Ford's Long-Lasting Partnership with DAV (Disabled American Veterans)

Henry Ford breaking ground for DAV's new Veterans Facility.

In 1922, Henry Ford provided 50 Model T Fords to DAV (Disabled American Veterans) to help disabled World War I veterans attend the organization's second national convention.  Since then, Ford has been a loyal friend to DAV, who is the longest-lasting veteran's advocacy and assistance group in this country.  

Ford continues lending its support by donating vans for use in DAV's nationwide Transportation Network program, fueled by tens of thousands of volunteers who drive veterans to and from medical appointments across the U.S.  Ford also contributes to the organization's various scholarships and programs. 

Over the many years, DAV has never wavered in its core mission to fulfill our country's promises to the men and women who served.  We are proud to be a part of Ford's mission to stand by the nation's veterans who risked it all when they stood up for us, our country, and our ideals.

Hilbish Ford is currently offering an additional $1,000 in savings on many of our vehicles as a way to say "Thank You" to our active duty, veterans as well as our first responders in our community.  For more information about this offer, click here.

If you would like to offer your support to DAV, visit www.dav.org.

Hilbish Ford Offers Extra Savings for First Responders, Military & Veterans

To honor your commitment to our community and country, Hilbish Ford is offering first responders, active military, veterans and retirees special savings on many of our Ford vehicles.  

The Military and First Responders Appreciation Program provides you with the opportunity to receive an additional $1,000 Military and First Responder Appreciation Cash good towards the purchase or lease of an eligible new 2015, 2016 or 2017 model year Ford vehicle.* This offer ends on July 5, 2016 and can be used with other special promotions at Hilbish Ford.  

To be eligible for our Military and First Responders Appreciation Program, you must be: 

Military: Active Duty, Retired and Veterans of Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, National Guard, Reservists Serving on Active Duty and members of the Delayed Entry/Enlistment Program (DEP). 

First Responders: Police (Police Officer, Sheriff/Sheriff's Deputy, Correctional Officer, State Trooper, Federal Law Enforcement Officer), Fire Department (Career Firefighter and Volunteer Firefighter), EMT and Paramedic.

For more information about this offer, contact Hilbish Ford at (704) 938-3121 or visit our dealership at 2600 S. Cannon Blvd, Kannapolis, NC 28083.

If you are ready to look at Hilbish Ford's current inventory and savings, click here.

*Not available on Mustang Shelby GT500, Mustang Boss 302, Mustang Shelby GT350, Mustang Special 50th Anniversary Edition, F150 Raptor and Focus RS.  Offer ends July 5, 2016.

Now Hiring an Energetic & Outgoing Product Specialist

Hilbish Ford is looking for an enthusiastic, customer-oriented individual to join our team!  This is a full-time, 40 hours/week position that offers an hourly pay of $15/hour and quality benefits.

The Product Specialist is responsible for making the car-buying experience at Hilbish Ford more fun and simple.  Instead of a sales push, you'll be using your energetic personality and awesome people skills to make sure each of our customers feel welcome and are given all the information they need while at our dealership.

Our ideal candidate will be able to:

• Learn and understand Ford's vehicles, products and services.
• Be enthusiastic and on their feet for long periods of time.
• Boost customer experience.
• Counsel customers and show vehicles.
• Call on previous customers with potential trade-ins and other lead sources.

Job requirements:

• Must have outstanding people skills. 
• Must be able to stand for long periods of time.
• Some college preferred.

Click here to apply.

Katie Winchell's Excellence in the Classroom Recognized by Kannapolis City Schools

Congratulations to Kannapolis Intermediate School 5th Grade Teacher, Katie Winchell, for being the May 2016 recipient of the Hilbish Ford Outstanding Teacher of the Month Award for Kannapolis City Schools!

Katie Winchell is an outstanding 5th grade teacher at Kannapolis Intermediate School.  Her creative and challenging classroom activities keep her students engaged and excited about learning.

One parent praised Katie for helping her daughter who performs well, but does not always have the confidence to match. Katie has helped the student gain self-confidence with encouragement and praise for her “outside the box” thinking, highlighting it as a strength she should continue to develop.

Katie tirelessly gives her time to students in her own classroom, as well as lots of other students in the school to create an environment that is emotionally, socially and physically healthy for them. She took over the KIS Running Club when the other leaders had to step down this year. She recruited volunteers and expanded the club to include a partnership with the NC Research Campus. Fifty students registered to partner with NC Research Campus employees who, while running, have educated them on health issues, pathways to careers and much more. Katie also leads a walking club for students who are not ready to run yet. These clubs give the students an immediate peer group of students who have the same interests and will help with their transition to middle school.

We are extremely proud that Katie is part of our Kannapolis City Schools’ family, and we are and delighted to present her with the Hilbish Ford Teacher of the Month Award for May 2016. Congratulations!

Each month, an outstanding KCS teacher receives $300 and a plaque from Hilbish Ford to honor her excellence and dedication.  To nominate a teacher for the Hilbish Ford Teacher of the Month award, please complete and submit the nomination form found on the Kannapolis City Schools website.

Car Maintenance Tips: My Check-Engine Light Won't Go Off

It’s the worst when you’re driving and you realize, “Oh no, my check-engine light won’t go off!” Unfortunately this warning light is not something you can just wish away. 

Here are car maintenance tips for what to do if that light stays on—and some possible triggers that caused it, from most common to least.

1. The first thing you should do when your check-engine warning light remains lit is check the gas cap, if your vehicle has one. A loose, ill-fitting or broken fuel cap can cause a vapor leak somewhere in the fuel-tank system, says Ford senior master technician Jim Twitchell. The Environmental Protection Agency has mandated that fuel-tank systems must be sealed, because as gasoline evaporates, it releases hydrocarbons into the air as contaminants, Twitchell explains. “Any break in that seal can cause a system warning light to be set.”

2. If adjusting your gas cap doesn’t do the trick, you’ll need to take your vehicle into a Ford Dealer Service Center to be checked. The check-engine light is activated when the engine’s computer has detected a code signaling that something is wrong; your service technician has a special tool to read the code and pinpoint the problem. If your state has a smog-check requirement, your vehicle will automatically fail the test if the check-engine light is on, notes Twitchell. So before doing a smog test, be sure to take care of any issues that would trigger this light. Besides a loose gas cap, other problems that could activate the check-engine light are:

• Damaged spark plugs, wires or coils. Spark plugs, wires and coils can be harmed by pressure-washing the engine (don’t force pressurized water into any wiring, fuse boxes, etc., under the hood, Twitchell advises) or by rodents gnawing on wires. That’s right: On cold evenings, your warm car is inviting to rats and mice, especially if you park near rodent food sources (such as garbage cans), or prime rodent nesting areas, such as ivy or other heavy groundcover. 

• Thermostat issues. Your check-engine light can come on if your vehicle’s thermostat detects overheating or if your car isn’t getting up to the correct engine temperature in the proper amount of time. 

• Malfunctioning catalytic converter. The catalytic converter cleans the exhaust coming from the engine before it’s released into the atmosphere. “The insides of the ‘cat’ may crack and/or come apart over time, and this can prevent these exhaust gases from getting out,” Twitchell explains. In addition to the warning light, you may notice a reduction in power and sometimes a rattling noise.

• Faulty mass airflow sensor. This sensor reads the amount of air coming into the engine. Either too much or not enough air can cause the check-engine light to come on. “The mass air sensor measures how hard the engine is working and calculates the load,” says Twitchell. A dirty or torn air filter can lead to problems with the sensor. “The seals keep dirt and other foreign elements out of the mass air sensor. Choosing a cheap replacement air filter can lead to an expensive repair down the road.”

• Malfunctioning oxygen sensor. The oxygen sensor measures the oxygen coming out in the vehicle’s exhaust. This information is used by the engine’s computer to determine how long the fuel injector stays on, and a damaged sensor can activate the check-engine light. (Twitchell points out that the oxygen sensor fails much less often in newer cars, so if your vehicle was built within the past five years, this is less likely to be the cause of the warning light.)

• Faulty exhaust gas recirculation valve.This valve takes exhaust gases and puts them back into the engine’s combustion chamber. If this valve becomes stuck either open or closed, the result can trigger a check-engine light. (Newer vehicles usually don’t have this valve.)

The most important thing to remember: Don’t ignore your check-engine light, because if you wait too long to have your car checked, you risk erasing the engine codes, which makes it more difficult to diagnose the issue. Once you fix the underlying problem, the check-engine light should go off. It’s as simple as that. 

How to Drive in Heavy Rain

What to Do If You Encounter Torrential Rain on the Road

Extreme weather conditions can happen when you’d least expect it, so here’s how to be prepared in the event of torrential rains.

Ideally, you should try to avoid driving in heavy rains. Know your local weather broadcast channel (pre-program it to your radio now), always listen to the forecast and pay attention to thunderstorm warnings issued by the National Weather Service before you head out on the road. But if it’s unavoidable, here are some tips for driving in heavy rain.

Slow Down
The first thing you should do is slow down. This will give you more control and more time to react, which is good because you will need both. When it’s raining heavily, the road becomes more slippery, and visibility is limited.

The Start of the Storm Can Be Dangerous
When the rain first starts, moisture mixes with the oil on the road and makes everything slippery and dangerous. Heavy rains will eventually wash the oil away—but that’s when you have to worry about hydroplaning, which is when your car loses contact with the road and almost feels as though it’s floating.

Hydroplaning? Take Your Foot off the Gas
If you find yourself hydroplaning, keep calm, take your foot off the gas and steer in a safe direction. Avoid hydroplaning by slowing down, turning off cruise control and avoiding sudden braking and turns.

You’re more likely to hydroplane on non-grooved asphalt roads than ribbed concrete —particularly if there are tire ruts worn into the asphalt. Also avoid any areas on the road where deeper water collects.

Do Not Attempt to Drive Through Deep Puddles
Puddles can hide potholes, so try to drive around them. Additionally, stay mindful of vehicles in adjacent lanes.

Do not drive in areas that are flooded or have moving water. Deep water can wreak havoc on your electrical system and engine. As little as a foot of water can float some vehicles, and two feet of rushing water can sweep vehicles away, including SUVs and pick-ups.

Turn On Your Headlights
With heavy rain comes dark skies, so turn on your headlights. Don’t use your high beams though, because the extra light can refract against the droplets and could distract drivers.

Flip on Defrosters and Set AC or Heat to Fresh Air
Flip on your defrosters to reduce fog and set your air conditioner or heater on the fresh-air setting instead of recirculate.

Keep Your Distance
The spray from trucks or large vehicles can also obscure your vision, so keep your distance or try to pass them if you get an opportunity to safely do so.

Head for Higher Ground
Look for higher paths to drive on. If it gets too harsh out there though, don’t risk it: Find a safe place on higher ground—away from tall, isolated trees and poles in case there’s lightning—and pull over to wait for the rain to pass.

Be Prepared
You can help prep your vehicle by making sure your headlamps, wiper blades, brakes and tires are always properly maintained.

Stay safe!

Top 5 Car Care Tips for Spring and Summer Travel

With summer just around the corner, spring is a great time to make sure your vehicle is geared up for those summer road trips you’ve been looking forward to taking. Make sure your car is ready to roll this summer by checking out our top five car care tips.

1. Maintain engine efficiency with an oil change.

When you think of vehicle maintenance, one of the first things that comes to mind is probably changing your oil, right? Well, regularly scheduled oil changes are a big deal when it comes to the well-being of your engine, because keeping a well-oiled motor lubricates the engine’s moving parts and allows it to function efficiently. It also helps filter debris and prevent the motor from overheating.

Ford advises that if you drive a vehicle of model year 2008 or newer, you should change your oil every 7,500 miles or every six months (whichever comes first). If your vehicle was made in 2007 or before, it’s recommended that you get an oil change every 5,000 miles or every six months. 

2. Measure tire pressure to ensure a smooth ride.

Nothing knocks a summer road trip off course like a flat tire. Make sure your wheels are in good shape all year long by checking your tire pressure regularly. A tire gauge is a great tool you can use to do this easily, but keep in mind that recommended tire pressure can vary depending on the weather and vehicle. 

Click here to see Service Manager Tommy Moore’s tips for checking tire tread using a penny!

3. Inspect your brake system for passenger safety.

Making sure your brakes are in good shape is important no matter what season it is, but it’s crucial when traveling longer distances than usual. Keeping up with the maintenance of your vehicle’s brake system is paramount for ensuring the safety of your passengers and yourself, as well as preserving the condition of your vehicle overall. Make sure you’ve had your brake pads, rotors, and fluids inspected before hitting the road for vacation.

4. Replace your air filter for a smooth ride.

If your engine isn’t running smoothly, it’s going to be a bumpy ride, whether you’re trekking cross-country or just making your morning commute to work. Keep your engine free of dirt and other harmful debris by keeping a clean air filter. For many Ford engines, it’s recommended that you change air filters every 30,000 miles.

5. Have your car battery checked before hitting the road.

It’s probably not too much of a stretch to say that most people would not head out on a road trip without charging their cell phone first, right? Your car battery isn’t quite the same thing, but you won’t get very far on a battery in poor condition.

When a car battery gets low on charge, you may start noticing signs like your car taking longer to start, the dimming of interior lights, or the appearance of your check engine light. Skip the hassle this summer by keeping an eye out for these warning signs and having your battery checked before you head out on any road trips.

Before you hit the road for vacation, be sure to get your vehicle the maintenance it needs to keep you from making any unnecessary detours. 

Get The Works!

We are giving you the chance to save big on a premium vehicle maintenance program, The Works, so you can get your car ready for the road this summer in only one visit. For just $39.95, you get a complete vehicle checkup including a synthetic blend oil change, tire rotation and pressure check, brake inspection, Multi-Point Inspection, fluid-top off, battery test, filter check plus belts, hoses check, and more.

All you need to do is ask for The Works! Click here to conveniently request a service appointment online or call our Service Center in Kannapolis, North Carolina at (877) 843-6193 and one of our friendly customer service representatives will get you started!