Ford Videos Des Moines

The Ford Explorer is the 2011 North American Truck of the Year. The winners were revealed at the North American International Auto Show. The winners were chosen by a jury of 49 automotive journalists from the United States and Canada. The awards are unique in the United States because instead of being given by a single media outlet they are awarded by a coalition of automotive journalists from the United States and Canada who represent magazines, television, radio, newspapers and web sites.

It is the third year in a row that a Ford was named the North American Truck of the Year. Last year the winner was the Transit Connect. It is also the seventh time a Ford has been the “North American Truck of the Year,” a category it has dominated. The Explorer won with 253 points while the Jeep had 138 and the Durango 99. To be eligible a vehicle must be all new or “substantially changed.” The jurors considered dozens of new vehicles before sending their ballots to Michelle Collins, a partner at Deloitte & Touche early in December.

Posted by on Feb 11 2011 in Ford News

’11 Fiesta Earns Top Safety Pick

Ford’s all new sedan and hatchback, the 2011 Fiesta, is the first minicar to earn the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) Top Safety Pick award since the IIHS added a roof strength requirement for rollover protection. No other minicar the Institute has tested has earned top ratings in all four safety evaluations.

The Fiesta is equipped with seven airbags: dual-stage front airbags, seat-mounted side-impact airbags for the front seats, curtain airbags to cover the side windows along front and rear seats, and a driver’s knee airbag, which protects the driver’s legs and helps prevent them from sliding forward.

For power the 2011 Fiesta’s engine is a 1.6-liter four-cylinder, which teams with either a five-speed stick or a six-speed dual-clutch automatic. Technically an automated manual, the automatic is a technology that’s begun to spread among larger cars, bringing the light weight and efficiency traditionally associated with manual transmissions.

Posted by on Jan 28 2011 in Automotive Safety

Ford Mustang for 2011

For 2011, the Mustang gets some significant updates to its powertrain. The 2011 Mustang has more features, more comfort, and more sheer performance than any previous production Mustang, and it’s priced to sell. The newly standard 3.7-liter V-6 in base Mustangs makes 305 hp and 280 pounds-feet of torque, while the 5.0-liter V-8 that powers GT models produces 412 hp and 390 pounds-feet of torque. In addition to the new engines and transmissions, the 2011 Mustang gets an additional front Z brace and a revised suspension to improve ride quality while also improving handling; new safety features including Ford’s MyKey system, power side mirrors with integral blind spot mirrors, and fold-down rear headrests; electric power steering meant to improve fuel economy while also aiding steering feel; and new features, such as a Performance Package for V6 models and available Brembo brakes for the GT. Safety equipment includes dual front airbags, front side airbags, tire-pressure monitor, anti-lock brakes, electronic stability control, and Ford’s SOS post-crash alert system that unlocks the doors, turns on the four-way flashers and sounds the horn if an air bag is deployed.

Posted by on Jan 21 2011 in Ford Reviews

Ford’s Safety Advancement: Inflatable Safety Belts

Ford Safety Ford has taken safety for rear seat passengers to a whole new level with the introduction of inflatable safety belts for rear outboard seats. How do these belts work? In the event of a frontal or side crash, the inflated belt is designed to deploy in less than the blink of an eye. Its unique design helps distribute crash force energy across more of the occupant’s torso than a traditional belt, which helps reduce the risk of injury while providing support for the head and neck. After deployment, the belt remains inflated for several seconds before dispersing its air through the pores
in the airbag. Inflatable safety belts are compatible with child safety seats.

Inflatable belts are not as large as traditional front airbags, so they can fill at a lower pressure and at a slower rate. Ford research showed that more than 90 percent of people who tested the inflatable safety belts found them to be similar or more comfortable than a conventional belt because the belts feel padded and softer.

Posted by on Jan 14 2011 in Auto Technology

Know Your SUV’s Limits

Ford offers a wide variety of SUV’s, from the mid-sized Ford Escape, to the all new Ford Explorer, to the full sized Ford Expedition. With new technology and safety features, SUVs of today are safer than ever. Once common problem with SUVs of the past were rollovers. With their taller stance and weight distribution SUVs tend to rollover easier than vehicles that sit closer to the ground such as sedans and wagons. SUVs appeal to consumers because of their greater cargo capacity and their towing and hauling capability. But the fact is many SUVs have a payload capacity (how much weight they can carry) that is considerably less than what buyers assume. Once an SUV is overloaded, the chance of a rollover increases dramatically. This is why it is crucial to know your SUVs limits, as from one model to another, they vary greatly.

The taller height of an SUV also raises the chance of a rollover. Due to their higher center of gravity, SUVs are more prone to roll over than passenger cars that ride closer to the ground. Overloading an already top-heavy SUV not only raises the risk of rollover; it also places added stress on the brakes and can cause a tire blowout, especially if the tires are improperly inflated. Automakers have taken some steps toward improving the segment with a mix of new models and advanced technology. Opting for Safety features that are optional can play a large role in SUV safety, too. Stability control can prevent accidents due to rollover and/or tire blowout. This system goes by many different names including Ford’s AdvanceTrac. With this technology computer sensors spring into action upon sensing that the vehicle is about to go out of control. These sensors can cut engine power and brake individual wheels to help the driver regain control and keep the vehicle heading in the intended direction.

So what are your SUV limits? As of September 2004, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has required the tire label on the doorjamb of a vehicle to say what the maximum combined weight of occupants and cargo is for all vehicles with a GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating) of 10,000 pounds or less. It had previously been up to the manufacturer to publish the maximum load carrying capacity either in the owner’s manual or somewhere inside the vehicle. Of course, load capacity is only one factor that might cause an SUV with an already high center of gravity to roll over. Equally important is making sure that the tires are properly inflated. Go with the tire-pressure specifications shown in the doorjamb or owner’s manual, not the tire’s sidewall. Take into account that tire pressure increases after the vehicle has been driven and the tires are warm. Underinflated tires heat up more quickly and become more prone to failure. Lastly, no matter what SUV you buy or what optional electronic devices it might have, the best way to prevent a rollover begins with smart driving. In fact, the best tips are simple common sense.

Posted by on Jan 7 2011 in Driving Tips

Ford to Re-enter the Minivan Market in 2012

Ford last competed in the minivan market with its Freestar model, which ended production in 2007. In 2012, the automaker will re-enter the competitive market with its all new 2012 Ford C-Max, a model that is much smaller than many of today’s vans; it would better be described as a microvan. The C-Max will hold seven and all the second- and third-row seats in the C-Max fold flat, and all folding mechanisms have been engineered to operate with just a single hand. Additionally, the middle seat in the second row folds and stows below either adjacent seat, making for easier passage to the way back. The C-Max will ride on the next generation of Ford’s global C-platform, which will also underpin the redesigned Ford Focus. Ford says the C-platform will eventually spawn up to 10 vehicles, although we will not see all of those in the U.S. Neither will we see the full range of EcoBoost engines that will be offered elsewhere. Design-wise, the lower edge of the side windows slopes downward rear to front, creating a nice, tidy wedge shape, with expansive glass for great outward visibility. The front end is nicely sculpted, with big headlight
clusters and a big. Ford C-Max will likely be available with two engines in the United States. A 2.5-liter inline four-cylinder will come standard, delivering 150-160 horsepower. The upgrade will be a turbocharged 1.6-liter
EcoBoost four-cylinder, producing 160-170 hp, with direct fuel injection and better fuel efficiency. Both will come with a 6-speed automatic transmission.

Posted by on Jan 1 2011 in Ford News

Ford Videos Des Moines

Used Car Videos Utah

New Car Videos UT

2011 Explorer Wins North American Truck of the Year

’11 Fiesta Earns Top Safety Pick

Ford Mustang for 2011

Ford’s Safety Advancement: Inflatable Safety Belts

Know Your SUV’s Limits

Ford to Re-enter the Minivan Market in 2012

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