind the wheel as soon as they come in. Come on by and find out more about the Ford Focus RS coming to Tennessee, and keep in touch with our team for all the details. We’re easy to get to at 1129 Murfreesboro Road here in Franklin, or give us a call at 615-800-6500 right now to get the latest.

There are times that a full size truck is just a bit too much. Somewhere between needing to haul tons of tools and cargo for work and having a trunk that’s really not much more than a place for the groceries, there’s a gap. That gap is filled with a small to mid-sized pickup truck. Handy, tight, and with full body on frame design, these little trucks are great toy haulers and around the house utility workhorses. more For a long time the small and mid-size truck market here in the states has been dominated by foreign competition. It wasn’t always that way. Once upon a time we had quite a few choices including a really cool Ford called the Ford Ranger. Well, once again, the American small truck market cup runneth over and the mid-size Ford Ranger is again on the production books for a global launch. Kind of. Roomier design with a crew cab feature Unlike the old Ford Ranger, the new design is bumping up a notch in size and is intended to be marketed as a mid-size truck. With that, this little workhorse is bringing some fresh design ideas to the foray with a roomy crew-cab design that promises to house piles of high tech goodies. Capitalizing on the time honored, tried and true design, the truck is a solid body on full frame design that’s sure to deliver the legendary tough truck capacity Ford is known round the world for. Topping off the body boldness is a smart style featuring a handsome hex grille up front. It’s a smart looking truck that’s feature rich and looks to be a boon for the small truck consumer. Powertrain options There are going to be three engine offers on the global model, and as usual, we should expect some powertrain tweaks if and when the truck hits the American market. As it sits there is a 3.2L diesel 5 cylinder slated to deliver a handy 347lb-ft torque to the wheels as well as a 4 cylinder 2.2L diesel and a 2.5L inline 4 gasoline engine. Driveline configurations are expected to be 2x2 and 4x4 with the 4x4 utilizing an electronically controlled transfer case. Tech Among the electronic goodies the truck displayed at its debut at the Bangkok auto show, the truck features the now industry expected lane keep assist, adaptive radar cruise control, and the standard compliment of gadget connectivity like Bluetooth. We can only speculate at this point, but it’s pretty certain that if the truck makes it to the American shores the latest version of MySync technology will also sit in the trucks dash mounted control center. Availability There are 180 global markets that expect to see the newly designed Ranger, unfortunately America isn’t one of them. But with the recent GM flavors of mid-size trucks in the Canyon and Colorado it could be that Ford is taking a wait and see attitude on sales numbers from GM before they release the Ranger to the states. While we can’t promise anything, we can certainly hope that one day the Ford Ranger will find its way to our showroom floor.

Innovation is always a powerful weapon against failure, and if you know the story, and the product lineup the Ford Global Performance group is set to bring to market in the next few years, you know that Americans are storming the world’s beaches again. Gone are the rebadged boxy Kitschmobiles that were the laughing stock of the world automotive stage of decades past. Ford Global is ushering in a new era with a set of truly innovative world class cars like the 2015 Ford Mustang. For its 50th birthday, the pony car is going global, and it’s happening in a way many people considered impossible for the American automotive manufacturing machine. Those people were wrong, Ford is proving that. more Global Demands of a North American Sourced Vehicle To meet the demands of a globally sourced vehicle, the Ford Mustang had to adapt to a laundry list of individual specifications to meet the rigors of every climate, country regulation, and performance standards well different than just here in the states. The car’s endurance needed to meet the blazing hot temperatures of the middle east, the viciously abusive roads of China, the safety standards of Europe, accommodate both left and right hand steering, along with complying with differing emission standards, and it had to do it all while giving the global buyer a reason to what it in the first place. That is, it had to stand up to some stiff, and very competent, global performance vehicles. In addition to the mechanical standards, the logistics of sourcing a global car from the states requires shipping, proper customs documentation in the destination language, and tracking data so the engineers and designers here in the states can hook up and get the pulse of the globe. Of all the American automotive manufacturers sourcing the globe with a North American built car, nobody is doing it like Ford. In 2013 Ford shipped over 380,000 vehicles built in the states around the globe, and that number breeched 400,000 in 2014. Meeting the Needs of All Markets Tooling up a global car takes heaps of knowhow and preparation. Engineers had to grapple with bringing the Mustang to the global buyer in its American style and form while making sure it satisfied the moving target of country by country specific issues. The 2015 Ford Mustang was global from the womb. Designers created the hardtop and the convertible knowing it would hit showrooms in Europe, Asia, China, and points in between, but they kept its American style, a key selling point. Manufacturing has to allow for both right and left hand steering configurations to allow the car to easily adopt to overseas markets. Air conditioning, cooling, and the engine compartment need to operate effortlessly in searing desert heat and withstand blowing sand. It has to be able to handle Autobahn speeds. The car has to take the abuse of rough roads in China. To meet European pedestrian regulations, the front end is low and gradually builds into the hood. All these challenges have been met, and as the American Icon turns 50, it’s set to take the world by storm in a ground leading charge that’s going to see more North American innovation landing on shores around the globe. The American is Here The story goes that in 1981, an American dealership owner stumbled across a Geni’s lamp. Curious, he gave it a rub and out popped a Geni saying “Your wish is my command”. The dealer thought about it for a bit, and considering the state of the 1981 American car market and pondering how his competing Japanese dealerships rake in the bucks, he thought of the single wish that would satisfy his longing for success. He looked at the Geni and said “I would like a brand new, Japanese car dealership”. Your wish is granted said the Geni, and with the requisite “poof” the dealer received his wish. In the next instant he found himself, to his dismay, in his brand new Cadillac dealership centrally located in the heart of Tokyo. Nobody was impressed. It’s not 1981 anymore, and soon, very soon, the heart of Tokyo and cities around the world are going to be rocked with an American classic, the Ford Mustang. Come on in to Ford Lincoln of Franklin at 1129 Murfreesboro Road here in Franklin and see for yourself how Ford is ready to rock the world. Or give us a call right now at 615-794-4585 and schedule a drive in the world class 2015 Ford Mustang.

There’s this peculiar Canadian sport where men and women hurl heavy smooth bottomed rocks, called stones, down an icy lane while teammates very quickly and vigorously broom the ice, apparently to make the ice even more slippery, in front of the sliding stone. The object is to land your team’s stone onto a bull’s-eye painted on the far side of the ice or to knock your opponent’s stone off of it. There’s a bit of strategy involved where you attempt to strategically place a stone in hopes of either preventing another of your stones from being pushed off the bull’s-eye, or to block your opponent’s path to the bull’s-eye. The sport is called curling and it’s all rather graceful to watch. Curling is a big sport in Canada. That’s probably because ice is a big thing in Canada. They do ice very well in Canada. Tennessee roads look a lot like curling when drivers are made to drive through an unexpected ice or snow storm. The bull’s-eyes are whatever’s in the way and the stones usually have a hefty payment book attached. Unlike Canadians, we don’t do ice very well in Tennessee, and fortunately, we don’t deal with snow and ice that much. But we can take lesson on how Canadians choose tires for driving conditions, particularly when they are thinking between a set of winter tires versus a set of all-season tires. Here’s a short take of Canadian tire science to help you make the choice here in Tennessee. more Tread, Material, and Design Considerations for Seasonal Tires Any true winter tire has an aggressive tread design, one with deep, interweaving grooves designed to punch through slush and snow and grab for all the traction it can. Really, really aggressive treads have embedded metal studs for chewing through packed snow and ice making them studded winter tires. Winter tires use material that’s designed to stay soft in cold temperatures allowing the rubber to ply easily giving the tire even more grip across various snow and ice covered surfaces. All-weather tires borrow the aggressive tread design from true winter tires, but tone it down a bit. The tread design provides stability by pushing away water and slush from the contact surfaces. All-weather tires use a rubber material that’s designed to stay flexible in more moderate temperatures. The rubber provides excellent grip on snow, slush, as well as on bare concrete and asphalt. A set of all-season tires uses a milder tread design that provides a quieter ride and offers low rolling-resistance during warmer temperatures. While all-season tires do a good job of channeling water away from the contact surfaces, winter snow and slush will clog the channels creating smooth tire surface that will not grip at the contact point. The material used for all-season tires is harder rubber designed to get a longer tread life, but at the cost of traction in colder temperatures. Weather Related Road Conditions and Tire Types Usage When winter temperatures hover around and above 44.5’F (7’C) typical road conditions in winter range from clear and dry roads to wet, and possibly light snow and slush covered roads. These milder conditions typically create hazards more due to wet road conditions rather than icy road conditions. Seldom snow covered, roads are generally passable and in good shape. All-weather tires definitely work in these conditions, and all-season tires are also a good choice. When winter temperatures hover around and below 44.5’F (7’C) typical road conditions in winter range from hard packed snow, soft snow, and wet, rough, or black ice. These harsher conditions typically create hazards due to direct contact with ice and snow rather than the road surface. That means that you need a winter style tire for best traction and safety. Summary of Weather Conditions and Tire Choice Harsh winter with plenty of snow, ice, and freezing weather – winter studded Harsh winter with plenty of snow – winter non-studded Mild winter with rain, quick melting snowfall, and slushy roads – all weather Warm, dry, mild wet winter conditions – all season Make a Thoughtful Tire Choice for Whatever Weather Condition you Drive Through Getting a good set of tires should always be a thoughtful choice regardless of driving conditions. That’s why you should consult with knowledgeable technicians about which set of tires is suited for any particular situation. At Ford Lincoln of Franklin, we serve our customers with a broad range of knowledgeable services including tires. Come visit us today at 1129 Murfreesboro Road in Franklin if you’re thinking of which tires you should buy, or give us a call right now at (615) 800-6500 for more information. We’ll be glad to help you out.

It used to be easy for a mechanic to explain to someone why keeping a car's engine intake air filter clean and fresh was necessary. They just had to mention that you're wasting money at the pump while putting the dirty filter in your face. That's old school, people who work on cars and trucks aren't called mechanics anymore, and technically the dirty filter/lousy fuel economy argument isn't as easy as all that with modern engines. The tech's here at Ford Lincoln of Franklin service know modern engines and why you need to keep your air filters clean. The answers they have may surprise you, and If you want to know how to call out an old school mechanic on the dirty air filter/low fuel economy argument, if that's how they're selling the job, read on. more A Brief Lesson in Internal Combustion Gasoline internal combustion engines have always utilized a mixture of fuel and air to create an explosive force in the engine cylinders creating mechanical movement. In days of yore, there were things called carburetors that inhaled air, sucked gas through a rubber hose, and shoved the whole mix into a cylinder to be compressed by a piston after which a spark ignited the whole thing to make a tidy, and powerful, little explosion. Long story short, this process went round and round to make the wheels on the car go round and round. Yesterday and today, it has always been the job of the engine intake air filter to make sure the air that gets into the engine is free of debris and dirt so only clean air mixes with the fuel. All foreign contaminants are captured in the air filter keeping the combustion chambers, and the internals of the engine, clean and free of debris. The rub is that as the filter cleans the air, it gets clogged up. With an old carburetor that meant that less air got to the combustion cylinder and your engine sucked more fuel to compensate. This affected both economy and performance. Enter Fuel Injection, The Computer Chip, and The Mass Air Flow Sensor To this day, as the engine intake air filter does its job, it gets clogged and as a consequence less air makes it to the combustion chamber. The difference in modern engines though, is that there's a sensor near the entry of the filter passage, called the mass air flow sensor that actually measures how much air the engine is taking in. If the sensor detects that there isn't as much air coming in as the engine design requires, this information is tabulated by a computer chip which then recalculates how much fuel the fuel injectors put into the cylinder for the aforementioned explosion. Less air flow sensed means less fuel dispensed. So economy doesn't suffer. Performance however, still takes a hit. Now, theoretically, your filter may be so clogged that no air flows, at which time your mass air flow sensor tells the chip that there is no air, thus, no fuel gets injected, and then, no explosion. Chances are though, this is more likely a sensor failure than a filter failure. None the less, it's possible. Overall Performance Effects of Dirty Air Filters Seeing as the amount of energy your engine produces is directly related to the amount of fuel in the cylinders during the power stroke (the explosion), less fuel would make for less power. As a result your engine performance suffers with a dirty air intake filter. Surprisingly, there's another oft neglected filter that can cause you more headache. The cabin air filter. The cabin intake filter filters the air coming into your vehicle's cabin before it is processed by the heating or cooling systems. Just like the engine intake filter, the cabin filter becomes clogged too. If this blockage becomes chronic your heating and cooling systems may seem to not be working well. Unfortunately, if you don't have the cabin air filter, about fifty bucks, checked first then you can be spending hundreds, even thousands of dollars on heating and cooling system maintenance and repair when all you need is a fresh cabin air filter. So be aware. There are two air filters you need to know about. Save Money, Time, and Hassle with the Qualified Service Center at Ford Lincoln of Franklin Everyone is interested in getting the best performance from their car, and one of the easiest ways to do that is getting routine maintenance from qualified technicians. At Ford Lincoln of Franklin we take great pride in helping our customers keep their cars and trucks on the road and running great. The service team here at the dealership uses state of the art technology with the latest and most up to date factory information making sure each and every scheduled maintenance and repair is up to speed. Our guys and gals are some of the best trained in the area and are always ready with courteous assistance. Come on by today, or give us a call at 888-433-0436 to schedule an appointment. Regularly scheduled maintenance at our dealership is a great way to get peace of mind when driving.