Ford Fiesta Video

Everyone is talking about the new Ford Fiesta and we at Planet Ford 59 want to break down the features everyone is talking about. So click the play button and see what we have to say about the Ford Fiesta special features.

Blind Spots Important Info

Every year, children are injured and killed because drivers (in some cases, parents) don't see them while backing up. According to KIDS AND CARS (www.kidsandcars.org), a nonprofit group that works to improve child safety around cars, at least 50 children are backed over every week in the U.S. Forty-eight are treated in hospital emergency rooms and at least 2 children die. There were 474 fatal backover accidents between 2001 and 2006, which represents almost half of all non-traffic fatalities that involved children.

A contributing factor is that larger vehicles (SUVs, pickups, and minivans), which have become increasingly popular, have larger blind zones than passenger cars. A blind zone is the area behind a vehicle that a person can't see from the driver's seat.

To help consumers understand how large some blind zones are, Consumer Reports has measured the blind zones of a number of popular models. The results for both an average-height driver (5 feet 8 inches and a shorter driver (5 feet 1 inch) are listed in the accompanying charts.

Bottom line: Your best defense against backover accidents is to get out of your vehicle and check behind it just before you back up. If kids are nearby, make sure you can see them while backing up.

We at Planet Ford 59 recommend people in the market for new vehicles to heavily invest their money with vehicles that have backup sensors and cameras (Such as the Ford Fusion). Or buy the after market convex mirror sold in our part department. But as the article above states your best defense against backover accidents is to get out of your vehicle and check behind it just before you back up

For complete Ratings, reliability information, test results, reviews, and other in-depth information on specific models of cars & trucks, subscribe today to access all of ConsumerReports.org.

Original Article

Anti-Aging Car

Yahoo! Autos has named the Ford Mustang as one of the cars that are guaranteed to grow old gracefully.

Blame the economy, or better engineering. The fact is, more and more people are looking to save money by holding onto their vehicles for a longer period of time.

Some cars are simply graced with timeless good looks. Put one in your garage, and you might start getting calls from Hollywood celebs seeking the latest anti-aging advice. Sound engineering and clever styling are not mutually exclusive, no matter your budget.

In 1964 the Ford Mustang inspired the term “pony car,” an entire breed of high-performance sports coupes with a budget price and good performance. With the exception of a few fallow years in the 1970s, the Mustang has remained at the cutting edge of the pony car market in both looks and performance.

Completely revamped for the 2005 model year, and freshened for 2010, the latest Mustang is arguably the best-looking pony car ever. For approximately $30,000, the 2010 Mustang GT offers a growling V-8 engine and enough attitude to make Russell Crowe think twice before picking a fight. For 2011, the Mustang is available with a 305-horsepower V-6 engine capable of 31 mpg on the highway (when equipped with the 6-speed automatic transmission).

So if you are looking for the cure for car aging, stop by Planet Ford 59 and invest your money on Ford Mustang. It is truly a timeless piece of engineering.

Original Yahoo! Article here

Top 3 common car-buying mistakes

Buying a new car can be exciting. But it's also a complex process through which you can end up overpaying by hundreds or thousands of dollars or with a vehicle that you won't be happy with down the road. Below are the top 3 common mistakes that beginner car buyers often make.

1. Falling in love with a model.
When spending tens of thousands of dollars on a car, emotion shouldn't rule the day. Becoming infatuated with a single model can blind you to alternative vehicles that may be better for your needs or make you skimp on thoroughly researching a vehicle's ratings, reviews, reliability, or safety and pricing information. To determine which vehicle is best for you, you should set emotion aside and focus on doing your homework, comparing different models, and assessing your real wants and needs. There will be plenty of time for emotion after you've bought the vehicle.

2. Skipping the test drive.
The test drive is one of the most important parts of the car-buying process. A lot of vehicles look good on paper--especially in glossy brochure photos--but the test drive is your best chance to see how a vehicle measures up to expectations and how well it "fits" you and your family. You don't want any surprises after you've bought it. That's why it's surprising that many people give vehicles only a token test or, worse, none at all. That is a mistake and a sure recipe for buyer remorse. It's critical that you take ample time--at least 30 minutes--to conduct a complete test drive and perform a thorough walk-around of any vehicle you're considering.

3. Underestimating the value of modern safety features.
Today's vehicles offer an array of advanced safety features. But many buyers don't know which are most important or what to look for when comparing vehicles. Antilock brake systems (ABS), electronic stability control (ESC), and head-protecting side air bags, for instance, are effective and well worth the money. Studies have shown that ESC can significantly reduce accidents and fatalities. The feature is especially important for SUVs, because it can help prevent rollovers. Side-crash tests show that head-protecting side air bags are critical in preventing fatalities in side impacts. Unfortunately, you can't always depend on a dealership's salespeople to give you accurate information or reliable guidance about these features. That's why you should thoroughly research the benefit of all available safety features and look for vehicles that have the ones that will best protect you and your family.

You can also avoid all the confusion of buying a car when you visit Planet Ford 59 where we treat everyone fair and we look out for your investment.

Second Public Appearance

* 2012 Mustang Boss 302 will make its second public appearance August 20-21 during Michigan's Woodward Dream Cruise.
* The special edition will be part of a larger display of more than 500 Mustangs.
* Mustang Boss 302 debuted last week at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca.

The 2012 Mustang Boss 302 will be part of a larger display of more than 500 Mustangs at the annual event, including 10 historic Boss Mustangs owned by Ford employees. The company is planning to bring four prototypes of the 2012 Mustang Boss 302 to the Dream Cruise.

Ford is also taking a rather conservative approach to showcasing the Mustang Boss 302 via social media. Kozleski said the new model probably will not get its own Facebook page. Instead, it will be part of a larger Mustang site on Facebook. The Mustang also has dedicated pages on YouTube, Twitter and Flickr.

Ford unveiled the 2012 Mustang Boss 302 at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca on August 13. The Mustang Boss 302 produces 440 horsepower and 380 pound-feet of torque from an upgraded version of the Mustang GT 5.0's V8.

Come to Planet Ford 59 and see our great selection of Ford Mustangs!

Read the full article here.

Fiesta Still Best Buy for New Car

It is no surprise to us at Planet Ford 59 that the Ford Fiesta still continues to turned heads with its incredible price. It is becoming more common for us to read more and more articles of how the Ford Fiesta is the best car for its price. Case in point would be the latest article by the Ride Lust blog which names the Ford Fiesta and one of the Ten Cheapest New Cars You Can Buy Today.

In their blog they state that, "If (they) were handing out the award for best value on the list, it would go the the new Ford Fiesta S".

Remember folks that Ford has packed a lot of content into the Fiesta, including power mirrors, capless fuel filler, aux in / USB jacks and A/C, yet has managed to keep the price reasonable for the entry level model.

Visit Planet Ford 59 to see the Ford Fiesta today!

See the full list here

Mustang named a Head Turning Car Under 25K

According to Yahoo! Autos the Ford Mustang is named as one of the Head-Turning Cars Under 25k. The list is compiled by a simple criteria; they came up with a list of cars that play to a baser automotive instinct than the search for good fuel economy, spacious rear seats, or cupholders that accommodate juice boxes and Big Gulps. These are the cars that turn heads and get thumbs-up everywhere you go.

According to Yahoo! Autos this is what they had to say about the Ford Mustang.

What is it?

The 2011 Mustang proves a good thing can keep getting better. While the basic shape dates back to 2005—not to mention the 1960s’ original that inspired the retro look—the ’Stang still looks great.

For the 2011 model year, the base Mustang comes equipped with a 305-horsepower V-6 engine, 6-speed manual transmission and electronic stability control, all for around $22,100. Add the optional 6-speed automatic and a set of 18-in. alloy wheels, and you’re still within our $25,000 budget cap.

Why is it hot?

A long hood and short rear deck make the Mustang look like it’s in motion even when standing still. There are tons of ways to mix and match colors and trim levels, which is why so many Mustangs have a fantastic custom-built appearance.

There also happens to be a horsepower war going on at the lower end of the muscle car spectrum, with Chevy and Ford pumping up the power in their base V-6 engines. This means you can have the economy of a V-6, with nearly the firepower of a V-8, and with cash left to load up your Mustang with side scoops, chrome billet grille, racing stripes, hood scoop and window louvers.

Visit Planet Ford 59 and see why the Ford Mustang is a head turner. The best news is you don’t have to risk your credit rating when putting one of these beauties in your driveway. Driving a car that looks like a million bucks doesn’t mean you have to hand over a seven-figure sum to own one.

For the complete list click here.

Ford Fusion Named as One of the Top Fuel Efficient Cars

A recent list compiled by Crave Online suggest that the Ford Fusion is one of the top 5 fuel efficient cars.

At $27,000, the Ford Fusion Hybrid is one of the most affordable hybrid midsize cars in America. Fuel economy is great with 41 mpg city and 36 mpg highway. If $27,000 and 41 mpg doesn´t suit you, the federal tax credit worth $850 (awarded before April 1 of this year) would have. Comfort is another strong suit; there is more leg room and 2 inches more hip room in the rear seats than in the Toyota Prius.

Visit Planet Ford 59 to see our full hybrid inventory today.

For the complete list click here.

Study: One-third of drivers don't know this dashboard light

Do you know what that this little dashboard light means? No? Don't worry.

According to a Schrader report 44 percent were unaware what the symbol was supposed to represent.

The dashboard light which represents the TPMS sensor is a sensor that constantly measure the pressure in all four tires, and when one or more tires is more than 25 percent below the recommended amount, a light illuminates on the gauge cluster.

Most of us know the light (on the left ) and if you do, you're among the 54 percent of drivers who know what it means. But more importantly, less than half of the population doesn't.

TPMS sensor maker Schrader recently surveyed drivers to see if there were knowledgeable about all things TPMS, and the results had to be a bit disappointing for them. First, the good news: 96 percent of all drivers surveyed felt that under-inflated tires were a serious safety problem. Now the bad news: Only 44 percent of drivers polled regularly check their tire pressure. Furthermore, one third of drivers surveyed didn't know what TPMS was or what it was used for, while still another 14 percent thought the symbol identified a problem of the non-tire variety.

Remember that at Planet Ford 59 we care about tire safety and will inspect your tires for you. So the next time this dashboard light shows up don't risk your life by ignoring it and stop by and let our professional service department check it out.


Source USA TODAY

Ford Super Duty

The Ford F-Series line is going to be getting a boost this week and set a history benchmark in the process. The most powerful diesel engine ever installed in a heavy-duty pickup will soon be powering the 2011 Ford F-Series Super Duty. Take a look at the official word from ford.com:

• The 6.7-liter Power Stroke® V8 turbocharged diesel is now rated at best-in-class 800 lb.-ft. of torque and 400 horsepower, an increase of 65 lb.-ft. of torque and 10 horsepower. Current 2011 Ford F-Series Super Duty diesel owners can get the increased performance through a free dealer-installed software upgrade to the truck’s powertrain control module
• Super Duty reclaims F-350 towing and payload leadership vs. Chevrolet Silverado 3500. When it comes to capability, Super Duty offers uncompromised choice – whether it’s F-250, F-350, F-450 or F-550
• The 6.7-liter Super Duty diesel now has 20 percent better fuel economy compared with the outgoing engine based on Ford drive-cycle tests of comparably equipped 2011 Ford and 2010 Ford models

Ford Motor Company will begin production this week of the most powerful diesel engine ever installed in a heavy-duty pickup, Barb Samardzich, vice president of powertrain engineering, announced today at an international auto industry conference.

Introduced in April 2010, the 6.7-liter Power Stroke V8 turbocharged diesel powering the 2011 Ford F-Series Super Duty will be upgraded to best-in-class 800 lb.-ft. of torque and 400 horsepower, Samardzich said at the Center for Automotive Research’s annual Management Briefing Seminars.

“These numbers are impressive, yes, but that is not why they matter,” Samardzich said. “These numbers matter because our customers say they do. The higher torque means that fleet operators, such as Florida Power & Light, can plow through deep swamps and get to downed power lines faster and more confidently. It means that oil and gas crews in the Northwest can tow up an 8,000-foot grade maintaining a steady speed and using less fuel.”

In an industry-first customer loyalty program, Ford will provide the power upgrades free of charge to all current owners of a 2011 Super Duty diesel pickup. Customers will receive letters explaining the procedure, a 30-minute software adjustment to the truck’s powertrain control module, and inviting them to visit their dealerships for the upgrade.

The upgrade program will begin by Aug. 31 and continue for the next 12 months. The 2011 Super Duty diesel pickups in dealer inventory will receive the upgrade as well.

A rigorous testing protocol that included computer, laboratory and on-road validation ensured 250,000-mile durability in the new Power Stroke’s components and systems. This strict testing opened the door for the 2011 Super Duty’s increased capability.

“We know that durability and reliability is uppermost in the minds of our Super Duty customers, along with torque and horsepower, so we took a conservative approach that ensured that the new Power Stroke would be absolutely bulletproof while delivering significantly improved power,” said Chris Brewer, chief engineer of the 2011 Super Duty.

Visit Planet Ford 59 to see our large Super Duty inventory.

Sunroof Problems

I know that sometimes things suddenly happen to your car. It can be frustrating. Your sunroof is no exception so how do you fix it when it goes wrong? It can be a hassle trying to figure out how to fix the problem. Well thanks to Online Auto Repair we found tips and hints on how to take care of a broken down sun roof. Sure you can visit Planet Ford 59 for help but some of you are do it "your-selfers" and there is nothing wrong with that at all!

Many malfunctions in the sunroof system fall into 2 categories that can often be related to each-other. Water leak issues and electrical problems. Sometimes wiring or switch corrosion can be caused by the water leaks.

A power sunroof can slide the roof panel open or closed. You can also tilt the roof panel up in the back to allow fresh air into the passenger compartment. When driving down the road this can also pull a vacuum and remove stale air from the interior cabin.

In most cases power sunroofs are not that much different than electrically operated power window systems found in most automobiles. Many common parts are shared such as system relays, a master control switch and the motor assembly to perform the movement.

Note that most power sunroof systems are protected by a circuit breaker instead of a fuse. This is in case the sunroof begins to bind. It protects the motor by opening the circuit breaker. Often when people have power sunroof problems they will begin to look for the fuse when there is actually none. A circuit breaker will reset automatically when it cools down.

Power sunroof common problems

Often power sunroofs are a popular option that does not get used very often. When this system sits for months or years without being used often components can develop corrosion that may hinder operation when it is finally desired.

Since a sunroof is part of the exterior surface of the vehicle a complete watertight seal is necessary. If this seal fails or the automatic drain becomes clogged with debris and water sits around the components the corrosion mentioned above will be accelerated. For this reason a very common sunroof problem is water sealing and drainage.

Diagnosing power sunroof problems is pretty straightforward. The first thing to check would be the circuit breaker. Next you would want to verify power at the motor connector. In that case you would be working from the load back towards the battery. If there is no power at the motor you can break out a wiring diagram and do some pinpoint checks at the relay and switch.

To read the full article you can see OnlineAutoRepair.com