How many ways can I customize a Mustang?

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“Any customer can have a car painted any colour that he wants so long as it is black.” Henry Ford.

The thinking at Ford Motor Company has changed a lot since 1906 when Henry Ford made the above quote. Imagine today telling a potential Mustang owner (or any other Ford model) that they can only get their car in black?

If the amount of customization is any indication, This year promises to be a spectacular year for the classic car. For the V6 model ONLY there are 9 color choices, 8 body kits, 5 different decklids, 8 grilles, 4 hoods, 4 louvers, 8 roof choices, you can get it with or without side scoops, 3 side skirts, 8 different spoilers, and 22 different wheels – YES, 22 WHEELS! That isn’t it either, there are choices for door handles, door trim, fuel doors, headlights, hoodpins, side mirrors and 23 choices for stripes and decals. What is even more amazing is that this is JUST THE EXTERIOR! Finally the icing on the cake is that you still have 3 other trim levels to choose from and customizations for all of those!

So, when you are ready to take the plunge and start shopping for a 2013 Mustang, and you start feeling a little overwhelmed by the choices, stop in and see us at Waldorf Ford. We will be happy to sit down and go through it all with you and help you make your PERFECT Mustang. Waldorf Ford is located on Route 301 North in Waldorf, just 15 minutes south of Washington DC. Call 800-883-1487.

P.S. This is MY Perfect Mustang

My Perfect Mustang

My Perfect Mustang

How do I pick the right Ford truck?

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Our sales staff occasionally get asked questions like this, so we thought it might be time to answer it here.

11 Ford Superduty Towing

So, we understand you are out looking for a new truck. With all of the advancements Ford has introduced over the past couple of years, we can understand why it it is so hard to pick. Here are some of the questions we ask to help narrow down the choices.

1. Are you going to do any towing? If yes,
a. Is the trailer a gooseneck, fifth wheel or bumper pull?
b. How much weight will you be towing?
c. How often will you be towing and where?
These questions help us determine which size truck you need – F150, F250, F350 etc.

2. How many people does it need to seat (or pets)?
This one helps determine whether you need a regular cab, Super cab or Crew Cab.

3. Will this be your daily driver or just a tow/haul vehicle?
Or better yet – is fuel economy important

4. Do you drive anywhere you might need 4 Wheel Drive?

5. Will you be carrying anything in the bed?
This will help us determine if you need a full 8 foot bed or if a shorter bed will work.

6. Is this for business use or personal use?

We ask all of these to help you make the right choice when purchasing a truck. Since the introduction of the Ecoboost V6, we are finding more and more that people that previously needed a diesel F250, can now have all of their towing and hauling needs met by the F150.

So, if you find yourself truck shopping, we hope you find these questions helpful. If you would like us to help, just stop by and see us. Waldorf Ford is located on Route 301 North in Waldorf, just 15 minutes south of Washington DC. We are proud to be your local Ford dealer.

Penske returns home to Ford

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It seems like it wasn’t that long ago that we were all taking about Roger Penske changing his race teams from Ford to Dodge. The Penske teams had been racing in Fords from 1994 to 2002 when they switched in 2003. It was kind of strange to see Rusty Wallace driving a Dodge, I have to admit.

Well in 2013 they will debut in the Sprint Cup Series in the completely redesigned 2013 Ford Fusion and in the Nationwide series in the 2013 Mustang. Mr. Penske felt that it was the right time to make the switch where all of the manufacturers were coming out with new designs. This should be a great time for Ford and Ford Racing.


What we are looking forward to the most is seeing more of the gorgeous new Fusions in the spotlight. This car is really impressive and even though the race cars hardly resemble what are on the showroom floor, NASCAR fans are among the most loyal out there, so we know they will make the note of what they see on Sunday during race season.

We here at Waldorf Ford are expecting to see 2013 Fusions sometime in the fall. If you want to get a jump on things, come in and see us and we will set you up with the literature you need for your research. Sometime this summer we will have one here for a day of training, so “like” us on Facebook and stay tuned for the announcement.

The future is closer than you think

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Remember when you were a kid watching the Jetsons (ok well maybe some of you don’t) and their flying cars that just took them wherever – or Knight Rider when Kitt took over and just drove around itself? It all seemed so far out there, like it was too far out there to ever be a reality. Well, seems like self-driving cars isn’t that far out there afterall. We might just see the future sooner than we thought.

This all comes up in a presentation by Bill Ford Jr. the great-grandson of car pioneer Henry Ford. His points were made to the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona. He said that we could be putting our vehicles on auto pilot within the next 10 years. TEN YEARS! I don’t know whether to be excited or scared!

He believes that it will happen in three stages.

Near-term – In the next five years, he said vehicles will be equipped with car-to-car warning systems and will be able to drive themselves in slow traffic and even park themselves.

Mid-term – Between 2017 and 2025, Ford believes cars will have the technology to reduce the role of the driver markedly, and that many automobiles will be at least semi-autonomous. He also talked of “vehicle platooning” whereby vehicles proceed pretty much bumper to bumper through the use of car-mounted sensors. This will improve safety and save space on roads which will by that time be busier than ever.

Long-term – At some point from 2025, Ford said he expected that many vehicles will be fully autonomous.

Now there is no telling when these will actually roll out in Waldorf, or when they will be available in Ford vehicles. But if the push for technology by Bill Ford Jr and Alan Mulally is any indication of the future, Ford will be on the cutting edge and one of the first to put these into production.

Sources: Dailymail and Digital Trends

Importance of a Maintenance Schedule for your car

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There has recently been in the news a study that showed that people are keeping their vehicles for 6 years. Compare this to the 4 years people kept their vehicles just a short 8 years ago. What factored into this change? First, the economy. Even though things are looking better today, unemployment is still high and there is still a lack of confidence in the economy. Second, long loan terms. Now that you can finance a vehicle for 72 months it takes longer to gain equity in your vehicle. So people are hanging on to their cars until their are close to being paid off. Third, vehicle quality. The quality of most vehicles is better than it was. Build them better and they last longer.

underneath vehicle, oil change

You have a role to play in the quality of your vehicle too. If you follow a maintenance schedule, you will help your vehicle retain value longer. Which will help you keep it longer and help you get more for it when its time to trade it in. Here are some of the things that you should put on that schedule:

Oil and Filter Change
Regular oil changes are important because motor oil contains additives that have the ability to neutralize acids. Over time, these additives get used up and stop being effective.
Also, oil can absorb water, dust and combustion byproducts and holds them in suspension. Eventually, the oil gets saturated and can’t absorb any more. When the contaminated oil remains in the engine it can cause corrosion.

Ignition System Maintenance
In today’s vehicles, the bulk of the ignition system maintenance involves spark plugs and wires. Worn or misfiring sparkplugs will cost you fuel economy and emissions performance. Most recommendations are to check the performance of your spark plugs at 30,000 miles and plug wires at 60,000 miles. Your local dealer can check this for you, also refer to your owners manual for manufacturer recommendations.

Cooling System Maintenance
Most modern cooling systems and coolant only require replacement every 100,000 to 200,000 miles. When refilling however, it is important to use only distilled water with a concentrated coolant, in order to prevent corrosion and mineral blockage. Always make sure to properly bleed the system after replacing coolant, as air bubbles can dramatically reduce cooling system ability.

Air Filter/Fuel Filter Replacement
A dirty air or fuel filter can cause poor performance, poor fuel mileage and reduced engine life. Changing your air/fuel filter is easy and rule of thumb is to change the air filter 12 months/12,000 miles or fuel filter 24 months/24,000 miles. For the best information, again check your owner’s manual or ask your service advisor.

Brake Rotor and Pad Replacement:
We typically recommend you check the condition of your brake components anytime you rotate your tires. Make note of any unusual wear. Replace the pads when there is still a little of the pad left, wait any longer and you could damage the rotor. Especially check into those brakes if the brake pedal feels spongy when you use them, you hear unusual grinding or squealing, braking is hard or your brake light is continuously on.

Tire Pressure Check: Maintaining the correct air pressure in your tires will not only help improve fuel economy, it will help your tires wear more evenly. The manufacturers put the recommended tire pressure on a sticker on the door jam. All you need is a simple pressure gauge and you can check it yourself.

Tire Rotation: Our rule is to rotate the tires whenever you change the oil. This will help your tires last longer, saving you money in the long run.

Transmission Fluid Change: Most newer vehicles don’t require or recommend a transmission fluid change. It is a sealed system that has the same fluid in it for the life of the transmission. If you have an older vehicle the standard is to change the transmission fluid and filter at 40,000 miles. I will go to our old fall back and recommend if you have any questions, refer to your manufacturer’s owners manual or ask your service advisor for help.

Car Wash: The exterior of your car will not only look better, it will last longer if you wash your car regularly. Road grime and winter road treatments are hard on your vehicle, corroding whatever it touches. So give your car a good scrub – you will feel better once you do!

That about covers everything. Servicing your vehicle properly will help keep it running better for you and help you get more for it when you decide to replace it down the road. If you have any questions about the maintenance of your vehicle, feel free to contact one of our service advisors at Waldorf Ford. We are conveniently located on Route 301 North in Waldorf, just 15 minutes south of Washington DC.

Source: Carsdirect

Ford Presidents’ Day Sale – have you checked it out?

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We are half way through one of the biggest car sale days of the year. The offers that are out there are AMAZING if we do say so ourselves.

So, how did Presidents’ Day become as big of an event for car dealers as it has. Well the story is that a young man from Massachusetts named Alvan Fuller was one of the first people to put the idea into practice, starting with bicycles and then transitioning it to car sales when he opened a car dealership. of course there is some controversy about who really started the sale idea, but everyone agrees that it was Fuller who popularized the idea. His sales were bigger and more elaborate than that of his competition.

So back to present time. Ford and Waldorf Ford have some great deals to offer. How does 0% APR financing AND $3000 cash back sound? Well that is part of what is being offered on select vehicles in addition to the already low price that Waldorf Ford has to offer.

So if you are in the market for a new Ford vehicle, hurry in to take advantage of special rate financing AND cash back offers. The sale ends February 29th. Waldorf Ford is located on Route 301 North in Waldorf, just 15 minutes south of Washington DC.

Things to consider when car shopping

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We came across a great article on The Auto Channel and thought they had some pretty great points.

1 – Determine your PRACTICAL NEEDS for a new vehicle;

How will you be using your new car? How many passengers will you be carrying? What type of topography will you be driving on? How far will you be driving each week? Will your new car be too tall to fit into your garage? Will your 6’5” son be able to sit in the back seat? Do you need to haul lots of luggage or recreational gear? Will you be in a car pool? ETC.

2 – Determine your BUDGET and STICK TO IT

Remember the cost of the vehicle is just one of your monthly costs. Fuel, Maintenance, Depreciation, End Value, Insurance, Repairs are just a few of the additional costs of operating a car.

3 – Determine your EMOTIONAL NEEDS, which car or truck really makes you happy when you drive it.

Today’s cars and trucks are made really well and with the proper care will remain serviceable almost forever, the average age a consumer owns their car has risen to over 8 years…so if you hate it you will have a lot of disagreeable moments over the next decade…so you better make sure you are really happy with your choice.

4 – Test Drive, Test Drive, Test Drive, Test Drive

Buying your next vehicle should not just be a couple of hour task but should take place only after careful considerations and research. And after investing your time to do steps 1,2 and 3, and then coming up with your short list of potentials, DON’T BLOW IT! Spend your next two weekends driving each car or truck on your short list.

4A. Do not test drive with your spouse or partner

Do it alone. Then compare notes about each car, by being alone no matter what you are offered or pressured to do, you have a built in excuse not to buy until you talk to your significant other, make sure you are absolutely 100% sure you can have a long term relationship with this vehicle!

TEST DRIVE WITHOUT A TIME LIMIT

Take your Test Drives not for 10 minutes but for hours, take your potential purchases to the same places you will be driving each day, see how it parks in your regular parking lot… see how it handles a trip to the supermarket, see how it handles the bumpy roads on your shortcuts, see how it does in the rain (or snow and ice), see how it does in stop and go traffic, because the decision you make will either make you happy or miserable forever, and aren’t you worth the time to find out?

The team here at Waldorf Ford agrees with all of these points, with the exception of maybe one. We will say, we would rather have you test drive with your significant other, simply because if you do decide to purchase while you are here, the process will be easier. We will not pressure you or hassle you into buying if you are not ready. However if you feel more comfortable without your other half, then we are happy to help you by answering any and all questions and by taking you on a test drive. We want satisfied customers before, during and after the sale.

When you are ready to buy your new car, we hope that Waldorf Ford will be on your short list of places to shop. We are located on Route 301 north in Waldorf MD, just 15 minutes south of Washington DC.

2013 Ford Taurus – Coming SOON to a dealer near you.

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The date will be even sooner if you live near Waldorf MD.

Tuesday, February 21, 2011 – a representative from Ford Motor Company will be at Waldorf Ford to train our staff on the 2013 Ford Taurus. We really look forward to these events because it give us a chance to see the car before they are produced in mass and an opportunity to learn more about the car hands on before we start selling them. We are also able to invite our customers, so they can have a sneak peak of what is new as well.

So, what is so great about the 2013 Ford Taurus? Let’s start with the exterior. On all models the hood has been sculpted and flows down to redesigned grilles. The SHO grille will be black mesh, the other trim levels will get a toned down chrome grille. There are other subtle changes that impact the rear decklid, headlamps and taillamps.

Waldorf Ford

Now – under the hood there are two big changes to the lower trim levels. New for 2013, you will have the option of equipping your Taurus with a 2.0L Ecoboost or an improved 3.6L V6 engine. Both of these are currently available in other models, so while new to Taurus, they are not new for Ford. SHO will still be equipped with the 3.5L Ecoboost. Standard on all models is the six speed Selectshift automatic transmission. Just push a button and you can choose to override the automatic and shift gears yourself for more of a performance feel.

New to SHO in 2013 will be the availability of the Sports Performance package. It features a sport-tuned suspension with unique shocks and track-tuned brake calipers, upgraded performance brake pads, a calibrated electric power-assisted steering (EPAS) system, higher-rated springs, tuned shocks, stiffer stabilizer bars and rear suspension to provide a more connected feel between the driver and the road. It also includes a Track Mode/True Off setting for AdvanceTrac® ESC (electronic stability control), which delivers a more spirited driving experience. And it has a 3.16 final drive ratio for quick off-the-line acceleration. The SHO Performance Package also comes with 20″ machined and painted wheels with performance summer tires and a tire mobility kit.

These are just a few of the things upgraded for 2013. If you want to see the Taurus before it starts hitting dealer lots, stop by on February 21st. We hope to see you then!

Waldorf Ford Commercial Repair shop and the 2013 Ford Fusion

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http://www.waldorfford.com In this episode of our Video Blog we talk to our Commercial Service Manager Scott Stevenson, take a look at the all new 2013 Ford Fusion and put our peepers on the hot new 2013 Dodge Dart.

Make sure to stop by and see us at 2440 Crain highway in Waldorf Maryland or give us a call
Vodpod videos no longer available.