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Anticipation is building for the 2015 Mustangs.  They are set to be released sometime in October and people have been raving about them since they were revealed in December of last year (2013). 2015 Mustang at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway taken by Preston Automotive Group President, Dave Wilson. This sports car is massively better than the one it replaces.  In fact it is even being said that the 2015 Mustang is the best one since – get this – the very first Mustang 50 years ago!  One of the biggest changes that experts love are the updated suspensions, front and rear.  Last year’s version of this car, and every model up until now with the exception of a few years in the middle, was said to have an awfully bouncy rear end.  Even the smallest of bumps in the road made for an uncomfortable ride.  Ford took that pent-up feedback and put an independent rear suspension on it.  Once they did that, they found the front suspension could not work in harmony with the upgraded rear – so they changed the front too. This Mustang comes with a wide range of engine options from a small 2.3-liter 4 cylinder EcoBoost engine to a 5.0L V8 beast in the GT.  The GT gallops with an incredible 435 horses.  Even in the base model you get a fair 300hp.  The interior has been ramped up as well.  You get the classic three-spoke steering wheel, touchscreen display, and aluminum accents on everything.  It gives you a luxurious feel in a true American sports car. Now, there are of course better sports cars on the market.  However, none of those will be able to compare in price to the 2015 Mustang.  Not saying the Mustang will be cheap, but all of those so-called better cars will cost substantially more money.  This totally revamped Mustang easily gets you the most bang for your buck, and we will be getting them at each of our five Preston Maryland and Delaware Ford Dealers in as little as three short weeks!  We’ll have them in Georgetown and Lewes, DE, as well as Pittsville, Denton, and of course Preston.  Please follow us on any one of our Facebook or Google+ pages to keep up to date on their arrivals!

Vehicle recalls are something that happen more often than you might think, but owners may not always know their recalled vehicle needs to be repaired.  Just to be clear, I’m not referring to any major recalls like the Toyota sticking gas pedal incident or the Firestone tires on Ford SUV’s because of course those are recalls that everyone hears about on national news.  I’m talking about those smaller recalls that just about every car brand has at one time or another for things such as faulty airbags or switches for example.  So, it is just as important to know about the little recalls as it is to know about the larger ones because they are both threats to your safety.  And now there is any easy way to keep up on those threats with safercar.gov. Safercar.gov is a government website run by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration ( NHTSA).  This site exists solely to inform consumers on everything to do with vehicle safety.  From recalls, to investigations, even to common complaints – safercar.gov is the catch-all site to ensure you and your family are safe in your vehicle. There are a couple ways to see if your car is on a recall list.  You could search as specifically as the VIN number or as general as the vehicle year, make, and model.  Regardless of how dependable your make of car usually is, everyone should take a look at this site anyway.  It’s fast, simple and you have nothing to lose except about thirty seconds of your time.  However, if you do end up finding something about your car involving a recalled item, then I’ll bet you’ll be glad you checked.  And even more than that, taking a couple seconds to check for your car could save your life or many others. If you got your car, truck, or SUV from Preston Automotive Group and it turns out to have a recall, no matter how small or large, you can be sure that one of our three auto body shops – in Preston, Snow Hill, or Cambridge – will be able to help get you in-and-out and safely back on the road.

Every model year, Edmunds.com, an automotive review website, sends out a testing team that reviews over 200 new vehicles. They take each vehicle on a standardized road-test loop and on the test track under controlled conditions. After this process is complete, they compile the scores for each car and present each vehicle with the awards they qualify for. Here at the Preston Ford Maryland Dealer we are excited to announce that three of our sedans made the Top Rated List! The 2014 Ford Focus, Fiesta, and Fusion Sedans all received an “A” rating – meaning they qualified for a “Top Rated” award. This award pits vehicles of similar size and price class against each other and only the best come out on top. This year the Focus, Fiesta, and Fusion are joined by the likes of the BMW 3 Series, Mercedes-Benz S-Class, and Rolls-Royce Ghost among others. That is an impressive list to be on, and that is why we’re so excited at Preston Ford. This is also the very first year Edmunds has had this award – another reason why we take such pride in this recognition of the vehicles we sell here at Preston Automotive Group. These are certainly not the only Ford vehicles that won awards though. The 2014 Mustang was named to the Most Popular Entry Sport Car list. The Focus and Fiesta Hatchbacks as well as the Fusion Hybrid were Top Rated Award recipients too. So, Ford, obviously being one of the more established car brands around the world, has struck gold with these three 2014 models in particular. We still have plenty of these 2014 Fords in stock at any of our locations. We have our largest selection of Ford Sedans at the Preston Autoplex. But we surely do have the Focus, Fiesta, and Fusion still stocked in our two Boulevard Ford locations as well as Pittsville Ford and Denton Ford. They will be going quickly in order to make room for the new 2015 models, though, so make sure you get out to one of our many Preston Maryland Ford locations to test drive these Top Rated sedans for yourself!

The National Insurance Crime Bureau announced its Hot Wheels report last week, the bureau’s annual release of the ten most stolen vehicles in the United States. The list features a perfect split between import and domestic automakers, with Honda’s Accord and Civic cars topping the list. Full-size pickups made up a considerable chunk of the list, taking the Nos. 3, 4 and 6 spots. Two other Japanese automakers also made the list with two from Toyota and one from Nissan. The following lists include figures with total thefts based on data submitted by law enforcement to the National Crime Information Center. NICB’s 2013 Hot Wheels Top-Ten Most Stolen Cars in the U.S. Honda Accord (53,995) Honda Civic (45,001) Chevrolet Pickup, Full Size (27,809) Ford Pickup, Full Size (26,494) Toyota Camry (14,420) Dodge Pickup, Full Size (11,347) Dodge Caravan (10,911) Jeep Cherokee/Grand Cherokee (9,272) Toyota Corolla (9,010) Nissan Altima (8,892) The report also included the top 10 model-year 2013 vehicles stolen in the same year. NICB’s 2013 Hot Wheels Top-Ten Most Stolen MY 2013s in 2013 in the U.S. Nissan Altima (810) Ford Fusion (793) Ford Pickup, Full Size (775) Toyota Corolla (669) Chevrolet Impala (654) Hyundai Elantra (541) Dodge Charger (536) Chevrolet Malibu (529) Chevrolet Cruze (499) Ford Focus (483)

Customers that are looking for a vehicle with a great track record will love the 2014 Ford Taurus.  The Taurus has won many awards that will come of no surprise to many customers.  Kelley Blue Book named the 2010 Ford Taurus as a “Top 10 Family Car for 2010”.  In 2011 Kelley Blue Book also named the Ford Taurus as one of the fullsize sedan cars with the best Resale Value Award.  J.D.  Power and Associates named the Ford Taurus the “Highest Ranked Large Car in Initial Quality” in 2010.  Not only is the Ford Taurus an overall great vehicle but iSeeCars has put together a list of the 10 cars which are most likely to go for 200,000 miles. The Ford Taurus is one of those vehicles that made the list.  For a car to make it to 200,000 miles is a great accomplishment.  Preston Ford is grateful to be able to sell such a great, long-lasting vehicle.  U.S. News has also named the 2014 Ford Taurus as #9 in affordable large cars.  This ranking is based on analysis of published reviews and test drives of the Ford Taurus.  Reviewers of the 2014 Ford Taurus commented on its powerful base engine, roomy interior, and large trunk. The exterior of the 2014 Ford Taurus features sharp, clean lines and a customer’s eye is drawn to the bold grille.  From the outside the customer can clearly tell what they are about to experience behind the wheel.  The standard 3.5 liter V6 engine offers advanced technology to deliver the very best performance.  The Ford Taurus also gets an EPA-estimated rating of 29 mpg highway fuel economy. The 2014 Ford Taurus is filled with great technology that helps make driving easier.  It has the well-known SYNC with MyFord Touch.  This system is all about staying in touch and staying entertained.  MyFord Touch lets the customer customize systems like climate controls and available voice activated Navigation System.  There is also the highly desired Blind Spot Information System which lets the driver know when a vehicle is in their blind spot or is approaching when the driver is slowly backing out of a parking space.  Another great feature is the adaptive cruise control.  This automatically slows the Taurus down when traffic ahead slows down.  There is available active park assist, this will take the dread out of parallel parking. In the interior of the 2014 Ford Taurus no detail has gone unnoticed.  The center console is a focal point which is attractive but also highly functional.  The controls on the center console are easy to reach and operate.  A great interior feature is the heated/cooled front seats which can keep the driver and passenger warm in the winter and cool in the summer.  The driver no longer has to sit on freezing cold seats in the winter they can turn on their heated seats and stay warm.  There is also an available heated steering wheel to keep the drivers hands warm in the winter as well.

The 2015 Ford Edge was just recently revealed in Europe.  The Ford Edge is a midsize crossover vehicle which many have come to love.  The Preston Automotive Group has always been a huge fan of the Ford Edge and it has always been a top seller at our dealerships.  Preston Ford still currently has a huge inventory of the 2014 Ford Edge! The Edge was first introduced in 2006 for North America.  The 2015 Ford Edge Is 3.9 inches longer at 188.1 inches overall versus the previous models.   There was also a one-inch increase in wheelbase to 112.2 inches.  The cargo capacity in the Edge is also up seven cubic feet with a longer load floor!  New coil springs and an advanced antiroll bar system result in 20 percent more roll stiffness than the previous model and the greater use of high strength steel helps increase stiffness and improve the noise and vibration. The most noticeable thing about the all-new 2015 Ford Edge is the sheetmetal.  The exterior shows a significant change from the previous crossover model.  The back of the Edge might have the most drastic change to the style of the vehicle.  The body spanning taillight is very similar to that of the all-new Lincoln MKC which is making its way on the dealers’ lots soon.  Inside the vehicle the changes are a little less dramatic.  The interior will stay familiar to the recent model of the Edge.  The center stack has received a slight redo.  The cabin focuses on material quality and makes healthy improvements over the current model of the Edge. The Edge comes equipped with a black grille, black 21 inch wheels and the new 2.7 liter EcoBoost V-6 engine.  The Edge is the first Ford to have an EcoBoost base engine.  Ford has stated that the engine is virtually new, with the addition of a twin scroll turbo to minimize lag.  A stop/start system is also optional with the 2.0 liter engine. Ford has also expanded Sync with MyFord Touch availability across Edge trim levels.  The Edge will also be the first of the Ford products to offer an adaptive steering system.  This will be available as standard equipment on the Sport and come at an extra-cost on the Titanium model.  Adaptive Steering essentially varies the steering ratio constantly.  This means adjusting the vehicles speed in order to provide the appropriate level of turn-in for the required situation.   At lower speeds; such as pulling into a parking space the new system makes the vehicle more agile and easier to turn as it dials more steering into the road wheel.  When on the highway the system further optimizes steering response enabling the Edge to react more smoothly and precisely to driver input.  This helps to make any drive more enjoyable. There is going to be a plethora of technology options which are both standard and optional on the Ford Edge.  The Active Grill Shutters will be available on select models to help counter air resistance.  There will also be adaptive cruise control and collision warning with brake support.  This uses radar to help detect moving vehicles directly ahead and change the cruising speed if necessary.  The Auto Start-Stop Technology turns the engine off to save fuel when the vehicle is stopped, the engine is then restarted within milliseconds of when the brake is released.  There is also a new 180 degree front camera with a washer featured for the first time on a Ford vehicle!  The side parking sensors use sensors and algorithms that measure speed and steering wheel angle to warn drivers of obstacles on either side of the vehicle during parking or low speed maneuvers.  The new inflatable rear safety belts are an excellent new safety feature.  This is an advanced restraint system that combines attributes of safety belt and airbag technologies.  This is designed to reduce head, neck and chest injuries for the rear seat passengers. The 2015 Ford Edge will be available in four different trim levels, these will include SE, SEL, Sport and the top of the line Titanium.  The 2015 Edge is a great move forward in material and visual quality.

There have recently been an abundance of vehicle recalls on many models.  You should know what to do in the case where your vehicle is recalled, or is recalled for a safety recall.  Recalls are happening more and more often.  In the year 2013 there were 632 recalls which impacted 22 million vehicles according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.  In the year 2014 there have already been more than 120 recalls affecting nearly 13 million cars.  This means this year is on pace to break the previous record which was set ten years ago. Recalls are issued because the defect or possible defect might make the vehicle unsafe.  For any recall, defective parts are placed at no cost to the owner.  Engineering errors which can be both large and small can cause significant defect that can compromise the driver’s safety and require a recall.  These types of errors are usually on specific models produced during a specific period of time at the manufacturing plant. The most common defects include: Wiring or leaks that cause fire Accelerators that break suddenly Ineffective steering parts that may cause a loss of control Air bags that deploy late Faulty seat belts that break An official safety recall notice is sent to vehicle owners at risk.  These owners are typically identified through DMV records.  The notice explains the following things; the safety hazards that may result from the defect, how to fix the defect and eliminate the safety hazard, when the defect repair will be available and how long it will take to be completed, and who to contact in the case of difficulty. Remember that recalls are meant to protect you!  This doesn’t mean you purchased a lousy vehicle.  New vehicles are made with millions of moving parts and mistakes are bound to happen.  Even for the biggest automotive manufacturers, these recalls are meant to fix the wrong doings!  Ignoring a recall is not a good idea, as soon as you are notified you should try to get the recall fixed!

If you want to reset your keyless entry keypad from the original factory setting then you will find there are just a few straightforward steps!  The SecuriCode keyless entry keypad is located on the driver’s door and it allows you to enter a code in order to unlock your vehicle. Before you even begin you should read the locks and security information which is located in your owner’s manual.  You will also need to find the original five digit security code which is printed on the owner’s wallet card in the glove compartment. 1. The first step to programming your keyless entry keypad is to enter the factory set code, which again is located on the owner’s wallet card. 2. Now within five seconds of entering the factory code you should press the 1-2 button on the keypad. 3. It is now time for you to enter the five digit code that you would like to use.  Each number must be entered within five seconds of the previous one! 4. If your Ford is equipped with the memory recall feature then press the 1-2 button to store Driver 1 settings and 3-4 to store Driver 2 settings. 5. The doors should lock then unlock, this will confirm that your personal entry code has been programmed. Now your door will be programmed to the key code you want which will make it easier to remember!

For the year 2015 the Ford Focus is going to take on a new striking look from both the inside and the outside.  The exterior of the Focus commands attention from every angle while still showcasing an elegant profile with nice flowing lines.  The focus is also outfitted with stylish wheels.  You can choose from a wide range of designs available on the S, SE and Titanium. With the 2015 Ford Focus there will be a SE EcoBoost Package, this will come with a 1.0L Ecoboost engine, an engine that packs enough punch to handle wherever you go driving!  The Focus Elcectric is powered completely by a rechargeable state of the art lithium battery.  This means you never have to stop for gas or even an oil change.  Being 100% Electric also means that there is zero CO2 emissions!  The standard 2.0L Ti-VCT I-4 engine is flex fuel capable so you can use unleaded or E85 or a combination of the two. On the interior you will find it to be just as impressive as the exterior.  The inside has a center stack that will be re imagined.  The technology is inspiring and there is a new lineup of available seats on the S, SE, and Titanium trims.  There is also a new SE Appearance Package.  It includes features such as leather-trimmed seats with an eight way power seat, LED signature lighting, and new 17 inch aluminum wheels. The 2015 Ford Focus will also get new technology!  Standard features will include the communications system that helps you stay connected and a rear view camera that helps you see what’s behind your vehicle.  The voice activated technology, SYNC, comes standard on all models.  There is also the available Blind Spot Information System which uses rear radar sensors to warn you of cars approaching from either side.  Cross traffic alert can help warn you of other vehicles you can’t see when you’re slowly backing out of a parking space. The rear view camera gets a picture of what is behind you.  All you have to do is put your vehicle in reverse and the standard rear view camera will automatically display an image of what is behind you while you are backing up. The Ford Focus is also smart!  The available SecuriCode keyless entry keypad lets you conveniently unlock your vehicle without a key or push button remote.  MyKey encourages responsible driving by others when they are behind the wheel of your Focus by allowing you to limit top speeds, decrease audio volume and more.  Grabbing a cold steering wheel in the winter is not pleasant!  Now the Focus will offer an available heated steering wheel.  This will make those unbearably cold days a little better! The 2015 Ford Focus will be in showroom in early 2015.  Stay updated on Facebook and our blog for more information about when the Ford Focus might be at the Preston Autoplex!  Preston Ford is looking forward to having this excellent car on their showroom floor!

Some drivers prefer and need a lot of leg room in their vehicles.  We have put together a list of the best vehicles we sell that have great leg room!  The best way to really judge the room in a vehicle is to come test it out yourself.  Get in the vehicle and see if there is enough room for you to move around and drive comfortably. The first car to make the list is the Hyundai Sonata. The Sonata has 45.5 inches of front legroom and 40.0 inches of front headroom!  That gives you a lot of space to stay comfortable.  The raked roofline, shark-fin antenna and sculpted grille give the Sonata the special Hyundai design called Fluidic Sculpture.  The Sonata gets its inspiration of all works of nature.  The interior of the Sonata of course has a ton of leg room but it is also built for your convenience.  Get your dose of sunshine and Vitamin D with the Sonata two sunroof options.  There is the power tilt and slide sunroof or the panoramic sunroof that extends the entire length of the roof.  The Sonata also has an available Electroluminescent Gauge Cluster with color LCD trip computer which gives you important information in a second!  The trip computer also allows you to customize things like having your door lock automatically when you reach a certain speed. The Hyundai Azera also made the list of one of the cars with the best leg room! The Azera has 123.3 cubic feet of interior space!  This allows you to really enjoy your space.  The sleek appearance of the Azera is both energetic and elegant.  Both the driver and the passenger can enjoy plenty of seating options.  This includes front and rear heated seats and ventilated front seats.  The available 12 way adjustable power driver seat which also features an optional seat cushion extension and an integrated Memory System.  This memory system has two memory settings for the seat, side mirrors, and steering column.  There is also ambient lighting that sets the mood.  The available interior lighting system adds soft ambient light that illuminates the cabin. The Nissan Altima also has great leg room!  The exterior of the Altima is very stylish.  The design of the exterior is achieved through laser measured panel fit and sculpted steelwork.  The Altima can also be finished on the exterior the way you would like it.  You can choose between Nissan’s 3.5 liter 270 horsepower engine or the 182 horsepower 4 cylinder engine.  The Altima features zero gravity seats.  NASA research determined the posture astronauts naturally take in the weightlessness of space.  Nissan then used this to design front seats which reduce fatique and create optimal comfort.  Also in the Altima is the Advanced Drive Assist Display.  From turn by turn navigation to caller ID this display does it all for you.  It is designed so that you can get info quickly allowing you to focus on what matters the most which is driving! The last car that makes the list which is available here at the Preston Autoplex. The Ford Fusion has 39.2 inches of front head room and 44.3 inches of front leg room!  Not only are the Ford Fusions big on space but they are also big on MPG.  The technology in the Fusion does everything to make your drive more convenient and pleasant.  The available voice activiated SYNC with MyFord Touch allows you to keep your hands on the wheel while you choose your music and climate control.  The Fusion is also a very safe vehicle and has some of the best Ford technology.  There is an inflatable second row outboard safety belts which help distribute crash force energy across more of the torso than a traditional safety belt.  This helps reduce the risk of energy while supporting the neck and the head! All four of these vehicles are available today at the Preston Automotive Group.  These vehicles are also all best sellers here!  They fly off the lot almost as soon as they get delivered here.  Be sure to stop in today and take a look at four of the roomiest vehicles available!

As summer is approaching the demand for sportier cars continues to grow.  For this reason the sportier certified pre-owned cars become harder and harder to find.  In general the certified pre-owned vehicles are in high demand.  They allow vehicle buyers to purchase an almost new vehicle at a much cheaper price.  Not only is the price desirable but the warranty that comes along with the purchase is also great. There are many pros to buying a certified pre-owned vehicle.  The Factory certified pre-owned gives you piece of mind.  The certified pre-owned vehicles go through inspection, repair and warranty.  Due to this you save the time and money it would have taken you to do this yourself and find a good warranty. You also avoid the high up front 20-40 percent depreciation cost that any new car buyer suffers from within the first few years of ownership.  Since the vehicle is factory certified these vehicles typically represent the best deal.  The vehicle has been inspected, the needed repairs have been made and the car has been backed by a factory warranty.  The factory-backed warranty simply means that if you buy a pre-owned Ford then you will have the same coverage you would if you bought a new car from Ford. All certified pre-owned vehicles go through a multipoint inspection.  More details will be taken care of.  For example if the brakes on the vehicle have less than 60 percent life left then they must be replaced. There is also a lot of choice with a used car. Although they can’t be made to order a customer can find a model and option package which might not be made any longer. There are a lot of pre-owned vehicles out there that have only had one owner. The chances of these vehicles being in excellent condition is very high. A car with owner is less likely to have problems with it since many owners of newer model year vehicles keep their vehicles clean if they know they are going to trade it in. Here at the Preston Autoplex we sell five different types of certified pre-owned vehicles.  We have Nissan Certified Pre-owned, Mazda Certified Pre-Owned, Hyundai Certified Pre-Owned, Ford Certified Pre-Owned and lastly Lincoln Certified Pre-Owned.  For most certified pre-owned programs the vehicle must be 6 model years or newer and have fewer than “x” amount of miles on it.

We have compiled a list of the most common ways people are pulled over by the cops.  If you avoid doing these few things you will be less likely to be pulled over and get a ticket from the cops!  Everyone hates having to pay those unwanted tickets. The first of course is speeding!  In a survey administered by Edmunds, every cop that was surveyed listed stopping speeding drivers as a main priority.  If you feel the need for speed be prepared to pay the price.  Each year in the United States 34 million speeding tickets are handed out! Distracted driving is another reason for people getting pulled over.  These tickets include illegal texting and driving!  According to the Highway Traffic Safety Administration an amazing 40 percent of teens in the U.S. admit to having been in the car while a driver used a cell phone in an endangering way.  Teens are attached to their cell phones, ever since smart phones such as iPhones first started making an appearance. Another main offense is equipment violations.  These are easy bait for a cop to pull you over and give you a ticket.  According to police officers the most prominent violation is illegal window tints!  Following the window tint is burnt out lights, broken windshields, and expired license plate tags! Tailgating and improper lane changes are ranked equally important when trying to avoid getting pulled over by the cops.  Both of these are considered reckless and the cops monitor these things closely.  Always use your blinker when changing lanes or turning.  This is something the police officers will notice if you don’t use them. Here are some other attention-getting moves that the police officers pay attention too.  Cruising in the left lane of a multilane highway instead of using it only to pass slower traffic on the right.  Driving more slowly than the normal traffic flow also creates attention.  Peeling out or screeching your tires from a stoplight or stop sign or just squealing tires in general draws attention to you. It is important to be cautious while driving!  Remember the safer you drive the less likely you are to get pulled over by the police!