They’ve been around awhile – a snippet of advice here, an old adage there. They’re the guidelines that are supposed to help keep cars running in top condition. Problem is, most of them aren’t based in fact – or they’re just plain outdated. So Ford decided to get in the game and debunk a few of the most popular maintenance myths. Read on and let the Myth Busting begin!

MYTH: Cars need oil changes every three months or 3,000 miles.
False: That used to be true, but not with newer cars. Because of synthetic oils that don’t break down as quickly, consumers actually don’t need oil changes as often – more like every 5,000 to 7,500 miles – or even 10,000 on the new 2011 Mustang depending on your driving habits.

SAVE: With the new extended mileage, consumers need only about two oil changes a year, cutting their bill for oil changes in half – you could pocket upward of $50 a year or $650 in the lifetime of your car and do something to help the environment by saving oil.

MYTH: You need to let your vehicle engine warm up in cold weather.
False: The engine warms up while you drive. Running your car any longer beforehand is just a waste of gas.

SAVE: Depending on engine size, temperature and other variables, modern cars can use about a third of a gallon of gas per hour while idling. By giving up that 10-minute idle every weekday morning, you could save more than a gallon a month – $32 a year or $416 over the life of the vehicle.

MYTH: Premium gas is a treat for your car.
False: Unless your vehicle is specifically tailored to take advantage of the higher octane level in the fuel, you’re wasting your money. Go by what is recommended in your owner’s manual and leave it at that.

SAVE: At current gas prices, drivers may save up to $150 a year by opting for unleaded gas instead of premium.

MYTH: The number listed on the sidewall of your tire is the recommended tire pressure. False: In most cases, this is actually the maximum pressure allowed for that tire. The recommended amount of pressure is usually listed on the inside door panel – check your owner’s manual to be sure.

SAVE: The government estimates that the average driver’s tires are underinflated by 26 percent. An average driver with underinflated tires could add $79 a year to his or her fuel bill – or more than $1,027 in the lifetime of the vehicle.

Ford covers some good points here, and even here at Capital Ford Lincoln our Fixed Operations Director, Ivan Liebel, got in on the myth-busting and shared some of his own myths and how to save tips!

Fixed Operations Director, Ivan Liebel’s Myths!

MYTH: New vehicles don’t need tune-ups.

SAVE: Although it is true that newer vehicles require tune-ups less often, worn spark plugs, fuel restricted fuel injectors and dirty filters can reduce fuel efficiency as much as 30%.

MYTH: I can keep driving when a light comes on in the instrument panel.

SAVE: Any modern car includes warning lights for various parts of the vehicle should the onboard computer detect something isn’t working properly. When you see one of these lights go on don’t ignore it. Check your vehicle owner’s manual to confirm what you need to check if it isn’t obvious. This may prevent more expensive repairs and excessive fuel consumption.

MYTH: My vehicle is hard on fuel and I’ve done everything there is and there is nothing else I can do.

SAVE: Consider a Nitrogen Fill in your tires. Although this is fairly new technology, it is proven to increase fuel economy by sustaining a constant air pressure in your tires. Nitrogen also increases tire life by up to 30%. This service is also relatively inexpensive and should be considered especially when buying new tires.

There is a lot you will choose to believe about your car, and you can’t say that you’ve never heard or followed at least one of these myths. But now you know, and you can start saving again! And if you’re looking for more quality information about your vehicle, we’re always willing to provide you with some here at Capital Ford Lincoln!

• Video also coming soon starring some of our favourite Capital Ford Lincoln staff!

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Over 31 and a half thousand vehicles were sold across Canada in June (many of those coming out of the Capital Ford Lincoln lot) with car sales up by 23 percent and truck sales up by 13 percent. See what the CEO had to say about this awesome fact by reading on.

CEO David Mondragon is amazed at the numbers. In an interview, Mondragon says:

“When you see the Ford brand posted a 25 percent increase (last) June when the industry was down 14 percent, you see a 16 percent gain this June is extremely significant.”

This is just the beginning. Ford is introducing revamped models like the Fiesta that are starting to roll into lots. The company has announced employee pricing this summer for all 2010 and 2011 models, and the introduction of the new Explorer and the 2011 Focus are coming. Add it all up and it’s expected the smiles will only get bigger from our employees as the sales continue to pile up.

Now is a perfect time to get in on the action, so visit us at Capital Ford Lincoln and do what many others across Canada are doing—buying Ford!

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Continue reading to view article.

J.D. Power and Associates 2010 Initial Quality Study is based on responses from more than 82,000 new 2010 model-year vehicle owners after they have driven their new vehicles for three months. It measures problems per 100 vehicles and was based on November through February registrations.”

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Get in on the popularity. We have many new and used F150′s on the lot. C’mon down here and put yourself behind the wheel to find out for yourself why the F-150 is so popular.

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Okay. Now that I got that out I can now explain how much I personally want a 2011 Ford Fiesta! I want a purple one especially, I mean Bright Magenta Metallic. The colors are so great, and so different from typical vehicle colors. They’re fun, hip and exciting, literally. It’s had to explain how a color is exciting, but these are.

I’ve never seen a Fiesta up close and personal yet, (keyword being ‘yet’), but I’m really liking what I’m seeing in pictures and what I’m reading online and hearing from others. I so badly want to test drive one!

The design of the Fiesta is so sleek, sporty and fun and it comes with lots of great features! Small cars are the best, and I love them for just that reason – they’re small! However, the interior of the Fiesta is supposed to be quite roomy and I can’t wait to find out how roomy it is!

Some of the features that I found the most intriguing to me out of the many that the Fiesta has are:

The dual clutch technology in the Fiesta isn’t new to the car world, but it is the first time the technology has ever been available in a car this size. Now, I’ve never personally driven a standard, but this dual clutch is supposed to be better. It combines two clutches that do the work for you to make the vehicle an automatic, but it is also better for the efficiency of the car and uses less fuel!

Another thing I can’t wiat to see is the key sensing system that is totally hands-free! The way it works is that by touching the door handle, the car senses the keys in your pocket, purse, or wherever and unlocks the doors for you! Is that sweet or what?

Now, I have to say that the dashboard in the Fiesta looks pretty darn awesome. It’s supposed to be cell-phone inspired and I totally see it. I really like the Sync technology that is available, especially with the cell-phone ban. It also has an audio input which is great for an iPod-using junkie like me. I never go anywhere without it, but I can’t plug it in to most vehicles and that bums me. But with the Fiesta, you totally can and have you’re iPod library at your finger tips just like that.

I’m absolutely pumped for the 2011 Ford Fiesta realease in Canada and will totally go out to test drive one when they arrive. I’m in love with this little car, how about you? If not, well then I think you should be! Get on the Fiesta fan-wagon and have some fun!

Ford Fiestas Through the Years: 1976 – 2011

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Ford Taurus sales rose 77% in Dec 09

Now we step out of good ol’ 66′ and into 2010 where David Mondragon is now president and CEO, Ford of Canada. After becoming the #1 selling brand in Canada Mondragon had this to say -”Our products drove our sales success in 2009. Canadian consumers showed confidence in the Ford brand and recognized the quality and value in our lineup,”  “We grew our sales despite a down industry, powered by the freshest showroom in the country.” December also marked the fourteenth consecutive month of market share increases at Ford of Canada and a sales jump of 26 per cent marked the company’s seventh straight month of retail sales gain.

With a sales increase of 46 per cent, the Lincoln lineup also saw strong performances with MKZ leading the pack. “Interest in the Lincoln brand has seen a dramatic increase. With the launch of the MKS and MKZ we’re seeing a resurgence in the Lincoln brand.” Ken Kennedy – General Sales Manager Capital Ford Lincoln. The Oakville-built Ford Flex, Ford Edge and Lincoln MKX also helped to increase sales at Ford of Canada.

“The industry continues to show signs of strength and we see a modest recovery coming in 2010. Ford of Canada is well positioned to experience growth by offering leading products that consumers want and value,” said Mondragon. “In fact, we have 10 launches for 2010, from all-new products, to advanced powertrains and innovative technologies – our lineup this year will have something for everyone.”

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The new F-150 – which features exclusive “K-bag” side air bag technology – provides better side-impact crash safety ratings than the Chevrolet Silverado and Dodge Ram, according to a new study by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

Special “K-bag”

Among the truck’s unmatched list of advanced standard safety features is its patented “K-bag” technology, a new front seat-mounted dual-chamber side air bag named for its unique shape, which is designed to help protect the rib cage from excessive crash forces during a side impact. This air bag is supported with a state-of-the-art side crash sensing system that uses pressure pulses from the impact to deploy the air bag 30 percent faster than a conventional system.

Canada’s safest full-size pickup

The F-150 earned an IIHS “Top Safety Pick” last November and quadruple 5-star government crash test ratings in January – making it the only full-size pickup to achieve both top crash-test ratings. Combined with the most standard safety features in the segment, the F-150 is Canada’s safest full-size pickup.

More exclusive occupant protection

Also new to the F-150 dating back to 09′ is Ford’s standard Safety Canopy® side-curtain air bag rollover protection system, which helps protect front and rear outboard passengers in both rollovers and side impact crashes. The air bag is designed to stay inflated for several seconds for additional protection in rollover crashes, which often last longer than side impact crashes.

Ford’s Personal Safety System – also a standard feature – is made up of a suite of protection technologies, including dual-stage front air bags and occupant weight classification, working together to help protect occupants.

Most sophisticated electronic stability control

The F-150’s standard offering of Ford’s industry exclusive AdvanceTrac® with RSC® (Roll Stability Control™) also met a newer requirement that vehicles must offer electronic stability control to earn IIHS’s top rating. The system is the world’s most sophisticated electronic stability control, helping prevent skidding and rollovers. It goes a step beyond typical stability control systems with a gyroscopic roll sensor that determines both the vehicle’s body roll angle and roll rate.

Lighter, tougher structure

The F-150’s safety leadership also is built on the solid structure that underpins the truck’s legendary “Built Ford Tough” durability and capability. The truck has an all-new hydroformed steel front end – including use of tubular ultra high-strength, lighter weight steel that contributes to its unsurpassed fuel economy in the full-size pickup truck segment.

At Capital Ford we love trucks, we know them inside and we want to show off the F-150. If you have any questions stop by anytime or leave a comment for us below so we can answer it for everyone. Tough, crazy durable, and insanely safe, great case for the best truck ever made!

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The head of the auto maker’s Canadian division says it doesn’t matter that GM and Chrysler got billions in bailouts. What matters is the company’s lineup

Ford’s in a tricky situation.

Both of its Detroit-based competitors – GM (that would be Government Motors) and Chrysler – soaked up billions of taxpayer dollars to get out of bankruptcy this year while the Blue Oval paid its own bills.

Now Ford has new products in the showrooms and its sales and cash flow are easily outperforming its refinanced rivals.

But Ford doesn’t dare utter a word that sounds like boasting for fear of derailing efforts to get the same concessions from the unions that General Motors and Chrysler got. Ford now carries more debt and works under less competitive work rules than the other two. The Canadian Auto Workers union settled late last week, although some locals of the United Auto Workers in the United States are still refusing.

David Mondragon has learned his lines well. He’s a very competitive individual, an ex-football player from California and a good communicator who I’m sure would love to tell the world that superior Ford management has trounced the domestic competition once and for all. Instead, he speaks quietly about adhering to the business plan and promotes the virtues of Ford technology like EcoBoost.

Mondragon was on a panel recently pointing out that Ford’s EcoBoost uses gasoline-turbocharged direct-injection to deliver up to 20-per-cent better fuel economy and that EcoBoost produces 15-per-cent fewer CO{-2} emissions.

The panel’s moderator, Allan Gregg of TVOntario, then queried Mondragon: “Tell me more about EcoBust.”

Sometimes even a skilled communicator like David Mondragon can’t get his point across.

Vaughan: You have General Motors and Chrysler on the run right now. Is this Ford’s day?

Mondragon: At Ford, it’s all about working our own plan.

We’re not gauging ourselves against the competition, we’re not following the competition. We’re setting our own course and we’re excited about that because our products are delivering the story about Ford today.

C’mon, one day taxpayers are going to realize they’re never getting their money back from GM and Chrysler. I think that’s going to change perceptions in the marketplace.

Well, we are fixated at Ford on financing our own way.

We’ve gone through some very difficult times and we made tough decisions. We started making tough decisions years ago – well before our competitors – and that’s put us in a position of strength today and we’ll continue to finance our own way going forward.

But all that government help for GM and Chrysler hasn’t helped you at all. Do you feel the playing field is level?

We don’t feel disadvantaged in any way over the government actions. We’re going to continue to stay focused on our plans working closely with our stakeholders.

We bought down over $10-billion in debt this year and that helped our bottom line by about half a billion in terms of improved profitability.

We’re going to work smart and we’re going to work efficient.

But our product is our key differentiation from our competitors. Ultimately, the consumers will decide who wins or loses in the marketplace – it won’t be the government.

Your sales are recovering nicely but there’s no subcompact in your lineup and the compact Focus has been around for a while. This is where the Canadian marketplace is – compacts and subcompacts – and you’re not there yet.

We have six new entries coming from Europe. They’re all world-class vehicles.

Next year, we start off with our world car. It’s a B car [subcompact] and it’s on the road today as the Fiesta. The Fiesta will fit a great niche for us in the B segment.

It’s also going to be a great feeder to the C car [compact] segment. We’re bringing the all-new Focus to the market next year.

That’s the largest segment in the market in Canada – it’s huge – it’s about 30 per cent of the car market. In certain markets like Montreal, it’s 50 per cent.

What we’re going to do in that segment is bring a multitude of new entries with the all-new European Focus. We’re going to be back in the five-door segment and in four doors, too.

We’ll be fishing where the fish are biting.

David, I want to congratulate you on being here for a full year. There’s been a revolving door in that president’s office. Are you going to stay?

There were five guys in five years.

I know it’s been a revolving door. I plan to be here for a while. We’ve told the dealers that.

I have a long-term lease on my house, our kids are in school. I’m here for a while.

Visit Capital Ford Lincoln’s webstite by clicking here.

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One wonders what a no-nonsense guy like Mike Rowe, host of TV’s “Dirty Jobs,” would think of the word webisode. He’d probably run over it with the all-new 2011 Ford Super Duty. There’s no harm in dreaming, right?

Mike Rowe is hosting a series of – you guessed it – webisodes detailing the development and testing of the new powertrain lineup of the all-new Super Duty – a truck so tough all of your frenemies will run scared. I’m posting the 2011 Super Duty info now and in less then 2 weeks is the Canadian Western Agribition. Wouldn’t you know, Ford has chosen the Agribition in Regina to launch the new 2011 Ford Super Duty to the public.

Finally, Webisodes for Truck Guys

In the series, Rowe leads customers through laboratory and real-world durability testing of the Ford-built 6.7-liter Power Stroke® V-8 turbocharged diesel, 6.2-liter V-8 gas engine and 6R140 heavy-duty TorqShift® six-speed automatic transmission.

The webisodes are at http://www.fordvehicles.com/2011superduty/ if you’d like to see a larger, higher resolution than on our Capital Ford – Tailgate blog.

According to recent Ford customer research, Mike Rowe is the quintessential “truck guy” (like there was ever any doubt!) One respondent said: “I would say that he drives a truck in real life and is not afraid to do stuff like pull out a stump or go off-road.”

In the coming months, the site also will feature webisodes demonstrating the capability of the all-new 2011 Ford Super Duty on commercial customers’ work sites.

The 2011 Ford Super Duty Grill

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We’ve had the new 2010 Ford Taurus in stock for a little over a month now and anyone who’s had the opportunity to drive one is thrilled with not only the great looks and interior design but the outstanding ride and handling. We have a few in stock and would be more then happy to show you the car a little closer. Check out our new 2010 Ford Taurus inventory here.

Personally, I’ve been blow away by this car. I absolutely love the new styling. The front end looks great, the interior is amazing and I can’t get over how comfortable it is.

2010 Ford Taurus Dash - Interior Photo

The layout is similar to the new Lincoln MKS. It has a sportier feel to it then the Lincoln but the Ford Taurus certainly spares nothing with an exceptional fit and finish, you need to sit in it and see it first hand. Words can’t do it justice.

We’ve got a previous post highlighting the technological advancements the Taurus has made including blind spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control and some other great and amazing features. There are two short videos explaining what this means.  Click here for, Ford Taurus – The High Tech Family Car. All of this adds up to why the 2010 Ford Taurus is the AJAC award winner for Best Family Car over $30,000

If you want to win one you have to enter Just visit this link to fill in your information! PLEASE CLICK HERE FOR YOUR CHANCE TO WIN

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