Tips To Consider When Buying Your First New Car

Buying new cars is something that can cause uncertainty. While the process does get easier each time, the first purchase can be quite intimidating if you aren't sure exactly how to go about it. Here are some tips that can help you when it comes time to buy your very first vehicle.

The first thing you should do is establish a budget. Your budget should be realistic and reflect what you are able to pay monthly when looking at new cars. Unless you are able to pay cash for the vehicle, you will be financing the cost. Look at your cost of living when it comes to food, shelter, insurance, and other spending habits. Once you have taken a good look at that and your income, you will have a better idea of what you can afford to spend on a car payment, insurance, fuel, and maintenance.

After you have decided what you can afford, then you need to take a close look at your needs. While there are many fun new cars, purchasing the vehicle that is best suited for you and your lifestyle is a wise choice. Unless you have excess funds, buying a vehicle that is bigger, better, faster, or fancier can cost you more in insurance, maintenance, and fuel.

Now it's time to research new cars. Luckily, learning more about the vehicles that you are considering is quite easy. You can learn more about cars and their features by looking at our site. After you have researched, you can have a more effective shopping process on our lot.

Are you ready to start looking at new cars in person? Come into our dealership and speak with one of our sales associates. The next thing you should do is take a test drive. While you may find all the information you think you need online, you still want to know how the vehicle feels when you sit in it and drive. Is the seat height adequate? How does the steering feel? Do you like the layout of the controls? There is a lot more to a vehicle than what it looks like and its ratings and features so be sure to do a test drive before making a final decision.

After you have shopped around and decided on a vehicle to purchase, you should learn more about your financing options. Depending on your credit history, the down payment you can afford, and other factors, you may have finance options. Speak with our dealership’s finance department about these, we can help you fit the car of dreams into your budget.

Purchasing a new vehicle is exciting, but it is something you should learn about before signing on the dotted line. Use the information shared here to help you make the most informed decision.

Making a Car Safety Kit

If you have a car, prepare an emergency car kit and keep it in the vehicle. A car emergency kit is one of those things that you don't think much about until it's too late. Then you'll wish you didn't leave home without one. Every car should have some essential items in a location that can be easily reached by the driver in an emergency, but not so accessible that a child can get into it.

The basic emergency kit for cars should include the following items:

1. Charged cell phone. It may make the difference between getting help fast and maybe not getting help at all.

2. First-aid kit. It should include Band-Aids, adhesive tape, gauze pads, aspirin, antiseptic wipes, antiseptic cream or ointment, and anything particular to you or your family.

3. Three reflective warning triangles to be placed 50 feet apart in case of emergency to warn oncoming traffic.

4. Blankets or sleeping bags.

5. Tire gauge to periodically check the air pressure in their spare tire.

6. Properly inflated spare tire.

7. Waterproof flashlights and extra batteries.

8. Plastic bottled water for drinking.

9. Non-perishable food, such as nuts and energy bars.

10. Windshield ice scraper.

11. Battery jumper cables.

12. Warning light or roadside flares.

13. Sanitation and personal hygiene items.

14. Family and emergency contact information.

Be prepared for an emergency by keeping your gas tank full and if you find yourself stranded, be safe and stay in your car, put on your flashers, call for help and wait until it arrives.

Take Care of Your Vehicle This October

October is Fall Car Care Month, and the Car Care Council reminds motorists that checking their vehicles before the temperatures drop is a sensible way to avoid being stranded out in the cold and the unexpected expense of emergency repairs.

“The last thing any driver needs is a vehicle that breaks down in cold, harsh winter weather. Winter magnifies existing problems like hard starts, sluggish performance and rough idling,” said Rich White, executive director, Car Care Council. “Whether you perform the check or maintenance yourself or go to the repair shop, it’s a small investment of time and money to ensure peace of mind, and help avoid the cost and hassle of a breakdown during severe weather.”

The Car Care Council recommends the following Fall Car Care Month checklist to make sure your vehicle is ready for cold winter weather ahead.

Heating, Wipers & Lights

• Make sure heaters, defrosters and wipers work properly.
• Consider winter wiper blades and use cold-weather washer fluid. As a general rule, wiper blades should be replaced every six months.
• Check to see that all exterior and interior lights work and headlights are properly aimed.

Tires & Brakes

• Check the tire tread depth and tire pressure of all tires, including the spare. If snow and ice are a problem in your area, consider special tires designed to grip slick roads.
• During winter, tire pressure should be checked weekly.
• Have the brakes checked. The braking system is the vehicle’s most important safety item.

Gas, Oil & Filters

• Keep your gas tank at least half full throughout the cold weather to prevent moisture from forming in gas lines and possibly freezing.
• Be diligent about changing the oil and filter at recommended intervals. Dirty oil can spell trouble in winter. Consider changing to “winter weight” oil if you live in a cold climate.
• Check the fuel, air and transmission filters at the same time.

System Checks – Charging, Cooling & Exhaust

• Have the battery and charging system checked, as cold weather is hard on batteries.
• Clean, flush and put new antifreeze in the cooling system. As a rule of thumb, this should be done every two years.
• Have the exhaust system checked for carbon monoxide leaks, which can be especially dangerous during cold weather driving when windows are closed.

Pack the Essentials

• Make sure that your ice scraper and snow brush are accessible and ready to use.
• Stock an emergency kit with jumper cables, a flashlight, blankets, extra clothes, bottled water, nonperishable food and a first aid kit with any needed medication.

Source - carcare.org

9 Tire Myths: Fact or Fiction?

People may know a lot about cars but when it comes to tires, it's a big zero. Today we will be busting some myths about tires.

• Myth: Tires should be inflated according to the pressure indicated on the tire sidewall. 
• Fact: Indication on the sidewall is the tire's maximum inflation pressure, not the recommended pressure. Follow inflation pressure recommendations in the Car owner's manual or written on the door post.

• Myth: A tread pattern is required for great traction on dry roads. 
• Fact: A tire without any tread provides the best results dry traction due to the maximum amount of rubber touching the road. A tread pattern, with its groove voids, actually lessens this traction on dry roads. The role of tread is to act as a squeegee in wet conditions and removes water from under the tire and channels it through the grooves for improved wet traction. 

• Myth: Performance tires wear out faster because of the sticky compounds. 
• Fact: Partly true but tread rubber polymers aren't the reason. In fact, advancements like new polymers and ultra-tensile steel constructions make performance tires last longer now. Performance tires average about 45,000 miles in tread life, comparable to the figures for family-car passenger tires. Fast wear is usually due to high speeds and aggressive driving. 

• Myth: Wide tires provide better traction under all weather conditions. Installing oversize snow tires on a car delivers better snow traction. 
• Fact: Completely wrong. Wide tires have a tendency float on deep snow, and the tread lugs are unable to dig through to the road surface and gain traction. Narrow tires provide better traction in snow conditions. Narrow tire cut through the snow easier and provides traction. 

• Myth: All-season tires sufficient for even winter season. 
• Fact: Can be true for certain regions but in places where snow remains on the roads for days winter tires are the best. 

• Myth: Tires should not be rotated from side to side, only front to back. 
• Fact: Radial tires can be crossed from side to side in the rotation pattern unlike the bias ply tires. Regular tire rotation every 6000 to 8000 miles ensures uniform wear for all tires on a vehicle. 

• Myth: New tires should be put on the drive-wheel position to get the most traction. 
• Fact: True only on a rear-drive vehicle. Always, install new tires on the rear axle. Most tire buyers purchase new tires for the drive-wheel position to get the most traction. However, by doing so they transfer most of their traction capabilities from the rear. The vehicle is more prone to over steer. 

• Myth: The government tests tires for traction, temperature resistance, and treadwear and assigns grades molded onto the sidewall. 
• Fact: Uniform Tire Quality Grading is a federal law that makes it mandatory for tire manufacturers to grade their own tires for tread wear, traction, and temperature resistance. Tire manufacturers test tires and assign their own grades and not some government authority. 

• Myth: An undulation on a tire sidewall is supposed to be a weak spot and can lead to tire failure. 
• Fact: An undulation is created where materials overlap each other in the tire carcass, and it actually is the strongest part of the tire.

12 Tire Changing Steps

This is a quick run-down on what to know and steps to take when changing a flat tire. We’re sure there are more tips than this, but these are good universal tips for all of us.

1. Pull your vehicle as far over or even off the main road if possible for safety.

2. Locate the jack and tire wrench in your vehicle. If you are unsure where it is, pull out the manual and look it up. Many times it is located in the trunk somewhere.

3. Follow the instructions in your manual or on the jack to place the jack in the correct spot underneath and get it snug on the frame while not quite raising it up yet.

4. Take your wrench and start to loosen each lug nut just a little so each is started.

5. Once they are loose, go ahead and jack the vehicle up until the vehicle tire is off the ground.

6. Once off the ground, loosen all the lug nuts until they come off. Pull the flat tire straight off. If you pull at an angle the rim may catch on the bolt threads and make it difficult to pull off.

7. Roll the old tire off to behind the vehicle, and grab your spare tire. Many times the spare will look smaller than the original. That is because it is just made to be a temporary tire to get you to the tire garage and get the flat tire repaired or replaced.

8. Take your spare tire and line up the bolt holes with the rim with the bolts or holes on the hub and try to put it straight on.

9. Holding the tire on with one hand, take one of your tire bolts and start to screw it into the top hole. Once that is tight enough to hold the rim on, hand tighten the rest of the bolts on.

10. Take your wrench and firmly snug them all up using a criss cross pattern instead of going clock-wise or counter-clockwise.

11. Slowly lower the jack so the tire is now on the ground. Give each bolt a good turn to make sure they are all tight.

12. Don't forget to put the jack and wrench back in their compartments, and throw the flat in your trunk. Since most spares are temporary it is wise to head straight to the tire center and have your tire fixed or replaced as soon as possible.

Follow these steps to keep your frustrations to a minimum with your unfortunate circumstance. If you ever feel you are in an unsafe area, call a tow truck to either change it for you or tow you to a garage that can help.

4 Featured Technologies That Seem Like A Blast From The Future

In 2015, we have become accustomed to being surrounded by gadgets that would have seemed a fantasy 50 years ago. From inter-connecting smart phones to fully functioning robotics, we are at the precipice of a technological revolution. For many of us drivers, however, we are firmly rooted in the last generation, driving around in cars that haven't changed much in many years, apart from some new bells and whistles. However, automotive technologies are being developed that will radicalize how we drive and experience driving. Here are 5 that are guaranteed to impress any motor heads.

Augmented Reality Dashboards

At one point, GPS technology would have seemed a million miles away from a trusty atlas or road map, but today we are closer to ever to having a full navigation system built into the windscreen. This will be displayed through different types of glasses that will display different information to the driver in real time. This will display not only directional advice, but will display the speedometer, parking sensors, rev counter, fuel gauge and other aspects of the cars computer. Through touch screen controls, drivers will be able to control every facet of their vehicle from the screen, including air conditioning, radio, windows and headlights. Perhaps the most futuristic is the ability to zoom in on parts of the road so drivers can see obstacles up ahead more clearly. If put into place, this could help improve drivability but also keep drivers and there passengers safer.

Solar Roadways

Solar powered LED roadways have the potential to change the world in a way that many other technologies could only dream of. Designed to not only illuminate our roads and display dynamic traffic information, but actually charge electric cars wirelessly whilst they drive. This would revolutionize how we fuel our cars and completely transform the automotive economy. This would make electric cars a true alternative to petrol and diesel powered cars, and lead towards us improving our carbon emissions by an inexplicable amount. Imagine never having to refuel your car manually while driving around on illuminated LED roads! There are even plans to make the panels heated that will melt any snow or ice that has accumulated on the LED panels, which will then be filter to a water treatment center to use within the water supply. However, there are some questions about how economically feasible these plans are and how the roads will be constructed and maintained. However, the city of Sandport, US, is going to become the first city to have the panels by installing them within a parking lot.

Fully Autonomous Cars

This has been speculated for a long time but, in 2015, they are finally testing fully autonomous cars on public roads. A recent report suggested that by 2035, nearly 75 per cent of vehicles sold will have automatic driving capability. Google have actually been planning to make it a reality within 5 years, so we could have driverless cars sooner than we think. Whilst we have had components such as self-parking cars, completely driverless cars would revolutionize how we navigate our roads and motorways. However, there have been some initial problems; for instance, Google's attempt at a driverless car cannot tell the difference between a rock and a piece of litter that has drifted into the road and subsequently attempts to drive round both of them in the same way. Also, there are some moral questions about how much it will actually improve road safety and whether people will actually want to put their life in the hands of a computer program. Nevertheless, envisioning a future where we are essentially driven around by robots definitely seems like something out of science fiction.

External Airbags

Many of us have been involved in some form of accident on the roads, sometimes costing a lot of money in repairs. However, this could be all change if external side airbags are fitted on cars. Side crashes currently account for around 40 percent of all traffic accidents and we could now see a dramatic reduction in the damage these crashes cause. The airbags are designed to deploy in 20 - 30 milliseconds and protect the vehicle from the impact. This is being developed alongside cameras that will detect the moment the airbag needs to be triggered. When completed, this design could bring about a massive transformation in road safety.

Meet One Of The World's Fastest Shelby GT500 Mustangs | Metro Ford Chicago

 

In the world of drag racing, you usually do your best to get optimal traction off the line. Still, there are lots of rear wheel driven beasts out there that happen to do just fine.

Such is the case with this, the Kinetik Motorsport Shelby Mustang GT500 - a car that isn't just fast, but looks fantastic as well.

The GT500 is a proper muscle car, so if muscle is what you're going for, look no further than this modified version. Now, imagine unleashing 1,173 WHP and no fewer than 1,059 lb-ft (1,435 Nm) of torque through your rear tires. That's Bugatti Veyron territory!

In its debut at the Texas Mile, it managed to hit 209.3 mph (336 km/h), which isn't a record, but still, very impressive. As far as fast Mustangs go, there aren't many that can top this one.

Besides the 4.7 liter supercharger, this car also has a limited slip differential, Griggs GR40SS suspension, Koni coilovers, a Magnaflow 3" catback exhaust with competition mufflers, American Racing 2" primary long tube headers and Baer Extreme front and rear brake discs.

Naturally, you can go faster at the Texas Mile. Build yourself something like this Hennessey-tuned Ford GT and you'll make 209 mph look like child's play.

However, in terms of Mustangs, we'll take this particular one any day.

5 steps to get the best car finance with bad credit | Metro Ford Chicago

 

Finding a fair deal on car finance with bad credit isn’t like searching for a needle in a field full of haystacks. There is a logical order to things sometimes. Finding good bad credit car loans might take a bit longer but it’s entirely possible – and worth it. Just keep in mind that bad credit car loans will usually attract higher interest rates than “regular” or mainstream car loans. If you follow these steps, you could find a deal that will eventually reduce your debts in the long term.

 

1. Do your homework
Currently, you’re likely only about two or three steps away from something that can search the internet at any given time. Having that in mind, you can research bad credit car loan options using your computer, phone or tablet. Find as many brokers and financiers as possible and see what they offer. See which sites offer no-obligation quotes to get an idea of what you’ll pay.

2. Ignore the “zero percent” and “one percent” dealer finance offers
You might be tempted to take the “zero percent” finance or “low rate” finance offers that car dealers often peddle. Don’t fall for them! These “deals” have many hidden traps. You might not be able to negotiate the price and end up paying a lot more than you bargained for. If you want to get back into good credit, don’t take the “easy way out” – it often isn’t.

3. Check your credit history
This step is crucial – check your credit history so you are better prepared when you eventually settle on a broker. Your credit history is the first aspect your chosen financier will assess when figuring out your eligibility for a loan. Your credit history might have errors in it. It’s your responsibility to fix them if they occur. This could improve your credit standing.

4. Set a reasonable budget – and stick to it
Once you have a couple of brokers or lenders that you’re comfortable with, it’s time to go car shopping. Keep in mind that lenders see people with bad credit as higher risks. It’s worth your while to budget conservatively. If possible, you should provide rough estimates to your lender, showing you can comfortably take on a large debt such as a car loan.

5. Do your homework round 2: researching your lender
So you’ve picked a lender or two and you’re ready to apply. Before you do, check out your lender a bit more closely. Do they have positive user reviews on sites like WOMO.com.au? Have they been around in the industry for a reasonable amount of time? Do they have a current Australian Credit Licence? You can check using the ASIC website. You can never be too careful!

The 2017 Ford F-150 Raptor is Still Menacing, Wonderfully Ridiculous | Metro Ford Chicago IL

It may be all Ecoboost and 10-speed automatic underneath, but the 2017 Ford F-150 Raptor strikes that balance of aggressive and goofy characteristics that made the outgoing model such a hit.

Oh yeah, and the off-road credentials were pretty good, too.

Unsurprisingly, like the 2015 F-150, the new Raptor is a case of same-but-different on the outside. The FORD letters on the grille are still enormous, an endearing characteristic. They've also been added to the tailgate in lieu of a blue oval. The whole look is perhaps more modern and sophisticated, but in person the Raptor still comes off as a tough thing.

Ford didn't let us pop the hood to see the 3.5-liter Ecoboost V6 that's supposed to be in there. Nor did they let us get too close to the interior, which at least doesn't stray too far from the new F-150's style. The paddle shifters inside were the first thing I noticed, though. And I'm still not convinced they look right in a truck, especially when they bear a similar appearance to the ones in the new Ford GT.

The thing about the Raptor has always been that it's a ridiculous vehicle. It's ridiculously large, ridiculously powerful for its size, ridiculously capable. But at the end of the day, the main attraction to this thing is its looks and sounds. They just make you smile.

This new one may be smarter under the skin, but it looks like it still has a sense of humor on the outside. 

The 17 Things You Need to Know About the 2017 Ford GT Supercar | Metro Ford Chicago IL

2017 Ford GT: The facts

Ford's all-new GT supercar was the smash hit of the 2015 Detroit auto show, and although we were given its basic specs, we were hungry for more. So we cornered anyone we could find from Ford to give us the 600-plus-hp sports car's juicier details.

• The GT "concept" Ford put on display in Detroit looks mighty production ready, suggesting that the skunkworks project has been in motion for years. In fact, we're told the car has seen just one year of development work so far—yet the final car is due next year. That's hyperspeed in the car world.
• Ford expects the first production prototype to be in action this spring. Spy photographers, get ready.
• The in-house low-cost carbon-fiber development program Ford has fired up in collaboration with Dow Chemical has little to do with the GT project. In fact, the carbon fiber in the GT's chassis tub and bodywork will be hand-laid and production probably will be handled by an outside supplier.
•  When Ford's global performance vehicle chief engineer Jamal Hameedi started to tell us how his team was targeting "the best power-to-weight ratio," we figured the sentence would end with "in its class." Nope. Hameedi instead capped off the claim with "of any car on the market." Ford has yet to reveal the GT's weight, but we're expecting it to be crazy light. As for the engine, Ford promises more than 600 horsepower.
•  The GT on Ford's Detroit show stand rolled on normal aluminum wheels, in contrast to the Mustang Shelby GT350R sitting nearby; that car has ultra-lightweight carbon-fiber wheels. Given how fanatical Ford is being about the GT's weight, you'd think these high-tech and mass-reducing rims would be on the GT, too. Ford tells us it is looking at the possibility.
•  The GT's rear spoiler is full of tricks, including an air-brake function. The wing can both rise vertically and tilt, its horizontal surface angling upward to capture extra downforce and drag when needed.
•  Riding on a what Ford calls an "active" suspension, the GT can lower itself at speed for stability and better aerodynamics. In true supercar form, a button in the cabin can lift the front end when faced with inconsiderately designed driveway ramps and speed humps.
•  Front and rear, the GT features carbon-ceramic Brembo brake rotors and calipers. Just as the Nürburgring is practically a required stop on any vehicle development engineer's world tour, so apparently are Brembo's offices.
•  There's no question about it: The 2017 GT will be fast. But Ford didn't set out to grab top-speed records or acceleration honors. Instead, we're told Ford is chasing "lap times, lap times, lap times" and is seeking ultimate handling. Oh, and Ford is planning to take the GT to Le Mans in 2016—the street car partially exists for homologation reasons—and is putting Ferrari in its crosshairs. The 1960s are back, baby.
•  As you probably already ascertained, this is the front of the Ford GT. It doesn't have anything in it—well, besides a radiator, some cool heat-exhausting vents, and the pushrod-actuated front suspension. There is no electric motor powering the front axle, as there is in Porsche's 918 Spyder, and neither is there one in the back. Ford didn't want to sacrifice low weight for heavy hybrid components like motors and batteries. Oh, and the sports car is intended to showcase Ford's EcoBoost engine branding, a mission that'd be complicated by a hybrid system.
•  One of our favorite things about the GT is the way its passenger cell tapers to nearly a point at the car's tail, and the channels that create between the "fuselage" and the rear wheels. Far more than a flamboyant flourish, these pathways force the air to bend and submit to the GT's will. The flying buttresses linking the roof to each rear fender may appear flat, but they are in fact curved in section. This is because they're really wings—cut them in half, and they're airfoil-shaped. They create downforce, in addition to directing air flowing around the car to the rear spoiler.
•  Amazingly, Ford found a second use for the GT's flying buttresses: intake tubes. Each hollow panel (one per side) houses piping that flows from an air-to-air intercooler ahead of each rear wheel (visible through the large vents on the fenders). Intake air is scooped up from beneath the GT, compressed in each turbocharger, and then shot through the intercoolers before twisting its way up the winglets and down into the engine. Sweet.
•  After passing through the fender-mounted intercoolers, newly heated air then flows above each rear wheel to the GT's tail, where it exits through the centers of the taillights. Yep, the look of those lamps isn't by accident.
•  The GT's EcoBoost twin-turbocharged, direct-injected 3.5-liter V-6 engine shares far more with the EcoBoost six in Ford's Daytona Prototype LMP2 race car than it does with any roadgoing Ford engine. With more than 600 horsepower, the GT's V-6 earns the awesome "Powered by Ford" branding.
•  Oh yeah, baby, Ford plans on keeping the two colossal, jetfighter-like exhaust outlets right where they are, high up on the rear bumper. Those cannons are just finishers, however—the actual exhaust pipes terminate a few inches ahead of them. We don't care, the openings look the business.
•  With a near-horizontal rear window that's roughly one and a half feet wide, parking is probably going to be the least-fun thing you could do in a GT. So the hyperFord has a backup camera nestled in the nether regions of its diffuser. It makes sense, of course, as the things are federally mandated after 2016.
•  According to Ford VP of design Moray Callum, the styling is 95 percent complete. That last 5 percent? We're told the GT needs little things like the door mirrors larger than teaspoons and subtle lighting tweaks to be salable. Otherwise, what you see here is what is going to hit driveways. This is fantastic news because, well, just look at the thing.

But the niggling question hangs in the minds of many—what does FoMoCo’s new supercar sound like? It’s a longstanding jab at the Viper that the V-10 snake sounds like a United Parcel Service vehicle at idle. Scratch that. The GT is the new king of the demonic delivery trucks. The 3.5-liter V-6 garble-gargles through its high-mounted tailpipes, while the twin turbos send their barbaric whirring hiss echoing through the taillight tubes. If Steven Spielberg’s Duel were remade by Michael Bay, it’s the noise the film’s menacing Peterbilt would make at rest. Watch the clip below to see what we mean. 

Can an actual Ford F-150 ride on 4 Power Wheels F-150s? | Metro Ford Chicago IL

By Chris Bruce
A lot of kids are rough on their toys, especially when it comes to those made to be used outside, like a four-wheeled kid-size Power Wheels. Whether it's cruising through the sand box, carrying piles of rocks in the driveway or crashing around trees in the backyard, these motorized vehicles often take punishment from the moment the giftwrap comes off.

The folks at Fisher-Price decided to give their latest F-150 Power Wheels a true torture test worse than any kid could have ever managed by setting a real 2015 Ford F-150 on top of four of them. Would the little toy trucks explode in a shower of plastic shards in a massive collapse, and if not, could they drive away afterwards?

The latest F-150 might be 700 pounds lighter thanks to the switch to aluminum, but it's still a fullsize pickup. According to this clip, the truck weighs in at 4,120 pounds, which puts an average of 1,030 pounds on each of the toys. Check out the video above to see how the stunt goes,