Enter to Win 2 FREE Tickets to See Jason Aldean on September 29th

Hilbish Ford is excited to announce our new E-Club Perks! We will be featuring exciting contests and giveaways exclusively for our E-Club members. Not only will members receive vehicle maintenance tips and community news but will now have the opportunity to enter to win concert tickets, gas cards, gift certificates and more!

One person will be chosen to receive 2 FREE Tickets to see Jason on September 29, 2016 at PNC Music Pavilion in Charlotte! We will choose a winner on Wednesday, September 7th.  The winner will be notified by email and will have 7 days to claim the tickets or another winner will be chosen.

Click here to join our e-list or enter to win if you are already an E-Perks member.

E-Perks winner Lauren received 2 tickets to see Keith Urban in concert!

Be sure to keep an eye on our Facebook page for more upcoming contests!

Enter to Win 2 FREE Tickets to See Keith Urban on August 18th

Hilbish Ford is excited to announce our new E-Club Perks! We will be featuring exciting contests and giveaways exclusively for our E-Club members. Not only will members receive vehicle maintenance tips and community news but will now have the opportunity to enter to win concert tickets, gas cards, gift certificates and more!

One will be chose to receive 2 FREE Tickets to see Jason on September 29, 2016 at PNC Music Pavilion in Charlotte, one of the hottest concerts of the summer! Winner will be notified by email and have 7 days to claim tickets or another winner will be chosen.

Click here to join our e-list or enter to win if you are already an E-Perks member.

E-Perks winner Lauren received 2 tickets to see Keith Urban in concert!

Be sure to keep an eye on our Facebook page for more upcoming contests!

KCS Teacher of the Year Honored by NC Auto Dealers Association

Jacki Lane and Tim Vaughn

The NC Auto Dealers Association has honored the Kannapolis City Schools' Teacher of the Year with a $600 gift package to the Grove Park Inn in Asheville, NC.

Jacki Lane is a STEM teacher at Jackson Park Elementary and was named the KCS Teacher of the Year last September.  Hilbish Ford General Manager, Tim Vaughn, presented Jacki Lane with the award during the Kannapolis City Board of Education meeting in June 2016.

The NC Auto Dealers Association honors outstanding teachers across the state each year by giving them gift packages to the Grove Park Inn. It is their way of thanking the teachers for their excellence and dedication to the children of North Carolina.

Hilbish Ford is part of the NC Auto Dealers Association. The dealership also supports Kannapolis City Schools by sponsoring the Hilbish Ford Teacher of the Month Award, which honors outstanding KCS teachers throughout the school year.

Everyone in KCS is extremely grateful for the ongoing support of the NC Auto Dealers Association and Hilbish Ford.

Click here to read the original story by Kannapolis City Schools.

"Are We There Yet?" – How to Keep Kids Entertained on the Road

Summer is here, which means: it's road trip season! These tips, tricks and activities will help maximize the fun, minimize the whining—and keep you sane while traveling with your family this summer.

1. Pack Kid-Friendly, No-Mess Foods.

Save money—and help nix between-meal crankiness—with easy-to-pack foods to go. If you don’t happen to drive a super-family-friendly Ford Flex, with an available built-in refrigerator (yes, that’s a thing), bring a small cooler. Use plastic snack bags for berries, grapes and baby carrots. Pack individual containers of hummus, milk and juice. For items that don’t need to be chilled, buy a clear plastic food-storage container with a lid and sectioned compartments. Fill each compartment with a small amount of a different treat—try cereal, cheddar crackers, small pretzels, granola, nuts, raisins, and slices of dried apple, banana or mango. For a sweet addition, add mini-marshmallows or candy-coated chocolate. Make sure to take lots of water for the whole family, as well as reusable bottles to fill up at rest stops. And throw in some wet wipes, paper towels and a small garbage bag for quick clean-ups.

2. Create a Surprise Travel-Activity Bag.

The dollar or discount store is your friend here. Choose puzzles and hidden-picture books, coloring books and crayons, kids’ mini binoculars, a deck of cards, comic books, fill-in-the-blanks books or magnetic games. Some parents like to dole out the surprises throughout the road trip, giving the children something new whenever enthusiasm wanes; other parents prefer to hand over the entire bag of loot at the beginning of the trip. Another fun twist: Wrap each item in inexpensive tissue paper to make it feel more special.

3. Control the Clutter.

You’re not going to want to have to stop and root through your luggage every time your child asks for something. Keep snacks, napkins and other light-weight items within your children’s reach by hanging multi-pocket storage units on the back of the front seats. (Make sure they don’t impede your supplemental restraint system.) Store extra goodies in a secured compartmentalized cargo organizer in the trunk, then replenish as needed. For the space between kids in the rear seat, you can use a storage unit that attaches securely to the seat between two kids. Never put heavy objects untethered in a mesh storage container, just in case you have to stop quickly—you don’t want anything flying through the air.

4. Create a Trip Journal.

Road trips are a great time to teach children about geography, local customs and the beauty of nature. Buy a simple paper journal. Encourage older kids to take photos on the trip, write journal entries or draw pictures of the places you visit. They can also collect maps, brochures, paper menus and other memorabilia to include. Give kids a small amount of spending money to buy “flat” souvenirs (stickers, a collectable pin, a patch, etc.) to add to the trip journal. Adding something as simple as a feather found on the ground, or a silly postcard purchased at a souvenir shop, can bring back fun memories for years to come. Pack glue sticks, tape and markers. Each evening when you stop for the day, encourage kids to journal and add the mementos from the day. Leave space to add photos when you get them printed.

5. Listen Up.

What’s your destination? Podcasts on everything from Yosemite National Park to the Alamo to the Statue of Liberty are available for free online. Listen to audio books the whole family will enjoy. Take turns letting each family member choose the music. Before the trip, take time—maybe with the kids’ help—to create fun playlists for the trip. Goofy songs could include “Gangnam Style” or “La Macarena.” Or you could make a list of songs from your children’s favorite movies or those that mention different states, such as “Midnight Train to Georgia” or “Nebraska.”

6. And Don’t Forget the Electronics. (As If You Could.)

Chances are, your children are going to be clamoring to use tablets, smartphones and portable DVD players while you’re on the road. These gadgets are great—in moderation. Encourage kids to play age-appropriate electronic games and local-player games that can be passed back and forth. And bring a stash of movies and cartoons—along with all the chargers you’ll need to keep the fun going. Don’t want to overhear the scenes from Frozen one more time while driving across Texas? Bring along headphones for the kids. If you’re headphone shopping, consider those with volume limits to protect young ears.

Happy travels!

Extreme Heat Survival Guide

Nothing’s worse than stepping into a boiling-hot car. Try these tips to cool down fast.

To Keep Yourself Cool...

Immediately turn on the AC.

It’s an age-old debate: Do you hit the AC as soon as you get into the car or wait until the engine gets going? The answer: Blast those suckers as soon as possible. But make sure you set the AC to fresh air (not recirculate, which draws heat from the interior) and adjust the air to come through the lower openings, not the upper ones; this will push the hot air out from the bottom. Then roll down the windows. Once the hot air has escaped, close the windows and open all the vents. For more on Ford climate controls, watch these videos for Ford Escape/Focus/C-MAX, Ford Fusion or Ford Focus.

Park in the shade—or make your own.

This may seem obvious, but parking your vehicle in a cool, sheltered area really can make the difference between whether you end up smiling or sizzling. Covering both the front and rear windows with a high-quality sun shade while it’s parked can also greatly reduce the heat and protect your vehicle’s interior from harmful UV rays.

Crack open the windows while parked.

The hot air in your vehicle is essentially an abundance of energy, trapped with nowhere to go, like an oven. Leaving your windows open about a half-inch will allow some of the heat to escape—which will make a noticeable difference inside. You can purchase side window deflectors that will help keep your car protected from vandals and the elements while allowing airflow.

Consider your loved ones before leaving the house.

Simple precautionary steps—such as dressing appropriately and packing cold drinks in a portable, secured cooler—can make long drives in high temperatures much more comfortable. Never leave children or pets alone in a parked car. When it’s 85 degrees outside, the temperature inside a vehicle can reach 102 degrees within 10 minutes, even with the windows cracked open, and can get up to 120 degrees within a half-hour. For the same reason, don’t leave any electronics in the car, unless you bought your gadget on Venus.

Throw in the towel.

Keep a towel in your car to give an extra layer of protection for bare legs on hot seats in the summertime. It can also come in handy as a cleanup rag whenever you need it.


To Help Your Car Beat the Heat...

Inspect your vehicle before high temperatures hit.

Just like the frigid cold, extreme heat can exacerbate problems all over your vehicle. It can cause your vehicle’s tires to deflate more rapidly, belts and hoses to crack and battery to drain. This means everything should be in top shape before the sweltering begins. Start by checking your tire pressure. It’s important to do this only when your tires are “cold”—meaning the vehicle has been parked for at least one hour in the shade—or the reading won’t be accurate. Remove the tire valve cap and place the tire pressure gauge on it firmly. The number shown on the screen or dial (depending on whether the gauge is digital or analog) is your current tire pressure. Your vehicle’s operating inflation level is listed on the tire placard, which is often located on the doorjamb. If your tire’s pressure is low, use an air pump to add air. If it’s high, release air by pressing the tire valve stem. Then recheck. Once the tire is properly inflated, replace the valve cap.

Next, examine your battery for excess wear or corrosion, which can be caused by hot temperatures evaporating the battery fluid more quickly. Corrosion can take the form of rust, cracks in the battery’s body or a white powdery substance caused by chemical buildup. Cleaning a battery can be hazardous, so it’s best to get it looked at by a Ford technician.

Heed your warning lights.

If your battery warning light—you know, the one that comes on momentarily when you turn the ignition—stays on, that means you could potentially have an alternator problem. Extreme heat and the heavy use of your air conditioner can be tough on your alternator, so if the warning light persists, have your vehicle checked at your local Ford Dealer Service Center right away. (Find out the five warning signs of a faulty alternator.)

Check the coolant.

It’s also crucial to make sure your vehicle’s coolant system is always properly filled. If it isn’t, the engine could overheat, causing your car to break down. Most new vehicles have a visible fill tank that you can open and check yourself. If your coolant is low, follow these instructions on how to refill it.

Lose weight.

No, you’re not too fat—but if your vehicle is carrying a heavy load, it can be tough on your transmission, which is already stressed from the summer heat. Also don’t forget to change the transmission fluid and filter. Check your owner’s manual, available online at owner.ford.com for the recommended maintenance schedule based on your vehicle’s model, make and year.

Protect your vehicle’s exterior and interior.

Constant, direct sun exposure can cause paint to crack and upholstery to fade. For the exterior, use sealant or wax—a good coat should protect your vehicle for the whole summer. For the interior, apply fabric protectant (but be sure to test it on a small area first) to help preserve its appearance. Now you’re ready to go out and enjoy a sunny drive.

7 Ways to Keep Your Car Chill This Summer

Ford Senior Technician Jim Twitchell answers some common AC questions—because sunny-day driving shouldn’t make you sweat.

Question No. 1: Why is my AC blowing lukewarm air?

A: Your vehicle’s cooling system can affect your AC performance. So first, make sure your car isn’t overheating. Check the level of your radiator coolant, which helps cool your engine. If it’s low, you may have a leak and should have your cooling system tested. Then look to make sure you haven’t picked up something on the road—including but not limited to a plastic bag—that is sticking to the front of the car and obstructing airflow into the vehicle.


Question No. 2: Why is my AC making a clicking or rumbling sound?

A: Anytime you hear an odd noise, you’ll want to have it checked out by your local Ford Dealer Service Center. Rumbling may indicate a problem with a bearing in either the AC system or in another area of the vehicle. Clicking may indicate that the AC compressor is cycling on and off too quickly because of a refrigerant leak. Refrigerant—not to be confused with coolant—is a gas used to make your AC blow cold and should be added only by a trained technician.


Question No. 3: I see some cracks in a hose connected to my AC system. What should I do?

A: Hoses can develop cracks over time due to age, how often you drive, environmental conditions and whether you park inside or outside. Minor cracks in a hose could be the first sign of a leak in your closed AC system. Look for signs of moisture or dirt—grime from the road often accumulates on areas of the hose where moisture is present. Have your hose checked out at a Ford Dealer Service Center.


Question No. 4: I see some small puddles of fluid on the ground. Does this indicate an AC problem?

A: What color is the fluid? If the puddle is black, it’s likely an oil leak. If it’s colorful—orange, green or yellow—the coolant may be leaking. If it’s clear, like water, the AC condenser may simply be dripping condensation. While condensation is not a problem, leaks should be checked out by a Ford technician.


Question No. 5: How do I test my AC’s air temperature?

A: Some people simply use a standard thermometer to check the temperature of the airflow. When testing, use the center register, not the side registers. Please note that the humidity level outside can dramatically affect the AC air temperature, so you may want to measure the temperature several days in a row to account for fluctuating humidity. In the end, though, it’s all about how you feel. Are you comfortable? Great. Do you suddenly sense that the AC isn’t doing its usual job? Then it’s time for a checkup.


Question No. 6: How can I get rid of the musty smell in my vehicle when I turn on the AC?

A: An odor can be caused by normal condensation that hasn’t dried out in the evaporator core of the AC unit. If this moisture sits, it can develop a musty smell. Your Ford Dealer Service Center can deodorize your AC system from within the core to eliminate the odor.


Question No. 7: How can I make my AC’s airflow stronger?

A: A dirty cabin air filter can sometimes cause weak AC flow. Air moves through this filter for both heating and air conditioning, so dust gradually accumulates and then the filter must be replaced. A visual inspection of the cabin air filter is part of Ford’s The Works Vehicle Checkup, which is generally recommended about every 5,000 miles. (Check your owner’s manual for the recommendation for your model, make and year.) The checkup includes a synthetic-blend oil change, tire rotation and pressure check, brake inspection, multi-point inspection, fluid top-off, battery test, filter check, and belts/hoses check. With regular inspection and occasional maintenance of your AC system, you should be able to cruise through summer in total comfort.

If your vehicle is in need of AC service, call Hilbish Ford at (704) 938-3121 or stop by our dealership at 2600 S. Cannon Blvd in Kannapolis, NC.

Dimmed Lights? Whining Sound? Bad Smell? Uh Oh!

Let’s start by getting one thing out of the way: What is an alternator anyway? Your alternator is responsible for preserving your vehicle’s electrical equilibrium; its primary job is to generate an electrical charge that replenishes your battery as you drive. In summertime it’s essential to recognize the warning signs of a faulty alternator—because excessive heat and heavy use of the air conditioning can push your alternator to the brink. Ignore these symptoms, and you could find yourself experiencing the fine summer weather while stranded on the side of the road.

Dashboard Warning

You know that battery warning light that comes on when you turn on the ignition? (Check your owner’s manual for the exact location/appearance of the light in your vehicle.) It should disappear when the engine starts. When this warning light remains on, you have a charging system problem. That could mean you also have an alternator problem.

If this happens to you, head to your Ford Service Center for a battery and charging system test. This test can pinpoint whether the charging system is weak or not working at all—and whether you need a new alternator.

Dim Lights

Sometimes, a weak alternator can affect your car’s lights. If you notice your headlamps or dash lights are dimmer than normal, ask a buddy to help you do a quick test: Start your car, turn on the headlights and press on the accelerator. (Be sure to do this outdoors, not in your garage, to avoid dangerous carbon monoxide fumes.) Have your friend observe. Do the headlamps flicker, dim or get brighter? If the answer is yes, your alternator may be going bad. If the brightness of your lights stays consistent, the problem may lie with the battery, not your alternator.

Dead Battery

Speaking of batteries, it’s important to remember that they aren’t meant to provide long-term power. Instead, car batteries are designed to deliver enough of a jolt to get the car started and then pretty much just sit quietly while the alternator assumes its role as the ongoing power source.

If you turn the key and discover your car won’t start, that dead battery could be a signal that your alternator has flatlined. When the alternator fails, the battery is left to power the vehicle on its own. And eventually, even the most reliable battery will run out of juice.

Luckily, there’s an easy way to find out whether the battery or the alternator is responsible: Jump-start your car and then swiftly remove the cables. Wait a few minutes. If the car dies again, the alternator isn’t properly charging the system and it may need to be replaced. If the car keeps running, then the issue might be your battery. Head to your Ford Service Center, where you can buy a new battery or have a certified technician test your battery’s charge.

Noisy Belts

Do you hear whining even with no toddlers in your vehicle? Chances are, it’s the sound of a misaligned serpentine belt—the long, winding piece of rubber that drives everything from your air conditioning to your steering pump to…your alternator.

The alternator also features a pulley that spins on a shaft, which is supported by either bearings or brushings. An annoying droning sound could mean the pulley and the serpentine belt aren’t in correct alignment, or the bearings and brushings are worn. Consider the noise a wake-up call for an immediate inspection.

Strange Smells

A burning-rubber smell is another sensory cue that your alternator could be in trouble. Once again, the serpentine belt may be the culprit. If it’s not turning freely, it could push additional friction to the belt and generate heat, which, in turn, produces that scent. An overheated alternator can also trigger smells better suited for the racetrack than the interstate. Hold your breath and head over to Hilbish Ford.

2016 Ford Fiesta Named Among ‘Top 10 Coolest New Cars Under $18,000’ by Kelley Blue Book

Ford Fiesta made the list of the Top 10 Coolest New Cars Under $18,000 of 2016, according to Kelley Blue Book’s KBB.com.

This is the sixth time in seven years that KBB has named Fiesta to the list. The uniquely designed Ford Fiesta – starting from $14,090 (excludes destination and delivery) – shows that cool and affordable really can coexist. As one of America’s most popular small cars, Fiesta offers customers a fun, dynamic car with nimble handling and a comfortable ride, all at an appealing value.

Cars that earn a spot on the KBB coolest new cars list must be fun to drive and fun to own.  Each vehicle also must be available for purchase starting at $18,000 or less, using Kelley Blue Book’s exclusive Fair Market Range as the yardstick.

“Cool sure has come a long way,” says Jack Nerad, executive editorial director and executive market analyst for Kelley Blue Book. “Our annual Coolest New Cars Under $18,000 is one of Kelley Blue Book’s longest-running lists, and it’s incredible to see all of the amazing tech features and amenities you can get on an affordable car these days compared to a decade ago.”

Available in hatch or sedan body styles, Ford’s popular small car offers a wide range of choice; from the powerful and efficient available 1.0-liter EcoBoost engine to the sporty 1.6-liter EcoBoost in the Fiesta ST. SYNC 3 – the latest Ford communications and entertainment system – is also standard, offering customers enhanced voice recognition, ultimate music streaming control and SYNC AppLink™ enabling customers to control some mobile apps while driving.

Watch Ken Block's 2016 Gymkhana Eight: Ultimate Exotic Playground; Dubai for the ultimate expression of Fiesta’s “cool factor.”

Celebrating its 40th birthday in Europe this year, the Fiesta has been on sale in North America since 2010, notching up more than 285,000 sales in that time.

About Kelley Blue Book (www.kbb.com)

Founded in 1926, Kelley Blue Book, The Trusted Resource®, is the vehicle valuation and information source trusted and relied upon by both consumers and the automotive industry.  Each week the company provides the most market-reflective values in the industry on its top-rated website KBB.com, including its famous Blue Book® Trade-In Values and Fair Purchase Price, which reports what others are paying for new and used cars this week.  The company also provides vehicle pricing and values through various products and services available to car dealers, auto manufacturers, finance and insurance companies, and governmental agencies.  Kelley Blue Book’s KBB.com ranked highest in its category for brand equity by the 2015 Harris Poll EquiTrend® study and has been named Online Auto Shopping Brand of the Year for four consecutive years.  Kelley Blue Book Co., Inc. is a Cox Automotive™ brand.