Waldorf Ford's Blog

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How to find a repair shop for your vehicle

Posted on April 10, 2012 by Administrator

Usually if you ask 10 different people the same question you get 10 different answers. That wasn’t the case when I asked 10 people how they would go about picking a repair shop for their vehicle. The overwhelming majority said they would ask their friends and family. The rest said that they would go online to find a shop and read reviews. We were surprised to find that there really weren’t any other answers given.

So, we are guessing that the first way to find a shop is pretty straightforward, so we will take you through some of your online choices that will assist you in finding the right repair shop for your needs.

Google: The frontrunner of search engines. But Google is more than a search engine. It includes mapping, store information and most importantly reviews. Google will also be adding photo tours of locations, though this is new and not widely in use currently. If you want to see what information you can find, just click here to see the Waldorf Ford information.

Yelp: Yelp was started to help connect people with businesses. Their viewers have written over 25 million local reviews. They do not allow businesses to pay to change reviews and they don’t let businesses re-order the reviews. Yelp also posts deals from businesses, posts local events and lets Yelpers talk to each other. Click here to see the Waldorf Ford Yelp page.

Bing: Another widely used search engine. Completely independent of Google, so search results may be different from what you see when you search using Google. The information that Bing provides on the company listings isn’t as detailed as Google, but will get you what you need to make a call. To check out Waldorf Ford’s Bing listing, click here.

The last online resource we’ll cover is Yellow Pages.

Yellow Pages: The online replacement for the yellow pages section in the printed phone book. With so many people abandoning print it only made sense for them to publish online using the same name. It’s well organized and includes reviews. Business can buy premier listings that put them at the top of your search results. Click here for Waldorf Ford’s Yellow Pages listing.

That pretty much covers where you can find a repair shop online. Just go to any of these resources, enter the area you want to find service in and then enter “repair shop“, “auto repair“, “oil change”, “transmission repair”, etc. We are confident that you will find many places to choose from. Of course we hope that Waldorf Ford will be your pick from these lists. If you want to talk to one of our service advisors regarding servicing your vehicle, just give us a call at 301-843-2400 and ask for Ford Service. Or check us out online at Waldorfford.com. Waldorf Ford is located on Route 301 North in Waldorf, just 15 minutes south of Washington DC.

Coming Late 2012 is the 2013 Focus ST – did you say HOT RIDE!

Posted on March 27, 2012 by Administrator

This racing inspired model is going to turn heads for sure. Now, don’t think this is just another wanna be, the development was overseen by Ford’s director of Global Performance Vehicles, Jost Capito. Before coming to Ford, Jost was the head of Red Bull Sauber’s F1 program, headed Porche’s racing efforts and in 1985 won the Paris-Dakar race truck category. So we are thinking this guy knows a little bit about racing.

The Focus ST will come with a 2 liter ecoboost engine putting out 247 horsepower and a 6 speed manual transmission. Also Ford has added high performance brakes and a sport tuned suspension. The exhaust has also been upgraded and tuned to give this racer a throatier sound. Finally, the ST will have lower springs and stiffer shock absorbers which allowed Ford to lower the center of gravity and giving it a meaner stance.

Driving the 2013 Ford Focus ST Video

The look of the ST is different too. It will have a unique black honeycomb grille and a larger rear spoiler for better high speed stability. The colors are unique to ST as well; performance blue, race red, white and tangerine scream, the signature color for ST.

Inside you will have the benefit of adding Recaro race inspired seating and specially designed sport pedals. They even redesigned the rear seating to give more stability to those passengers during vigorous driving maneuvers.

So, stay tuned for more news on Focus ST. If you want to find out when we expect them to start arriving here at Waldorf Ford, check us out online at waldorfford.com or stop by and see us. We are located on Route 301 North in Waldorf, just 15 minutes south of Washington DC.

Waldorf Ford Preowned and Ford Certified Preowned vehicles

Posted on March 14, 2012 by Administrator

Did you know that we are a Ford Certified Preowned dealer? Well, we are! We became a FCPO (Ford Certified Pre Owned) dealer because of the great benefits it has for our customers. It allows you to drive home in a late model Ford with peace of mind. Here are some of the benefits of the program:

Every FCPO vehicle goes through a rigorous and thorough 172 point inspection. We check the VIN, make sure all service recalls are performed, run a vehicle history report and perform any necessary scheduled maintenance. While its in the shop, the engine is tested and 35 items under the hood are checked and if necessary brought into spec. Then we take it for a Road test to make sure it runs and drives properly. The exterior and interior are both gone over with a fine toothed comb and any necessary repairs are performed. We check the frame, exhaust, tires, brakes and lots more! When we are done the vehicle is practically new!

The benefits of FCPO don’t end with the 172 point inspection. Every FCPO vehicle comes with peace-of-mind warranty coverage. The comprehensive limited warranty covers more than 500 components for 12 months/12,000 miles (whichever comes first) and the fully transferable powertrain limited warranty covers you for 7 years /100,000 miles. You can also choose to extend the warranty when you purchase your vehicle for extra assurance.

Wait, it doesn’t stop there either. FCPO vehicles also come with 24-hour roadside assistance. Complimentary roadside assistance is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Available services include:

* Towing assistance of up to $100 for warranty and non-warranty problems, including accidents (excludes impound and repossession)
* Travel expense reimbursement of up to $500, for up to 3 days lodging, meals and rental vehicle for travel expenses accrued when the breakdown occurs more than 100 miles from home
* Destination expense assistance of up to $75 for emergency transportation to the immediate destination
* Rental car reimbursement of up to $30 per day for up to 5 days
* Fuel delivery if the vehicle runs out of fuel — up to 2 gallons at no charge
* Flat-tire changes on site
* Jump starts for dead batteries
* Lockout assistance of up to $50 to unlock vehicle doors
* Service throughout the 50 United States and Canada

Not every vehicle has what it takes to become Ford Certified. Each Ford must be less than 6 years old and have less than 80,000 miles on the odometer. Additionally, the vehicle must pass the check of the vehicle history report.

Finally, when you purchase a FCPO you may be eligible for a special interest rate, which can be as low as 1.9% APR.

If you have any questions about the Ford Certified Preowned Program, check us out online at waldorfford.com or stop by and see us. Waldorf Ford is located on Route 301 North in Waldorf, just 15 minutes south of Washington DC.

Waldorf Ford Conversion Van Fun!

Video

http://www.waldorfford.com Did you know Waldorf Ford is a Conversion Van Dealer? Summer road trips are coming fast. Why not travel in a bit of luxury? Take a quick tour with Sam. Stop by and check them out or give us a call at 800-883-1487

How many ways can I customize a Mustang?

Posted on March 8, 2012 by Administrator

“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

The future is closer than you think

Posted on February 29, 2012 by Administrator

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

Posted on February 27, 2012 by Administrator

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.

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

Things to consider when car shopping

Posted on February 16, 2012 by Administrator

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.

Posted on February 13, 2012 by Administrator

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!

Something you might not know about Waldorf Ford

Posted on January 12, 2012 by Administrator

(Trophy is the 2009 Trophy. The official announcement for 2011 will be made sometime in Mid March)

One of the accomplishments, we at Waldorf Ford, are most proud of, is that for the sixth year in a row, we are on track to win the Ford Triple Crown. The final results will be announced in the near future. Now, you might think “so what”. You shouldn’t. This means a lot for you as our loyal customer – or you as a potential customer. You see, the Triple Crown is awarded to 25 or less Ford and Lincoln dealers nationally every year. It requires that the dealer be in the top 100 dealers in the nation in sales volume, that the dealer win the President’s Award for excellent customer service and that they are in the top in the nation in parts and service sales or Extended Service Plan sales.

Waldorf Ford makes it into the top 100 dealers in sales (and many times in the top 50) because we sell a lot of vehicles. This gives us a bigger allocation of vehicles and ultimately a bigger selection of new vehicles for you to choose from when you are ready to purchase. Selling a lot of new vehicles also means that we have a bigger selection of preowned vehicles to choose from because of trade-ins. The next part though is where we are different from other volume dealers. We win the President’s Award.

The President’s Award was developed in 1998. Dealers become eligible through survey responses from customers related to their service, satisfaction and overall dealership experience. If we don’t do a good job taking care of you before, during and after the sale, then our scores reflect that. We have currently won the President’s Award six years in a row and 11 times in the last 15 years.

The final qualifier for the Triple Crown Award is to be in the top in the nation in parts and service sales or Extended Service Plan sales. Perennially we are one of the top dealers in the country in Extended Service Plan sales. We want to provide our customers the peace of mind that an extended service plan provides. When your new car’s factory warranty expires, or if you purchased a preowned vehicle, those unexpected repairs can cost you sometimes thousands of dollars. An extended service plan will cost you less and you can pay for it over time if you finance it with the car.

Now that we have gone through the details of the Triple Crown Award, want to know something about Waldorf Ford that you didn’t know? Waldorf Ford is the ONLY dealer in our region to ever win the Triple Crown Award from Ford. That’s right the ONLY ONE! It just proves that we are the only dealer in the region that has a large inventory of new Ford vehicles to choose from, that takes care of their customers before, during and after the sale and that cares about the peace of mind of their customers. You would have to drive to Boston or to Charlotte NC to find another dealer that is proven to provide the same service. Next time you are looking to buy a new Ford, or to have your current Ford vehicle serviced, do you think Waldorf Ford will be on your list? We hope so!

Waldorf Ford is located on Route 301 north in Waldorf, Maryland. Just 15 minutes south of Washington DC.