How to Maximize Your Ford's Fuel Economy While Driving

You may think that your vehicle’s fuel economy is set, based on its combined MPG rating.

 

But did you know that how you drive, as well as how you maintain your vehicle, can make a big difference in your vehicle’s fuel consumption?

 

Use the following tips to help maximize your fuel economy while driving:

 

Drive smoothly

Aggressive driving wastes fuel—especially while driving at highway speeds. So accelerate smoothly, brake softer and earlier, and stay in one lane while it’s safe to do so. Not only do these driving techniques save fuel, they can also prolong the life of your brakes and tires.

Slow down

Speeding wastes lots of fuel. Your fuel mileage usually decreases rapidly at speeds above 50 mph. That equates to paying an additional 26 cents per gallon for every 5 mph above 50 that you drive.

Only use A/C on the highway

Your fuel economy drops when you use the air conditioner at low speeds—by up to 15%. So if it isn’t too hot, turn off the A/C around town, and roll down your windows instead. However, at 55 mph or higher, using the A/C is preferable to open windows for two reasons: Your vehicle has much lower wind resistance with the windows closed. And because the engine makes more power at higher revs, it’s able to run accessories like the A/C compressor more efficiently.

Remove the rooftop carrier

Your vehicle was designed for good aerodynamics—but attaching a huge carrier or bike to the roof adds more wind resistance. So if you spend lots of time on the highway or are planning a long trip, try to transport extra items inside the vehicle, or attached to the rear. Washing and waxing your vehicle can actually lower wind resistance too.

Remove excess weight

Carrying around an extra 100 pounds in your trunk or back seat can reduce your mileage by up to 4%. To travel as light as possible, keep only the most important items (like an emergency kit, jumper cables, a small toolset, and a small jack) in the vehicle.

Keep the convertible top up

As much fun as your convertible is, you should put the top up during highway trips. You’ll have less wind resistance, less turbulence, and a better hairdo.

Keep the windows and sunroof closed

Take advantage of mild weather by leaving the A/C off, using vent air, and keeping the windows and sunroof closed. You will have less drag, and better fuel economy.

Use cruise control

Activating your cruise helps you save fuel in two ways: It keeps you from mindlessly driving at faster—and less fuel-efficient—speeds. And it maintains a constant speed, and won’t use additional fuel while accelerating.

Note that many modern vehicles will let you monitor your miles per gallon while you’re driving. Try to set your cruise control at your vehicle’s most fuel-efficient speed, as long as it’s at or below the legal limit.

Stay in gear when stopping

While shifting into Neutral and coasting to a stop sounds like it would save fuel, the opposite is true: Many modern fuel-injected vehicles go into a “fuel cutoff” mode when the engine senses that the vehicle is in gear, the rpm is above idle, and the throttle is closed. Shifting to Neutral may cancel that mode, so keep it in gear.

Turn off the engine while waiting

If your non-hybrid vehicle is safely parked, and will be stopped for more than a couple of minutes, turn off the engine. This is even more effective if your vehicle is powered by a large 6- or 8-cylinder engine, as they typically will waste more fuel at idle than smaller engines.

Combine trips

Your engine is more efficient when it’s warmed up. Many short trips that start with a cool engine will use more fuel than a single, longer trip. So when you have to drive for errands, get as many accomplished as you can in one trip to maximize your fuel economy.

 

Get more tips about going further in your Ford by visiting www.hilbishford.com.

What Is the Ford Friends and Family Promotion All About?

What Is the Ford Friends and Family Promotion All About?
If you’ve been waiting for the perfect time to get a new vehicle, that time has now arrived. The Ford Friends and Neighbors Promotion is the best deal we have offered in years! And now you have a chance to get in on these rock-bottom prices.

The Ford Friends and Neighbors Promotion offers huge discounts on new Ford vehicles. The prices that will be available at this time will be almost at the level of the discounts that Ford employees enjoy all the time. This isn’t a 2015 clearance, or a special discount on select vehicles, but rather a sweeping price cut of all new 2014, 2015, and even 2016 model year Fords!

Click here to search our inventory at Hilbish Ford.

Add an Additional $500 or $750 Cash Back Bonus
Get Ford Black Friday Bonus cash of $500 on the 2015/2016 Escape and 2015 Edge and $750 on the 2015/2016 Fusion and 2015 Focus. That’s in addition to already low Friends and Neighbors pricing!


We’ve Got You Covered Even If You Just Need New Tires
We are also celebrating Black Friday with our Low Price Tire Guarantee. These amazing tire prices are guaranteed for an unprecedented 30-day period. No matter the make or model of your car, we’ve got you covered. With a selection of 13 major tire brands, and low, low prices, why buy tires anywhere else?

Ford/Hot Wheels World Record Feature Story

Ford ran circles around the old Hot Wheels® record loop as part of this year’s Take Your Child to Work Day. When the effort was complete, Ford had made a world record attempt with a Hot Wheels car track loop that exceeded 12 feet tall.
 

Jay Leno and 2016 Ford Shelby GT350 Mustang Help Raise $885,000 for U.S. Veterans at Gooding Auction in Monterey

Jay Leno teamed up with Ford Motor Company to raise $885,000 with the sale of a preproduction 2016 Ford Shelby GT350 Mustang, driven and signed by former President George W. Bush, at the Gooding & Company auction Aug. 15 as part of the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. The $700,000 hammer price grew to $885,000 with additional donations from auction guests. All proceeds will benefit George W. Bush Institute’s Military Service Initiative, which helps foster a successful transition and reintegration from military service to civilian life for veterans post-Sept. 11, 2001.

“We appreciate the opportunity to work with Jay Leno as a part of his efforts to increase awareness and raise funds for the Bush Institute’s Military Service Initiative,” said Henry Ford III, global marketing manager, Ford Performance. “We’re indebted to the courageous men and women who have fought to preserve our freedoms. Providing this Ford Shelby GT350 Mustang – which President Bush drove and signed – is a small token of our gratitude for their sacrifices.”

Ford allocated the 2016 Shelby GT350 preproduction unit to Leno through Gordon D. Sondland and Katherine J. Durant Foundation in support of the Bush Institute’s Military Service Initiative. In June, Henry Ford III joined President Bush for a walk-around of the car at his ranch in Crawford, Texas. President Bush drove the Shelby GT350 and signed the car’s dash.

Leno drove the Shelby GT350 onto the auction block and, with Henry Ford III, helped amp up the bidding excitement. Retired U.S. Army Colonel Miguel Howe, director of the Military Service Initiative, was also on the auction block and carried out his offer to perform push-ups for additional funds donated. Bidding for the Shelby reached an impressive $700,000, which was increased to $885,000 by donations from auction guests.

The 2016 Shelby GT350 Mustang features Ford’s latest 5.2-liter flat-plane V8 engine – the most powerful naturally aspirated engine in the company’s history. The car is equipped with a Track Pack featuring MagneRide suspension, stiffer springs, an engine oil cooler and transmission cooler.

“Our Ford Performance team did not hold back in the build of the 2016 Ford Shelby GT350 Mustang,” said Dave Pericak, Ford director, Global Performance Vehicles. “We not only wanted to showcase Ford’s cutting-edge performance and design capabilities, but build a vehicle that is true to Carroll Shelby’s original GT350. I’m grateful Jay Leno included Ford in his efforts to support our nation’s greatest heroes with the auction of the Shelby Mustang. I’m confident Carroll would be very happy his legacy of performance vehicles and helping our veterans continues today.”

George W. Bush Institute’s Military Service Initiative honors the service and sacrifice of veterans and military families post-Sept. 11, 2001, by improving their well-being and helping unleash their potential. For more information about the organization, visit www.BushCenter.org.

Ford Fiesta Named One of Kelley Blue Book KBB.com 10 Best Back To School Cars of 2015

A small, fuel-efficient vehicle is perfect for college students and we're thrilled that our Ford Fiesta was recently named as one of the top 10 back-to-school cars by Kelley Blue Book.

Here is what the article had to say:

"Every parent knows that a good back-to-school car is practical, functional, safe and affordable. And every student knows it's far more important to have something fun and stylish. Our annual list has something for everyone, including cars that both sides can agree on. Every entry here features a starting Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price of around $20,000 or less."

"Ford's small hatchback and sedan have been on the market for a few years now, proving to be a good mix of sprightly sporty car and sensible smart car. The Fiesta is responsive and handles well, but also nets up to 43 highway mpg. This car may be small, but it's filled with safety and connectivity tech, including the newest version of SYNC, called SYNC3, with an available swipe and pinch-to-zoom touch screen."

Click here to see the full article on www.kbb.com.

First Responder's Day to Held at Hilbish Ford September 3, 2015

Hilbish Ford and the Cabarrus Regional Chamber of Commerce believe a good quality of life is essential in order to maintain a strong community. The first responders who risk their lives each day in order to keep Cabarrus County residents, homes and businesses safe deserve recognition for their sacrifices.

On September 3, 2015 from 5:00pm-7:00pm, Hilbish Ford will partner with the Chamber and other local businesses to host First Responders Day, an appreciation event for EMTs, firefighters, police officers, sheriff's and their families. The event will be held at the Hilbish Ford dealership in Kannapolis, NC.

This day will include fun family activities such as face painting, bounce houses, corn hole and more! Door prizes will also be given to local first responders. Dinner will be provided to the families during which we will have a brief program to thank these individuals for their service.

"Who in the community are more important? Who do we call when we need immediate help? How about our Police, Fire Fighters, EMS personnel! When do we show them how much we love and appreciate THEM and their FAMILIES who worry about them coming home safe after each and every shift? This is a small way to have a PARTY in their honor. Feed them and their families. Have really cool activities for the kids to participate in...all brought to them by great local companies who want to give back to these everyday hero's. You cannot imagine how many of them tell us over and over THANKS for doing this for them and THIS IS WHY WE DO IT! " - Tim Vaughn, Hilbish Ford

If you are a business and would like to help support this event, click here to learn more about how you can help.

Employee Spotlight: Eric Costin, Service Advisor

Eric Daniel Costin was born on June 4, 1982 in Miami, Florida. He joined the United States Army in 2006 at the age of 23. He served overseas in Iraq and Okinawa, Japan and has been stationed in multiple locations around the world. Eric was Honorably Discharged from the U.S. Army in 2013 after 7 years of service.

When he returned, he attended the Nascar Technical Institute in May 2013 and graduated in July 2014. Eric has numerous Automotive Technician certifications, as well as 11 Ford credentials. He was an automotive technician for just over one year before moving to the position of Service Advisor for Hilbish Ford.

Eric has been married to Jacquelyn Costin for 9 years and they have 2 dogs and 1 cat. Eric and his wife currently reside in Landis, NC.

Eric is such an asset to our service department. See what some of our customers have to say about Eric and our service department.

“I continue to be amazed at the friendliness, honesty, integrity, and genuine customer satisfaction focus found at the Hilbish Ford Service garage. These guys went out of their way to correct my service problem quickly and professionally. I trust these people implicitly and cannot praise enough how well they treated me and my vehicle. I would use them much more often, but frankly, I seldom need repairs on my Fords. Thanks for doing so well and please don't change a thing.” – Stephen A. (7-20-15)

“Eric Costin was extremely nice and helpful. He explained the problem in easy to understand terms. Please give him my THANKS!!” – Theodore D. (7-21-15)

“Eric Costin was awesome he took care of my vehicle and I needed tires and he discussed it in a compassionate way.” – Fatena B. 7-18-15